Muhd Hanis Irfan

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May Allah SWT bestow you with a meaningful life full of patience, wisdom and the tireless dedication to seeking knowledge towards becoming a useful citizen of this world and the Hereafter, ameen ya Rabbal 'Alameen *hugs*

Family

It was great catching up with a good 'ole friend' after so long. AlhamdulilLah, he gives good, logical advice...Yes, I admit sometimes women tend to be irrational although the degree of rationality is subjective, ha! Subhan Allah, that is the fitrah of women, different from men :)

Anyway, have a safe flight, take care and see you real soon. Hugs and kisses to mama Zehra and papa Hasan. TaqabbalLahu minna wa minkum, taqabalLahu ya Karim, minal aidin wal faizin :)

Impending Arrival

Masya Allah, alhamdulilLah ala kulli haal... just spoke to my sister-in-law and she shared the good news that her third child would probably be a baby girl :)

For us in Singapore, we will pray that the delivery in November will be smooth sailing and that mother and child be safe and baby be healthy, Ameen ya Rabbal 'Alameen.

Afternote: Mum's prayers came true, subhan Allah... La hawla wala kuwata ilLah bilLahil 'Azeem :)

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.

Mama

"The heart of a mother is a deep abyss, at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. For a mother is the only person on earth who can divide her love among her children and each child still have all her love. For a mother's love grows by giving."

A tribute to my light, my strength... no words of gratitude could do justice for all that you've done.

Be There

Short post today. Here's to a friendship so true. Thank you for accepting me, faults and flaws included.

Appreciation

Masya Allah, thanks for this dedication and the early birthday greetings. Indeed a nice song from a talent who can strum the guitar, play the piano and pen beautiful lyrics. All I can say is that it is not the wait that matters, if its meant to be, it will happen. Truly, we plan with the best of intentions but the fact of the matter is Allah knows what is best for His servants.

Afternote: Richard Marx, Bryan Adams are just among those evergreen musicians that I used to admire during my youth... he has a collection of beautiful songs with meaningful lyrics, some of which I can truly relate to :)

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!

Redha

Bagaimanakan ku mula
Dan apakah kata-kata
Yang indah untuk diabadikan...
Tapi ku percaya
Semua telah tertulis
Dan niat suciku takkan disiakan...

Afternote: When I heard this melody, I paused to ponder the lyrics and realised that this talented artist has the gift of crafting poetic lyrics that could lead to different interpretations or meaning. Timeless.

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 :)

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.