That One Scoop of Worth

The scorching hot weather turned the crowd towards this one cafe. Apparently the cafe is thronged with people, in effort of cooling themselves down by sipping cold drinks and nibbling some light meals alongside the chatters of their table companions.

At this one partially hidden corner of the cafe, sat this one old man, alone by himself. As he was seated, the waitress handed in the menu list and poured him a glass of drinking water. He then promptly flipped straight towards the desserts selection of the menu. 

Photo credit

Once he made the selection, he quickly waved towards the waitress, that always seen busy to attend the customers' need around. 

“How much is this strawberry ice cream sundae?” he asked while pointing towards the picture of the tempting sundae.

“Two dollars and ninety-nine cents,” replied the waitress. 

She was slightly irritated as the price list is clearly stated on the right side of the menu, but the old man chose to ignore it and keen on asking the waitress instead.

The old man then pulled out his antique and nearly-torn wallet out of his pocket and counting the coins in his palm, one by one. After finished in doing so, he turned his face towards the waitress and asked once again, 

“Well, how much is for just one scoop of plain strawberry ice cream?” he inquired with hesitated tone. 

By now, more and more people were waiting to be seated and the waitress was growing impatient to attend to this one sluggish customer. 

“Just a dollar and ninety-nine cents,” she replied brusquely.

The old man again counted his coins one by one, and said “I’ll have the plain ice cream then.”

Photo credit

Without much wait, the waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away hurriedly. With the elated look mounting on his face, the old man started to eat his ice cream. Simply, nothing better than indulging with some cold and sweet treat during this searing weather, regardless of the age. After finished eating, he paid the bill to the cashier and left the cafe.

When the waitress came back to clean up the table, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. Much to her surprise, there on the table, placed neatly beside an empty ice-cream bowl, one dollar worth of coin. Turned out to be, the old man could not have the sundae that he intended to have on the first place, all because he had to have enough left to leave the waitress a tip.

As for the moral value that can be extracted from this story, we need to express our kindness to all those we encounter upon, as this is the exact way of Prophet Muhammad practised during the time of his dakwah moves. Prophet Muhammad himself was a very kind and loving person, as he treated every one, young and old, with much kindness and respect.

Every act of kindness grows the
spirit & strengthen the soul 

Once, this one old woman made a habit of throwing rubbish towards Prophet Muhammad whenever he passed from her house on the way to the mosque, on daily basis. Even when the old woman kept throwing rubbish on him, he would pass silently without showing any anger or annoyance towards the old woman.

One day when the Prophet was passing by, the woman was not there to throw the rubbish as she normally would. He stopped by and asked the neighbour about her current well-being. The neighbour informed that the woman fell sick and just motionlessly lying on her bed all day. Then the Prophet politely asked permission to visit the woman.

When he allowed to enter the house, the woman initially thought that he had come there to take his revenge, when she was defenceless due to her sickness. But the Prophet assured her that he had come to her, not to take any revenge, but to see her and to look after her needs instead, as it was clearly the command of Allah that if anyone fell sick, a Muslim should pay a visit and offers any help in need.

As the consequence, the old woman was greatly moved by the kindness and love being shown by the Prophet. By the example of greatness of Prophet Muhammad, she understood that he was truly the Prophet of God and Islam was indeed the true religion. She then wholeheartedly decided to accept Islam.

To sum up, small acts of kindness performed regularly will surely bring a big impact in life later on. The time has come when we cannot just rely on the others to change the world to a better place, as each one of us has to do our distinctive bit and roles. Do guard well within ourself, the treasure of kindness. Also, know how to give without regret and how to acquire without meanness. 

Written by : Inche Songkok Hitam

Towards Life's Goals

As we venture through the pathways of our life, each individual would carry an immense responsibility to build up the state of their future along. Each of us would stand with our own dreams and goals, on what to be accomplished in life, like securing a well-respected career, driving around in luxury cars, residing in elite residential,  strut in designer collections, and so on.

Along the pathways that will lead to our desired goals, we might stumble upon with these two kind of challenges :

1) Internal challenges. That existed in the form of our own lust, and the whisper of doubt from syaitan. 

2) External challenges. That existed in form of threat, set backs and something out of our own control and will.

Both kinds of challenges will always come after us, that existed in any forms possible, at around the clock. It will then come down crushing, up to the point when we could not be able to confront it anymore, unless with the help and guidance from Allah S.W.T. 

If you find absolutely no way,
Allah can make the best way.

The prime reason why Allah imposed all sorts of challenges and tests to us, nothing short of distinguishing between a particular individual as compared to the rest of His worshippers. Through the test, it will clearly show the exact individual who succeed through from His trials and those who simply gave up.

This come close in His firman of :

(al-Ankabut : 3)

For those who have placed their utmost reliance to Allah, they will have the sense of being close together with His bless. Wherever they step their foot in this world, the existence of Allah will stay blooming in their heart. This kind of connection will somehow fuse a powerful strength that exerting from the inside of that individual. 

As such, for the Muslim worshippers to be istiqamah in Islam and along the road of tarbiyah, one does not simply rely on their own good deeds and daily ibadah. Also not just by blending through their islamic surrounding, nor by placing their reliance to their own heart. 

Human heart is known to easily fall in vacillation. If we place our reliance towards something that is weak and vulnerable in nature, it cannot stay in the sturdy state and that reliance will be gradually faded in times.

But still, some of us might think that because they already veered off course from true Islam's teaching, or they already being masked with tons of sins, the guidance and forgiveness from Allah is no longer viable to attain. Besides, there is also a few who posses a thought of Allah is just too far from them, to an extent that by asking for His help is merely being a worthless act.

Find Allah first. And He will do the rest.

Furthermore, Allah clearly stated in surah an-Nas and al-Falaq, upon the importance of placing the utmost reliance to Him, regardless of the situation and hardship that we might face. Proceeding after surah an-Nas, Allah tells us about surah al-Falaq, that hold the meaning of 'The Day Break'.

If we take a closer insight into this surah, it heavily refers to the all-pervasive power of Allah which extends from the tiny creation of the young shoot to the manoeuvering of the huge planets, such as the sun and the moon, in the distant universe. By using His divine attribute of al-Falaq, the idea is to impress upon the mind of the believer that it is Allah alone Who can protect one from evils.

Besides, Allah clearly wanted us to get protection towards all sort of evils of the world. Allah created the dangers to human, so that we could seek our refuge towards Him. Among the evil things that Allah created, the emphasise are being place on these matters :

1) Evil of the intense darkness 

2) Evil of those who cast evil

3) Evil of the envier

As for these three actions, we do not have the sufficient power to stop it, unless with the sole help of Allah. This explained in His firman of :

"And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut. But the two angels do not teach anyone unless they say, "We are a trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic]." And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah . And the people learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But the Children of Israel certainly knew that whoever purchased the magic would not have in the Hereafter any share."

(al-Baqarah : 102)

There is no might or power, except by Allah. 

As we march through our challenging pathways of life, especially when we have chosen the road of dakwah as our destined goal, the set backs and difficulties will certainly come down tumbling toward us. These kind of difficulties will be out of our control and will try to take us down. 

So then, what will be our 'supply' in order for us to reach our goal? Simple, by taking refuge with Allah's power. It simply cannot be attained through our daily doa recitation and prayers, but also with the blazing spirit and sturdy iman being wholly nurtured into us. 

To sum up, this whole life's journey is still long to be ventured through. And there is still a lot that left stacked on our bucket list, awaiting to be accomplished by our own will. That is why the practise of istiqamah is vital among us as the Muslim individuals. Stop making the internal and external challenges as the excuse, in delaying the much needed self-improvement of ourselves and surrounding society towards the better. This is the exact time when you need to discard all of the mounting excuses away.

Written by : Inche Songkok Hitam 

The Faith & Fidelity

There’s a certain time when we have a random thought of :

“Will I graduate in time?”

“Will I secure a job after graduation?”

“What’s exactly the pathway of myself in the future?”

“What if I fail in doing this?”

Whenever the uncertain matters of the future is furiously spinning around within our head, its directly become a chilling prospect to ever think of, let alone to be ventured through. It seems like the rough sketch of our future is just too complex to handle, along with piles of responsibilities and uncertainties that firmly holding to our back.  

The future is indeed a scary thing

Whenever we feel like we are being defeated by our problems, running away from all of those things seem to be the only effective solution that we can think of. But running away from problems, instead of finding the appropriate way to solve them, will not bring any positiveness nonetheless. For everything that we put ourselves into, there must be some setbacks that lurking on every corner and turns. 

This condition is just the same as our life in this world. We will never be set free from problems, as well as frustration, hopeless and sense of giving up that stay along the way in anything that we do. It's clear that we are merely a weak human being. We are the type of living things that in need of something that is far stronger and powerful to rely on.

Place ourself to the reality, we tend to place our hopes and faith towards the other individual that existed around us. We feel comfortable to rely on something that can be seen vividly from the naked eyes, and something that is physical in nature as well. It comes to a point when we gradually forget that they are also the typical human being, just like us, that possess their own disadvantages and weak points within.

Let’s flash back to the past, during the times of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W, when the ‘Year of Sorrow’ took place. During that year, two of the greatest and loyal supporters of Prophet Muhammad, Khadijah R.A and Abu Talib, went to face their Creator. 

Two of them, whom Prophet Muhammad always seek for any sort of helps, protection and advices. They were the persons that always stood by his side, since the day that Prophet Muhammad was assigned the task of being the messenger of Allah S.W.T. The loss of two great individuals directly placed him into a deep mourn. 

But the prime lesson behind the ‘Year of Sorrow’ stands clear. This is because Allah wanted Prophet Muhammad to place his full rely towards no other than to Him alone. Also, Allah wanted Prophet Muhammad to ask for anything that he might need only from Allah, as no one else would be capable of doing so. 

What taken by Allah is never a lost

Our disadvantages and weakness will direct us to place our utmost hope and reliance towards Him only. Allah surely knows beforehand that if we were created purely perfect in nature, we do not need anyone else or any sorts of help in living with this life. 

In contrast, with the given disadvantages and weaknesses upon us, it will accentuate on how minute and powerless we really are, that undoubtedly in need of something that is far greater than our own self. That’s the reason why we should realise that there’s no better expectation and dependence to be accounted for, solely other than to Him.

The feeling of reliance and dependence will not be sensed if we do not place our utmost faith and dependence towards the greatness and power of Allah SWT. It just sounds impossible to place our faith towards someone that we could not see and know, also towards all of His planning in our life. 

That’s when the role of true faith will take place. A true faith, without even tiny bits of doubt that present along. Because we will eventually understand that Allah will protect and then bless us with the best things in our life. Simply, our worries end when the faith in Allah begins. 

Due to the belief in faith itself, we will wholeheartedly agree to the decision to what Allah has decided upon us. It's the same when Rasulullah did not doubt and questioned Allah’s action during the unfortunate event that took place during the ‘Year of Sorrow’. Rasulullah stayed patient to himself, although he was truly devastated for the loss. 

Despite of this, his faith and belief towards Allah's future plan still stood strong. Right after the ‘Year of Sorrow’ passed, Allah awarded Rasulullah with two of the most valuable gifts; the event of Isra’ & Mikraj and hijrah to Medina shortly after.

As a conclusion, place yourself strongly towards the One. He is the one who capable to help you in facing through your trying times, and He will only be the one who stay close by your side, where the others might leave you as you are in vain or difficulties.

You're not a looser until you loose your faith in Allah

Faith is not a feeling. It’s a choice to trust Allah’s plan even when the road ahead seems uncertain. To the one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. And the one without faith, no explanation is possible. 

Written by : Inche Songkok Hitam

The Ramadhan Enigma

Over one billion of Muslims, consisting of every race, colour, nationality and walk of life throughout this world are now performing the ibadah of fasting in the month of Ramadan, as the obedience to the injunction given to us in the Holy Quran. 

The holy month of Ramadhan serves as the best period for us as a Muslim, to make a proper process of hijrah to ourself. This period also provide a great chance to cleanse and reinforce our souls after months of making sins and gone astray towards His guidance. This is the precise moment when the human will take the best control of their own desire and making a leap closer to the Creator. 

Let's embrace the best of Ramadhan
together, shall we?

The fitrah for the sons of Adam themselves are prone in making sins. But the serious problem for the sinned souls is when they somehow become proud of the sins committed and reluctant in changing for the right act, or notably hesitant to perform any taubat. As the consequence, they keep become negligent to the order of Allah in each passing days. This matter is being stated under the Sabda of Nabi Muhammad S.A.W of :

كُلُّ بَنِي آدَمَ خَطَّاءٌ وَخَيْرُ الْخَطَّائِينَ التَّوَّابُونَ

“All of the children of Adam are sinners, and 

the best of sinners are those who repent.”

(HR. Tirmidzi, Ibnu Majah, Hasan)

Throughout 30 days of Ramadhan, the number of blessing that being rewarded to the fellow Muslims are simply countless. This is the period when people are continuously striving to maximise the number of rewards that being offered. Indeed, this given period should be sufficient in initiating the hijrah in ourself. 

During this period, our desires and lust are well controlled by fasting. Besides, each of our deeds will also be hugely multiplied by numbers. The gate of Jannah will largely opened, whereas the gates of the hell are kept closed, and the horde of shaytan will also be firmly chained. 

Not to mention, the nights are enriched with all sorts of rahmat and evoke the sense of joy and tranquility in performing ibadah. But the most important thing will be the night of Lailatul Qadr, the night that is better than 1000 months, and also being the crowning glory of the holy month of Ramadhan. 

The matters being mentioned above will act as a turning point for us. Besides, the souls that are wallowing with sins will eventually find their way to the light of change, through the consciousness that gently 'knocking' through their heart. This will accentuate the true individuality as a Muslims. 

Even the souls that are wallowing with sins will
eventually find their way to the light of change

But the table turned to this prime question. Despite the month of Ramadhan is well-known as the month of forgiveness, that also being rewarded with sorts of rahmat, why there’s some numbers of people that still can’t propagate their way towards the proper hijrah? Why is the effort of hijrah being done during this holy month simply turned out to be futile? This question will eventually become the enigma of the Ramadhan itself. 

A month long period seems taking no prominent effect towards the sinners. Why they are still sticking close to their bad habits? What even worse thing being imagined, that is, to stay in the path of self iman destruction, whereas the oppurtunity on making change for the better is clearly being spread throughout this period?

So let’s access through the three major causes to this mind-boggling enigma :

1) Have no intention (nawaitu) to change

Every steps and moves that being made by us will start off with the intention. Originating from the intention, the respective goals and purposes will be shown clearly. So if that someone is reluctant to even make a change, it will close to impossible for that someone to change in the first place. This become apparent that even the path of change is spread right in front of their eyes, while their nawaitu is nowhere to look up to, the path of hijrah will be gone off track.

The hidayah is the sole possession of Allah SWT. The value of hidayah itself is just immensely powerful. Not everyone will be granted hidayah easily, as only the individual who is truly searching high and low for it will finally being granted for it. 

For the individual, the will of making change need to be grasped firmly. Then, the continuous efforts and proper adjustment need to done along the process. The rest? Place the tawakkal to Allah. He is exactly the perfect planner for us, and His blessing is far than we could ever imagine.

A plane need to set its destination before flying, same as
us that need to set our nawaitu before doing something

2) The disruptive surrounding 

Holding the nawaitu to change along is not enough for making the exact change to the better. This is when the surrounding factors will take toll. The process of change will be made easier and more effective if we can place ourself in the right environment. To say so, the human nature itself will tend to take effect towards one another. 

As for an example, this particular individual originally posses the good attitude, but due to the long term exposure in the improper environment, the individual tends to change by absorbing the negativity along the process. This what we can say as ‘negative adaption’ and this bad influence need to be avoided. 

This is when we need to find the right peers around and blend in the environment that is equipped with proper Islam's teaching. Allah did remind us upon this matter on His firman of :

Al-Furqan (25 : 28-29)

3) Negligence of the Akhirat’s life

For the person who always set their desired goal for the akhirat’s life, the life in this dunya will serve nothing more than making good deeds and self-improvement. Taking up to this golden oppurtunity in the month of Ramadhan, they will always find a way to maximise the pahala being offered, that is undoublty vital for the 'stocks' of akhirat’s life. 

In contrast to the person who place their priority on the matters of the world, where they just focusing on the dunya’s side. As for them, the life of dunya is far better to live on than the eternal life of the akhirat that is promised by Allah. Surely we do not know the exact date on when death will invite upon us, so it must be a constant reminder for us to always be istiqamah in performing ibadah and any other good deeds. 

*****************

The bottom line is, we must realise that Allah has open up the chance that is vast enough for His worshippers who are dreading for the ultimate forgiveness and continuous bless from Him, throughout this month-long of Ramadhan. In addition, if you are prone on going back to your old version of yourself after Ramadhan ends, you’re giving the shaytan some short of a ‘welcome back’ party. 

The barrier of Allah’s rahmat is originated right from the action of the human itself. As today marks the 24th day of Ramadhan, it’s still not too late to take a quick moment to reflect upon ourself. Truly ask yourself “Am I already making the necessary change for myself during this year’s Ramadhan?”

Use the golden chance in this Ramadhan
as a 'bridge' to self improvement

Furthermore, don't simply let through your negativity and bad habits that will eventually obscure yourself from making the hijrah during this holy month. On the fine note, don't mock those who start practicing good deeds in Ramadhan, as this moment might be their exact turning points. Besides, don’t simply wait for Ramadhan to come around again so that you can get closer to Allah, as we are not guarantee to meet it up again. As a quick thought, this year of Ramadhan might be our last one.

As a closing, may Allah thoroughly accept our ibadah, forgive our pile of sins, and guide us all to the Straight Path. May we always will be showered with His bless this Ramadhan, and also throughout our life. Likewise, may His forgiveness, mercy, and rahmat will move us all closer to Him and also to the each other as the time ticks in. 

Let's make the end of Ramadhan is not simply 'the end', but it is the birth of the better version of us, that ultimately leading to the reward of Jannah, in shaa Allah.

"If any Muslim comes out of Ramadhan without gaining forgiveness 

and goodness, he is the real loser"

(Ibn Hibban and At-Tabarani)

By : Inche Songkok Hitam

The Balancing Act

“Cabin crew, arm door and cross check”

This announcement might sound familiar whenever you are in a plane that is about to take off. As the jet engines roar and the plane gathers its take off speed down the runway, one quick thought just flashing through your mind, “How is it possible for this tonnes of aluminium structure, capable of flying near the speed of sound, through the thin air?”

What's the marvel behind this flying machine? (Credit) 

By considering the basic concept of gravity, everything on this world will be acted upon the force of gravity pulling from the Earth’s core. So if everything that we throw upwards, will eventually fall downwards, why this isn't the case upon the flying aircraft? 

The basic principle of flying is adhered to Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion. This law stated that, 'for every objects, there must be opposing force reacting on them'. As for flying aircraft, the force of lifts that react upon on the airflow and the opposing force of weight of the aircraft will keep the equilibrium for the plane to fly safely. If one of the force is not balance, the plane will not be able to sustain its stability mid-air. 

This also applicable to the sunnatullah that we can observe in the surrounding nature. The regular order of the planets orbiting the sun, the transition of day from nights, and the creation of human being, just to name a few. It is a complete and integral system of cause and effect, and it runs systematically and perfectly in accordance with the command of Allah. This clearly stated in the Firman of Allah :

Surah Al-A'raf [7:54]

The application of this 3rd Law of Motion also being applied to our life as a Muslim. This can be shown through our duty as Muslims to have the proper balance for this world and the hereafter. This matter also emphasise on the importance of us to set the right balance between the responsibility of the world and also the obligation of the life in the hereafter.

We cannot place the balance and our priority solely to the hereafter life. For the prime reason of collecting the sufficient pahala for entering jannah, we totally dismiss the actual role of us living as a normal Muslims in this world. 

Consequently, we will spend all of our time living in this dunya just sticking to the praying mat and endlessly doing ibadah. We literally spend the whole 24 hours of just praying rakaat after rakaat, reciting the Quran pages after pages. By this way, we completely neglect the responsibility, as such to work in earning rezeki, contribute to the society and building the ukhwah among the community members. 

Both of the obligation of dunya and hereafter
need to be in perfect balance (Credit)

On the other hand, we should not set the balance thoroughly for this world alone. By doing so, we tend to be working around the clock, keep ourself busy just to earn stacks of money, in order to live happily in this world. Maybe some of us think that without the great effort being invested, we may never be able to splurge on our desired wealth. But is it money that surely guarantee the happiness in our life after all? 

It’s never been our task to determine on the rezeki that will be rewarded to us. It’s all being the privilege of Allah alone in doing so. As for us, it's the constant effort to gain the rezeki that need to be done. It's been known that Allah posses the value of Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim, and His values of generosity and bless surpass everything that we could ever imagine of. 

Never be doubtful of His great bless and rewards upon us, as Allah surely knows what is the best for us and the best time that we will have it. Moreover, Allah’s rezeki is not always being shown in the form of money, but also being rewarded through our best of health and the ease of doing our daily activities. 

The prime matter that being stated is clear. The purpose of living, if it just aiming for this world, will engulf us in the deceit of the world. This matter is explained clearly in the firman of Allah :

Surah Ali 'Imran [3:185]

Besides, every matter that befall on us will contain its own test and challenge. That is why the importance of our own mujahadah plays the role. Mujahadah is the constant effort done by us in order to achieve the good results, that also being blessed by Allah. The term also means the fight towards the bad influences that try to impair ourself along.

In everything that we do, our own mujahadah must be as strong and clear as the result that we are wishing for it to be. As for example, if we have a dream of being a millionaire that always keen to contribute and help the society, we need realise on the mujahadah that need to be done in the form of deeds such as having the full dependence of Allah, lowering the ego with others, willing to learn with the experts, showing our best efforts in doing something and so on. 

Looking on this matter, the biggest mujahadah will be tested upon us when we finally managed to become millionaire. Then it become apparent that more amount of wealth, effort and time that needed to be spent in helping the needy. This is the exact starting point when we will be tested on our tajdid that we set secured deep in our heart beforehand. 

Holding the strong mujahadah is essential
of our life as a Muslim

Our own tajdid of becoming wealthy is to help the needy, but when our sane vision is being blurred by the figures of our wealth, we tend to feel burden and somewhat reluctant to share part of our wealth to the poor. This is the point when we need to uphold the strong mujahadah right to our conscience. It's important to battle ourself with the selfish desire as we need to be aware by the rewards that Allah has ‘rented’ to us for this long.

Furthermore, the wealth figures, physical beauty and high-ranking status will undoubtedly reward the sense of accomplishment as well as contentment of life, but when the pure value of religion is sturdily nurtured into someone, it will ensure that the life of us in this world and the hereafter, to be showered with continuous bless by the One.

The act of enliven the light of the religion into our heart
is far better than the whole content of this world

Sort out the things that may drag us into the lethal deception of this temporary world.  Fight all of those desires and the bad whispers coming from the condemned syaitan, that inevitably will set you far astray. To hold on and fight with all of those lust and desires, it will never been an easy battle for us. But if we just bear the hardship with istiqamah, patience and taqwa, then the victory of moulding the better version of us is just imminent. 

To conclude, once you start seeing the positive results in balancing the obligation, you’ll be better equipped to maintain that equilibrium of dunya and hereafter. When it's the moment that we finally comprehend that Allah’s decision always keep us in our best interest, then everything will start to make sense, in the best way possible.

One last remark to ponder upon; this dunya was made for you, but you were made to the hereafter.

Written by : Inche Songkok Hitam

Unleashing the Best of Us

The human beings are not being made just by coincidence. Instead, Allah has created all of us, standing for a definite purpose. Besides, Allah not just created us with a definite purpose, but also created us with meticulous details in each person.

Human beings are considered as a very special form of creation. Islam teaches that human beings are a unique life form that was created by Allah in a special way, build up with unique characters and abilities unlike any other; a soul and conscience, knowledge, and also free will.

The creation of human being never been a coincidental process by Him

It is known that the prime purpose of human living in this world is no other than to worship to the One, and being the Khalifah that obligate to the One. On top of that, Allah has awarded us with numerous of advantages along the way. We are standing on our own self. Each of us posses the uniqueness and values that largely differ from the rest. We were created individually, not in cluster of similar group of people that share the same characteristics.

As a quick thought, even though almost 7 billion of human currently living in this world, not even one person is 100% similar to each other. In fact, the creation of human, dated back since Prophet Adam, had never been made equal. This clearly proved the almightiness of Allah.

Let’s look upon one of unique  creation of human being; our thumbprint. The lines and pattern of our thumbprint that make up our natural identity. The thumbprints are way different than the rest, not even having the similarity as compared to the ratio of 1 to 7 000 000 000 people. Not only limited to this, our own characteristic, posture, feeling, way of think and react also different from one another. Even the closest twins that look completely resemble to each other physically, posses different characteristic internally.

7 billion humans but there's not even one that resemble us

On top of this, why did Allah awarded all of us with this kind of perfection in creation, in the first place? For sure, Allah does have a strong ar-Rahman and ar-Rahim towards all of His worshippers. Those kind of perfection that being mentioned are also include among the intellect, emotion, senses and physical ability that being awarded to us.

The human races that being created to live in this world are mainly created to grant a success, far away from confronting failure in their life. As an example, every parent will ensure each of the things needed for their children's usage in school are well equipped right before the school session started. Also, the parent will also provide enough pocket money for their children's spending in universities. 

For whatever the needs of their children, they will try their best to fulfill it. This is vital to ensure the success of their children in academical studies and thus, providing a better future for them. This type of action is exactly similar on what Allah has been doing to all of His worshippers, by completing the needs of them, in hope that they will serve back to Allah and playing the role of an ideal Khalifah. All of the needs that being awarded to us are just infinite in numbers. This can be shown in His firman of :

Surah An-Nahl [16:18]

Allah never intend, not even one of his creation to be stumbled with failure, by any means. Each of individual has their own talents that make them stand out from the rest. Allah never create a stupid human, but Allah created human with different level of intellect. Allah also never create an ugly human, but created human with different kind of beauties. After all, beauty that stands in human perspective is mere subjective. It’s only the definition of ‘beauty’ by human itself that make up the difference in general.

Besides, avoid the feeling of humbleness among the human. Instead, our feeling of humbleness must be directed only to Allah. Among other humans, there’s no boundary that separate the wealth or poor, the high-ranked individuals or civilians. We should feel that we’re just in the same level as the rest. In fact, the level of human from Allah’s view is just purely the same. 

Be humble only to your Creator

We must also realise that our advantages might be the disadvantages to the others. In contrast, the others’ disadvantages might serve as our advantages. Do remember, that we live in this world, is not just to compete among each other. After all, we are living in this life to complement each other as well. If we put the perspective of ‘life is a race’, we prone to get tired quickly. Tired with the race of the world that prove to lead nowhere in the hereafter.

But, there’s a race that is allowed in Islam. That is, the race of doing good deeds. But looking on the current reality, many of us stumbled into the race of competing for duniya's life. They are too busy competing for the wealth of the world and completely neglect the quest for collecting the sufficient supply of the akhirat's life that is far more compromising.

Humans are created to grant success in their life. But still, why there’s some of them who stumbled to their failure? The prime reason that can be identified is, they are not becoming their true self. Allah created them to be distinctive among the rest, but they tend to try in becoming someone else. Why bother to be someone else, if we already being awarded to a particular advantages that we posses individually?

Maybe to them, they don’t exactly realise what are their strong points. Let’s look upon our own self. We must discover what’s the best values we are currently having. The challenge is to know and practice on our own advantages.

Identify your true advantages. It's the kick-start
of everything amazing of yourself.

In addition, we must properly equipped ourself with the knowledge that being centred on the religion, hadith and also self-motivation. By keeping track of these knowledge, we can actually pin point our own advantages and disadvantages as well.

The next problem that might arise is, they already know their own advantages and plus points but they reluctant to improve themselves, or not even trying to maximise their self-advantages to the limit. We need to escape from our comfort zone and shift to a more challenging zone in our life. By this way, we will eventually know our true capabilities and then, we can improve ourself for the better. As such, nothing worth having comes easy.

That explain why Allah keep challenging us with series of tests. One of the purpose of the test is no other than to inspire and initiate a hijrah move to a particular person, from doing bad things to constantly practising good deeds. But it's not hopeless thing to do, with small steps, baby one in fact, we can get started down the road to positive changes. This also serves as an act of ‘teaching’ to us.

But why Allah does so? Simply, because the compassionate and love of Allah towards His worshippers are just immensely powerful. Allah will always inspire and support us to leash the best out of all of us. It’s all depend on us at the end of the day. In fact, sometimes we get into such a negative thought of even thinking about making positive changes seems just difficult.

Always project yourself for the better

As a conclusion, we need to portray the best version of us throughout our life. Know and understand ourself so well. Besides, maximise on your advantages and capability to the fullest. Only by becoming our own self, we can beat all odds and thus, will be able to unleash the best out of us!

Always be grateful for what Allah had made us today. After all, being born into Islam is indeed been the biggest blessing from Allah.

By : Inche Songkok Hitam

The Ambiguity of Faith

As salam and glad to wish a barakah Friday to all readers.

As a muqadimmah, let's go through three of these situations :

Situation 1 :

Arief put on his best effort for the upcoming finals. He had a dream of seeing his name engraved on the plaque of Dean List Awards. Prior to the exam, he keep on doing the revisions and exercise drills. During the exam, he answered with all his might. When the result was announced, to his complete shock, he failed to be listed among the elite receivers. He was totally broke. Thinking all of the efforts that being done, that eventually became futile. He then had the thought of,

“Allah isn’t fair. Didn’t he seen what I’d been struggling for this long?”

Situation 2 :

Mikail is one of the aspiring worker in a trading company. Considering his long working experience and seniority status being hold, he is eligible to be appointed as the new Head of Department (H.O.D) in the company. As the promotion result being announced, contradicted with his expectation, he was not appointed to be the new H.O.D. He started to blame Allah as the cause for this amiss. For all of his wish that being voiced out in his daily prayers, was not granted by Allah.

Situation 3 :

Zarief owns a  grocery store, selling daily necessities items. One fateful day, during the monsoon season, his shop was flooded by the torrential rain. As the water rising at astonishing rate, he could not make in time to move away the items in the shop. As a result, he suffered a total loss, as well as having the financial set back to revive again his business. Due to this mishap, he blindfoldly blaming Allah to cause the flood surge, that eventually ruined his business. He just left hopeless. 

*********************************

Between situation 1, 2 and 3, what is the similarity that we can possibly have the thought of? They might think that they had been left out by Allah SWT. They had a strong feeling that Allah does not bless them with any mercy again. They directly assumed that Allah is not being fair to them, as the things that they were wishing for were not granted, or even blaming Allah for the sole cause of problems. But does Allah really act like that upon them?

How easy we judge Allah to be unfair to us?

As for them, life is just filled with difficulties and trying conditions that are constantly lurking on every corner. Or maybe even to us, for whatever the pleasure that being enjoyed, it will not be lasting so long. Trials after trials, problems after problems that keep on crushing onto us. When the happiness seems to befall on us, it tend to be taken away abruptly. Worst still, another challenge that eventually showing up, making the situation unexpectedly change from bad, to worst. 

At the end of the road, they seems to be sick of this kind of thing. Their strength eventually faded away, as well as their faith towards the great mercy of the One. For them, it is better for death to invite upon them promptly, as the purpose of living in this life is just simply stands for nothing. 

But then, one prime question arise - Does Allah really left them out? Does He simply neglect upon those three of His worshippers away? One thing stands for sure; if our own imaan is pure and clear, it will bring the faith in us. Faith is simply to believe on what we do not see, and the reward for this faith is to see what we are believing. It's all concealed under His ultimate mercy after all.

The faith in believing the true mercy and power of Allah SWT. The faith in believing the path that Allah has chosen, is just right for us. The faith of developing a true Muslims by following along what the Quran and Sunnah have obligated us. So as a Muslim, never ever deny the vital connection of imaan and faith, that has big influence for the life of us, as a Muslim.

The bond of iman and faith, need to move in a coherent motion

Due to the imaan and faith that grow fonder deep under our heart, we are capable of following the syariat that being obligated to us, even though it seems quite challenging to follow suit. The worshippers of other religion might just need to go to their place of worship once a month, or only when there is a special day of rememberance being held.

That clearly set us apart, as we need to perform 5 times of prayers per day.  This also come true for the fasting matter. They might just need to hold the urge to eat and drink for a short period of time, whereas we need to hold it for the 30 days-long of Ramadhan month.  In addition, their women might be free to put on whatever clothing their preferred,  but it’s a big no for us as we have strict aurat restriction. 

Above all, it’s up to our own imaan that eventually determine the capability of us on doing all of those obligation. If we look on the logical perspective, we might already bashing Allah for obligating on the things that being mentioned, since from the earlier stage. But, it's our level of imaan that will increase our sanity level, until we reach the stage that we could finally understand why Allah does not befalls trials on us, without the proper hikmah concealed behind the wall.

None of the trials given to us
is just stating for nothing 

The pure and sincere imaan will lead us to understand that out of all sorts of trials, challenges, issues and difficulties being thrown to us, are indeed the gift from Allah SWT. It also proves impossible for Him to test us without any vivid purpose. Remember, for all of the things that befall on us, are signifying something and have their own purpose of happening. For sure, it’s not the sign that Allah is evading us. In fact, Allah initiates His step closer to us. It’s all up to us to realise it or not then.

We can realise that this is the sign that Allah is currently having a look on us. The purpose of Him giving us the trials, just to ensure we don’t skid away and acting as a 'path' to get closer with Him. Also, the trials also act as a ‘filter’ for us.  In fact, this duniya is not simply serve as the ‘stage’ for us to receive the awards for all of our deeds, that being done during our lifetime. But, the duniya only serves as the ‘contest’, meant to test the contestants. And the contestants are referring to all of us. The true ‘stage’ for us to receive the awards for all of our deeds are located in hereafter life. 

Besides, the tests also serve as the ‘retaliation ‘, ‘cleansing’ and ‘reminder’ to us. This can be shown by His Firman of :

[Surah ar-Rum, 30 : 41]

The above verse clearly shown that sometimes, the difficulties that being thrown to us is originated from our own bad doing. This also include the pile of sins that we committed throughout our life.  The trials are non other than to serve as the ‘slap of reminder’ for our own sins too. There is gonna be a sheer difference when we manage to understand what really the test is all about and the reason why it being tested to us.  Gradually, it become clear that by giving up, is just complete contradict to our sane thinking. 

We will also understand how ‘to be depressed with this world' or 'ending the life in this world' is just an utter useless thing to do. There is one more option left for us, that is; to hold on. Allah does not directly give the answer to all of our prayers, wishes and all sorts of request from us, but still, He is the One that listen. Plus, there is no other place that we can ask other than to Him. For sure, He is the one who knows the exact time to grant our prayers. He is also the One who knows what is our own capability to stay hold.

Hold on strong to every matter.
For sure, He knows what's best among all.

It’s when the human had giving up, turning back on, and when Allah eases their pathway, that’s the moment when the faith build up with Him will grow fonder. That’s how Allah keep the people that being loyal to their religion and the person who fight against anything that would demolish the purity of this religion.

As we looking past through the history, we can also track the person who faced Allah’s trials up to the their limit, and being still far away from grasping the victory. As for example, Hasan al-Banna and Syeq Qutb that unfortunately passed away, even before achieving the comfort in their life. They are some of the death that meant to fight for what is right. The question is, why Allah didn’t answer to their prayers beforehand?

Did Allah answered their prayers in the world? No. But Allah did answer their prayers, by awarding heaven.

According to His firman on :

[Surah as-Saff : 12]

Those who are being mentioned above are the person who became the prove to all of the people, who think that they are being hugely tested and tip-toed on the verge of losing faith towards Him. The fact is, Allah would never leave all of us stranded, aimlessly wandering without proper purpose in this life as His worshippers. It’s all on us that actually leave Allah with our own sins and negligence. 

To sum up, we should never argue and critic the tests from Allah SWT. Let's build a strong imaan, and do have a strong faith towards all of His plan upon us. Because at the end of the day, the hikmah will be vividly shown up right to us. It come down to us anyway. 

Do have a strong faith, up till the end. Don't let it be ambiguously crushed you down. Whenever you stumble yourself on the weakest part of your life,  that's when you can actually develop your strongest part of faith.

By : Inche Songkok Hitam