Live And Let Die.

The news of the death of a former colleague came as a surprise. It was only a few months back that I was told he had a successful treatment and has since recovered. And a few days later another news of death which also came as a surprise even though I do not know her personally. The wife of a colleague in the office.The reason I was surprised was the nature of death. Sudden death. At such a young age.

Death. All of us will go through that one day. Some will have a prior 'warning' while others don't. Some would 'got away' with a 'quick and easy' death while some may have to 'suffer' before they 'bid farewell'.

A sudden death may seem to be quick and painless, but it doesn't give the person a chance to make amend. For whatever he/she has done wrong. On the other hand, a prolong illness prior death, though its tough or even painfull may be just the ticket to redeem all his/her wrongdoings. May be.

If you were given a choice which way do want to 'go'? Well...?

The way I see it, it doesn't matter. How we die, where we die, when we die and why has all been written or decided upon by our Maker. He knows what and when is best for us. So, all we need to do is to prepare ourselves for it. Prepare ourselves to meet our maker.

For one day, sooner or later we will.

When I really think about it though, we need to die first before we can go to heaven.The ever lasting life. The ultimate destination. So, death is not something that we should fear. It's life that we should worry about. Or to be more precise, how we live our life.

So, if you need redemption, now is a good time, if any.

May Allah bless the soul of those who has departed and may the rest of us be forgiven of all our sins to gain a heavenly place in the hereafter.

Ameen.

Long Distance Friendship

It has been an interesting week. Many ups and a few down. But that's life. We need to go through the 'downs' for us to better appreciate the 'ups'.

Overall, life has treated me well. Syukur Alhamdulillah. Despite every thing else, Allah telah mempermudahkan segala nya. I am forever grateful. No matter how bad you think it is, there are others who are facing much worse.

Anyways, highlight of the week is meeting up with old friends who has moved to other countries. One in Perth, Australia and the other in Ottawa, Canada. It feels good to catch up. Even though for a short 2 hours.

We were together in the earlier years of our working life. What I remember most is the time when we used to play tennis together. Along with a few others. We used to do that a lot. Almost every week ends and sometimes after office too. At one time I was very passionate about this game. We even got a professional coach to train us. And if I am not mistaken, its during this time that romance blossomed for one of them. And they are now happily married with 3 grown up kids in tow. Tee hee....

Friendship like this is one of the blessings in my life. Through long distance communication we are still able to keep the relationship going. When we see each other after months or years of absence it still feels like old time. There is no awkwardness from the separation. There is still plenty of joy and laughter.

Thank you my friends. May Allah bless the two of you happiness in this life and the hereafter. And keep our friendship lasts forever. Ameen.

Letting Go

Victim or Victory

Petua Senang Hati

Love for The One and Only

Off colour

Have been awhile. I have not been in the pink of health. Caught the flu bug which is flying about in the office. The air condition in the office is not helping at all. Plus the fact that I have sinus problem. That doesn't help in this flu season.

Anyways, the week away from the office has given me plenty of time to reflect and a little time to clean up my room too. Been meaning to do it for a long time. All I need now is a new set of book shelf and closet for my precious stuff. Then the room will look as good as new! Shall wait for the next Ikea sale.

Feeling under the weather doesn't really help with blog writing. I sleep most of the time. For my body part to recover I guess. And when I am awake I feel doing something 'semi-active' instead of lounging about feeling miserable. Ended up doing a bit of cooking. And baking.

Looks like the medical leave has given me the motivation to do something different for a change.

Oh well. Time for another nap.

Zzzzzzz

Wishing you Enough

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Good-bye.."

Watch that food!

Note to self: Slow down the cholestrol build up food intake......

Freedom for Palestine.

7 Things Your Muslim Wife Won’t Tell You (from Hope in the World website)

Most men have a hard time understanding women. Even a woman they’ve been married to for years.
One minute she’s perfectly fine. The next, she’s crying like a baby.
She complains about something but when we offer advice on how to fix it, she still isn’t satisfied.

After several years of marriage (and counselling) I’ve learned to not worry so much about what my wife says. Instead, I should worry about what she doesn’t say.

1. Above All, She Wants Your Love

When a wife shows her husband less respect, he in turn shows her less love.
And when a husband shows his wife less love, she in turn shows him less respect.
And the vicious cycle repeats itself.
Stop this prophecy before it becomes self-fulfilling. Show love to your wife.
That’s what she wants. Love her despite her flaws and quirks.
And In shaa Allah, she’ll respect you despite your flaws and quirks.

2. She’s Bored
It’s the same thing every day. Week in and week out.
Not only is she bored but she’s also tired. She has to care for the kids and run the household and then pamper you.

Just thinking about doing that every day makes me want to crawl under my covers and hide. I can imagine how the average Muslim housewife must feel.
And let’s not forget about working woman. Many Muslim women have to work a full time job as well as hold a house down.

So brothers, I implore you, make your wife feel special. Give her a break.
Take her out sometimes. Surprise her with a surprise meal. Bring her favorite desert home.
Just do something every now and then to break the monotany.


3. She Wants to Be Complimented

Appreciation. Everybody wants it.
No one wants to feel as if the hard work they do goes unnoticed or even worse, it taken for granted.
Your wife does not have to clean your dirty clothes. And she does not have to cook your meals.
But she does.
And she does that on top of all the other things in her life:
Working or going to school.
Caring for the kids.
Striving to be a better Muslimah.
Show your Muslim wife that you appreciate and are thankful for the things she does to maintain you and your family.

A simple “thank you” is a good start.


4. She’s Insanely Jealous

There’s a reason most women don’t care for polygamy.
Be very careful how you talk about other women around your wife.
Don’t ever compare your wife to another woman.
Don’t compare her to some female movie star.
Don’t compare her to your mother.
Never, ever compare her to your ex-wife (or other wife!)
She’s wants to know and believe that she is the center of your universe. So make her feel that way.

Even the Prophet’s (pbuh) wives got jealous. Aisha (RA) even got jealous of Khadijah (RA) who was dead.
Expect, and respect, the same type of jealousy from your wife.

5. She Wants You to Help Her Become A Better Muslimah

If you haven’t seen it yet, I encourage you to watch this video I did a couple of weeks ago for Muslim men. In this video I stress the importance of men taking the role of leader within their families.
And that’s the problem with a lot of Muslim men these days.
Not only are they not being good leaders, they’re being led by their wives (or mothers, or other women in their lives).
Your wife desires and wants you to be her leader. And what better way to lead her than to be show her how to be a better Muslimah?

But you can’t show her how to become better if you’re not that great either. Therefore, you have to upgrade your Iman. You have to improve yourself and then pass it on to her in a gentle, respectful way.

6. She Doesn’t Like to Nag, But Sometimes You Make It Hard

It’s a common myth that women like to nag their husbands. That’s not entirely true.
Yes, there are some people (men and women) whom you can never please. No matter what you do, they’ll always find fault in something. Let’s be reminded of the following hadith:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: The Prophet said: “I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful.” It was asked, “Do they disbelieve in Allah?” (or are they ungrateful to Allah?) He replied, “They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, ‘I have never received any good from you.” - Sahih Bukhari

So, yes sisters should be careful about denegrating the things your husband does for you.
But very often, you Brother, make it hard for her to hold your tongue.
Perhaps you’re always finding fault with her and she looks for things in your character to get even.
Perhaps you’re not working (or not working hard enough) and she has to work to take up some slack.
Perhaps you’re just not that great of a guy.
Once again, upgrade yourself and give her less reasons to complain and nag.

7. More Than Anything, She Wants a Stable, Happy Relationship With You

Women don’t get married just because they think it’s gonna be fun.
They get married because they want a happy family life and they believe you’re gonna give it to them.
Outside of her religious duties, that’s the most important thing in a Muslim woman’s life. Raising a happy, stable, Muslim family.
The funny thing is, it’s very easy for you to give that to her.

Stop acting like a jerk. Be a good husband to her. Be kind. Show her you love her.
Don’t threaten her with divorce or taking a second wife. Yes, you have the right to do both. But using them as threats is inappropriate and detrimental to your marriage.
Trust in Allah, watch out for the tricks of Shaytan, and be patient with her. There’s nothing Shaytan would love more than to destroy your marriage.
See? That isn’t all that hard, now is it?


Note: I found this article posted in my FB and I thought "Hei! I should keep this for my future son-in-law". Ha ha ha! It's good don't you agree?

Good nite everyone.
Salam.

Too much Love.

Sometimes when we give so much love, we expect the same in return. Certain respect at least, perhaps a bit more consideration, maybe even some exception.

And of course we would certainly feel dejected, if instead, we are turned the other cheek. Worse still if we have been wronged by the exact same people whom you thought would have known you better! That would certainly hurt!

So how do we protect ourself?

Well, first of all, not everyone has the same rules. Not everyone applies the "give and take" principle. Hence, when you want to give, expect no return. (More so in dollar and cents. If you want to lend money to friends or relatives only give an amount that you can afford to lose. And expect that you may not see the money or the friend again. So if it does happen that way you are prepared for the worst and can forgive and forget easily. But of course they have something to lose: your trust!)

Rule no 2: go back to rule no 1.

Ha ha! Actually, I can't think of anything else except for the above. There are many other things that we can do but nothing major. The crux of the matters lies in the above. If we can master that, life will be a lot more pleasant and will not be filled with hate.

The following saying is also totally true:
"being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect, but you have decided to look beyond the imperfection"

Yes, you get to choose to be happy. Or miserable.

And lastly my final word of advice, stay within your area of influence otherwise it's difficult to be not miserable.

Have a good week ahead peeps....

P.S. Don't forget to say a prayer for the innocence in Gaza.

Respect

One of my cousins posted the poster below in her FB. The message from there caught my eyes and set me thinking.

It's pretty common for us to judge a person from what we see. After all, there is no way for us to know the full history or background of everyone whom we meet. Hence it's not unusual for us to sometime make the wrong conclusion base on our assumption from what we see. That is the problem.

Question is, how do we change that?

Well for one, I say, we have to acknowledge the fact that everyone has a different way of thinking base on the way they are brought up as well as educated. A person who has not gone through the same experience is not expected to feel or think the same way. In fact, even if they have gone through the same experience, their thinking may still not be the same.

Actually, come to think of it, all we need to do is to have a sincere respect for the other person's opinion and not be adamant with our own set of rules and thinking. We should not be judgemental base only on the way we see things. Base on only our perspective. We need to open up a bit more. We need to listen with an open heart and mind. And we shouldn't put a label on anyone before we know the person better.

But of course there will always be some people who are like that I am afraid. Total control freak. If you ask me, I really don't know whats their problem. Sigh....

So, in conclusion, since we may not have the time and pleasure of psyco-analysing everyone we meet, suffice to say that all we need to do is respect each other.

And the whole world will be a better place.

And everyone will live happily ever after.

Sigh....

Salam and good nite.

P.S. Don't forget to say a prayer/doa to the Muslims in Gaza. May Allah protect the innocents from the oppressors. Ameen.

Friendship Week

Alhamdulillah. After so many months of busy schedule in and out of the office, I am at last a little free and easy. We have done our part and now we will leave matters in the hand of the Creator. He knows what is best for us all. InsyaAllah.

Well, this week has been a great friendship week for me. With the public holidays and all, there were plenty of opportunities to reconnect with old friends. And that's exactly what I did. Breakfast here, lunch there, tea all the way in the heart of the city. I treasure every moment.  Unfortunately I forgot all about taking photos of us. Another thing amiss of me  apart from forgetting my handphone.

Anyhow, to all my friends out there, thank you for being so supportive during my time of needs and bearing with my untimely schedule at times.

May Allah bless us all and grant us the path towards jannah. Ameen.

Forgive and Forget

Posters of Happiness

Whenever I am not able to write, I shall post posters which I feel may be a great reminder or encouraging words for us all.

These are words or quotes that touched me which I have pasted on my favourite photos.

I used to googled for the right message with a nice creative but at times the message is good but the background is not. Well, no more of that.

Hope you find them meaningful as I have.

And feel free to save the image and send to your loved ones. The first one was under the title 'Every little Thing'.

Thank you for sharing and spreading the words.

Mankind

Yeah ok. It's been sometime. You are not the only one who noticed. Some even complained. Sigh.

I have been busy off late. So much in my mind too that I keep forgetting things. Like forgetting to bring my handphone when I go out. My daughter couldn't understand how I can forget one of the most important if not THE most important device in the whole wide world. Well, that goes to show....

But this doesn't mean that I have stopped wondering and musing. Still do that a lot. Just that they are hard to put down on paper. You know, one those....

Anyways, I found the quote below and pasted it on one of my favourite photo of an oil painting that I cannot afford.

I found the quote so good an advice. Like, a person can pretend to be a goodie two shoes and perform their prayers and such but we do not really know whats in their heart. But how they treat and behave with another human kind cannot be hidden. And to go a bit further to animals too. Certainly something wrong with a person who torture a cat for example or takes pleasure in pulling the wings of a butterfly. Demented!

So my friends, thats why I told my two girls how to choose their partner. Of course the first priority is still the 5 times daily prayer. But secondly they must have a good relationship with their parents and siblings. I mean if they can't even do that in their own home how can they behave kindly outside their comfort zone? Well of course there are circumstances like a broken family and all that which may have an effect on a person perpective in life. Still no reasons to pull the wings of that pretty butterfly!

Well, I must say that there are more and more sickos out there but we have to have faith in the general mankind. We have to believe that deep inside they are good.

And it all begins with us. If we want to change the world, begins with ourselves.

May the new year brings us a more meaningful life for us and the people around us in the eye of Allah. InsyaAllah. Ameen.

Salam maal hijrah.

Every little thing.

Charisma

10 habits of remarkably charismatic people:

1. They listen way more than they talk.

-Ask questions. Maintain eye contact. Smile. Frown. Nod. Respond--not so much verbally, but nonverbally.
That's all it takes to show the other person they're important.
-Then when you do speak, don't offer advice unless you're asked. Listening shows you care a lot more than offering advice, because when you offer advice in most cases you make the conversation about you, not them.
-Don't believe me? Who is "Here's what I would do..." about: you or the other person?
-Only speak when you have something important to say--and always define important as what matters to the other person, not to you.

2. They don't practice selective hearing.

-Some people (I guarantee you know people like this) are incapable of hearing anything said by the people they feel are somehow beneath them.
-Sure, you speak to them, but that particular falling tree doesn't make a sound in the forest, because there's no one actually listening.
-Remarkably charismatic people listen closely to everyone, and they make all of us, regardless of our position or social status or "level," feel like we have something in common with them.
Because we do: We're all people.

3. They put their stuff away.

-Don't check your phone. Don't glance at your monitor. Don't focus on anything else, even for a moment.
-You can never connect with others if you're busy connecting with your stuff, too.
-Give the gift of your full attention. That's a gift few people give. That gift alone will make others want to be around you and remember you.

4. They give before they receive and often they never receive.

-Never think about what you can get. Focus on what you can provide. Giving is the only way to establish a real connection and relationship.
-Focus, even in part and even for a moment, on what you can get out of the other person, and you show that the only person who really matters is you.

5. They don't act self-important

-The only people who are impressed by your stuffy, pretentious, self-important self are other stuffy, pretentious, self-important people.
-The rest of us aren't impressed. We're irritated, put off, and uncomfortable.
-And we hate when you walk in the room.

6. Because they realize other people are more important.

-You already know what you know. You know your opinions. You know your perspectives and points of view. That stuff isn't important, because it's already yours. You can't learn anything from yourself.
-But you don't know what other people know, and everyone, no matter who they are, knows things you don't know. That makes them a lot more important than you--because they're people you can learn from.

7. They shine the spotlight on others.

-No one receives enough praise. No one. Tell people what they did well.
Wait, you say you don't know what they did well?
Shame on you--it's your job to know. It's your job to find out ahead of time.
-Not only will people appreciate your praise, they'll appreciate the fact you care enough to pay attention to what they're doing.
Then they'll feel a little more accomplished and a lot more important.

8. They choose their words.

-The words you use impact the attitude of others.
For example, you don't have to go to a meeting; you get to go meet with other people. You don't have to create a presentation for a new client; you get to share cool stuff with other people. You don't have to go to the gym; you get to work out and improve your health and fitness.
-We all want to associate with happy, enthusiastic, fulfilled people. The words you choose can help other people feel better about themselves--and make you feel better about yourself, too.

9. They don't discuss the failings of others

-Granted, we all like hearing a little gossip. We all like hearing a little dirt.
-The problem is, we don't necessarily like (and we definitely don't respect) the people who dish that dirt.
-Don't laugh at other people. When you do, the people around you wonder if you sometimes laugh at them.

10. But they readily admit their failings.

-Incredibly successful people are often assumed to have charisma simply because they're successful. Their success seems to create a halo effect, almost like a glow. The keyword is seem.
-You don't have to be incredibly successful to be remarkably charismatic. Scratch the shiny surface, and many successful people have all the charisma of a rock.
-But you do have to be incredibly genuine to be remarkably charismatic.
-Be humble. Share your screwups. Admit your mistakes. Be the cautionary tale. And laugh at yourself.
-While you should never laugh at other people, you should always laugh at yourself. People won't laugh at you. People will laugh laugh with you.
They'll like you better for it and they'll want to be around you a lot more.

Note: Thanks to my friend Normah for sharing

Colours of My Life.

Another year. Another birthday last week end. For my first born. Somehow I feel so blessed. Even though it's nothing more special than last year. Or the year before. In fact last year would have been more special as it was her 21st birthday.

Yes, I feel truly blessed for been bestowed with two lovely girls. I truly hope that I have done my duty to be a great mother whom they see not just as a Mother but also as an advisor, confidant and a friend. It would be such an honour if I am the first person they turn to for help or advice (other than their father of course). It would be wonderful to know that I am a big instrument in shaping their life. And most of all, I do hope that with the guidance that have been given to them they will turn up to be responsible persons in carrying out their duties to God, people around them and the environment. (should I put the country as well? Nah! Too pushy!)

Having them certainly has added values to my life. Watching them grow in the different stages of life into adulthood. Seeing their progress and maturity as we go along. Sharing their ups and downs. Their joy and sadness.

Thank you Allah. I am truly blessed.
Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah.

Ya Allah, ya Haiyum, ya Qaiyum.
Jadikan anak2 kami anak2 yang solehah,
Yang sentiasa beriman dan bertaqwa kepada Mu,
Dan beramal ibadat kerana Mu, ya Allah.
Ameen ya rabbal ngalamin.

Note to self: Puasa Arafah

Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam menjadikan penekanan ibadah pada 10 hari awal Dzulhijjah tersebut daripada hari-hari lainnya. Hal ini sebagai dalil umum yang menunjukkan keutamaanya. Jika sepuluh hari pertama Dzulhijjah dikatakan hari yang utama, maka itu menunjukkan keutamaan beramal pada hari-hari tersebut. Sebagaimana Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam bersabda,

مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فِيهَا أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الأَيَّامِ يَعْنِى أَيَّامَ الْعَشْرِ. قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَالَ وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِلاَّ رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِشَىْءٍ

"Tidak ada satu amal sholeh yang lebih dicintai oleh Allah melebihi amal sholeh yang dilakukan pada hari-hari ini (yaitu 10 hari pertama bulan Dzul Hijjah)." Para sahabat bertanya: "Tidak pula jihad di jalan Allah?" Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam menjawab: "Tidak pula jihad di jalan Allah, kecuali orang yang berangkat jihad dengan jiwa dan hartanya namun tidak ada yang kembali satupun." [1]

Jika puasa di sepuluh hari awal Dzulhijjah dikatakan utama, maka itu menunjukkan bahwa puasa pada hari-hari tersebut lebih utama dari puasa Senin-Kamis, puasa tiga hari setiap bulannya, bahkan lebih afdhol dari puasa yang diperbanyak oleh seseorang di bulan Muharram atau di bulan Sya’ban. Puasa di sepuluh hari pertama Dzulhijjah bisa dikatakan utama karena makna tekstual yang dipahami dari sabda Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. [2]

Yang menjadi dalil keutamaan puasa pada awal Dzulhijjah adalah hadits dari Hunaidah bin Kholid, dari istrinya, beberapa istri Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam mengatakan,

عَنْ بَعْضِ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِىِّ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- يَصُومُ تِسْعَ ذِى الْحِجَّةِ وَيَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ وَثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ أَوَّلَ اثْنَيْنِ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ وَالْخَمِيسَ.

“Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam biasa berpuasa pada sembilan hari awal Dzulhijah, pada hari ‘Asyura’ (10 Muharram), berpuasa tiga hari setiap bulannya, ...” [3]

Kata Ibnu Rajab Al Hambali rahimahullah bahwa di antara sahabat yang mempraktekkan puasa selama sembilan hari awal Dzulhijah adalah Ibnu ‘Umar. Ulama lain seperti Al Hasan Al Bashri, Ibnu Sirin dan Qotadah juga menyebutkan keutamaan berpuasa pada hari-hari tersebut. [4]

Bagi orang yang tidak berhaji dianjurkan untuk menunaikan puasa Arafah yaitu pada tanggal 9 Dzulhijjah. Hal ini berdasarkan hadits Abu Qotadah, Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam bersabda,

صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِى قَبْلَهُ وَالسَّنَةَ الَّتِى بَعْدَهُ وَصِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِى قَبْلَهُ

“Puasa Arafah dapat menghapuskan dosa setahun yang lalu dan setahun akan datang. Puasa Asyura (10 Muharram) akan menghapuskan dosa setahun yang lalu.” [5]

Hadits ini menunjukkan bahwa puasa Arofah lebih utama daripada puasa ‘Asyuro. Di antara alasannya, Puasa Asyuro berasal dari Nabi Musa, sedangkan puasa Arafah berasal dari Nabi kita Muhammad shallallahu ’alaihi wa sallam. [6]

Keutamaan puasa Arafah adalah akan menghapuskan dosa selama dua tahun dan dosa yang dimaksudkan di sini adalah dosa-dosa kecil. Atau bisa pula yang dimaksudkan di sini adalah diringankannya dosa besar atau ditinggikannya derajat.

Semoga Allah memberikan kita kemudahan untuk melakukan amalan puasa tersebut.

Hanya Allah yang memberi taufik dan hidayah.

Concious Competence

It's not the first time that it happened to me. And I am pretty sure that it happened to many others too.

There you go driving on a familiar road going to a specific destination while enjoying the songs on the radio and maybe singing along to your favourite tune. And suddendly you realised that you missed the turn. You are so used to using that road be it to work or home from work that your mind automatically take the same route even though you were actually planning to go somewhere else that day.

Sound familiar?

Scientifically that is called 'unconcious competence'. (not sure if I talked about this before, but anyways....). When you try to do something new, at first you will feel uncomfortable and it takes time for you to get used to it. This is the stage where its called 'concious incompetence'. You have to be concious and alert of doing it or you won't be able to it well. (a good example is learning how to drive). Once you get the hang of it, then you will be at the stage of 'concious competence'. You can do it well enough but you still need to be focused on it. And when you can do it with your 'eyes closed' as they say it then you are at the stage of 'unconcious competence'. You can do it without having to put so much thought.

Get the picture?

Now, it gets me to thinking. This is why it is sometimes difficult to change an old habit. We are so used to doing it all our life that even if we decide to change, if we don't conciously make the effort at all time, chances are that we will go back to the old ways. Hence we have to have the discipline, determination and steadfast. Otherwise, we can get astray.

More so when it comes to any matter related to the religion. The whispers from the devils are not helping at all! Hee....

So, there you are my friends, now that you know the scientific reason for it, perhaps it will help you to stay on course and keep you pushing onwards with more determination! And in my opinion it's better to stay on the 'concious competence' state of mind most of the time so that we are always focused in whatever that we do. And we don't get carried away so easily.

P.S. By the way, there is one more stage prior to the concious incompetence. Its called, 'unconcious incompetence'. This is when you don't realise that you need a certain skill. It's not exactly a stage of ignorant, it's more likely that you do not need that particilar skill at that particular time until sometime later.

Personally, I would term this stage as the 'dumb blond' stage. Hee....

Good nite lovely people.

Nightingale

Strange. I am hearing the chirping of a bird in the middle of the night. Somehow I can't help feeling the joy from that sound. Even at this time of the night.

Sounds of birds chirping always manage to lift my spirit. Especially in the morning. Imagine this; breakfast outdoor in the cool morning air or by the window with the cool morning breeze with the sound of bird chirping nearby. Heaven!

Anyhow, on occasion like this I cannot help feeling really blessed. There are so many little things that sometimes being taken for granted. I have to constantly remind myself that there are so many things that I have to be grateful and thankful for.

Life has been good. Life has treated me well. Life has given me plenty of lessons to learn. Life has made me stronger. Life has taught me how to appreciate life. Life has made me more appreciative of what is around me. And the people around me.

Alhamdulillah. Thank you little bird for reminding me how blessed I am.

Manners of Sleeping

Found this useful info in www.zikr.co.uk:


1. One should recite 'Bismillah' whilst closing the doors and latching the lock.
2. Containers with foodstuff including water should be covered with the recitation of 'Bismillah'.
3. To put out any burning fire i.e. candles, fireplace etc..
4. To switch off or put out anything that may catch alight if left on.
5. To discuss, with members of the household, matters relating to Islam. For example, by telling stories (of Sahabas, etc.) or simply talking about matters that pleases the family but within the confines of Shariah.
6. To have available Surma and apply three times in the right and left eye.
7. It is desirable (Mustahab) to sleep with wudhu the Sunnah way.
8. To sleep in the state of purity, (i.e. with Wudhu and Ghusl if necessary). If one has just made Wudhu prior to the sleep then it would not be necessary to repeat the Wudhu. If one is not able to make Wudhu then tayammum (dry ablution) will suffice.
9. To lay or spread the bed yourself.
10. To clean the bed three times with a cloth before sleeping.
11. When a child reaches the age of ten, he must not sleep in the same room as his sister, mother or another woman except his wife.
12. For two men to sleep on one bed or in one blanket is not permissible, it has been prohibited in the hadith.
13. A child of ten must not sleep in the same bed as the husband and wife.
14. The feet should not be facing towards Makkah or Madinah.
15. Before sleeping recite 'Bismillah' and the three Quls , and thereafter to blow on the palms and rub three times on one's entire body ' beginning from the head and ending at the toes.
16. To use a pillow is Sunnah (to rest one's head on).
17. The Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) disliked lying on the stomach.
18. Do not have your feet facing the Qur'an or other religious books and if the books are higher than the feet there is no problem.
19. To recite any Surah from the Qur'an one remembers, especially Surah Mulk , Surah Sajdah , Surah Bani Israeel and Surah Zumar .
20. To recite Surah Waaqi'ah before sleeping as this safeguards one from hunger and poverty.
21. To recite Tasbih-e-Fatima and Kalimah Tayyab once, before sleeping.
22. To keep a prayer mat for the Tahajjud prayer besides the head is a Sunnah.
23. When going to sleep, remember your grave as you will be sleeping on your own with your deeds and no one will be there with you.
24. Remember Allah (The Exalted) because the state a person sleeps in is the state in which one will wake up.
25. Do not sleep after 'Asr as there is a chance of loosing the intellect and it is disliked (Makrooh) to sleep in the beginning part of the morning and between Maghrib and Isha.

Sleep like a baby

Islam calls for us to sleep the right way so that not only we get a good night sleep but also befitting to our health.

Imam Shafa'i (may Allah have mercy upon him) states that there are four types of sleep;
1. One is to lie on the back this is the sleep of the Prophets,
2. One is to sleep on the right side which is the sleep of the worshippers,
3. One is to sleep on the left which is the sleep of the rulers
4. And one is to sleep on the stomach that is the sleep of the devil.
We should sleep according to the Sunnah as there are many benefits including health benefits.

Do refer to the photo below the right sleeping position.

And don't forget to recite the dua before sleeping (refer to attachment) as well as the following surah at the very minimum: surah Al-Fatihah and the three Quls , and thereafter to blow on the palms and rub three times on one's entire body ' beginning from the head and ending at the toes.

Other surah good to read before sleeping are Surah Mulk , Surah Sajdah , Surah Bani Israeel and Surah Zumar. To recite Surah Waaqi'ah is also good as this safeguards one from hunger and poverty.

Good nite and sleep tight!

Forgive and Forget

Still on the subject of "forgive". Does anyone out there find that it's easier to forgive but harder to forget? Well, I have to admit that I am one of them.

The latest incidence happened about a year ago and I found that even though it took me a shorter time to forget the whole unpleasant incident I wasn't able to dismiss it immediately.

I found that I kept analysing the situation over and over again, what, how and why it happened. It was only until I came to a conclusion and decided on a solution that I am able to put the matter aside.

So there you are. Regardless what others say, to me forgiving is a lot more easier than to forget. And in my personal opinion, there are some cases where it may be better that you don't forget because they are part of your learning experience and can be used as your reference point.

Having said that though, we must not hold our grudge and on the look out for vengence! After all we are all human and human makes mistakes. (As long as we don't make the same mistakes twice!). And most important of all, if God is always able to forgive and forget, who are we not to? Hee.....

Forgiveness

Time to Forgive

I am pretty sure that all of us sometime or other have fallen into a situation that we got our self hurt or heart broken. The few times I experience them myself were as a result of my own expectation of the other person's behavior. I was pretty hurt when it happened and took sometime to get over it but it got easier once I dismissed the so called friends. Cut them off from the friends list. Hee.....

My advice, never have any specific expectation out of anyone, not even your spouse. And in keeping your relationship with friends and siblings, never put yourself as more important than anyone else. Then, you will never get hurt. You may get disappointed or frustrated now and then but it will not be the 'oh god why is this happening to me' type!

Anyways, like I mentioned time and time again, it will get easier over time and as we grow older. Why? Because our priority has changed and we look at matter from a different perspective. We look at bigger pictures and little things that used to matter are no longer important anymore.

Follow up to my last post on "Anger Management" I googled the topic on "How to Forgive". I found a very practical approach under the website wikihow.com/forgive. Do look it up.

Nite nite all. Salam.

Anger Management

I promised earlier that I will google to find out more about 'Anger managament' and the 'art of forgiving others' (refer 2 post earlier entitled Dwellers of Heaven)

Some common advice on how to control anger are: take time out or take deep breath. Self analyse why you are angry. Etc. Etc.

But I find that most site tell you how to manage anger as it happens but not how to avoid anger altogether. I think that would help a lot more.

For, the way I see it, once you lose your temper, it's kind of difficult to think rationally. And sometimes words already slipped out before you could call for a time out.

So, for me, the best advice is to be the kind of person who can remain calm at all time. And in my personal opinion, to be able to do that you need to be a humble person and the kind of person who do not put himself more important than anyone else.

Here is a story that I found in one of the website that I googled (www.uncommonhelp.me) that explain exactly what I mean:

Once, in ancient Japan, there was a young samurai warrior. His mastery of the sword was strong; his mastery of self weak. He happened, one morning, to come into the presence of a wise old man who was reputedly an even better swordsman than the young upstart but who didn’t feel the need to impress others.

“If you are so wise,” demanded the younger man, “then explain to me the meaning of Hell and Heaven!”

The old man turned on the young samurai. “Why should I even speak to one as bloated on self-importance, so mired in self-opinion, so stuffed full of conceit as you? Be gone, weak man!”

Now no one had ever dared speak to the samurai like that! Infuriated beyond belief, hands shaking with rage, he drew his sword and went as if to separate the ancient sage’s head from his body.

But at this point the older one turned calmly and said: “In answer to your question: that, my child, is Hell!” The warrior was amazed and humbled that the other man should endanger his own life to illustrate a point and quickly regained control of himself again. And seeing the hot-headed youth calm down, the old one gently pointed out: “And this, my son, is Heaven!”

Catch my drift? And when you are on this level, forgiving others is so easy.......

Have a good nite sleep everyone!

Istiqamah part 2

I have written about 'istiqamah' before sometimes in July. In that post I wrote about HOW to be 'continuously consistent' in what we do when we do something. Usually it's applied to doing something good.

The same subject was raised again last week end and this time we were informed WHY. The ustaz was saying that it's better to do a little at a time but all the time than splurge everything in one go.

For example. Giving a ringgit a day everyday to the mosque is better than RM50 a month. Or whenever you have that extra cash.

When I heard that I was puzzled. What is wrong by giving away say RM500 a year than RM1 a day everyday?

Isn't it better for example if I were to complete sewing my cross stitch in two days than doing a stitch at a time over two months? I get to use it immediately and can spend the rest of the time doing something else. Right?

Wrong!

You see, the ustaz explained, when you do something no matter how small but on a regular basis, over a long period, it will become a habit. And you will find that something is missing if you for some reason couldn't do it for even one day.

That's exactly how it should feel like. The feeling of lost. Missing that 'feel-good' feeling. And that's Istiqamah.

And after awhile you will find that doing it once a day may not be enough and you want to do more. To get that more of that feel-good feeling.

A good example is the daily prayers. After sometime you feel like doing the solat sunat (before or/and after the solat fardhu). Later you add on the solat duha. Then the witir. And then the tahajud. And so on and so forth.

It will just snowball....

But just remember. When we do bad stuff it will give a similar effect in a way. After awhile you no longer feel guilty over it and it will turn into bad habits.

So, the choice is your folks!

The Dwellers of Heaven

It's been sometime since I attended my Sunday Class and lo and behold, on the very day that I managed to get the time to do so, the subject of discussion was very much a matter close to my heart.

This morning we talked about one of characteristics that we should have which is called 'tasamuh' meaning 'tolerance'. And the Ustaz quoted one surah that describes the dwellers of Heaven in relation to the subject matter. And they are;
1) those who spend for the sake of Allah whether in prosperity or adversity
2) those who are able to control their anger
3) those who forgive others easily. No matter how bad it was. Hah!

2 and 3 above are characteristics which I feel are more difficult to acquire compared to 1. Don't you think so? But if we want to be among the chosen few, we must be able to be just like that!

Maybe there are tips on how to control our anger and how to forgive others. I will google and find out and let you all know about it later on, ok!

Salam and goodnite. Sweet dreams everyone!

Integrity

I was attending a dialogue session in the office and the subject of discussion was Integrity. There were 3 speakers; one was our very own Chief Internal Auditor while the two were guest speakers from Malaysian Institute of Integrity.

After listening to the three speakers I cannot help feeling kind of helpless and hopeless. I mean, it is difficult enough to inculcate integrity within the company what more can we do to the country. I have to admit though that it's a noble move to make it part of the Malaysia 5 year plan. Even though I would question the progress of it thus far.

Anyway, here are some notes that I have jotted down for our very own "discussion".

-Legacy of good thoughts and good deeds
-It starts with good intention
-Confused and corrupted knowledge leads to losing our integrity and gives rise to false leaders and bad leadership.
-Some Leaders have the capacity but are not committed.
-Bad leadership is an understatement. Evil leadership is a more apt description because it will trigger a vicious cycle.

-As long as there are givers there are takers.
-Fraud triangle: Need. Opportunities. Greed.
-Learn to say NO
-Be accountable. You can delegate responsiblity but you cannot delegate accountability

One the speakers had lots of real life stories to tell and he had the audience laughing. But he kept reminding us that it is a serious matter. Which made us laugh further.

But actually it is a serious matter. What went wrong? As parents we teach our children to be kind and honest. In school there are moral studies and religious class. And we keep reminding them that even though no one is watching God is always there. Everyone knows that.

So? My guess is; greed is just too much to overcome for some. That saying NO is impossible. That the existence of God and the repercussion of the wrong doings become meaningless.

But I guess this is one of the big test God has made for us. To differentiate the good ones among us all.

May Allah gives us perseverance and the strength continue in the right path.

Ameen.

Note: Guest speakers were Mohd Nizam Mohd Ali and P. Kanison from IIM.

Now and Then

Yes. Ok. You are good in what you do. You have the boss on your side. But do you have the right to show disrespect to others?

Sigh...

There is always one like that in your life. Someone who just have the answers to everything and wants everyone to listen to him/her only. Usually not a team player. And if the idea is not from him/her or doesnt involve him/her, it will not be considered as good.

Know anyone like that?

This only happens if a person looks for worldly rewards and recognition. If we seek the rewards from only the Almighty, we do not need to be recognised as the person behind the project or the initiatives or what have you's. It doesnt matter that we are the quiet person behind the project but actually have done all the work. For Allah knows. And we will be rewarded accordingly.

So what do we do with these kind of people.

Pray (doa) for him/her. Pray that he/she will be given the light. Don't fight for the limelight. Believe me, to get the 'limelight' in the hereafter is way, way much better and worthwhile.

Meantime, just do what you need to do with the utmost honesty and sincerity. Carry on your responsibility to the fullest and take accountability in what ever you do. And what ever you do always give due consideration to the people around you for you are never going to make it alone. Share the successes and celebrate with the team. Give due credit to those who deserve. It is never a one man show.

Allah is all knowing and blesses those who care for others.

GIRL FRIENDS

They Teach It at Stanford: 

In an evening class at Stanford University the last lecture was on the mind-body connection -- the relationship between stress and disease.

The speaker (head of psychiatry at Stanford) said, among other things, that one of the best things that a man could do for his health is to be married to a woman. . . whereas for a woman, one of the best things she could do for her health was to nurture her relationships with her girlfriends.

At first everyone laughed, but he was serious. Women connect with each other differently and provide support systems that help each other to deal with stress and difficult life experiences. Physically this quality "girlfriend time" helps us to create more serotonin -- a neurotransmitter that helps combat depression and can create a general feeling of well being.

Women share feelings, whereas men often form relationships around activities. We share from our souls with our sisters/mothers, and evidently that is very GOOD for our health. He said that spending time with a friend is just as important to our general health as jogging or working out at a gym.

There's a tendency to think that when we are "exercising" we are doing something good for our bodies, but when we are hanging out with friends, we are wasting our time and should be more productively engaged? Not true. In fact, he said that failure to create and maintain quality personal relationships with other humans is as dangerous to our physical health as smoking!

So every time you hang out to schmooze with a gal pal, just pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for doing something good for your health! We are indeed very, very lucky. Sooooo let's toast to our friendship with our girlfriends. Evidently it's very good for our health.  

Life Lesson

 Be nice to others because ...

Time will make a difference!

One day you will no longer be the BIG dog....

Just the OLD dog. 

Life and Death

Sometimes it's a little harder to accept death of some one dear to you. No matter how you justify it, it's still filled with remorse and regret. More than anyone else. And it's harder to get over.

Last week a colleaque of ours passed away. Someone who is, sorry, who was in that prime age. You know, in the middle of a successful career path while at the same time managing her growing up children. Two most important yet sometimes difficult development to juggle for any mother to do successfully.

The circumstances of her death is a real testimony of the fact that "Death is in the hand of God". And when your time is up, it's up. Not a minute sooner and not a minute later.

But it's still hard to believe it at first. For me at least. First of all she was recovering from her stage one cancer. It's stage one, meaning the chance of recovery is good. And she was responding well to the chemotherapy. It's just so unfortunate that she had to have an infection after a minor operation to 'install' the chemo port. A simple operation which was described by an oncologist I met as 'a walk in the park' for any surgeon.

Trouble is, an infection, no matter how small or minor is a dangerous thing for anyone going through chemotherapy. For their antibodies is at an all time low due to the chemo. It can lead to bigger thing or more serious ailment which can even lead to death if not treated immediately. And that was exactly what has happened.

My heart just sank when I heard the news. It took me sometimes to get over it. But in the end, I have to remind myself that God has the final say. No matter how we try to justify and come up with any reason, we just cannot deny that it's God's decision. And who are we to question that decision.

Dear friend. You will be remembered and missed by many. Your smile and your cheerfulness. And your kind heart, forever willing to help everyone around you. May your soul be placed among the righteous and the chosen ones.

Ameen.

The circle of life

Rahsia Solat pada masuk Waktu

An amazing article I found which I have copied for my own reference. A rather long read but worth every word.

Nevertheless, here is a brief summary:

Kebaikan disebalik solat;
1) Subuh- warna biru muda/penawar/rezeki dan kommunikasi
* Isyrak/Duha-warna hijau
2) Zohor-warna kuning/sistem penghadaman/keceriaan
3) Asar-warna oren/sistem produktif/kreativiti
4) Maghrib-warna merah/otot, saraf dan tulang/keyakinan
5) Isya'-indigo/sistem kawalan otak/ketenteraman dan kedamaian
*Selepas tengah malam, alam mula bersinar kembali dengan warna putih, merah jambu dan seterusnya ungu di mana ianya bersamaan dengan frekuensi kelenjar pineal, pituitari, talamus dan hipotalamus. Tubuh sepatutnya bangkit kembali pada waktu ini dan dalam Islam waktu ini dipanggil Qiamullail.

Ref: http://www.paranorms.org/t509-rahsia-solat-di-awal-waktu-kaitan-dengan-energy

****************************************

Setiap peralihan waktu solat sebenarnya menunjukkan perubahan tenaga alam ini yang boleh diukur dan dicerap melalui perubahan warna alam. Aku rasa fenomena perubahan warna alam adalah sesuatu yang tidak asing bagi mereka yang terlibat dalam bidang fotografi, betul tak aid ?
Sebagai contoh, pada waktu Subuh alam berada dalam spektrum warna biru muda yang bersamaan dengan frekuensi tiroid yang mempengaruhi sistem metabolisma tubuh.
Jadi warna biru muda atau waktu Subuh mempunyai rahsia berkaitan dengan penawar/rezeki dan komunikasi.
Mereka yang kerap tertinggal waktu Subuhnya ataupun terlewat secara berulang-ulang kali,
lama kelamaan akan menghadapi masalah komunikasi dan rezeki. Ini kerana tenaga alam iaitu biru muda tidak dapat diserap oleh tiroid yang mesti berlaku dalam keadaan roh dan jasad bercantum (keserentakan ruang dan masa) – dalam erti kata lain jaga daripada tidur.
Disini juga dapat kita cungkil akan rahsia diperintahkan solat diawal waktu. Bermulanya saja azan
Subuh, tenaga alam pada waktu itu berada pada tahap optimum. Tenaga inilah yang akan diserap oleh tubuh melalui konsep resonan pada waktu rukuk dan sujud. Jadi mereka yang terlewat Subuhnya sebenar sudah mendapat tenaga yang tidak optimum lagi.
Warna alam seterusnya berubah ke warna hijau (isyraq & dhuha) dan kemudian warna kuning menandakan masuknya waktu Zohor. Spektrum warna pada waktu ini bersamaan dengan frekuensi perut dan hati yang berkaitan dengan sistem penghadaman.
Warna kuning ini mempunyai rahsia yang berkaitan dengan keceriaan. Jadi mereka yang selalu ketinggalan atau terlewat Zu hurnya berulang-ulang kali dalam hidupnya akan menghadapi masalah di perut dan hilang sifat cerianya. Orang yang tengah sakit perut ceria tak ?
Kemudian warna alam akan berubah kepada warna oren, iaitu masuknya waktu Asar di mana spektrum warna pada waktu ini bersamaan dengan frekuensi prostat, uterus, ovari dan testis yang merangkumi sistem reproduktif. Rahsia warna oren ialah kreativiti. Orang yang kerap tertinggal Asar akan hilang daya kreativitinya dan lebih malang lagi kalau di waktu Asar ni jasad dan roh seseorang ini terpisah (tidur la tu .). Dan jangan lupa, tenaga pada waktu Asar ni amat diperlukan oleh organ-organ reproduktif
kita.
Menjelang waktu Maghrib, alam berubah ke warna merah dan di waktu ini kita kerap dinasihatkan oleh orang-orang tua agar tidak berada di luar rumah. Ini kerana spektrum warna pada waktu ini menghampiri frekuensi jin dan iblis (infra-red) dan ini bermakna jin dan iblis pada waktu ini amat
bertenaga kerana mereka resonan dengan alam.
Mereka yang sedang dalam perjalanan juga seelok-eloknya berhenti dahulu pada waktu ini (solat Maghrib dulu la .) kerana banyak interferens (pembelauan) berlaku pada waktu ini yang boleh mengelirukan mata kita. Rahsia waktu Maghrib atau warna merah ialah keyakinan, pada frekuensi otot, saraf dan tulang.
Apabila masuk waktu Isyak, alam berubah ke warna Indigo dan seterusnya memasuki fasa Kegelapan. Waktu Isyak ini menyimpan rahsia ketenteraman dan kedamaian di mana frekuensinya bersamaan dengan sistem kawalan otak. Mereka yang kerap ketinggalan Isyaknya akan selalu berada dalam kegelisahan. Alam sekarang berada dalam Kegelapan dan sebetulnya, inilah waktu tidur dalam Islam. Tidur pada waktu ini dipanggil tidur delta dimana keseluruhan sistem tubuh berada dalam kerehatan.
Selepas tengah malam, alam mula bersinar kembali dengan warna putih, merah jambu dan seterusnya ungu di mana ianya bersamaan dengan frekuensi kelenjar pineal, pituitari, talamus dan hipotalamus. Tubuh sepatutnya bangkit kembali pada waktu ini dan dalam Islam waktu ini dipanggil Qiamullail.
Begitulah secara ringkas perkaitan waktu solat dengan warna alam. Manusia kini sememangnya telah sedar akan kepentingan tenaga alam ini dan inilah faktor adanya bermacam-macam kaedah meditasi yang dicipta seperti taichi, qi-gong dan sebagainya.
Semuanya dicipta untuk menyerap tenaga-tenaga alam ke sistem tubuh. Kita sebagai umat Islam sepatutnya bersyukur kerana telah di’kurniakan’ syariat solat oleh Allah s.w.t tanpa perlu kita memikirkan bagaimana hendak menyerap tenaga alam ini.
Hakikat ini seharusnya menginsafkan kita bahawa Allah s.w.t mewajibkan solat ke atas hambanya atas sifat pengasih dan penyayang-Nya sebagai pencipta kerana Dia tahu hamba-Nya ini amat-amat memerlukannya. Adalah amat malang sekali bagi kumpulan manusia yang amat cuai dalam menjaga solatnya tapi amat berdisiplin dalam menghadiri kelas taichinya .

My Sweethearts

One has gone off to start a new life as a Uni student last week and another will continue her 5th semester this coming week. And the empty nest syndrome shall begin again until the next semester break or mid term break.

Certainly will be quiet around here. You both shall be missed dearly sweethearts!

Take care and remember the journey is equally important as the destination!

May Allah keeps you in Iman and Taqwa always.

Ameen.

4 Years of New Life

Been sometime since my last post. Lots have happened since then. Entertaining visitors. Raya open houses. New born baby.

And most important event of all is the entrance of my second girl into the uni live.

It's a happy moment for us both but a little sad too for me and I guess also for her. Also maybe she is a little scared and a little nervous but at the same excited with the new venture.

This will be another stage everyone goes through as part of adulthood. To be independent and fend on your own. To make your own decisions and to learn to take responsibilities.

Yes, she was away for a year doing her Foundation course but somehow I felt that it was still in a controlled environment. This time around there will be more 'exposures' and more challenges I would say. By the end of the 4 years she will definitely be a more matured person.

Well, it's all part of growing up for her onwards to be become the person that she wants to be.

Good luck Cha. May Allah bless your 'journey' and ease the path you take. Keep your heart and intention for Him and you will be alright.

InsyaAllah.

P.S. Miss your chatter Cha! And Ninja misses you too.

Ulang kaji - Rukun Solat

In case lah kita terlupa, kalau ikutkan, syarat solat yang terakhir ialah mengetahui mana yang rukun dan mana yang sunat (rujuk dibawah). So, sama2 lah kita ulang kaji.

SYARAT-SYARAT SOLAT
1.Beragama Islam
2.Baligh
3.Suci dari hadas
4.Suci seluruh anggota badan, pakaian dan tempat.
5.Menutup aurat
6.Telah masuk waktu solat yang telah ditentukan
7.Menghadap kearah kiblat
8.Mengetahui mana yang termasuk rukun dan mana yang sunat.

RUKUN-RUKUN SOLAT
1. Niat
2. Takbiratul Ihram
3. Berdiri tegak bagi yang berkuasa ketika solat fardhu (bagi yang tidak berkuasa, disebabkan sakit dan sebagainya boleh melakukannya secara duduk, berbaring , telentang atau dengan isyarat.)
4. Membaca surah al-Fatihah pada tiap-tiap rakaat.
5. Rukuk dengan toma`ninah.
6. I`tidal dengan toma`ninah
7. Sujud dua kali dengan toma`ninah
8. Duduk antara dua sujud dengan toma`ninah
9. Duduk tasyahud akhir dengan toma`ninah
10.Membaca tasyahud akhir
11.Membaca selawat ke atas nabi pada tasyahud akhir
12.Membaca salam yang pertama
13.Tertib ertinya mengikut urutan dalam mengerjakan rukun-rukun tersebut.

Selamat menyambut Hari Merdeka yang ke 55!

Winter Of life

And then it is Winter.

You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly
and catching you unaware of the passing years.

It seems just yesterday that I was young,
just married and embarking on my new life with my mate.
And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago,
and I wonder where all the years went.


I know that I lived them all...


And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams...
But, here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...
How did I get here so fast?
Where did the years go and where did my youth go?

I remember well...
seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people
were years away from me and that winter was so far off
that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like...


But, here it is...
my friends are retired and getting grey...
they move slower and I see an older person now.
Some are in better and some worse shape than me...
but, I see the great change...
Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...
but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks
that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day!
And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory!
Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so...
now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared
for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability
to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!!

But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...
this I know, that when it's over... its over...
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...
things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done.
It's all in a lifetime...

So, if you're not in your winter yet...
let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think.
So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly!
Don't put things off too long!!

Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today,
as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life... so,
live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...
and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things
that you have done for them in all the years past!!

"Life is a gift to you.
The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after.
Make it a fantastic one."

Puasa 6

Now that ramadhan is over, there are still some days that are highly recommended that we do our fasting. And one of them is during the month of Syawal.

6 days of fasting in the month of Syawal is encouraged if you want to earn that extra credit points. And for more info on this is in the link below. I find that this article is pretty straight forward compared to some. Thanks to my brother who posted this on FB.

Cheers!

Eids Mubarak

After a month of fasting, it's only deserving that we have a grand celebration to mark the occasion. More to celebrate the fact that we have successfully abstain from the lure of desire to do all the not-to-do list during the month of ramadhan.

Usually during the festive break we take the opportunity to spend the first day to be with the parents or parents in law. No matter how far they are, most of us would take the trouble to brave the traffic which is usually horendous at this time of the year.

Alhamdulillah, it was a wonderful celebration for us. It was the first time that we celebrate first day of Eids in our own house. It was tiring; the spring cleaning, the last minute shopping, the cooking, the mountains of dishes to be washed after .....

But it's all worth it. The happy faces, the raya spirit, the sound of laughter, the non-stop chatting and bantering among siblings and cousins. They are priceless.

Wishing all my family and Muslim friends a joyous Eids. May Allah gives His blessing and forgives us all.

But I for one truly feel blessed.
Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah.

End of Ramadhan

The ramadhan month is almost over. During this time it's not unusual for me to feel kind of sad and a bit of regret. Sad that the month full of blessing is almost over and regret that I couldn't do more ibadah while it lasted.

Certainly this year has been a different experience for me. Good or bad, they are good as all that comes from Allah are good. I feel truly blessed. I am thankful for all that I have been bestowed. I feel so much love all around. Alhamdulillah.

I don't know about you, but somehow I feel so close to God during this month. Maybe it's because we make more effort to 'spend' more time with Him. Hence the feeling of 'lost' when ramadhan is almost over.

May Allah the Almighty grant us positive change in our lives, accept all our acts of worship and forgive us comletely. Ameen. - Mufti Menk

Aaaameeeeennn.....

Solat Sunat Rawatib

A friend asked about solat sunat (the 'optional' solat) being practised by some Muslims before or after the solat fardhu (compulsory). Here is the full article about it including the hadith validing the practice.

This is another way to earn extra "credit", so let's do it!

Solat Rawatib ialah solat yang mengiringi solat-solat fardhu sama ada sebelum atau selepas solat fardhu.

Solat sunat Rawatib ini terbahagi kepada dua bahagian :
Sunat Rawatib yang "Muakkad"
Sunat Rawatib yang "Ghaira Muakkad".

Disamping itu Sunat Rawatib juga terbahagi kepada 2 kategori :
Qabliah (sebelum Solat Fardhu)
Ba'diah (selepas Solat Fardhu)

Sunat Rawatib yang "Muakkad" adalah 10 rakaat seperti berikut :

2 Rakaat sebelum Solat Subuh
2 Rakaat sebelum Solat Zohor.
2 Rakaat selepas Solat Zohor.
2 Rakaat selepas Solat Maghrib.
2 Rakaat selepas Isyak.

Sunat Rawatib yang "Ghaira Muakkad" pula adalah 12 rakaat seperti berikut :

2 Rakaat sebelum Solat Zohor
2 Rakaat selepas Solat Zohor.
4 Rakaat sebelum Solat Asar.
2 Rakaat sebelum Solat Maghrib.
2 Rakaat sebelum Isyak.

DALIL TENTANG SUNAT MELAKUKAN SOLAT INI.

Sabda Rasulullah s.a.w :
عن عبد الله بن عمر قال حفظت عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ركعتين قبل الظهر وركعتين بعد المغرب وركعتين بعد العشاء وركعتين قبل الغداة
(متفق عليه)

Maksudnya : Dari Abdullah bin Umar, katanya, "Saya mengingati (lafaz) dari Rasulullah s.a.w dua rakaat sebelum Zohor, dua rakaat sesudah Maghrib, dua rakaat sesudah Isyak, dan dua rakaat sebelum Subuh."
(Muttafaq alaih)

NIAT SOLAT RAWATIB
Sekiranya sebelum solat Fardhu di sebut : قَبْلِيَّةً
Sekiranya selepas solat Fardhu di sebut : بَعْدِيَّةً
Oleh yang demikian niatnya adalah seperti berikut :

أُصَلِّي سُنَّةَ ( الظُّهْرِ / العَصْرِ / المَغْرِبِ / العِشَاءِ / الصبح ) رَكْعَتَيْنِ (قَبْلِيَّةً / بَعْدِيَّةً ) لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

Maksudnya : Sahaja aku menunaikan solat sunat (Zohor / Asar / Isyak / Subuh) dua rakaat (Sebelum / Selepas) kerana Allah Taala.

Makna doa selepas solat Tarawikh

I have been meaning to look up for the meaning of the doa after solat tarawikh and here it is. It is a really good doa hence we should really 'ameen' with great enthusiasm with the hope that it's to be granted! Oh, how I wish!

الحَمْدُ للهِ رَبِّالْعَالَمِينَ/ حَمْدًا يُوَافِي نِعَمَهُ وَيُكَافِئُ مَزِيْدَهْ / يَارَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ كَمَا يَنْبَغِى لِجَلاَلِ وَجْهِكَ الْكَرِيْمِ وَعَظِيْمِ سُلْطَانِكْ / اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينْ / اَللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا بِاْلإِيماَنِ كَامِلِينْ / وَلِفَرَائِضِكَ مُؤَدّيِنْ / وَعَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضِينْ / وَعَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ مُحَافِظِينْ / وَلِلزَّكَاةِ فَاعِلِينْ / وَبِالنَّعْمَاءِ شَاكِرِينْ / وَعَلَى الْبَلاَءِ صَابِرِينْ / وَفِى الدُّنْياَ زَاهِدِينْ / وَفىِ اْلآخِرَةِ رَاغِبِينْ / وَتَحْتَ لِوَاءِ سَيِّدِناَ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ سَائِرِينْ / وَفِي الْجَنَّةِ دَاخِلِينْ / وَمِنَ النّاَرِ ناَجِينْ / وَعَلَى سُرُرِ الْكَرَامَةِ قاَعِدِينْ / وَمِنْ سُنْدُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُتَلَبِّسِينْ / وَمِنْ طَعَامِ الْجَنَّةِ آكِلِينْ / وَمِنْ لَبَنٍ وَعَسَلٍ مُصَفًّى شَارِبِينْ/ بِأَكْوَابٍ وَأَباَرِيقَ وَكَأْسٍ مِنْ مَعِينْ / مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ النَّبِييِّنَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينْ / وَصَلّ ِاللَّهُمَّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينْ / وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّالْعَالَمِينْ

Ya Allah, jadikanlah kami orang yang imannya sempurna. Bisa mengerjakan yang wajib. Bisa menjaga sholat dan bisa menunaikan zakat. Bisa menuntut/ mencari kebaikan di sisi-Mu, mengharap ampunan-Mu, memegang teguh petunjuk-Mu, berpaling dari penyelewengan, zuhut (sederhana) terhadap dunia, mencintai amal untuk bekal akhirat, ridho terhadap kepastian (Allah), syukur terhadap nikmat yang telah diberikan, dan sabar terhadap segala cobaan.


Dan mudah2an di hari kiamat nanti, kami dalam satu barisan dibawah panji junjungan Nabi Muhammad SAW melewati telaga yang sejuk, bisa masuk surga, duduk diatas tahta kehormatan, didampingi bidadari, mengenakan pakaian kebesaran dari sutra warna warni, menikmati makanan surga, minum susu dan madu murni. Dalam gelas2 dan kendi2 yang tak pernah kering, bersama mereka yang tlah Engkau beri nikmat kepadanya dari golongan para Nabi para Shiddiqin, para syahid (yang gugur dalam membela agama Allah), para shoolihin, dan baik sekali mereka menjadi kawan kami.

Demikianlah kemurahan dari Allah dan mudah2an Dzat yang Maha Mengetahui memberi kecukupan. Dan segala puji bagi Allah Tuhan Semesta alam.

P.S. Semuga amalan kita diterima dan di redhai Allah. Amin.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

by Erma Bombeck, written after she found out she was dying from cancer


I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle..
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later... Now go get washed up for dinner.' But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute; look at it and really see it; live it and never give it back.

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us..

Desription of Ramadhan

I found this in Islamic-Dictionary.com site and I thought it is very well written and simple to understand. Thought I would share with you as well as keeping it as my own reminder:

The holy month of Ramadhan is a great gift from God for the believer and its blessings are not to be missed. In this month Allah grants the believer more thawab (reward) for their good deeds and blessings are increased manifold and God has said He will forgive even more sins, so how can we let this opportunity go by?
The Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said:
One who receives the month of Ramadhan (and does not strive in it) is not forgiven. Allah distances Himself from that person.

Keep Away From Sin
This is a month in which abstaining from doing any sins, merely breathing, obtains you copious thawab. And a believers' sleep is like staying up late in worship in other months. Such are the blessings from God. What you really do not want to do is turn away those blessings by committing sins. While God has written great forgiveness for Himself in this month, He has also warned against the committing of sins in this month as the sins count for more in this month as well.

Imam Ali (AS) says:
The Prophet Muhammed was delivering a sermon about the virtues of the month of Ramadhan so I asked him: O' Prophet of Allah! What is the best deed for this month?
The Prophet (SAW) replied:
O' Aba al-Hasen! The best of deeds in this month is the abstinence from that which is forbidden by Allah, The Mighty, The Glorious.

Read The Holy Qur'an
The month of Ramadhan is the month in which the Qur'an was revealed in full. In this month the thawab for reading a single verse is like readings the whole of the Qur'an in other months. Such are the blessings are rewards of God subhanallahu wa ta'ala. Many Muslims strive to read the whole Qur'an in this month and they achieve this by splitting up what they intend to read across the whole day. They succeed in reading the whole Qur'an by the end of the month due to the effort put into organizing themselves and making the most of their time, and the blessings for this are gigantic.

Observe the Obligatory and Recommended Prayers and other acts of worship
Muslims are required to pray five times a day but in this month this same act of worship has a greater reward than in other months:
The Prophet Muhammed (SAW) has stated:
(The rewards of) one who has performed in it (the month of Ramadhan) a single act from amongst the wajib (obligatory) acts of Allah, would be like (that of) one who has performed seventy obligatory acts in other months.
There is also much reward for doing the mustahab (recommended) optional acts of worship. This is a month in which mustahab prayers are highly recommended, especially the night prayers, Salat al-Layl (also called Salat al-Tahajjud). Other recommended acts of worship include ghusuls (ritual baths), recitation of supplications and observing the suhur (the predawn meal).

Make Repentance and Recite Supplications
The month of Ramadhan is a month in which Allah has informed us that He increases His mercy but He calls us to make repentance in order for Him to remove our sins. So actively raise your hands in supplication and ask Him sincerely: O' Lord! I ask you Almighty to forgive me my sins and I turn to you in repentance! Ya Rabb! Istaghfurullah Al-'adheem wa attoubu illayk.
The Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said:
Surely, the month of Ramadhan has been named so because it scorches away the sins.

The month of Ramadhan is the best month to ask Allah to remove your sins in and also to ask for what you covet - it is recommended to pray for good things such as the opportunity to make Hajj (pilgrimage) to the Holy Kaabah, to find and marry a good woman/man and to become prosperous and devout.
I'tikaf on the Night of Qadr

The night in which the Qur'an was revealed in full to the Prophet Muhammed (SAW) is known as Laylatul-Qadr, a night in which the thawab for good deeds are better than a thousand months-worth of good deeds. Allah says:
In The Name of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
[97.1] Surely We revealed it (the Qur'an) on the grand night.
[97.2] And what will make you comprehend what the grand night is?
[97.3] The grand night is better than a thousand months.
[97.4] The angels and Gibraeel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair,
[97.5] Peace it is till the break of the morning.

The exact day that Laylatul Qadr falls on was not confirmed to the believers but they were given a number of days to pick from to do their worship in (the odd days in the last ten days of the month), granting them multiple opportunities to take up this great blessing. A lot of Muslims go to the mosque on Laylatul Qadr and undertake a secluded spiritual retreat (I'tikaf) - they stay up during the night in worship, reading Qur'an, praying obligatory and mustahab prayers, making up for a weeks-worth of obligatory prayers and reading supplications until the night ends. I'tikaf can also be done at home and at other times.

Give To Charity
In Islam the concept of sadaqah (charity) spans beyond just giving money to the poor. The Prophet Muhammed (SAW) taught that even a smile is a form of charity. Having the ability to give charity to the poor is a gift from God, because He has blessed you with sufficient wealth that you can spend as you wish, but He rewards you when you give it to someone poorer than you and blesses them through you. By giving charity you help your neighbor, benefit society and increase your own spiritual level.
The Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said: Charity extinguishes sins as water extinguishes fire.

The month of Ramadhan, being the month of fasting, gives us a small idea of how the poor feel when they do not have enough to eat. This insight should increase the willingness of a person to alleviate the hunger, thirst and other hardships of the poor through giving to charity.

In Summary...
The month of Ramadhan is a month that only a fool would let pass without trying to obtain as much blessings and benefits from it. Who knows if this opportunity will come around again this time next year? Allah has blessed us so much and given us so many opportunities for seeking his forgiveness and reward and we should be thankful and take his gifts.