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 :)

Glorious Books

[Source courtesy of NLB, Singapore]

WED

Let's commemorate World Environment Day on 5 June 2010 by starting to live a more eco-friendly life by easily 'green' your daily routine. Truly, men are vicegerent of this earth :)

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

Reading the book by John Perkins entitled "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man", I'm perpetually feeling sick in my gut just visualising how the stories unfold in my mind's eye... subhan Allah. Corporatocracy... are we truly living in an era void of conscience and humanity? Truly, how long does one have in this world to be so preoccupied with it until one forgets the eternal life in hereafter? May Allah SWT bestow these people with hidayah, which their soul desperately need, whether they realise it or not, ameen. I'll end this post with a video by the author himself, sharing a piece of what he wrote in the book.

Humanity

I'm not a big movie fan but this movie, Pensil (Pencil), caught my eye and brought me to tears simply because I have a soft-spot for the discriminated.

Here's one man, who despite his lack of ability, strives to make a decent living for himself... what a true Muslim should do... ikhtiyar and not be quick to seek help from others... and yet there are heartless people who are quick to bring him down or discriminate him. May this movie create the awareness in us to love one another for the sake of Allah SWT and to defend those who are being discriminated, ameen. 

Afternote: I know that some critics may say "It is just a movie, not a reality" but what if it is real, would you sit by the side and be the audience or would you have the courage to do something about it... that is the question.

Book Exchange

[Source courtesy of NLB, Singapore]

Whew! Was on duty for half a day at the Book Exchange event at Victoria street. Approximately 73,000 books exchanged hands between 6,000 library patrons. To those who supported the event, thank you for your support, especially for dropping by NLB Academy's booth to say "Hi", catch up or subscribe to the promotion offered. :) 

Qaisarah Batrisyia

[Courtesy of cousin Wahyudi Othman]

AlhamdulilLah. On the morning of 10 April 2010, my cousin and his wife became proud parents of this adorable baby girl, Qaisarah Batrisyia. May she grow up to be the intelligent queen (as her name suggests) with a heart filled with wisdom, ameen.

Afterthought: With Faris and Qaisarah, the extended family continues to grow... awaiting the confirmation of another 'impending arrival' :)

Family First

AlhamdulilLah, alhamdulilLah, alhamdulilLah... A new-found friend's search to find his life companion  has finally ended. And it is true what the old and wise say - a man needs a woman by his side in order to find balance in his life, without one, he somehow feels 'incomplete'. What Ustaz Rahmat said in one of his previous lectures rings true, men and women are designed differently and placed in the scheme of things for a specific reason, subhan Allah.

Afternote: Noble is one who can love someone for the sake of Allah SWT alone. May his mum gain a companion to help her raise the kids to be good citizens of the world as one united family, ameen :)

090410

A quick shout out from us (including her brothers in the photo above) to my niece, Siti Maisarah... Happy birthday, may Allah SWT bless you with peace a bounty. Study smart and may you excel in your PSLE this year  *hugs*

GrandPa

Grandpa was constantly at the back of my mind simply because today is his special day. AlhamdulilLah, alhamdulilLah, alhamdulilLah... after going for regular therapy, he seems to have regained his health after a bout of lymphoma-pneumonia remission. May Allah SWT bless this great man and place him among the ihsanul kamil in jannatul firdaus, ameen ya Rabbal a'lamin.

Glad tidings

"And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts. Undoubtedly in these are signs for those who reflect." [Surat ar-Rum: 21]

As mum shares the good news about my younger brother getting engaged in June, we got to discussing what is Islam's views on dating? Not from the Western Worldview but from Islamic Worldview especially in the 21st century.

She said it boils down to one's intent, meaning you are not interested in testing the water, rather you have fixed your sight on a 'spouse material' and would like to engage him or her within the purview of the Syariah law in order to make an informed decision.

Hmm... perhaps this video could shed some light to what mum meant... In Islam, there is no such thing as love before marriage but it is preferable to look at the person you want to marry, interact and select accordingly, based on one's virtue, wealth, nobility and beauty, in this order of importance.

P/S: To my lil brother, marriage is a tremendous responsibility so prepare your mind for it. It is not just about love but mercy too. May Allah SWT bless you and lady D with a smooth path towards a blissful married life, Ameen.

Rottnest

Subhan Allah, this is a beautiful place. To a certain degree, I'm glad my pal is enjoying his work there at Rottnest and then back at Perth. On the other hand, the reason why mum discourages me to stay in Alanya for the long-term was because of such a surrounding. She constantly reminds me that life on earth is paradise only for the Jahiliah. May I not lose sight of the ultimate purpose of life on earth, insya Allah.

P/S: Let's all commemorate Earth Hour and switch off unwanted lights and start living green.

Divine Love

Our beloved Prophet SAW once said, "A companion whom you should stay close to is one whom when you look at him/her, you're reminded of Allah SWT, when you hear his/her words, your knowledge increases and when you observe his/her deeds, you're reminded of Hereafter."

Oh Allah, enable Your servant to see the truth, to love another whom loves You above all things such that it strengthens my love for You, Ameen.

P/S #1: Happy birthday to my lil Iqhwan. Had a blast over the weekend and thank you for paying your tired ol' aunt a visit, extending a brief but much needed respite from work work work *hugs*.

P/S #2: Thanks for the sound advice, Sis. You always have my welfare at heart :)

Appreciation

Hmm this is interesting. A long-distant friend who, out of the blue, shares music by Buckethead. On hindsight, yes, he knows that I used to be a fan of Pat Metheny during my youth... and that I have a 'thing' for talented guitarists.

Thank you, Muris, for sharing 3 files from Buckethead with me recently. I've post one of them here and here's the other one. Enjoy the great guitarwork by this mysterious talent :)

Afternote: Just realised after talking to Muris that 8 March 2010 was International Women's Day. Thanks for commemorating a day in a woman's life :)

True Love

"A child is a deposit in the hands of the parents. The child’s pure heart is like a precious gem. Like wax, a child can take any shape. When small, it has not taken any shape. It is like pure soil. You will reap what you sow in pure soil."

Following up from my earlier post and after a brief correspondence with my uncle, I'd like to say that if children are taught the tenets of Iman (belief), the Quran and the commandments of Allah SWT and accustomed to doing them, they will attain religious and worldly happiness. And their parents and teachers will share this happiness of theirs.

If they are not taught and trained, they will become unhappy. The sin of each evil they will commit will be given to their parents and teachers, too. Allahu ta’ala declares in the sixth ayat of Surah at-Tahrim, “Protect yourselves and those in your homes and under your command from the fire!”

It is more important for a father to protect his children against the fire of Hell than against worldly fire. And protecting them against the fire of Hell is to teach them Iman, the fard (commandment) and haram (prohibition) to accustom them to worshipping, and to protect them against irreligious and immoral friends. The source of all kinds of immoral deeds is an evil friend.

Our beloved Prophet SAW, by stating, “All children are born fit and suitable for Islam. Later, their parents make them Christians, Jews or irreligious”, indicates that both for the settlement and for the annihilation of Islam, the most important work on children can be done when they are still young.

Then, the first duty of each Muslim is to teach his children Islam and the Quran al-karim. The child is a great blessing. If the blessing is not appreciated, it will be lost. Therefore, pedagogy, i.e. the science of teaching children, is a very valuable science in the Islamic religion.

Afternote: My colleagues, soon-to-be-mums shared their concerns with me over lunch one day, whether they will be good mothers to their first born. I told them, trust in the God-given maternal instincts :)

Occupation 101

Part 1 outline the oppressions in Ireland, Algeria, America, South Africa, Holy Land, etc. The rest of the 11-part series for those who want to know the Truth.

Part 2 highlights the injustice faced by the oppressed homeless to push them to leave the country

Part 3 highlights about what truly happened chronologically in history (must see!)

Part 4 highlights how Palestinians became displaced to third-class citizens

Part 5 highlights virtually no power in the hands of the Palestinians (harrassment by Zionist)

Part 6 highlights Palestinians are oppressed due to US AIPAC, Fundamentalist Christians, American media

Part 7 highlights US aid for Zionist, at the expense of Palestine and US people (for control of oil?)

Part 8 highlights how Israel oppresses the Palestinians (held hostage in a gigantic prison)

Part 9 highlights Palestinians's fear living in Gaza (children have no will to live; became dehumanized)

Part 10 highlights the Internationl Solidarity Movement (human rights movement to fight Israel terrorism)

Part 11 highlights that Americans will never understand what is happening in Gaza (will they?)

Afternote: Please recite this doa for our Ummah in Palestine and include it in our daily prayer. May Allah SWT protects them from harm's way and may the oppression stops, Ameen.

Adab & Human Rights

[Source: Human Rights Action Center Organisation]

Thanks to my cousin for sharing this with me. Truly it is about Adab, subhan Allah.

PMI

From 27 Feb onwards, I will go through a 5-week PMI PMP certification course. Have asked around and it seems that the end-course exam is rather tricky. Please pray for me so that I will pass the exam, Ameen.

You may be wondering, "What is an instructional designer doing taking up a course meant for a Project Manager?" Let's just say its about optimising resources ;)