Expressing gratitude towards Allah SWT

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim....
Alhamdulillah...thank you Allah SWT for everything
You have given us so much and everything is for free
For the air we breath and the water we drink
For the children we have
For the moment we spend
Everything is free

If only I have the chances to return the kindness of Allah SWT, what would it be? Is it enough by saying thank you or Alhamdulillah? Is it enough to acknowledge His Mercy in the daily prayer?

I was cooking yesterday while listening to the radio. The ustaz was talking about showing gratitude towards Allah SWT. He said "according to Imam al-Ghazali, we should do something in return to Allah's SWT Mercy and that's the way we should thank Him.'

But, how?

Harun Yahya has given an ideal answer to this question.

Being thankful, like having faith and doing good deeds, takes place by Allah's leave.

A person of conscience recognizes that all the blessings by which he is surrounded would not exist and that he could never attain them unless Allah so willed it. 

His body, intelligence, wisdom, feeling, health, strength—in fact, all the favors he thinks he possesses on his own are actually blessings granted by Him. 

Giving thanks to Allah is not merely saying, "Al-hamdulillah" at certain times, as when one has completed a task, eats a fine supper or survives an ordeal unhurt. 

Gratitude is a state one experiences deep in the heart because one can never account for all the favors he enjoys, even the obvious ones:

"If you tried to number Allah's blessings, you could never count them. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful." 

(Surat an-Nahl; 18)

Allah SWT also gives reward to those who shows gratitude, as Allah SWT mentioned:
"As a grace from us, thus do we reward those who give thanks." (Al-Qamar, 54:35)

Therefore, the act of showing gratitude towards Allah SWT should not only be upheld by the lips, it is the tasks of the lips to say Alhamdulillah, of the heart to deeply recognize Allah's SWT Mercy and of the body to act according to the saying of Allah SWT mentioned in the Quran.

Then I know Alhamdulillah alone is not enough...

p/s: The book written by Harun Yahya can be downloaded from here.
Happy reading!

Do We Need to Qada' prayer?

I came across a book written about the problems of performing ibadah and when I flipped over the pages, there was a topic regarding to prayer. My eyes glimpsed over a small catchy word qada' solat. The question was 'do we need to replace the prayers that we failed to perform in required time?' However, the explanation in the book was so confusing because the writer has answered the question with 'NO' word, which he means there is no need to qada' the prayers that are not performed in the required time.

Then I asked my husband and he told me that I need to replace the obligated tasks which I have failed to perform. It is the right of Allah SWT and we are performing the duty to fulfill the rights of Allah SWT.

One day, I went to visit my parents-in-law, and I saw this book 400 offenses in performing solat. The writer has explained this matter with the evidence from the saying of the Prophet pbuh. 

 
The book says:
It is an offense to delay in making up prayers. For example, when we left Zuhur prayer, it is a big mistake to replace it in the time of Zuhur prayer the next day.





As mentioned by Prophet pbuh:Meaning: "There is no negligence in sleeping. Indeed negligence took place only when we wake up. Accordingly, if one of you all forget to pray or fall asleep, it should be done as long as he remembers."
(Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah)

The hadith explains the act of negligence, happens when we forget or when we sleep. As long as we remember to perform prayer or as long as we are aware that we are supposed to qada' a prayer, that is when it should be performed, without any delay. It is important to prioritize the right of Allah SWT above all because what we are afraid is we do not manage to perform to right of Allah SWT as death comes without notice.

Alhamdulillah...I think I need to continue reading this book. Things become clear now. For those who wants to read this book in Malay, you can click here. The book is also available at the National Library. Click here to know more. Unfortunately, the book is not translated into English. Happy reading!

A Happy Birthday to You!!!

Alhamdulillah...Yesterday was my son's birthday. He's 3 now!!! To my dear Ahmad Yahya:

Happy Birthday to you my sunshine

You are now 3 and has grown so up

We always pray

That you will grow up to be the person

Whose heart is always close to Allah

Who belongs a kind heart

Fill with love and treat others indiscriminately

We will always love with all our heart and soul

And we hope you feel the same too

p/s: A special dedication and thank you to Tokmi and TokNyang for the cakes and presents!

we ordered the cake from Aisya Cake http://aisyahomemade.blogspot.com/2012/09/kek-fugurine-angry-birddaaa.html 

thank you!

 

As Luqman Al-Hakim Bequeaths...

I’m currently reading a book of Luqman Al-Hakim written by Ahmad Hassan Mohd. Nazam. I fall in love with the book the moment I saw the cover. It is handsomely illustrated. I like the colour of the book too, gold and brown. 

When I browse through the book, I become fascinated even more. The book tells the story of Luqman Al-Hakim, as mentioned in the Quran, and the writer also lists Luqman’s wise-saying to his children.

It is narrated that when Jibril a.s. asked Luqman Al-Hakim to choose between prophecy and wisdom, he chose wisdom. Then Jibril a.s. stroke Luqman’s chest with his wings, and then Luqman was able to utter the pearl of wisdom.  When Jibril a.s. was about to leave, he said to Luqman, “I bequeath with a will, so please take a good care of this will, O Luqman. If you insert your hand up to the elbow into a snake’s mouth, that is better for you than begging from a poor who feel rich.”

Well…I’m not going to translate the whole book here. I just want to share some of Luqman’s will as mentioned in the Quran and explained in the book. However, anyone who wants to further read the book, you can get it from here. (But the book is in Malay)

1-      Do not associate Allah S.W.T. with other beings

Behold, Luqman said to his son by way of instruction: "O my son! Join not in worship (others) with Allah: for false worship is indeed the highest wrong-doing." (Luqman, 31: 13)

a.       Be grateful to Allah S.W.T.

We bestowed (in the past) Wisdom on Luqman: "Show (thy) gratitude to Allah." Any who is (so) grateful does so to the profit of his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, verily Allah is free of all wants, worthy of all praise. (Luqman, 31: 12)

b.      To be good to parents

And We have enjoined on man (To be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal. (Luqman, 31: 14)

c.       Return to Allah S.W.T.

"But if they strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (And consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to Me (in love). In the End the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the truth (and meaning) of all that ye did." (Luqman, 31: 15)

2-      Believe in the underworld and their witnessing

"O my son!" (said Luqman), "If there be (but) the weight of a mustard-seed and it were (hidden) in a rock, or (anywhere) in the heavens or on earth, Allah will bring it forth: for Allah understands the finest mysteries, (and) is well-acquainted (with them).” (Luqman, 31:16)

3-      Perform solah (Pray) and preach others

"O my son! establish regular prayer, enjoin what is just, and forbid what is wrong; and bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee; for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs. (Luqman, 31: 17)

4-      Adjoin the good and forbid evil

"O my son! establish regular prayer, enjoin what is just, and forbid what is wrong; and bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee; for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs. (Luqman, 31: 17)

5-      Be patience

"O my son! establish regular prayer, enjoin what is just, and forbid what is wrong; and bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee; for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs. (Luqman, 31: 17)

6-      Beware of the ego

"And swell not thy cheek (For pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth: for Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster. (Luqman, 31: 18)

7-      Be modest

"And be moderate in thy pace, and lower thy voice; for the harshest of sounds without doubt is the braying of the ass." (Luqman, 31: 19)

8-      Lower your voice

"And be moderate in thy pace, and lower thy voice; for the harshest of sounds without doubt is the braying of the ass." (Luqman, 31: 19)

What I can conclude from my reading, Luqman Al-Hakim is a pious father, but loving and courteous. He wants his sons to be pious too and he believes that only the religion of Allah S.W.T. is able to upbringing his children to be pious, wise and well-mannered. 

Luqman al-Hakim must be a very important person in Islam. He is not a prophet, yet his name and will is mentioned in the Quran. That makes his will is very important. Because I truly believe in the authenticity of the Quran, then I must also believe the will of Luqman Al-Hakim. Furthermore, his will helps me to be modest and patience. Thank you Luqman. May Allah S.W.T. reward you his Jannah. Ameen….and thank you Allah S.W.T. for guiding me to read this book and it helps me to improve myself. Alhamdulillah....

The new year to begin

Assalamualaikum...

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim....In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful...

Yesterday was awwal Muharram...the day for Muslims to set new steps in the new Muslim year. Alhamdulillah...I'm still alive to celebrate the new year in Islamic calendar. 

There were many programs on television yesterday about awwal Muharram. I really enjoyed spending time with my family and together we wished to become a better person in the future.

Wish is always a wish...Sometimes I become clueless on how to rationalize wishes. I usually end up making no wish at all. I realize there are many bad attitudes that I need to, well...you know... I'm so worry the way I express my emotion. Becoming an out-loud person is not my choice. I always want to be in the middle...but usually I lose control, in no matter what emotion I need to handle, but the worse is when I get angry.

I pray to Allah SWT. I need help. I really need help. I'm drowning in my own emotions....I don't want to hurt people around me...no more...

Allah, then, answer my call.... I went to my supervisor's room. He has lots of books pertaining to akhlaq (behavior). I don't know why suddenly my hand grasps a book on the shelve. It's a book written by Imam al-Ghazali (translated by Said Ahmad Samit). I immediately browse through the book...and I glance over a paragraph where Allah SWT has directed my heart to pay full attention on it....

"Anger is a piece of fire came from God's flaming fire, the heat rises to the base of the heart, and the fire was enshrined deep in the heart until it becomes embers, then covered by ashes. Then supercilious nature becomes apparent which is hidden in the hearts of every conceited and arrogant person like the spark from rock when is rubbed with steel."

Allah SWT mentioned in the Quran:

While the Unbelievers got up in their hearts heat and cant - the heat and cant of Ignorance - Allah sent down His Tranquillity to His Messenger and to the Believers, and made them stick close to the command of self-restraint; and well were they entitled to it and worthy of it. And Allah has full knowledge of all things.

(Al-Fath:26)

My mind start thinking. How could I let the  fire from the hell to reside in my heart?! For all this while, I've been preserving the source of Iblis in my body?! How am I going to take this feeling of?! Am I arrogant? What about my prayer? Are they accepted by Allah SWT?

I continue reading the book...the author mentioned about the states of anger and the effects on personality. Then, I come across the answer to my question...

"As long as man inclines to like something and hate something, then he does not escape from becoming irritated and angry, because these two properties are part of natural human behavior. However, the training themselves should be well taken care of to get rid the violence of angry, in the journey to fight and force yourself with forbearing nature and absorbing a little while until all properties become a habit and  the behavior remain within. 

That exercise alone is unable to completely eliminate anger from their hearts because it is not possible. But the aim is to lead the limitations as recommended by the syariah and to look good in mind. The method is to break the inflammation and weaken it, so it does not rage burning inside. The action is continued until the effects are no longer seen on the face."

If this is what Allah want me to do, I'll spend my effort to the utmost, to practice and always practice forbearing attitudes such as tolerant and  moderate, and there will be no chance for the flame of hell to reside in my heart...ever! unless it is to protect my religion, nation and people I love.

I really hope this wish is not only a wish....amin....Happy Awwal Muharram everyone...