Cure for the Heart: Second Section on Ears

In the Name of Allah the Most Compassionate the Most Merciful

www.geocities.jp

Behold that there are few benefits of the creation of ears on you whether it is worldly in nature or for the hereafter, dear human!

Worldly Benefits of Ears' Examples

1. Listening to words and sounds

2. Through listening to words, human comes to comprehension

3. Human would be responsive to words

Hereafter Benefits of the Ears' Examples

1. Listening to Quran and Hadiths of prophet Muhammad s.a.w

2. Listening to any beneficial lessons which could lead everyone toward Him

Listening is more favorable than looking at something due to that the benefits of the hereafter of listening is much larger than the looking at something. Most of the benefits that the eyesight gives human are of the worldly benefits. Thus, you will find that those who are blind are more perfect compared to those who are deaf. The beginning of being grateful to the Lord on the grace of listening is through avoiding from what the Lord forbids us to listen. 

What are examples on what He forbids us to listen? 

1. Slanders

2. Gossips

3. Listening to young women voice and the same goes to women listening to young men to avoid slanders

4. Listening to pointless debates and arguments

5. Listening to musical instruments which are forbidden due to that they may cause carelessness in worship for example listening to flute and other instruments (refer to sunnah and slowly changing don't be too drastic)

6. Listening to words which consist sinful remarks and worthless because they may cause doubts in the heart

Words that we listen are like food. Some are nutritional and some are harmful for health like junk foods though they taste nice. Some words could also be antidote for diseases just like few types of spices. Words would leave marks in the heart longer than the food stays in the stomach. Food would just disappear, digested and absorbed by body system such as intestines through human daily activities like sleeping and etc. If there are some leftover undigested food, we could still get some laxatives to digest them. However, word being cast in the heart are different. Sometimes they would remain there the whole life of the listeners. If those words fallen in the heart of the listeners are evil words, they would always cause doubts, slanders, and even worse larger destruction.

So, a sane person must be very careful and protect his or her body parts before being questioned and investigated in the hereafter during the Resurrection as what has been mentioned by the Lord:   

"Indeed the listening and the eyesight and the heart will be questioned in the Resurrection!" (Surah al-Israa' verse 36)

Dear Allah my beloved Lord, please protect my body parts. They are not mine but Yours. I don't have anything here even my soul is Your belongings. Please lead me into the light but banish darkness in me and around, dear Lord. Protect brothers and sisters in faith, and forgive us our sins.Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!

Friday Sermon: Manner of Being a Neighbor

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Thankful to Allah, we could complete the service for Friday prayer this afternoon without problem. The sermon delivered by a lecturer of architecture department. I can't remember his name because lately my memory became quite tarnished do to anxiety syndrome. It is not really good for health. I talked with Amir, my ex-colleague about this too realizing how "suck" is our life that leads us to this kind of syndrome. He is with his problem anxious about his younger brother and sisters. While I am also anxious with thesis due date, the next semester classes, and family. I am worried about my dad's health. I love him though I never get enough attention when I was a little kid. I understood him, he needs to work hard and sacrificing for the family.

I try to perform meditation again and it will surely cut me off from other brothers in faith or anyone. It is not easy to maintain positive mind when we are in uncertain period and when we keep asking "what if" although we try not to think much about the future.

Sermon

The preacher said that people today are too busy and too much influenced by material that makes them have no free time to greet neighbors even those beside their houses. It makes the relationship turns insipid. The failure to understand the concept of neighborhood makes people misunderstood each other, quarreling, fighting and to the serious one such as hurting and killing their own neighbors. It ruins the unity of society and raising up the enmity among society while Islam emphasizes the need to be good to the neighbors and respecting everyone. The prosperity of a country and nations depends on the relationship of every individual in the society. 

The quality of a society is reflected through understanding and the closeness of each other. It encompasses the boundary of religions, races, ethnicity, color, and languages. Everyone is encouraged to be good to everyone regardless these aspects. Nations are urged to maintain good ties and relationship. Trying to be friendly as to form a peaceful and harmonious life. When facing problems, trying to solve them through good means.

Says the God through Quran: "Be good to your parents, your relatives, orphans, paupers, close and distanced neighbors, travelers in trouble and servants (if you have ones)." (Surah an-Nisaa verse 36)

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w says: "Archangel Gabriel a.s always reminds me about neighbors until I though that neighbors inherit each other (it means that living like a family)." 

In the reality of life today, human could not run from living with each other and forming a society. Whether in the village or towns. Either they are interested or not interested to face their neighbors, or having different tastes and hobbies, or different characteristics. They are still in a society and forming neighborhood. Islamic manners of neighborhood prohibits a Muslim to reveal the humiliating secrets of a neighbor to others, intruding their residence, and taking their rightful rights (by all means either by law or by force). 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w says: "The most good among humans are those who bring benefits to others."  

Ibnu Qayyim rahimahullah explained the hadith above through an explanation saying that: Those who did charities to others, the God will also be good to him. Those who display the merciful act to others, the God will also be Merciful to him. Those who brings benefits to others, the God will also pours benefit to him and those who protecting the secrets of others, the God will also protecting his secrets and never humiliating him. Those who prevents benefits to others (due to jealousy or enmity) or committing the acts other than prescribed, the God will also do the same to him in both this world and the hereafter. 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w also says: "The doomsday would never come unless there are much disgusting acts and words came out from human-being, severing the ties of mercy among each other and disrespecting neighbors." (narrated by Ahmad and Hakim)

Manners of Being a Neighbor

They are summarized as 30 altogether by Imam al-Ghazali rahimahullah:

1. Trying to create friendly condition through self-introducing and respecting each other. Greeting each other with peace prayers which is assalaamu'alaikum when meeting a fellow Muslim and respecting fellow non-Muslim with respectful greetings.

2. Trying to tolerate everyone in term of religious matters, cultural differences, lifestyle, and etc if there are differences.

3. Never physically or mentally hurt neighbors by all means which is through words, acts, or bad thoughts. An evil and immoral neighbor is depicted as a possessed by black ghost (Satan) until they could do evil things and brings fear to others. 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w says: "By the God, a person is not faithful..." The companions asked him: "Who is that dear prophet?" He says: "A person who makes his neighbor lives in fear because of his evilness." (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

In another hadith, prophet Muhammad s.a.w says: "A person never enter the paradise if his neighbor feels scared and not at peace due to his evil deeds." (narrated by Muslim)

3. Always talking in good speech and respecting neighbors as human.

4. Being humble, gentle and avoiding from bragging about ourselves.

5. Always trying to help neighbors in any form.

6. Loving neighbors like loving ourselves. Trying to be in accordance with neighbors as long as it is not against the religious rites and trying to avoid anything that is  disliked by neighbors.

7. Taking care about neighbors and showing sympathy on the problem faced by them in the matter of religion, family, matrimonial, psychology, health, education, finance, food and drinks, and others. Displaying noble morality to respective neighbors. 

8. Never insulting and looking down on neighbors regardless status. Always respecting neighbors and appreciate them. Being thankful to neighbors on their gifts, services, and assistance.

9. The ones in the top priority to be treated like a family are 40 houses around our houses. At the right, the left, the back and the front of our houses in the measurement of 40 houses are all our family and neighbors regardless if they are relatively connected to us or not.

10. Trying to create peaceful, tranquil, and nice environment at the neighborhood. This is a factor which is mentioned by prophet Muhammad s.a.w in the pillars of happiness, one of it is a good neighbor.

11. Always protecting oneself from offenses such as vandalism, polluting the dignity of one selves and neighbors and it includes the family of neighbors, their properties, their religions, and etc.

12. Avoid from being too nosy about others personal matters or about their family matters unless if they come to us and telling us to get assistance to solve problems.

13. Help those who are afflicted by calamity and disasters may they became peaceful and tranquil.

14. Put ourselves in neighbors' shoes. When they are facing the difficulties, try to imagine that we are also in difficulties like them and when they are in happiness we are also feeling happy for them. Congratulate them when they are getting new houses, new furniture, receiving new babies, marriages, and others. Sending them condolence when there are misfortunes like death and others.

15. Avoid from looking at stuffs brought by neighbors to their home. There is no necessity to be nosy about that.

16. Never be careless in calling them toward charity and chastity. Preventing evil and vices through wisdom.

17. If our neighbors are committing evil acts, be patient and always ready to forgive them their sins. Never strike back evil with evil but giving people only goodness.

18. Never listen to slanders and gossips of others about our neighbors and never be influenced by those evil matters.

19. Visit neighbors when they are sick and not well. Taking care about their health.

20. Help in managing their corpse when there is death in the neighborhood.  

21. Never heralding neighbors errors, humiliating them or telling others about their errors.

22. Helping neighbors in term of finance such as loan or donation if they need it.

23. Merciful and gentle to neighbors' children.

24. Looking after the safety of neighbors' home and children while they are not at home.

25. Congratulate them when there are good events happening to neighbors especially when they receive goodness and blessed by the God with good things.

26. Sending condolence to neighbors when they are in disasters.

27. Never build any high building which could obstruct the flow of the wind to neighbors' houses unless if they permit it and happy with it. Never burden neighbors by placing something which could prevent them from entering their own houses just for our own satisfaction.

28. Never hurt neighbors with the smell of the cooking. If the cooking is nice then give some for them to taste and enjoy it.

29. Giving presents to neighbors some fruit that we bought for their health and clean them first before giving them to neighbors.

30. Always praying for safety and happiness of the neighbors.

Three Kinds of Neighbors with Their Rights

1. Muslim neighbors with relative ties are with three rights as neighbors. They possess the rights of a neighbor, a family, and a brethren in faith.

2. Muslim neighbors who have no relative ties possess two rights where they are to be treated as a neighbor and a respective brethren in faith. 

3. Non-Muslim neighbors possess a right which is the right of a neighbor who is to be respected with 30 manners mentioned above.

Diary

Somehow this sermon is like hitting my nose too, lol. I have no strength to be friendly or talking to people anymore. If I have the choice, I would just run to the mountain, grassland or desert and live their until my end comes. I am afraid of negative thinking might influence my life but we have no choice as human is meant to live together as a society. If we keep our distance with people, people might also think that we are this and that. That is not good for them too because it cause them negative thinking. 

Urmm, now I also feel like living in a cave while having to finish the thesis. This place is perfect for temptations by Satan and also meditation. I feel like wanted to jump down from the tenth floor here but each time I noticed that it is Satan who is tempting me to do this silly and sinful act. It happens few times when I am pressured and I have no one to talk about the problem. When producing or doing something heavy, we needs someone to at least listen or discuss about the topic but I could not find anyone since postgraduate is not like undergraduate. We are on our own. 

Other than that, I am afraid that I might also burden others who are not related and I believe nobody would want to be associated to others problem. It is a common thing in which I understood. I still remember reading the Gospel of Matthew about Prophet Jesus a.s was also tempted by Satan after he was baptized (ghusl) where he was challenged by Satan to jump down from the tower of a temple. It shows that Satan indeed interfering when we are alone. Even the prophet of the God also experienced that. We are just ordinary people as compared to him. When some  friends come to me or my siblings talk to me about their problem I would also try to listen because I understand the feeling. In case like my seniors, auntie Roslin who also telling me about her problems until 2 a.m in the morning on Wednesday. Because of that I had cancelled my weekly fasting for two days Monday and Thursday but never mind. At least she feels better. I feel sorry that I can't help her as I am also stuck here. If not perhaps I might offer myself to perform sacrifice. I don't mind helping brothers and sisters in faith without any payment but just help me with prayers.

This one is a reminder to myself if I engaged in the society and community. For brothers and sisters in Europe and Western countries, try to also respect your non-Muslim neighbors and friends if they do not hurt you. Also everywhere in the world, we are the people who follow the nature of the universe. So we try to live in accordance to the nature.

Allahumma salli 'alaa Muhammad wa 'alaa aali Muhammad. Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!

What is in Wealth?

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah!

continue...

Now we continue the previous post. I have to jot all of this down since I would have piles of paper on this messy desk. 

Regarding Wealth

The ustad further said, who's the real rich man? There are three kind of rich men:

1) A rich man is a man a healthy man. When we are healthy, we can eat anything we like. If we are affected by diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and others we would have to avoid many things.

2) A rich man is a man without any debt. If we have a TV, we do not owe anything to get the TV. We buy it with full payment. If we have debt with the bank say when we buy the car, we would have to pay for every month. If we do not pay the car for three months, the bank would pull the car into their garage. If we have no capacity, don't get into debt. If we want to live in peace, stay away from debt and pay the debt. This is my personal opinion, all of us creatures are in no position to be rich no matter what happen. We owe the God for this life. The noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w talked about debt where he mentioned about the war to defend the land and His light from the darkness. A person in debt must ask the person who he is in debt for his permission before joining any war (if ones are soldiers). Because debt would be counted even after death, the descents of a person in debt must help the person in debt who passed away to release him or her from torments. A person in debt has a heavy responsibility. Try to stay away from debt as it makes us poor.

3) A rich man is a person who has good manner, and high in morality. Be in modesty when we walk and do not look up the sky when we walk (be arrogant). Look down the earth. Lower the voice and do not walk with pride holding up our chest. The most ugly voice is the voice of a donkey. This is a metaphor.... 

The most ugly voice is the voice of a donkey... The Quran mentions two kind of animals' voice... They are the rooster and the donkey. Elders said that when a rooster crowing at the break of the dawn, it sees the angels. It means that the sound wakes up the people and reminds everyone for Fajr prayer service. And then the voice of human who cries in repentance because of his or her sins. People above 50 years old always have the habit of waking up late at night. They have the problem to sleep. The God makes them having this difficulty to sleep, but they are easy to wake up in the morning. It is the fitrah (nature) for us to cover our salat that we had left since whoever knows. How many of us prays when we are 13 years old for example? 

Oops, I didn't really pray when I was 13 years old until at one stage I didn't believe in You, dear the God!!! I didn't like to pray and I hate people who talked to me about salat. Most of them always talked about the hell. I don't like them because of this since I didn't do any harm to others but they are those who hurt me. At that time I was influenced a little bit by people around, I just wanted to be like other kids. I should had ignore whatever people said but just perform my responsibility. In the end You are my Judge, dear Lord. Dear the God, please forgive me if I didn't perform this responsibility properly please don't hate me :'( :'( :'(

Regarding the Voice

And then the ustad mentioned, the God loves the voice of those who recites the Quran. What voice that the God does not prefer according to the interpretation of the verse in surah Luqman? The God does not prefer the voice of the donkey. It does not mean that the donkey is a bad animal or the God 'hates' the donkey. The donkey voice is a metaphor for the voice of those who love to rant. The donkey always do anything that it is asked to do. It does not know how to bend at the road. People could put many things on its back. But while it walks, it would have the voice which sounds like ranting voice. The verse implies that the God does not prefer those who rants. A wife for example, she cooks 10 dishes a day for her family but while she cooks she would rant this and that, she is tired of marriage and etc. But she still cooks. A person who prays behind the imam. He or she still prays but he or she rants in the heart when the imam recites longer surah. They do everything, but they rant in the same time. The God listens to anything inside our heart or anything that could be heard by mortal ears. He is All-Listening and All-Knowing.

It is already late... We may continue little by little insyaallah...

Sealed with salawat and prayers for peace, mercy, and love, amin!!

Manners at People's House

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

Source picture Jackie Hinkson, Humble House.

Sometimes we might also forget, thus Ramadan is a good month to revive every sunnah that we could recall. I always remember whatever told in Qisasul Anbiyaa' (prophets' life) although after my iman and aqeedah was deflected by the environment and circumstances surrounding me.

What I still could recall in my memory. A guest should not living in a host house or compartment more than three days. Why is that so brethren? It is because we do not know whether we would be a burden for the host or not after the prescribed days.  It is not only about a host who serves his or her guests, but it is in two ways. The host and the guest. If we could remember the narration about our patriarch Ibrahim a.s with his guests which are the two angels bringing news about his nephew prophet Luth a.s tribe. Our patriarch Ibrahim a.s had served his guests with food but those guests do not take it. This could also be an example on the dignity of the guest. Both host and guest must respect each other. It is not only about the host who celebrate the guest as what I listened in Tabligh brothers' bayans. Those who are according to sufi or neo-sufi lines always emphasize on what we call as muruah (dignity) and adaab (civilized manner). These two are different from pride. They are not negative but positively related to respect to the host.

I used to stay at a close friend's house at a village in Yan district to offer my respect to his father who had passed away. I only stay there for one night, and that only because there was no bus service after 'Asr although his mother receiving me and asking me to stay more than one day. I understand his family condition where they were still in their mourning period and my visit there is not to burden them but to comfort them with some little and humble donation. More importantly expressing my condolence to their family as a brother to them. I actually prefer to do that anonymously but I am always a loner and I have no other way to send the service to this friend except using myself. This is apart of jihad to strengthen spiritual connection between souls. 

Last Thursday, my current roommate, Mr. Jamal had messaged me that he was on his way to the campus and kindly asked me not to receive any scouting acquaintance. I understand him, and I would also be pissed off if seeing someone we do not know messing up on our bed when we arrive early in the morning and he paid monthly rental for his place. In everything that we do, we need to be aware, sensitive and alert whether our act would create something unusual or affecting others. I am not sure whether this is prescribed in sunnah but this is a common sense that I encountered during my past reading about Buddhists manner.  

I was so ashamed of myself for burdening my roommate because of this guy that I gave the shelter for 'few days' in the beginning but it turns out that he stays here for few months. I began to think again because before this I do not have any tainted thought. I wonder why is this guy need to stay in my room while he could also duplicate his previous room key? His previous room is located in front of the wing where my room is located. I saw him staying also in his previous room, and his roommate is also my acquaintance. What makes he curious about me? I am just a normal guy like other human-being. Maybe I am a bit weird as I have no close friends 'here.' That is normal too because all of my friends fade away after finishing first degree studies. We can't expect everything to stay the same. Sometimes I sense that my books and kitabs are moved around. There are certain kitabs that I do not simply reveal to people because it is not suitable for others. I do not recommend others to read the kitabs nor talking about them in public since some people have no capacity to comprehend them. Is he spying on me or what? 

Silap pulak rasanya buatkannya kunci pendua, nak buat camna lagi nasik dah jadih bubur. Never thought about this before. I made the key myself for him in the beginning, I thought that he is in trouble after he gave up his room to the management. Why not be considerate to others even though we want to save some money? I don't take any loan or getting any scholarship for my study, simply using our own money just like other non-Malay students but I still avoid from burdening my friends or acquaintance wherever possible. I only make study loan when I was in degree and strictly using the money for study materials and fees. Kalau takda duit kerja sambilan or kutip tin and sell them. 

The night that I received Mr. Jamal's message, I also have to pack my stuffs and scouting at Azren's room in Aman desa. Again I feel ashamed because it is now twice I have to scout in his room to avoid arguing with my roommate. Luckily he has no roommate, I mean in a real sense not like me where my roommate is not always in the room but he will come once a month for consultation with his supervisor. I also made a duplicate key for Azren's room, but I always ask his permission each time I wanted to go into his room. I only go into his room when he is there and never approach his room when he is not there. Yesterday he went back to KL and he is offering me his room and also the foods in his room but I think that it would be sufficient with his assistance sheltering me because my roommate is now away home and I don't take people's offer as a mean to respect their private stuffs. So, I returned to my room. Azren would only be here until this September. I am still figuring out on what will happen next when he is also away because he is my last resort and the only person that I am close here since we were the same classmate during our bachelor time.

When I returned to my room I could see that guy again landing on my bed! It is OK in the beginning to stay in my room but now it is more than few days and it is now Ramadan. I need my space for my personal rituals too especially when it comes to Friday nights for twice holy days. I don't know whether it is rude or not to ask him to leave but I just feel uncomfortable now. This is common sense. We don't have to ask the host whether they are comfortable with us. Just put our feet in their shoes and think what we feel? Unless we are insensitive to others, I have no idea on what example to pose up here no more.

Then, when entering people's room or house no matter we have the access or not. Since it is not our room or house, we should always ask permission. Knock the door thrice and recite prayers which is assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah, peace be upon you, those who inhabit the room or house. It is to also warn people in the room or house that we are in front of their place and whether they allow us to enter or not. Maybe they are in the state that they don't like us to see them in that state. Don't stand right in front of the door but a bit at the side as not to see what happened inside. It is also to give the chance for the host to get ready. Maybe he is topless or do not cover her hair with hijab if a female host.

If they do not open the door up after salam prayer and thrice knocking of the door, and we have the key of the room, what should we do? Don't ever go in. The key does not indicate that we have the authority to 'intrude' into others compound. It is not our room or house, no matter we have the authority to enter or not.

Prophet s.a.w even when he is at his own house do not enter when he came back home in the middle of the night. Why is he doing so brethren? He does not want to burden the people and that's why he slept outside of his own house. I wonder, this guy also reading the kitaab about fadhaail 'amal? Some of blogs also talking the same thing about the manner of visiting others' house. I managed to google them up after the idea for this post sparks up. I think it is also common sense and this blog that I've got is hilarious, lol.

What is the difference in the kitaab's content with us laymen who reads Quran, Hadiths Bukhari and Qisaasul Anbiyaa'? I read Fadhaail 'Amal too though I am not a Tabligh movement member. I have a soft copy with me. But why I don't do this kind of attitude to others like Azren? I know Azren more than three years and quite close but I don't do like the guy is doing. I am so astonished in the same time hoping everyone would receive His Mercy and Guidance. 

Wish everyone could take heed about this and benefit from it in order for everyone of us to form a civilized nation. This is not only for brethren but also for myself in case if I also forget. Thank you for the visit if you stumbled by, forgive me my bad words or if this is offensive. I do not intend to low estimate other movements but all of these is for everyone benefit. Never let your movement and the honorable founder of your movement being slandered because of your indecent attitude. 

Dear the God our Lord! Accept us our service and grant us health, forgive us our sins and wrong-doings, make us die in the Path of Islam and may our life is according to Your Path. Gather us with righteous people. Sealed with prayers for peace, mercy, and love, amin! 

The roots for sufferings in soul

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

Grumpy

This character is the most easiest to be detected and the most major in human self. A person who is grumpy seldom have friends and his heart is not in peace.

Vengeful

It is hidden in the chest and it's like lava in ones selves. A vengeful person always trying to find his way for a revenge even small revenge such as hurting others with his words would do. A vengeful person could easily be affected by heart attack. 

Jealousy

All of the practises and penance would be burnt by jealousy, jealousy is a divine characteristic and human is not qualified for this.

Stingy

Happens when a person feels that others wanted to take his property, his luxury, position and others. For example always claiming that he has no money while he actually have it but to deceive others so that he does not have to donate and help others. The God indeed favors more a wicked person but is generous rather than a faithful servant but is stingy. Because a wicked person generousity could be beneficial to others as God is giving His sustainance through His creatures as an asbaab (cause).

Greedy

A greedy person would never be satisfied with lots of possession he has as a thristy person being given sea water. He drinks the water until it finish but it won't satisfy him. Whatever is called as our property or possession when it is used. When it is kept and piled, it could not be called as a property or sustainance because there might be the rights of others. Let the sustainance or property little but it is blessed by Lord God when it is used in a beneficial way and for Him.

Impatient

When a person could not be patient with small matters, how would he be patient with big matters?

Ego

This is the mother of evil characteristics. It makes a person fallen in trouble and not in peace. A person with this character is a person who would easily feel challenged. Each person possess this character but the difference is in its level.

Show off

A person who loves to show off would feel tortured as he does everything only for praises by fellow human. Acting in front of others. When he is praised, he intensifies his practises. But when he is insulted, he would decrease his practises. The God would be pissed off with a show off person and with a person who feels that his practises and rituals done are enough thus he feels that he is holier than others.

Love the world

When we could not get it, we would suffer. When we get it, we would also suffer because it is very hard to maintain it. Be luxurious but we have to control our soul and heart. Do not place our confidence on the property and possession but only on Allah. Love the world is the hell in the world. World is hot and it is haunted by everyone. Place akhirat (hereafter) in our heart, and dunia (world) in our hand as it could be divided and substituted but akhirat is for us when we see Him. 

As per conclusion, the one that grabs our happiness is not totally caused by poverty, unfortunate luck, being occupied, and others but the evil characteristics in our selves. The higher our wicked characteristics, the more unfortunate we are. Either we perform the efforts or just giving up. In both situation we would suffer but when we perform efforts we would eventually receive happiness. May we remind each other not to be careless to avoid sadness. 

God be in contact with prophet Muhammad (saw) and his family as You were in contact with our father Ibrahim (Abraham) and his family. God bless prophet Muhammad (saw) and his family as You had blessed our father Ibrahim and his family. Sealed with prayers for love and peace, may everyone receive guidance and success.

Integrating Our Understanding of Imaan, Religion and Ihsaan

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

I remember when I took STPM (A-Level) before proceeding to this university for a non-related degree, I had took a paper on Syariah Islamiah. In the beginning, I was actually registered by the education office in Science Stream because last time I took SPM (O-Level) in technical stream. 

They sent me letter once I finished my National Service Program, my name was chosen randomly in computer I guess. I do not feel comfortable anymore to continue studies with anything related to the thing which is not my responsibility after few bad experiences hitting my nose. I begin to learn about qada' and qadar (divine good and evil pre-destiny) after few experiences. 

I was in the Science stream in Sekolah Menengah Putrajaya Precinct 8 for my lower six. There are few teachers who thought that the school is the school for elite kids. We, the form six students out of no where suddenly coming to their excellent great school and going to taint the image of their school. One of the teacher had badly humiliating me in front of other students and teachers but I keep my patience. If I follow my evil desire, I would have her car being scratched by nails, and looking for her son to be hit at his nose but I do not want to lower myself to her level. 

 Sekolah Menengan Kebangsaan Putrajaya I Precinct 8, I was in lower 6 in this school around 2004

picture source from qimie92

She thought that having a degree from a prominent American University in Mathematics had allow her with full authority to humiliate others as people have no feeling nor fellow human like her. I do not even care what is her field of studies when she was a bachelor degree, or how great she was when she competes with American students. She might be having some mental illness I guess or the disease in her heart.  

Once she had greatly caused humiliation to me in the teachers' room, I decided to stop my form six studies in the school and in the stream because I do not want to fight her back. She is so ego, that she does not want to admit that she has no ability to teach higher level subjects while there were no other teachers except her to teach the level. I wanted to study myself and choosing something which suits my responsibility. But I never quickly enrolling myself to any other school under ministry of education supervision because I still have another year to go. I just stay idle at home and my mother began to rant about what am I going to be if I stay like that.

In the same time, I had my name being enlisted in Hajj pilgrimage together with my mother. She had applied it since a year ago when I was in form 5 (2003). At that time, I tried to kill myself by skipping meals after I did not excel well in SPM (O-Level) like other friends, and I could not jump from high building or cutting my vein because according to Buddhist Karmical law that I had listened from Buddhist monks after performing offerings and what I believed last time; I will be stucked in the Samsara realm (hell or world of another dimension) as a Prettam (Shade or Ghost).  This event happened in the end of 2003.

I intended to die without no one realize about me in my room and performing chantings of Metta Suttam (loving compassionate mantra) to make sure that I made right decision also hoping Buddha's mercy that I may be born in Phrommaviharn (the abode of Brahmas) or maybe at least if I die. I could be reincarnated again as an animal and begin the cycle slowly if I can't achieve Pari-Nibbhan (final blast) as a monk. I began to hate the world after what I had experienced, to the extend I want to enter the monastery although formally I was not a Buddhist in my identification. 

My mum realized that I didn't show up anywhere in the house nor outside the house for few days. She hit the room's door until the door opened and forced me to eat. My mother nor my family members did not notice that I was a Buddhist, because I only keep it to myself. I had done pujas (chanting mantras in Pali-Sanskrit) without no one know and very discreetly. So be careful with your children, parents. You do not know what influence had your children acquired when they mingled with people around them. Religion is not only stated in the identity card nor imaan (faith) is inherited. It is taught and maintained with knowledge, care, practices and prayers.

Back to the STPM (A-Level), I registered my name only to be an examination candidate in the Education Office in Kuala Lumpur. That was after I performed pilgrimage just after a while I stayed idle at home when I stopped from lower six in formal education system. Then, my mother said at least I should register for a formal class for important subjects like General Studies, Malay, and History.  

I registered for these classes in Kasturi Tuisyen Center there and I have to finish all of the two years syllabus in a compressed year, thanks to Mr. Kumaresan. I will always remember you for helping me with Malay paper and it is actually tough one. I still remember I cried alone in my room in the middle of the night to pass these art papers.

Kasturi Tuition Center in Kuala Lumpur where I was almost killed by two thieves while walking alone early in the morning. When they tried to force me to give them money, they had put a knife at my stomach. I kept my money in my socks and I just have RM2 in my wallet, so they just spare me away. After that I began to believe in prayers to Allah for safety when beginning journeys although it is just few cubits away from my room or house. I memorized ma'thurat and chanting them praying to Allah to protect me from His evil creatures everywhere now. I share this with everyone so that we could practice that for everyone's benefit. 

Another two subjects which are Syari'ah and Arabic I had chosen after I meditate in front of Ka'abah and performing Tawwaf (cirumambulation). It just came up to my mind after I returned to the Muassasah (foundation) in Ajyad Road. I repent there in Masjidil Haram (the respected House of God), cleansing my aqidah, focusing to Allah and began performing manasik. The journey there with my mother reminds me with some remnants of teachings that I learned in Seerah (History) where Isma'el and his mother Hajar were also there. 

I did not take any classes for both subjects Syari'ah and Arabic. I just learned it like in traditional way by visiting mosques and jotting down ulamas' lecture. Anywhere that I hear the lectures, I will jot down and keep them in my mind. I would chant again the verses they taught after the jama'ah prayers. I joined mosque's Arabic classes with some donation to support the teachers, revising again the leaflets given by the Religious, Da'awa, and Islamic Guidance Department of Saudi Arabia when I performed Hajj and revising my books when I was in form three (2002). 

But in the exam, I did not manage to do well too because I just learned everything in a year. It supposed to be in two years with proper syllabus. I passed my Arabic composition, and oral but I did not passed my Arabic literature because I did not know where to get the source for the syllabus. I also passed my Syari'ah paper. I can not continue my studies in the Middle East, but I am thankful to Allah for inspiring me to do so. God is at least merciful to His creature by teachings valuable matters to me. I feel happy in that way. I will never give up to know Him, I do not want any certificate but simply learning about Him : )

From the leaflets that I get from Hajj, I had analyzed that Islam or Syari'ah is basically consists of five components. They are Tawheed Aqeedah, 'Ibadah, Akhlaq and Tsawwuf, Mu'amalat, Munakahat, and Jinayyah. 

Tawheed or Monotheism is the Creed of a Muslim. 'Ibadah is the discipline that a Muslim undergoes to train themselves to be in the track of remembering Allah through the teachings in Quran and Sunnah, Akhlaq and Tasawwuf is for the purification of 'Aqidah because some of the characteristics described in Tasawwuf will flaw our 'Aqidah. We need to be humble in front of our Creator! Mu'amalat is the economic system performed by Islamic community. Munakahat is the way to build a Muslim and faithful family and Jinayyah is the limitations or the sentences for criminals done. Everything is inter-connected to each other. 

Aqidah of a Muslim is summarized in the Arkaanul Imaan or the Six Pillars of Faith. 'Ibadah is the 'amal (practices) concluded in the Arkaanul Islaam or the Five Pillars of Islam or Deen. Akhlaq and Tasawwuf in its basic form is Ihsaan. The preceeding Mu'amalah, Munakahat, and Jinayyat is a way to keep the nation or community in a harmonious and balanced way according to Sunnatullah.

Now, when I check back the syllabus of religious education traditionally transmitted in Arabian Peninsula, Southern Thailand, Malaysia, Indian subcontinent, and elsewhere although without any certificate or being low-estimated because religion is something that is backward and underrated but quite wonderful compared to academic education due to that people from academic line had forgotten the importance of morality and manners when talking to others. No matter when we talk to people younger than us or older than us. We have to respect every soul.

I had seen almost similar problem or maybe even worse in Saudi Arabia when I performed pilgrimage although the country is a country which executes Syari'ah Criminal Law. Most of the people treating migrant workers in a worse manner, and even they have no mercy to animals. 

The country had suppressed tasawwuf by claiming that it came from infidels teaching, but in the establishment of a religion. Not even one things could be excluded from the component because it would be a disaster to human civilization where Allah is the Generator of it. They are the elements that forming the Deen. They are mentioned in Hadis Qudsi (Holy Hadis) where it talks about Gibril (as) teaching the ummah (nation) on what is Imaan, what is Deen, and what is Ihsaan. 

I have this dream to travel to Yemen, or maybe to other places like China, India, or Iran to acquire the lessons about Quran and Sunnah leaving behind the denominations or sectarian problems. It sparks when I was in the Holy Mecca and after the experience that I had going through in this 24 years of life. 

I had mingled with the Tablighi jama'at kids, I personally love to see young kids devoting themselves to Allah. It is very rare to be seen around and good for community. Everyone talk about Allah's Greatness with others. Maybe sometimes I think that they and every one including myself need to step by step learning things and not being too carried away. But I do not feel that they did anything wrong, I would encourage them to acquire knowledge and to learn more for their practices and efforts.

Anyhow, I feel that it is a grace from Allah to the nation to have these kids just after I realize about their existence, lol. May they be blessed and being sincere in their quest. I also have my quest which is to see His Glorious appearance but I still feel I am not worthy. I need to learn more to know Him.  

Sealed with prayer, may Allah forgive us our sins, that is hidden or obvious. And I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without any partner, and that Muhammad (saw) His slave and messenger. I am pleased with Allah as my Lord. Muhammad is a messenger of Allah and Islam is my path. May He permits us to die in His path, Allah's Will :')