minnsyahnotes

[minnsyahnotes]

{BOTM} If The Ocean Were Ink by Carla Power: Discussion 1

BOTM (7/4/2020) Chapter 3 : A Muslim In The West.

“Islam doesn’t have a spectrum.” Any combination is possible.

Muslims can come from very literalist traditions or  or who are very mystical but very political.

It means that one of the beauty of this religion is its diversity.

Allah SWT said in His Quran: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you people and tribes so that you may know one another.” (Al-Hujurat, 49:13)

Point 1 - Labels & categorize: Is it okay?

We naturally categorize things and people because getting to know someone in depth takes time. So we take the easier way route and just group people up according to labels. Which is not right.

Point 2 -  Following the sunnah of Rasulullah SAW: “That when he knew his limit.”

In daily life, there are a lot of Prophet’s example that we can follow in scores of ways. Prophet’s sunnah spread beyond mere habit and into manners.

Eg: eat with right hand, comb right side of hair first, place right foot first when entering a place & etc.  

Following the way of the prophet, Akram once consoled, “makes life much more easier.”

Akram’s most admired about the Prophet: “That when he knew his limit.” He knew his limit as a husband, not presuming to dictate to his wives how to behave. And he also knew his limit on what lay on other people’s heart. Famous anecdote: refer attachment. Only God truly knew what lay inside. How quick are we to judge?

Point 3 -  Rasulullah’s SWT flexibility:

Masha Allah! Rasulullah is so flexible, he didn’t reprimed or look down on the companion. Instead, he SAW always trying to find solutions and in doing so was flexible within limits.

Rasulullah SAW is not merely a distant figure that lived a long time ago, because there are always something that we can relate intimately with him. Because after all, he is human too. A special person that is sent by God to us. How did you fall in love with Rasulullah?

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{TKV} Lesson 1: Virtues of Surah Fatiha + Introduction

Reflection 1: Surah fatiha as an introduction of Allah SWT.

Surah Fatiha the secrets of the entire Quran + key to all goodness.  Hence, for us to be able to go through the Quran, we must be acquainted with The One that is speaking in this book.

For example when you read a book (in Islamic tradition), you read the foreword or preface to get to know the author and navigate idea of the book.

There's no writing for the Quran (writing is human's trick) as Allah SWT is speaking through His words. Quran is deliverance of information, light and guidance.

The speech is without letters and words, that is with our aqidah system: on how we speak about Allah SWT.

Fun note: Malay culture has a specific word for Allah which is berfirman and Rasulullah is bersabda and we don't use the word for any other purpose.

Reflection 2: Surah Fatiha is an introduction to the whole Quran.

Surah Fatiha is the mother of the book. The verse was divided into 3 part:

First 3 verse: Introduction of Allah SWT (the trait of Him) to His servants. Speak about He being the King of the day of judgement. The reality of this world and the hereafter, and it back to the root: you will be questioned and accountable.

Middle verse: It teach us (servant) to interact & connect with Allah SWT through du'a. You're not left alone in this world. Allah has promised to be in every way in your life, if you want to reach out to Him. It's a matter of you.

Last verse: Speak about people of the past & lessons we can learn from them.

Additional notes:

For 5th & 6th verse: Remember that the whole Quran remind us to never give up. Whenever the Law comes in and you feel so hard, remember back the 5th verse (It is You we worship and You we ask for help.) That cover of all the verses when it comes to Law in Islam, and how do we face Law.

One of the way to attain khusyuk in solah: Surah Fatiha itself is a prayer, so focus on the meaning and feel it wholeheartedly praying to Allah.

Reflection 3: Virtues of Surah Fatiha

Hadith narrated about Abu Jurith narrated by Al-Bukhari & Surah Al-anfal (8:24).

The background story of the hadith, is how Rasulullah is teaching and give reminder and not about reprimand the companions. New ways in seeing hadith by knowing how Rasulullah convey the information to companion with smiling and a very charming teaching method.

In Quran, Allah say, it is more virtues respond to Allah and Prophet when they call you to what give you life.

E.g: If your parents call you and they want you right now, it is better to answer them and break your prayer (for sunnah prayer).

It is more virtues to respond to what give you life.

Reflection 4: The science of learning about Prophet SWT:

Shamaail (Prophet characteristic). To know more about his outward description & inward character in details.

Sirah (Biography of Rasulullah SWT). To know more about his everyday life, in 63 years of his life. Every single moment of his life is applicable to every human being till the end of time. So, it's really unfortunate to someone that see sirah like history, as something that is on the past.

Hadith (Direct teaching). Direct teaching of the ummah recorded by the companion. It is more to day to day interaction or questions within Prophet SWT with companions.

Reflection 5: Surah Fatiha is The Cure for everything.

Quote from the hadith: "Who so ever that did not take wealth from the Quran, there is no richness for this person & who does not take cure from the Quran, there is no cure for this person."

Scary.

Whoever out there seeking wealth Rasulullah SWT said to read Surah Waqiah everyday: then you do not fear poverty. Because whoever didn't recite it, then whatever they're looking for: it is not enough for them. They're leaving the Prophetic solution to avoid poverty.

The Quran suffices. Those who don’t seek solace or healing from the Quran, they’ll go in circles and they’ll still find their way back to the Quran.

Always set intention when reading the Surah Fatiha: to cure the diseases in our heart and bodies, as Surah Fatiha is the greatest surah in the Quran and full of blessing in it.

Especially because your soul is broken, so keep reciting it. As there is for the one who recites Surah Fatiha with exaltation,with awe & love, the veils will be removed from them. Whatever that is broken in them will be cured.

The moment a person let of our wants and desire, we will find the life is very easy insyaAllah. Everything come and gone.

Reflection 6: Seeking protection from Shaitan

When you read the quran, start with reciting "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ar-rajim".

To seek protection from the curse and the evil, and nurturing us that whatever we do, placing our trust and reliance, admitting that He is The Source of Goodness and He is The One that can repel all evilness.

Especially the shaitan, as their goal is stray us from the right path.

A'udhu "billah": I seek protection "in Allah" meaning:

The word of "Allah" consist of all names that we know and we don't know. Allah is infinite, He is not limited to 99 names. The name of "Allah" cover all of it.

Allah SWT will never disappoint or turn away especially the one come to the Quran seeking for guidance and protection. You will never leave empty-handed, in fact we will leave with much more.

The root word of"shaitan"- Shatana: distancer, is as anything that will distance a person from Allah SWT.

That is why we start the Quran with reciting this. The first thing that you are seeking protection from is your own misconception of pre-conception of the Quran. Anyone or anything, that distract you: is shaitan.

Are we "shaitan" too? Because sometimes the choices and the actions you make are what distance you from Allah.

We are so quick to blame everything on the devil, but perhaps we forget how Iblis is powerless to the one who's heart is always in contemplation and in remembrance of Allah SWT.

Because the moment we turn away from Allah and rely on other things, that's when the shaitan sweep and comes in. Ya Allah.

The Quran is to bring you closer to Allah. How much of the Quran are we taking everyday?

[minnsyahnotes]

IG Live Q&A: Mizi Wahid & Aida Azlin.

How to overcome trauma in your life?

Acknowledge the pain, acknowledge that those experiences shackle your world. But you don’t have to be defeated by it. Acknowledging it is very important to move a step further, to face it and find a solution to overcome it.

How to overcome heartbreak?

It’s okay to cry, as to cry is human. But at one point, you gonna be tired. So start find ways to overcome it. Don’t dwell too much on your emotions.

Use that energy that you have at that time. Paint it out, write it out, climb a mountain, run a marathon!

What is your thoughts that couples need to postpone their nikah due to Covid-19?

Mizi : Dari segi hukum, refer rukun nikah. So supposed to be no problem if you still want to proceed the nikad.

Aida : Think about the lesson behind every single things happen. As this situation, maybe this is one of the things that you need to face as couples and imagine the countless situation that both of you will face after get married. Always try to find the hikmah, lesson is everything that happen in our everyday life.

I have thought of wearing hijab but I’m still unsure and scared with the whole transformation. What should I do?

Aida : Practical wise, suggesting to do it step by step. Like start to covering other part first, wear long sleeve etc and once you’re comfortable for it then you can start wearing hijab and try to wear it as long-term thingy. Be comfortable with yourself, and insyaAllah other things will follow.

Aida : Also, surround yourself with people that wear hijab, so that you feel the urge to cover as well. At first it might feel awkward and hypocrite, but soon after you will get used to it and it won’t be a big thing is your everyday life anymore.

Aida : If you are happy with your decisions and no one force you, then people that care for you will be happy for you. Don’t force yourself to be someone you’re not.

Is it good to be introverts?

Aida : The society force introverts to be extroverts and put a label that introverts is bad. Society shouldn’t force people to be someone they are not.

Aida : Introverts doesn’t mean that they’re shy. Introverts sometimes will be the loudest person in the room and you won’t expect it from them as we thought introverts will keep things within themselves only. It’s just that social interactions is draining them. And we have to respect them for it.

Aida: However, do not use introvertness as an excuse to not contribute something to the society and the world. You can always contribute something to society, in your own ways of course. Blooming in your own pace, and not because the society push you so.

Favourite quote?

Aida : “Ya Allah, if you find me going away from you, bring me closer again in the most beautiful way.”

How you start inspiring people?

Mizi : Remind others in beautiful way. Do what Allah want you to do. Every person Allah sent to you is a sign, and a blessing at the same time.

Aida : How to start? Just start lah haha. Or maybe you already are, but you don’t realize it. Maybe you share it in your own way. Just remember : what they have, you don’t have and what you have they don’t have. It doesn’t matter how many people engage with what you’re sharing. You are responsible what you share and not the amount of people engage with your share. Be sincere on your approach, and always remind the niat why you want to do it. Good things will follow insyaAllah.

Aida : You don’t have to follow peoples’ style in sharing things. Always ask yourself: How I can share yourself without changing who you are? Be true to yourself, and always remember that whatever you share: is actually a reminder for you.

Personal goals this Ramadhan?

Aida : I don’t watch any korean dramas during Ramadhan.

OMG. Auch.