Hikmah

Subhaan-Allah wal HamdulilLah AstaghfirulLah wa-Allahuakbar... HasbiyAllah! Reflecting on the lesson this week on Adab towards Allah SWT on the significance of Istighfar... it dawned on me on how Islam is beautiful and indeed simple... in that Allah's wisdom in making it so easy for Muslims to gain reward if we only knew and apply the prescribed life ordained to us. Allow me to end this post with Hadith Qudsi - "Allah's mercy precedes His wrath", subhaan-Allah!

P/S: May Allah SWT bestow upon Grandpa Said baraqah, good health, hidayah, istiqomah, rahmah, rizq' and taufiq, amin ya Rabb!

Fitrah

"While chemistry and attraction are no doubt important, character precedes them both. Why? Chemistry ignites the fire, but character keeps it burning.”

Love is part of mankind’s primordial state (fitrah). But the idea of falling “in love” should never be the sole reason for marrying someone; it is very easy to confuse infatuation and lust for love." Truly Islam is beautiful for advocating love after marriage. Why do you want to marry? For fun? For satisfying your desire?  Because everyone is doing it so I have to as well? For Allah? If it is for Allah, insya-Allah the sense of responsibility in oneself will ensure compatibility. Indeed character and chemistry is two different things (paradigm even!)

For Muslimah, a husband is everything after Allah SWT and RasululLah SAW. It is not right for me to waste my love to other men (through social dating, which is haram in Islam) if in the end, the one that will be there through thick and thin, in life and death will be someone called ‘husband’. So to ladies out there, save the saying of “I love you” for your husband once it is halal…

How does one know if the person is the right one? Istikharah (Hasbi Allah wa ni’mal waqil /Allah is sufficient for me and is the best trustee of affairs) and seek Allah’s redha. Insya-Allah, if both have the same fikrah (mentality/worldview), sincere intention (mardhatilLah) and follow RasululLah’s advise to pick one with a strong religious foundation above all things (recall what Ummi said, Those who kneel down to ALLAH can stand up for anything, subhaana-Allah!).

Afterthought: Everyone has a past. And the past is not to be judged, but to be learned. A good man will not force you to do something that will incur Allah’s wrath. If he is truly serious about you, he will make you halal asap. So choose wisely the one who will be the imam of your family. Wallahu'alam bissawab...

Taqwa ilalLah

Was channel surfing and saw this movie closer to the end and floodgates were let loose... I cannot fathom how the baby girl would grow up without the love of her mum... and how her dad will cope with the lost of his love in the midst of bringing up the gift that will be a constant reminder of the demise of his loved one. It brought back memories, ala kulli haal. What is most important is the realisation of putting your trust in Allah SWT. When you love His creations, they will leave you as life in this world is temporal. I'll end this post by saying that the greatest strength is gentleness. Wallahua'lam bissawab.

Rainy Days & Mondays

It is nice to hear the sounds of Pat Metheny especially doing a rendition of The Beatles... Thanks to a dear friend for sharing this video with me... it made the rainy monday even more beautiful... so am gonna share the 'love', ha!

Indeed, may Allah's blessings, just like the gift of beneficial rain, be upon us so hurry to supplicate for it is reported that rainy days are one of those moments when our supplications are answered, pronto! Truly, Allah knows best :)

Anti-Cyberbullying

[Source courtesy of Childnet International]

Reflecting on today's session and listening to constructive feedback from all perspectives, there's room for improvement for a programme that is in its first year of inception. I pray that the team have the compassion for the kids and the passion for learning to continually improve while maintaining the focus and stamina to do meaningful work, insya Allah ameen Allahuma ameen!

Responsibility

It is so easy to attribute a success to one's hard work as though you earned it; failing to see Allah's grace, generosity, love and mercy. Subhan Allah wal hamdulilLah wala illah ha ilalLah Allahu Akbar. With Allah's grace, may I be able to expedite the amanah (responsibility) assigned to me to the best of my ability and may Allah SWT protect me from istidraj, insya Allah ameen ya Rabbal 'alameen.

Afternote: I'm instinctively reminded of mum's advice - "Allah will not forsake those who seek out His guidance and remain steadfast in prayer", subhan Allah... inna lilLahi wa inna ilaihi rojiun :)

Instinctively Amiss

Hmm, in the midst of my busy work schedule, I instinctively felt this odd hunch that something is amiss but could not put my finger to it. Shall not lose sleep over it, alhamdulilLah ala kulli hal. When the time is ripe, it'll come to me, insya Allah :)

Sorry to hear that Regy was down with DVT. I'll pop by this weekend with hot baked muffins, yum, after the earlier ones were eaten by my nephews, ha! Yes they are that nice. Shall leave you with a beautiful monologue from one of the touching movies I've had a chance to catch, learnt alot from it :)

Assessment D&D

AlhamdulilLah, glory to Allah SWT for enabling me to gain the Statement of Attainment (SOA) in the design and delivery of assessment module under the ACTA series by Singapore National Employer's Federation (SNEF). This new competencies strengthen my conviction of getting it right at the onset of any undertaking and one has to take the time to research and elicit the root of the issue before proposing a solution.

Afternote: 2 CUs completed last year, 2 CUs this year, 2 more to go next year, insya Allah ameen ya Rabb. Already, I can see the workload piling up, as hinted by my beloved supervisor, alhamdulilLah ala kulli hal :)

Usabiliity Bootcamp

Had a blast this week at the Usability Bootcamp organised by the great guys at Pebbleroad (thanks guys!). Christine Perfetti shared great examples of user-friendly design and I met some great folks during the networking session. The information I gained will come in handy when I get started on the next project - revamping the company's website... and you thought Instructional Designers just design and develop courseware! Don't ask... that was a vent ;P

Afterthought: I stand by my conviction, that great design is truly about empathy :)

Taqwa & Hal

[Source courtesy of I Luv Islam]

Brother

Today will be a short post. I'm proud of my younger brother for saying his piece via the Newpaper about the recent case that happened at Singapore's sports school. Its great to have such Physical Education teacher taking a firm stand on such things. Yes, it is a privilege (not a right) and parents of such errant kids should be educated or reminded if they do not realise it yet. Enough said!

The Chant of the Victorious

As I reflect on the meaning of the 'Eid Takbir... sad nostalgia rests on my heavy heart. Truly Ramadhan is about spiritual cleansing; not about being busy with shopping for cookies, new clothes, new coat of paint and fresh set of curtains, cushion covers, etc to prepare for Syawal. May Allah SWT protects us from emulating the millah of the jahiliah (culture/way of life of the ignorant), ameen ya Rabb.

Exams

La Hawla Wa La Qu'waata Illa Billahil Azim (There is no power and strength except with Allah, The Grand, The Great)... AlhamdulilLahx3, I've managed to attain Statement of Achievement (SOA) for ACTA CU5 this week... I could have not done it without the magnificent grace of the Almighty SWT.

In retrospect, being an instructional designer is not enough... there is a need to be a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the WSQ that we are submitting for approval. But I am not one who likes to specialise... I'd rather appreciate all genre (if I can call it that) of knowledge as it gives me a deeper appreciation of Allah's Wisdom, subhan Allah.... it does make one realise how insignificant  he/she is and keep the humility in check :)

Anyway, learnt alot especially in consultation with the assessor... she's got loads of experience. Next, time to celebrate before I hit the books again for another round of exam in early Sep. Wish me luck!

Istiqomah

Have Faith. Keep the Hope. Continue to Strive. Maintain Patient Perseverance. 

Power of True Intent

Tears kept trickling down my cheeks as I watched this heart-rending movie, subhan Allah! Instinctively I'm reminded of mum, her unconditional love and relentless sacrifices. More importantly, her yearning to be a guest of Allah's most sacred house... It has been my greatest wish to bring her there and may Allah pave the way for us in the near future, insya Allah!

This movie also reminds us among other things, the power of a true intent, compassion, humanity, and that Allah's help can come from places we never thought of. So strive in the way of Allah and don't despair, as rightly pointed out in the testimony of those who watched the movie here.

Audacity of Hope

 

 Laskar Pelangi, a novel by Andrea Hirata, was based on the writer's own experiences. It is about an inspiring teacher and her 10 students in the poverty-stricken Kampung Gantong in Belitong. The poor condition of their school building does not dampen their high spirits and hopes for a better future. Brilliantly inspiring!

Sang Murabbi

Subhan Allah, this is a brilliant and inspirational movie reflecting the trials and tribulations of the late Ustadz Rahmat Abdullah. For those who are keen to start doing da'wah, you'll benefit from watching this movie. Truly, patience, sincerity, sacrifice in da'wah are for the sake of Allah SWT alone :)

Muslimah

[Source courtesy of Abidah el Khalieqy]

When I watch this movie, "Perempuan Berkalung Sorban" (Lady with a Turban), it struck me that truly our beloved Prophet SAW is the best exemplar for humankind with regards to how to engage and treat women.

Indeed, in Islam, women hold a privileged position if one truly makes references to the Quran and Hadith and contemplates on sirah (history) of RasululLah SAW and his family, particularly his wives and daughters.

Perhaps this movie is deem 'controversial' because of the half-truth depiction of life in a pesantren (traditional Islamic school)... one of my beloved uncle went to Pesantren and women there are not treated in such a manner; The film-maker has the amanah (responsibility) to convey the whole truth and nothing but the truth... as such 'Islamic' movie is seen by the world over. This is what we call Media Literacy :)

I end this post with the movie's trailer:

 

Afternote: I can't stress enough the importance of seeking knowledge then operationalise one's life accordingly, see Islam in its totality (syumul) and truth (haq) and not take bits and pieces out of convenience. May Allah Azza wa Jalla protects us from the hellfire, ameen ya Rabbal 'Alameen.

Think Positive

I was looking forward to get my PMI exam over and done with by May. Al-hamdulillah ala kulli hal (Praise is due to Allah in every circumstance, even the depressing ones). Due to an administrative glitch, I now have to prepare for it only in early September. Truly Allah Azza wa Jall is Oft-Knowing what is best for me.

Afternote: Mum, it'll be your birthday present... I'll promise to study and get through this with flying colours, insya Allah. La Hawla Wa La Qu'waata Illa Billahil Azim (There is no power and strength except with Allah, The Grand, The Great)... Btw, this doa is said to be a cure for various types of sadness so for those who are feeling a lil down, read various useful tips via  Don't Be Sad website.

Islamic Living

I actually read the book by Habiburrahman El Shirazy before watching this movie (have watched Part 2 as well, masya Allah... truly Allah SWT works in miraculous ways).

If only more of such Islamic movies were made, depicting the reality of the Ummah's life according to Sharia' law. Truly, the islamic paradigm is different from the western paradigm, subhan Allah.

Mum has become a fan of another author from Malaysia, Hasrizal Abdul Jamil and I know deep in her heart, she would have wished that he follows the footsteps of Habiburrahman El Shirazy and make movies too.

Afternote: I must admit, with humility and a tinge of embarassment, that I've not been keeping myself updated with Malay authors of today... but that does not mean that I've lost my Malay/Muslim identity :)