Quranic Memorization : Surah al-Kahfi I

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Audio Part I

Diary

Just returned home. I can't really avoid musalla because my room is dusty to perform prayer. The floor is not smooth and I could not clean it like I was in my previous hostel during undergraduate time. I usually lie my face downward on the floor after I recite supplication and it already becomes a habit. I have to be careful when many people especially when I cry to Him I could not lift up my face but placing my forehead and nose down the floor.

I just wait until congregational prayer service being done for Dzuhr and 'Asr prayer just to avoid seeing people around. I prayed alone or maybe seeing if a person praying there I will make him my imam. Many people in musalla especially the senior undergraduates have giving me nice memories which will make me feel reluctant to leave them behind but I am always aware that the 'time' will never stay the same and they might not understood an 'old primitive guy' like me. 

If we still stay in the same place, but people and situation will always change. We can't get the time passing anymore. I am facing it now. Plus it sucks to be a master student. We can't go up nor going down the level. We wanted to befriend other postgraduate students but they are also occupied with their works and when we tried to befriend with undergraduate students, they might feel awkward speaking to me because I don't mingle with their friends. We are stuck in the middle. 

I actually went out to Queensbay Mall to calm down myself in this uncertain period. I just wander around alone and watching movie which is the Wrath of Titan. I found that it is not fun at all because I don't like Greek mythology. Since I was undergraduate student I always like this. I only go out with my course mate which was Amir if he does not go home. He never invite me to his house like other normal friends always do and I always understood the reasons behind. We go to class together and we joined the same classes as to make it easy to do assignments and homework. We never join other course mates and being out cast in the class because other course mates are afraid of Amir and it also affects me as his close friend. Sometimes we have dinner or lunch together and I will treat him as a respect because my roommate him self do not give me face to establish silaturrahim and being an observant servant for nations. Amir was not an observant Muslim can I say and I never force him to follow me to masjid or showing off to him that I am the most observant Muslim.

Da'awa Dimensions of a Plain Muslim : Spreading His Love and Mercy to Others

I didn't mingle with Tabligh kids and Islamic Center kids at that time because I don't want to scare away Amir or other naughty kids. The result is I have to face psychological torments and also laughed by people who do not understand what I am doing including my own family members. I am doing everything for da'awa just like what noble prophets had done and when we read what they had experienced. They do not live happy life too although they may choose to be like other happy human-being. I just pray for people who laughed, mocked and looking at me like a freak because they do not know what I am doing. My prophets were also facing these and they are now resting in peace waiting for Resurrection with other sages, teachers and my faithful brothers and sisters of the past. People would never look at me like something if they always recite and ponder on what Allah talks in glorious Quran. Quran is not for decoration, present to be displayed for marriage presents, or to show off that we are Muslim when we have it. It is to be kept in "heart" and to be recited. It is to be practiced. Maybe others are fortunate to have friends around to chat with them spending time together cherish their memories but I only have Allah words with me. His words are my friends and teachers. Allah is my True Friend and True Teacher. He taught Muhammad s.a.w with His word and His word also teaches me now. 

I taught Amir and others slowly in the manner that no one realize it with my attitude, prayers and behavior according to Quranic teachings and Sunnah but in a bit twisted way because we have to be creative. I found that he slowly begin to perform prayer services but I did not praise him nor offend him. I just leave it like that and never talking about what I saw. I just continue praying for him. Like always I have to mingle with this kind of people and in the beginning I tell brothers and sisters that I love the most, I was mentally and physically tortured and I have to put one of my foot into the hell-fire for other brothers who are not accepted by 'faithful' Muslims.

As an example during Ramadan 2007 when we break our fast, some of those "naughty" kids who mingled with me did not pay at the restaurants and just ran away. So the food that they took is non-halal because it is not legal to eat the food without permission. I also have to pretend to be like them because I can't tell them I can't do all of things or they may run away. If they could mingle with "orthodox" and Islam Syumul guys, they would long joined them but they can't as they think they are "filthy". When I returned to my room, I have to poke my throat until I vomit everything. It is very tormenting and I cried alone without anyone beside me not even my family members. And tomorrow I will find the manager of the restaurant and asking them forgiveness, later paying them the amount of the food that those "brothers" had not pay. I did not tell them nor claiming my money from them because I "love" them. They are my brothers and they are Muslims but just unfortunate. I talked with the manager next time do not say anything to them and please do not humiliate them. I will pay for them, they are my family and brothers. If they do not pay please just snatch me, I will bear the consequence for them.     

My tears dropping each time I remember this because I did all of these alone and I also entered temples alone to spread His mercy to nations. Last time I also listened to brother Firdaws telling me about his experience but I never in turn tell them what happened to me. If I tell people about myself, it means that I am saying goodbye to them and they will never see me anymore. I am also experiencing what Tabligh kids experienced but I have to face torture more. I have to be very discreet dipping myself into the shoes of those unfortunate people, crying and whipping myself with the buckle of belt at night for sins that I had to commit to help my "beloved" brothers to come out from unfortunate situation and I am doing everything alone and nobody understood it instead treating me like a freak. They never come to talk to me alone and discussing matters alone but only waiting for other people to be with them to dare talking to me. I am not a monster nor I attack people on what they believe. I wanted to share this with people as to tell them that there are people who could not be put into a group but sometimes needed some space given to them. When we perform da'awa sometimes we go in group and sometimes alone because the "audience" might be alone or lonely. Not all people will accept or understand this so brothers and sisters who know me, that is why you always see me alone here or any where :'( 

Tabligh and Islamic Center kids were looking at me strangely. They too did not accept me when I tried to join them after that because I mingled with 'filthy' people. Some of the people in the movement also emphasized that only their movement is the way for Salvation and I found that it is not likely because every Muslim is the same and why not we just move without being tagged like Tabligh? I also belong to a mission order but I never mention to people that my mission order is the only Jama'at to save everyone. When I come back here I think perhaps I should establish relationship with them but they assume me as an ignorant Muslim, do not assuming me as their brother but only a 'toy' to be played with, do not giving me face to be a good friend or brother or talking something which makes me sad. I face all of these from different groups of 'orthodox' Muslim kids but maybe they are kids and I should perhaps not mingle with kids because I am already old before my old age come? :'(  

Introduction

I thought of writing this one in Chinese first but never mind. I will keep this note and just translate it later when I am free. Internet could be accessed widely nowadays and those who are interested could get the notes printed out for others who are out of the reach or help me correct my wrong grammar or mistakes. I actually have this idea for long but I had forgotten. I only remember about this when I saw our people (Hui Muslims) here because I think there are now many of them in our university not like before and I have to be a hidden Chinese speaker Muslim. I consider Hui people of China as our people because their first paternal ancestors were also from Arabia and from Persia.

Maybe they would feel weird but we already know many things about them. Our people has connection among the tariqah (mission orders) who were also missionaries to regions. We are in between Arabia, India and China. I think instead of people in my hostel especially from Indonesia asking me this and that, why not google and get information from wikipedia the easiest source? Or if hardworking, go do some research in library and check at religious, history, social and politics sections on what they are curious about. Sometimes their simple questions actually makes me feel surprised on their general knowledge level because I was not a university students, instead I was not a good performer in schools. How do I know about everything around? That is because I care about the dynamics of society and the world. Sometimes it interrupts me when I am trying to get further and deeper information on Islamic mission in Eastern part of the region and I have to shut up my mouth because they are talking. That is why I always avoid people because I think it is useless if people are talking in the same time. Just come and find me alone if wanted to talk.      

Why am I trying to write in Chinese ya? Last time I watched news about Chinese muallaf or new Muslim couple from Pahang. Like always they are in the category of what Malays would derogatorily call as Cina Bukit or 中山 (Tongsan) or Cina Jinjang whatever it is which means their command in Malay is quite low since they were from Chinese lower education, living only in Chinese atmosphere which I also experienced this though I am not a 'Chinese' nor being educated in Chinese stream or perhaps they are poor uneducated Chinese. In the news that I can remember they said that they tried to have access with Malay community which are always the majority Muslim group in Malaysia but people keep themselves away from them. They do not know where to go and only have final choice to return to Chinese folk religion because they are also isolated by their community and relatives. I am sorry I have to talk about this but this the fact of this world, the reality we are facing today.

In Malaysia we do not have Islamic books in Chinese for Islamic branches of studies like Tajweed (Quranic recitation), Hadiths and Sunnah, Islamic Morality and Creed, Prayer and Supplications translations which talk in detail about all of these subject matters like in Malay or in Tamil. In Indian Muslim masjids, they have lectures for religious teachings in Tamil and they have private schools for Islamic studies teaching branches of the path in Tamil which is their mother tongue. And some of them who call themselves "Malays" but speaking at home in Tamil and eating Nasi Kandar with curry harshly offending people who are educated in Chinese. I have no choice but also to also be a "Chinese" because I need to reach other Chinese speaking Muslim compatriots. I thought that in China they also have all of these books but I don't think it is widespread. I have to begin the translation again if without help, I will do it alone to whatever that I am capable to do. I am not doing this for educated people but for people who are not educated in Malay and in Malaysia we have these kind of people. We cannot blame them. It is not the time to blame people anymore. It is the time to quickly exercise His mercy to others.  

Other reason is many madrasah students in Malaysia actually are non-Chinese educated people but they are only Arabic and Classical Malay educated people. Actually I try to explain this to some undergraduate foreign students from China on what I had already encountered as a Chinese culture influenced person but they are with people around and I am also thinking on a good way to explain to them why I always keep my silence when I was with Malay students or Indonesian students around them. I met another Muslim master student from China too in the bank but I didn't speak to him because people do not expect an Indian/Nepali face would speak in Chinese. He was asking a Malay (actually a mamak or Indian Muslim) about Chinese education in Malaysia and that 'Malay' guy's opinion is quite harsh on the attitude of our Chinese compatriots toward education. I myself feel that it is a curse to speak in Chinese and being a Chinese speaker in a racial based environment and when people talked about Malaysian Chinese I always feel down as I am also categorized as a Malaysian Chinese speaker. 

Last time when I mingled with Amir which was my course mate and also my hostel mate, he actually had ridiculed Chinese community and Chinese speakers as he watched too much American movies. So, I feel quite down but I don't feel angry too him because he is my friend. How could I be angry to my friend or my brother although they hurt me? Maybe I just feel aggrieved but I will keep it only to myself unless if the situation needs me to explain what I feel.   

About Surah al-Kahfi

This is one of my favorite surah in Quran. It is also used as a cure for diseases by our jurisprudence imam, Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal rahimahullahu 'anhu. I actually intend to memorize this surah after I finished surah Ta-Ha which I actually had done but my life here is not as stable as when I was in undergraduate time. So, I had ruined my memorization and have to begin from the beginning. Besides I always have to perform Salat Sunat at-Tawbah as I feel that I am growing filthy when I mingle with people though the people that I mingled with are observant Muslims. Actually people are not wrong but when we mingle we will have many kind of feelings, perceptions and thoughts. On the other hand, being a master student is not as fun as being an undergraduate student especially when all of our friends who had earlier doing master had graduated and I am the only one who is still stuck here. No support from friends no roommate to share or exchange thoughts or even asking anything when I am stuck and having problem with technology. I am also having lunch and dinner alone. I know people would never dare coming knocking my room asking me whether I am free or messaging me. I am the only one who message people if I found that it is not nice to knock people doors. Last time when brother Firdaws messaged me, I still entertain him. But in the beginning I would be quite slow because I am not in the same level with them. I am in the beginning was a loner. I don't make friend through friend. People wanted to be friend me, just come directly to me. Not by friend. It shows sincerity.       

Parts in This Surah

I am going to divide the message of this surah into five parts according to what Allah talks to us regarding our path. For the beginning I will only post about two parts of the surah. Actually I am memorizing Quran according to these parts of stories and when we recite in prayer services we may choose whether reciting it in the form of parts or in form of pages like maybe one page for a unit of prayer service. The most important thing for me is not how many pages that we recite in the unit of prayer but the message for ma'amums behind and also for the imam himself at the front. 

For non-Arabic speakers or those who are not fluent in Arabic, we need a translation of Quran in our own language and I always encourage brothers and sisters to spend free time with Quranic translation reading and parallel checking with original Arabic one. The most important thing dear brothers and sister, is how are we going to practice Quran in ourselves? For me I don't like to listen people praising this person that person such as when I was in Tabligh masjid. One person calling a Quran memorizer kid to be an imam and proudly saying: "this people are walking Quran!" People already know about this, no need to loudly talk about this. 

For me it is not so good first because it harms that kid characteristic and second the person should also try make the Quran circulate in him self if he care about the Path! A person whose Quran is circulating within himself will never talk like that, if he is amazed with a person he will just slowly come and talk with the person without being seen by others. When I talk like this, it does not mean I am a restrictive person. People can talk about any topics with me as long as I know I could also talk about the same topic, but we should know the boundary of speech when we come to the matters of the Path especially the moral which lies behind it. Last time a Wahhabi Arab congregation member in masjid also said to me : "Insha Allah after you join our discourse on kitab Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, you will also become and ustadz". After that I never join them anymore. I was a translation and interpretation student. I also interprete a lot and reads interpretation behind lines of the speeches. It is crazy but I guess it is just our nature.   

First Two Part We are Going to See?

1. Criticism on the Doctrine of "the Son of the God"

2. The Young Men in the Cave

First Part of the Message : Criticism on the Doctrine of "the Son of the God"

In the Name of Allah the Most Compassionate the Most Merciful

All praise to Allah who reveals down to His slave the book and never making it crooked inside 1 As a direction to remind people about bitter torments from Him and as a good news for people who have faith and those who perform the practices of charity that they are going to receive good retaliation 2 They will be eternal in it forever 3 And it is to remind those who say that: "the Lord takes a Son" 4 They have no knowledge about this (doctrine) and so do their ancestors. Very hideous the word that come out from their mouths. What they said (the doctrine) is nothing but a liar 5 So, will you (Muhammad and those who profess witness on your prophethood) commit suicide feeling so sad when they turn away from this discourse? 6 Indeed We bring whatever on the earth as decorations for her as a mean to test on those who are better in their charity 7 And indeed We also will in fact make whatever on her barren and flat 8 

Second Part of the Message : The Young Men in the Cave        

Don't you ever recount that indeed the dwellers of the cave and the raqim (a dog or perhaps an inscription) are from Our miraculous signs? 9 At the time where the youths walks to the cave and they said (pray) our Lord : "Grant to us from Your side the Mercy and complete for us Your Straight Guidance in our matters" 10 And We strike to close their ears in the cave for years 11 And We make their heart firm at the time when they raised up and the said : "Our Lord, the Lord of the heavens and earth; we will never call other than Him as our Lord. If we say others are our Lord then we are talking far from the Truth" 12 They who are our people, taking other than Him as their gods 13 Why they do not propose to us on what basis they are doing that? 14 Who are more cruel than those who make lies to Allah? 15 

And when you leave them and what they are worshiping other than Allah, thus search for a cave for a shade and your Lord will spill on you His Mercy and providing for you what is important for your matters 16 And when you see the sun when it rises on their cave at the right side and when you see it sunken moving far from them to the left and they are in a wide space in the cave. That is from the signs of Allah. And those who are guided will be guided. Those who are deviated will be deviated and no one could even guide them (it is the Will of Allah) 17 

And you may thought that they are awake while they are actually sleeping. And We flip them right and left. And their dog projected both of its front feet at the face of the cave. And those who see it will run away with the heart full of fear 18 And We wake them up  as for them to ask among themselves. Said one from them : "How long have you been here?" Others said : "Perhaps half a day?" Said others : "Your Lord knows more on how long you have been here". So wake up one of you and go to the town with these silver coins and see whatever is good and safe to be eaten and bring it back for you from the sustenance from Him and be gentle do not tell to others on your matters 19 Indeed they once knowing where is your hidden place will stone you or forcing you to convert to their way and if it happens so, you will be unfortunate forever 20   

And as such we show them to human-being so may they know that the promise of Allah is true and the "Time" which has no doubt on it will come as He commanded it. And say some among the human : "Build on it buildings. Your Lord knows more about them". Those with authority among them said : "We will build on it (the cave) a veneration place" 21

And then some people will say, they are three and fourth is their dog and some will say they are five and the sixth is their dog as the guess for the things which they can't witness with their own eyes. And others say, they are seven and the eight is their dog. Say! Your Lord knows more on how many of them. Nobody knows about it except a very minority of people. So (Muhammad and those who witness his prophethood), do not quarrel with them about their matters except in the internal quarrel and never ask about them about these young men to any one of them 22

And never say anything like : "I will do it tomorrow morning" 23 Except saying : "Insha Allah (whatever He Wills)". And remember Your Lord when you had forgotten and say : "May my Lord giving me His guidance and making me close to the truth than this" 24

And they stayed in the cave 300 years plus other nine years 25 Say (o Muhammad and people) : "Allah knows more on how many years they stayed there". For Him (the knowledge) whatever is hidden in heavens and earth. His view is extremely clear, His listening is extremely sharp and accurate. Nobody except Him as the Protector Guardian and He has no partners for His decisions 26

Closing

Wishing this is beneficial for myself and for others who stepped by. Allah please grant everyone Your mercy and love. Let everyone peacefully co-exist among each other and be nice to each other. Allah I beg You please forgive my countless sins. I repent to You and I testify You are my Lord and Muhammad s.a.w is my prophet and messenger sent to me and others and as a mercy for the universe. 

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin ya Rabbal 'aalamiin!   

Arabian Chronicles : Thamudic Ancient Arab

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

A remnant of Thamudic house, they dwelled in rock mountains around the area

The Thamudic people had began from a person who is known as Thamud bin Katir bin Iram. Their dwelling place is in the area called Hagar Wadi al-Qura. It is located in between Hejaz of Saudi Arabia and Syria today. Their houses were carved inside metal rocks.

The God had also sent them a noble prophet and messenger who is known as Saaleh a.s in the glorious Quran. Said al-Mas'udi : "Thamud had been in power in Hejaz to Syria and the sea of Ethiopia. Their houses were carved inside the rocks and pilgrimage caravans who passed through the area of Wadi al-Qura can see the remnants of their houses."

According to the narration of Ibnu Kalbi, he said that the tribe of Jadis and Tasmin among the branches of Thamudic Arabs came from the lineage of Iram bin Shem. The Tasmin was said as inhabited the area of Bahrain today. However, according to at-Tabari, both of the Jadis and Tasmin dwelled in Yamamah and not in Bahrain. It is due to that Yamamah is a fertile area and easier to establish settlements, build up houses and creating gardens. One of the king from Tasmin dynasty or the tribe of Tasmin was known as Amluq and he was so brutal and cruel.   

If we open up our Old Testament, we can also read a word which sounds like Amelechites. Amelechites referring to Amaliqah in Arabic. They came from the lineage of a person whose name is Amaliq bin Lawz. Amalechites were a kind of ancient Arab tribe. I had also heard a narration of elders that some followers of the noble prophet Moses a.s from the children of Israel was sent down to Arabian Peninsula to track these Amalechites and massacre them all as they were very cruel people.

The Amelechites according to at-Tabari had expanded widely. The major descendents were in Oman in the East of Amelechites. There were also Amelechites in Arabian Peninsula. Some Pharaohs who ruled ancient Egypt were also from Amelechites lineage. Kings of Cana'an were also Amelechites. The opinion which support the assumption that some Pharaohs of ancient Egypt came from al-Jarjany. Another branch of the sibling of Amaliq bin Lawz according to some narrations had expanded to ancient Persia. A branch of Thamudic Arab called the Hadhora had build up settlements in a place called Rass. They became adherents of Zoroaster. 

The map portraying the area where Thamudic Arabs had been which is marked with the cross, some of them had expanded as far as Azerbaijan and Georgia today. Both Azerbaijan and Georgia were under Persian lands.

Those Arabs in Hadramawt are not considered as ancient Arabs. They are considered as the 'Ariba Arabs because they survived until post-Christ era. Other under this category is the Jurhums and Jurhums were divided into the First Jurhum and the Second Jurhum. The First Jurhum falls under the category of ancient Arabs because none of them survived. The Second Jurhums are descents of this person, Jurhum bin Qahtan. The son of Qahtan whose name was Ya'arob began to rule Yemen in Southern Arabian Peninsula. He also appointed his sibling to be king in Hejaz.          

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

Islam: Key to Perfection

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

Just listened to a short tadzkirah (reminder), as always delivered by brother Syeikh Abu Khalid from Medina University after Taraweekh and Witr prayer services. I had slightly changed the topic, it should be Islam is the key to paradise. I know few people do not really care about paradise but that is the promise of Allah. I don't think it is wrong as it is the sign of Allah's mercy, but people have different understanding regarding the reward and meritorious deed because it is also related to pure sincerity in worship according to their understanding.

It says that whomever choosing paths other than Islam, then they will be losers in this world and hereafter. Islam is His greatest grace to human and other creatures in the universe. In millions of human-being, Allah had chosen our soul to be Muslims. There are also millions of people who are not Muslims as they do not know about Islam or do not accept it due to misunderstanding. Islam is the path of our forefathers. I still remember I read in glorious Quran last few nights before sleeping. It says that our beloved patriarch, Abraham may peace be showered upon his soul had said his will to his children Ismael and Isaac, peace be upon them both.  It also applies to Jacob whom is also known with his other name, Israel.

Says Allah in glorious Quran reckoning our patriach's will to his sons: "And Abraham had his will to his sons, and also to Jacob. (Abraham said): "Dear sons! Indeed the God had chosen for you this path, thus do not you die except as muslims." (surah al-Baqarah: 132)

Allah also orders us to be in submittance in the path in which He says: "Dear faithfuls! Fear the God in the real sense, and do not you die except as muslims." (surah aali-Imran: 102)

In this sense, brother syeikh, said that it is not enough by physically being a Muslim. We look like a Muslim in front of others with Muslim name like Abdul Malik, Abdul Kareem, Muhammad, Othman, and others. But we do not follow the code of law taught by Allah in His glorious teachings. Many Muslims do not follow Quran and Sunnah (prophetic line traditions). It is not enough with Islamic names. We must make sure that we spiritually and physically practise Islam in our way to the abode of peace. 

There are two conditions for the perfection in submission to Him:

1. Niyyah which implies that we have to be sincere in our act of worship and life. It begins with sincere intention for Allah. We perform everything only for Allah and hoping to see Him.

2. Mutabi'ah which signifies that we follow the prophetic line tradition. This is what Muslims always talk about when performing act of worship including our daily life. We must make sure that we have evidence for everything that we perform. Do not do something out of prophetic tradition line in our daily life. We may consult evidences from tradition experts or ulamas (religiously knowledgeable persons) to confirm everything. 

We ask the God: "please forgive us our sins and errors. Make us firm in our path and give us strength to perform the covenant. Salvate us from the torment in hell and also salvate our parents and brethren through the God's mercy." Sealed with prayers for peace, mercy, and love, amin!!! 

Introducing Islam to Others

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

What we have tonight for a short tadzkirah (reminders) session after Taraweekh sunnah service? Let us check up our Quran translation and exegesis for a moment. Open up surah al-An'am in our glorious Quran as these two verses are from the same surah...

So whoever by the God's wills to guide, He opens his chest to Islam and whoever He wills to send astray, He makes his chest closed and constricted as he is climbing up to the sky. That is how the God puts His wrath on those who have no faith 125

Among crucial part in the law of life is the faith to Him and His messengers. Our task is to introduce the Path to others, but the guidance is not in our hands. It is His will as it is only through His decree that anyone who listens the verses would silently having a deep thought. 

Those who have no faith are actually in His wrath without they realize it. These people receive not His mercy... how sorry they are... That is why, it would be hard for them to understand nor having a deep thought on His words over simple matters. No matter how hard we try to talk about His Existence, His Greatness, or His Grace, those who have no faith would never come to believe as it is difficult for them just like they are climbing up to the sky. The obstacles such as egoism or attachment to worldly matters (idolatries) that prohibits them from coming close though it is just a simple thing : )

Another notion for this simply is that, guidance is His right. It is not our right although we are obliged to orally or verbally introduce His noble Path to our friends and brothers in humanity through wisdom and proposed manner.

And this Path of your Lord the straight one. Indeed We had explained our verses (proves) for those who take heed (reciting the verses) 126

This verse further explains that our task is to bring together people who take heed and already recited with deep thought the verses of glorious Quran and benefit from it with practices of noble life. People who recite and practice His teachings will be granted the abode of peace.

What is abode of peace dear brethren? It is the jannah (paradise) promised by the Lord of Mercy. It is granted to His servants because of the noble conduct, good deeds, charity, chastity and great faith toward the God the Most Highest. - Brother Syeikh Abu Khalid, Medina al-Munawwarah; 12 Ramadan 1432 H; USM Mosque, Penang Island 

Sealed with prayers for peace, mercy, and love for brethren in faith and humanity, amin!

Memorizing Invocations from the Glorious Quran II

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah!

Ok we continue with other supplications. As always please check the Arabic version in our kitab, I include for everyone the reference verse so everyone may recite the verses both in Arabic and in our own language. Make sure to recite all of these at the good times to make supplications.

Thus the God will suffice you against them. And He is the all-Hearer, the all-Knower.

(al-Baqarah 137)

Those who are afflicted by the calamity, say: Indeed! To the God we belong, and indeed to Him we shall return.

(al-Baqarah 156)

Our Lord! Give us in this world the goodness and in the hereafter goodness and save us from the torment of Fire!

(al-Baqarah 250)

Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the Path) after You have guided us, and guide us Your mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.

(aali-'Imraan 8)

Jot them down in clean papers and memorize in the mosque or while we are alone in 'uzlah (isolation). This state is to purify our mind and soul, many tests will come to us. Sometimes I also feel like I just want to die because it is unbearable, but we must keep in mind that we're in the period of tests. He loves us, that's why He tests us :'(

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

Ayatul Kursi

With the Name of the God, the Most Merciful the Most Beneficent!

Ayatul Kursi is another name for the verse 255 of surah al-Baqarah. We always recite this verse after al-Fatihah during ma'athurat recitation and supplications after salaat. How does it mean? To check the meaning, please click on the link given and we may also learn how to recite it and memorize it in no time. Don't wait, but quickly memorize the verse because it is very useful and beneficial for beloved brothers and sisters in faith.

Ayatul Kursi

When the verse is revealed to the holy prophet Muhammad (saw) in celestial form, angels of the God too following the verse due to its greatness and noble quality. The Devil and demons began to feel uneasy and they were so afraid of it because the verse is becoming the threat for their evil works in deviating the sons of Adam.

After it was imparted into the heart and the soul of the holy prophet Muhammad (saw), he immediately ordered Zaid bin Tsabit to write it down when he recites it through his tongue and teaching it to every believer. Anyone who recites this verse with concentration after every five times daily prayer services, each time he went out or entering their houses or beginning their travel, the Lord will protect him from the whisper of satans, the Lord will protect him and his family from the tyranny of villains, He will protect he who recites this his possessions, and He will protect the person who invokes Him from being harmed by wild animals or climate, His will.

From Asraarul Mufidah, "anyone who practices the recitation of this verse 18 times in his daily life, the Lord would open up his heart and soul to various of wisdoms, his sustainance will be in every direction, the Lord will protect him in the society and safe from disaster, with His permission.

Abu 'Abbas explained that whoever recites the verse 50 times and blowing his breath to the rain water, later drinking the water, His will that the Lord will make it easy for him to receive knowledge and wisdom. For everyone to practice this very basic thing, we may also check the hadith by the holy prophet Muhammad (saw) where he said: "Anyone who returns home and reciting ayatul kursi, the God will help banish poverty in front of his eyes. Anyone from my nation (the nations of the end of the world) who recites it 12 times on Friday morning and prays two units optional prayer service, the God will protect him from the wickedness of satans and officials." 

The benefits of zealously reciting this verse with great concentration on the meaning are that:

1. The God would love him and protects him as it is amongst the sunnah of prophet Muhammad when it is mentioned in the hadith.

2. Those who practice frequent recitation of this verse will get the help of the God and protected from the whispers and disturbance of satans.

3. For safe journey and travel.

4. Chase away harmful evil spirits like demons or those creatures of the God whom are not visible to physical eyes.

5. Moving into new house, recite the verse at least 100 times for the God to bless the house and protecting it from possessed by the invisibles.

6. The God would send representatives whom are His two angels to protect a person who recites ayatul kursi before sleeping until the sunrise.

7. Those who recite the verse after every obligatory daily prayer will be protected from the time they recite it to another coming obligatory prayer service time.

8. The God would also protect the neighbor and people around those who recite the verse.

9. He will grant those who recite the verse a grateful heart of the righteous, the merits of the prophets of the God, and the God will grant His grace to them.

10. The God Himself will send 70,000 angels to pray for the sin of the person who recite the verse to be forgiven and pray for his well-being and He will help the person if he has difficulties in life if he recite the verse as a supplication.

As what had been reported by Abdullah bin 'Amr (ra): "spread my messages to others although it is just a word..." It is our responsibility to help spreading the message to others so everyone may receive protection and salvation of the Holy God. Please help teach others when brothers and sisters have free time and may everyone receive the merit from the God, amin.

May the God help us and make us easy in memorizing His beautiful words. May He grants us wisdom in the most fun and easy way. Sealed with prayers for peace and love, amin!

Al-Fatihah

In the Name of Allah the Most Merciful the Most Beneficent!

Peace be upon brothers and sisters in faith may everyone in good condition and health. In filling our times with beneficial activities, it is also best to be practiced where we try to translate the meaning of the verses in the glorious Quran and the we may memorize the verses with understanding. We may do it in our free time.

What is al-Fatihah? Al-Fatihah is the beginning of the glorious Quran and the opening of every session of the recitation. It is also an invocation to the Most Merciful Lord for healing when we are in illnesses and very basic. How does it mean?

"In the Name of the God the Most Merciful the Most Beneficent 1 All of the praises belong to the God of the Universe 2 The Most Merciful and the Most Beneficent 3 The King of the Day of Religion 4 Only You that we worship and only You that we follow 5 Show us the straight path 6 The path where You had agreed upon and not the path of those who had caused Your wrath and the path of those who went astray 7 Aamin!"

So this is basically how it means. We recite this supplication and surah (divine letter) during our daily five obligatory prayer services and also in other optional prayer services before we begin with any other divine letters. Some people might also chant this supplication to heal diseases but the power of healing is not in the letter but depends on the God Himself where He is the One who heals. 

This is a very nice surah and we may also recite the surah seven times when we ask something from the Lord.  In prayer services, make sure that we memorize and recite the arabic text and understand the meanings in our own languages. 

It is so much fun, try it yourselves. You will see the difference although with hard works. I wish everyone good luck in the quest strengthening the faith and seeking knowledge, may He be pleased with everyone. 

May everyone receive the benefits from this simple surah (divine letter) and would practice it in the daily life. May He guide us always with His light. Aamin!  

Four Characteristics

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

It is undeniable that a man undergoes the life in the earth are flawed by the sins no matter major or minor ones. That is the reason why we could see vices, evil, and disobedience happen around us. According to glorious Quran, human are generally weak and could naturally being conquered by their own desire. But that is not a practical excuse for human to continue committing sin.

A faithful servant of the Lord are obliged to comply within the orders of the Lord delivered through the tongue of His prophet and messenger. A faithful servant would strive hard refusing evil desires and trying to avoid committing sinful acts or disobedience. 

The glorious Quran has also describe that those who refuse to obey the Lord would always be doomed and condemned under His wrath. They would surely receive bitter punishment in the hereafter. It suits those who violates His rules and law since a faithful servant and slaves of Him should never breaking the boundaries set by Him. 

The Lord says in Surah Maryam 19:70-72 translated as: "And certainly we know best those who are the most worthy to be burned therein 70 None of you but will pass over it: this is with your Lord a decree which must be accomplished 71 But that We shall save those who protects themselves against evil, and We shall leave the wrongdoers therein, (humbled down) to their knees 72"

According to honorable Imam al-Ghazali, sinful acts and disobedience happened due to four characteristics possessed by oneself summed as: 

I. Sifaat Rubbubiyah (Divine Characteristics)

II. Sifaat Shaytaniyah (Satanic Characteristics)

III. Sifat Bahimiyyah (Bestial Characteristics)

IV. Sifat Subu'iyyah (Ferocious Characteristics)

Divine characteristics happens when a person behave with the characters of the God. Human are slaves of the God and are not qualified to possess any of the divine characteristics such as takabbur (arrogance), longing for praises, or longing for being looked upon by the society. These characteristics in divine characteristics are only for the God not for human.

Satanic characteristics happens when feeling such as jealousy and hoax acts exists in one self. These feelings and characters could determine one self into disobedience and committing evil. As an example, Adam (as) was cast out from the paradise to being hoaxed by the Devil.

Bestial characteristics is signified by sub-characters such as greedy, conquered by the desire of stomach, heaping wealth according to desire, and others. Ferocity characteristics created acts such as irritability, vengeance, killing, violating, or cursing others.

All of these are the summary of the sifat mazmumah (evil characteristics) that we had discussed earlier. They are the factors that determines a man toward committing sinful acts and disobedience. If he leaves it without being cured, then his own evil characters would destroy him. Sin is like the poison and toxic in a human body. It would dissolve the whole body and could be fatal without any curing steps.  

If a person does not repent to Him from his sin, the sin would spread wide and become dangerous to his faith. It certainly would threaten his safety in the hereafter. A faithful servant and slave of the Lord must always observe and obey the order and the prohibition of the God. The God supports human with senses that could be used in order to think on their own and choosing either to perform righteousness or committing sin.

It should also be taken to the note that sinful matters are not those that could be underestimated by everyone of us. In fact, it needs us to be really careful in our daily acts and speeches. We certainly do not want them to haunt us in the hereafter. The whole short human life is a golden opportunity for human to perform charity and righteousness as many as possible before the death comes knocking the door. So, we should not always being in the comfort zone thinking that if we could escape earthly punishment and there would be no other punishment waiting for us. There still are torments and punishments waiting us in the hereafter.

The world is just a temporary stage for us to perform obedience to Him through His mercy which are the messengers of Him. We are responsible in avoiding defaults and other adverse actions. Pray for forgiveness from Him and repent while accumulating boons as they are those which could save us when we are assembled for the judgement in the hereafter. 

Says the God further in Surah Maryam 19:80-87

"To Us shall return all that he talks of and he shall appear before Us bare and alone 80 And they have taken (for worship) gods other than the God, to give them power and glory 81 Instead, they (those gods) shall reject their worship but will become adversaries against them 82 Don't you see that We have set the evil ones on against the non-believers to incite them with fury 83 So make no haste against them, for We but count out to them a (limited) number (of days) 84 The day We shall gather the righteous to (the God) the Most Gracious, like a band presented before a King for honors 85 And We shall drive the sinners into the hell like thirsty cattle driven down into the water 86 None shall have the power of intercession but such one who has received permission (promise) from the God the Most Gracious 87"

Allah please forgive us our sins, and our parents, and for the muslims male and female. And forgive the sins of those faithfuls to You dead or alive. With Your grace the One who is full of Grace! Sealed with prayers for love and peace, amin!

Surah Luqman: Resurrection and Burden of Sins

With the Name of the God, the Most Merciful, the Most Beneficent!

The Lord says: "And those who reject (the faith) thus do not you grieve (dear Muhammad) due to his rejection. To Us is their returning place and We shall tell them the truth of their deeds: for the God knows well that is in men's hearts." (Luqman 31:23)

The verse is about the reality that everyone shall be resurrected. Every human, genie, and animal shall be resurrected by the God and they will bear the burden of their deeds on their own shoulder. The resurrection in the day of judgement is a reality but it is beyond the reach of any scientific experiment. The experiments for this are not important due to our curiosity. 

We have faith in this since it is mentioned by the Lord through revelation in His verses since there are matters that could not be proven through scientific experiments but there are also some which could be experimented through scientific approaches. The resurrection and the day of judgement is beyond the universe.

Prophet 'Uzair (Ezra) had once asked the archangel Gabriel may the Lord be please with them both, whether a saint could help his brothers who are cruel to others and himself during the judgement of the Lord? It was narrated that the noble archangel replied that nobody would be pleased to bear the burden of others' sins during their life. So, could anyone of us bears the burden of his brothers and sisters sins?!!!

Thus said prophet Muhammad (saw): "a person who guides others toward righteousness, his merit would be available ever since those persons guided practicing his teachings. While those who taught others evil, his sins will keep flowing to the resurrection without any deduction." And the Lord knows well!

O Lord our God, You are the Most Merciful lift us up from the torments. We are just Your weak creatures dependent to You. Forgives us our sins please let us have the chance to purify ourselves. Glorious be the Lord of the Universe, the Most Compassionate above all forever, amin!!!