Only With Forgiveness

“I will never forgive the man who harmed my kids. he is not my husband. He is a syaitan (satan). Because of him we aregoing to have a bleak Hari Raya,” said Che Ku Zaimah Ku Awang when Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said visited her yesterday.

Eight-year-old Nurul Dahyatul Fazlina Khalib was so badly disfigured in the acid attack that Ahmad sobbed openly when he saw her. Even medical officers and members of the media who accompanied him could not hold back their tears.

But Ku Zaimah was strong. “This is takdir (fate),” she was heard murmuring.

(Detail news here)

I can understand the deep resentment that a woman, a wife and a mother felt towards the man who was supposed to be the protector of the family. A man, a husband and a father has betrayed his family. The physical injuries will leave a permanent scar, but the wound in the heart of the child might not heal.

" I will never forgive him"

While the crime committed by the man seems unforgivable, the woman is now punishing herself and her child with the declaration. I am not worried about the man, he will receive the punishment he deserved, if not here, in the here after. But I felt really sorry for the woman. The deep anger will keep her imprisoned. She would be carrying a heavy burden in her heart.

I pray that Allah will send His Mercy to this woman and her children. May Allah opens her heart for forgiveness.

Only with forgiveness would she ever find the real peace in her soul.

Only with forgiveness would she be healed.

The Pure Heart

It was after iftar at the masjid. I was chatting with a friend when suddenly we heard the sound of a baby crying loudly. I knew the mother of that baby was still inside, performing the maghrib prayer. I could imagine how the mother must have felt upon hearing the cry of her dear baby.

I turned around and saw a very young girl holding her crying baby sister.

I went to her, reaching out to take the baby. A look of relief came on her face.

Holding the baby I tried my best to console her. The poor baby cried even louder. Then I started,"Laa ilaha..illallah.." slowly I recited while checking on her for any sign of injury.

Almost in an instant, the crying stop! Subhaanallah..

It was as if the verse alleviated all her pain and fear.

Her tiny chest was still shaking but the loud cry has now turned into a tiny sobbing.

My dear baby, you love that verse, don't you?

It comforts you, isn't it?....

As I continued reciting "Laa ilaha illallah.." repeatedly, the

sobbing receded.

And now, it was me who felt like crying.

My dear baby, your heart is so pure, your heart recognize that divine verse and it immediately gave you some comfort.

You must have heard it so frequently from your mom that upon hearing it, it took away all your fears.

Subhaanallaah...

I asked the sister what had happened.

" I don't know, I put her down to pick up some drink..I was thirsty..suddenly I heard her cry and saw her lying down at the staircase.."

" It's ok..may be she fell down, but she's not hurt, she was just scared.."

I continued reciting the verse that she loved so much. By now, the baby is quiet.

I couldn't help from being awe stricken when I look at her face, so immensely calm and peaceful, obviously enjoying my recitation. Because, when I stop, she looked as if she's about to cry again.

My dear baby Asma' ( that's her name)..

Remember this verse always..

Laa ilaaha illallah..

It is called 'kalimah toyyibah'..

It is the essence of all our activities in our life

Your dad recited that verse on the day that you were born

To welcome you

To tell you that you were born as a muslim

And that you will be nurtured and raised as a muslim

Alhamdulillah..

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said, "No baby is born but upon Fitra (as a Muslim). It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist." (Sahih Muslim)

The Qur'an

Ya Allah

Send me Your Mercy through the Qur'an

Make it for me as the imam, the light, the guide, the mercy

Ya Allah

Remind me what I have forgotten

Teach me what I am ignorant of

Bestow on me the ability of reciting it

All through the night..

All through the day..

The dua that we recite before and after reciting the Qur'an, is so beautiful.

Qur'an, the book of guidance, must be treated as such. A guide.

Unlike any other books, reading the Qur'an soothes the chaotic mind, heals the ailing heart, rejuvenates the weary soul.

The book of guidance, sent down by The Most Merciful Ar Rahmaan, is full of mercy.

A blessed heart can sense the mercy, can see the light and the guide.

It's been four days. The month of the Qur'an, Ramadan, moves very quickly.

Somehow reading the Qur'an in Ramadan felt different.

Reciting the dua, asking for mercy, light and guide through the Qur'an.. shakes my heart.

Reciting the verses rendered me to tears. It's a love letter from my Creator.

He started by introducing Himself, His Name..

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

How beautiful that is...

Ya Allah

Allow me to feel the mercy

Allow me to see the light

Allow me to understand the guide

That You are sending me

Through this blessed book

In this blessed month

For, this could be my last chance.

For, I might not see another Ramadan.

Amiin..Ya Arhamarraahimiin..

One Hundred Percent

" And when my servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near, I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way "

(Al Baqarah: 186)

My teacher taught me about the importance of purifying the heart and how crucial it is to keep myself in a state of constantly remembering Allah in my effort of purifying the heart.

I asked my teacher, " How am I going to to do that? It's vey difficult..."

My teacher replied, " Did you ask from Him?.... May be you did. But you were not confident. You must believe in Him, one hundred percent..."

One hundred percent, nothing less.

I must find that faith. One hundred percent faith.

Religion can be inherited. But not faith. I must take my own journey to find it.

"Remember Me - I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and do not be ungrateful. O you who believe, seek help with patience perseverance and prayer; for God is with those who patiently persevere"

( Al Baqarah: 152 - 153 )

May Allah make it easy for me this Ramadan.

May Allah guide me always.

Ameen...

Ahlan Ya Ramadan

What is your objective this ramadan?

Self improvement.

And do you know how to do it?

Yes, sort of..

Can I offer you some suggestions?

Yes, of course...please do.

When Allah intends for someone to be good, He will make the person busy and deeply concern about his own weaknesses.

You mean my weaknesses..my shortcomings?

Yes, get yourself busy in tracking and scrutinizing your own faults. If you want to be someone better, it doesn't help in occupying your time in finding faults in others. You got the wrong target there.

That is quite obvious isn't it.. but it's easier said than done.

And, try to listen to criticism from someone who dislike you, not from someone who loves you.

That would be tough to swallow. They could be very nasty and harsh, their criticism are so unkind.

Of course. But, your enemies are your best critics! They will tell you right on your face how ugly, how bad you are.

How do I get the strength to face that??

Find a teacher. Someone who can guide your mind... your heart. A teacher who can nurture your soul.

Yes.. a teacher would help.

Also a friend. A trustworthy friend who is sincere in giving advice whenever he sees you making mistake. Someone who will not turn a blind eye just because you are his friend.

How do I find a teacher and a friend like that?

Ask from Him. Ask, pray, beg.. from Allah, The Most Merciful. Ramadan is the month of mercy.

Thank you.

Do not thank me, my dear. Thank Him.

Alhamdulillah wa syukurillah...

Sebuah peringatan yang sangat berharga dari seorang teman menjelang Ramadan.

Apabila ALLAH menginginkan seseorang itu menjadi baik maka DIA akan menjadikan seseorang itu sibuk terhadap keburukan pada dirinya sendiri, bukan sibuk mencari keburukan orang lain.

Sesungguhnya untuk menjadikan diri baik bukanlah dengan melihat kebaikan diri sendiri, kerana ianya boleh menjatuhkan diri ke dalam kebinasaan hati, malah untuk menjadi baik kita perlu selalu melihat dan mencari kesalahan diri untuk diperbaiki.

Astaghfirullahal aziim..

Busy...Take Five.

It's been seven weeks. It is time for mid semester break.

This time we had a unique and special break, two days, Saturday and Sunday.

That's all.

And, am I enjoying it?

Yes...of course.

The photo shows my activity during the semester break.

Sometimes, when we are in the midst of activities, we tend to lose track of our life.

We forget that every single minute is counted.

We forget that everything is recorded. In a book. All the meticulous details.

I am reminding myself.

Everything must begin with the right intention.

Innamal a'malu bin niyaati.

It's Been Quite a While

The past one month had been very hectic. The new semester had started, and having a maximum load of teaching means most of my time at work is filled with classes, while the remaining few hours is for the preparation for class.

I do have a lot to write and to share with my readers, but time simply did not permit me for writing in this blog.

My responsibility as a teacher has always been top priority. It is not just a job for me, it is my means for seeking rewards from Him.

Everyone of us has a role and specific purpose here, in this world.

I am not a fighter in a battle field, I am not a leader of a country. I am an educator.

And this is the path for me to go to Him.

Allah is Most Merciful, He knows our strengths and weaknesses and He will not lay on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear.

May Allah guide us all. Amiin..

Note:

I have recently become a 'convert'. No..it's not about religion..

That is what they call you when you switch from pc (windows) to mac.

This is my first entry using my Macbook. I am still learning my way through this 'new world', but it's been fun.

If any of you out there is a macbook user, I sincerely welcome any helpful tips.