School- a summary (videos)

Ramadhan Kareem everyone... Sorry for not updating my blog for so long. Here are some videos on my experiences at school:-

1. Teacher's day acting.

Here is some acting done by my form for teacher's day...

2. Water Rocket Competition

Water rocket competition between fourth-formers. This is the group which got 1st place with an estimated hight of a 12-story building.

Important Lessons from Ramadhan

Allah -The Most High - said: "The month of Ramadhan in which the Qur’aan was revealed, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance of the Criterion between right and wrong. So whosoever of you sights the crescent for the month of Ramadhan, he must fast that month." [Surah al-Baqarah 2:185].

Allah's Messenger PBUH said:

"Islam is built upon five: Testifying that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and the Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the Prayer, giving the Zakaah performing Hajj to the House, and lasting in Ramadan."

He PBUH also said:

"There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, in which Allah has made it obligatory to fast. During it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained. In it is a night (Laylatul-Qadr) which is better than a thousand months. He who is deprived of its good has truly been deprived."

From the many important lessons to be learnt from fasting are:

1. Gaining Taqwaa

Fasting has been legislated in order that we may gain taqwaa as Allah - the Most High - said: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed upon those before you in order that you may attain taqwaa."[Surah al-Baqarah 2:183].

Talq ibn Habeeb - rahimahullaah - said:

"When fitnah (trial and tribulation) appears then extinguish it with taqwaa." So he was asked as to what taqwaa was, so he replied: "Taqwaa is to act in obedience to Allah, upon a light (i.e. eemaan, faith) from Allah, hoping in the Mercy of Allah. And taqwaa is leaving acts of disobedience to Allah, upon a light from Allah, due to the fear of Allah."

"This is one of the best definitions of taqwaa. For every action must have both a stating point and a goal. And an action will not be considered as an act of obedience, or newness to Allah unless it sluts from pure eemaan (faith in Allah). Thus, it is pure eemaan - and not habits, desires, nor seeking praise or fame, nor its flee - that should be what initiates an action. And the preparation showed, to earn the reward of Allah and to seek His good pleasure."[4] So Fasting is a means of attaining taqwaa, since it helps prevent a person from many sins that one is prone to. Due to this, the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "Fasting is a shield with which the servant protects himself from the Fire."[5] So we should ask ourselves, after each day of fasting: Has this lasting made us more fearful and obedient to Allah? Has it aided us in distancing ourselves from sins and disobedience?

2. Seeking Nearness to Allah

The Prophet PBUH said:

"Allah said: Whosoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I shall be at war with him. My servant does not draw near to me with anything more beloved to me than the obligatory duties that I have placed upon him. My servant continues to draw nearer to Me with optional deeds so that I shall love him.”

The Prophet PBUH said:

"Whosoever reaches the month of Ramadan and does not have his sins forgiven, and so enters the Fire, then may Allah distance him."

So drawing closer to Allah - the Most Perfect - in this blessed month, can be achieved by fulfilling one's obligatory duties; and also reciting the Qur’an and reflecting upon its meanings, increasing in kindness and in giving charity, in making du‘aa (supplication) to Allah, attending the Taraaweeh Prayer, seeking out Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Power and Pre-Decree), a night which is better than a thousand months, attending gatherings of knowledge, and striving in those actions that will cause the heart to draw closer to its lard and to gain His forgiveness. Our level of striving in this blessed month should be greater than our striving to worship Allah in any other month, due to the excellence and rewards that Allah has placed in it. Likewise from the great means of seeking nearness to Allah in this month is making I‘tikaaf (seclusion in the mosque in order to worship Allah) - for whoever is able.

3. Acquiring Patience

Imams Ahmad - rahimahullaah - said:

"Allah has mentioned sabr (patience) in over ninety places in His Book."

The Prophet PBUH said:

"The month of Patience, and the three days of every month, are times for fasting."

Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr - rahimahullaah - said:

"What is meant by the month of Patience is the month of Ramadan ... So fasting is called patience because it restrains the soul from eating, drinking, conjugal relations and sexual desires."

He PBUH said:

"O youths! Whoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so; for it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts. But whoever is unable, then let him fast, because it will be a shield for him."

So fasting is a means of learning self-restraint and patience. With patience we are able to strengthen our resolve to worship Allah alone, with sincerity, and also cope with life's ups and downs. So - for example - with patience we are able to perform our Prayers calmly and correctly, without being hasty, and without merely pecking the ground several times! With patience we are able to restrain our souls from greed and stinginess and thus give part of our surplus wealth in Zakaah (obligatory charity). With patience we are able to subdue the soul's ill temperament, and thus endure the ordeal and hardships of Hajj, without losing tempers and behaving badly. Likewise, with patience we are able to stand firm and fight Jihaad against the disbelievers, hypocrites and heretics - withstanding their constant onslaught, without wavering and buckling, without despairing or being complacent and without becoming hasty and impatient at the first signs of hardship. Allah - the Most High - said:

"O Prophet, urge the Believers to fight ... So if there are one hundred who are patient, they shall overcome two hundred; and if there be one thousand, they shall overcome two thousand, by the permission of Allah. And Allah is with the patient ones." [Surah al-Anfaal 8:65-66].

Thus, without knowledge and patience, nothing remains, except zeal and uncontrolled emotions, shouts and hollow slogans, speech that does not strengthen, but rather weakens, and actions that do not build, but rather destroy! So in this month, we should strive to develop a firm resolve for doing acts of obedience, and to adorn ourselves with patience - having certainty in the saying of our Messenger PBUH: "And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and case with hardship."

4. Cultivating Good Manners

The Prophet PBUH said:

"Whosoever does not abandon falsehood in speech and action, then Allah the Mighty and Majestic has no need that he should leave his food and drink."

He PBUH also said:

"Fasting is not merely abstaining from eating and drinking. Rather, it is also abstaining from ignorant and indecent speech. So if anyone abuses or behaves ignorantly with you, then say: I am fasting, I am fasting."

These narrations point towards the importance of truthfulness and good manners. Thus, this blessed month teaches us not only to abstain from food and drink, but to also abstain from such statements and actions that may be the cause of harming people and violating their rights - since the Messenger PBUH said whilst describing the true Believer: "A Muslim is one from whom other Muslims are safe from his tongue and his hand." Thus it is upon us as individuals, to examine the shortcomings in our character, and to then seek to improve them - modelling ourselves upon the character of the last of the Prophets and Messengers, and their leader, Muhammad PBUH - aspiring also for the excellence which he mentioned in his saying: "I am a guarantor for a house on the outskirts of Paradise (or whosoever leaves off arguing, even if he is in the right; and a house in the centre of Paradise (or whosoever abandons falsehood, even when joking; and a house in the upper-most part of Paradise for whosoever makes his character good." So by shunning oppression, shamelessness, harbouring hatred towards Muslims, back-biting, slandering, tale-carrying, and other types of falsehood, we can be saved from nullifying the rewards of our fasting - as Allah's Messenger PBUH said: "It may be that a fasting person, receives nothing from his fast, except hunger and thirst."

5. Sensing Muslim Unity

The Prophet PBUH said:

"Fast when they fast, and break your fast when they break their fast, and sacrifice the day they sacrifice."

Imaam at-Tirmidthee - rahimahullaah - said:

"Some of the People of Knowledge explained this hadeeth by saying: Its meaning is to fast and break the fast along with the Jamaa’ah and the majority of people."

Thus, in this blessed month we can sense an increased feeling of unity and of being a single Ummah due to our fasting and breaking our fast collectively. We also feel an increased awareness about the state of affairs of the Muslims and of the hardships that they endure, because: "During the fast a Muslim feels and experiences what his needy and hungry brothers and sisters feel, who are forced to go without food and drink for many days - as occurs today to many of the Muslims in Africa." Indeed, the unity of the Muslims - and their aiding and assisting one another - is one of the great fundamentals upon which the Religion of Islam is built, as Allah - the Most High -said: "And hold fast altogether to the rope of Allah and do not be divided." [Surah Aal-‘Imraan 3:103]. Allah - the Most High - also said: "The Believers - men and women - and friends and protectors to one another." [Surah at-Tawbah 9:44].

Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah - rahimahullaah - said:

"The welfare of people will not be complete - neither in this world, nor in the Hereafter - except with ijtimaa‘ (collectiveness), ta‘aawun (mutual cooperation), and tanaasur (mutual help); mutual cooperation in order to secure benefits, and mutual help in order to ward off harm. It is for this reason that man is said to be social and civil by nature."

Thus, Ramadan is a time to increase our sense of unity and brotherhood, and our commitment to Allah and His Religion. And there is no doubt that this sense of unity necessitates that: "We all work together as required by Islaam as sincere brothers - not due to hizbiyyah (bigoted party spirit), nor sectarianism - in order to realize that which is of benefit to the Islaamic Ummah and to establish the Islaamic society that every Muslim aspires for so that the Sharee‘ah (Prescribed Law) of Allah is applied upon His earth" [28] So we must examine ourselves during the month of Ramadhan and ask: What is my role? - and each of us has a role - in helping this precious Ummah to regain its honour, and return to the Ummah its comprehensive unity and strength, and victory that has been promised to it? Likewise, we should reflect upon our own character and actions and ask: Are they aiding the process of unity and brotherhood, or are they a harm and a hindrance to it?

So we ask Allah to grant us the ability to change ourselves for the better, during this blessed month, and not to be of those who are prevented from His Mercy and forgiveness. Indeed He is the One who Hears and He is the One to Respond.

Adapted from Troid.org

Open National Marching Competition- Some Pics

I have been a bit busy lately, with three marching competition, exams, schools, etc. I am just staying at home for awhile this holidays, maybe if I have time, I'll update this blog again, but for now, here is some pictures of me and my friends at the open national marching competition in Melaka:-

Cell phone and the Quran

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Quran like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several time a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we travelled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm... where is my Quran?.

Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Quran being
disconnected

Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!.

P. S. DO WHAT YOU THINK ALLAH SWT WOULD WANT YOU TO DO WITH THIS EMAIL

Trust in ALLAH SWT and *ASAP (Always Say A Prayer).

From: http://humayrasolehah.blogspot.com/

PS: Sorry for not updating for such a long time... I'm a bit busy now, with school, extra-curricular activities, etc. Not much time to update this blog...

The Holidays- A Summary

After staying at home for about two month, my holiday is almost over. I will be going back to school tonight, insyaAllah (wondering why my holiday ends so late? Well, the 4^th formers of my school start a bit later than the than the other forms).

I can say that this is one of the best and busiest holidays I have gone through. I went to Sabah, gone to north Malaysia twice and then to Pahang. Here is a summary of my holiday:

1. Going to Sabah

After arriving home and staying there for two weeks, my family and I went to Sabah for a holiday. I went to Kundasang (at the foot of Mount Kinabalu), Kota Kinabalu and Manukan Island. I spent four days there.

More of it at my post: Family Tour in Sabah- a Holiday Not to Forget

2. Going to North Malaysia

My family and I went to North Malaysia (Penang and Perlis) at ‘Eidul Adha. We went there a few days before ‘Eidul Adha and stayed at Penang until the first day of the celebration. After that, we went to Perlis to slaughter some cows. Three of my second cousins will be married and the cows were for their wedding. I stayed in Perlis for two days before going back home.

3. Attending Kem Kembara Muda (KKM)

My brother, sister (as a facilitator), and I attended KKM which was held at Sekolah Rendah Agama Ghufran. It was organized by an NGO called Haluan. The camp was quite fun and I made many new friends who lives around Johor. I think the best part of it was learning how to cook (there was a contest, and my team got first place, thanks to my friend, Badrul). I just realized how hard it really is and how my mother must have felt, cooking every day. I attended the camp for three days.

4. Attending Kem PeWaris and going to Pahang

After two days I went back home after going back from KKM, I attended Kem PeWaris which was held at PULAKOPP, Penang. I arrived a day early (as my sister was going to be a facilitator and I was accompanying her to Penang). I think Kem PeWaris was the best camp I had attended, with many fun activities and I got a lot of new experiences. The best part was going out to the shopping complex, giving out free copies of Haluan Magazine while promoting it. At first, I thought it must be really easy giving out free samples of magazine to people, but it was quite hard. I also made many new friends from all over Malaysia. I attended the camp for three days before going to Kuantan, Pahang (my family is already there). I was quite exhausted when I arrived at Pahang. I slept most of the morning, while my siblings went swimming. I stayed in Kuantan for about three days before going back home.

More on Kem PeWaris at my post: Kem PeWaris- Some Pics

5. Staying at home alone for two weeks

I think the most boring part of my holidays was after my sister went back to university, my brother and little sister started going to school and of course, my parents went to work. The worst thing is, my maid had gone back home. So, I stayed alone at home doing works like washing the clothes and dishes, cleaning the kitchen, watering the plants and throwing out the rubbish. Most of this was done by my maid before she went back home. After that, I realized how hard it is living at home without a maid. I stayed in front of the computer most of the time.

6. Conclusion.

I gained a lot of experience from learning how to cook to how to give out free magazines to other people this holiday. There is an Arabic proverb “The experience of the older generation is at the spirit of the younger generation”. This proverb means that although the younger generations is stronger and can do much more work than the older generations, if this spirit is not guided by the experience and knowledge of the older generations, the younger generations can go astray. So, may my new experiences help me in the pursuit of mardahtillah.

I will be going back to school tonight, insyaAllah, and it is likely that I would not be posting anything in this blog for about three month. I hope all the readers will wait until I start posting again.

Lastly, I hope everybody who is reading this will pray that my heart would always be open to receive tarbiya and gain much more knowledge and experiences at school. Amin…

War on Gaza- What kind of humans are we??

Today is the 17^th day of the Israel-Palestine war in Gaza Strip. The death toll has almost reached 1000 people with more than 4000 people injured. Yet, Muslims around the world still pays little or no attention at all to the war. I even heard Muslims saying “What do I care, the war isn’t happening in this country” or even “It’s their own fault, why did they keep shooting rockets to Israel”

I really wanted to answer the question “It’s their own fault, why did they keep shooting rockets to Israel?” It’s all over the comments in aljazeera.net. Actually, they have every right to shoot rockets t Israel. The land was once theirs. Then, one day, the Zionist came and attacked the land and declared that it is theirs. All that was left for the Palestinians is the Gaza Strip. Is it wrong if they fired rockets because they want their land back??

And now the Israel declared war on Gaza. They killed children, woman and hundreds of citizens who have done nothing wrong to them.

What about us?? Why do we have to help the Palestinians as much as we can?? I want to repeat the hadith I wrote in my last post:-

"None of you truly believes (in Allah and in His religion) until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself"

Here are some pictures for us to ponder:-

Here are 10 things we can do to help them:-

1. Follow up the news about what is happening in Gaza. The number of shuhada', injured people, the volume of destructions etc.

2. Download pictures of the massacre and distribute to your friends via print outs, e-mails, on the mobile.

3. Follow up on the achievements of the Palestinian resistance heroes in Gaza. What victories they achieve every day, how many soldiers they kill, how many tanks they destroy.

4. Call the people of Gaza tell them where you from and share with them your feelings of sympathy and support and your confidence that they will win in this war. You can call this number 009708285XXXX. Replace the Xs with any number.

5. Paste pictures of Gaza on your notebooks, in your room, PC desktops.

6. Participate in as much activities about Gaza as you can. Talks, gathering, seminars.

7. Organize activities on what is happening in Gaza in your neighborhood, in your collage, surau's (e.g: Organize Qiyamullai in grops especially for the people of Gaza) etc.

8. Make this the most important topic of your discussions amongst your friends. Make it the first thing after greeting the people you meet that you tell or ask about.

9. BOYCOTT!!! BOYCOTT!!! BOYCOTT ISRAELI & AMERICAN PRODUCTS.

10. REMEMBER THEM IN YOUR DO'A AND PRAYER.

Source: Al-Aqsa Friends Society UIAM

If we feel that we really can’t do all of those above, at least do two of the most important: Boycott Israeli & American products and remember them in your prayers.

New Year Celebrations- What’s happening to our brothers??

                

Yesterday night, while I was in front of the computer, my brother and sister watched the television together.  After a while, I heard my brother exclaimed “Oh, it’s so beautiful”.  I immediately turned towards the television, wanting to know what he is watching.

                Masyallah!!  There, I saw thousands of people, gathered watching fireworks as they explode, striking colors in the sky, forgetting themselves as they clapped, sang and danced happily.

                This morning, I read a news article about Palestinians titled “414 Martyrs; Israel Wishes Gazans "Bloody New Year".  Here is a bit of it:-

414 Palestinian martyrs and 2070 others injured; this is the special way of the Israeli occupation army to wish the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip a bloody new year.

 On Thursday, January 1st, 2009, the Gazans woke up on air strikes as Israeli jets pounded more targets for a sixth consecutive day, hitting more buildings. And in fresh raids, a senior Hamas resistance political leader, Nizar Rayyan, was killed in an Israeli air strike in Jabaliya in the north of the Strip along with six members of his family, including 2 children. Three other people were also killed in the raids. Rayyan is the most senior Hamas official killed since the Israeli aggression against the Strip began on Saturday. In response, Hamas has threatened that Israel "will pay a heavy price" for the assassination for Rayyan.   

Continue to- http://www.aljazeera.com/news/newsfull.php?newid=199644

                What are we doing while our cousins in the Middle East are suffering from attacks by the Israel??  The death tolls (up till yesterday) are 414 Palestinian and 2070 were injured.  How can we be laughing and singing, forgetting ourselves, while our cousins are crying, losing their mothers, fathers and children.

                Let’s look at ourselves and think for a while.  Do we care about other Muslims?  If we put ourselves in thier shoes, with our parents, children, husband and wife dead, what would we be feeling if Muslims from other countries did not care and even forgot about us??   What would we feel if they even celebrated New Year??

                Rasulullah PBUH once said:-

"None of you truly believes (in Allah and in His religion) until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself"

                We are like one body.  If one part of it is hurt, all the other part will also feel the pain.  So, let us feel their pain and sufferings and help them in every way we could.

External links

Israel launches deadly air strikes on Gaza-

http://www.aljazeera.com/mm/video/video.php?op=showvideo&vidid=875

Staying alive in Gaza-

http://www.aljazeera.com/mm/video/video.php?op=showvideo&vidid=885