tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-108193132024-03-07T17:01:04.972+13:00lutfi belwaelJudge the speech, not the speaker. - AliLutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-88678329293919858592012-12-19T14:52:00.000+13:002012-12-19T14:52:46.559+13:00An-Nisa'Women are very much different in private than they are in public. They may seem petite on the outside, but not so much on the inside. And that's perfectly okay with me. I know, because I grew up with two sisters. I know that when they leave the house, besides putting on a veil that covers their hair, they also put on a mask that covers their true identity. In fact, I've noticed that women have many masks that they put on for the world, and one mask that they have in the home. And that home mask, is the same one they've been wearing since they were a child. That home mask, to me at least, is who a woman really is. I've also come to realise that women are more what they hide then what they show. <br />
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My sister sometimes sings in front the mirror with a hairbrush microphone, hijab off, hair done, with full makeup, stereo blazing on high. Pretending to be a superstar, or a princess is so much easier when you don't have to worry about who's watching. When I stumble into her room and see her do the things she does, I am reminded of how Allah has created men and women so differently. And yes sometimes I do get annoyed at her idiosyncrasies that only we siblings know about, but those are the little things that make her mine.<br />
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Sometimes on a hot sunny day, I know that my sisters secretly wish they could just flip off their tudungs, and let the wind blow in their hair. Or let the cool breeze whisk on their skin, with the car window down, short sleeves and all. I know how they would love to just jump in the public pool for a dip, or walk on the white sandy beaches and swim in the crystal blue sea without having to worry about covering up. Only I know what they look like when they don't have to. But again, those are the things that make them mine.<br />
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Allah has created men and women differently, because I believe that they were meant to complement each other. For my brother and I, being the emotionless, quiet, introspective thinkers as opposed to feelers that we are, I know that without my sisters, our lives would have been very dull, black and white, without colour nor depth. As for my sisters, who wear their hearts on their sleeves, probably having some sombre in their lives would have helped at times as well. I don't really know why I wrote this, just something bouncing around in my head that I needed to let out. Oh and also maybe because I'm already missing home so much. And skyping with my silly sister on her birthday made it a little easier to bear.Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-40944580208982794812012-10-11T11:10:00.002+13:002012-10-11T11:10:37.536+13:00Dagger to the Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://c00022506.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/48_4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://c00022506.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/48_4.png" height="105" width="640" /></a></div>
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Today while doing my engineering design work in the library, I read the above ayah from the Quran from Surah Al-Fath. I read the verse without looking at the translation, deciphering each word with my own limited Quranic Arabic knowledge. It took me about five whole minutes to capture each kalimah and grasp the message of this one verse. And all of a sudden, I was overwhelmed by the message and started crying uncontrollably. I was sobbing so much I had to stop work. I think the people around me in the library began to notice, I felt embarrassed. Habis basah lengan baju sweater mengelap air mata. Ya Allah, make us amongst those you mentioned in this ayah. Ameen!Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-53438308953282156042012-03-22T02:21:00.000+13:002012-03-22T02:37:47.983+13:00To My Dear Beloved ChildAssalamualaikum my sweetheart, who may Allah love, guard and protect. I praise Allah for there is no god but Him. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad, who was sent as a mercy to all of humanity, upon his family, companions and on all those who hold fast to the deen until the Day of Judgement.<br />
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My child, I pray that you are in the pink of health and in the best of iman. As I write this, you are yet to be born. I have no clue what your name is, how old you will grow up to be and what age you will be when you finally read this. The only thing I know about you now is that I already love you so much and I am dying to meet you. If these lines could magically transform into arms, I would give you a big bear hug right now, and hold you tight. But I'm stuck in the past, and you're stuck in the future.<br />
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I wonder sometimes, whether you will stumble upon this letter by yourself, or whether you are old enough to understand what I am penning down. If not now, then wait till you're older and read it again. I knew that one day you would open up my old writings in this blog of mine, maybe to know what I was like back in the day. What sort of person I was before I became your dad, what used to occupy my worried mind.<br />
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If you're curious, then know that I had dreams too. I was once young like you. I had a whole life ahead of me, just waiting for me. I wanted to be a scientist, a philosopher. I traveled, I met people, I tried out different things. I was a little foolish and naive. I have had my fair share of ups and downs in life. I have had false friends and real enemies. I still remember the time I left for New Zealand, at that time I felt like I was on top of the world. And that feeling lasted forever. But I met stumbling blocks along the way too, I learnt the true meaning of friendship, loyalty and trust.<br />
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I think about you alot lately, my dear. Am I a good father to you? Do I bathe you and put your clothes on for you? Do I feed you and read you to sleep? Do I teach you how to ride a bike? Do I braid your hair? Do I scold you too often? Do I tickle you too much? Do I hug you too little? Do I hold your hand when you cross the street? Do I pick you up when you fall? Do I kiss your paper cuts and plaster them? Do I get angry when you spill coffee on my shirt? I really want to know.<br />
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How am I to mom? Do I take good care of her? Does she pray beside me? The day she was pregnant with you was the happiest day of my life. Did you know she loves you like I do, if not more. I wonder how I managed to take care of her while you were still in her tummy, my world turned upside down and inside out. I've never taken care of a pregnant woman! For bearing with me, your mom is my hero. And for bearing you, she is your queen.<br />
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My child, this is my first letter addressed especially for you, and if Allah wills, there will be more to come. Dearest, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you when you live with a proper intention and a noble purpose, and when you seek knowledge with a sound endeavor and to a dedicated cause.
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you as you serve Islam with the finest fruits of your talents. Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.<br />
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Missing you, from the past,<br />
AbahLutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-24235751337506183312012-03-04T13:02:00.001+13:002012-03-04T13:20:13.017+13:00Best of You<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Traditional Arabic; font-size: large;"><b>خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ</b></span> </div>
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"<i>The best of you is the one who learns the Qur'an and teaches it.</i>" (Hadeeth)</div>
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"Ha mama, this is Lutfi," he said, pointing his finger to me. "Ohh, ni lah dia Lutfi," replied his mom, studying me up and down through her thin glasses. I felt awkward, what she was looking for in me, I didn't know. "Ajar Hafiz agama banyak-banyak tau," she continued, then wound up the car window, and soon after drove off with her son.<br />
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Wait a minute, pause. That's it? What a short meeting, barely an introduction. The night was cold, I was in my pajamas and winter jacket outside my house on College St. OK, rewind.<br />
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Hafiz had told me earlier to come meet his mom that night. She might not get another chance to see me, since she would be leaving New Zealand soon. She had come to spend time with her son here and decided she wanted to see me in person. So by hook or by crook I had to make some time to see her. I humbly agreed, but was wondering what the big deal was. Was she going to give me something?<br />
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"Dah sampai. Kat luar." read the text on my phone. I left my room and hurried outside. There was a Daihatsu, the small white rickety car they rented. In the dark, I could barely make out two figures inside the car, the one at the driver's seat was recognizably Hafiz.<br />
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I dashed to the passenger side of the car and a woman who wore a shawl wrapped around her head appeared through the window, now wound down. She looked familiar, sort of like Kak Norzam, our masjid caretaker, in her facial features and figure.<br />
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She told me to teach her son more of the deen. I didn't expect that, no, not from her. Not from someone who had traveled out of her way to come see me. Not from someone who was rushing to catch a plane soon. Not from someone much older and more experienced. Not from my friend's <i>mother</i>.<br />
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And then she left just as unexpectedly. She left me there standing in the dark, confused, trying to make out what had just happened. A minute and it was all over. I walked slowly to my flat, passed through the front door and straight to my room. I closed the door behind me and sat down.<br />
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"What does she mean? Teach him the deen? Me? Who am I to teach? Why me? What has Hafiz been telling his mom about me? She had obviously been mistaken. I need to explain myself!"<br />
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I had been teaching Hafiz how to recite the Qur'an for some time, since he didn't know much on how to read it. He didn't have the privilege to attend any formal Qur'anic classes in Sweden. And as with teaching the Qur'an, I naturally had to teach him other things that went along with it like <i>adab </i>(manners) and some <i>seerah </i>(Prophetic way of life). I had also persuaded him to get involved in the MSA, and he had been the secretary for a whole academic term in Massey.<br />
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I fell to my knees and cried with my palms covering my face as I remembered our Prophet's words, "<i>If Allah intends good for someone, He gives him understanding of the deen.</i>"<br />
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And my thoughts were rushing back to me. I was right, she <i>did </i>come to give me something. She gave me an <i>amanah</i> (trust). That was the heaviest thing I could ever bear. And that she placed it upon me, made my spine shiver in fear, what if I was not able to uphold it?<br />
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Alhamdulillah, that was years ago, and I am now able to write about it. Hafiz has now managed to complete half his deen, he is happily married and I was able to be there and witness it first hand. I foresee a long lasting friendship between us Hafiz. And I hope I will live up to that amanah, inshaAllah.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0Zqpf8IRgI/T1Kv41uLlMI/AAAAAAAABOc/EEaETpKxPNs/s1600/hafizwedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0Zqpf8IRgI/T1Kv41uLlMI/AAAAAAAABOc/EEaETpKxPNs/s400/hafizwedding.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hafiz and Hafizah's wedding reception. I am to his right.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-72517168492491176292011-11-18T23:19:00.001+13:002011-11-19T19:59:57.285+13:00Tinta CintaSebuah cerita kasih sayang antara dua insan yang belum pernah dikisahkan sebelum ini. Aku masih ingat kisah mereka berdua, bagai hanya semalam aku tontoni filemnya. Tapi bukan cerekarama yang aku maksudkan. Realiti kehidupan. Walau aku sudah lama tak melihat mereka, dan berada jauh dari kehadiran mereka, aku dapat merasakan kehangatan cinta mereka.<br />
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Pernah ada orang bertanya, "Lutfi, bagaimana kau mengenal erti cinta, sedangkan kau belum pernah menyelami lamunannya?" Soalan yang adil ditanya, kerana memang aku tidak pernah berpunya dan mempunyai, semenjak dua puluh tahun lebihnya. Jawapan aku mudah, "Aku mengenal erti cinta dari kisah dua insan ini. Kisah ini aku turut kongsi sejak dari kecil lagi. Aku dididik dan diasuh dengan cinta ini, dan aku melihat, mendengar dan mengalaminya. Cinta ini bermula di rumah kedua ibubapaku. Ummi dan Abah, merekalah yang mengajarku erti cinta."<br />
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Aku terjaga dari tidur, mahu membuang air kecil. Aku pun keluar dari kamar, dan sebelum sempat mencapai tombol pintu bilik air, aku perasan lampu di ruang tamu masih terpasang. Siapa agaknya yang masih terjaga? Besok sekolah, adik-beradikku sudah dibawah selimut semuanya. Menjenguk, aku melihat Ummi tertidur di atas sofa, jam menunjukkan hampir pukul 1 pagi. Ummi memang degil. Selalu tak mau mendengar kata. Aku mengeluh, tanpa menghiraukan perangai Ummi yang tak berubah, aku terus masuk ke bilik air.<br />
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Ummi memang macam tu, selagi Abah tak pulang dari ofis, selagi tu Ummi takkan masuk bilik. Hari-hari Ummi akan tunggu kepulangan Abah, yang bersusah payah bekerja mencari pendapatan untuk menampung kami sekeluarga. "Ana," kata Abah diganggang telefon bimbitnya. Itu nama panggilan kesukaan Ummi. "<i>I</i> balik lambat lagi malam ni. <i>You</i> masuk lah tidur dulu." "<i>You</i> balik pukul berapa?" "Tak tau lagi lah sayang." "Okay." Begitulah perbualan mereka hampir hari-hari. Dan tetap begitulah perangai Ummi hampir hari-hari.<br />
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Sehabis aku membuang air kecil, tiba-tiba aku terdengar bunyi kereta memasuki halaman rumah. Abah dah balik. Aku bergegas mencuci tangan dan mahu pulang ke bilik tidur, tapi hatiku tiba-tiba menahan diriku. Tunggu dulu. Dari dalam bilik air, aku mendengar bunyi enjin kereta terpadam, kemudian pintu rumah dibuka dan ditutup semula. Aku diam, tak mahu Abah perasan aku tak tidur. Aku menunggu dengan sabar, memasang telinga, cuba meneka apa yang sedang berlaku disebalik pintu bilik air yang tertutup.<br />
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Senyap. 1 minit. 2 minit. 5 minit. <br />
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Hampir 10 minit berlalu tanpa mendengar sebarang bunyi atau kata-kata. Apa yang sedang berlaku? Aku tak tau. Aku tak pernah pun ambil tau sebelum ni. Hairan. Kenapa senyap? Aku tak sabar, dengan perlahan-lahan aku membuka sedikit pintu bilik air dan mengintai dari dalam. Dengan berhati-hati agar tak dilihat, aku ternampak Abah dengan pakaian kemejanya sedang berjalan dalam gelap, lampu ruang tamu telah dipadamkannya. Dan yang mengejutkan aku ialah Abah sedang memangku Ummi yang sedang lena menaiki tangga kearah bilik tidur. Abah? Bisik hatiku. Aku merapatkan kembali pintu dengan perlahan. Aku tak pernah tau Abah yang sudah berusia mampu berbuat begitu. Aku tersandar di dinding bilik air, mendongak, tersenyum lebar. Bukan cerekarama, tapi realiti kehidupan.<br />
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Kisah ini satu dari pelbagai yang aku tau. Ummi kadang-kadang pada hujung minggu, selepas kami sekeluarga solat Subuh berjemaah, akan meluncur ke dapur. Abah biasanya akan tidur semula setelah selesai membaca ma'thurat. Aku pula melihat Ummi bertungkus-lumus membuatkan sarapan pagi. Katanya, dia mahu menghidangkan Abah "breakfast in bed". Bolehkah kamu membayangkan wajah Abah saat dia sedar ada sarapan terhidang di atas katil? "Surprise!" ujar Ummi bila Abah terjaga. Bukan cerekarama, tapi realiti kehidupan.<br />
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Ummi dan Abah tak segan menunjukkan kasih sayang mereka di hadapan anak-anak mereka. Abah pandai mengorat Ummi, tapi Ummi cepat segan di depan kami. Selalu ditepis ayat-ayat manis Abah. Kami adik-beradik sering tertawa. Kadang kala juga, mereka bergaduh. Bertengkar sampai tak bertegur sapa. Perkara kecil sahaja, tapi sebab Ummi wanita yang sensitif, dan terkadang Abah terlanjur dalam bergurau senda. Pintu bilik tidur dikunci, dan dari luar kami mendengar pertengkaran mereka. Ummi malu bergaduh depan kami, tapi biasanya Ummilah yang pertama keluar bilik, menangis atas katil aku.<br />
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Seringkali Abah menipu, kerana mau mengambil hati Ummi. Ada sesuatu yang Abah sangat mahukan. Berminggu-minggu Abah menyebutnya, tapi bila Abah dapat tahu Ummi pun mahukan benda yang sama, tiba-tiba Abah kata dia tak mahu. Ummi tak tau, tapi kami beradik tau pengorbanan Abah. Bukan cerekarama, tapi realiti kehidupan.<br />
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Inilah asuhan cinta yang aku kenali selama ini. Aku dibesarkan dalam persekitaran begini. Ada pahit dan manis, asam garam kehidupan itu biasa. Kalaulah aku ditanya bagaimana aku mahu membina suasana rumahtanggaku kelak, jawapanku mudah, seperti Ummi dan Abah.Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-26997931486212918472011-11-10T16:02:00.000+13:002011-11-11T00:43:26.195+13:00Yesterday, I Cried<i>"Fi, kau anak aku yang paling taat. Kau tak pernah melawan cakap aku. Kau tak pernah mintak apa-apa dari aku. Kau bukan kecik lagi, kau dah besar Fi. Kau buatlah apa-apa yang kau nak sekarang, aku redha."</i><br />
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Isn't it a wonder how a simple telephone call can make you cry and reduce you to tears? It's not so much of what was said, but more of who said it. Maybe deep down, without realising it, I've waited for these words from him for 24 years.<br />
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Abah, you're my hero. That will never change.Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-34264513160322329032011-11-03T18:33:00.000+13:002011-11-03T18:33:56.937+13:00Because He AskedI asked Allah to break my heart. He did.Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-15694076009641331882011-09-15T22:27:00.000+12:002011-09-15T22:27:15.637+12:00Because She AskedThere was once a woman who lived long ago in a city in a desert land. She was a noble woman, respected and upright. She was married and had children of her own, but one day her husband passed away and she was widowed. She spent the days of her life as a single mother, busying herself with her business she had running. It was a big business, she was a merchant and she used to trade goods.<br /><br />She was not a normal trader, she was intelligent and always invested in the best products. She had the natural ability to discern something of that which had quality. Out of her brilliant mind, the business grew and she became wealthy and successful in her career. She was instantly known amongst her peers and became praised in her community.<br /><br />The more her business grew, the more people she had to employ to assist her in running it. She had many maidservants, and hired many men to go on trading expeditions for her. Unfortunately, many of those whom she hired were only trying to rob her of her wealth and were dishonest with their dealings with her. This was because they were aware of how much wealth she had earned from her trade. She would regularly hire new people from the city to replace them. <br /><br />One day, she decided to hire a handsome young man to run her business dealings for her. This man was not like other men, there was something about him that was different, a quality he had, but she could not decide what it was. Days passed and she would notice him, sometimes even sort of spy on him to see what he was up to. When the man returned from his tradings for the day, he would always return with more than what she had expected. His returns would constantly be more than what the others had.<br /><br />This took her by surprise and she began liking him, although the hired man was completely unaware of the fact that he had caught her attention.<br /><br />Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Her business flourished, all thanks to this young man. He was always honest with her, and never tried to cheat her. Her love for him grew, and one day she decided to make a big decision. She wanted to ask for his hand in marriage, but like all women, she was afraid at first. <br /><br />Why wouldn't she be? He was a bachelor in his mid twenties, while she was a widow with children. So she decided to consult her elders, and close friends. Upon hearing this great news, her close ones were elated. They were so happy and supportive of her choice, and admitted that the two would make a great match for each other.<br /><br />So the woman sent one of her trusted maidservants to inquire about this matter to the man, to see if he was available for marriage, and whether he would consider her. A man who had a beautiful character, who was honest, hardworking, trustworthy, and produced amazing results for her business.<br /><br />And we all know how the man responded. Because if it was not for his response, we would probably not be who we are today. To everybody's delight, he responded with a yes and graciously accepted her offer. And one the most amazing tales of marriage and shared life was to be told from then on.<br /><br />So who was this woman? She was none other than the Mother of Believers, Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her. And the man, was our beloved Rasulullah, may peace and blessings be upon him. And the city in which this event took place was in the blessed city of Mecca.<br /><br />SubhanAllah, doesn't it sound hard to believe? Here we have the story of Muhammad SAW, his life story, his seerah. A woman older than him, previously married with children, was inquiring about a younger man, from one of the best families in town. The honour of his acceptance wasn't just Khadijah's alone. It was his too. He was going to marry one of the most beautiful hearts in all of the city, in all of Mecca. A woman who's heart would soon sacrifice everything she had to support him, and Islam.<br /><br />What I would like to highlight is that Khadijah asked for Prophet Muhammad's hand in marriage. She initiated the communication. She was the one who proposed to Muhammad, not the other way round.<br /><br />Remember that Khadijah was not just any woman. She was a dignified, honourable lady. Just hearing her name instantly inspires us to want to be a better Muslims, to sacrifice more, to discover inner strength and the true spirit of altruism. Personally, she is the epitome of what I think a woman can be, intelligent, successful and esteemed in character and conduct.<br /><br />Might I remind you that it is because of her that, after Muhammad, Islam began with a legacy that starts with a woman. It is because of her sacrifices that we are Muslims today. She gave all that she had, everything she owned, from her hands, heart, and soul for Islam. Sometimes we overlook the details and fail to appreciate how this beautiful love story began. Khadijah asked. And it was because she asked, that she got that blessed answer.<br /><br />Sadly, we have ignored this example from Islam of women sending someone to inquire on their behalf about marriage. That back in the day, women themselves were proactively involved in the marriage process. Sisters nowadays accuse others of being desperate when they let others know they are looking to get married. Families believe that a daughter must be sought after and it is shameful for a daughter and her family to approach a man for marriage.<br /><br />And so, many beautiful, smart, educated, talented women are waiting and waiting for Mr. Right to knock on their father's door. And in the silence of a new beautiful day, when no one is looking women may feel sad and despair.<br /><br />Of course, we all know everything is in the hands of Allah. Of course we know that there is reward in sabr, but in every other area of ibadah, we don't just sit around and wait for things to happen. For Hajj we save, for money we work, for knowledge we seek it out. Marriage doesn't have to be an exception.<br /><br />It's time to re-examine our value system, and not forbid or look down upon the sunnah. Practiced by one of the best women to have walked the face of this earth. Remember being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. It's harder to give away your love, when risking the potential to get hurt or disappointed, then it is to receive it. Khadijah did it, so why not follow the sunnah like her? Because she asked, you could too.Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-86107765671982787462011-08-25T06:04:00.000+12:002011-08-25T06:04:08.324+12:00Disobeying Allah, for the Sake of AllahIt's so perplexing that it's not funny anymore. And unfortunately it is becoming a trend. Do you know what I'm talking about? Some of you do.<br />
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I see those who stay up the whole night praying and reciting the Quran during the nights of Ramadhan. So much so, that they are unable to get up the next day and end up missing the Fajr prayers. This issue is real, and we must correct it before it spirals out of control.<br />
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Islam teaches us fiqh awlawiyaat, the law of prioritization. To do and act upon that which is of utmost priority at the prescribed place and time, before anything else. Clearly, there is a popular misconception of priority between the fardh (obligatory) and the nafl (supererogatory) during the month of Ramadhan.<br />
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Maybe because during this period we focus so much on promoting the voluntary acts of worship that we neglect what has been made mandatory. This goes against all Islamic principles.<br />
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The truth is, we often forget that the waajib is a given, and this can be very misleading for some. We have forsaken that which is heavy for that which is light. Do not be fooled into thinking we have earned Allah's pleasure in doing the aforementioned. We claim we are obeying Allah, but to the contrary.<br />
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As always, this reminder is for myself before anyone else. Don't do it. Stop disobeying Allah for the sake of Allah.Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-82803101114864514742011-07-29T00:20:00.001+12:002011-07-29T00:28:33.323+12:00Eyes Like RiversSuasana pada malam itu sunyi, kesemua residen telahpun melelapkan mata. Mungkin aku saja yang masih terjaga, cahaya lampu bilik menerangi sebuah sudut di Massey. Sekali-sekala bunyi heater memecah keheningan malam. Aku menarik selimutku dari katil ke tempat duduk.<br />
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Kata-katanya pedih, menusuk kalbu. Susah aku menelannya. Bagai memakan ubat yang pahit, tak suka. Tapi aku tahan, dan menelan, mungkin ada kebaikannya untuk diriku.<br />
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Aku tau perkataannya benar, aku yakin. Tak pernah dia menipu aku sebelum ni. Dialah sebaik-baik sahabat, jujur dan tak berahsia. Maka aku terus memaksa mataku melirik ayat-ayat yang tertera pada muka itu. Aku membaca ayatnya dengan perlahan, satu per satu.<br />
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Ah, benci! Aku benci setiap untaian kata yang terukir, bukan sebab apa, tapi sebab kata-katanya tepat sekali mengena diri ini. Bukan janji manis kau berikan, tapi nasihat dan pedoman.<br />
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Kegelapan malam membaluti bumi Palmy, yang kian lama makin sejuk. Dari tingkap, musim dingin amat jelas kelihatan. Malam disinari sang rembulan purnama, dedaun kuning dan merah bertaburan di sekitar Tararua Hall, dan jendelaku dipenuhi <i>frost</i>.<br />
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Tapi disebalik tenteram yang nyata, hatiku menjerit penuh marah. Disebalik udara yang sejuk, darahku menggelegak dan dadaku membuak. Nafasku menjadi pantas, denyutan hati pun meningkat. Jemari seperti menggenggam bara api, geram, sekali lagi aku cuba menghadam mesej yang terkandung.<br />
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Aku tak tau kenapa lidahku terkelu, bibir terkunci. Mau saja aku meluahkan segala isi hati. Marah menjadi resah, aku menahan sebak. Mengapa susah sangat mahu menelan? Ya Allah, leraikanlah aku dari ikatan keresahan yang membelenggu jiwa dan fikiranku. Telah sekian lama air mata tak mengalir membasahi pipi.<br />
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Aku tak berganjak sedikit pun dari tempat duduk, walau hati ini diserbu seribu satu perasaan, ayatnya berjaya mengocak ketenteraman nurani, aku membeku. Lara, sedih, hiba, sayu, duka, kesemuanya berbekas dalam hati. Aku mahu menangis, tapi air mataku kehausan. <br />
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Kenapa tak keluar, aku pun tak tahu. Oh, mahal sangatkah tangisku ini? Bisik hatiku.<br />
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<i>Sometimes I wish I hadn't known. Things would have been much better that way. Your words, impetuously uttered, bleed my soul more profusely than a mighty sword could. It reminded me of what our Prophet used to say, "If you knew what I knew, you'd laugh little and weep much."</i><br />
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<i>Now I understand. There is much to know, but I cannot bear them now. And how I wished the Lutfi in the future could come to the present, give me a hug and tell me that everything's going to be just fine. That would be reaffirming.</i><br />
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Anak mataku terlintas pada penulisan seorang alim yang pernah berkata, <i>"When the heart becomes hard, the eyes become dry."</i> Saat itu jiwaku terdetik. Aku dapat merasakan sesuatu yang membanjiri dada, hampir melimpah, dan akhirnya air mataku berderai bagaikan butiran kaca tanpa henti. Aku melepaskan segala linangan yang telah sekian lama tak tumpah ke bumi ini.<br />
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<i>Ya Allah please, if my heart has become hard as a rock, then moisten it ya Allah with the remembrance of death. That this life is transient and the next is everlasting. That this too shall come to pass. That unto you shall all my problems return. And that in the end, it doesn't even matter.</i><br />
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Memang benar kau penawar, susah ditelan, tapi siapa sangka kau mudah dihadam. Sahabatku, Al-Quran.Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-11147757503125073912010-10-15T07:33:00.000+13:002010-10-15T07:33:24.937+13:00Protector or Predator?Real men are protectors of women, not predators of women! While scouring the web, I came across <a href="http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/10/201010514447409589.html" target="_blank">this news</a>. The article shows a clip of an Israeli soldier belly dancing around a female prisoner, blindfolded and bound against the wall, illustrative of the occupiers' sick mentality.<br />
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When I read the story by Al Jazeera I was infuriated. By God, I wanted to rip the soldier's heart out. In the video, I saw a coward and a courageous person. I will leave you to decide on who is who. Islam is in dire need of real men. We are in need of ar-Rijal.<br />
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I would like to remind everyone of the story of the Caliph named al-Mu'tasim, ruler of the Abassid empire from 833-842, successor to al-Ma'mun and Harun ar-Rashid, an excellent example of ar-Rijal.<br />
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Once a Muslim woman was being teased by Jews in the Jewish quarter of what was then Byzantium bordering the Muslim empire. The Jews pulled at her hijab and mocked her in a most ignoble manner.<br />
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She cried and wrote to the Caliph addressing him in her letter, "Ya Mu'tasimah!" (an emotional plea) and told him of what had happened. When the Caliph heard of this news, he was so outraged he dropped the cup of water he was drinking.<br />
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Immediately, Caliph Mu'tasim wrote back to the Roman Emperor of Byzantium, saying:<br />
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"Ya kalb ar-Rum! (Oh you Roman dog!) I have an army of men that stretch from where I stand (Baghdad) to where you stand (Constantinople), who love to fight and die as much as your men love to live."<br />
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This was the honor that Muslims once had, which I pray we will have once again. One of our sisters was mocked in the market and the Muslim ruler was willing to protect her dignity with his entire army.<br />
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By today's standards, a simple teasing may seem trivial. Women are assaulted on the streets every day, and you would not see the President waging war against the enemy. But the magnanimous Caliph was not going to let this slip.<br />
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Such was the value of Muslim women in that day. Precious and venerated. May Allah give us leaders with that kind of valor and chivalry. Because real men are protectors of women, not predators of women.Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-79245140872349055552010-10-14T00:26:00.000+13:002010-10-14T00:26:41.183+13:00Letter to The LeaderThe following is a letter that was written by Hasan al-Basri to the Caliph ‘Umar ibn Abdul Azeez.<br />
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“When ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-’Aziz assumed the caliphate, he wrote to al-Hasan ibn Abi al-Hasan al-Basri asking him to write to him and describe the just ruler. Al-Hasan, may God have mercy on him, wrote:<br />
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<i>“Be it known to you, O Commander of the Faithful, that God instituted the just ruler to be the redress of every wrong-doer, the discipline of every unfair person, the correction of every corrupt man, the strength of every weak one, the justice of every wronged being, and the refuge of every fightened individual.</i><br />
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<i>The just ruler, O Commander of the Faithful, is like a shepherd who is tender towards his camels and kind to them; he takes them to the best pastures, prevents them from going to dangerous places, defends them against wild beasts, and protects them from the harms of the heat and the cold.</i><br />
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<i>The just ruler, O Commander of the Faithful, is like a father who feels compassion for his children, works hard for them when young and teaches them as they grow older, earns for them during his lifetimes, and saves for them after his death.</i><br />
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<i>The just ruler, O Commander of the Faithful, is like a tender mother who is dutiful and kind to her baby, who bears him and gives him birth unwillingly, who brings him up as a child, staying up at night when he does, and being quiet when he is at rest; she suckles him for a time and then weans him, she rejoices when he is healthy and is saddened when he is in pain.</i><br />
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<i>The just ruler, O Commander of the Faithful, is the guardian of orphans and treasurer of the poor, educating the young among them and providing for the older ones.</i><br />
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<i>The just ruler, O Commander of the Faithful, is like the heart among the other body organs: they are healthy if the heart is healthy, and sick when the heart is sick.</i><br />
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<i>The just ruler, O Commander of the Faithful, is the one who stands between God and his servants; he listens to what God says and conveys it to them, he looks to God and makes them look too; he is led by God and he leads them. Therefore, O Commander of the Faithful, in relation to the realm given to you by God, may He be exalted and magnified, do not be like a servant whose master entrusted him with his wealth and dependents, but who wasted the wealth and drove away the dependents like tramps, thus impoverishing his master’s family and frittering away his wealth.</i><br />
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<i>Be it known to you, O Commander of the Faithful, that God has prescribed punishments to act as deterrents to wicked deeds and vile acts. So if these deeds and acts are committed by those responsible for implementing the punishments, what will happen? God has prescribed punishment as a means to better living for His servants. So if the one who should be doing justice to them kills them, what will happen? And remember death and what follows it, O Commander of the Faithful, when you will have no adherents and no supporters to help you against it; so provide for it and for the great terror that follows it.</i><br />
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<i>Be it known to you, O Commander of the Faithful, that you have a home other than the one you are in now. In it you will abide for a long time. Your loved ones will abandon you and leave you in it all alone. Provide for it that which will remain with you. “On the day when a man flees his brother, and from his mother and father, and from his wife and his sons.” (Q. 80:34-36)</i><br />
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<i>Remember, O Commander of the Faithful, “…when what is in the tombs is resurrected, and what is in the breasts is gathered” (Q. 100:9-10), secrets will become manifest, and the Book “…leaving out nothing small or great but has recorded it” (Q. 18-49).</i><br />
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<i>Now, O Commander of the Faithful, while you still have time and before the arrival of the appointed hour of death and loss of hope: do not rule God’s servants as the ignorant do, and do not behave with them as oppressors do, the way domineering arrogant ones conduct themselves with those they deem to be weak, for they observe no covenant or compact of protection. Otherwise, you will end up bearing your burdens and other burdens too, and you will carry your loads and other loads too. Do not be deceived by those who enjoy what causes you misery and those who eat good things in this world of theirs, for you will then lose your good things in the Hereafter. Do not look at your power today but look rather at your power tomorrow, when you are captive in the snares of death, standing before God, may He be exalted, and in the presence of the angels, the prophets, and the apostles, when “All faces shall be humbled before the Living, Self-Subsisting One” (Q. 20:111).</i><br />
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<i>O Commander of the Faithful, although I have not achieved in my sermon what earlier men of intellect have, I have not withheld advice and sympathy from you. Consider this letter of mine to you as would a healer who gives his beloved to drink bitter medicine because he hopes for the cure and good health it will bring about. Peace be upon you, O Commander of the Faithful, God’s mercy, and His blessings.”</i><br />
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By Abu Sa'id al-Hasan ibn Abi-l-Hasan Yasar al-Basri, 642 - 728<br />
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(p 25-26 of “<a href="http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=the+unique+necklace+volume+1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=2774726065508459139&ei=xKeuTInGFYKglAe_7vDgBg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCMQ8wIwAw#">The Unique Necklace: Volume 1</a>” by Ibn ‘Abd Rabbih)Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-73013060116402720852010-10-03T01:43:00.000+13:002010-10-03T01:43:17.984+13:00The Ink Has DriedIf there was one thing I learned from <a href="http://seat.massey.ac.nz/staff/profile_short.asp?StaffID=19480" target="_blank">Nicki Campbell's</a> management lectures last semester it's this; you don't necessarily have to like whom you trust. Liking them helps, but it's not a requirement for trust. This was a powerful message that really taught me a lesson in life.<br />
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She had many such inspiring lessons. Her messages were penetrating and deep, yet subtle at the same time. Deep enough that the impact it made on my life went unnoticed, and the classroom full of people around me were oblivious to that part of my life.<br />
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Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose; to teach a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be. A housemate, a friend, a neighbour, a lecturer, a child, a teacher or even a complete stranger, but the second you meet them, you know at that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.<br />
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Sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful and unfair at first, but in reflection, you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would not have realized your strength, potential, will power or heart.<br />
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Nothing happens by chance or means of luck. Allah has ordained everything for us. He has laid out every day of our lives before a single day had passed. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of our souls. They train us to be patient, and teach us to be grateful. <br />
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Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless. You might have reached where you wanted to go, but would have learned nothing on reaching there. There would be a destination, but no real journey, no adventure. <br />
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As the author John Amatt puts it, "Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the side of a mountain. Adventure is an attitude which we must apply to every part of our lives. Facing new challenges, seizing new opportunities, testing our resources against the unknown and unpredictable and in the process discovering our own unique potential."<br />
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People whom we meet and who affect our lives, and the successes and downfalls we experience, help to create who we are and who we become. These experiences are our daily adventures. The bad experiences are the most valuable because it is often from them that we learn the most. They are probably the most poignant and important ones.<br />
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Hurt, betrayal, loss, sadness, and failure; these are the great builders of character. Only those who have hurt and lost or have been sad and disappointed know how to truly comfort and forgive another in the same circumstances. If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them because they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to.<br />
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If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love, and open your heart and eyes to the little things. Most importantly, if you love someone tell them, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store.<br />
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Similarly, the English poet John Keats says that failure is in a sense, the highway to success. In as much as every discovery of what is false, leads us to seek earnestly after what is true, and every fresh experience points out some form of error, which we shall afterward carefully avoid.<br />
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You then can't help but realise, that there aren't any real failures in life, only experiences. So be movers of society and challenge the status quo. Believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, you will never be able to achieve your dreams. And learn a lesson in life each day you live.<br />
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Our days in Palmy are numbered. And so is our time left on Earth. Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it, everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. You may not have the chance to share, talk, listen, dream, and love, teach, or enjoy this moment again.<br />
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It is amazing to witness Allah's grand plan. When we actually get to take a step back and see the big picture, we cannot help but smile. And to secretly know that nothing happened by chance, and every part of our lives has a reason and a purpose, makes me wonder; how can this not increase us in gratitude?<br />
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How beautifully intricate Allah's writing and pre-decree. Thanks Nicki, that was probably one of the best semesters I had. As the famous hadith states, "The pen has been lifted and the ink has dried."Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-81676773504774182232010-05-20T11:17:00.001+12:002010-05-20T11:17:37.240+12:00Sharpen Your Axe<p>“Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have laboured hard for.” - Socrates </p> <p>Have you heard the story of a very strong and skilled woodcutter who asked for a job with a timber merchant?</p> <p>The story goes, the woodcutter got the job with a good salary and decent work conditions. And so, the woodcutter was determined to do his best for the boss. His boss gave him an axe and on his first day, the woodcutter cut down 15 trees. The boss was pleased and said: “Well done, good work!” </p> <p>Highly motivated, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but could only fell 13 trees. The third day, he tried even harder, but only 11 trees were chopped down. </p> <p>Day after day, he tried harder but he cut down fewer trees. “I must be losing my strength,” the woodcutter thought. He apologised to the boss, claiming he could not understand why. </p> <p>“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked. “Sharpen my axe? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been too busy cutting down trees,” said the woodcutter. </p> <p>He sharpened his axe and immediately was back to 15 trees a day. Since then, he begins the day by sharpening his axe. </p> <p>Most people are too busy doing and trying to achieve, that they never take time to learn and grow. Most of us don't have the time or patience to update skills, knowledge, and beliefs about something, or to take  time to think and reflect. Many assume that learning ends at school and so sharpening our axe is not a priority. </p> <p>So, what exactly is sharpening the axe? Dr Steven Covey, who popularised the term, believes it means “increasing your personal production capacity by daily self care and self-maintenance.” </p> <p>Most people fail to understand what it means and mistake it for taking a break or vacation. If you're overworking yourself and your productivity drops off, take a break. </p> <p>However, that isn't sharpening the axe, that's putting the axe down. When you put down a dull blade and rest, the blade will still be dull when you pick it up. </p> <p>The woodcutter does need downtime to rest, but it is not “sharpening the axe.” The woodcutter only becomes more productive by sharpening his blade, analysing new woodcutting techniques, exercising to become stronger, and learning from other woodcutters. </p> <p>Sharpening the axe is an activity. As Muslims, we can sharpen the axe of our lives in many ways. Try and read a book every day. But there are so many books, so where should you start? A good tip is to start with the Qur’an. It’s surprising the number of Muslims who never took the time to read this book. You will learn many things you never knew that you never knew.</p> <p>Get out of your comfort zone by changing your surroundings. Help those in need. A new environment gives you more exposure and forces you to learn from others’ experiences. It is said that a good person is someone who learns from his own mistakes. But a great person is someone who learns from other people’s mistakes.</p> <p>Sharpen your axe through interaction, such as picking up a new hobby and increasing your potential in it. Play sports, play music, paint. Learn the martial arts. Have a beneficial conversation with someone with a different world view. Talk to the elders, talk to the children, talk to someone of the opposite gender or different faith. Have you ever seen the world through their lenses?</p> <p>Stretch yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Study something new and broaden your view of the world. Write a book or keep a blog. Take photos. Make a movie. Sing and dance. Overcome a specific fear you have or quit a bad habit. Have a daily exercise routine or take part in some competition. Identify your blind spots. Understand, acknowledge, and address it. Ask for feedback and get a mentor and learn from people who inspire you. </p> <p>You have to do it as often as possible. Because if you're so focused on your task at hand with no time for discussion, introspection, or study, you're not really moving forward. Just as a car needs to be refueled to keep going, we too need refueling through learning. </p> <p>And when you have learned, teach others. Give good advice. Ali ibn Abi Talib once said, “You cannot give something you do not have.” So master your skills and pass them on to someone else. Unless we are sharpening our axe daily by observing the changing world and changing ourselves accordingly, we risk becoming irrelevant.  </p> <p>In Japan, the “Kaizen mindset” means that every day, you find ways to learn something new and apply it to what you're doing. This makes you alert, mindful and constantly improving. </p> <p>Great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Steve Jobs have a continuous appetite for learning and growth. They always listen and watch in the hope of learning new ideas and discovering new truths and realities. </p> <p>Many of us do just the opposite. By staying in the same environment for many years, although we become experts and our roles become easy, our learning flattens. </p> <p>We don't like change as there is pain and struggle in taking on new roles. But “On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can withstand.” The more we fail, the more we struggle. The more we struggle, the more we learn. It makes us more mindful of the things around us.</p> <p>Harvard Professor Ellen Langer, reminds us of our natural inclination to be mindless. Mindlessness is our human tendency to operate on autopilot, whether by stereotyping, performing mechanically or simply not paying attention.</p> <p>We are all victims of being mindless at times. Like during our five daily prayers. It has become some sort of ritual in our lives, one that has diminutive meaning. By sharpening our axe, we move from a mindless state to a mindful state; from “blind faith” to “true faith.”</p> <p>Why then do so many people fail to sharpen their axe? Well, axe sharpening isn't as fun as whacking away at the tree. And it is painful and tedious work. </p> <p>Religious leader David O. McKay once said: “The greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul.” Probably the first battle of the day is struggling to get up versus going back to sleep.</p> <p>Sharpening the axe is a daily inner battle. Self-educated president George Washington and sharpened his axe daily by cultivating the discipline of reading. It is no wonder that God’s first instruction to man was “Read!”</p> <p>Of course, too much or aimless axe sharpening can become another form of procrastination. Many like to attend training courses and classes but end up never using the axe. After sharpening the axe, use it or all is in vain. </p> <p>How are your various blades doing? Your skills, your knowledge, your mind, your physical body, your relationships, your motivation, your commitment to succeed, your capacity for growth, your emotions - are all of them still sharp? If not, which ones are dull, and what can you do to sharpen them? </p> <p>Abraham Lincoln once said: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I'll spend the first four sharpening my axe.” What are you doing to sharpen your axe?</p> Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-22427350132768917652009-10-28T22:26:00.005+13:002009-10-29T00:35:27.264+13:00The SpiderI ran as fast as I could. I didn't take the bike this time because I didn't have time to go home and grab my helmet. I was restless and almost out of breath. My mind was clogged with all kinds of thoughts. Mostly negative ones. Questions that I myself would answer. I would hear strange voices in my head. Oh, I hope I arrive soon. I kept saying astaghfirullah, astaghfirullah while running.<br /><br />It really hurts, this pain in my chest. That same feeling you have when you feel like the weight of the world rests on your shoulders. You're alone and you have no one to turn to for help. You can hardly breathe and it becomes difficult to swallow, because a lump has formed in your throat. Your heart is pounding and you loose sense of reality. You cannot think straight. But somehow, on the surface, you look calm and composed. Not a tear nor sweat. And nobody knows. Not a soul.<br /><br />This is sadness.<br /><br />Truly, Allah the Almighty has power and control over all things. In one instant, he can take away everything you ever held dear away from you. He can take away your very joy and happiness even if you had everything you ever wanted beside you.<br /><br />"God is testing you Lutfi."<br /><br />"I know."<br /><br />"Be patient Lutfi."<br /><br />"I know."<br /><br />"Calm down Lutfi."<br /><br />"I know! Why do you keep telling me things I already know!?"<br /><br />"Calm down Lutfi."<br /><br />"Be quiet!"<br /><br />"Control your temper."<br /><br />"Shut up!"<br /><br />The voices in my head grew louder. Ya Allah, ampunilah dosa-dosaku! Why are you testing me like this? Why me? Why here? Why now? The questions made me feel numb. O Allah, I want to weep. I really want to weep. But where are the tears?<br /><br />I finally reached the doorway to the masjid, entered the access code and went in. It was long after 'asr prayers, and nobody was in sight. The suns evening rays peered through the open windows and the rustling of leaves outside could be heard. I dashed to the small rack where the imam used to pray and I took hold of a copy of the Quran with English translations.<br /><br />O Allah, talk to me. What chapter should I read? Desperately holding back my tears, I tried to figure out an answer. Just at that moment, a spider jumped out from between the books on the shelf where the Quran used to be. So I opened the Quran. Al-Ankabut, Chapter 29, The Spider.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">الٓمٓ أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتۡرَكُوٓاْ أَن يَقُولُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمۡ لَا يُفۡتَنُونَ</span><br /><br />"Alif Lam Mim. Do you think that you will be left alone on saying "We believe" and that you will not be tested?"<br /><br />And the tears came flowing down.Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-12865741854221107722009-08-28T00:40:00.002+12:002009-08-28T00:49:31.576+12:00To love her for HimMany people have been talking to me about marriage lately. I wonder why. I still remember this one occasion when a friend of mine asked,<br /><br />"Lutfi, are you married?"<br /><br />"What!? No! Do I look like I'm married?"<br /><br />"Engaged?"<br /><br />"No, I'm not. why?"<br /><br />"Why don't you get married?"<br /><br />"Well now that you ask, marriage is not that simple for me. And you didn't answer my question."<br /><br />"What's so difficult? You're an able man. Get married quick."<br /><br />"Easier said than done, brother."<br /><br />"Look Lutfi, I got married at the age of 27 and the first thing I thought was 'Why in the world didn't I get married sooner?'"<br /><br />Laughs. OK, he might have a point. I mean, he's not the President for nothing.<br /><br />Why is marriage not that easy for me? Surely, there are so many reasons why it's not easy. It shouldn't be easy for anyone! Why do you think marriage is considered as half of our deen? There is such a heavy weight on marriage in Islam such that it is so highly regarded by Allah in many narrations of our Prophet PBUH. Many people do not consider the implications of a pure relationship between a man and a woman in a marriage. That's why many of them end in divorce. What are the typical questions someone asks when considering marriage? Spouse? Money? Education? Job? Wedding? Guests? Food? And the list goes on. Material things.<br /><br />How many people even ponder on the most essential points? And this is especially so for the man. When I inquire about a woman for marriage, I do not want to know what she should do for me, I want to know what I should do for her. In my opinion, marriage in Islam is not for satisfying my needs. It's not for me at all. It's for Allah. It's for Islam. It's for my wife. It's for my children. It's for my family. It's about responsibility. It's about providing love and care to another soul as Allah has commanded.<br /><br />If I marry, I will ask my wife of nothing, except that she obeys Allah and His Messenger. For I know that on the Day of Judgement, I will bear the weight of her sins on my back if she doesn't. Islam says, what's mine is hers, what's hers is hers. Islam says, she will be rewarded with the good deeds that I do, and I will be punished for the bad deeds that she does. My wife in this life, is my wife in the next. Marriage is eternal and transcends death. A marriage for Allah's sake may bring me to Jannah, while a marriage based on anything else may bring me to Jahannam. It's more than just 'tying the knot'.<br /><br />But Allah knows, I want to hold her hand and guide her when she is lost. I want to protect her when she is in danger. I want to be her crying shoulder and wipe away her tears when she is sad. I want to laugh at her jokes. I want to be patient and understanding with her when she is angry. I want to forgive her faults when she makes a mistake. I want to accept her flaws and imperfections. I want to be kind and gentle to her. I want to be her friend and companion. I want to be her guardian and supporter. I want to be her teacher, leader and imam. I want to be the father of her children. I want to be there for her through sadness and sorrow, hardship and grief. I want to be there for her in happiness and ease. I want to please her for the sake of Allah.<br /><br />I want to show her compassion and affection like the Prophet PBUH, who used to show a great deal of affection towards his wives. Aisha reported that the Prophet would only enjoy his meals when she would sit next to him. They would drink from one cup and he would watch where Aisha would place her lips on the cup so that he could place his lips on the exact position. He would eat from a bone after she would eat from it, placing his mouth where she had eaten. The Prophet used to also help around the house. Aisha narrated, Prophet Muhammad used to stitch his clothes, milk the goats and help in the chores inside the house. I want to emulate our beloved Rasulullah SAW, and I know, this is why it isn't easy.<br /><br />So ask yourself now, is marriage easy?Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-85382591810529549912009-07-12T17:58:00.006+12:002009-07-14T06:45:14.839+12:00A Winter to RememberAlhamdulillahi rabbal aalameen, all praises due to Allah, Lord of the Heavens and the Earth. This winter has been one of the most fulfilling and satisfying mid year break for me thus far. If somebody asked me what I did throughout the 3 weeks of holidays, I probably wouldn't know where to begin. Not a second of my time was wasted doing unbeneficial things, so it really got to me when I saw people posting up "BORED" or "BOSAN" on Facebook, MSN and YM. If only they planned their break well and preoccupied themselves with good activities, they probably wouldn't even have time to post up such things.<br /><br />Some of my friends went back to Malaysia, some of them went to Europe. Some of them went snowboarding (jealousnya), and some of them went skydiving. As for me, I didn't go to many places and I didn't do many interesting things. I didn't even manage to catch Wolverine, Star Trek, Transformers, Angels and Demons etc. I was probably one of the last to know about MJ's death. But I know for sure, I wouldn't trade my experiences I gained this winter, for the world. I met so many good people and made so many new friends. Allah knows how grateful I am to have met these people, for it is He who has decreed this for me. I just wonder how it was possible I didn't meet these people earlier.<br /><br />Meeting new people, living and working together with them has taught me heaps. There were many things I thought I knew about dealing with other people, but truth be told, it's different in practice than in theory. I guess I could say it all began with JUNZ in Christchurch this year. The program was attended by more than 100 participants from Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin and offered a wealth of knowledge not easily found. As the person in charge of Palmy, it was quite hectic for me in the days leading up to the actual event. Sorting out information and funds for a small number of people was already difficult and time consuming, a lesson in itself. Alhamdulillah, despite the outbreak of influenza, we managed to pull it off successfully. Campfire, obstacle course, frisbee, composing, singing, sketch, product design, essay writing, treasure hunting, riddles, praying and all.<br /><br />In Christchurch, Hafezz and I stayed with Arul at Ilam village. Thank you Arul, you didn't have to accommodate us and stay up for us. You didn't have to send us, pick us up, bring us around, cook for us or wait for us. But you did, and we really appreciate your warm hospitality and generosity. May Allah bless you. I also got the chance to visit Chuang and see her house and I managed to meet Terence and Merlin too. A thousand thanks to them for having us over as well.<br /><br />Back in Palmy, I delivered a sermon regarding Muslim youth in the Massey musolla and I led the prayers that Friday. I had lots of help from Bidi preparing for it. Thank you Bidi, for the rehearsal and time check. Nerve wrecking would be an understatement the night before. Thank you Hafiz for the emotional support. Alhamdulillah, after all was completed, I received a "well done" from Dr. Ibrahim, a "good lecture" from Br. Jawad and a "wonderful speech" by Br. Aamir and Br. Saqib. I think I received at least 50 handshakes, smiles and jazakallahs too. But most importantly, I received a hundred odd attentive pairs of eyes and ears from the congregation. When that happens, satisfaction is guaranteed.<br /><br />Being the host for Bersatu Games didn't help ease the commotion either. I had to take photos throughout the event and make videos for the closing dinner in limited time. Being the only MUMSA photographer, I had to be at all the sport venues at all times. Thankfully I had Safwan, Sheng, Haizat and Nadly help me out when I wasn't around. And God knows how time consuming it is to create even a short video. Luckily Shah was there with the awesome videos he made previously. This time around, I didn't win any medals. And I didn't win any video competition either. But the greatest win for me, is engraved on every single Bersatu 2009 medal out there, stitched to every sleeve of MUMSA's jersey, and inscribed on the banners around Massey University. My medal is in the photos of hundreds of people, and in the memories they have. My contribution is the Bersatu Games logo itself. It took 10 minutes to design, and my motivation was not liking the other design. Haha! Double thumbs up to MUMSA, the best Bersatu Games ever! 12 months in the making, comes down to 4 days. A job well done. The bar is now raised so high, I doubt anybody would beat that anytime soon.<br /><br />The UMNO debate organized by Mimi was another interesting event. It was conducted concurrently to the Bersatu Games at Kingsgate Hotel, where the participants stayed during the games. It was in Malay, and my proficiency in my mother tongue is embarrassingly low. Simply said, we lost. But that's OK for me, as I wasn't there to win anyway. I volunteered to gain experience, to throw myself out of my comfort zone, like a fish out of water. Not many people dare do that I'm sure. And I have no regrets, except for letting my teammates, Iswandi and Jeffrey, down. Since the topic of debate was PPSMI, I was also there because I honestly wanted to know other people's opinions on the subject, and yet be in a position where I could comment and not just be a spectator. I learned a lot that night. And I apologize to the judges especially Pn Siti, and the audience for not putting on a show like Amir's team. Thank you for those who came to see me that night. I truly cherish it. Looking on the bright side, the debate paid for my Bersatu Games dinner (won $50) and got me a certificate (still pending). No loss there.<br /><br />All this was happening while housemates Hafezz, Afnan and I were having fever, cough and flu, on and off for 2 weeks. All this was also happening while we were having countless visitors to our humble home. Friends from Australia, friends from UK, friends from around New Zealand. What a trying time. Alhamdulillah, I now realize that the more guests I have, the happier I feel serving and spending time with them. The more we give, the more we get. One of God's peculiar laws of life, experienced first hand. From Pn Siti, Ustaz Lokman, Abang Razif, Mimi, Ida, Zaid, Haq, Ridhwan, Fauzi, Shazwan, Roslan, Abang Izzu, and many more. We apologize for our shortcomings, please forgive us. Do come visit us again, whether it's just for lunch, dinner, supper, sleepover, chat or train ride. Our doors are always open. Thank you also to Kak Sharina and Kak Yusma for the supper. Thank you to Fairuz for the souvenir from London.<br /><br />I could go on forever with this entry, but I have to stop somewhere. And I think it would be fitting for me to end with a verse from the Qur'an:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span id="fon3" class="Arabic" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span id="mspan3">وَيَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَحۡتَسِبُۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسۡبُهُ ۥۤۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمۡرِهِۦۚ قَدۡ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدۡرً۬ا</span></span></div><br />Which roughly means:<br /><br />"And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion." [At-Talaq, 3]<br /><br />Thank you everyone for making my winter an awesome winter, you know who you are!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/Slt_lGhq6NI/AAAAAAAAA-0/7QkIdHrXy6w/s1600-h/junz+brothers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/Slt_lGhq6NI/AAAAAAAAA-0/7QkIdHrXy6w/s400/junz+brothers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358016457071061202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/Slt_pZmdfdI/AAAAAAAAA-8/5yFPO4PRDE8/s1600-h/junz+sisters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/Slt_pZmdfdI/AAAAAAAAA-8/5yFPO4PRDE8/s400/junz+sisters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358016530910903762" border="0" /></a>Photos by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/shoradhi/">Shoradhi</a>.Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-76313398722493741562009-06-17T02:28:00.009+12:002009-06-18T02:42:02.141+12:00PelupaApakah perasaanku ini? Aku tak gembira pun macam yang mereka katakan. Bahkan aku semakin sedih. Apa ni? <span style="font-style: italic;">Exam </span>dah habis la. Kenapa aku tak rasa seronok? Bukankah semua orang memang menantikan saat ini? Saat bebas daripada tanggungjawab belajar, dan masa untuk merehatkan minda buat seketika. Saat boleh berhenti <span style="font-style: italic;">stay up</span> untuk <span style="font-style: italic;">study</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">Burning the midnight oil</span> la katakan.<br /><br />Apakah sekarang ini bebas boleh melakukan apa-apa sahaja? Ramai orang bila habis <span style="font-style: italic;">exam </span>pergi berjalan-jalan, menonton wayang, bersiar-siar di tempat-tempat yang boleh menghiburkan hidup mereka. Ramai orang yang bila habis <span style="font-style: italic;">exam, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">stay up</span> satu malam untuk main <span style="font-style: italic;">game </span>atau menonton <span style="font-style: italic;">movie</span>s atau membuat perkara-perkara yang lagha. <span style="font-style: italic;">After all, they earned the right didn't they?</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Release stress</span> selepas <span style="font-style: italic;">study all out</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">Release </span><span style="font-style: italic;">tension </span>selepas tekanan <span style="font-style: italic;">exam</span>. Sekarang ni <span style="font-style: italic;">payback time</span> kan?<br /><br />Inikah yang mereka katakan "merdeka"? Inikah yang semua orang nantikan? Kalau inilah yang mereka inginkan, aku lebih rela untuk kembali semula ke musim <span style="font-style: italic;">exam</span> yang penuh dengan keinsafan. Aku tidak gila. Tetapi aku sedih dengan tingkah laku ramai orang di sekeliling aku. Mengapa mereka berbuat demikian? Tidakkah mereka tahu bahawa <span style="font-style: italic;">exam, </span>kesempitan dan kesusahan itu merupakan ujian awalan sahaja? Tidakkah mereka tahu bahawa ujian boleh datang dalam pelbagai cara dan bentuk? Tidakkah mereka tahu bahawa kelapangan dan kesenangan itu juga merupakan suatu ujian bagi mereka?<br /><br />Cuba kita berfikir sejenak, berapa ramai orang menjaga tingkah laku dan tutur kata mereka pada musim <span style="font-style: italic;">exam</span>? "<span style="font-style: italic;">Exam </span>la, tak elok mencarut." Berapa ramai orang memanfaatkan seluruh masa dan tenaganya demi <span style="font-style: italic;">preparation exam</span>? "<span style="font-style: italic;">Sorry</span>, aku tak boleh <span style="font-style: italic;">follow</span>, aku kena pergi <span style="font-style: italic;">library</span>, kena <span style="font-style: italic;">study</span>, ada <span style="font-style: italic;">paper </span>besok." Berapa ramai orang meningkatkan amal ibadah mereka menjelang hari-hari sebelum <span style="font-style: italic;">exam</span>? Berapa ramai orang yang jika dahulu asyik tinggal solat, sekarang cuba solat pada semua waktu? Berapa ramai orang yang sanggup berdoa sepanjang malam, solat hajat dan solat tahajud pada waktu-waktu sebelum peperiksaan?<br /><br />Berapa ramai pula berhenti berbuat demikian kerana semua <span style="font-style: italic;">exam</span> telah pun berlalu?<br /><br />Kalau sebelum <span style="font-style: italic;">exam</span>, ada yang mula rajin bangun pagi untuk solat subuh. Yang lagi baik, pergi berjemaah di masjid. Tetapi selepas <span style="font-style: italic;">exam</span>, semua solat pun tertinggal kerana tertidur akibat main <span style="font-style: italic;">game</span> semalaman. Kalau sebelum <span style="font-style: italic;">exam</span>, ramai yang bertungkus lumus mengatur dan melakukan aktiviti harian demi menghargai masa untuk menelaah ilmu. Tetapi selepas <span style="font-style: italic;">exam</span>, boleh lepak-lepak sambil membuat benda-benda yang tak berfaedah.<br /><br />Ramai yang berusaha mendekatkan diri mereka dengan Allah sebelum <span style="font-style: italic;">exam</span> semata-mata ingin dikurniakan kejayaan dalam peperiksaan, bukan untuk mencari keredhaanNya. Kerana setelah <span style="font-style: italic;">exam</span> berlepas, mereka tidak lagi hiraukan semua itu. Pada mereka, peperiksaan sudah selesai dan tiada lagi apa-apa yang perlu mereka lakukan untuk <span style="font-style: italic;">score</span> atau <span style="font-style: italic;">pass</span>. Ya, memang merupakan lumrah manusia untuk mengingati Allah pada waktu susah sahaja, dan melupakanNya ketika senang.<br /><br />Namun, Allah tidak seperti itu. Dia tidak lupa, tidak lena dan tidak lalai. Dia Maha Mendengar dan Maha Melihat. Dialah yang Maha Mengetahui segala sesuatu. Dia sahaja yang mengetahui isi hati kita yang sebenar. Dan Dialah yang Maha Adil. Dia akan memberikan kita balasan yang setimpal untuk diri kita. <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Allah knows us better than we know ourselves. He is closer to us than our jugular veins! Results</span> peperiksaan semua sudah ditentukan Allah, <span style="font-style: italic;">even before we sat for the exams itself</span>. Allah akan memberikan ganjaran kepada mereka yang sabar dan istiqamah dalam ibadah yang mereka lakukan.<br /><br />Aku luahkan perasaanku ini, bukan kerana ingin menuding jari kepada mana-mana pihak. Malah, aku mencoretkan di sini, agar pesanan ini menjadi peringatan buat diriku sendiri yang serba leka akan kehadiran Allah. Aku tulis dengan harapan agar sesiapa yang melihatku membuat perkara yang aku sendiri tidak suka, tolong ingatkan aku, kerana aku insan yang pelupa.Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-18682570107472323942009-03-29T16:21:00.008+13:002009-05-11T11:24:22.076+12:00The PoetsYou know that feeling when you learn a new word in the dictionary? You've only just increased your vocab by a mere word, but all of a sudden you start seeing that word everywhere. Signboards, newspapers, advertisements, books, websites and even hearing it on TV and in conversations. It's not that those words weren't there before, but it didn't make sense to you previously. It was a jumble of letters that you ignored. A hum that didn't register. Now that the word makes perfect sense, it fits snugly like the missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle. And you begin to feel satisfied that finally, you've found that last piece.<br /><br />That's the same feeling when God shows you the meaning to a Sign. You start seeing it everywhere you go and in everything you do. You start being conscious of Him constantly because of those Signs. <span style="font-style: italic;">His</span> Signs. You feel like God is speaking to you directly. And <span style="font-style: italic;">only</span> you. Others do not see what you see, even if you try explaining it to them. Again, it's not that those Signs weren't there before, but it didn't make sense to you previously. Now that they bring meaning, you can see them vividly. You have a sense of fulfillment that finally, you've found that last piece.<br /><br />This is how I feel. It didn't take long for me to wonder, "Have I really found the last piece?" How can I say I've found the final piece, when I never knew I lost it in the first place? How many more pieces am I missing? How many more pieces do I not know of? And then I realized that the pieces won't come looking for me. Instead, it is <span style="font-style: italic;">me</span> who has to go looking for <span style="font-style: italic;">it</span>. "Verily the Signs are clear for those who can think." [Q:030:021] "We have made the Signs clear to you so that hopefully you will use your intellect." [Q:057:017] "Then which of the favors of your Lord shall you deny?" [Q:055:013].<br /><br />As our boxes, our hearts and our trust in God open up; we are faced with new challenges. We meet those with different cultures, lives, dreams and views. We meet those reluctant to feel the earth, taste the rain, lean naturally to the sun, growing to the light of God’s mercy. As we share this road of life, shall we not share this gift of hope in the way that it was shared by the Prophets of the past, with their people?<br /></span>Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-774454901657500472009-02-28T01:12:00.003+13:002009-05-11T11:27:13.352+12:00He Frowned<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SafZtKfUjSI/AAAAAAAAA7A/boPWC0JohE0/s1600-h/1457955298_11fc41a491_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SafZtKfUjSI/AAAAAAAAA7A/boPWC0JohE0/s400/1457955298_11fc41a491_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307450055812484386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Massey University Islamic Centre</span></span><br /></div><br />Dear brothers and sisters, as some of you may be aware, we recently had a boys' youth camp for the lower North Island. Alhamdulillah, though it was successful, one thing that came to my attention was the behavior of some of the boys. I don't think it is appropriate for me to go into the details but given that this generation will soon take over from its predecessors I thought it would be appropriate for me to deliver a sermon on this subject.<br /><br />This sermon was delivered by brother Mukarram on Friday, 27th February 2009 at the Massey University Islamic Centre.<br /><br />To every father and mother, who is loving, merciful, and compassionate, who is concerned that their own flesh blood do not become fuel and firewood for a fire whose fuel is men and stones, as Allah the Almighty says:<br /><br /><blockquote>“Oh you who believe! Save yourselves and your Families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stones, over which are appointed angels stern and severe, Who flinch not from executing the commands they receive from Allah, but do precisely what they are commanded.” (Tahrim 66:6) </blockquote>To every teacher and caller to that which is good:<br /><br />Know that the wealth of nations is not stored away in the depths of the earth, nor is it merely spread out on the surface. The wealth of nations is not in treasure troves. It is not just in gold and silver. The wealth of nations is more than what many people imagine it to be. The real wealth of nations is the human being…<br /><br />Man, with his faith, his honour, his ability, his values…is the greatest wealth that nations have, and the youth are the most important component of this human wealth.<br /><br />For this reason it is said: If you would like to know the future of a nation, then know, what is the situation of the youth from that nation? What are the youth occupied with? What are they concerned with? What are their ideals? What are their goals in life? What are they doing? What do they think about? What do they dream of? What do they talk about in their gathering and conversations?<br /><br />Oh Muslims!<br /><br />How great is our need? We, as Muslims today, living in the lands of Islam and outside the lands of Islam, but especially those who live outside the lands of Islam; how great is our need of a reminder and an exhortation. Because everything that our youth face, our sons and daughters, everything that they see and witness, everything that they hear each day, contradicts and opposes their belief, their religion, and the manners and morals of Islam. There is only the small, occasional exception. This is a natural consequence for anybody, whether by choice or compulsion, who lives outside his own environment and society.<br /><br />The question is: How do we confront all of this? How do we protect our youth? How do we make our children aware and acquainted with their religion and belief, observing and adhering to its principles? How do we make our children grow into adults that will practise this religion and live according to its rulings, and that they will be distinguished by their belief and their view of life, as they will be distinguished by their Islamic manners and conduct?<br /><br />The secret is found in one word: education. Our education of these youth; by following the most beneficial ways and methods of modern education, by implanting love of this religion, love of Allah the Almighty, by implanting love of the Messenger, sala Allahu alaihi wa salam. By implanting the principles of this true religion in our youth they will understand this religion and learn it in a clear and sound way, that is free from being confused with customs and traditions. Know that any tradition or custom of a people that opposes or contradicts the Shariah, in its objectives or rulings, must be rejected. Teach them Islam in a way that is built on the foundations and bases of modern education. As for methods of dictation without understanding, compulsion without belief, they will not be of any use to them in the presence of what they will learn in their schools, colleges and universities. Allah says: “Know that there is no god but Allah.” (47:19). Imam al-Bukhari included this verse in his chapter entitled: “Knowledge, before Saying or Doing.” On the foundations of knowledge of this religion, the understanding of its reality, the comprehension of its objectives, the meaningful grasp of its message, there is learning and education, which leads to sound practice and application.<br /><br />So make your sons and daughters individuals that believe in this religion and practice it with knowledge, understanding, and complete satisfaction. Make your children advocates and callers to this religion, proud of what they believe in. Don’t make your son or daughter someone who, when they’re with you, do what you want to see them do, but when they’re out of your sight they do what they want to do or what their friends want them to do. They live with a split personality, wandering astray, confused. Then, maybe a day will come when they will declare their apostasy from the religion, renouncing everything they see from it as restrictive, not having any faith at all.<br /><br />Teach your children that the believing group that carried this religion in the beginning were youths like them, so why should they not be the same? Teach them that those who gathered around the Prophet, peace be upon him, in the beginning of his call in Dar al-Arqam, and who carried the call, the da’wa, on their backs to the rest of mankind, were youths. Ali was an adolescent. So was ‘Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud, ‘Abd Arahman bin ‘Awf, Al-Arqam bin Abi Arqam, Sa’id bin Zaid, Musa’b bin Amir, ‘Amar bin Yasir, and so on, hundreds of youths. It was they who strived day and night, sacrificed and persevered, struggled so that they could spread and implement this religion, its dignity and glory. Overnight the Muslims acquired an empire. Authority and leadership was established for them.<br /><br />Under the Ummayyad dynasty the area of the Islamic state expanded and spread, as far as the lands of Sind and India in the East, as far as Spain and the borders of France in the West. The leaders of the conquest were youths like Muhammad bin al-Qasim al-Thaqafi, who opened up the land of Sind, ans he was only 27 years old. Muhammad al-Fatih, who opened up Constantinople, was only 23. It is said he must have read the Hadith: “You will open up Constantinople, and the leader will be a great leader, and the army will be a great army.” The heart of this youth, Muhammad al-Fatih, desired to achieve the destiny of this hadith, and Allah gave him what he desired. He was indeed a great leader and ruler. Do our youth have great hopes like these youth? Like Uqba bin Nafi, and Tariq bin Ziad. There is the great example of Osama bin Zaid, the youth who was given command by the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa salam, over an army which included the great Companions, like Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. It was if the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa salam, wa indicating that the youth would be the prime force for this religion.<br /><br />Teach your children that these youth from the Companions, and their children, and those who followed them, did not reach a great and majestic peak except with two things:<br /><br />1st: They adhered to the religion, in belief and thought, saying and action, implementing and applying.<br /><br />2nd: They carried the message of Islam to the world with great effort and sacrifice, and the strength of their patience, such that Allah says: “Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah. Some of them have died, and some still wait, but their determination never changed in the least.” (33:23)<br /><br />And Allah says: “By men whom neither trade nor sale can divert them from the Remembrance of Allah, nor from regular prayer, nor from paying Zakat. Their only fear is for the day when hearts and eyes will be turned about. (24:37)<br /><br />So what prevents our youth today from being men in form, and in reality mountains?<br /><br />Oh Youth of Islam!<br /><br />You see the world today groping about in the darkness of materialism, and the gratification of worldly passions, in anarchism and deviation. And with this and that you see oppression, despotism and the seizure of the capabilities of peoples and nations. Your nation is in the midst of this. It is experiencing the greatest share. Your Islam, your religion, is being targeted.<br /><br />And see and hear the plans and schemes that are being devised to scrutinize and beguile what the people still have from this religion, to suffocate the values and examples and legacy of the Prophets.<br /><br />So where are you in regard to all this, oh Muslim youth! Do you realize the danger? Do you grasp what is happening?<br /><br />If not then let every mother, father, and teacher implant in their children these realities. Make them understand these concepts, always, until they become fully aware of their responsibilities to this religion.<br /><br />And know, oh youth of Islam, that the period of youth has a special reckoning with Allah. All of life in taken into account, but youth is special. In the Hadith: “The feet of the Children of Adam, on the Day of Judgement, will not move from their Lord until being asked 5 things: His life and how it occupied him, his youth and what he did while it lasted, his wealth, how he acquired it and how he spent it, his knowledge and what he did with it.<br /><br />Oh youth, know that if you are not preoccupied with Truth then you are preoccupied with falsehood. This is a maxim in the science of education. If you do not fill your time with seeking knowledge or effort or work, for the sake of a livelihood, then you allow your time to be filled with that which has no benefit, and you will pull yourself and lead yourself with passions and whims, following Shaitan in disobedience to Allah.<br /><br />We ask Allah to help us understand our religion, and make our youth from the best of youths, and make them like those who came before them, in faith and action, and that they become like those who Allah describes: “ In truth, they were youths who believed in their Lord and we increased them in guidance. We gave strength to their hearts. Behold, they stood up and said: ‘Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and of the earth: never shall we call upon any god other than Him, if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity.” (18: 13-14) Wasteful saying is far from the Truth.<br /><br />All Praise is for Allah, Lord of all the worlds, and may His peace and blessings be on the final Messenger.<br /></span>Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-8035568328628037192009-02-26T00:55:00.006+13:002009-02-26T08:00:45.243+13:00The Confederates<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SaUyTqRuE6I/AAAAAAAAA64/QnpQaXhiUIw/s1600-h/DSC_0520.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SaUyTqRuE6I/AAAAAAAAA64/QnpQaXhiUIw/s400/DSC_0520.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306703049273512866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Clubs Day 2009, Concourse, Massey University</span></span></div><br />Clubs day was the usual drill. MUMSA had its booth tucked away in a sea of people. The School of Engineering and Advanced Technology gave away free tshirts to Massey Engineering students. Another pair of jammies for me I say. First lab today was quite satisfying. The Prof complimented my lab report. Come evening, I played indoor soccer with the guys and had a jog with Afnan. For the first time, I cooked <span style="font-style: italic;">masak lemak </span>for dinner and it didn't turn out half bad. Kak Intan briefed me on the ingredients and ratios. I had a rough idea of what to mix, and improvised on some missing ingredients. Thats it for now, I have 7 straight hours of class and lab tomorrow so I better hit the sack.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />---<br /><br />Forwarded email from Syarif Lee:<br /><br />Blood Clots/Stroke<br /><br />STROKE IDENTIFICATION<br /><br />During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics). She said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.<br /><br />They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.<br /><br />Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, Ingrid might still be alive.<br /><br />It only takes a minute to read this.<br /><br />If a stroke victim can get to a physician within 3 hours of the attack, the effects of a stroke can be reversed. The trick is getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.<br /><br />RECOGNIZING A STROKE<br /><br />STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters: S.T.R.<br />If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save lives.<br /><br />Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.<br /><br />Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:<br /><br />S: Ask the person to SMILE<br />T: Ask the person to TALK and speak a simple sentence coherently<br />R: Ask the person to RAISE both arms<br /><br />If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, the person may have possibly suffered a stroke.<br /><br />Another indicator of a stroke: Ask the person to stick out his tongue. If the tongue is crooked or if it goes to one side or the other, that is also a possible indication of a stroke.<br /></span>Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-90235668613428628522009-02-22T23:52:00.003+13:002009-02-23T00:38:24.059+13:00The Opening<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SaEuhd3-5VI/AAAAAAAAA6o/dO_IfAgRkK4/s1600-h/l_dd25edb9a5ca73208534a378991b44ac.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SaEuhd3-5VI/AAAAAAAAA6o/dO_IfAgRkK4/s400/l_dd25edb9a5ca73208534a378991b44ac.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305572988509152594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Snowboarding on Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand, Winter 2008.</span></span><br /><br /></div>For a long time my blog has lost it's personality. I used to only post things related to current issues and share articles I found interesting while scouring the web, and neglected jotting my personal experiences and endeavors through life. Until I realized I could actually do both. I want to make my blog personal again. And I might as well do it while i'm in New Zealand. At least I'll have something to look back on if I grow older. And this way I can keep in touch with my family and friends indirectly. After all, this <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> a web log.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />Today I handled the grill with Afnan at abang Ziad's kenduri and helped wash up. Afnan is my new housemate. I recently finished clearing up my room and began the tedious process of making my house a home. <span style="font-style: italic;">Dollars and Sense</span> was a good place to start. Here are some one liners for you. Hafezz wasn't well today. Rainbow still doesn't start. Nadly is settling in. John crashed his PC. Worm switched rooms with Eric.<br /><br />Surprisingly, I woke up to abang Razif's voice just now, and for the first time in 2 years, I wasn't annoyed. He's back in Wellington now, and I miss him already. Tomorrow I will begin class at 8am. I reviewed my study guide just now and the contents are frightening. May God make it easy for me.<br /><br />I met many new faces in Massey, and met many old ones too. Massey seems awkward for me now. It just doesn't feel right somehow. Maybe it's the missing seniors. Maybe.<br /><br />---<br /><br /><a href="http://www.understandquran.com/">http://www.understandquran.com/</a> This is a really useful resource to understanding the Quran, in plain English.<br /></span>Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-75775131382094615442009-02-19T13:53:00.003+13:002009-02-19T14:29:39.929+13:00The Criterion<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SZy0E5rkKkI/AAAAAAAAA6g/Ix9D8V1g_94/s1600-h/DSC_0260.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SZy0E5rkKkI/AAAAAAAAA6g/Ix9D8V1g_94/s400/DSC_0260.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304312457431624258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Photo during Fajr, Masjid an-Nabawi, Madinah al-Munawwarah,<br />before security personnel caught me.</span><br /><br /></div>I want to share with you an excellent guide to lead you to the understanding of the Quran. It's called the <span style="font-style: italic;">Quran Dictionary</span>. All you have to do is spend a few minutes reading it everyday and inshaAllah within a year, you will understand most of the Quran. Is that not an effort worth investing?<br /><blockquote>"And indeed, We have made Quran easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember (or receive admonition)?" (Al-Qur'aan 54:17)</blockquote>So, make this book a part of your life by downloading it free <a href="http://www.geocities.com/lsg_theoneandonly/Quran_Dictionary_.pdf">here</a>.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />---<br /><br />A forwarded e-mail from my sister:<br /><br />The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.<br /><br />As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as 'Euro-English'.<br /><br />In the first year, 's' will replace the soft 'c'. Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard 'c' will be dropped in favour of 'k'. This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter. There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome 'ph' will be replaced with 'f'. This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.<br /><br />In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.<br /><br />Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.<br /><br />Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent 'e' in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.<br /><br />By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing 'th' with 'z' and 'w' with 'v'.<br /><br />During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary 'o' kan be dropd from vords kontaining 'ou' and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensibl riten styl.<br /><br />Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.<br /><br />Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.<br /><br />If zis mad you smil, pleas pas on to oza pepl.<br /></span>Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-65295815619698413242009-02-11T05:41:00.006+13:002009-02-11T08:02:22.232+13:00Have Faith<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SZHMtn5SA-I/AAAAAAAAA6I/FOi5sbohzFQ/s1600-h/DSC_0076.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SZHMtn5SA-I/AAAAAAAAA6I/FOi5sbohzFQ/s400/DSC_0076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301243320567202786" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I came<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SZHNAZ3ZxLI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/-Cq4Q_WJCbE/s1600-h/DSC_0085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SZHNAZ3ZxLI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/-Cq4Q_WJCbE/s400/DSC_0085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301243643218740402" border="0" /></a>I saw<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SZHNAU_e6HI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/wml0mUGBUKU/s1600-h/DSC_0181.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9sRjS_pgaK4/SZHNAU_e6HI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/wml0mUGBUKU/s400/DSC_0181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301243641910454386" border="0" /></a>I conquered<br /></div><span id="fullpost"><br />Signs of weak Faith:<br /><br />1. Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.<br /><br />2. Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Quran.<br /><br />3. Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for prayers.<br /><br />4. Neglecting the Sunnah.<br /><br />5. Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.<br /><br />6. Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Quran, for example when Allah warns us of punishments and His promise of glad tidings.<br /><br />7. Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making zikr.<br /><br />8. Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.<br /><br />9. Desiring status and wealth.<br /><br />10. Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.<br /><br />11. Ordering others to do good deeds when not practising them ourselves.<br /><br />12. Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others.<br /><br />13. Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only, and not avoiding makruh things.<br /><br />14. Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque.<br /><br />15. Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.<br /><br />16. Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.<br /><br />17. Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.<br /><br />18. Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunia, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.<br /><br />19. Becoming engrossed and obsessive about ourselves.<br /><br />---<br /><br />Okay, so how do I increase my faith?<br /><br />1. Recite and ponder on the meanings of the Quran. Tranquility then descends and our hearts become soft. To get optimum benefit, remind yourself that Allah is speaking to you. People are described in different categories in the Quran; think of which one you find yourself in.<br /><br />2. Realize the greatness of Allah. Everything is under His control. There are signs in everything we see that points us to His greatness. Everything happens according to His permission. Allah keeps track and looks after everything, even a black ant on a black rock on a black moonless night.<br /><br />3. Make an effort to gain knowledge, for at least the basic things in daily life e.g. how to make wudu properly. Know the meanings behind Allah's names and attributes. People who have taqwa are those who have knowledge.<br /><br />4. Attend gatherings where Allah is remembered. In such gatherings we are surrounded by angels.<br /><br />5. We have to increase our good deeds. One good deed leads to another good deed. Allah will make the way easy for someone who gives charity and also make it easy for him or her to do good deeds. Good deeds must be done continuously, not in spurts.<br /><br />6. We must fear the miserable end to our lives; the remembrance of death is the destroyer of pleasures.<br /><br />7. Remember the different levels of akhirat, for instance when we are put in our graves, when we are judged, whether we will be in paradise or hell.<br /><br />8. Make doa, realize that we need Allah. Be humble. Don't covet material things in this life.<br /><br />9. Our love for Allah must be shown in actions. We must hope Allah will accept our prayers, and be in constant fear that we do wrong. At night before going to sleep, we must think about what good we did during that day.<br /><br />10. Realize the effects of sins and disobedience- one's faith is increased with good deeds and our faith is decreased by bad deeds. Everything that happens is because Allah wanted it to. When calamity befalls us- it is also from Allah.<br /><br /></span><span id="fullpost">Photos from Mammoth Rock, Saudi Arabia.</span>Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10819313.post-85230700448585597242009-02-03T08:38:00.007+13:002009-02-04T11:55:10.980+13:00Min Makkah<div>First post from the K.S.A. or the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Not going to say much. Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Madinah Al-Munawwarah are a lot more modern than initially expected. The same can be said for Kaabah Al-Musharrafah. There's going to be non-stop construction till 2015. Mega plans for Baitullah have been proposed and approved of. We have had non stop traveling since day one. Just completed my 4th Umrah today.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />Places I have been up until just now:<br />Jeddah<br />Madinah<br />Al-Ula<br />Madain Salleh<br />Mammoth Rock<br />Ottoman Railway Station<br />Thamudian Tombs<br />Arab Cultural Museum<br />Makkah<br />Taif<br />Arafah<br />Mina<br />Muzdalifah<br />Tanaim<br />Bir Ali<br />Wadi Kuday<br />Dates Market<br />Jabal Rahmah<br />Jabal Uhud<br />Jabal Thur<br />Masjid Haram<br />Masjid Nabawi<br />Masjid Quba<br />Masjid Qiblatain (2 kiblat)<br />Masjid Malik Fahd<br />Masjid Ibn Abbas<br />Masjid Bilal ibn Rabbah<br />Masjid Imam Bukhari<br /><br />Tomorrow InshaAllah will be going to:<br />Hudaybiah in the morning<br />Gua Hira expedition at night<br /><br />Photos for now:<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lutfisheikhghazali/3251016571/" title="28012009321 by Lutfi Sheikh Ghazali, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3509/3251016571_005dab3140.jpg" alt="28012009321" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lutfisheikhghazali/3250992567/" title="27012009318 by Lutfi Sheikh Ghazali, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3250992567_2f327971a3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="27012009318" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lutfisheikhghazali/3250992561/" title="27012009316 by Lutfi Sheikh Ghazali, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3250992561_bc19d77f41.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="27012009316" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lutfisheikhghazali/3250992551/" title="27012009309 by Lutfi Sheikh Ghazali, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3398/3250992551_772fd04797.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="27012009309" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lutfisheikhghazali/3250992549/" title="27012009305 by Lutfi Sheikh Ghazali, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/3250992549_5706c36597.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="27012009305" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lutfisheikhghazali/3250992545/" title="27012009304 by Lutfi Sheikh Ghazali, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/3250992545_143d02e372.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="27012009304" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lutfisheikhghazali/3250992541/" title="03022009335 by Lutfi Sheikh Ghazali, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3250992541_bd9b8ca173.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="03022009335" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />Wassalam Alaik.<br /></span></div>Lutfi Belwaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08210879171373486570noreply@blogger.com0