The Beginning of Our Life Journey On Earth...

Yesterday, Alhamdulillah while I was reading Surah Al-A'raf from the Quran, I came across a few verses, which reminds me about our journey on this Earth.. It all started when Iblis had tricked Adam and Hawaa in the Heaven to eat from the forbidden tree..  The following verses' translation (in Malay) mention what happened after they had eaten the forbidden fruit: 

"Keduanya berkata, "Ya Tuhan kami, kami telah menzalimi diri kami sendiri.  Jika Engkau tidak mengampuni kami dan memberi rahmat kepada kami, niscaya kami termasuk orang-orang yang rugi. (Allah) Berfirman, "Turunlah kamu! Kamu akan saling bermusuhan satu sama lain.  Bumi adalah tempat kediaman dan kesenanganmu sampai waktu yang telah ditentukan".  (Allah) Berfirman, "Di sana kamu hidup, di sana kamu mati, dan dari sana (pula) kamu akan dibangkitkan." Wahai anak cucu Adam!  Sesungguhnya Kami telah Menyediakan pakaian untuk menutupi auratmu dan untuk perhiasan bagimu.  Tetapi pakaian takwa, itulah yang lebih baik. Demikianlah sebahagian tanda-tanda kekuasaan Allah, mudah-mudahan mereka ingat."

(al-A'raf:23-26)

And from then onwards, Allah has placed our Prophet Adam and his wife, Hawaa on this Earth, which marked the beginning of human being's journey on this Earth.

However, during our journey, we should be mindful that Syaitan would never leave us alone.

Iblis was made to leave the Heaven after he disobeyed Allah's command to bow at our Prophet Adam in the Heaven. Before he left the Heaven, he had requested from Allah as stated in the Quran:

"(Iblis) menjawab, "Berilah aku penangguhan waktu, sampai hari mereka dibangkitkan." (Allah) Berfirman, "Benar, kamu termasuk yang diberi penangguhan waktu. "Iblis menjawab, "Kerana Engkau telah Menyesatkan aku, pasti aku akan selalu menghalangi mereka dari jalan-Mu yang lurus, kemudian pasti aku akan mendatangi mereka dari depan, dari belakang, dari kanan dan dari kiri mereka.  Dan Engkau tidak akan mendapati kebanyakan mereka bersyukur." Allah Berfirman, "Keluarlah kamu dari sana (syurga) dalam keadaan terhina dan terusir! Sesungguhnya barangsiapa di antara mereka ada yang mengikutimu, pasti akan Aku Isi neraka jahannam dengan kamu semua."

(al-A'raf:14-18)

After that, the first thing that Iblis did to let human to go astray was by cheating Prophet Adam and Hawa to eat from the forbidden tree until they too were made to leave the Heaven and started living on this Earth. From then onwards, Syaitan's efforts to let us to go astray from the straight path would never end until we die..

Alhamdulillah, since now is Ramadhan (when all Syaitans are tied up for the whole month), I'll grab this golden opportunity to increase my good deeds in this life journey, InsyaAllah.. :-)

~Written by Ummu Yusra~

Ramadhan is here.. Alhamdulillah..

Today is my first day of fasting outside M'sia after so many years.. Fasting period during summer is a bit long, about 15 hours. Yesterday, we have had early "sahur" at 12 midnight. It was not meant to be sahur actually, it was our late dinner after we came back from our last minute shopping before Ramadhan. We planned to wake up again around 3.30 am but couldn't hear the alarm.. Sorry Abang.. promise that I will wake up every sahur from tomorrow onwards, InsyaAllah..

I really hope and pray that this Ramadhan will be the best Ramadhan in my life, InsyaAllah.. Who knows, maybe this will be my last Ramadhan? Only Allah knows..

"Life Is Precious"... a Poem

Life is so precious,

And each day is a gift.

So enjoy every minute,

As it were your last to live.

Cherish your loved ones,

Hug them tight,

Share with them your heart,

And your time.

Nothing is forever,

And life goes so fast,

Each minute that passes,

Is one you can’t get back.

When troubles arrive,

And knock you off your feet,

Stand up and smile,

And remember life is too sweet.

Every morning when you wake,

Decide right from the start,

That “Today will be a good day”

And let it all in with an open heart.

Written by: Laura Strickland ©

"We Complement Each Other".. Princess Story

Long time ago, there lived a beautiful Princess in Scotland, who wished for a charming, handsome Prince to marry her. Besides the needs to have good outside appearance, she also had one long list of behaviour and characters that she wanted her future husband to have. She wanted her husband to be exactly like her..  

Everyday, one Prince would be scheduled to see her at the Palace, wanted to try their luck.

Unfortunately, all of them had failed.. No one really matched her stringent requirement. 

Time passed by...

Every Prince around the world already came to the Palace and tried their luck...

But the Princess still unhappy with all of them and they left the Palace feeling very disappointed..

Time passed by.. and no other Prince ever came to the Palace again..

In the end, the (old) Princess remained unmarried at her last breath, feeling unhappy for not meeting the husband that she wanted..

Moral of the story:

In our life journey, we will never find anyone, who are exactly the same as us.   

Everyone has his/her own strengths and weaknesses..

This really applies for husband and wife relationship..

Do you notice that if the wife likes to talk, her husband would be more of a thinking type (or the other way round).  If the husband is of a friendly type, his wife would be more of a reserved type.  

And their other characters remain opposite to each other..

But there is  nothing to worry about it. All of us has our own strengths and weaknesses.

Despite having the weaknesses at the beginning of their mariage, sooner or later, each would learn from their life partner's strengths and have the inner urge to overcome their weaknesses, naturally... 

So next time, if you are thinking why your husband/ wife is not having your own character/ behaviour that you really wished they have, do remember that husbands and wives do complement each other.. That makes life beautiful and interesting... (but of course you can also pray in your heart that he/she would change one day.. :-))

As for the Princess, she had really missed many golden opportunities in her life journey to make her life happier..

~The End~

Written by Ummu Yusra

Our 8th Wedding Anniversary.. Live the Moment

Yesterday was our 8th wedding anniversary.. Alhamdulillah.. Thank you for all the best wishes from our thoughtful family and friends.. :-) 

Time really flies.....

Thank you, Abang for the "With Love" Hilary Duff perfume set and the lovely pink card.. :-) The perfume really smells nice!

And the kids and I had baked a small, moist chocolate cake using ready made mixture (hehe.. so tak aci..).  The kids were soo excited to whisk the cake (using spoon), to see the cake "growing" in oven and to place all the fresh cherries "creatively" on the cake (and later removed them before they ate the cake!). It taste good with the rich, melt chocolate topping (even though looks so messy..hehe..) and the kids loved it!! Never know that we need to put 1/2 cup of vegetable oil to make the cake moist! So good for the kids (coz I used corn oil as advised by their Paed) but so bad for Ibu & Ayah! Maybe next time I will use Olive Oil instead.. :-)

Written by Ummu Yusra

You Can Be The Happiest Woman In The World

Very inspiring... 

With your beauty, you are better than the sun; with your morals you are more sublime than musk; with your modesty you are nobler than the full moon; with your compassion you a more beneficial than rain. So, preserve your beauty with faith, your tranquility with contentment, your chastity with hijab. 

Remember that your adornment is not gold, silver or diamond, rather, it is two rak'ahs at Fajr going thirsty when you fast for Allah, concealed charity which no one knows except Him, hot tears that wash away sin, a lengthy prostration born of utter submission to Allah, shyness before Allah when the inclination to do evil overwhelms you.

Clothe yourself with the garments of taqwa (piety) for you are the most beautiful woman in the world, even if your clothes are shabby. Clothe yourself with cloak of modesty, for you are the most beautiful woman in the world even if you are barefoot.

O' sincere Muslim, O' believing woman who constantly turns to Allah, the Exalted, be like the palm tree and rise above evil and harm; if a stone is thrown at the palm tree, it lets its fruit drop (and does not retaliate). It remains green summer and winter, and gives many benefits. Do not lower yourself to the level of trivial matters, and rise above all that may damage your modesty and honour.

A man had an argument with his wife and said, "I am going to make your life miserable." The wife calmly replied, "You cannot do that." He said, "Why not?" She said: "If happiness were to be found in money or jewellery, you could deprive me of it and take it away from me, but it is nothing over which you or any other person has control. I find happiness in my faith, and my faith is in my heart, and no one has power over it except my Lord."

The One Who created happiness is the Most Gracious, Most Merciful, so how can you seek happiness from anyone other than Him? If people had control over happiness, there would be no deprived or grieving person left on earth.

"Do not give up on yourself, because change is usually slow; you will encounter obstacles that will discourage you, but do not let these obstacles defeat you."

"Your gold is your religion, your adornment is your moral attitude, and your wealth is your good manners."

"When distress strikes and calamities come one after another, then say: La ilaha illallah."

"Do not make your problems the subject of conversations with others, for by doing so you create a barrier between yourself and happiness."

"The most sincere generosity comes from those who do not have anything but recognise the value of a kind word and a smile, How many people give, but it is as if they are giving a slap."

"The most difficult time could be made easier by the smile of a confident person."

"Prepare for the worst, then you will feel that things are getting better."

"Be happy now, today, not tomorrow."

"Frustration is your worst enermy, for it has the power to destroy peace of mind."

"Your happiness does not depend on anyone else, rather, it is in your hands."

"Yesterday is a dream that has gone and tomorrow is merely a beautiful hope. Only today is real."

"Physical well-being comes from eating little, mental well-being comes from sinning little, well-being of the heart comes from worrying little and well-being of the tongue comes from speaking little."

"Men regret speaking, but he will never regret silence."

"In order to be beautiful, your thoughts should be so."

"Man finds happiness in a word that comes from the lips of a woman."

"The strongest fortress is a righteous woman."

"If a beautiful woman is a jewel, a righteous woman is a treasure."

"The best thing a man can have is a faithful wife."

"Be beautiful and you will see the world beautiful."

"A wise man said: 'I have never regretted what I did not say, but I have often regretted what I did say.' "

"Do not wait to be happy so that you smile but smile to be happy."

"Be optimistic, even if you are in the eye of the storm."

"Soon the flowers will bloom, grief will depart and happiness will prevail."

"Sickness is a message in which there is a glad tiding; and good health is a garment that has a price."

"Plant a tasbih (saying Subhan Allah) in a second , an idea in a minute, and a deed in an hour."

"Control your thoughts and you will be happy."

"The successful woman is supplicated for, praised by her husband, loved by her neighbours and respected by her friends."

"Wipe away the tears of the orphan in order to attain the pleasure of the Most Merciful and a house in Paradise."

"Prayer is guaranteed to bring tranquillity and chase away worry."

"Buy with charity the du'a' and love of the poor and needy."

"Allah loves those who repent and turn to Him."

"Giving up sin is Jihad (fighting in Allah's Cause), but persisting in it is stubbornness."

"In the sound heart there is no room for shirk (polytheism), deceit, rancour or envy."

"The wise woman turns a desert into a beautiful garden."

"Futile arguments and trivial discussions take away the sense of peace and tranquillity."

"Wherever you go and find darkness in your life; what you have to do is to light the lamp within yourself."

"Changing from bad to good is a long-term adventure, but it is wonderful."

"If you give in to despair, you will learn nothing and you will never find happiness."

"Check your past and your present, for life is a sequence of experiences from which one should emerge victorious."

"Do not be content to have some dark areas in your life, for the light is there; all you have to do is to turn it on and see it shining."

"Stop regretting your sin and think about the good deeds with which you are going to replace it."

"Happiness exists in you and you should focus your efforts on yourself."

"We need money in order to live but that does not mean that we need to live for the sake of money."

"Cast away all discouraging thoughts that make you feel helpless, and focus on success, then you will never fail."

"If you fail in one of your deeds, you should not give in to despair; do not worry and never doubt that you will find a solution."

"Do not complain about your problems except to those who can help you with advice and kind words."

"Learn how to co-exist with fear and it will disappear."

"Do not worry about things that you cannot perform, rather, spend time on improving what you can improve."

"Be happy with what is in your hand, content with whatever Allah has decreed and give up all daydreams that do not suit your efforts and abilities."

"If you have made mistakes in the past, learn from them, then let them go."

"Self-confidence means finding meaning in life regardless of your age; and being able to gain more from life."

"Regret cannot salvage a ship from the bottom of the sea."

"The value of life is to live every minute of it."

"We cannot change the past or draw the future as we want. Why should we kill ourselves regretting something that we cannot change?"

"There is nothing difficult or impossible in life so long as you are able to work and move."

"There is one way that leads to happiness: stop being worried about the things beyond your control."

"Always bear in mind the picture of success and keep it alive in your mind."

"Thinking of happiness will inevitably lead to thinking of what comes before and after, and that, in itself, spoils the sense of happiness."

"Of quickest message of happiness to others is a sincere smile from the heart."

"The way to happiness is in front of you, so seek it by means of knowledge, righteous deeds and a good attitude. Be moderate in all your affairs and you will be happy."

"The greatest blessing is goodness in the soul which makes one happy."

"Count Allah's blessings upon you, not your problems."

"Real beauty lies in beautiful behaviour, manners and mind"

"Foul tongues causes more trouble to their owners than to their victims."

"The happiest man is the one who makes the largest number of people happy."

"The wise man seeks to benefit from wise opinions; he never despairs or gives up thinking and trying."

"Frustration is your worst enemy, for it has the power to destroy peace of mind."

- Author: DR. 'A'id al Qarni

"How To Be Happy" - a Short Poem...

We visited Call Of the Wild in Gaylord, Michigan last Thursday. In the middle of many waxed animals found in Michigan, there was a small exhibition corner, which has a collection of short poems hanging on the wall. I came across this little poem, "How To Be Happy" by an anonymous author.  It is a very simple principle, which I have neglected all of my life.  

Hopefully, I would still have the chance to change to a new leaf and always be considerate & helpful to others...

Sincerity & Hidden Deeds...

The following article, I find it very useful for my life journey especially... It's a bit long but it contains important message on SINCERITY and also some DEEDS that I can carry along with me in my journey to the next, everlasting day..

Source: "Ramadhan Reminders"

Sometimes I sit for long periods of time just thinking about ikhlas (sincerity). SubhanAllah and how important is sincerity in our deen! We all know the hadith; perhaps it’s the most well known, recited and memorized. When Imam Bukhari was compiling the most authentic hadith in one collection (it’s now referred to as Saheeh al-Bukhari), he placed this hadith at the beginning; as did Imam an-Nawawi in his famous collection of 40 hadith. The hadith is as follows:

It is narrated on the authority of Amirul Mu'minin, Abu Hafs 'Umar bin al-Khattab, radiyallahu 'anhu, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, say:

"Actions are (judged) by intentions (niyyah), so each man will have what he intended. Thus, he whose migration (hijrah) was to Allah and His Messenger, his migration is to Allah and His Messenger; but he whose migration was for some worldly thing he might gain, or for a wife he might marry, his migration is to that for which he migrated."
[Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

This hadith speaks volumes and it shows us that as Muslims really all of our good deeds should be for Alla’s sake alone. Not for praise, a high five, pat on the back, a position, approval, money, the list goes on and on. I know, wallahi it’s hard to be sincere, it’s a great struggle. It was said to one of the pious predecessors Sahl: What is the hardest thing for the soul (to achieve)? He said: Sincerity, when there is no other desire in it.

It’s even harder when we live in a society where it’s all about ‘getting the credit’ and ‘grabbing the attention’; where people compete for attention and approval even with their good deeds. I know, it happens to all of us. Sometimes we might start a good deed sincerely for the sake of Allah but then notice the positive reaction we get from others. The ‘Masha’Allahs!, tabarakAllahas…or the ’brother/sister you are so good!”. Things like that. Or maybe you start a blog or a website and notice how much traffic it’s receiving. You’ll hear your brother or sister say masha’Allah your websie has 5K hits”. This good feedback hurts your sincerity and you are exposed to the disease of riyaa (showing off good deeds for the sake of others).

It happens to me a lot. For example, when I fast voluntarily (for example on Mondays and Thursdays), if my family comes to find out about it, it’s no understatement to say I get treated like a critically ill patient! My mom especially pays special attention to me and orders my siblings to wait on me hand and foot! She refuses to let me do anything, even to get her a drink from the kitchen. She says: “What! You are fasting! Don’t move, one of your siblings will get it!” Now, it’s true I do have a very loving mother who fears Allah and gives so much honor and respect to the fasting person, however I started to worry about my intention fearing that it might change. That I might start fasting only for the good treatment; after that I strived to conceal my fasts from everyone as I didn’t want to be insincere to Allah (or for my siblings to despise me!) :) And Alhamdulilah I’m feel much better. Recently I read an amazing statement from the Salaf about sincerity and fasting:

It is reported that Dâwûd b. Abî Hind fasted for forty years without his family knowing, he would take his lunch out with him and donate it in the street.
Al-Dhahabî, op. cit. Vol. 6 p378.

SubhanAllah, 40 years! Allahu Akbar. Are we capable of doing the same? We must try, insha’Allah! We have to follow in their righteous footsteps. We have to be sincere like they were.
This reminds me of a funny story this sheikh told us. Let me compare it with one from the Salaf.

Sincerity of the Khalaf (Those who came after, i.e. us):

One day a man was in the Masjid praying. Wht was apparent to the people was that he had so much khushoo (concentration) in his prayer. They watched him pray. Each movement masha’Allah it was perfect. One person told another: “Masha’Allah, he has so much khushoo in prayer, he must be a good, pious man.” The man, while praying turned to them and said: “Alhamdulilah! I’m fasting too!” :)

Sincerity of the Salaf (Those who came before):

It was reported that a man was closely watching Bishr As-Sulaimi (ra) who was prolonging his prayer and performing it well. When Bishr completed his prayer, he said to the man, “Do not be deceived by what you have seen from me. For indeed, Iblis, the Shaytan-may Allah curse him-worshipped Allah for thousands of years and then ended up being what he is now!” (Bahrud Duma’, page 171)

SubhanAllah! 

Here are some more statements from them on sincerity:

It is reported from Ayyoob as-Sakhtiyaanee that he said: Purifying the intention is harder than all other actions for those who act.

It is reported from al-Junaid that he said: To Allaah belong servants who understand, and when they understand they act and when they act they make (their action) sincere. Their recalling of Ikhlaas at the time of doing righteousness is what accumulates the greatest (good for them).

One of them said: Whoever sees sincerity in his sincerity, his sincerity is itself in need of sincerity. The destruction of every sincere person lies in his sincerity, (he is destroyed) to the extent that he sees sincerity in himself. When he abandons seeing sincerity in himself he will be sincere and purified.

It is reported from Ibn al-Mubaarak that he said: I heard Ja'far bin Hayyaan say: The foundations of these actions are the intentions. Indeed a man reaches with his intentions a position he does not reach with his actions.

Masha’Allah.

Sometimes, we mistakenly think that in order to be sincere we have to give up deeds we are doing. However this is corrupted thinking. Leaving deeds for the people is only another face of riyaa! Instead we must constantly check and recheck our intentions. We must constantly ask Allah to purify them from corruption. Another thing we can do is increase in more hidden (secret) good deeds. Those only Allah is a witness to.

Salamah bin Dinar said: "Hide your good deeds (from the people) just like you hide your evil deeds." (Abu Nu'aym, Bayhaqee) And in a narration in al-Bayhaqee: "Hide your good deed like you hide your evil deed, and do not be amazed with your own action, for you do not know whether you are happy or wretched (in the Hereafter)."

I searched my collection of books and I found some good deeds we can all do, which are very easy and which can be done in secret.

1)Dhikr:

Allah SWT says:

Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire."(Surah Ale-Imran 190-191)

"And remember your Lord by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear without loudness in words in the mornings, and in the afternoons and be not of those who are neglectful."(Surah Al-A'raf 206)

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah Salalahu Alayhi wa Salaam as saying that Allah, the Exalted has said: “I am with my slave when he remembers Me, and his lips move mentioning Me.” (Bukhari)

2) Tawbah (Repentance) & Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness)

"It is He, Who shows you His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and sends down (rain with which grows) provision for you from the sky. And none remembers but those who turn (to Allah) in obedience and in repentance (by begging His Pardon and by worshipping and obeying Him Alone and none else)." (Surah Ghafir: 13)

The Prophet Salalahu Alayhi wa Salaam said: “All the sons of Adam are sinners (there is non who has never sinned or done any wrong) btu the best of sinners are those who are given to repentance and who turn to Allah.” (Tirmithi, Ibn Majah, Darami)

Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet Salalahu Alayhi wa Salaam said: “By Allah, I seek forgiveness of Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.”(Bukhari)

3. Qiyam al-Layl or Tahajud

"Only those believe in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), who, when they are reminded of them fall down prostrate, and glorify the Praises of their Lord, and they are not proud.Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend (charity in Allah's Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them. No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do." (Surah As-Sajdah: 15-17)

It is related by Abu Huraira that the Messenger Salalahu Alayhi wa Salaam said: “After the obligatory prayers the most superior prayer is that of the middle of the night (i.e. Tahajjud).” (Muslim)

4. Charity Given in Secret

Allah SWT says:

"If you give charity openly then what a good thing it is; and if you give to beggars hidingly it is better for you than every thing, and He will remove some of your sins. And Allah is Aware of what you do." (Qur'an 2:271).

"O you who believe! Spend out of what We have given you."(2:254)

“Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public have their reward with their Rabb (only God and Sustainer). On them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.” (Qur‘an, 2:274)

Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alayhi wa Salam said, “Seven people will be shaded by Allah under His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His.” Among them is: A man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity. (Bukhari)

5. Fasting

Abu Dharr Al-Ghafari reported: "The Messenger of Allah ordered us to fast for three days of every month - that is, on the days of the full moon (the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the lunar month). And he said: 'It is like fasting the whole year.'" (Reported by An-Nasa'i) 

The Prophet Salalahu Alayhi wa Salaam said: “The observance of three days fast every month and of Ramadan every year is a perpetual fast. I seek frolm Allah that fasting on the day of Arafah may atone for the sins of the preceding and coming year, and I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of Ashura may atone for the sins of the preceding years.” (Muslim)

*~

Of course there are many more we can do! May Allah count us amongst the sincere! Ameen
Insha’Allah we do these good deeds in secret. Let’s not broadcast to the world every time we give something in charity or fast. As Allah is sufficient as a witness and it is He that will grant us reward. Allah SWT says:

“O you who believe! Do not render vain your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men and he does not believe in Allah nor in the last Day.” (Qur’an, 2: 264) 

Muhammad ibn Yazeed narrated to us…that Ibraheem said:

“[The Salaf] used to hate that a man would show the best of what he has when they gather”
Khaalid ibn Khadaash narrated to us…that ‘Ubayd Allaah ibn ‘Abdullaah said: 

“Goodness was not known from ‘Umar or ibn ‘Umar until they spoke or acted. A man would worship Allaah for twenty years, his own neighbor would not know of it.” 

Hamaad [in the chain of narration] said: “One of you would pray one night or part of a night, and his neighbor would know in the morning.”

So never mind telling the people, it’s between you and your Rabb!

InshaAllah I am the first to act upon this advice, and I hope you benefitted as well.

Let me conclude with a beautiful verse from the Book of Allah:

"Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allah has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has forbidden), the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord Allah), the men and the women who give Sadaqat (i.e. Zakat, and alms, etc.), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast) (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the optional Nawafil fasting), the men and the women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues (while sitting, standing, lying, etc. for more than 300 times extra over the remembrance of Allah during the five compulsory congregational prayers) or praying extra additional Nawafil prayers of night in the last part of night, etc.) Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)." (Surah Al-Ahzab: 35)

I ask Allah to make us of those who hear the best of words and who act upon them,
I ask Allah to cool our insincere hearts and actions with sincerity,
I ask Allah to make us from the sincere Muslims in this life and to raise us with the sincere, truthful, prophets and martyrs on the Day of Judgment,

Allahumma Ameen!

BarakAllahu Feekum
Wa’Salaamu Alaaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu

90/10 Rules... Stay Happy & Healthy

The following interesting article, which I received via email a few years back was written by Stephen Covey.  He mentions about a powerful life tool that we can apply in our life journey. 90/10 principle can assist us to stay happy and stay healthy too!  Actually, it can be related to one important virtue that we need to have as Muslim i.e. PATIENCE...  

Here goes:

Discover the 90/10 Principle.  

It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations).

What is this principle? 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.

What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us.

We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cuts us off in traffic.

We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the 90%.  

How?...... By your reaction.

You cannot control a red light.. but you can control your reaction. Don’t let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.

Let’s use an example.

You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks off over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened.

What happens next will be determined by how you react.

You curse.

You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus.

Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit.

After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home.  

When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.

Why?... Because of how you reacted this morning.

Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

The answer is “D”.

You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in the first 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.  

Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently says, “It’s okay, honey. You just need to be more careful next time.” Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see you child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.

Notice the difference?

Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.

Why?

Because of how you REACTED.

You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% is determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle. If someone says something negative about you, don’t be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don’t have to let the negative comment affect you!

React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out, etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off you in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? (A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off). Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them?

Who cares if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive?  

Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.

You are told you lost your job.

Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.

The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take outpour frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.

Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.

Now you know the 90/10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed by the results. You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90/10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle.

The result?  

Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle.  

It CAN change your life!!!

Wonderful principle, isn't it? Have you ever had any experience using this rule? Do share with me if you don't mind.. :-)

Parable of The Pencil - Pencil Story

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.

"There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be."

"One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand."

"Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."

"Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."

"Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside."

"And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you. 

Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be. 

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you'll need it to become a stronger person. 

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make. 

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish.

Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot make a change.

Happiness Is In Our Mind.. A Story Of The Old Wise Man

Residence Inn, Des Plaines

Have you heard a story of The Old Wise Man? It is a very touching story which teaches us about the meaning of happiness. It does not depend on how much money that we have in our bank account or how big is our house, etc. But what's more important is how we see it in our mind. Alhamdulillah, this is something that we can control ourselves, irregardless of the conditions that we are having or surroundings that we are currently in.

Here's the story:

A man of 92 years, short, very well-presented, who takes great care in his appearance, is moving into an old people's home today. His wife of 70 has recently died, and he is obliged to leave his home. After waiting several hours in the retirement home lobby, he gently smiles as he is told that his room is ready. As he slowly walks to the elevator, using his cane, I describe his small room to him, including the sheet hung at the window which serves as a curtain.

"I like it very much", he says, with the enthusiasm of an 8 year old boy who has just been given a new puppy.

M. Gagne, you haven't even seen the room yet, hang on a moment, we are almost there.

"That has nothing to do with it", he replies.

"Happiness is something I choose in advance. Whether or not I like the room does not depend on the furniture, or the decos - rather it depends on how I decide to see it."

"It is already decided in my mind that I like my room. It is a decision I take every morning when I wake up."

"I can choose. I can spend my day in bed enumerating all the difficulties that I have with the parts of my body that no longer work very well, or I can get up and give thanks to heaven for those parts that are still in working order."

"Every day is a gift, and as long as I can open my eyes, I will focus on the new day, and all the happy memories that I have built up during my life."

"Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw in later life what you have deposited along the way."

"So, my advice to you is to deposit all the happiness you can in your bank account of memories."

"Thank you for your part in filling my account with happy memories, which I am still continuing to fill..."

Very touching, isn't it?

InsyaAllah I will always try to remember these 5 simple guidelines for happiness:

1- Free my heart from hatred
2- Free my mind from worry
3- Live simply
4- Give more
5- Expect less

Kind of hard actually but I will try my very best for my own happiness. But most important of all, always pray to our Creator to bless us with happiness in our heart.. :-)