And everyone has their own destined Rizq

It was already five to six o'clock in the morning. The sky has turned from dark black gradually to a light blue hue. Today is definitely not normal for me being up early in the morning - not 'rejuvenating' back after fajr. With a plate of spaghetti finished on the coffee table, my Quran on the ironing board, it truly is unusual for me to even have a heavy meal before the start of the day.

I pulled open the oven door open and took the tray of baked cookies out, left them out to cool and continued reading the article suggested by a sister on Whatsapp. 

"Dakwah tidak dihampari dengan karpet merah."

That reality is something I am so clearly accustomed to. Yet, sometimes when fatigue and indecisiveness comes knocking at my door, the struggle to put priority has always been an inevitable encounter. It was funny that I smiled at the end of the post, acknowledging how much I understand what the writer is trying to convey - eventhough I might not be as 'hardworking' as he is. I glanced over at the time on my phone and quickly got up to do the dishes. Calculating the approximate time I need to get the 'unusual' morning chores done, I knew exactly that these words need to be written. Because as far as I know, the desire to write and express comes as fast as it goes. Thus before this one goes away, I need to type it down.

Flashbacks of yesterday came daunting over me, but despite of the misery I initially thought I was caged in, I felt that this is my rizq. This path is my rizq, and everything else that comes in it is a rizq and not a tsunami of unfortunate events.

Really, who would start a business because they needed money to go 'grab' people and show them a better path in life? Why go through such an effort for people who mindlessly break your heart every now and then? Why decide to still strive through such 'trivial' matters when piles and piles of lecture notes, medical text books and anatomy dissection have yet to be covered? 

These questions are all notable in our head - especially to people who understand the term Dakwah and Tarbiyyah.

You see, this is not about exclusion nor is it about classifying groups of people. This is about our perspective of life and how we view Allah's rizq upon us.

We don't have money? 

That's our rizq

We have money? 

That's our rizq

We have so much money? 

That's our rizq

We lost one of our legs? 

That's our rizq

We lost both of our legs? 

That's our rizq

We have both of our legs? 

That's our rizq

*smiles*

You and me and everyone else have different sets of rizq bestowed upon us. Anything that happens in our lives are a rizq. As humans, we use these amount of rizq to categorize people - let's say for zakat and welfare care. That, if used properly can be helpful but unintentionally it creates a barrier between the classes and soon, we'll find ourselves comparing each other for whatever reasons there may be.

"And Allah has favoured some of you over others in provision. But those who were favoured would not hand over their provision to those whom their right hand possess so they would be equal to them therein. Then is it the favour of Allah they reject?"
(Surah An-Nahl,16:71)

When we get too consume with status and wealth, we tend to overlook what Allah has decreed to 'share' and delegate the nikmah. That's when all this stingy-ness and 'being thrifty' beging to sprout. That's when spite and envy shrouds our thoughts. That's when sadness and misery dictate our emotions.

And at the end, we lose the essence of what rizq really is all about.

Actually rizq doesn't literally, only mean good things. It can be bad things, it can be haram things. Rizq means something that Allah gifts to his slaves. So it could be from a halal source or a haram source because everything comes from Him and originates from His decree.

Now what about the rizq that we all thought was only of good things and not the bad things?

That, my friend is clearly a misconception - or might I say an incomplete way of explaining what rizq is. Based on my shallow knowledge, rizq are subdivided into two; general and specific. 

General: Whatever that Allah gives to His slave irregardless of how they treat Allah as their master. (i.e, could be a disbeliever but gets sooo much fortune, could be from a haram source, given to cats and cows and humans the same, etc)

Specific: Gifts that will benefit both in Dunya and the hereafter which is learned from the Prophet (pbuh) and is only gifted to those who are of taqwa.

1. Knowledge that is good for nurturing the heart and imaan.

2. Wealth that comes from a halal source.

I bet by now you can guess what I'm relating this post to.

*smiles*

There's no point if you have all the diamonds and gems in the whole world when you have nothing you can put forth to Allah on Judgement Day.

There's no point if you have a large company at the back of your class rooting for you when you have no-one to give syafaat for you in Mahsyar.

There's no point to enjoy Dunya if in return, we suffer in Jahannam.

"This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah."

(Surah Al-Baqarah,2:2)

And we've got the best Rizq of Islam and Imaan. And with that we all can go 'home' inshaAllah. Ain't that enough to make us happy?

Credits

Reference: https://shirotholmustaqim.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/makna-ar-razzaq-maha-memberi-rizki/

To read about Allah's other asma' click on the links below
Al-Latif
Al-Wahid
Al-Muhaimin
Al-Mu'min
Al-Muqit
Al-Haq
As-Sami'
Al-Qawwiy
Al-Jabbar
Al-Wasi'

Belajar untuk Ihsan dan Meyakini Al-A'lim

Life in itself has always been a challenge
Everyday we are force to make decisions
Whether we like it or not, we still go through that cycle
Day in, day out

Because that is what life is all about
"Making decisions."

Some are easy to make
While others prove to be quite difficult
Some decisions can be made on the spot
Some takes minutes, hours, days, weeks, months
To come with a proper conclusion
And even through the lengthy time taken
Doubts still arise
And it kills you deep inside

"....Kemudian apabila engkau telah membulatkan tekad, maka bertawakallah kepada Allah. Sungguh Allah mencintai orang-orang yang bertawakkal."

Surah Al-Imran, 3:159

Kau fikir masalah kau besar
Kau fikir hati kau meronta hebat
Tapi hakikatnya
Ramai diluar sana lagi kurang daripada kau
Banyak sangat nikmat yang kau ada
Ibu bapa
Dua orang adik yang nakal
Teman-teman
Akhawat
Bilik yang panas
Makanan didalam peti
Ilmu di dada
Peluang mempelajari tubuh kau sendiri
Buku-buku yang mengelilingi
Tarbiyyah
Al-Quran
Iman
Islam
Allah

"Dan (ingatlah) ketika Tuhanmu memaklumkan. 'Sesungguhnya jika kamu bersyukur, nescaya Aku akan menambah (nikmat) kepadamu..."

Surah Ibrahim, 14:7

Hakikatnya kau dilimpahi nikmat yang tiada tolok bandingnya
Hakikatnya kesakitan yang kau rasa
Biar luaran
Mahupun terbenam
Adalah berkat kasih sayang dan rahmatNya
Mengapa perlu timbul persoalan apabila sudah jelas bahawa kau disayangi?

Tidak perlu manusia mengiktirafmu
Tidak perlu hadiah berbakul membanjirimu
Tidak perlu tawa riang menghiasi harimu
Kerana..

"...'Cukuplah Allah bagiku; tidak ada Tuhan selain Dia. Hanya kepada-Nya aku bertawakal, dan Dia adalah Tuhan yang memiliki 'Arasy yang agung.'"

Surah At-Taubah, 9:129

Because even if you can't find light behind the grey clouds
Keep on believing it's still there
Because even if you think that it's difficult to hold it all in
Keep on smiling that wonderful smile
Because even if putting up a strong front becomes too overbearing
Keep that headstrong spirit of yours intact

Because He is All-Knowing
Because He sees all your effort
Because He is never far, yet is so close to you

"Dan apabila hamba-hambaKu bertanya kepadamu tentang Aku, maka sesungguhnya Aku dekat.."

Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:186

Kerana itulah perlunya untuk kau terus bersikap Ihsan
Kerana Dia dekat
Kerana Dia ada
Setiap duka tak abadi
Dan ujian itu adalah lumrah hidup dunia ini
Maka buatlah apapun keputusan
Dan terimalah segala yang bakal terjadi
Kerana kau tak tahu
Kau bukanlah Tuhan

"...Tetapi boleh jadi kamu tidak menyenangi sesuatu, padahal itu baik bagimu, dan boleh jadi kamu menyukai sesuatu, padahal itu tidak baik bagimu. Allah mengetahui, sedang kamu tidak mengetahui."

Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:216

Sementara sahaja
Sebentar sahaja
Seperti namamu, teruslah bersabar
Dan teruslah tersenyum

Anggaplah Tuhan melihat segala yang kau lakukan
Anggaplah kau melihat Tuhan dalam segala yang kau lakukan

And tonight, tell yourself to make a wish to the Creator of the stars
So that he will cast upon light and shine us till dawn

To read about Allah's other asma' click on the links below
Al-Mu'min
Al-Muqit
Al-Haq
As-Sami'
Al-Qawwiy
Al-Jabbar
Al-Wasi'

Crystals of Patience

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.

So well, I know it’s already the end of the week and for this post to come ever so at the end of the week can give two indications of why it was written so late:

1.       I am too lazy to write

2.       I am having writer’s block

3.       I am far too busy juggling many other things happening until I can’t find a proper time to write

4.       I am waiting for the week to summarize itself before I start to put anything in black and white

Now, the first two would be the most common reason I would give followed by the third one which more or less becomes a preferable answer I would give to allow myself to be forgiven. Though it’s not about these reasons that I would like to discuss in my writing this time around – as you can see from the title, it’s about patience and I am more than keen to write about how Allah is The Most Patience. 

Thus, my story begins.

Disclaimer: This will be quite a long post, though I am not sure if I can do enough justice to you in explaining this asma’ of Allah properly because as said before in the promo post that most of my writings will be just my mere experience of how I feel that asma’ applies to my situation.

Alhamdulillah

First and foremost I’d like to express my gratitude for this life; a life that is not perfect, but nevertheless is far more sufficient than I have ever imagined it to be.

This week has been a challenge (like every other week, every other day, every other hour) and the challenge that Allah designated for me is of patience. The test of patience that Allah gave me this time around, encircles about so many aspects it gave me an even deeper insight on the meaning of patience and how in it should I apply it to daily life.

As-Sobru.

A name so common, a concept so repeatedly mentioned in the Quran it is almost one of the main characteristic of what a Mu’min should be. And yet, many of us still fail to grasp the gist of what this really means including yours truly - although I am gifted with the name bearing the meaning ‘Patience’.

“By time.

Indeed, mankind is in loss.

Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.”

(Surah Al-Asr,103: 1-3)

Living through the first few days of this week had thought me how much my anger have actually resided within me that when it does re-surface about recently, I have nearly a minimum control of it. And thinking that I have got it covered, thinking that I am used to the fact that these people around me do behave like this, I have actually miscalculated the proportion of the anger that I can withstand inside. This had crucially caused one of my closest ukht to bear the consequences of my unbearable rage. I will not say that it is of an extreme degree, but it did cause some feelings to be hurt by the actions I made.

Another side of which I was tested was of my previous jahiliyah in which I have made a daring promise to myself and Allah during the beginning of winter break; that of which I have yet to fully hold on to. Thus, as a follow-up, I decided to take up further measures in safeguarding that promise and to safeguard my imaan. This, at first was very challenging, because the initial pull to continue committing that jahiliyah is heightened due to reasons I feel would not give any extra input if stated here.

I knew and fully understood that whatever I might desire now, inshaAllah will be gifted in the near future if I had patience.

Credits

Though despite knowing, I can’t really help myself from being slightly distraught of my decision.

The next day, Allah granted us living in Galway, snow.

*smiles*

Something so unexpected to happen in Ireland, happened. It wasn’t only in Galway, other places like Letterkenny, Cork and Dublin also experienced the same event and my roommate was more than rejoiced with this occurring because she had yearned for snow to rain down on Galway for the past whole month. I was happy for her and in this happiness, I was ashamed of myself. I was ashamed that I couldn’t even bear a short period of waiting when I myself claim that life upon this world is just 1.5 hours only. The snow breeze came to remind me that all I need to have is patience, because if Allah wills, it truly will happen in His accordance.

“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive (to Allah)”

(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:45)

Soon after, Allah tested me again about my stand in Dakwah and Tarbiyyah. Because this road and path is a long one, filled with many thorns, threading uncharted regions and paving a pathway against the current trend of syaitan’s footsteps, it definitely does not sound like an appealing journey to take. Plus, you’re having to take it with balancing all the anatomical region of the skull, mean arteriole pressure, cardiac output, OSCE, nutrient metabolism and everything else that comes into the picture of being a medic student. It really is no easy task, let alone is it bearable by a normal conscious mind that lives for the sake of this world.

‘Will I have patience to go through all that comes my way?’

“O mankind, indeed the promise of Allah is truth, so let not the worldly life delude you and be not deceived about Allah by the Deceiver.”

(Surah Fatir, 35:5)

Allah answered me again through the findings I found this weekend while browsing through a book.

He answered me about having patience with the people around me as they all deserve to be treated with the proper akhlaq of a Muslim.

He answered and helped me go through the enduring pain of my feeble jahiliyah but cutting the ties to what attracts me to it.

He answered me about having patience on this long path finding meaning to Dakwah and Tarbiyyah by just being earnest and focus more on my relationship with Him, which then will help me to display it by my actions.

And it is in His nature to yet test me again.

It’s surprising to me how Allah can be so patient with me despite all the questions I ask Him in my wake, in my sleep, in my prayers, in my sujood. I find it impossible to be patient towards others when He has never stopped teaching me in my every step, always answering my prayers in a subtle way by giving His most powerful signs, Nature.

He has been patient to still guide me no matter how many times I fall into the same pit, always picking me back up and showing me the same path again though sometimes with a new method to combat my problem. Allah has always been so patient. All I needed to do was to really delve into my prayers and ask Him earnestly because this world is full of confusion even Rasulullah seeks for Allah’s guidance, what more the sahabahs, what more my own self.

A sister once asked the question about ‘al-Haq’; The Truth. We were speechless at that time because honestly, we had little to zero knowledge of it. We didn’t learn about the message inside the Quran by truly deciphering the Arabic language nor do we go to classes by Muslim scholars to claim that we know of what the True message by Rasulullah is. In fact, all we have to prove that this road of being a practicing Muslim is our five senses and the urge to learn more about Islam. By the small efforts we take to learn about Quran and Hadith, Seerah and Fiqh Dakwah, we are trying to find that answer. Sometimes, it’s not all about the destination that we’re heading for, it’s also about the journey we’re taking and I’m most definitely sure that to endure that, it takes a great amount of patience. And who can grant that ability of being patient other than The Most Patience?

*smiles*

“And be patient, and your patience is not but through Allah..”

(Surah An-Nahl, 16:127)

Credits

To read about Allah's other asma' click on the links below
Al-Haq
As-Sami'
Al-Qawiy
Al-Jabbar
Al-Wasi'

Of Paris and The All-Encompassing

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Alhamdulillah
For the sky and the rain
The clouds and the wind
For the pain and the doubt
For the lessons and the tears

*smiles*

Paris, yup. Alhamdulillah, all praises is to Allah and to Allah only for finally allowing me to view the Eiffel Tower with my own bare eyes. Despite the mesmerizing picture I was able to capture with my Xperia V, none can challenge how the eye captures this magnificent sight.

And the Eiffel Tower is only man-made. The creation of the 'architects', 'engineers', 'electricians', 'builders' and all those humans hovering around beneath it are far more superior and intensely complex than the metal bars put up to display as one of Paris' iconic monuments.

During my trip there - about four days ago, we have been shocked by the shooting at Charlie Hebdo's headquarters in which 12 people were killed; 3 cartoonists and it's chief editor being amongst them if I got my facts correct inshaAllah. Now this happenned the morning my flight arrived in Paris Beauvais, the line was long and the tourists were many. Like us, I think many were still oblivious of what happened that morning. Before departing from Dublin, my father had warned me that anti-Muslim sentiments are rising in Europe and this proved true after I watched the news about a protest in Germany later that night together with the non-stop reports of the incident that impacted France's strong value on freedom of speech. The days followed as the case becomes more conflicting with the gunmen still being on the loose before finally they are finally gunned down on Friday night, 9th January 2015. In the three days I have found much of the world being a temporary facade; one humans rely on to achieve their desired 'happiness'.

I wonder, that after the Palace of Versailles and its gardens were built, did the French monarchy really found happiness?

"Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: Women and sons; heaped-up hoards of gold and silver, horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world's life; but in nearness to Allah is the best if the goals (to return to)."

(Al-Imran, 3:14)

I wonder if the people of France back in those days were really happy looking at that palace made out gold while they were out starving on the streets?

I wonder if the artists that painted and sculpted the paintings, the sculptures in Louvre actually found contentment and happiness in their work? And if they did, what did other people feel of having a 'section' of them displayed for the world to see? What did the models feel?

What is 'art'?

Questions like these would probably be answered with answers like these:-

"Everyone view the arts differently. Not one person perceive the arts the same as another."

"Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."

And the list goes on.

Well, I'm not here to debate on that nor will this writing be of the how perception shapes one's view on the arts (sounds like a ToK assignment already). But it will be of this one asma' below.

Credits

*smiles*

During my trip, a friend told me that Allah's land is far and wide; without no boundaries. And that this whole world encompasses of what Allah created for humans. That this land, no matter how terrible it is, holds more lessons than we can ever imagine. In it we are able to learn not only from what Allah lets remain of its history but also from the people around.

"Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them? They were even superior to them in strength, and in the traces (they have left) in the land; but Allah did call them to account for their sins, and none had they to defend against Allah."

(Al-Ghafir, 40:21)

When looking at this one name of Allah which is Al-Wasi', the meaning behind it is the All-Encompassing, the All-Comprehending, the Boundless, the All-Embracing. Going to Paris - I have to be honest and it's a personal opinion - I found nothing but emptiness. The streets, the buildings, the statues - empty. I saw nothing good in the land of Paris initially and this eroded all my previous impression that Paris was a beauty. But later, as I tried to find meaning to my trip - not wanting it to be a waste, Allah slowly let me learn of Himself by allowing me the opportunity to look beyond what my eyes could feast.

Because Allah is indeed The All-Encompassing.

"And to Allah belongs the east and the west. So wherever you turn, there is the face of Allah. Indeed, Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing."

(Al-Baqarah, 2:115)

In the far blue sky
There is Allah
In the clouds and the gust of wind
There is Allah
In the sea of people who do not know Allah
Who do not acknowledge Allah
There He stands watch of all His creations

High above the Eifell Tower
Deep inside the Louvre
Around the Garden of Versailles
Lies Allah
He is there for He is Boundless

It is not only in a mosque
Nor only in a seminar can you find Him
It is not only in the company of the believers
can you feel Him
Even at lonely times
Even when only those despise surrounds
He is there
He surrounds us all
He is the All-Encompassing
He is Al-Wasi'

And that was how I got closer to knowing who Allah is. Al-Wasi' is He.

Subhanallah.





To read more about Allah's other asma' click the following links below inshaAllah. *smiles*
Al-Qawiy
Al-Jabbar

Project: Discovering Allah

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

It is a challenging week indeed I am facing now (and it's only Tuesday, believe me this week will drain me) filled with a huge amount of distraught and confusion, worries and hopes all piled up at the start of the week. Yesterday witnessed one of my vulnerable moments as I tried to find reason behind all the actions I am taking now to begin with 2015. Honestly speaking, it's easier to decide that you want to do everything for Allah, but like in Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 2;

"Do humans think that they will be left alone on saying, 'We believe', and that they will not be tested?"

So it's not enough to just say it, it's not enough to just believe in it because every inch of that belief will be tested one after another in order for Allah to test that belief - either it's firm or not.

"That which is on earth we have made but as a glittering show for the earth, in order that We may test them - as to which of them are the best in conduct."

(Al-Kahfi, 19:7)

But you know, Allah really doesn't need to assure Himself of our stand because He already knows of it. Of all the people in Ireland and Malaysia, of all the living beings in the world, of all the particles in the galaxy and universe, the Most Powerful entity, our Creator, mashaAllah, believes in us. And He's so Powerful, we're so puny, yet He believes in us, believes in our meagre capacity.

"On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear."

(Al-Baqarah, 2:286)

Therefore, if we are facing a dire problem that we think we cannot settle, that is wrong. Very wrong.

Because, didn't Allah mentioned that no soul will be tested more than it can bear?

Our Creator believed in us, surely we should have that faith in ourselves that things will go well in the end no matter what the outcome is.

So what is the function of these tests? To me, I believe that they are more for us than they are for anyone else. These trials and tests we label as 'troubles' and 'problems' are actually tailored and customed made for us. To make us become better than we were before. If we never faced a difficult maths equation to solve in our monthly test, we will never know how to deal with that equation in the final semester exam. If we have never loss one of our favorite keepsake, we will never know how to overcome the loss of it when the time comes.

Tests are given to make you stronger. Not weaker.

And these tests are only given in Dunya.

Like Dunya, tests are temporary.

Being in the education system for more than 13 years, I know I've been to numerous tests and exams, minor and major ones. I know you have been to those too. Like the tests and exams we sit for in the exam hall, the test that Allah gives in our daily life also has a time frame. Exams usually ends after 1-2 hours, maybe up to 4 hours, but they end. Our problems are a test, and they too will end.

Allah gave me the most wonderful example today subhanallah.

I was out to get some groceries earlier today (bear in mind that I faced a terrible night of confusion the day before) and so I walked to the butcher as they forgot to deliver the minced meat we ordered yesterday. I actually went out yesterday already, so it actually did take up the time that I wanted to spend writing. Upon arriving, I explained the situation, took the package, smiled and left the store but as soon as opened the door, I was mesmerized beyond my expectation.

Credits

Yes, a rainbow.

As simple as it might sound, the view was breathtaking. The angle that Allah let me view this beauty was indescribable, I couldn't even take a picture with my phone. I did try though and failed miserably. Upon my final attempt, suddenly half of the rainbow was gone. And it strucked me,

"Allah gave me happiness in just a glimpse of time and that happiness soon disappeared. Even happiness is temporary, sadness is also temporary too."

Dunya IS temporary therefore everything in Dunya will be temporary too.

My happiness, my sadness, the money in my pocket, the time I'm in Ireland, the challenges I face.

All of them are temporary. They will come and they will go.

And that's the nature of Dunya.

Subhanallah. A blessing in disguise.

"Verily, with every difficulty there is ease."

(Al-Sharh, 94:6)

So you know, it's really unfair to say that life is unfair. Because we really never know what lies behind the events happening around us now. Some people could only realise the benefit after 10 years of having loss the opportunity to continue their studies abroad, some people never realise that they are actually lucky despite not having a boyfriend yet (we only do nikah here 'cause we're cool liddat disliking haram relationships). You think you know what's best but you don't really, Allah does. He's The All Knowing, Al-'Alim.

And Al-'Alim is one of Allah's 99 Beautiful Names.

Alhamdulillah, I am pleased to announce that I will be doing a collaborative project between two other bloggers; Farah Diana and nars together with my close friend Ilyani Rahim. We'll be doing a write-up weekly on one of Allah's 99 Names each and have the links posted at the end of each posts so that readers can easily click on the link and continue on the next blog to read (Ilyani will be using her Facebook mind you). We would really appreciate any extra comments or share on the blogposts/status so that many more people can also embrace the meaning behind these names and further develop a stronger relationship with our Creator by knowing Him better.

*smiles*

InshaAllahuta'ala, please pray for us and this project. It is just a mediocre attempt but may it be of benefit not only to us but to the ummah as a whole.

Peace be upon you, Salamun a'laikum!