Blue Hue

Bismillah,

Electric blue reflects modernity.

  An energized hue.  

p/s: I adore this electric blue top very much but prefer it to be a little bit loose. Sure looks good on anybody ;)

*Credit to Kayra, a Turkish clothe line.*

Why do you go to work?

Bismillah.

 

They always ask why do I want to work where I work now when I first started. And my answer would be, "I want to learn and gain experience". Whereas most of people at my place would answer, "It is all about the money" and "The unlimited earnings", "Ability to gain seniorship based on performance" bla bla bla..etc

Someone even told me that my initial reason won't stay long and I would have the same reason as majority. Now that it has been almost six months, I doubtlessly admit that I still hold my old same reason which is "To learn". :) Yeah. I learnt and I am still learning and I will not stop learning until I achieve my goals or targets. Kudos to me!

However, I won't deny that the major reason for everyone is becoming my secondary. Darn! haha. I need it too. Atleast, it is worth and would great for my savings though I'm living with my parents. Savings that I hope would help take up half of wedding expenses and could fund my unlimited travelling wants. Ameen to this and that.

But tonight, I realized another reason that I think should be one of my priority of working. One that I never think of. I'm writing this down in a resort room, somewhere in the outskirt of town as I'm following my dad's office family day. The company staffs is on a meeting now. The staffs' family are on their own. Free to do whatever they prefer to do tonight.

I have been following my dad's office family day since I was little as he had been with couples of private and multicultural companies. But this time, yes, I realized how different it has be from the previous ones. This time, I witness something new in the family day itinerary;

7.30 pm : Maghrib prayer in jama'ah....bla bla bla..and then,

6.00am : Subuh prayer (jama'ah)

...and the same goes on and on..

The company where my father works is a multicultural  British-acquired company So, to see something like that in itinerary is like impossible. But now that it's happening. MashaAllah.

I realized and get to understand something tonight.

That every Muslimin and Muslimah should have another goal in the career which is to hold higher position in the hierarchy or organization tree. By having this position, you will have the ability to do some necessary changes. Probably for majority, this means nothing. But it means world for me. Yes, probably for Islamic company they have this already. For government body or Government-link company they might have or might not have. But for a totally MNC, I don't think so. At least not on papers.

So, witnessing this in an MNC, with the knowledge that this changes happen because the highest position in the organization is being held by a Muslim, there nothing more that I could say rather than, Alhamdulillah! (All praises to Allah). When you are at the top of management, you will have the power and the ability to lead people under you. The power to lead and influence people to become better. Not just to promote a productive employee, but also to lead and inspire them in becoming a better Muslim.

I hope that this will continue and more good practices will be adapted, sooner or later.

I really hope that my workplace would have this too. Well, that is my part and other Muslim colleagues at my company to do.

May we all have the same mission in achieving career growth or climbing the corporate ladder. To earn good money but never to forget our duty as one of the khalifah in this world, even at your workplace. Spread the word, peace and love of Islam. Work because of Allah. Lillahi ta'ala. Ameen to the very this.

Paris, when it sizzles

Bismillah.

What a long break I took to resume on my journal on Europe Trip which had been discontinued for couple of months. Okay. After strolling in Swiss, we are here in France. Paris to be precise. City of love, most people claim. Really? Hehe. We spent two two days there and were lucky to have our friend from same faculty who did her internship in Paris to take us around on a sight seeing. Thanks to Pika and also Jason! ;))) We owe you!

Breakfast. Say hi to Ms Pika, the one with blue sunglass.

Arch de Triomphe. This is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. We see this a lot in movies. Can you name any movie which has this in it?  :)

Arch de Triomphe again.

The Arc de Triomphe (in English: "Triumphal Arch") honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. (Wikipedia)

Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

Postcard, anyone?

Next, we went to public garden in Paris where Parisians celebrated, met, promenaded, and relaxed. Tuileries Garden.

Buat macam ni kat Malaysia, memang hangus.

OK. Tak payah tunggu kat Malaysia. Kat sini pun boleh 'garing' dah. hahaha

Behind us is the Tuileries Palace. Was a royal palace. The palace looks so 'Cinderella'. Fairy-tale like setting.

This triagular monuments is called The Louvre. It is located at Louvre Palace and also a museum. It is one of the world's largest museum and most visited art museum. 

Notre Dame de Paris which means Our Lady of Paris. It is actually a cathedral. It is known widely of its finest example of French Gothic architecture.

Do you see that? Those people are actually lining up to get into the cathedral. Very very long queue. A friend of ours say it was like a church day. That is why the cathedral was crowded that day.

Next, we took  public tansit system, Paris Metro. It is similar to our LRT and Monorel. However, it is actually one of the densest metro networks in the world, with 245 stations! Can you imagine? That's a lot! Huhu.

Here, we are, finally. Arriving at people most dreamed place to be. Alhamdulillah. I'm looking at Eiffel Tower with my bare two eyes. 

I used to dream of being in Paris when I was a kid. But then I came back to reality with thought of, "Nah. It is impossible to go as far as France". But, then, when I saw Eiffel, I pinched myself to make sure I was not dreaming. Ever since, I told myself nothing is impossible. Never doubt what Allah might have stores for you. Referring to Surah Al Baqarah, ayat 117, that translated;

"Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is."

This magnificent building will not stand if it is not because of the Creator granted knowledge and inspiration to human being. So, if we are impressed by human's creation, we must be highly impressed by who creates this human, am I right? Subhanallah! :)

The city of Paris. Nice,man.

We chilled for a while.  Mr and Ms Tour Guide sitting on the pavement. The day was bright and sunny and it was hot considering the transition season from winter to spring. It was almost 5 months of freezing and dryness and suddenly we were sweating and tanned! :P

Below is Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris. It is actually a church built in 1875. You can find variety product line of souvenirs just down the road before you hike up to this church.

And careful with the street magic trick performer (usually they are immigrants) around this area. If you look or stare at them, they would go up to you, and perform the trick and ask you to involve by showing you which string to pick and when they have finished, they will ask you for money. Therefore, do not look at them. Some might cheat on collecting donor for disabled and poor kids. Just ignore them all and make sure you guard all your belongings especially your begs. This is normal and it happens anywhere. Just don't be surprise if you see they are more aggressive there since Paris is one of the world's top tourism area and high cost of living. By the way, you are there to see beautiful city of Paris, not them. Just be careful. :)

We had biryani rice for lunch and it was so filling and successfully cracked my craving. Yummieh! After visiting Basilica, we jumped on the Metro, since our kind guide, Pika was on a schedule. So, we headed home.

And I was so excited to meet up with one of my close classmate that evening, who did her internship in Abu Dhabi. She flew all the way from U.A.E. to Europe on a trip with her husband. :) I was so happy she waited for me before she departed on EuroStar train to Prague that night. I didn't know what to give her, so I just bought juice drink for her from Carrefour. ;)

Fatima and me

That night, after dawn, we slipped into the city again to see Paris at night. Mostly, we got into shopping stores (Our target is H&M! :p ) The night still young for Parisians but not for us. Our feet are hurt after a long day of walking and we need to get rest for another journey on the next day.

Destination: Frankfurt, Germany

10 Minutes of Awakening

Bismillah.

Just when me and my family finishing the last bites of our dinner last night, we did a ten minutes small talk. As usual, my dad led the communication.

This time he touched about the first usul or point of the well known Usul 20 (Usul 'Isyrin) by brilliant Al Iman Al Syahid Hassan Al Banna.

"Islam is a comprehensive system which deals with all spheres of life. It is a country and homeland or a government and a nation. It is conduct and power or mercy and justice. It is a culture and a law or knowledge and jurisprudence. It is material and wealth or gain and prosperity. It is Jihad and a call or army and a cause. And finally, it is true belief and correct worship"

My dad said that Islam is all around us. Islam is knowledge. Islam is power and army. Islam is government and politics. Islam is everything.

Islam is ilmu (knowledge).

My dad told us about him joining halaqah (Islamic lecture) during completion of his degree in United States of America, about 20 years ago. He always saw these brothers (a term referring to another Muslim man) who came in for the lecture at the Islamic center, looking so professional in well-tailored suit and tie, and able to recite Quran in such a beautiful and heart trembling way. He was amazed by these man who look like they are having the best position in their career yet they still hold their faith very closely. Masha'Allah. Look at how fantastic it is to be an all-rounded Muslim. They seek for knowledge of learning maths and sciences, go to law school etc just for the sake of becoming useful man in the world and for the reward in hereafter. For me, it is just amazing at how they could balance both demand and getting the best out of both world. Masha'Allah.

Yes, Islam is knowledge.

Islam is power and army.

Look at Iran. They are the first Muslim country that is developing on their nuclear power energy. They are getting constructive views from Islamic world and also destructive comments from the other world. For some, they see this as a threat. The ability of having this power energy could lead to several benefits. First, it is the source of generating heat and electricity to be consumed especially for the massive production of their abundance underground treasure of oil and gas. Well, the other reason that is shaking the ground of unsupported party is that  Iran army forces is now standing tall next to theirs. Yes, from nuclear energy, nuclear bomb can be produced. However, Iran has full right to have it as long as they don't endanger and harm others. To the Muslim world, we see this as a symbol of power and strength. It is an image that we want to portray to the world that Islam and its people are strong. Islam is not something you can belittle like what is happening in Palestine.

Yes, Islam is power and army.

Islam is government and politics.

Imam Al Banna, may Allah have mercy on him, also said, "Islam is an Aqidah (creed) as well as nationality. Unlike nationalities which are based on land, the nationality of Islam is based on brotherhood in faith and, therefore, is far stronger and more meaningful than the former"

Some believers say we should not be involved in politics. Politics is dirty that it involves bribery, insulting each other etc. Yes it is true. These are the real scenario in politics though those acts are not permissible in Islam.  But have you ever think of Muslim community living under non-Muslim governor? Do you think it is easy for them to practice the religion freely? To dress as a Muslimah and to be hired for jobs without discrimination? Or maybe you think they are getting written legal protection from the municipality that they are not to be treated unjustly, do you? Look, if you involved in politics, you will have the chances of being heard, as well as the power to protect and propose a conducive Islamic environment for the community. A better surroundings encourage better practicality and performance of Islam. Moreover, the prophet Muhammad, was also in politics when he set up Yathrib (now Medina Al Munawarrah).

Yes, Islam is nation and government and politics.

Hajji Alija Mosque at Počitelj, Herzegovina. What a breathtaking scenery.  Subhanallah. Taken on 30th of March last year.

                                                                                 ...

It was kind of awakening moments for me to realized that there are so so so much to know that I feel I have got tonnes of reading and comprehension to make after listening to dad. I need to run on this because time never waits.

Wallahu'alam.