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.

Mint Green Love

Bismillah.

Isn't this soothing?

To be honest, I never fancy green. I have no idea why. The closest tone to green I have ever picked is turquoise, which is actually blueish tone of light green. Those green tops that I have in my wardrobe are presents and as far as I remember, only this one light green Punjabi blouse I picked for myself after mom said the other colour which is pink was too sweet for me. ;p

I realized that I have a crush on this calm and soft green colour for the past few weeks after I saw an advertisement of a gorgeous model wearing this mint green dress every time I pass by an escalator in KL Sentral station. 

Definitely the ad is not Taylor Swift that I'm referring to though she looks very relax and casual in that pastel colour. <3

What more can I say, Ms Mint Green will get the honour to be placed in my top colour list. Kicking out the second runner up of Ms Yellow to stand tall next to The Queen of Purple. 

What is your 2012 colour? ;)

Meaningful Pages

Bismillah.

Many thanks to the magazine editor. This is a definitely a perfect wrap for a perfect memories. Alhamdulillah. <3

The ending of his life. How is ours?

Bismillah.


Tonight, I logged into Facebook as usual only to find out news that startled me. A junior from my boarding school passed away this evening that is reported to be drowned. I have not got any more details from that. I could say that I barely know him apart from the fact that we were in the same house team (Tariq Ibnu Ziyad). The thing that really got into me is than he died so young at the age of 23. Comparing myself who is a year older that him, I feel incredibly grateful that I have lived one year extra than him. Alhamdulillah, for the chance and time to let me work on my credit to add to the ‘right’ shoulder while struggling to lessen the ‘left’ weight. Nonetheless, I think of his family. They probably had no idea that their son or their brother who looked so fine and healthy this morning actually is going to leave them forever later in the evening. May Allah ease their loss. 

I tried putting myself in his place. I realized that I felt intimidated as I was wondering about so many things: 

1. Have I told my parents that I love them with every beat of my heart that I owe them eternally? 
2. Have I told my siblings that they made me feel perfect though I am not?
3. Have I owed anyone and still have not repaid the debt? 
4. Have I asked for forgiveness from those I hurt?
5. Have I hurt anyone unintentionally and they still feel hurt?
6. Have I done everything I could to lie peacefully in Barzakh and after that going through Qiyamah?

And before I could ask myself more, I decided to search for the tranquility answer. 

“To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:156)

Al-Fudhayl ibn Iyyadh (May Allah have mercy on him) said to a man, “How many (years) have come upon you?”

He replied, “Sixty years.”

He said, “Therefore, for sixty years you have been going to your Lord and you are about to reach (Him).”

So the man said, “To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return!”

So Al-Fudhayl asked, “Do you know the meaning of that (statement)? You are saying, I belong to Allah as a servant and I am going to return to Him. So whoever knows that he belongs to Allah as a servant and that he will return to him, then he should know that he will be stopped. And whoever knows that he will be stopped, then he should know that he will be questioned. And whoever knows that he will be questioned, then let him prepare an answer for the question.”

[Jami al-Ulum wal-Hikam of Ibn Rajab]

Like word of wisdom that we frequently hear, "we should work like we are gonna live forever, as well as we should live today like we are going to die tomorrow." 

To God we belong, to Him is our return. 
May Allah lead us all the way in our very life. Long or short. Ameen.

Snow Sledging at Mt. Bjelašnica

Bismillah.

I still remember in the mid January last year, my  intern supervisor cum kind-hearted boss Šerif and his cheerful wife, Seida, brought me and a friend of mine, Atteya to this mountain as a warm greeting from them as Atteya's friend's is someone Šerif and Seida known for quiet some time during their stay back then in Malaysia. 

They took us to a restaurant up there. Here's the view that can be seen from the restaurant windows.

Everything is grey and white

Look at tiny little people down there!

The Mustafics ;)

The us! Atteya and me. Ya ya ya. Much of the talker, I know.

Grilled chicken breasts and veges

Salad and shredded cheese.

After fulfilling our stomachs, we went out and breathing in and out as Serif told me that the air up here is fresher and cleaner.

This is our first attempt on snow sledging. It was pretty fun and God knows how you could easily sit down taking your next breathe to play this. It is tiring but luckily we just had our lunch earlier. So, yeah, we were all good and energetic. We sledged and woah-ed and screaming like nobody business. I know that people around us could tell immediately that it was our first time. Sorry guys, we are Malaysian! :)

Next time (if there were next time), wear track-suit. Not a pair of jeans. Snow won't be easily brushed off  from jeans fabric.

Sledge like an expert. ;)

After an hour playing, we called it a day since our noses become red and runny. It is freezing though. But, I still can't get enough. ;)

Have a good day. Chilled! :)