can you keep a secret?

Alhamdulillah. Today has been great! Alhamdulillah indeed. Alhamdulillah for the rezeki, Alhamdulillah for the reminders, Alhamdulillah for the littlest things that my family were able to enjoy, Alhamdulillah for the chance to meet up with people that I love and admire (in secret), Alhamdulillah for the opportunity to remind myself that I am nothing without Allah. Alhamdulillah for today!

Jazakillah for my sisters who contributed and for the duaa. Really appreciate them to bits! =)

Will blog about this in detail at a later time, insya Allah.

For now, I've got some work (research) to do. Please make duaa that everything will run smoothly on that day :)

Jazakallahu khayran.

addiction.

Salaam 'Alaykum everyone,

today, I got three new books. Two of them are from my favourite author at the moment - Habiburrahman el Shirazy.

• Dalam Mihrab Cinta
• Di Atas Sejadah Cinta

And another one is titled "21 Risiko Buruk Busana Seksi - Nasihat Bijak Untuk Kaum Wanita" by Abdurrahman Nusantari.

Hmmm.. and I also found out that Bismi Tutong Central Mall has like 6 copies of AAC. (!!!!!!!!!!) I tell you, sometimes I feel like buying every single copy and give it to my girls so they could fall in love with it the way I did :)

I don't really have anything to talk about. :/ brain-dried this.

Alhamdulillah, I had a high fever a coupla days ago that made me stayed in bed (couch, actually) for two days. It was bad to the point that I'm losing my appetite now. (hehehe, good for diet this!). Because of the fever, I couldn't meet G with N when it was planned a few days earlier. Tani hanya mampu merancang, tapi Allah sudah tentukan that this girl wouldn't be able to make it. Ada hikmahnya tu, insya Allah :) (apparently, g falls in love with n jua because of her bubbly personality - come on, who wouldn't? I KNOW I DID :P)

We also had ta'aruf session and we got to bits where we told a bit about ourselves and guess what I did when it was my turn - I made most of the girls cried.

It was more like 'story of my life' kinda thing. And how it got me to where I am today and who I am today.

I love you muslimahs! I really really do!!

A few activities are lining up the coming week so I'm excited! YAY. Mudahan mendapat berkat and memberi manfaat.. insya Allah ;)

This jobless girl is apparently not so jobless after all ;)

Jazakillah for the treat, you. Happy birthday~

UK, here I come (again)

Salaam everyone.

Nope. I'm not done packing yet. And I'm knackered.

I haven't been feeling well these past week, but Alhamdulillah, Allah has made it easy for me to do things that needed taken care of. Alhamdulillah. I trust that everything ada hikmahnya, wallahu'alam.

Luggage - check.
Passport - check.
Laptop - check.
Checklist - check.
Self - not checked yet.

body - aching.
throat - in pain.
temperature - higher than normal.

Need. Sleep. Now.

ps. update soon, insya Allah. Pray for our safe journey, there and back.. Jazakallahu khairan.

pps. I WILL MOST DEFINITELY MISS MY HALAQAH MUSLIMAHS *hugs hugs* and our HALAQAH SESSIONS *sobs sobs*; i.e. Iman-refreshing-day ;) (see you ladies in two weeks plus, insya Allah - be good and remember me in your dua'as and tarbiyah and halaqah sessions!!)

xoxoxo

Rojak-ed.

Salaam 'Alaykum...

Masya Allah, a week has gone by so fast, it feels like just yesterday I attended the 'other' halaqah group with Ness every Wednesday... and in a few days, Wednesday's coming =) I AM EXCITED!

Our Muslimah Halaqah, insya Allah, is up and running again. ALL IS WELCOME! For more details, leave any of the members any message. (Points to links under Halaqah Muslimah)

I was digging up old pictures and I laughed my head off when I saw old pictures when we were 'young' and freshies at ITB. That's SIX YEARS AGO!! What's more funnier is when I stumbled across 'early' pictures of then-strangers and now-not-strangers-anymore. FUNNY YO!

I do miss our great times as students at ITB. Group assignments, presentations, stress! =) I'm so proud of all of you. I do miss everyone, now that everyone's heading their own lives, working, starting family :) All the best guys!

Then, off to reminiscing my UK years. Changes that I decided to do. Difficulties that I had to endure, people that I hurt in the process, people that I met and fell in love with along the way, for the sake of Allah... all in all, it has taught me one very important lesson - BE PATIENT and TRUST THAT ALLAH IS ALWAYS WITH YOU, provided that you remember Him, of course ;)

Surah Ar-Ra'd, Ayat 27-28, Allah berfirman, yang tafsirnya lebih kurang berbunyi;

...."Sesungguhnya Allah Menyesatkan siapa yang Dia kehendaki dan Memberi petunjuk orang yang bertaubat kepadaNya," (iaitu) orang-orang yang beriman dan hati mereka menjadi tenteram dengan mengingat Allah. Ingatlah, hanya dengan mengingat Allah hati akan menjadi tenteram"

=)

My Sirah Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. reading is almost done. I intend to finish reading it before flying off to UK soon, insya Allah. To be honest, I don't want to finish it... hehehe.. but since it's not mine to keep (*whispers* it's Ness's), so with a heavy heart, I am aching to reach the ends of the pages. Insya Allah, mudahan mendapat berkat dan manfaat. I'm falling in love over and over again. Butterflies and tears comes hand in hand. The emotions are truly indescribable. Islam really is a beautiful religion. And our beloved Prophet is the best example of the kindest, most humblest, patient, (I can't even think of other words to describe him) man to sebarkan Agama Allah.

To know him is truly to love him more and more. (Note: READ SIRAH NABI MUHAMMAD S.A.W.)

Thanks to tarbiyah sessions with Ustaz Salam for the past few weeks, that has opened my heart and mind to learn more about Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. and his life. Thanks to my halaqah muslimahs for having the same 'tujuan' to better ourselves, insya Allah.

On a different note, I've ordered books from Malaysia via email. Alhamdulillah, within a week, the books arrived and I am keeping them in queue for my UK trip. Them are:

1. Jalan Dakwah Muslimah
2. Soalan untuk Wanita di Hari Kiamat

ps. Authors I don't know since the books are in my big bag. But insya Allah, mudahan mendapat manfaat dan dapat meningkatkan iman =)

note to self: Allah gives you what you need, not what you want ;) Allah knows best!! He is indeed the best planner...

"...dan boleh jadi kamu tidak menyukai sesuatu, padahal ia baik bagimu, dan boleh jadi kamu menyukai sesuatu, padahal ia tidak baik bagimu. Allah Mengetahui, sedang kamu tidak mengetahui"
(Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 216)

Wallahu'alam.

Happy November y'all~

Salaam 'Alaykum,

Masya Allah. Sedar tak sedar, it's already the 11th month of 2007. Alhamdulillah, because of Allah's love and blessings, that we are still here today, now, breathing, living (shopping). hehe

Alhamdulillah, I am doing fine. My apologies for the lack of updates. It's not that I've lost interest to update what I've been up to lately, but it's just that I have 'no time'. lol. Alasan "skema" this!! Honestly, I do have time, but I'd rather occupy those times doing something else other than updating. Besides, mind seems to be a bit dry lately to bore you all with dry posts. =)

Alhamdulillah, these past few weeks, the sisters and I have attended a few sessions/talks with Ustaz Salam, which I'd personally call "untuk menambah ilmu session" (insya Allah) and discussions about the whereabouts of our HM (Halaqah Muslimah). Insya Allah, the halaqah will commence after the two-week eid break starting this week. We're excited!!

PLUS

One of the sister's getting married this weekend. *grins*

So, really, what I've been up to? If I'm not at home, then I'd be out attending those sessions that last for hours. Either that, or I've been filling up these last few weekends with 'open house' invitations. =)

Oh it's November already, which means that my thesis result is out soon. Insya Allah, all is well. It gets me thinking about what Ustaz Salam said yesterday.

Hadis riwayat Abdullah bin Masud r.a., ia berkata, Rasullulah s.a.w. bersabda: "sesungguhnya setiap individu kamu mengalami proses penciptaan dalam perut ibunya selamat empat puluh hari. Kemudian menjadi segumpal darah selama itu juga kemudian menhadi segumpal daging selama itu pula. Selanjutnya Allah mengutus malaikat untuk meniupkan roh ke dalamnya dan diperintahkan untuk menulis empat perkara iaitu: menentukan rezekinya, ajalnya, amalnya serta apakah ia sebagai orang yang sengsara ataukah orang yang bahagia"

Having said that, insya Allah, kalau sudah ditakdirkan rezeki ana untuk pass my Masters degree, then ana terima dengan redha (dan jika ditakdirkan sebaliknya, insya Allah, ana terima dengan redha jua). Doakan ana... jazakallah~

Then, taking Surah Adz-Dzariyat ayat 56; Allah berfirman (yang lebih kurang terjemaahannya berbunyi):

"Aku tidak menciptakan jin dan manusia melainkan agar mereka beribadah kepada-Ku"

Ustaz cakap, the word 'ibadah' tu ialah menjadi hamba kepada Allah dengan membuat apa yang Allah suruh dan meninggalkan apa yang dilarang-Nya.

Then, dalam surah yang sama, ayat 57, Allah berfirman (yang lebih kurang terjemahannya berbunyi):

"Aku tidak menghendaki rezeki sedikit pun dari mereka dan Aku tidak menghendaki agar merek memberi makan kepada-Ku dan kepada orang lain"

which Ustaz explained that manusia dijadikan bukan untuk bagi makan because if you understand the concept of whereby semua ajal, rezeki (4 perkara di atas) memang sudah ditentukan oleh Allah so kita hanya perlu beribadah saja kepada Allah kerana, dalam ayat 58 (surah yang sama), Allah berfirman (yang lebih kurang terjemahannya berbunyi):

"Sungguh Allah, Dia-lah Pemberi rezeki yang mempunyai kekuatan lagi sangat kokoh"

Then, it comes to the question of 'why do we work in the first place?'. Ustaz cakap, kalau kita answer 'nak cari duit/rezeki', then we have actually misunderstood the concept of 'rezeki sudah ditentukan oleh Allah' (nauzubillah). So, then, does it comes down to our niat eventually?

Niat untuk bekerja semata-mata kerana Allah.

Niat untuk bekerja untuk beribadah kepada Allah.

Niat untuk bekerja semata-mata untuk mencari keredhaan Allah.

Wallahu'alam.

Insya Allah, when my rezeki ada untuk bekerja nanti, mudah-mudahan my niat will be untuk beribadah kepada Allah... Amin...

ps: having said that, yes I'm still jobless, because belum ada rezeki. =) Insya Allah, bila ada rezeki, then this lazybums will be a working girl =) until that time, I better occupy my times seeking more knowledge ;)

pps: My winter graduation ceremony next month. Insya Allah, kalau ada rezeki lebih, will be seeing my friends, juniors and coursemates soon. Which reminds me -

AIMAN: gimme your home address there!!

=) okay then, hope this suffice for now. May Allah's blessings be with us always.

Salaam.

Pink-Hijab-Day on FRIDAY.

Salaam everyone,

Ness mentions that tomorrow, 26th October, we muslimahs should wear PINK headscarf in support of the Breast Cancer Awareness. And it's halaqah tomorrow, insya Allah. I'm THIS excited!! (G, I'm sure you must be ecstatic as you're a pink lover and a breast cancer awareness supporter ;))

Anyways, how's everyone? I pray that everyone's in good health and always in the protection of Allah s.w.t., insya Allah. I'm good, Alhamdulillah :)

Alhamdulillah as well because Ness is getting better from her damam. *hugs*

After two weeks of 'no halaqah', insya Allah, starting tomorrow, we muslimahs commence on the weekly get-together and may we all can benefit from this, insya Allah. Perhaps, like Ness, I've been suffering from Halaqah Withdrawal Symptoms (lol!) but Alhamdulillah, with Eid celebration (the first for me and my brother A, to celebrate it in Brunei after all these years), and with the newly addition to our family (my nephew) have kept me occupied with being a devoted servant of Allah (insya Allah) as well as a daughter, a sister and a friend who just finished her study. Alhamdulillah for Allah's abundant blessings. Alhamdulillah indeed.

***************************

Dari Abu Hurairah r.a., berkata, bahawa Nabi s.a.w. bersabda, "Sebaik-baik hari selama matahari terbit adalah hari Jumaat, pada hari itu diciptakan Adam, pada hari itu dia dimasukkan ke syurga dan pada hari itu dia dikeluarkan dari syurga dan tidak akan terjadi kiamat pada hari Jumaat." (Riwayat Tirmizi, hassan sahih #450)

Since tomorrow is Friday, and it's halaqah-day, AND pink-hijab-wearing day, I would like to post something about the day itself - Friday, taken from "444 Peringatan Untuk Umat Muhammad S.A.W.", semoga menjadi iktibar untuk kita semua, terutama diriku yang masih mempunyai iman yang tersangat sangat lemah, insya Allah.

====================

Peringatan 130

Anas bin Malik radiyallahu anhu berkata: Jibrail datang kepada Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. membawa cermin putih yang ditengahnya ada titik hitam, maka Nabi s.a.w. bertanya kepada Jibril: Apakah cermin yang putih ini?

Jawabnya: Ini hari Jumaat, dan titik hitam ini saat mustajab yang ada di hari Jumaat, telah dikurniakan untukmu dan umatmu, sehingga umat-umat yang sebelummu berada di belakangmu, iaitu Yahudi dan Nashara (Kristian), dan ada saat di hari Jumaat jika seorang mu'min bertepatan berdoa untuk kebaikan pada saat itu pasti ia akan diterima oleh Allah, atau berlindung kepada Allah dari suatu bahaya pasti akan dihindarkannya, dan hari Jumaat di kalangan kami (malaikat) dinamakan Yaumul Mazid (hari tambahan).

Nabi s.a.w. bertanya: Apakah Yaumul Mazid itu?

Jawab Jibril: Tuhan telah membuat lembah di syurga Jannatul Firdaus, di sana ada anak bukit dari misik kasturi dan pada tiap hari Jumaat di sana disediakan mimbar-mimbar dan nur (cahaya) yang diduduki oleh para nabi, dan ada mimbar-mimbar dari emas bertaburan permata yakut dan zabarjada diduduki oleh para siddiqin, syuhada dan solehin, sedang orang-orang ahli ghurof (yang di bilik syurga) berada di belakang mereka di atas bukit kecil itu berkumpul menghadap kepada Tuhan untuk memuka-muji Allah, lalu Allah berfirman: Mintalah kamu kepadaKu. Maka semua meminta (Kami mohon keredhaan-Mu).

Jawab Allah: Aku telah redha kepadamu, keredhaan sehingga kamu Aku tempatkan di rumah-Ku, dan Aku muliakan kamu, kemudian Allah menampakkan kepada mereka, sehingga mereka dapat melihat zat-Nya, maka tidak ada hari yang mereka suka sebagaimana hari Jumaat, kerana mereka merasa bertambahnya kemuliaan dan kehormatan mereka.

Dalam riwayat yang lain, Allah menyuruh kepada malaikat: Berikan makan kepada para wali-Ku, maka dihidangkan berbagai makanan maka terasa pada tiap suapan rasa yang lain dari sebelumnya, bahkan lebih lazat, sehingga bila selesai makan, diperintahkan oleh Allah: Berikan minum kepada hamba-hamba-Ku, maka diberi minuman yang dapat dirasakan kelazatannya pada tiap teguk.

Dan ketika telah selesai maka Tuhan berfirman: Akulah Tuhanmu, telah menepati apa yang Aku janjikan kepadamu, dan kini kamu boleh monta nescaya Aku berikan permintaanmu.


Jawab mereka: Kami minta redha-Mu, kami minta redha-Mu, dua atau tiga kali.

Dijawab oleh Allah: Aku redha kepadamu, bahkan masih ada tambahan lagi daripada-Ku, pada hari ini Aku muliakan kamu dengan kehormatan yang terbesar dari semua yang telah kamu terima, maka dibukakan hijab sehingga mereka dapat melihat zat Allah sekehendak Allah, maka segeralah mereka bersujud kepada Allah sekehendak Allah, sehingga Allah menyuruh mereka: Angkatlah kepalamu sebab kini bukan masa beribadat.

Maka di situ mereka lupa pada nikmat-nikmat yang sebelumnya, dan terasa benar bahawa tidak ada nikmat yang lebih besar daripada melihat zat Allah yang mulia.

Kemudian mereka kembali maka semerbak bau harum dari bawah Arasy dari bukit kasturi yang putih dan ditaburkan di atas kepala mereka, di atas ubun-ubun kuda mereka, maka apabila mereka kembali kepada isteri-isterinya terlihat bertambah indah lebih dari sebelum mereka meninggalkan mereka, sehingga isteri-isteri mereka berkata: Kamu kini lebih elok dari biasa.

====================

For more alternative read, click: Amalan-amalan terbaik di hari Jumaat

Wallahu'alam.

***************************

Fyi, I'm an admirer of RTB's Rangkaian Nur Islam 93.3FM, and recently a clicker of Astro's new channel - Astro Oasis. It comprises of shows about Islam and relating to Islam, and sometimes they have nasheed videoclips and it gets me THIS excited, I tell you. So I'm a bit behind when it comes to the latest top charts on MTV, heck I'll be so banggang if someone asked me who's Number One on the MTV Top 20 Charts (or whatever it is called) but I'd be happy to give you a few nasheeds that talks about Islam, muslimah, mujahid and ones that give me that peace of mind and heart. In fact, I'd serenade them to you, if you don't mind. lol.

Kidding bah. I only serenade when I'm all alone. lol.

Oh. Astro Oasis is Channel 106 ;) Watch out for 'Indahnya Iman', Ar-Rayyhan and Raudhah.

Salaam 'Alaykum everyone.

30 minit untuk Allah.

Assalamu'alaikum WBT everyone,

It felt good to be home.

Alhamdulillah, dengan izin Allah s.w.t. yang Maha Pemurah lagi Maha Penyayang, after three years of spending raya without my parents and family in Brunei, this year, Allah s.w.t. gave me and A, my brother, the chance to finally be home for raya. Alhamdulillah. Although, we're missing A, who's celebrating raya in London, but we are thankful still for Allah's abundant blessings.

Alhamdulillah, insya Allah, Allah knows best.

I hope everyone's raya mood is switched on, nevertheless, lets make duaa for our brothers and sisters in Palestine, and all over the world, pray that Allah is with them always.

.........

I have a story.

Ever since I got back, I've been wanting to make those little popia? The ones I make are usually filled with 'inti' so much that once you eat it, you can't stop. heehee. Yeah, THAT one. hee. Anyhoo, I've started making them since last week. Bit by bit, I managed to make around 500 on my own (with the help of my niece, of course). Then one day, mum was 'jamur-ing' the popias outside. While I was rolling the popias inside, suddenly mum shouted my name and said, "habis popia atu lai". I asked. Apparently, our neighbour's cat was feasting on the popias being 'jamur-ed' and when my mum say it, it jumped and dropped the 'bekas' to the ground, luckily half of it can be saved without touching the ground. Asked me not how it happened - but it did. Then mum was almost on the verge to let out her anger, but she didn't. Alhamdulillah.

Strangely, my reaction was.... different.

When I found out, my mind immediately went to a story I've read somewhere, about 'rezeki hamba dan makhluk yang sudah ditetapkan oleh Allah', even for animals. Somewhere along the lines where it involves a man, and a rooster (if I'm not mistaken), that the man has something, then the rooster eat it because it was decreed that it's the rooster's rezeki, but halfway, the man stopped the rooster and took it away, until something happened to the man, and then he was told that the food was not meant for him, instead it was meant for the rooster, or something like that.

So, in trying to remember where I've read that particular story, instead of sighing for thinking the tiredness of making the popias and the amount of hours I spent making them, or regretting for choosing that day to 'jamur' the popias, or finding any way possible to hunt that cat down and scold it, or letting out an angry statement cursing, I breathed in, and out and thank Allah. It was its rezeki, after all, I thought. "It" being the cat, of course. Lucky cat. heehee.

So what did I do?

I smiled. I reminded myself that I am fasting. So I went back to my table, and continued making more popias.

Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah for Allah's abundant blessings.

Anyways, nothing much to update though. First day was a blessing. With a heavy heart I said goodbye to Ramadhan, a month of blessings, praying that Allah panjangkan umur tani semua so that we can meet Ramadhan again next year, insya Allah.

First day of eid was a blessing.

It felt good to be home.

Alhamdulillah.

ps: Insya Allah today, we're having a Doa selamat dan doa kesyukuran at home. Whoever can make it, please do come. (Although, you don't really know where we live - heehee)

Muslimah Identity.

Salaam 'Alaykum ya readers..

Salaam from Brunei Darussalam.

Alhamdulillah, all praise be to Allah for my safe journey back home - for good. I arrived a few days ago and have been really catching up with my sleep. Jetlagged, still. Internet's been down as well these past few days, so apart from spending Ramadhan with my family, I only have been spending my time by attending my first Halaqah yesterday and a Majlis Ilmu at ITB today.

Alhamdulillah, all praise is due for Allah alone for His abundant blessings and love.

Nothing to update, really.

Except on halaqah, yes?? ;)

Alhamdulillah, I finally got the chance to attend the halaqah after being away for two months. Has it been two months, really? I met sisters D, K, Y, F, G, A and of course N. Masha Allah, sisters D and K impressed me with their knowledge on Islam, I was in awe (from inside, of course) and little did I know, it motivates me to do better, insya Allah.

Still have a lot to learn, insya Allah. Mudahan semangat sentiasa membakar, yes? Yang penting, usaha not to give up. Even if ada halangan, insya Allah, may it makes me stronger instead.

The halaqah session lasted for about 2 hours and a bit more, then the post-halaqah lasted until 4pm. lol. It was time for unwinding, updates and get-to-know each other basis :) It's amazing how this little group bring together friends, "people I know", teachers and students... masha Allah, kinda make me miss life in UK even more.

We talked about how great it felt to be a hijabi in a non-Islamic country because you get recognized of how you 'present' yourself, with your hijab, you are representing Islam. After all, we are 'Khalifah' on this earth. Masya Allah, added to that, you get smiles and Salaam Alaykums from sisters, even though you don't know each other, but because of the sisterhood understood by those who understands it, then automatically you are tied by that invisible bond, Alhamdulillah.

From Abu Huraira radiAllahu anhu state that the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wassalam said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe and you will not believe until you love one another. Should I not direct you to that which - if you do it - you will come to love one another? Spread peace (and the greeting of peace) amongst yourselves." Hadith riwayat Muslim.

Furthermore, we are invited to attend a Majlis Ilmu at ITB today, so after picking up N from Jerudong, headed to ITB (walking down memory lane) and then sat there just adoring gatherings like this to boost that bond. I salute the students who have such willingness to make a difference. May I will be able to attend gatherings and Majlis like these ones, insya Allah, on a continuous basis.

Masya Allah, we were even 'shocked' and happy by a great news that made N and I sighed a few times - thinking "that's how it is supposed to be done", then we sighed some more. Congrats to sister D. May Allah bless you always.

After that, we headed to Pasar Gadong since I haven't been there since I got back, so we were just browsing around for food. Heehee. I really am home for good!! Alhamdulillah.

Right, gotta layan my talkative niece now and masak~

Nahnu jundullaahi dawman darbunaa darbul-ubaa..
We are the regular soldiers of Allah, our path is a reserved path..

Ghuraba'... Stranger...

Sekadar menjadi renungan dan peringatan buat diriku, first and foremost...

Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda:

"Islam itu bermula dengan keadaan dagang (asing) dan akan berakhir dalam keadaan dagang. Maka beruntunglah orang yang dagang, yang menghidupkan sunnahku ketika orang merosakkannya" Hadith riwayat Muslim

A brother pointed out today that, it's okay if people see you as the 'odd one out', with your (big) hijab and (loose) clothings, sisters be proud, a muslimah... berbahagialah... because you are 'different' from the rest; with your beard and tingkai seluar (it is actually sunnah Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. untuk memakai seluar tingkai (as opposed to women to let their garments 'sweep the floor' so to speak), brothers fear not of how others perceived you... hidupkan sunnah Nabi Muhammad, because he is the best example, contoh akhlak yang terbaik... :)

Plus, I am currently reading - Kisah Kerasulan Nabi Muhammad Shallallahu 'Alaihi Wassalam (Intisari dari Sirah) written by Dr. 'Aidh bin Abdullah Al-Qarni, translated by Murtadho Ridwan (thanks to N for letting me read it FIRST. Wubs wubs wubs wu lots and lots and lots)

Plus, there's something I came across when thinking about 'dagang', or 'asing' or 'Ghuraba'' or 'stranger' - Taken from here.

Cara Mengatasi Ghurbah

Untuk mengatasi Ghurbah ath-Thaniyah, maka tidak ada jalan lain melainkan kembali kepada jalan Rasulullah SAW. Yakni jalan yang telah berjaya memnghilangkan Ghurbah al-Islam al-Awwal. Firman Allah SWT:

“Sesungguhnya pada Rasulullah itu teladan yang baik bagi mereka yang mengharapkan rahmat Allah dan keselamatan hari Akhirat dan banyak mengingati Allah.” - Surah al-Ahzab: ayat 21.

Sabda Rasulullah SAW: "Hendaklah kamu mengikuti sunnahku.... “

“Dan sebaik-baik pertunjuk ialah pertunjuk Muhammad SAW.”

Antara cara-caranya ialah:

1. Memahamkan Islam kepada masyarakat sebagaimana yang difahami oleh Rasulullah SAW dan para sahabat r.a. yang mulia. Islam adalah satu cara hidup yang benar dan akan membawa kepada keredhaan Allah SWT. Manakala cara hidup yang lain adalah batil, sesat dan dimurkai Allah SWT. Dengan Islam sahaja akan berakhir kefasadan, kejahatan dan kerosakan di bumi. Islam adalah Taklif Rabbani. Manusia bertanggungjawab untuk memahaminya, beriman dengannya, menyampaikannya dan menegakkannya di dalam kehidupan. Firman Allah SWT:

“Sesiapa yang mencari selain Islam sebagai cara hidup, maka sesekali tidak akan diterima.” - Surah Ali ‘Imran: ayat 85.

Sabda Rasulullah SAW:

“Demi yang jiwaku di tangan-Nya. Tidak mendengar daripadaku seseorangpun dari umat ini, samada Yahudi atau Nasrani, kemudian dia tidak beriman dengan apa yang diutuskan padaku, melainkan dia adalah terdiri ahli neraka.”

Islam hendaklah difahamkan melalui wasilah yang betul dan masyru’, bersumberkan masdar yang asli iaitu Al Qur’an, As Sunnah dan kitab-kitab ulama’-ulama’ muktabar agar Islam yang diketengahkan itu Syamil dan Kamil.

2. Melaksanakan didikan untuk melahirkan muslim yang serasi dan komited dengan Islam. Muslim berkerja untuk Islam sepanjang hayat. Muslim memiliki sifat-sifat mahmudah seperti yang dimiliki para sahabat Rasulullah SAW. Muslim yang menjadi rijal dan mujahid yang mukhlis. Muslim yang terikat dengan akhirat. Muslim yang merasai Ukhuwwah Fillah.

Didikan yang dijalankan di atas asas Iman yang akan melahirkan kesungguhan di dalam kerja-kerja da’wah. Al-Imam asy-Syahid Hasan al-Banna r.a. menyatakan yang bermaksud:

“Apa yang dilakukan oleh Rasulullah SAW dalam menyampaikan dan memasukkan da’wah di hati sahabat-sahabatnya Generasi Awal ialah menyeru mereka supaya beriman dan beramal. Kemudian dihimpun hati mereka dengan penuh kasih sayang dan persaudaraan, mereka berhimpun di atas kekuatan aqidah dan kekuatan kesatuan, maka jadilah mereka jamaah contoh yang semestinya terjulang kalimah dan da’wahnya, memperolehi kemenangan walaupun ahli-ahli bumi seluruhnya tidak menyetujui dan menentang mereka.”

Barisan muslimin yang bangkit sebagai du’at. Mereka berda’wah kepada keluarga dan masyarakat agar kembali kepada Islam sebagai Din Allah yang bersifat Kamil dan Mutakamil.

3. Melaksanakan jihad. Pembentukan masyarakat Islam dan pemerintahan Islam, yang menjadi matlamat asasi dalam ‘Amal Islami, tidak akan tercapai tanpa jihad. Malah jihad mengangkat pekerja-pekerja Islam daripada segala kerendahan kepada ketinggian. Jihad akan menjadikan pekerja-pekerja Islam terikat dengan Islam siang dan malam. Terpaut rasa dengan alam ukhrawi sepertimana terpautnya manusia lain kepada kehidupan dunia.

Jihad perlu berterusan. Orang-orang yang mati tanpa berjihad tergolong dalam golongan munafiq. Orang-orang yang mati tanpa kesan jihad akan bertemu Allah SWT dalam keadaan sumbing. Sabda Rasulullah SAW:

“Sesiapa yang bertemu Allah (mati) tanpa kesan jihad, maka dia bertemu Allah dan padanya terdapat kesumbingan.” - Hadith Riwayat at-Tarmizi.

Sabda Rasulullah SAW:

“Sesiapa yang mati dan tidak pernah berperang dan jiwanya tidak berlaku peperangan, maka dia mati di atas cabangan nifaq.” - Hadith Riwayat Muslim.

Firman Allah SWT:

“Kalau kamu serukan kepada mereka itu keuntungan yang mudah diperolehi dan perjalanan yang tidak berapa jauh, pasti mereka mengikutimu, tetapi tempat yang dituju itu mereka terasa amat jauh.” - Surah at-Taubah: ayat 42.

4. Du’at perlulah bekerja secara jama’i, tidak keseorangan. Rasulullah SAW bersabda:

“Tangan Allah bersama jama’ah.”

5. Hendaklah difahami bahawa dengan kesedaran dan semangat semata-mata tidak akan lahir pekerja dan penda’wah sepanjang hayat. Hamasah (semangat) akan hilang apabila bertemu dengan ‘Uqubah dan Mehnah (bencana dan ujian) di atas jalan da’wah. Lebih-lebih lagi jalan da’wah ini panjang dan jauh. Ia tidak dihampari dengan permaidani indah atau ditaburi dengan bunga-bungaan. Justeru itu Tarbiyyah, Takwin dan bekerja secara jama’i adalah perlu.

Dengan adanya Tarbiyyah dan Takwin, InsyaAllah akan lahirlah pekerja sepanjang hayat, iltizam dengan matlamat da’wah yang besar dan bercita-cita mencari keredhaan Allah SWT semata-mata.

Also, read this entry :) (Credits to Akhi Faridul)

I hope it suffices after being away for a few days, insya Allah.

....a first time for this.

Salaam everyone,

Kayfa haluki? (I think it means "How are you?" in Arabic - kalau salah tolong betulkan, Jazakallah ;) )

Alhamdulillah, I am very lazy puasa-ing today, insya Allah.

I'm only about 400+ words to reach my minimum word limit, and what I've been doing all day? Something else that has nothing to do with thesis at all. Sigh. I guess my motivation is going downhill today, temporarily, I hope... because I need to get over this by the end of this week, insya Allah. May Allah make it easy for me...

Anyways, for most of you who know me, I don't eat sushi - PERIOD!

In Brunei, the only TWO times I ate sushi was at Excapade, both in Gadong and Kiulap. Atupun, I ate anything yang ada TUNA-ONLY (in other words, "cooked" tuna in tin only please!) and the thought of eating the "raw" type is a big NO-NO. In fact, I will make a face every time people mention about bringing ME for sushi.

No thanks, I'll pass.

Kesian my friends. Them sushi lovers can't really bring me along whenever they have their usual sushi-frenzy.

Do I get jealous??

No, siree.

I defy.

I'll gladly excuse myself and choose to go someplace else.

BUT...

there's always a first time for everything. Apparently, the postgrads here are sushi-lovers and since it seems like everyone's leaving soon, so R decided to treat US for sushi yesterday. I joined, because, I thought, "hey, why not? I can stick to my usual tuna-only dish, yes?"



MAN, WAS I SO SO SO WRONG??

After thinking of what to eat, and when MY dish came... you can imagine the look on my face asking this question:

"Mana tuna nya?"

lol.




RAW, MAN, RAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!

Raw Salmon, Raw TUNA!!!!

HOW 'TIS?

I was convinced by them that "it ain't that bad..."

Presentation-wise, it was gorgeous.

BUT RAW TUNA!!!!!

Mau inda mau, yes, I had to brave myself to eat it - FINALLY!

Finally, I can say - I've eaten SUSHI!

*pats self at the back* - you did something 'cool', you deserve a day off from thesis~

(any reason, eh?) ;)

ps. Congrats to Ness for making it a year since she don the hijab. Wubs wubs wubs you~

pps. It's nisfu Sya'aban y'all.

ppps. MAJAL.

Mood: Lazy

worth being away for...

Salaam everyone.

With a box full of ardams, a few boxes of munchies (comprised of raya biscuits) and a few tops, I left Brunei with a very happy heart. Not that I like getting away, as the thought of 24 hours of travel (17 hours of flight and 6 hours of coach travel back to Leeds - do the maths) is an agony, but because I realized that being away will mean that I get to be on my own again. I will have back my me-time.

You must get offended by that remark. But I didn't mean it to sound so insensitive. You see, the moment I entered my room yesterday, I realized how much I love my life here. I get to live by my rules, and no one else's. Not saying that it's bad... in fact, I absolutely adored my 5 weeks vacation in Brunei, because not only I got to see my family and only *cough* some *cough* of my friends, but also because I gained weight by the amount of food I consumed since I got back, but also because time flew so fast that I forgot to breathe and take a moment for myself, and just myself.

Now I realized, when I'm in Brunei, I don't belong to me. I belong to my parents and my friends. My parents, especially. Not that I don't enjoy it, but having to be apart from them most months of a year, kinda have to get myself used to the idea of living under their roof. You know what I mean, right?

Anyways, now I'm back. I have about 4 weeks to finish my thesis. But work will not start until end of the week, because I need to catch up with my food stock, stories and yada yada yada...

Thanks for those who made my vacation in Brunei worthwhile. My sincere apologies if I were unable to attend any meet-ups, hang-outs due to the constraint of my time since I spent two weeks working, a week in KL and another week with the family and I'm back here again.

What I love about being back? The faster broadband connection, of course. ;)

Now you'll always see me online on messenger. Perhaps updating the blogs and participating actively (insya Allah) in the newly formed halaqah google group.

Here're some pictures prior to my departure.

[pictures have been removed]

ps. I miss everyone now. Especially mum and leya lating! And Nyonya's Butter Chicken!! And DIMSUM! And Butter Chicken some more!!

it's over.

Salaam everyone.

It's Saturday. Meaning I have been back in Brunei for more than two weeks. What have I been doing for that duration?

That's right. Data collection, baby!

Why data collection, neez?

Because for my thesis, I specifically chose BSP to do a research on a particular (HR) topic and it has been an interesting two-week attachment there. Honestly saying, my input and my circle of friends are more now, compared to when I was attached for six weeks back in 2005.

Little did I know, my department would hold a little farewell party for me. You should've seen me blushing, as I was typing typing away my report, then they were like, "nisa.. come here".

Awwwww.. I was touched. I admit I may not remember all of their names but these two week have been interesting for me to remember.

One in particular, my security pass was not in the data each morning I scanned it, until up to the point that the security in charge expects it until he prepares a visitor's pass each time I appear through the door and smirked un-guilty-ly every time the scan fails. lol. It was a funny thing, to be honest, up to the point I was reluctant to scan it and say to him, "bah bagi tia pass atu, gerenti nda mau ni pass ku ani". They must be wondering, "poor tall girl..." lol

So anyways, since yesterday was my last day, for the first time I went home around 5.40pm. Cheeeeh.. Usually around 4.30 sudah out of the office.... if not, 3.30... :P FLEXI-HOURS, okeh!

Now, I want SLEEEPPPP!!

But I can't do that. Because....

I already got plans lining up for the weekends. I have Ammey, Sis Alai and a few close friends that I have to meet before I leave by the end of the month.

But then, neez, end of the month is two weeks away...

I KNOW...

But I'm off somewhere next week - for a week. So, really, I only have a week left in Brunei.

How now brown cow??

Oh oh. Ness and I are going to do a pre-halaqah session tomorrow, insya Allah. Read her latest post to find out more.

She's the organizer, really. I am just someone working 'belakang tabir' supporting her good intentions, insya Allah..

If you wanna join us, you are very most welcome. Insya Allah, it would be an interesting session... if not, WE can make it interesting, yes?

So... now, breakfast where?

Updates. Updates. Updates.

Salaam everyone.

What happens when I get back to Brunei and still find good old Brunei to be the Brunei I left nine months ago??

Meaning: service is still the same.

In the other words, SERVICE IS SLOW!!!!!! Rephrase; CUSTOMER service is SLOW.

It's been a week now and our e-speed hasn't been re-installed/set-up and I AM INTERNET DEPRIVED!

That is why I am here again, at TM, stealing free wireless connection ;)

What has been going on?? I've been really busy and occupied this last week with my attachment, or rather, data collection at Shell. Alhamdulillah, so far things seem to be going well, made new friends and discovered new things. Just one more week to go then I'm free~

I wanna update more but I'm afraid being 'out' in public while blogging somehow limit my creativity to talk more.

I've got plans lining up for my two weeks left in Brunei... insya Allah, hopefully all goes well.

Been spending time mostly at the office and when I get home, I usually am very very tired from all the travelling, although I, myself am not driving. teehee..

But it's been good seeing my juniors (the Shell scholars) doing their attachment at Shell. Missing them muchos!! Hopefully seeing them in Leeds in September, insya Allah.

Oh oh. I got my exam and coursework results, Alhamdulillah I passed. Even one paper that I surely thought I'd do bad, but somehow managed to get a Merit for it!! How cool is that?? :D Alhamdulillah...

Now I only need to concentrate on my dissertation writing up. Need to excel in this one, insya Allah kalau mood mengizinkan...

Oh Brunei is HOT! lucky I don't spend much time outside. If I go back to Leeds this month and got tanned, blame Brunei!! heehee but I am so loving the FOOD!!!!!! HALAL FOOD!!!!!

Bah guys, mum's waiting and she seems bored.

Any plans to meet up with me (cheh, macam fames saja huhuh) - reach me through e-mail OR my UK number OR my Brunei number. kalau inda tau, email!! ;)

Take care everyone.

Much love,
xoxo