Family Gathering

Today shall be a short post. My cousins from KL would be dropping by later and my cousin from Kluang will also arrive shortly. As my relatives are widely dispersed across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and one currently finishing her studies in Australia while another in Canada... it is times like these when we gather around at grams and catch up with each other's life. Enjoy the long weekend, folks (I know I definitely will!)

P/S: Happy birthday to Aunt B! :)

Islam's Journey

Sheikh Abdul Halim triggered this post. Being the inquisitive creature that I am, I decided to 'investigate' since he posed the challenge about figuring out how Islam reached South East Asia :)

From the early days of Islam, there were two routes eastwards: the land route and the sea route to China which, for example, the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W - Saad ibn Abi Waqqas sailed.

Accounts of how Islam spread to this region vary according to different translations. Nonetheless, anyone keen to understand the History of Islam should read the book by Professor Masud ul-Hassan. Or you can read the simplified version of "The Coming and Spread of Islam in South East Asia" here and here.

Afterthought: The deeper I dug, the more I want to know the Origins of Islam... hmm, its an assignment on its own but its worthwhile because it strengthens my Islamic identity, Subhan Allah. Read 1000 years of missing Muslim heritage.

2011

They say "A house is not a home". I'm just glad my nephews will get a nice roof over their heads by end of 2011 and may their home be filled with laughter and love as they grow up to be useful citizens of the world. Truly, blessed is a family that stays together, ameen!

Afterthought: In retrospect, I recalled countless stories about our beloved Prophet SAW and how simply he lived a life full of substance for the Hereafter. Truly, he is the exemplar beyond compare. That simple life is all that I desire - "Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire." Ameen. [Surah al-Baqarah: 201]

Gentle Reminder

Allow me to kickstart the  new islamic year with this post...May we benefit from this constant reminder...

Before Imam Syafie returned to rahmatulLah, he said,
"Whoever wants to leave this world safely, practice these 10 habits":

1. Be accountable to ALLAH SWT.
Invite others to good deeds, prevent others from bad deeds, love piety and abhor vices.

2. Be accountable to our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW
Salawat to the Prophet, hold steadfastly to the Syaria’ law, rely on the As-Sunnah (Hadith), love Prophet’s sahabat and compete in seeking Allah’s pleasure

3. Be accountable to oneself
Less sleep, less food, less speech (aka more ibadah), be content and prudent with one’s wealth.

4. Be accountable to the Angel of death
Complete ibadah left behind previously and do them in multiples, seek forgiveness from those oppressed or discriminated, be prepared for death and love Allah SWT.

5. Be accountable to your grave
Avoid urinating all over, conduct more Tahajud and help those who are oppressed or disciminated.

6. Be accountable to good and evil (Munkar and Nakir)
Abstain from telling lies, speak the truth, leave vices and constantly give advice or receive advice to remind each other to do good.

7. Be accountable to the scale (Mizan)
Suppress anger, more zikir, sincere in deeds and willingness to bear hardships without complaining

8. Be accountable to the bridge (Sirat)
Avoid back-biting, be pious, help the pious, prefer congregational prayer to praying alone

9. Be accountable to the Gatekeeper of hell (Malik)
Fear Allah SWT, be kind to and patient with your parents, donate publicly or in secret, improve one’s akhlak.

10. Be accountable to the Gatekeeper of heaven (Ridhwan)
Submit to Allah’s will, be patient during hardships, be thankful for Allah’s bounty and repent from sins.

P/S: Happy birthday dear Muris :)