Sang Murabbi

Jemputan Forum Sempena Ma'al Hijrah 1430H

Why Do I Love You

If you ask me, why do I stand here,
So unafraid of everything around me.
Proudly I would say, I am a Muslim.

If you ask her, why does she dress that way,
All covered up in a world that gives it all away.
Proudly she would say, I am a Muslim.

Deenil Islam deeni
Wala ‘ardab gheiru deeni
Muhammad elli hadeeni
Nourel iman

If you ask me, surely this cannot be,
You give your wealth so free, and you say your life is charity?
It ain’t hard to see, I am a Muslim.

If you ask him, why does it hurt so,
When he sees injustice, even though it’s folks he doesn’t know,
With tears in his eyes he says, I am a Muslim.

If you ask her, why doesn’t she cry,
There’s no one by her side, she’s the only one that’s left behind.
Patiently she sighs, I am a Muslim.

If you ask him, why does he still pray,
Five times a day when so many others have strayed.
Smiling he would say, I am a Muslim.

If you ask me, why do I love you
No matter where you are, we are the greatest Ummah
With the beating of our hearts, we are Muslim.

La-illah-ha-illalah Muhammad-ur-rasullulah
There is only one God
La-illah-ha-illalah Muhammad-al-Mustapha
Muhammad is the messenger

Song by: Zain Bikha, "Deenul Islam"

Babies... Be Happy!

A lot!

As I'm sitting here looking at the screen thinking of what should I share with others, that benefits and meaningful, I found it a bit hard though as there are actually a lot! [I haven't been writing quite a while and I guess that' s why!:)]

Hmmm... Let's see. For the past weeks I was totally on the go. Was working for two weeks as a so-called 'secretary' in one of the virtual offices in Subang Jaya. Worked there once during my 3 months vacation before I went for my second year study in IIUM. It was tedious! And my mom thought it was an easy, enjoyable, hands-on job. Tell you what, it's NOT!! Anyway, I gained much from it. Now I'm able to do formal call to public figures, big names, etc. without having to work up on the speech note and practice it in front of the mirror! I am a trained PR!!:) Sweet! Alhamdulillah...

Hmmm... talking about working, I reckon it's nice if I share my experience as a school teacher when I was on holiday before entering IIUM Main Campus in Gombak. Hmmm... An 18 years old teacher! What do you expect?! The story goes...

It was a long hols. I've wasted a month of that vacation pumping up my weight and getting chubbier each day. Both my parents were already bored [I supposed..!] having their daughter idling around doing nothing but eat, sleep, and watch TV. Thank God I didn't have this laptop just yet. Else, I'd be enjoying myself downloading songs and watching movies! LOL!

Back to my teaching days, it was my parents who encouraged me to try the job. It was my luck as the school was lacking of teachers who could teach subjects in English. (it is a primary school btw). So it was at my advantage when the headmaster gave me the job as he noticed the bachelor degree I was going to pursue--English Language and Literature. My intention of working was not really for the monetary gain but more to the self-development training.

During my teaching days, I need to take in hand the hardship of a mother and a teacher to those students at school. I had to make sure that they understand the syllabus well while enjoying their lessons, pass the tests, become excellent students both in academic and spiritual life, and at the same time ensure that they were always kept safe from harm, danger, whatsoever.

Back then, I taught Mathematics, Arts, and Moral Lessons to standard one pupils and at times I had to replace absent teachers. During weekends, I was given the responsibility to take care of the Computer Club's members, teaching them the basic things about computers, internet, etc. And the best part, I was assigned to teach Mathematics to students of my sister's class. She once called me 'Kak Naheed' during class time--accidentally. So she's forgiven.;)

The first week fitting myself into the job was a great challenge! I never thought becoming a teacher was that hard. It needs courage, patient, and most of all, it requires love and sincerity.

It was a tough time for me to get them to comprehend the subject. Moreover one of the classes was of kids who have problems in learning (Kelas Pemulihan). Some were impish and crafty and some others were just a slow learner. Hard to tell whether they really understand the teaching.

For teachers, we have been given numbers of syllabus to be completed in a given period. Say three chapters in two weeks. The problem that I faced, all the three classes have three different paces in grasping the subject taught; particularly of Mathematics. And to add the misery, teaching was actually my first experience of working. So every single thing was a hands-on. I have to figure out myself of interactive ways to get these children to understand my teaching and at the same time enjoying their learning hours.

Mak was very helpful as I can remember. And supportive too.:) She was the one who gave me ideas and ways to go about my teaching skills [Mothers are the BEST teachers, they are.].

A reminder from a friend

The Hardship and Clearness of Heart

•• A slave (of God) wouldn't be afflicted by a punishment greater than the hardship of heart and being away from his creator (Allah). The Hell Fire was created to melt the hard hearts. The farthest heart from Allah is the hard heart. If the heart gets hard, the eyes get dry (they don't make tears). The hardship of heart comes out of four things if they exceed the normal needs: eating, sleeping, speaking and having sex. Moreover, if the body gets sick, it won't get benefit from food and drink and so as the heart, when it gets sick because of passion and fancy, it won't get benefit from preachments.••

If you seek clearness and pureness of your heart, you should prefer Allah to your liking and passion. Those, clinging to passion are hindered and veiled from Allah as much as they are clinging to their passion.

•• Hearts are Allah's containers in His earth. The most beloved to Allah is the clearest, the firmest and the tenderest.••

If the heart is fed with remembrance of Allah, watered with reflection and meditation and purified from corruption, he will see the wonders and be provided with wisdom.

•• Not everyone who claims having knowledge and wisdom is really one of the people of knowledge and wisdom. The people of knowledge and wisdom are those who keep their hearts alive by killing their passion and lusts. However, those who kill their hearts by keeping their passion and lusts alive, the knowledge and wisdom will be naked on their tongues.••

The damage of heart comes from inattention and being heedless.Moreover, the heart's vitality and piety come from fear and remembrance of Allah.

•• The heart gets sick exactly as the body and its recovery will be in repentance. The heart also gets rusty such as the mirror and its shining is in remembrance of Allah. It also gets naked like the body and its clothing is in piety. Moreover, the heart gets hungry and thirsty exactly as the body and its food and drink will be in knowledge, love, trust and coming back to the way of Allah.••

salam to all your family, sister wassalam:)

P/s: Thanks, Rara for this kind reminder. Friend in need is a friend indeed! It is nice to meet such a thoughtful person as you are. Will keep this in mind.:)

Say NO to...

Dalam Islam, batas-batas pergaulan antara lelaki dan perempuan yang bukan mahram telah jelas dinyatakan. Pengharaman pergaulan bebas tanpa sempadan dalam Islam ini bukanlah bagi tujuan mengikat kebebasan manusia untuk bersosial, tetapi lebih kepada satu bentuk perlindungan kepada mereka yang lemah. Begitu juga undang-undang yang Allah s.w.t. gariskan melalui jalan Al-Qur’an dan hadis. Undang-undang bukanlah bertujuan untuk menghukum, ianya sebenarnya bertujuan untuk memberikan keadilan kepada mereka yang teraniaya supaya setiap perbuatan jahat dan buruk ke atas individu yang berkenaan dibalas dengan hukuman yang setimpal. Pentingnya menjaga batas pergaulan dalam Islam digambarkan dalam sebuah hadis Rasulullah s.a.w. di bawah.

Dari Ibnu Abbas r.a., katanya dia mendengar Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda : “Seorang lelaki tidak boleh berada di tempat sunyi dengan seorang perempuan, melainkan harus disertai mahram. Begitu juga seorang perempuan tidak boleh berjalan sendirian, melainkan harus bersama-sama seorang mahram.” Tiba-tiba berdiri seorang lelaki, lalu dia bertanya: “Isteriku hendak menunaikan ibadat haji, sedangkan aku ditugaskan pergi berperang ke sana dan ke situ, bagaimana itu ya Rasulullah?” Jawab Rasulullah : “Pergilah kamu haji bersama isterimu!”.
(Hadis Riwayat Muslim)

Jika berperang mempertahankan Islam dari serangan puak kufur diperintahkan Rasulullah s.a.w. supaya dikirikan dan didahulukan pula tanggungjawab menemani isteri yang bakal mengerjakan haji, maka di sini sangat penting bagi kita untuk mengetahui bahawa setiap dari wali itu sangat dipertanggungjawabkan untuk memelihara keselamatan mahramnya yang berurusan dan mempunyai pekerjaan yang harus dilakukan. Jika seorang wanita yang dewasa sekalipun diperintahkan Rasulullah s.a.w. supaya ditemani suaminya atau mahramnya, apatah lagi jika anak-anak gadis kita yang berusia muda remaja.

Islam tidak membataskan pergerakan wanita, malah menggalakkan mereka terlibat sama dalam semua aktiviti yang bersesuaian dengan keupayaan mereka hatta menyertai pasukan tentera Islam di medan perjuangan sekalipun. Tetapi biarlah semua persekitaran pekerjaan dan aktiviti yang melibatkan kaum hawa ini memberikan satu jaminan keselamatan ke atas diri mereka dan tidak menindas atas dasar sexist yang dengannya memberikan mereka satu persekitaran yang kondusif bagi kemajuan diri para wanita dan ummah.

Satu persekitaran yang kondusif bererti mereka di beri peluang sama-rata untuk maju serta hak keselamatan mereka terpelihara dari anasir buruk serta gangguan dari mana-mana pihak. Antara faktor yang membantu melahirkan persekitaran kondusif, kehadiran mahram adalah sama sekali perlu dan menjadi keutamaan agar hak- hak dan keselamatan mereka dilindungi. Ingat! Sebahagian dari ummah ini ialah wanita dan mereka jugalah yang bakal melahirkan generasi ummah pada masa hadapan.

Menafikan sumbangan dan keupayaan mereka bererti membunuh ummah itu sendiri. Saya melihat perkara ini tidak jauh, cukup dengan contoh ibu, ibu mertua, isteri dan adik perempuan saya sendiri, mereka merupakan antara wanita yang mempunyai pandangan-pandangan kritikal yang membuka minda sekaligus dapat memberikan satu teguran membina dalam halusnya kelembutan jiwa mereka. Setiap cetusan yang diberi merupakan alternative kepada pandangan keras dari minda seorang lelaki.

Sesungguhnya Allah itu Maha Halus dalam setiap ciptaanNya. DiciptaNya wanita bukan untuk tunduk kepada Adam tetapi realitinya untuk membantu Adam sebagai check & balance dalam memainkan peranan sebagai khalifah di muka bumi ini. Mengapa mesti ditolak pandangan dan kritikan dari wanita sedangkan Rasulullah s.a.w. sendiri seringkali menjadikan mereka sebagai sumber mendapatkan pendapat dan buah fikiran.

Banyak peristiwa yang dicatatkan hadis di mana Rasulullah s.a.w. mendengar pandangan dari wanita dalam membuat sesuatu keputusan dan adakalanya pandangan tersebut yang diambil baginda, menyelamatkan keadaan ummah yang ada ketikanya diambang pergaduhan. Ini terbukti dalam kes Abdullah Bin Ubay semasa tentera Islam pulang dari perang dengan Bani Mushtaliq.Rasulullah s.a.w. telah menggariskan batasan-batasan yang perlu dipatuhi dalam hubungan antara bukan mahram bagi mengelakkan segala perkara yang tidak diingini daripada berlaku.

Dari Jabir r.a. katanya Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda: “Ketahuilah! Seorang lelaki bukan mahram tidak boleh bermalam di rumah perempuan janda, kecuali jika dia bernikah dan suaminya ada di rumah, atau ada muhrimnya.”
(Hadis Riwayat Muslim)

Sebagaimana yang sering diketengahkan dan dibentangkan di dada-dada akhbar serta makluman yang diterima daripada statistik, majoriti dari kes-kes serangan seksual dan rogol yang mendatangkan kecederaan berlaku ke atas golongan wanita dalam lingkungan umur 30 tahun dan ke atas. Mengikut laporan, majoritinya merupakan kes-kes dimana wanita-wanita tersebut diserang oleh kenalan, teman lelaki, bekas teman lelaki atau bekas suaminya sendiri.

Oleh kerana kebanyakan dari wanita yang mengalami keruntuhan rumahtangga memilih untuk hidup sendiri dan tidak membebankan ibubapa atau mana-mana mahramnya, maka mereka ini sedikit sebanyak terdedah kepada bentuk-bentuk kemudaratan tidak terjangka dalam kehidupan sehari-hari, apatah lagi apabila mereka mengambil ringan batas-batas pergaulan sebagaimana ditetapkan Allah dan RasulNya. Manusia yang didorong oleh hati yang kotor, nafsu serta syaitan, tentunya tidak akan melepaskan mana-mana peluang yang terhidang di depan mata terutama jika mangsa nanti tidak mampu bertindak balas. Jadi langkah terbaik ialah mencegah sebagaimana yang telah digariskan Allah s.w.t. dalam Al-Qur’an dan melalui hadis-hadis Rasulullah s.a.w.

Dari ‘Uqbah r.a. Bin Amir r.a. katanya Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda : “Hindarilah olehmu masuk ke rumah-rumah wanita!” Lalu bertanya seorang Ansar. “Ya Rasulullah! Bagaimana pendapat anda tentang Al Hamwu (keluarga dekat bagi suami, cth: pak cik, saudaranya, anak saudara dan sebagainya).” Jawab Rasulullah s.a.w., “Bahkan itu lebih berbahaya.” (Hadis Riwayat Muslim)

1400 tahun yang lalu, Rasulullah s.a.w. telah mengingatkan kita tentang batasan-batasan ini. Sekiranya mereka yang kita kira sebagai rapat dikatakan Rasulullah s.a.w. sebagai lebih berbahaya, maka apatah lagi dengan bahaya oleh orang-orang luar yang tidak atau baru dikenali.

Firman Allah SWT bermaksud;

“Katakanlah (Wahai Muhammad) kepada orang-orang lelaki yang beriman supaya mereka menyekat pandangan mereka (daripada memandang yang haram), dan memelihara kehormatan mereka. Yang demikian itu lebih suci bagi mereka; Sesungguhnya Allah amat mendalam pengetahuannya tentang apa yang mereka kerjakan.Dan Katakanlah kepada perempuan-perempuan yang beriman supaya menyekat pandangan mereka (daripada memandang yang haram), dan memelihara kehormatan mereka. Dan janganlah mereka memperlihatkan perhiasan tubuh mereka kecuali yang zahir daripadanya. Dan hendaklah mereka menutup belahan leher bajunya dengan tudung kepala mereka, dan janganlah mereka memperlihatkan perhiasan tubuh mereka melainkan kepada suami mereka, atau bapa mereka atau bapa mertua mereka atau anak-anak mereka, atau anak-anak tiri mereka, atau saudara-saudara mereka, atau anak bagi saudara-saudara mereka yang lelaki, atau anak bagi saudara-saudara mereka yang perempuan, atau perempuan-perempuan Islam, atau hamba-hamba mereka, atau orang gaji dari orang-orang lelaki yang telah tua dan tidak berkeinginan kepada perempuan, atau kanak-kanak yang belum mengerti lagi tentang aurat perempuan. Dan janganlah mereka menghentakkan kaki untuk diketahui orang akan apa yang tersembunyi dari perhiasan mereka. Dan bertaubatlah kamu sekalian kepada Allah, wahai orang-orang yang beriman, supaya kamu Berjaya”. [An Nur: 30-31]

“Wahai Nabi, suruhlah isteri-isterimu dan anak-anak perempuanmu serta perempuan-perempuan yang beriman, supaya melabuhkan pakaiannya bagi menutup seluruh tubuhnya (semasa mereka keluar); cara yang demikian lebih sesuai untuk mereka dikenal (sebagai perempuan yang baik-baik) maka dengan itu mereka tidak diganggu. dan (ingatlah) Allah adalah Maha Pengampun, lagi Maha Mengasihani”. [Al Ahzab: 59]

[dipetik dan diolah dari: http://groups.google.com.my/group/KoleKsi-TerKiNi-HiDuP-SeMaSa]

Aku Masih Sayang

aku
masih
sayang

leteran = aku masih sayang
kritikan = aku masih sayang
cemuhan = aku masih sayang
sindiran = aku masih sayang
teguran = aku masih sayang

ketahuilah diri

sesungguhnya

AKU
MASIH
SAYANG

Your Words

Berfirman Allah SWT dalam Surah An-Nisa' ayat 144:

Ertinya: "Tidak ada gunanya pada kebanyakan dari bisikan-bisikan mereka melainkan sesiapa yang menyuruh memberi sedekah, atau berbuat baik, ataupun mengadakan perdamaian antara bangsa manusia. Dan barangsiapa yang melakukan demikan kerana mengharapkan keredhaan Allah maka Kami (Allah) akan memberinya ganjaran yang besar."

Nabi Muhmmad pernah bersabda yang bermaksud :
“Sesiapa yang beriman kepada Allah dan hari akhirat maka hendaklah ia berkata yang baik atau diam.”

(riwayat Bukhari dan Muslim)

Diriwayatkan oleh Abu Hurairah bahawa nabi menyuruh umatnya memelihara lidah dari perkataan yang keji dan buruk.Sabdanya yang bermaksud :
“Simpanlah lidahmu kecuali untuk kebaikan. Sesungguhnya dengan demikian kamu dapat mengalahkan syaitan.”

Di dalam percakapan terdapat bencana dan di dalam diam terdapat kebahagiaan kerana itulah keutamaan diam amat besar. Firman Allah yang bermaksud;
“tiada suatu ucapan yang diucapkannya melainkan ada didekatnya malaikat pengawas yang selalu hadir”

(Qaaf, ayat 18)

Rasulullah bersabda yang bermaksud :
“Termasuk dalam kebaikan Islamnya seseorang adalah meninggalkan sesuatu yng tidak penting baginya.”

(Riwayat Tirmizi dan Ibnu Majah)

Rasulullah sering mengingatkan umatnya dengan sabdanya yang diriwayatkan oleh Aisyah bermaksud :
“Sesungguhnya orang yang paling dibenci Allah adalah orang yang sangat sengit dalam bertengkar.”

(Riwayat Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi dan Nasa’i)

Orang Islam sentiasa memelihara lidah dengan menjauhi perkataan keji. Diriwayatkan oleh Turmizi bahawa nabi bersabda yang bermaksud :
“ Orang mukmin itu bukan pencaci maki, pengutuk, berkata keji dan tidak berlidah kotor.”

Rasulullah juga ada bersabda yang bermaksud :
“Tidaklah seseorang menuduh kafir kepada orang lain dan tidaklah ia menuduhnya dengan kefasikan melainkan tuduhan tersebut kembali kepada dirinya kalau temannya tidak seperti apa yang dituduhnya.”

(riwayat Bukhari dan Muslim)

Diriwayatkan oleh Abu Musa al-Asy’ari bahawa Rasulullah bersabda yang bermaksud :
“Wahai Rasulullah! Orang muslimin yang bagaimanakah yang paling utama?” Nabi menjawab: “Orang yang orang-orang Islam yang lain selamat dari lidah dan tangannya.”

2:126

"...Boleh jadi kamu membenci sesuatu, padahal ia amat baik bagimu, dan boleh jadi pula kamu menyukai sesuatu, padahal ia amat buruk bagimu ; Allah mengetahui sedang kamu tidak mengetahui..."

"...But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not..."

This ayah should be a familiar one to many out there. I've gone through instances in past days which brought me back to ponder on this ayah and hence be grateful. I was like others who have planned things beforehand to ensure they run smoothly and give best results. I've worked on my timetable and calendar, keeping it always updated and well-organized, have a list of things-to-do before I start my day. Nonetheless, Allah knows better and He knows best.

Oftentimes my schedule was disrupted with things that came up from nowhere. So sudden that I have to re-organize the timetable and at times have to drop off a few things.

Though most of the times it would be such a pain in the chest [is there such idiom like 'pain in the chest'?...lol!] to re-do your list, etc.,etc., but at the end of it things seems to turn out well and every so often better than you thought it would be.

Btw, today's Ayah's 47th birthday [Happy Birthday, Ayah! Kakak sayang Ayah!] and guess what, he had to fly to Perth this morning on a working basis. See how at times our well organized plans are just insurmountable! Don't sweat! Allah is the Greatest Planner of all. He has His bigger and better plan for us. And that, be sure to pray for the best.

Kak Teh, Ayah, and Mak (3 keSAYANGANku)

Before I Go

Before I go
There's one thing I wanted to tell you
I never meant to
I never meant to hurt you
I never meant to

I own...

Below are titles that I've come to own along the journey I'm pursuing;

1. Servant
2. Devotee
3. Vicegerent
4. Leader
5. Follower
   
6. Daughter
7. Sister
8. Friend
9. Student
   
10. Grand-daughter
11. Niece
12. Cousin

A dozen I am able to come up with!:)
Now here are more:

13. Wife-to-be
14. Daughter-in-law-to-be
15. etc.

I see smile there on your face...:)
[deep sigh]

Let me remind you, together with those titles come responsibility, and the need to seek more and more knowledge for this world and the hereafter. Did I mention I want to make the best out of everything I own in this brief life? I did and solely for the need to become His good servant and vicegerent.

So here I am, striving hard and doing my best possible to fulfill these responsibilities.
Nonetheless, I was born human and I still am...:) Sometimes mistakes done and blunders made here and there. Unable to keep away from that, that's for sure.

For that, I wish, help me through this...

Kayuhan

Longlai
Tubuh tersadai
Mata meratah lautan
Menular sepi persada
Mencari

Pada sisa-sisa saat yang hampir pergi
Mahu diri yang umbang-ambing
Kayuhan perahu kian payah
Terbawa badai tak henti

Menjengah lelah
Menerjah perit
Mengekor sakit

Ingin sekali dilepas kayuh

Kudengar bisik halus,
"Jangan, kau bakal sesat!"
"Usah, kau nanti karam!"
"Lepas, bukankah kau sudah penat
menongkah payah?"

Hatiku bingung
"Ya, penat, lelah, sakit, perit!"
"Tapi mengapa dimula kayuhan
andai ingin berhenti di pertengahan?"

Best Lyric Ever

Antara Niat Dan Manis Bicara
Satukan Di Dalam Satu Denyutan
Di Mana Jiwamu Pasti Bahagia
Kembali Bersemi Insani

Lafazlah Setulus Hati Nurani
Bukakan Maksud Tersimpan Di Hati
Biarpun Pedih Menyeksa Naluri
Nawaitu Tuntutan Batin Suci

Usahlah Engkau Selindungkan Bayangmu
Renungi Asal Kejadian Dirimu
Berjalan Tunduk Bukan erti Kau Kalah
Tebarkanlah Serata Jiwa

Usahlah Engkau Persalahkan Kakimu
Andainya Rebah Di Bumi Mu Sendiri
Mungkinkah Ada Kesilapan Semalam
Lafazkanlah Sejujur Hati

Ketulusan Insan sejati
Mencerminkan Budi Pekerti
Kesungguhan Menyingkap Makhfi (Rahsia)
Kebenaran Diri Yang Suci

Hanya Jiwa Yang Tulus Mengerti
Kemanisan Nawaitu Hati
Ketenangan Dalam Mencari
Keredhaan DariMu Tuhanku

Rabbani: Nawaitu

I need to tell you

I'm standing here
Watching you sleep
I know
I should tell you
but my heart locked
unfree

ILOVEYOU
Yes I do

From the very first day
I came to know this world
I have started learning
to love you
need you
desire you

I want to wipe your tears
bear all the pain
give all the joy
put the smile on your face again
make you happy

I need to tell you

ILOVEYOU
Yes I do
I really do

I need to tell you
How should I tell you?

To Thee

me desire to be who Thee desire me to be

me will try me best


Thus


me
seek

Thy
help



For me

is

feeble
and
weak

Only Thee could meliorate me

Sincere,
Thy servant with utmost fear

For thy LOVE is pure and true...

I was browsing through MAMA's blog and came across this article and found it somewhat a heartrending... A sincere words from a mother to her children, tell me why is it not...

"We hope that you'd be successful persons.That's what we are hoping from you. And you know how we define success...

It's not about whether you will get to be a doctor, engineer , astronaut or in Adik's case, a zoologist. It is about whether you could live this life while at all time obeying the commandments of Allah, stay away from His prohibitions according to the way shown by our beloved prophet Muhammad SAW. That IS success in our book."

It requires no explanation, elaboration or commentary whatsoever. It is a self-explaining... This is what every parents (I believe EVERY parents! Including us when we become parents one day) wish their sons and daughters to be or to act upon the world i.e; in courteous manner and righteously.

Dear friends, brothers and sisters, also to you, Naheed Azhari, take heed! :)
Change if you should! Better late than never but yet I'm sure we're still not too late!:) It's never too late to do good or even to be good... Life's short y'know!

Read this and benefit!

Say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. - Quran 17:23

In Islam it is obligatory for us to show kindness, respect, and obedience to our parents. The position of parents, and the mutual obligations and responsibilities, have been addressed in Islam in great detail. In fact kindness and obedience is so strongly emphasized that God has linked showing gratitude to one's parents with showing gratitude to God -

And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal. (31:14)

Sadly we are living in a time where children speaking disrespectfully to their parents and about their parents, is the norm rather than the exception. However Islam places great emphasis on respectful and considerate behaviour to even our enemies, so to not uphold the obligations laid down by God to our parents is actually one of the major sins.

In the Quran
Let's see what the Quran says about Parents. This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear God (2:02)

Treat parents with honour & speak to them graciously & with humility

Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: My Lord! Bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood. (17:23)

Be grateful to parents but do not obey them if they strive to make you associate things with God

...Be grateful to Me and to both your parents; to Me is the eventual coming. But if they strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to me (in love): in the end the return of you all is to Me, then will I inform you of what you did (31:15)

These verses make it clear that we must honour our parents, appreciate their sacrifices and efforts for us, and do our best for them. This is required regardless of whether they are Muslims or not.

Be good to parents and everyone else who you meet

Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;- (4:36)

If the Quran tells us to be good to a stranger how can we even think of disrespecting our parents?

Hadiths
Let's see what Prophet Muhammad said about parents in the authentic Hadiths. Whatsoever the Prophet gives you, take it and whatsoever he forbids you, refrain from it. - Quran 59:7

Disobedience to parents is a major sin

Anas narrated from Prophet Muhammad about the major sins. He (Mohammed) observed: Associating anyone with God, disobedience to parents, killing a person and false utterance. (Muslim)

One of the dearest deeds to God is being good & dutiful to parents

Narrated 'Abdullah: I asked the Prophet "Which deed is the dearest to God?" He replied, "To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times." I asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" He replied, "To be good and dutiful to your parents"...(Bukhari)

Being dutiful to parents is one of the keys to enter Paradise

Abu Huraira reported Prophet Muhammad as saying: Let him be humbled into dust; let him be humbled into dust. It was said: God's Messenger, who is he? He said: He who sees either of his parents during their old age or he sees both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (because he has been undutiful to them). (Muslim)

Acts of kindness we can do for our parents after their death

While we were with Prophet Muhammad of God . A man of Banu Salmah came to Him and said: Apostle of God is there any kindness left that I can do to my parents after their death? He replied: Yes, you can invoke blessings on them, forgiveness for them, carry out their final instructions after their death, join ties of relationship which are dependent on them, and honour their friends. (Abu Dawood)

The High Status given to Mothers

A man came to the Prophet and asked him for permission to join a military expedition. The Prophet asked him if he had a mother, and when he replied that he had, he said, "Stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet." (Ahmad)

Summary

Sometimes we may take our parents for granted and overlook their importance. As Muslims we should constantly be alert to guard ourselves from sins, however, are we guarding ourselves from one of the biggest major sins? Are we honouring and respecting our parents as per their right? Or are we neglecting one of the deeds most dearest to God? Right now the choice is ours!

We ask God the Most High, the All-Powerful, to teach us that which will benefit us, and to benefit us by that which we learn.

Watch out, BUTTERFLIES!

Melihat gelagat rama-rama membuatkan ramai orang menjadi gembira dan ceria. Hampir semua orang akan tersenyum melihat rama-rama. Ia mengindahkan alam dan menyempurnakan sekuntum bunga. Pasti ada yang tidak kena jika ada bunga yang tidak dihinggapi rama-rama.

Ramai yang akan tertarik untuk menangkap rama-rama apabila melihat ia terbang berkeliaran di udara. Kecantikan rama-rama terletak pada warna dan corak sayapnya. Akan tetapi kecantikannya tidak akan kekal jika banyak tangan yang menyentuhnya. Warna dan corak rama-rama pasti akan melekat pada jari jemari kita apabila kita menangkapnya. Selepas itu tiada sesiapa yang akan tertarik padanya lagi. Harganya telah tiada untuk dikagumi.

Rama-rama ibarat wanita. Wanita indah untuk disentuh, tetapi nilai dirinya akan merosot setiap kali ada tangan-tangan kotor mencemari tubuhnya. Harga diri dan maruah mudah tercemar jika tidak dijaga dengan sempurna. Begitulah wanita. Ia bagaikan rama-rama yang terbang membawa keindahan corak pada dirinya. Ia tidak akan dipedulikan lagi apabila corak dan warnanya mulai pudar. Harga rama-rama terletak pada warna dan coraknya, dan harga wanita terletak pada maruah dan harga dirinya.

Rama-rama terpaksa berjuang untuk memulakan kehidupnya. Ia terpaksa membebaskan diri daripada kepompong. Bukan mudah untuk keluar daripada kepompong yang telah mengikatnya itu. Tiada sesiapa yang mempedulikanya sepanjang ia berada di dalam kepompong, dan ia lebih dibenci tatkala ia menjadi ulat. Ia terpaksa menempuh pelbagai kesulitan hidup untuk bergelar rama-rama. Terpaksa melalui pelbagai kitaran dan evolusi bentuk. Daripada sesuatu yang menjijikan, akhirnya bertukar menjadi sesuatu yang indah. Rama-rama adalah contoh terbaik untuk wanita sedar betapa bernilainya kehidupan ini.

Sewaktu dipuja, usahlah terlalu mabuk sebaliknya kenanglah kehidupan ketika susah dahulu. Sewaktu kita digoda, dihambat dan dirayu, usahlah terlalu mudah menyerah. Ingatlah mereka yang telah bersusah payah untuk memastikan kita dapat bangkit sebagai seorang manusia yang sempurna pada hari ini. Kemunculan kita adalah lambang pengorbanan ibu bapa.

Usah jadi rama-rama yang diabadikan di dalam bingkai gambar. Indah dipandang tetapi hidupnya sia-sia. Hiduplah dengan bebas dan terjemahkan kebebasan itu kepada nilai-nilai murni yang perlu dipertahankan. Memelihara kehormatan diri adalah hak seorang wanita. Wanita akan terus berada di tempat paling mulia sekiranya kehormatan dan maruahnya terus dipelihara. Wanita akan kehilangan seluruh masa depannya sekiranya tidak mempedulikan kehormatan dirinya.

Jika rama-rama mengetahui akan kecantikan dirinya yang sentiasa memukau penglihatan manusia, ia tentu tidak akan sewenang-sewenangnya terbang ke sana sini. Rama-rama sentiasa terdedah pada bahaya setiap kali ia mengibarkan sayapnya. Namun, rama-rama tidak pernah mengetahui keindahan yang ada pada dirinya sentiasa menjadi sasaran manusia. Wanita yang tidak mengetahui bahawa keindahan dirinya sentiasa menjadi sasaran lelaki perosak adalah ibarat rama-rama yang tidak menyedari akan bahaya yang sentiasa menanti.

Tingkatkan harga diri kita sebagai seorang wanita. Semakin sukar wanita dimiliki semakin mahal nilai wanita di sisi lelaki. Lelaki perosak hanya inginkan kuasa memiliki wanita tetapi tidak mahu setia, apalagi memelihara dan melindungi wanita.

Usah terperangkap ke dalam tangan yang hanya akan meleraikan warna-warna kita sebagai seorang wanita. Setelah warna-warna itu hilang, kita akan dibiarkan dan disisihkan. Jadilah wanita anggun yang punya nilai dan maruah diri.Kita akan lebih dihormati.

Nilai seorang wanita bukan terletak pada berapa ramai lelaki yang ingin memiliki kita tetapi terletak pada berapa ramai lelaki yang benar-benar sanggup menyintai kita. Cinta itu terjemahan pada kasih sayang dan belaian sayang penuh ikhlas. Jika kita masih tidak menemuinya, anggaplah diri kita masih berhak terbang bebas bagaikan sang rama-rama.

"Jadilah wanita yang tinggi harga diri dan pada masa yang sama dikagumi"

An Invitation to Attend...

Man, you need to know this!

by Umm Salamah as-Salafiyyah

(an Excerpt for her book Supporting the Rights of The Believing Women)

Helping with the housework

‘Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu anhaa) was asked, “What does the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) do with his family?” She said: “He was busy with his family until it was time to pray and then he prayed.” [1]

On the authority of al-Qaasim, on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu 'anhaa) that he asked, “What did he Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) do in his house?” She said: “He was a man among men, he cleaned his garment, he milked his sheep and he served himself”. [2]

On the authority of ‘Urwah ibn az-Zubayr, on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu 'anhaa) that he asked, “What did the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) do in his house?” She said: “He mended his garment, patched his shoes and he did in his house what men do in their houses.” [3]

The Muslim female student especially needs her husband’s help in raising the children and caring for them, in order for her to study the Qur’aan and Sunnah, what is needed for her to practice her religion and assist her in bringing up her children in a proper and sound way.

The man beautifying himself for his wife

Allaah says:

“And the women have the same rights as those that are over them from what is reasonable.” [Sooratul-Baqarah 2: 228]

Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer in his explanation of this verse said: “It means that they have rights over the men similar to the rights that the men have over them. So giving each other their mutual rights is obligatory from what is reasonable… Wakee’ said on the authority Basheer ibn Sulaymaan, on the authority of ‘Ikramah, on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas who said:

“Verily I love to beautify myself for women just as I love women to beautify themselves for me because Allaah says:

"And the women have the same rights as those that are over them from what is reasonable." [Sooratul-Baqarah 2: 228]

If a man beautifies himself, it helps the woman in lowering her gaze and it helps to bring the hearts close together. Some men go to their wives and they are unkempt, dirty, and foul smelling. He bathes and perfumes himself to go out with his friends, but when he returns he is as I mentioned earlier which causes dislike in the heart and disgust in the soul. Just as you ask your wife, when she is in front of you, to be beautiful looking and pleasant smelling, she also asks this of you. She has feelings just as you do, and she has senses just as you do. Men, fear Allaah in yourselves and in your women.”

Notes:

[1] Saheeh al-Bukhaaree

[2] Ahmad with an authentic chain.

[3] Ahmad with an authentic chain.

The COMPLETENESS of Man

By Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (d. 751H)

In his tremendous work ‘Ad-Daa wad-Dawaa’ (The sickness and its cure)[1], Ibnul-Qayyim brings the chapter: From the completeness of a man is love for his wives. He states: "As for love for one’s wives then there is no blame in loving them, rather it is from his completeness, and Allah has blessed His worshipers with it (love)", He said,

“And from His signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find comfort in them, and placed between you love and mercy. Verily in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.” [Sooratur-Room, 30:21]

So he made a woman a repose for a man, his heart finding comfort in her, and he placed between them pure love, and it is a love that is coupled with mercy. Allah has said after mentioning what is permissible and impermissible for us from
women,

“Allah wishes to make clear (what is lawful and what is unlawful) to you, and to show you the ways of those before you, and accept your repentance, and Allah is All-Knower, All Wise. Allah wishes to accept your repentance, but those who follow their lusts, wish that (you) believers should deviate tremendously away from the Right Path. Allah wishes to lighten your burden for you; and man was created weak (cannot be patient without women).” [Sooratun-Nisaa’:26-28]

Sufyaan Ath-Thawree mentioned in his tafseer on the authority of Taawus from his father: “If he looks at a woman he cannot be patient.”

He says later: “And there is no doubt that women were beloved to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), as is found in the Saheeh on the authority of Anas that he (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

“That which has been made beloved to me from the worldly affairs are women, and beautiful fragrances, and prayer has been made a coolness for my eyes.” [2]

And Khaleelullah, the Prophet Ibraaheem (‘alayhi salaam), was married to Saarah from the most beautiful of the women of the earth, and he loved Hajar, and was delighted by her.

And the Prophet Daawood (‘alayhi salaam) had ninety-nine wives, and loved one woman and married her, completing one-hundred, and his son Sulaymaan (‘alayhi salaam) used to go around in one night visiting ninety of his wives, and the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was asked who was the most beloved of the people to him and he answered: “Aa’ishah.”[3] And he said about Khadeejah: “I was blessed with her love.”[4]

So love of women is from the completeness of a man, Ibn Abbaas (radiyallaahu anhu) said: “The best of this nation is the one with the most women.”[5]

He continues later: “The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) interceded for one who was in love, to reunite him with the woman he was in love with, to remarry him but she rejected. This is found in the story of Mugheeth and Barirah, when the Prophet saw him (Mugheeth) walking behind her, his tears pouring down wetting his beard, the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to her: “Would you not go back to him?” She asked: “O Messenger of Allaah! Are you commanding me to do so?” He answered: “No, I am only interceding [for him].” So she said: “I have no need for him.” So the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to his uncle: “O Abbaas! Are you not amazed at the love of Mugheeth for Barirah, and her dislike for him?”[6]

He says later: “So love for women is of three kinds: One that is obedience [to Allaah] and brings one closer [to Him], and it is the love of his wife and right hand possession, and this love brings about benefit, for indeed it calls to the reasons of which Allaah legislated marriage, a lowering of the gaze, and protecting the heart from seeking after other than his family, and therefore this one who is love is praiseworthy with Allaah, and with the creation.”


Notes:

[1] pp. 291-295

[2] Collected by Ahmad in his Musnad (no. 11884, 12644, and 13623) and An-Nisaa’ee in his Sunan the chapter: ‘Love of women’ (no. 3390-3391), it has been authenticated by Al-Muhaddith Al-Albaanee is Saheeh Sunan An-Nisaaee [3/57], Al-Muhaddith Muhammad ibn Aadam mentions in the explanation of this hadeeth [27/175]: “…From its benefits: What the
author chaptered this hadeeth under, and it is legislation of love of women, and that it does not contradict the station of Prophethood. From them: What the Prophet was upon from strong love of Allah without being affected by his love for women, rather it increased him in nearness to Allah.”

[3] This is from the hadeeth of Abdullah ibn ‘Amr Ibnul-Aas who said: “I came to the Messenger of Allah and asked him: Who is the most beloved of the people to you? He answered: “Aa’ishah.” I then asked: From the men? He answered “Her father.” I said: Then who? He answered: “Umar Ibnul-Khattaab.” And then mentioned others.” This hadeeth is agreed upon
by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.

[4] This is from the hadeeth of Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu anha) who said: “I was never jealous of any of the wives of the Messenger of Allah except Khadeejah and I never met her, if the Prophet slaughtered a animal he would say: “Send this to the companions of Khadeejah.” She said: “I became angry one day. So the Prophet said: “Indeed I was blessed with her love.” It is collected by Muslim in the book of the virtues of the companions, chapter: The Virtues Of Khadeejah.

[5] From the narration of Sa’eed ibn Jubayr who said: “Ibn Abbaas asked me: “Have you married yet?” I answered no, so he said: “Marry! For the best of this ummah are those with the most women.” Collected by Al-Bukhaaree in the book of Marriage, chapter: Plurality of Women [no. 5069]. Al-Haafidh said in Al-Fath [10/143]: “He restricted it to this ummah to exclude the likes of Sulaymaan (‘alayhi salaam), as indeed he had the most women as has preceded, and also his father Daawood, and there came At-Tabaraanee the narration of Ayyoob on the authority of Sa’eed ibn Jubayr from Ibn Abbaas: “Marry! For indeed the best of us was the one with the most women.” And it is said that the meaning the best of the ummah of Muhammad is the one who has more women than others from those who are equal to him in other than that
from virtues. And what is apparent is that what was intended by the best is ‘the Prophet’, (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and by ummah, ‘his companions.’” He says later: “And it has come in Ash-Shafaa that the Arabs used to praise plurality of marriage from what it points to of manhood.”

[6] Collected by Al-Imaam Al-Bukhaaree in the Book of Divorce (no. 5280, 5281, 5282, and 5283), Aboo Daawood in the book of divorce (no. 2231, and 2232), At-Tirmidhee (no. 1156), An-Nisaaee in As-Sughraa [28/5419], and in Al-Kubraa [32/5978] Ibn Maajah [no. 2075], Al-Imaam Ahmad in Al-Musnad (no. 1847, 2538, and 3395), and Maalik in Al-Muwatta
(no. 3190)


Source: troid .org

wanita oh wanita...lelaki oh lelaki

Ujar lelaki, wanita itu lemah
Ujar wanita, mereka adalah lembut
Antara lemah dan lembut…besar perbezaannya
Namun ada yang tidak rela mengakui
Telah ditakdirkan… kerana lembut wanita
Tidak gemar perbalahan... Kecuali jika terpaksa
Lalu wanita pun diam
Diam seolah-olah menerima…

Dalam diam, wanita gigih melaksanakan kewajipan
Dalam diam ,wanita terus terusan bekerja
Di pejabat sebagai kerani…di rumah sebagai suri
Dari sebelum tercalit garis putih di Subuh hari
Hingga jarum jam tegak bertindih jari

Lelaki yang mengaku kuat
Celik mata sarapan sudah terhidang
Apabila pulang dari pejabat
Di kerusi malas longlai terlentang
Isteri dikatakan lemah…bergelut di dapur memasak
Suami yang mengaku gagah…bersantai di hadapan TV tidak bergerak
Selesai memasak wanita menguruskan anak-anak
Menyapu sampah, mengemas rumah yang berselerak
Lelaki keletihan kerana memandu di jalan sesak
Berehat, menonton TV sambil tergelak

Dalam diam wanita dianggap lemah…terus berlumba dengan masa
Memandikan anak, melipat pakaian, membasuh baju
Kakitangan semua digerak laju
Menyiram pohon-pohon bunga yang mulai layu
Sebelum solat Magrib untuk sujud menyembah yang Satu...
Makanan dihidang selepas solat
Selesai kerja rumah, anak-anak diajar mengaji
Sedang suami tersadar semula seperti tadi
Sebagai isteri kesetiaannya sentiasa diuji
Dalam diam sedih perit disimpan nubari

Lelaki terpelajar celik hati…
Minta hapuskan diskriminasi...
Lantanglah membela nasib wanita…
Meminta lelaki jangan lagi memperlakukan wanita mengikut adat tradisi
Hukum agama telah terpapar
Tugas suami mengemas rumah, menjaga anak
Membasuh pakaian, menyediakan makanan
Jika suami tidak terdaya melakukan
Seorang pembantu wajar disediakan
Lelaki yang hanyut dalam keasyikan
Tidak mampu menerima perubahan
Rela bertahan dengan pelbagai alasan
Asalkan cara hidup tradisi terus dinikmati
Dan dalam diam
Wanita yang sering dianggap lemah
Meneruskan hidup menongkah payah

'Kekayaan yang paling kaya adalah AKAL,
Kemiskinan yang paling dhaif ialah JAHIL,
Keburukan yang paling hodoh ialah SESAT'

Tak perlu mencari teman secantik BALQIS,
Jika diri tak seindah SULAIMAN,
Mengapa mengharap teman setampan YUSUF,
Jika kasih tak setulus ZULAIKHA,
Tak perlu diri menjadi seteguh IBRAHIM,
Jika tak sekuat SARAH,
Mengapa didamba teman hidup seistimewa KHADIJAH,
Jika diri tak sesempurna RASULULLAH S.A.W.

Tak guna punya MATA kalau tak dapat MELIHAT
Tak guna miliki HATI andai tak pandai MENILAI diri...

Wonder Girls? Dream Girls? They are Azhuda's girls!:)

Hi there everyone!

Just got back home this afternoon. Finished my last final exam paper at 2pm--CCT. Did it good. Rather OK I should say. Arrived home at 4. The whole family arrived at UIA to pick me up after visiting Atok and Wan at Melaka.

Btw, today's Qayya's birthday! She's twelve now...

"Ruqayya my dear,
Happy 12th Birthday! Love you like always!
Be a good daughter and Muslimah.
May all happiness come your way."
xoxo,
Kakak
(^_~)

Tonight we had a fun night dining at Megah Restaurant to celebrate her birthday and the special thing about it... it was a treat paid by the birthday girl! (and Ayah mentioned to bank-in the same amount into her account nevertheless). I remember she said, "Ala, sekali seumur hidup je..".

I'm so proud of her 'considerate' attitude she has since small. Everytime there's any birthday or special occasions we'll be celebrating, she'll be among the first to think of what to buy or what to give. I would say this little sister of mine is way matured than any other girls of her age should be.

And not just her, now my other little sisters are following her foot step. I received a birthday present from Acha (sibling no. 10) just now before she went to sleep. My birthday is coming in a month time and that I have received a birthday gift! What a surprise?!:)

These are the Girls of Azhuda(Azhari+Norulhuda). They are sweet, caring, considerate, lovely, and what not! Oh how I love my family!

And what is it with Wonder Girls from Korea or Dream Girls of Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson... Hmmm...

I am so into this choreography of the dancing steps for the song 'Nobody' by the Wonder Girls. It is so energetic and the music is catchy all along. I was watching the music video in my room when the little girls came in and join me.

The funny thing is that these little girls, they try to follow the steps and we have made a videoclip of that! LOL!! I was laughing and laughing and couldn't stop laughing as I watch this little dancers move their body to the rhythm of the song. They are cute! Blemey! And the youngest, Safiyya, we call her Adek, she suggested that I put it on Youtube! Acha disagreed, "Eh, mana boleh! kita tak pakai tudung la!"

There, these are my sisters, my chocolates and sweets... Azhuda's girls! You guys rock!:)

Acha, Adek, Adnin (cousin), Zainab, Qayya

I'm Calling U

I'm calling' you
When all my goals, my very soul
Ain't fallin' through
I'm in need of U
The trust in my faith
My tears and my ways is drowning so
I cannot always show it
But don?t doubt my love
I'm callin' U
With all my time and all my fights
In search for the truth
Tryin' to reach U
See the worth of my sweat
My house and my bed
Am lost in sleep
I will not be false in who I am
As long as I breathe
Oh, no, no
I don't need nobody
& I don't fear nobody
I don't call nobody but U
My One & Only
I don't need nobody
& I don't fear nobody
I don't call nobody but U
U all I need in my life
I'm callin' U
When all my joy
And all my love is feelin' good
Cuz it's due to U
See the time of my life
My days and my nights
Oh, it's alright
Cuz at the end of the day
I still got enough for me and my
I'm callin' U
When all my keys
And all my bizz
Runs all so smooth
I'm thankin' U
See the halves in my life
My patience, my wife
With all that I know
Oh, take no more than I deserve
Still need to learn more
Oh, no, no
I don't need nobody
& I don't fear nobody
I don't call nobody but U
My One & Only
I don't need nobody
& I don't fear nobody
I don't call nobody but U
U all I need in my life
Our relationship, so complex
Found U while I was headed straight for hell in quest
You have no one to compare to
‘Cause when I lie to myself nothings hidden from U
I guess I'm thankful
Word on the street is U changed me
It shows in my behaviour
Past present future
Lay it all out
Found my call in your house
And let the whole world know what this love is about
Yo te quiero, te extrano, te olvido
Aunque nunca me has faltado, siempre estas conmigo
Por las veces que he fallado y las heridas tan profundas
Mejor tarde que nunca para pedirte mil disculpas
Estoy gritando callado yo te llamo, te escucho, lo intento
De ti yo me alimento
Cuando el aire que respiro es violento y turbulento
Yo te olvido, te llamo, te siento
Translation:
[I love you, I miss you, I forget you
Even though you never let me down and always are by my side
For all the times I've failed and hurt you deeply
Better later than never to give you a 1000 apologies
I'm shouting silently, callin' you, I'm listening to you, I'm tryin'
You nourish me
When the air that I breathe is violent and turbulent
I'm forgettin' you, I'm callin' you, I'm feelin' you]
Oh, no, no
I don't need nobody
& I don't fear nobody
I don't call nobody but U
My One & Only
I don't need nobody
& I don't fear nobody
I don't call nobody but U…

By: Outlandish

God, I'm calling only U
For U r my hope,
my goal,
my True Love!

I don't wanna fight no more...!

I just don't wanna fight it anymore!

I had enough... of crying and losing...

It's hard and it hurts...

Just let me be...

And so, this is my prayer...

Let it be the best,
for you and for me,
for us,
for the future...

I don't wanna fight no more...!

Raya with Kak Sheena... Will miss you...

Thank you, Mister Chairperson...

Evening everyone!

My story today... Hm... excited huh?! :) I was feeling the same when I was invited to become the emcee for two consecutive AGMs of two organizations in IIUM--Titian Wahyu Project and Intellectual Youth Club.

I was never before a chairperson for any meeting and that I was offered to become the chairperson for two annual grand meetings! What an honour...!:)

Thanks to Kak Dyll and Kak Sarah Ayu for the offer. Both were precious experience that could never be bought by material.

And you know what, after the second AGM that I chaired, I was offered to be the emcee for another AGM this Wednesday, October 15; Taskforce Rakan Muda Annual Grand Meeting.

Notwithstanding, I'll have presentation and hehehe a date on that day... So sorry Nadz, couldn't be your emcee... Good Luck to Melissa. She'll replace me for Rakan Muda's AGM. Have a great experience my dear!:)

Kak Dyll, gambar di bawah ni saje je Naheed 'feature'kan ... Attention-getter... Hehhe:) Jangan marah aaa...

Tunggu Teduh Dulu

Sebuah novel karya Faisal Tehrani. Cukup untuk membawa diri menilai kekuatan mujahadah hati.

Novel ni Naheed pinjam daripada Kak Dyll. Dia yg bersungguh bagi Naheed baca. Naheed sebenarnya tak boleh pegang novel. Once dah start, habis la... Takkan berhenti sampai khatam novel tu. I can even finish a novel as thick as Harry Potter in just a day!

Mula-mula pegang and flipped through the pages, what came to my mind was,
"Ala... ni lebih kurang 'Ayat-Ayat Cinta' je ni..."

At that time I had my impromptu dinner with Kak Dyll. She said that she just bought the novel and it still looked new as if belum bersentuh pun.

"Kak Dyll da baca belum ni?"

"Akak da baca da.. Pinjam ngan kawan.
Ni saje-saje beli buat simpanan.
Bace la... Best tau cite die"

And I was seduced.
Easily..! You know why?

First, I am by nature a novel-lover!:)
Second, cause I know that Faisal Tehrani is one of the prominent young Malaysian novelists, he had written number of books and won various awards.
And third, I was looking for something light but at the same time able to enlighten my dreary days I had that week.
Why was it a dreary week? I couldn't tell. But I can share more or less what I've learnt from this TTD (Tunggu Teduh Dulu) novel.

It is a story about a Muslim woman named Salsabila Fahim, seorang wanita yang mencari teduh tatkala dunianya diburu hujan, ribut, petir, taufan dan kemarau.

Kata Salsabila Fahim, ini cerita kecil,
cerita sederhana, tentang dia lari berteduh
di bangsal di puncak bukit
bersama Kamil dan Lam Ping Hai ketika hujan mula gerimis.

Kata aku, ini perkara besar ,
hal berteduh sementara duga datang mencuba bukan hal main-main.

Kata Teh Sofia, ya,
Kerja Tuhan siapa tahu ?

Kata aku, Tuhan akan menunjukkan
kepada yang mencari. Ya, asal kau mahu
mencari, Dia menunjukkan.

Apa kata kau ?

Kataku;

Salsabila Fahim umpama diri, yang sekejap berlari ke hulu, terkadang menyusur jalan ke hilir mencari teduh. Saat-saat diri berada di tengah indah dunia, terleka, lupa bahawa itu milik Dia.
Namun, bila diri diberi ujian, mehnah dan dugaan, tatkala itu mula mencari teduh, mencari bantuan Tuhan.

Salsabila Fahim seorang yang tabah, tak mudah lentur semangatnya ketika ujian membedil bertalu-talu. Novel ni banyak buat Naheed berfikir dan merenung diri. Seorang sahabiah pernah berkata,

"jangan katakan diri pejuang andai tak kental tanggung ujian"

Naheed tak pernah diuji dengan ujian sehebat yang Salsabila Fahim, atau mungkin pejuang-pejuang lain lalui. Dengan ujian yang sekecil ini pun masih hendak mengeluh, masih cepat untuk berputus asa, masih kurang zikir syukur.

"Tidak ada satu nikmat pun yang ada pada kamu kecuali semuanya dari Allah.. apabila kamu ditimpa bahaya maka kepadaNYA kamu mengadu"
(An-Nahl:53)

"Dan sesungguhnya Kami telah menetapkan kamu (dan memberi kuasa) di bumi dan Kami jadikan untuk kamu padanya (berbagai jalan) penghidupan (supaya kamu bersyukur, tetapi) amatlah sedikit kamu bersyukur. "
(Al Anfal:10)

"Dan Dialah yang menjadikan kamu khalifah di bumi dan meninggikan setengah kamu atas setengahnya yang lain beberapa darjat, kerana Dia hendak menguji kamu pada apa yang telah dikurniakanNya kepada kamu. Sesungguhnya Tuhanmu amatlah cepat azab seksaNya dan sesungguhnya Dia Maha Pengampun, lagi Maha Mengasihani."
(Al An'aam 165)

Ya Allah, pohonku agar Kau kuatkan aku dengan thaliMu. Tetapkan aku istiqamah di atas jalan-Mu.

"...cukuplah ALLAH bagi ku. Tidak ada Ilah selain Dia. Hanya kepadaNya aku bertawakkal. Dan DIA adalah Tuhan yg memiliki 'Arsy yang agung."
(At Taubah:129)

Bukan emo lah... (to kak Dyll)

Emo ke? Hmm.. kadang2 terasa jg diri ni agak emo (huhu~), tp bila sebut ttg sahabat, bkn emo ye... Itu penghargaan...

Naheed geram sangat ngan orang yang tak reti menghargai erti sebenar persahabatan. Pernah tak sahabat2 berdepan ngan situasi di bawah:

1. Sahabat hanya akan ingat kat kita bila dia ada masalah. Masa2 lain dengan suka citanya dia melupakan kita.
2. Sahabat kita tu share ngan kita rahsia/masalah dia, tapi dia doubt kejujuran kita. (logik tak? hmm...)
   
3. Sahabat yang pada dia kita cerita rahsia kita dengan ingatan dia sahabat yang boleh dipercayai, alih2, dia yang heboh2kan pd orang ramai.. huh!

Waah! kegeraman yang memuncak nih! Bulan2 pose ni, nasib baik dikurniakan rasa sabar sedikit tebal... hmm... :)

Apa2 pun dia masih sahabat kita... Manusia buat silap, manusia terhantuk, tapi jangan terhantuk berkali2.. Itu dah bukan terhantuk tu, itu 'menghantuk'.

Semoga memberi pengajaran dan i'tibar..:)

Life is short. Be swift to love. Make haste to be kind.

What he was like...

The following is an excerpt from the book entitled "The Message of Mohammad", by Athar Husain. Among other things, it talks about some of the personal characteristics of the prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him), the final messenger of Allah (God). It has been edited slightly in order to reduce it's length. Care has been taken not to change the content inshaAllah. The topics include:

• Appearance
• Dress
• Mode of living
• His manners and disposition
• Children
• Daily routine
• Trust in Allah
• Justice
• Equality
• Kindness to animals
• Love for the poor

---

Appearance

Muhammad (pbuh) was of a height a little above the average. He was of sturdy build with long muscular limbs and tapering fingers. The hair of his head was long and thick with some waves in them. His forehead was large and prominent, his eyelashes were long and thick, his nose was sloping, his mouth was somewhat large and his teeth were well set. His cheeks were spare and he had a pleasant smile. His eyes were large and black with a touch of brown. His beard was thick and at the time of his death, he had seventeen gray hairs in it. He had a thin line of fine hair over his neck and chest. He was fair of complexion and altogether was so handsome that Abu Bakr composed this couplet on him:

"as there is no darkness in the moonlit night so is Mustafa, the well-wisher, bright."

His gait was firm and he walked so fast that others found it difficult to keep pace with him. His face was genial but at times, when he was deep in thought, there there were long periods of silence, yet he always kept himself busy with something. He did not speak unnecessarily and what he said was always to the point and without any padding. At times he would make his meaning clear by slowly repeating what he had said. His laugh was mostly a smile. He kept his feelings under firm control - when annoyed, he would turn aside or keep silent, when pleased he would lower his eyes (Shamail Tirmizi).

---

Dress

His dress generally consisted of a shirt, tamad (trousers), a sheet thrown round the sholders and a turban. On rare occasions, he would put on costly robes presented to him by foreign emissaries in the later part of his life (Ahmed, Musnad, Hafiz Bin Qaiyyam).

His blanket had several patches (Tirmizi). He had very few spare clothes, but he kept them spotlessy clean (Bukhari). He wanted others also to put on simple but clean clothes. Once he saw a person putting on dirty clothes and remarked,

"Why can't this man wash them." (Abu Dawud, Chapter "Dress").

On another occasion he enquired of a person in dirty clothes whether he had any income. Upon getting a reply in the affirmative, he observed,

"When Allah has blessed you with His bounty, your appearence should reflect it." (Abu Dawud)

He used to observe:

"Cleanliness is piety".

---

Mode of living

His house was but a hut with walls of unbaked clay and a thatched roof of palm leaves covered by camel skin. He had separate apartments for his wives, a small room for each made of similar materials. His own apartment contained a rope cot, a pillow stuffed with palm leaves , the skin of some animal spread on the floor and a water bag of leather and some weapons. These were all his earthly belongings, besides a camel, a horse, and an ass and some land which he had aquired in the later part of his life (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud). Once a few of his disciples, noticing the imprint of his mattress on his body, wished to give him a softer bed but he politely declined the offer saying,

"What have I to do with worldly things. My connection with the world is like that of a traveler resting for a while underneath the shade of a tree and then moving on."

Amr Ibn Al-Harith, a brother in law of the prophet (pbuh), says that when the prophet died, he did not leave a cent, a slave man or woman, or any property except his white mule, his weapons and a piece of land which he had dedicated for the good of the community (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari).

He advised the people to live simple lives and himself practised great austerities. Even when he had become the virtual king of arabia, he lived an austere life bordering on privation. His wife Aiysha (ra) says that there was hardly a day in his life when he had two square meals (Muslim, Sahih Muslim, Vol.2, pg 198). When he died there was nothing in his house except a few seeds of barley left from a mound of the grain obtained from a Jew by pawning his armour (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari, Chapter "Aljihad").

He had declared unlawful for himself and his family anything given by the people by way of zakat or sadaqa (types of charity). He was so particular about this that he would not appoint any member of his family as a zakat collector (Sahah-Kitab Sadqat).

---

His manners and disposition

"By the grace of Allah, you are gentle towards the people; if you had been stern and ill-tempered, they would have dispersed from round about you" (translation of Qur'an 3:159)

About himself the prophet (pbuh) said

"Allah has sent me as an apostle so that I may demonstrate perfection of character, refinement of manners and loftiness of deportment." (Malik, Mawatta; Ahmed, Musnad; Mishkat)

By nature he was gentle and kind hearted, always inclined to be gracious and to overlook the faults of others. Politeness and courtesy, compassion and tenderness, simplicity and humility, sympathy and sincerity were some of the keynotes of his character. In the cause of right and justice he could be resolute and severe but more often than not, his severity was tempered with generosity. He had charming manners which won him the affection of his followers and secured their devotion. Though virtual king of Arabia and an apostle of Allah, he never assumed an air of superiority. Not that he had to conceal any such vein by practice and artifice: with fear of Allah, sincere humility was ingrained in his heart. He used to say,

"I am a Prophet of Allah but I do not know what will be my end." (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari, Chapter "Al-Janaiz")

In one of his sermons calculated to instill the fear of Allah and the day of reckoning in the hearts of men, he said,

"O people of Quraish be prepared for the hereafter, I cannot save you from the punishment of Allah; O Bani Abd Manaf, I cannot save you from Allah; O Abbas, son of Abdul Mutalib, I cannot protect you either; O Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, even you I cannot save." (Sahahin)

He used to pray,

"O Allah! I am but a man. If I hurt any one in any manner, then forgive me and do not punish me." (Ahmed, Musnad, Vol. 6 pg. 103)

He always received people with courtesy and showed respect to older people and stated:

"To honor an old man is to show respect to Allah."

He would not deny courtesy even to wicked persons. It is stated that a person came to his house and asked permission for admission. The prophet (pbuh) remarked that he was not a good person but might be admitted. When he came in and while he remained in the house, he was shown full courtesy. When he left Aiysha (ra) said,

"You did not think well of this man, but you treated him so well."

The prophet (pbuh) replied,

"He is a bad person in the sight of Allah who does not behave courteously and people shun his company bacause of his bad manners." (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari)

He was always the first to greet another and would not withdraw his hand from a handshake till the other man withdrew his. If one wanted to say something in his ears, he would not turn away till one had finished (Abu Dawud, Tirmizi). He did not like people to get up for him and used to say,

"Let him who likes people to stand up in his honour, he should seek a place in hell." (Abu Dawud, Kitabul Adab, Muhammadi Press, Delhi).

He would himself, however, stand up when any dignitary came to him. He had stood up to receive the wet nurse who had reared him in infancy and had spread his own sheet for her. His foster brother was given similar treatment. He avoided sitting at a prominent place in a gathering, so much so that people coming in had difficulty in spotting him and had to ask which was the Prophet (pbuh). Quite frequently uncouth bedouins accosted him in their own gruff and impolite manner but he never took offence. (Abu Dawud Kitabul Atama).

He used to visit the poorest of ailing persons and exhorted all muslims to do likewise (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari, Chapter "Attendance on ailing persons"). He would sit with the humblest of persons saying that righteousness alone was the criterion of one's superiority over another. He invariably invited people be they slaves, servants or the poorest believers, to partake with him of his scanty meals (Tirmizi, Sunan Tirmizi).

Whenever he visited a person he would first greet him and then take his permission to enter the house. He advised the people to follow this etiquette and not to get annoyed if anyone declined to give permission, for it was quite likely the person concerned was busy otherwise and did not mean any disrespect (Ibid).

There was no type of household work too low or too undignified for him. Aiysha (ra) has stated,

"He always joined in household work and would at times mend his clothes, repair his shoes and sweep the floor. He would milk, tether, and feed his animals and do the household shopping." (Qazi Iyaz: Shifa; Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari, Chapter: Kitabul Adab)

He would not hesitate to do the menial work of others, particularly of orphans and widows (Nasi, Darmi). Once when there was no male member in the house of the companion Kabab Bin Arat who had gone to the battlefield, he used to go to his house daily and milk his cattle for the inhabitants (Ibn Saad Vol. 6, p 213).

---

Children

He was especially fond of children and used to get into the spirit of childish games in their company. He would have fun with the children who had come back from Abyssinia and tried to speak in Abyssinian with them. It was his practice to give lifts on his camel to children when he returned from journeys (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2 pg.886). He would pick up children in his arms, play with them, and kiss them. A companion, recalling his childhood, said,

"In my childhood I used to fell dates by throwing stones at palm trees. Somebody took me to the Prophet (pbuh) who advised me to pick up the dates lying on the ground but not to fell them with stones. He then patted me and blessed me." (Abu Dawud)

---

Daily routine

On the authority of Ali, Tirmizi has recorded that the Prophet (pbuh) had carefully apportioned his time according to the demands on him for

1. offering worship to Allah
2. public affairs, and
3. personal matters.

After the early morning prayers he would remain sitting in the mosque reciting praises of Allah till the sun rose and more people collected. He would then preach to them. After the sermons were over, he would talk genially with the people, enquire about their welfare and even exchange jokes with them. Taxes and revenues were also disrtibuted at this time (Muslim, Sahih Muslim Tirmizi, Sunan Tirmizi). He would then offer chaste prayers and go home and get busy with household work (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi). He would again return to the mosque for the mid-day and afternoon prayers, listen to the problems of the people and give solace and guidance to them. After the afternoon prayers, he would visit each of his wives and, after the evening prayers, his wives would collect at one place and he would have his dinner (Muslim, Sahih Muslim). After the night prayers, he would recite some suras of the Quran and before going to bed would pray:

"O Allah, I die and live with thy name on my lips."

On getting up he would say,

"All praise to Allah Who has given me life after death and towards Whom is the return."

He used to brush his teeth five times a day, before each of the daily prayers. After midnight, he used to get up for the tahajjud prayers which he never missed even once in his life (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari). He was not fastidious about his bed: sometimes he slept on his cot, sometimes on a skin or ordinary matress, and sometimes on the ground (Zarqani).

On friday he used to give sermons after the weekly "Jumma" prayers. He was not annoyed if anyone interrupted him during the sermons for anything. It is stated that once, while he was delivering his sermon, a bedouin approached him and said, "O messenger of Allah, I am a traveler and am ignorant of my religion." The prophet (pbuh) got down from the pulpit, explained the salient features of Islam to him and then resumed the sermon (Tirmizi, Sunan Tirmizi).

On another occasion his grandson Husain, still a child, came tumbling to him while he was delivering a sermon. He descended and took him in his lap and then continued the sermon (Ibid).

---

Trust in Allah (swt)

Muhammad (pbuh) preached to the people to trust in Allah (swt). His whole life was a sublime example of the precept. In the loneliness of Makkah, in the midst of persecution and danger, in adversity and tribulations, and in the thick of enemies in the battles of Uhud and Hunain, complete faith and trust in Allah (swt) appears as the dominant feature in his life. However great the danger that confronted him, he never lost hope and never allowed himself to be unduly agitated. Abu Talib knew the feelings of the Quraish when the Prophet (pbuh) started his mission. He also knew the lengths to which the Quraish could go, and requested the Prophet (pbuh) to abandon his mission, but the latter calmly replied,

"Dear uncle, do not go by my loneliness. Truth will not go unsupported for long. The whole of Arabia and beyond will one day espouse its cause." (Ibn Hisham, Sirat-ur-Rasul.)

When the attitude of the Quraish became more threatening, Abu Talib again begged his nephew to renounce his mission but the Prophet's (pbuh) reply was:

"O my uncle, if they placed the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, to force me to renounce my work, verily I would not desist thereform until Allah made manifest His cause, or I perished in the attempt." (Ibid)

To another well-wisher, he said,

"Allah will not leave me forelorn."

A dejected and oppressed disciple was comforted with the words:

"By Allah, the day is near when this faith will reach its pinnacle and none will have to fear anyone except Allah." (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari)

It was the same trust in Allah (swt) which emboldened the prophet (pbuh) to say his prayers openly in the haram in the teeth of opposition. The Quraish were once collected there and were conspiring to put an end to his life when he next entered the haram. His young daughter Fatima, who happened to overhear their talk rushed weeping to her father and told him of the designs of the Quraish. He consoled her, did his ablutions and went to the Kaaba to say prayers. There was only consternation among the Quraish when they saw him (Ahmed, Musnad, Vol. 1, pg. 368).

Then leaving his house for Madinah he asked Ali (ra) to sleep on his bed and told him,

"Do not worry, no one will be able to do you any harm" (Tabari, Ibn Hisham)

Even though the enemies had surrounded the house, he left the house reciting the Quranic verse:

"We have set a barricade before them and a barricade behind them and (thus) have covered them so that they see not" (translation of Qur'an 36:9)

Abu Bakr was frightened when pursuers came close to the cavern in which he and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were hiding during their flight, but the Prophet (pbuh) heartened him,

"Grieve not. Allah is with us."

A guard was kept at the Prophet's house in Madinah because of the danger that surrounded him but he had it withdrawn when the Quranic verse was revealed:

"Allah will protect you from the people" (translation of Qur'an 5:67).

A man was caught waiting in ambush to assault the Prophet (pbuh) but he was directed to be released with the words,

"Even if this man wanted to kill me, he could not." (Ahmed, Musnad, Vol.3 pg. 471)

A Jewess from Khaibar had put poison in the Prophet's (pbuh) food. He spat it out after taking a morsel but a disciple who had his fill died the next day. The Jewess was brought before the prophet (pbuh) who questioned her:

"Why did you do this?" "To kill you," was her defiant reply. She was told, "Allah would not have allowed you to do it." (Muslim, Sahih Muslim.)

In the battle of Uhud when the rear guard action of the Makkan army had disorganized the Muslim army and had turned the tables, the Prophet (pbuh) stood as firm as a rock even though he had suffered personal injuries. When Abu Sufiyan taunted the Muslims and shouted "Victory to hubal!" (hubal was one of their idols), the Prophet (pbuh) asked Umar (ra) to shout back, "Allah is our protector and friend. You have no protector and friend. Allah is Great, Magnificent." (Ibn Hisham, Sirat-Ur-Rasul).

Again in the battle of Hunain, when the unexpected assault of the army had swept the Muslim force off its feet and a defeat seemed imminent, the Prophet (pbuh) did not yield ground. With trust in Allah (swt) he showed such courage that the Muslim army rallied behind him to win a signal victory.

---

Justice

The Prophet (pbuh) asked people to be just and kind. As the supreme judge and arbiter, as the leader of men, as generalissimo of a rising power, as a reformer and apostle, he had always to deal with men and their affairs. He had often to deal with mutually inimical and warring tribes when showing justice to one carried the danger of antagonizing the other, and yet he never deviated from the path of justice. In administering justice, he made no distinction between believers and nonbelievers, friends and foes, high and low. From numerous instances reported in the traditions, a few are given below.

Sakhar, a chief of a tribe, had helped Muhammad (pbuh) greatly in the seige of Taif, for which he was naturally obliged to him. Soon after, two charges were brought against Sakhar: one by Mughira of illegal confinement of his (Mughira's) aunt and the other by Banu Salim of forcible occupation of his spring by Sakhar. In both cases, he decided against Sakhar and made him undo the wrong. (Abu Dawud, Sunan Dawud, pg.80)

Abdullah Bin Sahal, a companion, was deputed to collect rent from Jews of Khaibar. His cousin Mahisa accompanied him but, on reaching Khaibar, they had separated. Abdullah was waylaid and done to death. Mahisa reported this tragedy to the Prophet (pbuh) but as there were no eye-witnesses to identify the guilty, he did not say anything to the Jews and paid the blood-money out of the state revenues (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari Nasai).

A woman of the Makhzoom family with good connections was found guilty of theft. For the prestige of the Quraish, some prominent people including Asama Bin Zaid interceded to save her from punishment. The Prophet (pbuh) refused to condone the crime and expressed displeasure saying,

"Many a community ruined itself in the past as they only punished the poor and ignored the offences of the exalted. By Allah, if Muhammad's (My) daughter Fatima would have committed theft, her hand would have been severed." (Bukhari, Sahh Bukhari, Chapter "Alhadood")

The Jews, in spite of their hostility to the Prophet (pbuh), were so impressed by his impartiallity and sense of justice that they used to bring their cases to him, and he decided them according to Jewish law. (Abu Dawud, Sunan Dawud)

Once, while he was distributing the spoils of war, people flocked around him and one man almost fell upon him. He pushed the men with a stick causing a slight abrasion. He was so sorry about this that he told the man that he could have his revenge, but the man said, "O messenger of Allah, I forgive you." (Abu Dawud, Kitablu Diyat).

In his fatal illness, the Prophet (pbuh) proclaimed in a concourse assembled at his house that if he owed anything to anyone the person concerned could claim it; if he had ever hurt anyone's person, honor or property, he could have his price while he was yet in this world. A hush fell on the crowd. One man came forward to claim a few dirhams which were paid at once. (Ibn Hisham, Sirat-ur-Rasul)

---

Equality

Muhammad (pbuh) asked people to shun notions of racial, family or any other form of superiority based on mundane things and said that righteousness alone was the criterion of one's superiority over another. It has already been shown how he mixed with everyone on equal terms, how he ate with slaves, servants and the poorest on the same sheet (a practice that is still followed in Arabia), how he refused all privileges and worked like any ordinary laborer. Two instances may, however, be quoted here:

Once the Prophet (pbuh) visited Saad Bin Abadah. While returning Saad sent his son Quais with him. The Prophet (pbuh) asked Quais to mount his camel with him. Quais hesitated out of respect but the Prophet (pbuh) insisted: "Either mount the camel or go back." Quais decided to go back. (Abu Dawud, Kitabul Adab)

On another occasion he was traveling on his camel over hilly terrain with a disciple, Uqba Bin Aamir. After going some distance, he asked Uqba to ride the camel, but Uqba thought this would be showing disrespect to the Prophet (pbuh). But the Prophet (pbuh) insisted and he had to comply. The Prophet (pbuh) himself walked on foot as he did not want to put too much load on the animal. (Nasai pg. 803)

The prisioners of war of Badr included Abbas, the uncle of the Prophet (pbuh). Some people were prepared to forgo their shares and remit the Prophet's (pbuh) ransom but he declined saying that he could make no distinctions. (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari, Chapter "Ransoms")

During a halt on a journey, the companions apportioned work among themselves for preparing food. The Prophet (pbuh) took upon himself the task of collecting firewood. His companions pleaded that they would do it and that he need not take the trouble, but he replied,

"It is true, but I do not like to attribute any distinction to myself. Allah does not like the man who considers himself superior to his companions." (Zarqani, Vol 4 pg. 306)

---

Kindness to animals

The Prophet (pbuh) not only preached to the people to show kindness to each other but also to all living souls. He forbade the practice of cutting tails and manes of horses, of branding animals at any soft spot, and of keeping horses saddled unnecessarily (Muslim, Sahih Muslim). If he saw any animal over-loaded or ill-fed he would pull up the owner and say,

"Fear Allah in your treatment of animals." (Abu Dawud, Kitab Jihad).

A companion came to him with the young ones of a bird in his sheet and said that the mother bird had hovered over them all along. He was directed to replace her offspring in the same bush (Mishkat, Abu Dawud)

During a journey, somebody picked up some birds eggs. The bird's painful note and fluttering attracted the attention of the Prophet (pbuh), who asked the man to replace the eggs (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari).

As his army marched towards Makkah to conquer it, they passed a female dog with puppies. The Prophet (pbuh) not only gave orders that they should not be disturbed, but posted a man to see that this was done.

He stated,

"Verily, there is heavenly reward for every act of kindness done to a living animal."

---

Love for the poor

The Prophet (pbuh) enjoined upon Muslims to treat the poor kindly and to help them with alms, zakat, and in other ways. He said:

"He is not a perfect muslim who eats his fill and lets his neighbor go hungry."

He asked,

"Do you love your Creator? Then love your fellow beings first."

Monopoly is unlawful in Islam and he preached that

"It is diffucult for a man laden with riches to climb the steep path that leads to bliss."

He did not prohibit or discourage the aquisition of wealth but insisted that it be lawfully aquired by honest means and that a portion of it would go to the poor. He advised his followers

"To give the laborer his wages before his perspiration dried up."

He did not encourage beggary either and stated that

"Allah is gracious to him who earns his living by his own labor, and that if a man begs to increase his property, Allah will diminish it and whoever has food for the day, it is prohibited for him to beg."

To his wife he said,

"O Aysha, love the poor and let them come to you and Allah will draw you near to Himself." (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari)

One or two instances of the Prophet's (pbuh) concern for the poor may be given here. A Madinan, Ibad Bin Sharjil, was once starving. He entered an orchard and picked some fruit. The owner of the orchard gave him a sound beating and stripped off his clothes. The poor man appealed to the Prophet (pbuh) who remonstrated the owner thus:

"This man was ignorant, you should have dispelled his ignorance; he was hungry, you should have fed him."

His clothes were restored to the Madinan and, in addition, some grain was given to him (Abu Dawud, Kitabul Jihad).

A debtor, Jabir Bin Abdullah, was being harassed by his creditor as he could not clear his debt owing to the failure of his date crop. The Prophet (pbuh) went with Jabir to the house of the creditor and pleaded with him to give Jabir some more time but the creditor was not prepared to oblige. The Prophet (pbuh) then went to the oasis and having seen for himself that the crop was really poor, he again approached the creditor with no better result. He then rested for some time and approached the creditor for a third time but the latter was adamant. The Prophet (pbuh) went again to the orchard and asked Jabir to pluck the dates. As Allah would have it, the collection not only sufficed to clear the dues but left something to spare (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari).

His love for the poor was so deep that he used to pray:

"O Allah, keep me poor in my life and at my death and raise me at resurrection among those who are poor." (Nasai, Chapter: Pardon)