Just A Thought (Part 1)

i was like being struck by a lighting. i was sure so sure that what i was doing the right thing because i thought that i was showing a good example to others and yet something just did not feel right. Was Allah trying to tell i something...? Something that i should have realized a long time ago...That's when this "thought" came.

As a normal child growing up in a big family and being surrounded with friends who were normal and a family who withheld tradition strong, it was typical to have certain things which we think looked "acceptable" in that surrounding. So, it was normal to see single relatives bring along their "special ones" to social gatherings. Often, i would be asked by normal uncles or aunties whether i had a special one or not. Not only by them but also by i's cousins and friends.

Television also played its role. There would be movies, dramas, cartoons & adverts which contributed to i's development. i was seeing and believing. This was the situation.

Read On......

Saying Goodbyes...

What is Halal is clear and what is Haram is clear. Midway between them are things which people do not know whether they are Halal or Haram. He who keeps away from them will protect his religion and will be saved. He who aproaches them is very near to Haram, like a shepherd wandering his flock near Hima (protected grazing land), who could soon enter the forbidden area, and Allah's protected area is what He has declared forbidden.”

People often say goodbyes to their loved ones, families, relatives and friends. But how often do people say goodbye to their favorite food or drinks, singers or actors, idols, sport or games, outfit, habits and social gatherings? Not very often. Because our minds have been "poisoned" with the food we ate, the carbonated drinks we sipped, the singers and idols we exalted, the actors we jacked so high up, the sports and games we played even when Allah is calling (azan) and the undoubtedly unlawful friendly environment we all involved in.

Usually, that is how neglectful, ignorant, naive and stubborn humans can be and they will continue to sail over the rough seas in their shameless dingy vessel until death becomes of them or when they are encountered with something remorsefully tragic or when Allah's guidance sinks in. (read between the lines).

Enough!! I DON'T want to listen to this ####!!
If you want to preach, got the mosque, I'm sure there will be someone there will be glad to listen to your poems!!!

That is our nafs (lust) shouting. Since our mind and body has been poisoned, it often fights back and will try to be more defensive towards the truth (the reality of things). Naturally, we like to hear what our nafs is whispering. Little did we know what our nafs works hand in hand with satan and these two will try to deject the little solemn voice that says, "hmm..this isn't right, I shouldn't even be here" or "hmm..is this halal..should we just leave?" or "[pause]...I think Allah's wrath will come running if I do this".

I just can't help it, the temptation is TOO strong and besides, everyone else is eating/doing it, so why can't I!?

Sad but true, muslims themselves are overwhelmed by this overpowering force that caused us to be caught in many situations where "if you're not in it, then you're just out of date" or "you're such an anti-social person, I don't wanna befriend you anymore". Even with the little knowledge that we have and the environment we are in, can we really blame ourselves for our won actions and behaviors? Despite that we are all trapped...

Is it over...? I REALLY wish there was something I can do to change the way I am..I REALLY DO.. *sad*

Changing isn't easy. It takes a lot of patience & willpower. Our mindset needs to be clear as well, and at the back of our mind, we need to be confident that Allah is with us (as He always is), He is with those who are willing to help themselves and with those who cleanse themselves for the better and believe that there is life after death and those who does good for His sake will be returned to paradise for eternity and those who does evil will also be "rewarded" and have fiery flames as their roof, their walls and their floors.

The first thing is to tune back our mind to channel Islam. We need to make sure that all we do is in accordance with the principles and laws of Allah. We need to reject SLOWLY the things we are unsure of, the things we have made us lost and the things which have made us once ungrateful servants of God. We need to filter our the negativities and bring in the history of pioneers of Islam. And we need to make Prophet Muhammad as the person we look up to. Not some swanky beat down celebs. It needs to be clear because we want to go straight this time, not left or right. Also, we sure don't want our lust to take over our mind and corrupt THE PLAN.

The second thing is to change our eating habits because food provides the necessary proteins and energy to our body. If we don't eat, our body gets weak (just as people in Palestine, may Allah save them all) and moody. And when our body is weak, our mind can't think straight. Great care needs to be taken here. Based from hadeeth mentioned earlier, what is haram is clear and what is "in between", is better avoided. They are the things which are unsure of. Humans will naturally tricked into believing that whenever there's a label "HALAL", its halal. Well, not necessarily. We need to look at the companies and pepole who makes them and as we all know, most multinational producers are owned by jews. They are owners of MAGGI (nestle), MILO, COKE, MIRINDA, Marks & Spencer, Self-fridge, kitkat, cadbury and many more [the lists can be gotten here. These are the kind of food we need to avoid not because we need to but we HAVE TO.

We also need to avoid restaurants which have non-muslims as their cook / chef, non-muslims as the bosses (managers) and "so-called-muslims" as their waitresses. Why? Because Allah only accepts what is pure. Based from the hadeeth:

“Verily Allah the Exalted is pure. He does not accept but that which is pure. Allah commands the believers with what He commanded the Messengers. Allah the Almighty has said: "O you Messengers! Eat of the good things and act righteously" [23:51-53]. And Allah the Almighty also said: "O you who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided you with" [2:167-172]. Then he (the Prophet) mentioned (the case of) the man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who stretches out his hands to the sky (saying): "O Lord! O Lord!" (while) his food was unlawful, his drink was unlawful, his clothing was unlawful, and he is nourished with unlawful things, so how can he be answered?”

The third component that we need to take care of is our soul. Just like our body, our soul needs to be fed as well. We need to feed our soul with a lot of readings and remembrance of Allah. We can read books written by great muslim scholars as well as non-muslim once, just as long as its beneficial to the development and progression of Islam. But the most important that we all should read is The Qu'ran (Kitabullah) and the Prophet Hadeeths [just be sure its sohih (genuine)]. This way our soul will be enriched and nourished. That way, we would be somewhat better than the rest (but not to be proud) and complete.

"O Ka’b b. Ujrah, no flesh which was nourished on ill-gotten gains will enter Paradise, as the Hellfire is more deserving of it.” (Related by Ahmad)

So, when are you going to say YOUR goodbyes?

Read On......

Bumi sebagai Kenderaan

Wahai manusia! Sesungguhnya engkau sentiasa berpenat-lelah (menjalankan keadaan hidupmu) dengan sedaya upayamu hinggalah (semasa engkau) kembali kepada Tuhanmu, kemudian engkau tetap menemui balasan apa yang engkau telah usahakan itu (tercatit semuanya). [Al-Insyiqaaq: 5]

Segala puji dan syukur kepada Allah di atas ni'mat yang diberikan tanpa mengenakan sebarang bayaran ataupun upah. Udara, bumi, langit, gravity, siang & malam adalah di antara ni'mat-ni'mat Tuhan yang sangat berharga sehinggakan manusia sendiri tidak dapat menaruh harga kepada makhluk2 (ciptaan) Allah tersebut.

Tanpa kita sedari, kita sekarang seperti berada di atas kapal terbang yang besar yang memuatkan semua manusia yang hidup ataupun yang sudah pergi dan akan mendarat dalam jangka masa yang tidak di ketahui. Tapi ketahuilah wahai manusia yang mempunyai akal, kita PASTI akan mendarat. Samaada kita suka ataupun tidak...

Kadang2, kebanyakan daripada kita hanyut dengan keseronokan dunia sedangkan keseronokan yang ada di dunia adalah terlalu sedikit berbanding dengan ni'mat atau kesenangan yang akan kita peroleh di akhirat kelak. Terlalu banyak manusia yang sudah / telah & akan mengadaikan jiwa, harta, raga dan agama mereka demi mencari ni'mat dunia. Maruah dan harga diri tidak dipadang indah lagi bagi manusia kebanyakan kerana kebanyakan daripada manusia akan lebih suka kepada perkara2 yang menunjukkan perangai seperti binatang atau lebih rendah daripada itu.

Jika kita perhatikan manusia yang kufur kepada ni'mat Allah baik dari segi perbuatan, percakapan dan tingkah laku akan merasa senang apabila mereka mendapat ni'mat dan akan merasakan dirinya sudah di"mulia"kan dan akan merasa dirinya dihina oleh Tuhan apabila bencana yang menimpa. Ini adalah bertepatan dengan firman Allah. [89: 15-16]

Perlu diketahui bahawa apa jua kebaikan mahupun kesusahan yang menimpa diri anak adam (manusia semua) adalah cobaan yang datang dari Allah. Sebagai contoh, orang kebanyakan mungkin akan merasakan bahawa jika seseorang itu gagal dalam peperiksaan adalah sesuatu yang tidak baik (musibah) dan orang2 sekeliling pula akan mengatakan bahawa kita adalah orang yang bodoh dan tidak pandai belajar. Sebaliknya, jika seseorang itu lulus dalam sesuatu ujian dan mendapat keputusan yang cemerlang, orang2 sekeliling pula akan mengucapkan tahniah dan besar kemungkinan akan mendapat pujian seperti, "kau seorang yang pintar, aku suka sama kamu" atau "tahniah diatas kejayaanmu".

Dua scenario di atas menggambarkan betapa ceteknya akal manusia dan betapa jahilnya orang kebanyakan (tidak semestinya orang miskin/susah/kaya). Tidaklah Allah menimpakan manusia itu dengan cobaan tanpa sesuatu sebab dan setiap kejadian yang menimpa ada hikmah yang tersembunyi. Berbalik kepada scenario pertama tadi, orang yang sedikit akan mengucapkan tahniah kepada orang yang gagal tadi bukan di atas kegagalannya, akan tetapi di atas usaha yang sudah diberikannya*. Dia akan menyatakan bahawa orang yang gagal tadi patut bersyukur kerana besar kemungkinan jika dia beroleh kejayaan, akan timbul pula rasa ujub, takbur dan ria. [Orang yang seperti ini tidak akan masuk syurga berdasarkan hadis Nabi yang kira2 bermaksud, "tidak akan masuk syurga orang yang mempunyai sedikit sifat sombong". Wallahu'alam.

Bagi scenario kedua, fikirkanlah....

*tertakluk kepada niat

Read On......

Tiada Awan

Syukur kita panjatkan kepada Tuhan di atas ni'mat dunia yang ada penghujung dan harapan kita tadahkan agar nanti, Dia memberikan kita ni'mat syurga yang tiada berkesudahan. Tiada siapa yang mampu melawan kuasa-Nya dan tiada siapa yang mampu menandingi-Nya. Tiada Tuhan selain Dia dan Dia Kekal untuk selama-lamanya.

Awan adalah suatu ciptaan agung yang Allah ciptakan untuk menghiasi langit yang terbentang luas. Ianya diciptakan agar manusia memerhatikan betapa sempurna, halusnya ciptaan Allah dan terutama sekali agar kita mendapat petunjuk daripada. Terdapat beberapa faedah yang dapat kita ambil daripada awan. Salah satu daripadanya ialah bagaimana Allah menciptakan awan tersebut agar manusia dapat mengetahui samaada hari akan hujan atau tidak. Tapi perlu diingat bahawa awan yang mendung tidak bererti hujan kerana Allah berkuasa melakukan apa yang Dia kehendaki.

Manusia secara tabi'at semula-jadi akan mencari tempat untuk berselindung & berteduh. Semasa bekerja, beriadah, semasa beratur digarisan yang panjang dan sebagainya. Kita selalunya akan pergi ke tempat-tempat yang teduh di mana tiada cahaya matahari yang menyinar dan kita dapat berselindung daripada terik matahari terutama sekali semasa matahari berada di atas kepala (tengah hari). Di saat inilah manusia akan lari mencari tempat yang berhawa dingin, tempat yang boleh membuatkan kita merasa sejuk buat seketika. Restoran-restoran dan tempat kedai-kedai makan / minum yang tidak mempunyai alat hawa dingin akan lingkup kerana persekitaran mereka yang panas. Awan berfungi sedemikian rupa kerana tanpa awan, kita akan tidak dapat tahan hidup di dunia ini kerana panas matahari dunia.

Di dunia, manusia dapat lari dan mencari tempat berlindung daripada cahaya panas matahari dan dari masalah-masalah peribadi. Perlu diingat bahawa semasa di padang mashyar nanti, matahari akan berada sejengkal dari atas kepala kita dan kita tidak akan dapat lari pada masa itu kerana semua manusia akan hirau / resah dengan keadaan mereka masing-masing. Mereka akan tengelam dalam peluh mereka sendiri. Melekat & busuk. Inilah balasan bagi mereka yang tidak peduli / mengendahkan perintah Allah dan melakukan dosa dan maksiat semasa di dunia.

Sebaliknya, bagi mereka yang mengerjakan amal-amal kebajikan dan melakukan semua kewajipan dan sedaya upaya meninggalkan SEMUA kemungkaran kerana ALLAH akan berteduh di bawah pokok yang rendang dan angin yang sayu menyejukkan badan mereka. Wallahu'alam.

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Tahlil (dalam Bahasa Indonesia)

Berikut ini penulis bawakan sejumlah pendapat Ulama-ulama Syafi’iyah tentang masalah dimaksud, yang penulis kutip dari kitab-kitab Tafsir, Kitab-kitab Fiqih dan Kitab-kitab Syarah hadits, yang penulis pandang mu’tabar (dijadikan pegangan) di kalangan pengikut-pengikut madzhab Syafi’i.

1. Pendapat Imam As-Syafi’i rahimahullah.

Imam An-Nawawi menyebutkan di dalam Kitabnya, SYARAH MUSLIM, demikian. “Artinya : Adapaun bacaan Qur’an (yang pahalanya dikirimkan kepada mayit), maka yang masyhur dalam madzhab Syafi’i, tidak dapat sampai kepada mayit yang dikirimi.

Sedang dalilnya Imam Syafi’i dan pengikut-pengikutnya, yaitu firman Allah (yang artinya), ‘Dan seseorang tidak akan memperoleh, melainkan pahala usahanya sendiri’, dan sabda Nabi Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam (yang artinya), ‘Apabila manusia telah meninggal dunia, maka terputuslah amal usahanya, kecuali tiga hal, yaitu sedekah jariyah, ilmu yang dimanfaatkan dan anak yang shaleh (laki/perempuan) yang berdo’a untuknya (mayit)”. (An-Nawawi, SYARAH MUSLIM, juz 1 hal. 90).

Juga Imam Nawawi di dalam kitab Takmilatul Majmu’, Syarah Madzhab mengatakan.

“Artinya : Adapun bacaan Qur’an dan mengirimkan pahalanya untuk mayit dan mengganti shalatnya mayit tsb, menurut Imam Syafi’i dan Jumhurul Ulama adalah tidak dapat sampai kepada mayit yang dikirimi, dan keterangan seperti ini telah diulang-ulang oleh Imam Nawawi di dalam kitabnya, Syarah Muslim”. (As-Subuki, TAKMILATUL MAJMU’ Syarah MUHADZAB, juz X, hal. 426).
(menggantikan shalatnya mayit, maksudnya menggantikan shalat yang ditinggalkan almarhum semasa hidupnya -pen).

2. Al-Haitami didalam Kitabnya, AL-FATAWA AL-KUBRA AL-FIGHIYAH, mengatakan demikian.

“Artinya : Mayit, tidak boleh dibacakan apapun, berdasarkan keterangan yang mutlak dari Ulama’ Mutaqaddimin (terdahulu), bahwa bacaan (yang pahalanya dikirmkan kepada mayit) adalah tidak dapat sampai kepadanya, sebab pahala bacaan itu adalah untuk pembacanya saja. Sedang pahala hasil amalan tidak dapat dipindahkan dari amil (yang mengamalkan) perbuatan itu, berdasarkan firman Allah (yang artinya), ‘Dan manusia tidak memperoleh, kecuali pahala dari hasil usahanya sendiri”. (Al-Haitami, AL-FATAWA AL-KUBRA AL-FIGHIYAH, juz 2, hal. 9).

3. Imam Muzani, di dalam Hamisy AL-UM, mengatakan demikian.

“Artinya : Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam memberitahukan sebagaimana yang diberitakan Allah, bahwa dosa seseorang akan menimpa dirinya sendiri seperti halnya amalan adalah untuk dirinya sendiri bukan untuk orang lain”. (Tepi AL-UM, AS-SYAFI’I, juz 7, hal.262).

4. Imam Al-Khuzani di dalam Tafsirnya mengatakan sbb.

“Artinya : Dan yang masyhur dalam madzhab Syafi’i, bahwa bacaan Qur’an (yang pahalanya dikirimkan kepada mayit) adalah tidak dapat sampai kepada mayit yang dikirimi”. (Al-Khazin, AL-JAMAL, juz 4, hal.236).

5. Di dalam Tafsir Jalalaian disebutkan demikian.

“Artinya : Maka seseorang tidak memperoleh pahala sedikitpun dari hasil usaha orang lain”. (Tafsir JALALAIN, 2/197).

6. Ibnu Katsir dalam tafsirnya TAFSIRUL QUR’ANIL AZHIM mengatakan (dalam rangka menafsirkan ayat 39 An-Najm).

“Artinya : Yakni, sebagaimana dosa seseorang tidak dapat menimpa kepada orang lain, demikian juga menusia tidak dapat memperoleh pahala melainkan dari hasil amalnya sendiri, dan dari ayat yang mulia ini (ayat 39 An-Najm),

Imam As-Syafi’i dan Ulama-ulama yang mengikutinya mengambil kesimpulan, bahwa bacaan yang pahalanya dikirimkan kepada mayit adalah tidak sampai, karena bukan dari hasil usahanya sendiri.

Oleh karena itu Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam tidak pernah menganjurkan umatnya untuk mengamalkan (pengiriman pahala bacaan), dan tidak pernah memberikan bimbingan, baik dengan nash maupun dengan isyarat, dan tidak ada seorang Sahabatpun yang pernah mengamalkan perbuatan tersebut, kalau toh amalan semacam itu memang baik, tentu mereka lebih dahulu mengerjakannya, padahal amalan qurban (mendekatkan diri kepada Allah) hanya terbatas yang ada nash-nashnya (dalam Al-Qur’an dan Sunnah Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) dan tidak boleh dipalingkan dengan qiyas-qiyas dan pendapat-pendapat”.

Demikian diantaranya pelbagai pendapat Ulama Syafi’iyah tentang TAHLILAN atau acara pengiriman pahala bacaan kepada mayit/roh, yang ternyata mereka mempunyai satu pandangan, yaitu bahwa mengirmkan pahala bacaan Qur’an kepada mayit/roh itu adalah tidak dapat sampai kepada mayit atau roh yang dikirimi, lebih-lebih lagi kalau yang dibaca itu selain Al-Qur’an, tentu saja akan lebih tidak dapat sampai kepada mayit yang dikirimi.

[Disalin dari buku Tahlilan dan Selamatan menurut Madzhab Syafi’i, oleh Drs Ubaidillah, hal. 8-15 terbitan Pustaka Abdul Muis - Bangil, tanpa tahun]

[Petikan daripada http://ainuamri.wordpress.com]

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That was fun

In the name of Allah, The Most Richest, The Most Forgiving. May Allah bless our beloved Prophet, his family, his companions and all those who sacrifice their time, money & sweat only for Allah's sake. We all will return to Him one day and all hidden agendas will suffice, all disguise will be unveiled and each cent will be accounted for.

Life on earth as we all know is a playground, a place where toddlers learn how to walk, to run or to jump. It is a place where we can temporarily enjoy what Allah had created for us. Unfortunately sometimes, majority of us (including muslims, let alone non-muslims) are having too much fun until we forget the real purpose on earth. We forget our purpose, our objective, the ULTIMATE reason why we are here. But really...can one have too much fun? The great calamity!!

Islam has taught its followers to do everything in moderation. That is how everything should be. In balance as opposed to imbalance. Weird how this world was seen as flat, weird how humans were said to have evolved from monkeys and weirder how people are easily get their ear red when their ego is challenged. If one knew how to find moderation in controlling emotions, everything will surpass. The question now is...do YOU know your purpose on earth?

Read On......

Overdose...

Sometimes blaming other people for our mistakes, errors, carelessness & stupidity just isn't morally correct [ethical]. But somehow it is seen as normal in a community where killers, rapists, time wasters, drug addicts, burglars, roam the busy roads, dark alleys and empty rooms. We live in a world where each and everyone of us carry responsibilities. Just as we will be during hereafter. Humans are typically irresponsible for their words and actions.

Pointing fingers, taking a fall, fault shifters or finding whose to blame are some of the reasons why humans can never develop and mature. Its never a good sign to find out that our friend blamed us for his mistakes. This happens everywhere. Like in accident. Who do we blame for a death of an innocent pedestrian or who do we point fingers to when a life is lost? Do we blame the car driver, do we blame the passenger for being to noisy or talkative or do we blame the authority for not putting sufficient road lights? The lists go on and there will be no stopping until someone will actually admit that its his or her fault why it all happened.

Our beloved Prophet was a perfect man who had everything under controlled. His enemies tried to device countless ways to deviate him or make him angry and history had witnessed heedless attempts to kill him. But instead of being killed, he maintained his composure and stay well above head when his loyal companions were up their knees to make some menace.

Prophet Muhammad had a female jew as a neighbour. One day, this woman made roasted lamb for The Apostle. Willingly, the Prophet accepted the dish and decided to eat it with some of his companions which were present at that time. Just when the Prophet was about to eat the lamb, the lamb suddenly spoke to the Prophet and said that the lamb was poisoned. One of his companion died not long after he ate the lamb. The prophet put down the lamb and asked one of his companions to summon the female jew. The Prophet then asked why did she do such a thing. The jew then answered, if you were not the genuine Prophet, you would have been killed just like your companion and that if you are a real Prophet, you will be protected by Allah and be given specialties. After that, the jew proclaimed her shahadah (there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger) and converted to islam.

A perfect strategy. The demonstration showed by Prophet Muhammad is what MADE islam great and that is why so many non-muslims were very keen in converting to Islam. Islam in the PAST HAD everything under its wing. We controlled the economy, finance, politics, science and so on. We had everything...Islam were at its peak. We were followed and copycat (ed). Its all gone now due to our own mistakes, poor judgements, little devotion to Allah, little reliance on the Qur'an and hadeeth. Instead of being followed, majority of muslims are now followers. We are like a piece of drawing canvas, we lay there and just wait for our time to be drawn and left to be hanged dry...

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Arsenal

Arsenal Football Club has just signed (26th February) a sponsorship deal to promote Israel as a tourist destination.

The £350,000 agreement makes Israel Arsenal's "official and exclusive travel destination." Israel will be featured on digital perimeter boards and 450 high-definition LCD screens at the stadium on game days.[1] The tourism ministry will also have access to the club's official website Arsenal.com, database and magazine to promote Israel as a holiday destination [2]

The televised ads will reach audiences of up to 700 million in an estimated 198 countries. The Israeli Tourism Ministry will also receive intellectual property rights, the use of the team logo and the right to use photos of the team and its players in ads. For an additional fee, Arsenal players will also appear in the ads.[3]

The deal doesn't stop with promoting Israel but actually grants Israel a physical presence in the stadium. The Israeli Tourism Ministry can use the stadium's banquet hall twice a year and can organize an exhibition at the end of the playing season.[3] The stadium will also feature permanent sales tables for t-shirts.[4]

The two-year sponsorship deal begins at the start of next football season in six months' time.

With the world boycotting Israel as a tourist destination Israeli tourism minister Abraham Hirchson admitted employing Ernst & Young financial advisers to help develop a new strategy to entice people to Israel. He estimated that the sponsorship deal will bring in an additional 2 million tourist to Israel annually.[3]

Arsenal's managing director, Keith Edelman at a press conference in Israel explained how Arsenal could help sell apartheid Israel: "We are the largest club in London and have 30 million fans around the world. We are in the forefront of the anti-racism campaign in England and have an excellent brand that can promote any product... we will assist Israel become a more popular destination". He also promised "when we find the time, club representatives and players will come to visit Israel,".[3]

The Jerusalem Post has hinted that Arsenal's chief shareholder, Danny Fiszman, vice chairman David Dein and managing director Edelman have used their Jewish backgrounds to steer the club towards Israeli causes including setting up football academies in Israel [3] at a time when when Palestinian children are routinely targeted by israeli snipers whilst they play football.[5]

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz confirmed this, quoting Uzi Gafni, a director of the Israeli Tourism ministry on the Arsenal deal as saying "I knew I needed someone with ties to Judaism, Edelman may not go to synagogue every Friday, but there are warm Jews at Arsenal who wanted to give something to Israel.".[6]
[source: http://inminds.co.uk/boycott-arsenal.html]

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Phatetic Youth

Thank you for the baggy pants that mopped our floors
Make sure don't leave a spot coz that'd be loss
You may think you're different but you're just the same
One in a million, more like nine tenth..

You are trying to hard to impress, what a mess
Wearing all that same shirt until it smells..yeesh
You spray it with a bottle of cheap perfume until
You feel dizzy from smelling your own stench

You're like a child kid, easily fascinated
Easily lured into the damaging culture of the tiny west
if you think they control what is here then
You must wait and see how will they react Then

What kind of world we live
Our kids playing with fire
But they don't know what comes after that

I don't need your lavish lifestyles to destroy our place
I don't need your addiction towards foolishness
You are poorest of poor coz not only
you've no money but you haven't got a price tag on

If someone dares to prove me wrong
Please do so coz I would bet but I don't
coz it's wrong so I won't but do go on
And please try to make it short and dont prolong

Your pace is slow, slower than turtles, slower than slugs
The future growth of this nation will be numb
The poor will start wearing shoes
And the rich will buy every inch of the land

Don't look at me like that coz you don't owe me
I don't see you givin' dontions or even alms-giving (zakat)
You despise those who are nice to you
Not because they're actors but they are trying to help you

What kind of world we live
Our kids playing with fire
But they don't know what's the consequence

AIG (Allah is GREAT!)

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What Just Happened?

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Passionate. May Allah showers peace and blessings upon our beloved Prophet. May The Most Powerful grants us strength to defeat those who makes Islam a mockery delight. Only Allah can save one from threats and dangers around us. You can run and hide from all your obligatory duties as a muslim but once you are six feet under, then you will know the taste of true bitterness of your sins, worldly laughter and non-meaningful tears.

Its almost as if time just went unknown. During the whole 12 months, there may be hearts that has been broken, eyes have been drenched and old memories would just fade. A perfect story ending, just like how most movies end, there will always be tears, laughter, joy and sadness. Too typical. If we look closely of how our mind, body and soul is developed, we will learn a valuable lesson that will be useful for the future.

We've seen flash floods, landslides, forest fires, contagious deadly diseases, drought during 1428 hijrah, that caused countless deaths, damaged houses and left that's left scattered in temporary shelters and accommodation with only minimal food supplies. Crying babies, pregnant mothers, senior elders, all in distress, felt the extreme discomfort and uneasiness of the situation. Before, everybody was well-off and had everything they wanted. A new bentley, a complete real-life movie theatre set with a big fat 'lazy' leather chair and a brisk of wine on the side. Each restaurant had 'all-you-can' eat buffet for breakfast, brunch, lunch, high-tea and dinner which caused almost everyone to laze and sleep until the next morning. Mixing of boys and girls in an uncontrolled environment. Can they really control it?? Tits showing, wandering evil eyes and mind. Where will we be having the party tomorrow? Is there a concert tomorrow? It was just a perfect setting...

Meanwhile, the poor, the needy, single mothers, and the homeless never asked more than what they bargained for. They ask so little. A sip of tea or maybe a nickle to get the DAY by. Just so that they can feel how it feels like to be comfortable and not to be a beggar. Old folks home was never a home in the first place which later became a place for gambling. It was each and every man to look after their aging parents. 54" plasma tv BOX used as a shelter and used thrown papers as a blanket.

These situations invited Allah's wrath. Allah never liked those who take things for granted, never liked those who spends lavishly on unnecessary items and never liked those who acted like how satan is. Alcohol was already haram in the first place. Never liked the things above. Everyone acted on their dirty lust and their misaligned minds. They fed their full stomach with detestable foodstuff and made music as their god. Asian countries are feeling the 'heat wave' of the western phenomena where we are now witnessing the tragedies and natural occurrences experienced by people in the west. Even, the smallest country with the smallest population is also having similar affect.

Try reminiscing how situations were in the past. All were decent and kind, all were covered and mindful and everyone HAD respect for one another. It was also a perfect setting except that it was only practised by few and that few had somehow departed and left the last wondering. As true servants of Allah, the situations that are happening now should be seen as a warning from Allah. We need to be more aware and more stringent when seeing things which are not according not Islamic laws and regulations and NOT those laws and regulation MADE UP by humans!!

Our mind should be mindful. How? Know your boundaries and know your responsibilites as a muslim. If you are strong enough to stop immoral acts, then go ahead and make something stopped and don't just walk by and then feeling sorry for only observing. When you are able then, use your body as a tool to stop what is wrong. Once you have, your soul will be enriched and you will feel like this, "alhamdulillah...that felt good" [in your mind].

Look after your family and yourself from fire of hell (you will know HELL is real when you saw it with your own two eyes and only then you will regretfully say to yourself, "I should've done good deeds on earth.." but by then it will be ALL TOO LATE) and try not be walk on this earth proud and felt like you've accomplished something big coz YOU HAVEN'T!!

Read On......

For muslimahs, are yours hidden?

Read On......

Babi & Rambut

Segala puji bagi Tuhan yang telah memberikan kita kesempatan untuk menghirup udara yang segar lagi nyaman dan memberikan kita peluang untuk berjalan di atas bumi ini untuk mencari rezki yang halal demi mencari keredhaanNya.

Tidak dinafikan kadang2 kita lupa apa itu dosa dan apa itu pahala. Dalam Islam ada perkara yang jika kita buat akan mendapat dosa dan ada pula yang boleh kita lakukan, akan mendapat pahala. Berjudi, hubungan sex bebas, minum arak , mengumpat (gossiping) & sebagainya adalah di antara perkara2 yang dilarang (haram) dalam Islam. Balasan di dunia bagi mereka yang membuat dosa adalah seperti sentiasa dalam keadaan gusar dan susah hati (tiada ketenangan hati), kekurangan wang, merasa seperti tiada yang cukup dan sebagainya. Balasan di akhirat pula api neraka yang jika setitik daripada cairannya jatuh ke bumi maka akan hancurlah segala apa yang ada dibumi ini.

Perkara-perkara yang akan mendapatkan seseorang itu untuk meraih pahala adalah seperti memakan makanan yang halal, melakukan kebaikan terutama sekali kepada ibu-bapa, kepada anak yatim dan orang-orang miskin, memberi sedekah secara sembunyi-sembunyi dan mengingat Allah. Balasan bagi mereka yang membuat kebaikan dengan niat yang betul (bagi yang beragama Islam) adalah ketenangan jiwa, sentiasa merasa cukup walaupun sedikit, terasa keceriaan, mendapat syurga dan terutama sekali mendapat cinta Ilahi.

Secara lazimnya, kita secara semulajadi akan merasa jijik apabila melihat seseorang atau tahu salah seorang daripada orang islam memakan daging babi. Bukan saja memakan daging babi tetapi, kita akan merasa jijik dan geli apabila melihat babi yang sebenarnya. Babi sebenarnya tidak begitu comel seperti apa yang dilukiskan / digambarkan oleh pelukis. Dan orang yang menyangkan mereka tampak seperti orang yang comel semasa memakai ataupun menggunakan benda-benda yang berkaitan dengan babi adalah orang yang 'pintar'.

Apakah yang menyebabkan kita merasa begitu jijik dan geli apabila melihat babi dihadapan mata kita ataupun mengetahui ada yang memakan babi? Barangkali disebabkan oleh islam sendiri kerana islam telah mengajar umat Islam untuk tidak menyentuh babi apatah lagi memakan babi. Ini kerana babi mempunyai sejenis kuman yang boleh mendatangkan penyakit / mudarat kepada badan manusia seperti gila babi.

Perkara yang SAnGAT menghairankan ialah orang-orang Islam secara amnya tidak pula merasa jijik dan geli pula apabila melihat orang yang tidak memasang hijab semasa keluar di kawasan awam seperti kedai beli-belah, pantai dan masjid?? Sedangkan, memakai tudong / jilbab adalah wajib bagi orang wanita islam dan menampakkan aurat kepada orang yang bukan muhrim adalah haram. Rasulullah s.a.w semasa di isra' kan, baginda melihat banyak dari kalangan wanita yang digantung dengan rambut dan otak di kepalanya mendidih dan apabila baginda bertanya kepada malaikat Jibril, dia mengatakan bahawa mereka itulah wanita-wanita tidak melindungi rambut mereka dari pandangan lelaki semasa di dunia.

Jadi, kenapa orang Islam tidak merasa jijik dan memandang serong kepada mereka yang tidak memakai jilbab (tudong) dan LEBIH merasa jijik apabila orang islam memakan babi? Besar kemungkinan di atas kejahilan individu dan cara pembawaan dan pembesaran individu itu sendiri. JIkalau kita amati, orang yang tidak bertudong akan mendatangkan bahaya kepada orang awam kerana wanita yang tidak bertudong tersebut melakukan MAKSIAT secara terang-terangkan sedangkan orang yang memakan babi menanggung dosanya sendiri-sendiri.

Sebagai kesimpulan, orang islam hendaklah menyedari bahawa orang yang tidak bertudong adalah ahli maksiat akan mendatangkan murka Allah kepada orang yang tidak berdosa. Dan lagi, orang islam hendaklah mempunyai sikap jijik dan benci kepada benda yang haram, bukan hanya kepada orang yang memakan yang haram seperti babi, rasuah, akan tetapi kepada mereka yang tidak memakai tudong dengan sepatutnya.

Lindugilah kami dari fitnah kuburMu ya Allah...

Read On......

Calling All Couples

In the name of The Most Benevolent & The Most Kind. He had set each and everyone of us with certain talents and skills. There are those who are good at playing skateboard and they are those who suck at it. Whatever skills you have, use it and don't let it come to waste.

The one talent which The All-Knowing had given to us is the ability to differentiate what is good and what is bad. In fact, He had given this special ability since we were around 7. All of us knew that stealing is bad. We can just tell if the food is edible or not. An average 7 year old kid would know playing with fire will cause harm or injury. As a kid, we were already equipped with the 'basic' skills that we need live. This in fact, helps us improve, develop and tame the basic instinct for the years to come to prepare us for challenges in the future.

The development of a child, if not, given proper monitoring and the appropriate input will often lead to an unwanted output for a family, a society, a country and the world at large. From an Islamic viewpoint, if a man was to marry, the first thing he needs to do before engaging into a marriage is to find a muslimah lady. A lady who has taqwa. Because our beloved Prophet Muhammad said that, "A man marries a woman because of 4 things, her wealth, her background, her beauty & her piety (iman), marry a woman who has piety, then you'll be safe".

What is happening in our society now is that people obviously have not yet improved, developed & tamed their skills as they obviously cannot differentiate what is good (halal) and what is good (haram). There are things which Islam allows and disallows. One of the things which Allah allows is marriage and He forbids 'coupling' (boyfriend and girlfriend). It is seen weird and bogus for a girl not to have a boyfriend or is seen seemingly strange for a boy not to have a girlfriend during his or her youth.

People in the West namely the US and European countries see having illegal relationship as something trendy coz 'if you're not in it then you're just not with it'. As slaves / servants of The All-Mighty Allah, we need to consider every aspect of every act. Do you think if you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend, Allah is glad? Do you think you feel that you have been 'blessed'? You may be happy with your current relationship now but do you think that you will be happy for the rest of your life? Think of this way...

IT WAS ALREADY WRONG FROM THE START, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK IT WILL NOT FALL APART

The common belief is that Islam is only about praying 5 times a day, you perform sawm during month of ramadhan and so on. The five stilts of islam. A genuwine (genuine) practitioner of Islam should apply what's in the holy Qur'an and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad in his / her daily activities. Such as, he would ask his friend not to waste time and hang out with non-muhrims or waste time talking about popstars, soccer heroes and the whatever? Another example would be to ask your friends and family to pray on time or attend speeches / lectures given by muslim scholars. This point here is, not only you want yourself to be good but you also want people around you to be good FOR ALLAH.

Obviously, not all of us have the ability to interpret what is good and what is bad. Alas, the rise of immoral acts in our family, in our society and in this world at large.

Read On......

Peringatan Kepada Orang Islam (2008 new year celebration)

Tahun 2004 telah menyaksikan sebuah kejadian yang sangat mengerikan dimana sebuah ombak yang berketinggian kira2 30 meter telah menghancurkan beberapa buah kawasan terutama sekali dikawasan Indonesia dan India. Banyak nyawa yang terkorban dan harta benda juga musnah disebabkan kejadian tersebut. Maha Suci Allah, Tuhan yang berkuasa atas segala sesuatu.

Banyak persoalan dan anjuran yang dibuat mengenai punca yang menyebabkan kejadian tersebut. Banyak ahli pakar mengatakan bahawa 90% daripada ombak tinggi tersebut berpunca daripada gegaran yang kuat (gempa bumi). Walauapa pun puncanya, kita sebagai orang islam yang sentiasa taat kepada perintah Allah hendaklah menyedari bahawa kejadian alam tersebut adalah disebabkan kemungkaran yang dilakukan oleh tangan manusia sendiri dan Tuhan ingin memberi 'sedikit' kesedaran kepada mereka yang masih hidup agar kembali kepada Allah. Kita boleh perhatikan bagaimana kaum2 terdahulu daripada telah dihancurkan oleh kejadian yang sama. Salah satunya ialah Kaum Nabi Nuh yang ditumpahi dengan banjir yang barangkali serupa dengan tsunami. Allah lebih mengetahui segala sesuatu.

Ketahuilah bahawa sesungguhnya Allah tidak akan menganiaya hamba2Nya melainkan merekalah yang menganiaya diri mereka sendiri. Di dalam kitab suci Al Qur'an terdapat beberapa petunjuk yang wajib kita renungkan [78: 6-7]. Dari surah tersebut, adalah difahami bahawa jika sekiranya gunung-gunung dan bukit bukau diratakan sama seperti kedudukan bumi, maka terimalah padahnya wahai orang yang membuat kerosakan!

Salah satu perkara yang kita perlu ambil perhatian ialah, secara kebiasaannya, kejadian-kejadian seperti gempa bumi, hujan ribut taufan dan sebagainya akan berlaku dimusim perayaan. Di waktu itulah kebanyakan daripada kita akan lalai daripada mengingat Allah kerana banyak daripada kita akan ikut sama2 lalai dengan 'pesta dunia'. Mati akan datang secara tiba2 dan tiada siapa yang tahu bila mereka akan kembali kepada Ilahi.

Disebabkan oleh kematian yang mengejut tadi, matilah kebanyakan mereka dengan keadaan yang tidak bererti seperti mati katak dan mati seekor nyamuk. Fikirkanlah wahai orang-orang yang mempunyai akal...

Read On......

Santa is NOT real

Kids (non-Moslems)! Santa is not real. He is just like superman, spiderman and the rest of the clan. They are make believe characters created by your parents, medias, animators, non-muslims and your ancestors to fool you. The only difference is that his pants are not as tight (baggy pants) and have really long beards.

Grow up and get back to your real roots (Islam). The true and only superhero there is and will ever be is Prophet Muhammad who saved us from being our ignorance towards believing that there is only ONE God and that is ALLAH and Muhammad is His Messenger.

Even non-muslim parents are having a hard time explaining to their kids about santa. Click here about what parents say to their children. May Allah direct us all to the right path.

Read On......

Such Waste

In the 'eyes' (view) of Allah, we are all similar but the one thing that differentiates us all is our 'taqwa' to Allah. Taqwa at its simplest can be defined as adhering to what Allah had instructed us to do and staying away from what has been forbade. Sounds like an easy job but most of us even have a hard time keeping up with their daily dosage of spiritual exercise, let alone keeping self away from talking about senseless things and keeping eyes, ear and hands away from sinful loathed acts. Allah said in the Qur'an:

Verily, (the ends) ye strive for are diverse. So he who gives (in charity) and fears (Allah), And (in all sincerity) testifies to the Best, We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss. But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient, And gives the lie to the Best, We will indeed make smooth for him the Path to Misery [92: 4-10]

Humans often see worldly materials and possessions as something that we used to judge others by. It can be seen, touched & used. Just like money. Everyone wants it because it has value, it can get us to places, it has a purchasing power and it is also to show how well-off a person is in a community.

The point of this is how our mind is led to believe that worldly materials are everything. Seeing is believing. That is how this world is shaping into. The unfortunate thing about this is, not only it has infected the minds of non-muslims but it has impacted the minds of muslims as well. Its like a contagious disease that will continue to spread until someone makes a stand.

As muslims, there are countless things that we can learn from the Qur’an and from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. In the Qur’an, it tells us to act in moderation, not to be selfish, greedy and not to be bewildered with the rapid development of non-muslim nations. Allah tells us that even though they seemed successful, but know that they will be flattened and will enjoy the greatest of pain. We only trust the words of Allah…

Are humans really stupid enough to be played by satan and his weak men? History has shown that people were in fact stupid enough to fall for lucrative instant bounty. If they only waited and kept their trousers on (patience), perhaps Allah might have guided them into the right (correct) path and helped them. It is mentioned in the Qur’an that humans are naturally hasty. Having this kind of attitude will only lead humans into undesirable end.

Only few seemed to care about what’s in the next life. These few believe in life after death, believing in good and doing sinful acts will be equally punished. So, there are two kinds during hereafter, those who will burn in hell and those blessed ones who will be enjoying themselves in paradise. It was mentioned in the Qur’an that majority of people will only show remorse after they see the depths of hell and the fiery of hell when its already too late. Such waste.

Read On......

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Everyone..??

The ever changing trend of fashion, music and level of eagerness towards being 'accepted' in a group, society and the world at large has become so profound that it resulted in an adverse affect in the nation we live in. In a community, you are either a leader or a follower and when you are the leader, you will have a bigger role to play. The follower would normally follow instructions..



There will always be that someone who will be "in charge" of something. You could be a member of a tribe, triad or just a hype. Whatever it is, this leader will be responsible for its member's actions whether it be good or bad. The more subordinates you have, the popular but riskier you will be. In Islam, we follow our beloved Prophet Muhammad's steps as much as we can as he is our leader that will lead us to jannah. But for those who does not see Islam as a systematic and a properly assembled vehicle of life, even though these people are muslims, will most likely search for other venues to satisfy their greed, needs and heeds.

These venues are religions besides Islam, i.e. christianity, buddhism, jew and so on. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala had reminded His followers countless times NOT to follow things which are not prescribed within the teachings / laws of Islam because if you do, you will be doomed. In the Qur'an:

O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors; they are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust. [5: 51]

In another verse Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala mentioned in the Qur'an:

Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow their form of religion. Say: "The Guidance of Allah, that is the (only) Guidance," wert thou to follow their desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then wouldst thou find neither Protector nor Helper against Allah. [2: 120]

Our Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam stated in one of his hadeeth about how muslims should act towards the things which are "celebrated" by christians, jews and so on.

The one who imitates people other than us (i.e., in faith) is not from us. Do not imitate the Jews or the Christians” (Tirmithi). He who imitates a people will be from among them (on the Day of Judgement).” (Abu Daawood)


Clearly, muslims are being pulled into believing that there is other religion besides Islam but very slowly and sneaky. Otherwise, we won't see any "trees" being planted here and there, we won't see fake rain dears and fake snows. And we won't see any muslim kids /family so eager to be taken to "snowland" and so on and so forth. [To reflect what was said in the beginning of this article]. Everyone is trying their 'best' to fit in and get into the 'thrills and frills'.

The irony about this is that we don't see any decoration for any Aidil Adha celebration. None. The day when prophet Ibrahim a.s showed his willingness and obedience towards Allah Ta'ala to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ismail a.s just did not seem to make any muslims impress or even show any sympathy, except for some.

Perhaps, not many muslims realize the well-thought out strategy being deviced by non-muslims. And they (non-muslims) will not be happy until they have us all deviated from Islam. They all seemed to be enjoying their moments looking at muslims falling into their traps. Being paranoid, no! This is the harsh truth outside your window pane.

The words used should be fairly understood by a normal human and it does not take a scientist or a theorist to discover the hidden meaning of what it is being conveyed here. Its not that we need to adhere to what Allah and The Apostle had reminded us but we HAVE to follow them. Allah knows best!!

Read On......

Bridge Crossing

All Greatness, Beauty, Perfection and Supremacy are only for Allah who has created the heavens and the earth in six days. He has created men and jinns for one purpose only that is to serve Him and not to betray His orders. Our sincerest appreciations to Allah for His blessings and for His remembrance towards all of us, for giving us piety, insha Allah and Islam as our religion, the religion He only accepts and the ONLY “ticket” that will get us to paradise.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam once said:

"Verily the creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother's belly for forty days in the form of seed, then he is a clot of blood for a like period, then a morsel of flesh for a like period, then there is sent to him the angel who blows the breath of life into him and who is commanded about four matters: to write down his means of livelihood, his life span, his actions, and whether happy or unhappy. By Allah, other than Whom there is no god, verily one of you behaves like the people of Paradise until there is but an arm's length between him and it, and that which has been written over takes him and so he behaves like the people of Hell-fire and thus he enters it; and one of you behaves like the people of Hell-fire until there is but an arm's length between him and it, and that which has been written over takes him and so he behaves like the people of Paradise and thus he enters it." [narrated by Bukhari & Muslim]

During Day of Judgement, after all our “performances” have been weighed and all questions have been asked by THE Al-Mighty. Each and every one of us must cross The “bridge” which is known as “Sirat”. It is mentioned that this bridge is thinner than A hair and sharper than a knife. The difficulty level of crossing this bridge will wholly based on the person's piousness towards Allah. It was also mentioned that the thinness of the bridge is as thin as one (1) hair being divided into 7 layers. This bridge will be crossed over by all including The Apostle. There will be those who will cross the bridge as fast as a lightning, there will be those will barely make it across, some would fall down but suddenly saved and so on. It will in definite vary. Its up to us now to decide how we want us to cross it

Not one of you but will pass over it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished. But We shall save those who guarded against evil, and We shall leave the wrong-doers therein, (humbled) to their knees. [19: 71-72]

Read On......

The funny thing is...

Imagine this happening to you.
One day during Jummah salah, a 1,000 member congregation was surprised to see two men enter, both covered from head to toe in black and carrying sub-machine guns. One of the men proclaimed,
"Anyone willing to take a bullet for Allah remain where you are."
Immediately, the congregation fled, and out of the 1,000 there only remained around 20.
The man who had spoken took off his hood, looked at the Imaam and said "Okay Maulana, I got rid of all the hypocrites. Now you may begin your sermon, and the two men turned and walked out. Too deep not to pass on...
Funny how simple it is for people to trash Allah, and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Funny how we believe
what the newspapers say,
but question what
the Quran says.
Funny how everyone
wants to go to heaven
provided they do not have to believe,
think, say, or do anything the Quran says.
Funny or is it scary?
Funny how someone can say
I believe in Allah" but still follow Shaitaan (who,by the way, also"believes"in Allah).
Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire,
but when you start
sending messages regarding Allah, people think twice
about sharing.
Funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely
through cyberspace, but the public discussion of
Allah is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Funny, isn't it? Funny how someone can be so fired up for Allah on Friday but be an invisible Muslim the rest of the week.
Are you laughing?
Funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them.
Funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what Allah thinks of me.
Are you thinking?
Will you share this with people you care about?

Read On......

Letter to a Muslim Student (must read)

Sayyed Hassan Al Banna

[Hassan al Banna was born in 1906 in Egypt into a family of scholars. In 1928, he formed Ikhwan al Muslimeen (the Muslim Brotherhood organization). This movement for the revival of Islam soon spread across Egypt and the region. In December 1948, the Muslim Brotherhood organization was suppressed and thousands of its members arrested. Hassan al Banna was spared arrest only to be assassinated in February 1949.

Letter to a Muslim Student is the English translation of a letter that Hassan al Banna wrote to one of his students that was studying in the West.

The sincere advice contained in this letter is drawn from the perennial values and ethos of Islam. It reminds the addressee and indeed all Muslims that the first and foremost goal in a Muslims life is to please God and live in accordance to His sacred law. Also, it brings home that studying ought not to be an end in itself or for seeking material gain. A Muslim ought to excel in his or her study in order to work for Islam and benefit humanity.]

My brother in Islam (who may Allah guard and protect). I praise Allah for there is no god but Him. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad, who was sent as a mercy to all of humanity, upon his family, companions and on all those who hold fast to the Shariah until the Day of Judgement.

May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you when you travel with a proper intention and a noble purpose, and when you return with a sound endeavor and to a dedicated cause.
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you as you serve Islam with the finest fruits of science and the best of knowledge.

Dearest brother, you will be amongst people you have not known before and characters you are not accustomed to. In you they will see the example of a Muslim. So make sure they see in you the best example and the finest image, in order for them to understand that the word 'Muslim' embodies virtue and nobility.

With you is a precious trust, that is your righteous wife, appreciate this. Towards her be a trustworthy companion. Provide her with comfort and happiness. Share with her felicity, without being careless in acquiring your rights and negligent in performing your duties.

Read these few words that are borne out of my love and sincerity for you, as an elder brother expressing for his brother and sister the best wishes and the happiest life.

1. O my brother, excel in your observance of Allah (swt) in all your dealings. Understand that He (swt) keeps watch over you, sees you and encompasses all that is of concern to you - wherever you are. He knows the treachery of your eyes and all that your heart conceals. Strive not to let Allah (swt) see you, except that He is pleased with you.

Do not be unmindful in your observance of the One (glorified and exalted is He), otherwise Satan will infiltrate you and you will be overcome by the whispers of your whims and desires. Believe, my dearest brother, that whenever a heart is conscious of Allah's observance, it will never be approached by Satan. However, once it departs from Allah's awareness, evil will be attracted to it and it will be inhabited by whims and desires. So, consolidate your heart with the observance of Allah and in vigil seek refuge from your surroundings and do not be among the unmindful.

2. Perform the obligatory duties which Allah has enjoined upon you, at their appointed times. Do not neglect them by relying on performing them at a later time, because you are busy with work or resorting to other excuses for justification. This is a deception of your own self and of your own whims:
And follow not desire that it beguile you from the way of Allah (Sad 38: 26).

Understand also my dearest brother that no one draws nearer to Allah with anything more beloved to Him than performing the obligatory duties as stated in the hadith of al-Bukhari. So be aware not to neglect your obligatory duties or feel lazy in performing them; they are Allah's right over you. Be steadfast in prayer and perfect your fast.

If you are in a state of complete inability to fast, then according to the saying of Allah (swt) you have a remission: ... For those who are capable of fasting (but still do not fast) there is a redemption: feeding a needy man for each day missed. Whoever, voluntarily, does more good than is required, will find it is better for him; and that you should fast is better for you, if you only know (al-Baqara 2: 184). But be aware not to take this verse as an excuse for falling short.
Fasting with hardship in the homeland of the West will earn you a valuable reward and be an asset to your account; it is pleasing to your Lord and righteous to yourself. So do not attempt to break the fast, unless you are unable to complete it. I need not advise you, any further, towards your obligatory duties, after all they are your capital. Can you imagine one who has wasted his capital, what will his state be amongst tomorrow's profit makers?

3. Spend whatever time you can in performing supererogatory works as duties of obedience. Perform the sunna prayers. Increase your appeal for forgiveness and the praising of your Glorified Lord. Remember, that ones supplication, during travel or in expatriation, will be answered; hence, increase your supplication in secret and in humility. Continue your remembrance of Allah (swt).

The Prophet (saw) advised Ali (ra) to continuously dampen his tongue in the remembrance of Allah. Do not abandon that path which leads you to nothing but duties and obedience, they are like an investment that multiply rewards. The remembrance of Allah amongst the unmindful nations is like a shining light. So make use of this time, for it is a season to harvest the rewards of the Hereafter, only for those who wish to seize the opportunities and benefit from such seasons.

4. Increase your recitation of the Glorious Quran with understanding and deliberation. It is a healing for the soul and a comfort to the heart. Designate from it a portion to read at the beginning of the day and a portion to read at the end of it, hence the best beginning and the best end.

5. In the delights of life and pleasures of the world, you will see that which inclines the heart, impresses the mind, attracts the eye and bewilders those whose spirits are weak. Do not let these seduce you away from virtue and cause you to forget the Hereafter:

Do not turn your eyes covetously towards the embellishments of worldly life that We have bestowed upon various kinds of people to test them. But the clean provision bestowed upon you by your Lord is better and more enduring. Enjoin Prayer on your household, and do keep observing it. We do not ask you for any worldly provision; rather, it is We Who provide you. The ultimate end is for piety (Ta Ha 20: 131-2).

Be aware my dearest brother that in the sight of Allah (swt) all these pleasures weigh not even the wing of a gnat and lead neither to honor nor virtue. They are nothing but the manifestations of whims and pitfalls of seduction. So be careful not to let Satan deceive you, otherwise you will plunge into the abyss of sin and corruption.

Always remember the words of Allah (swt): Men are naturally tempted by the lure of women, children, treasures of gold and silver, horses of mark, cattle and plantations. These are the enjoyments in the life of this world; but with Allah lies a goodly abode to return to (Al Imran 3:14). The Book of Allah recites these facts day and night. So do not be amongst those who favor the worldly life over the Hereafter, or amongst those deceived by the outward appearance of things without considering their essence.

All pleasures brought by contemporary civilization will result in nothing other than pain. A pain that will overwhelm their enticement and remove their sweetness. So avoid the worldly aspects of these people; do not let it take over your command and deceive you, if you are to be among the successors.

6. Dearest brother, what Allah has made Haram (unlawful) for us, those people consider it as Halal (lawful) for them. Hence, when they commit a Haram (unlawful) act, they will neither feel ashamed nor will they refrain from perpetrating it. You should neither agree with their whims nor mix with them in their sins. Otherwise, you will not be relieved from having to answer before Allah (swt) and it will not hold as an excuse on the Day of Judgment.

7. Do not take their girls for company, and do not let there develop between you and them, any special friendship or any emotional relationship. If this kind of socializing is a sin for those other than you, then it is a sin twice as great for you and you know well the meaning of this. Although you are known to us to be one that is trustworthy and decent, I have mentioned this to you, to caution you against the downfalls of sins so that your feet may never slip. And in your chastity let there be content and in your dignity let there be adequacy.

8. As for alcohol, do not approach it and do not use the climate as an excuse, because when Allah made it Haram (unlawful), He had full knowledge about all types of climate but did not exclude one country from another or one nation from another from this prohibition. Allah (swt) made it forbidden with neither doubt nor exception. So be aware not to let it occupy a part of your abdomen, otherwise it will remain as a black spot on its pure skin.

Be determined as much as possible before the first drink. Because once your mind is concealed by it, you will follow it by the second and third drink, whereby you will have fallen into a pit, difficult to escape from and will have incriminated yourself and others. then, even if you expiated this sin with repentance, you would still not match your original purity and superb credibility.

9. Do not taste anything in those restaurants which serve Haram (unlawful) food, like pork and dead meat. In that which is Halal (lawful) you have a substitute and enough for contentment. So do not taste the Haram (unlawful) and do not let your flesh grow on it, otherwise fire is what it deserves. Allah (swt) has prohibited that which is impure: . . .

He enjoins upon them what is good and forbids them what is evil... (al-Araf 7: 157). So leave that which is bad for that which is good.

10. As for casinos, night-clubs, and other such places of vanity, your time is far too precious to be wasted in them. I have looked into the saying, time is made of gold, and I do not approve of it. Time is far more precious than gold, for time is life. Is it not true that your life is nothing but a few hours and you never know when they will end? Dearest brother, be stringent with your time and do not spend it except in that which is significant, and acquire pleasure in that which is lawful.

In the heavens there is calmness and on the earth there is beauty. In the gardens there is freshness and in you there is a sign. In the sea there is might and in the air there is nourishment. Take from all this comfort for your soul and recovery for your mind. And do not waste your time by being unmindful, this will shield you from good and lead you to evil.

11. Be critical, with insight, and be just and well acquainted with people. Do not let your goodness draw you to forget their bad, and their bad hurt you to forget their goodness. Rather study them as would a researcher and an examiner. Encompass with knowledge all of their affairs, and then with an eye of insight, scrutinize it all. Present back the good that you find to your people and nation, and return with it victorious and supported. Other than that, throw it back on them and do not come back until you have dusted off your hands and emptied your mind of it all.

You will find there a group of people dishonoring your Prophet (saw), faulting your Quran and disgracing your people. Do not sit with such people, until they turn to a different theme, even if it is necessary for you to enter into a dialogue with them. Argue with them in the best manner. Explain to them the good that you know and avoid controversies that lead to hatred and sedition (fitnah).

Lo! You (O Mohammed) guide not whom you love, but Allah guides whom he will. And He is best aware of those who walk aright (al-Qasas 28: 56).

Dearest brother, be aware that calling the people through practical example is far better than calling them through speech. It is far more fruitful and beneficial to use your commendable character, the perfection of yourself and your straight manner to defend and call them to your religion and nation. Whenever an opportunity arises for you to deliver a speech or a lecture at one of their meeting places or societies, prepare yourself for it. Choose that which will not stir disorder and that which will not offend integrity. Do not be apprehended by their stance, because Allah's aid is with those who are sincere. Be positive and do not insult other people's beliefs instead, elucidate to them their innate goodness and reveal to them our beliefs. By doing so, you will have adequately promoted awareness and incentive.

Finally, and there is still so much for me to say and I would have loved to continue this advice with you, yet my concern is that if I prolong this discourse any more, you may forget most of what I have said; for over speaking does distract one from what is being said. For both of you then, may Allah raise you to be the best of the successors and may His safety accompany you.

May He protect both of you and return you in goodness, as is wishes by those who are sincere. I entrust to Allah your religion, your obligations and the outcome of your actions. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you. Ameen

[source: http://www.jannah.org]

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