Donald Trump’s books such as Think Big And Kick Ass placed strong emphasis on positive thinking. If you flip through the pages, he’s merely echoing what Islam has taught us. On the contrary, in this article, the author presents the ”positive vs negative” discussion from a spiritual point of view. Look our for “peace slayers” or attributes which can ruin your inner peace and how to rectify them. Definitely a much needed reminder for me. Hope it brings some benefit to you as well! May Allah fill our lives with positivity in this very much negative world.

Masyaallah, I can never get enough of Habib Ali. May Allah protect and preserve our scholars.

December holidays are coming to a close. Some went to Korea (not sure north or south), New Zealand, Japan, Langkawi and many other places. I hope you guys returned home feeling fresher and ready to take on 2012! I’m sure you’ve heard of this word; it’s everywhere! Resolutions. Yes, what are yours? Do you even set them?

The Friday khutbahs leading up to the new year has been all about reflection. Yes, an honest (and I mean brutally honest… so stop lying to make yourself feel good) assessment of oneself is a start of improvement. I think a new year’s resolution is unrealistic; a more attainable target will be a weekly or even daily reflection and targets for the next day. What have I done today that I can improve on tomorrow? Was I feeling lazy these few days and slept all the way through the cool weather? If such circumstances arise in the future, how can I switch to being productive instead and fully utilise my time? Small changes like this can make a big impact to our lives as we strive to be better Muslims.

Oh well, speaking of lazy, I’ve got a dua to share with all of you but the source is in Malay (Google translation!). Check this out. I’d strongly encourage everyone (including myself of course) to memorise this and many other short and simple duas. Why not make a resolution now? Study 1 simple dua - find out it’s sources, asbabul nuzul and etc once a week. By the end of the month, you would have memorized 4 duas already.

Whatever your targets are, remember that Allah alone can guide and move you to achieve them. Ask him for guidance, strong character, strength and energy so that you can reach for the stars and be the best Muslim you can ever be.

Something I’d like to share.

Piles of Stuff: A Reflection on Consumerism | MuslimMatters.org.

الحمدللهربالعلمين

Ramadhan graced and left just as quickly. It felt as if it was just last week that I went to Abg Samad’s house to welcome the Imam Huffaz. I remembered we had steaks and then sat in the living room to pass the SIM cards to them. It was the first of the blessed nights to come. What better way to welcome Ramadhan than to catch up with old friends and bask in their knowledge and blessings.

The next few nights were spent with them as I helped them out with daily chores and what nots. After solat Teraweeh, we’d go back to the “container” to have supper. As the days passed by, we had more supper outside with the jemaah, some of them whom I had known and deeply respected.  We also did something different this year and recorded a few songs semi-professionally. It was all well done and I’m glad we were able to have it for keeps.

Throughout the month, I had the oppotunity to meet up with people. There were a few who came back from studying overseas and I listened to every story they had to tell. Whenever there are school breaks in Madina, students will rush to sign up for 3-months course to memorise the Quran. So all they do is live and breathe the Quran everyday. And their reward – having the Quran etched in memory. I felt supercharged and inspired after that and it further strengthen my resolve to study abroad; the world is not limited to Singapore anyway.

As Eid Fitr drew closer, their departure dates came closer as well. It was hard to imagine not having them around. I’ll definitely miss their laughter, their advice, how they handled difficult sitiuations with great patience. They were always there to give you a spiritual and mental lift whenever you need it. It’s ironic that the people you see everyday just don’t have as much positive impact in your life.

I am very confident… confident that Allah loves you - One of the Imam Huffaz who knew about my troubles.

May Allah reunite us again very soon, if not here in the highest levels of paradise.
May Allah bless us with many many more Ramadhans.
May Allah grant us all of our dua.
Ameen!

What would your reaction be?

I want to be a cleaner when I grow up.

This video’s not for the faint hearted.

Cruelty has no place in society.

And We have sent you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): not but as a mercy for the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).
(  سورة الأنبياء  , Al-Anbiya, Chapter #21, Verse #107)

We’ve heard this ayat many times but how have we (first and foremost me) have we applied this to our daily lives? Man has taken a huge leap (not step) backwards into the jahiliyyah (ignorance) ages. Rasulullah SAW radiated love and peace and had never done a single act of cruelty but the ummah (everyone) is doing the opposite. If there’s anyone who has the intention to put someone, be it a person or animal, through trouble and pain, know that you are dealing with His creation.

Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
(  سورة آل عمران  , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #31)

I’m sure you’ve heard cats’ ears being stapled, or their heads chopped off. Worse, there was a cat who had his whole body covered with masking tape. Those acts are far far from the teachings of Allah SWT and His Beloved. Love His creation and He will love you. In this age of fast food, billboard ads, casinos and what nots, it seems like being nasty is okay. What we lack is deep understanding of the sirah, how the Messenger SAW interacted with the sahabahs, with strangers and even with his enemies. And how can we forget that hadith about the man who went to a well to collect water for a thirsty dog.

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “While a man was walking on a road. he became very thirsty. Then he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. The man said to himself “This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I did.” So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it in his mouth and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him.” The people asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?” He said, “(Yes) There is a reward for serving any animate (living being) .”  (Sahih Bukhari Book #73, Hadith #38)

It’s just a dog, but his sins were forgiven. That small act of kindness towards animals and your sins are forgiven. Can you get a better deal than that?

It’s about time the authorities and individuals step up to our name of best ummah. There’s no better time than now to practice the teachings of Allah SWT and Rasulullah SAW. Just like the song from the Black Eyed Peas, where is the love???