WHY WE MUST UNDERSTAND AL QURAN

My first introduction to Al Quran began when I started learning Mukaddam( the last chapter of al quran that has short verses) at the age of 6. My mother was busy planting paddy so she left me with my auntie Mak Long, , an al quran Tok Guru.  In my village,Mak Long was a very respected lady, well-known for her vast knowledge in Islam, her beautiful voice reciting al quran and her no-nonsense attitude.  Every morning I would sit beside her, absorbing the lesson informally while she was teaching her students.  Later, when I started Standard 1, I was already reciting al Quran and completed all the 30 chapters in Standard 3. Then, it has been my practice to recite it regularly, and it is only a routine practice of reciting without fully understanding the meanings until now.

On and off I would think of going deeper into memorizing the whole al quran as I learn that if one can memorize it, one will go to heaven, bringing along 10 other people. My…it would be the best present ever. Nevertheless, I realize that I do not know Arabic..a few words here and there is not enough to help me understand the language of al quran.  Reciting without understanding of the true meaning of lessons given by Allah is not sufficient to guide me being a true Muslim.  Rasulullah passed away leaving behind Al Quran and Sunnah as our guidance. By right everyone must understand the whole teaching of both. Sadly, this does not really materialize. 

One day, on the 9^th Dec. 2015, my son’s 20^th birthday, my family and I went for dinner. Then my children went groceries shopping. I was quite tired so I decided to wait for them at Popular Bookstore.  While browsing the bookshelves for any interesting read, I came across this book: Perjalananku bersama Al Quran by Dr Mohd Shafie Md Amin. He was an accountant who became al hafiz and is now managing a tahfiz school in Gombak.  His journey to recognize and memorize al quran is really amazing. He managed to become al hafiz at the age of 30..10 years after making a decision to try self-taught  mission in  really memorizing and comprehending al quran. 

Reading his book is indeed an eye-opener. I read the verses ( with more focus) that he attached to illustrate his struggle in becoming al hafiz and I try to comprehend the meanings.  This is the first time I do that as before, I would skip the verses and only read the translations.  Believe me…..i was shocked to learn that every single thing that we know, we think, we do….is mentioned in the statements: it is the guidance from Allah. I was brought into a new world, the beginning of the world of al quran. Never before was I attached to any book that absolutely opens my eyes, my mind and my thoughts. How ignorant I was.  Well.. I read many books but they were not as capturing as this one.  Not anymore. I have found  this enlightening path and  now I am patiently absorbing myself in this read. How I wish I have done it earlier. I cannot wait to start my mission. Insyaallah, I will preserve and pray that Allah will Guide me.

WHY WE BECOME SO SELFISH.

It would take a person to actually open up and show empathy to others. This is because in this rat race world, everyone is so caught with the idea of progressing beyond their ability.  People strive to be the best in everything they do; be it at work or in studies. Therefore, they think it is acceptable to be selfish if they want to reach the most important life goals such as achieving the most successful results, promoting the highest position and enjoying the best life ever.

Firstly, students are competing in all aspects of academic life; to do well in examinations, to secure grants or scholarships to pursue their studies locally or overseas.  This fighting spirit is further encouraged by their teachers or lecturers, so much so that the students will go all out to score the most outstanding achievements. As such, some students will do whatever it takes to succeed, even to the extent of being so selfish, refusing to share notes or answers and focusing on individual study than group study. This self-centered attitude is not planned but caused by the intense pressure of preparing for examination.

Then, when they join the workforce, some still have this selfish attitude as they are competing for the highest position in the company. The higher they get the more perks and salaries they are gaining, so driving some people to act over the limit.  Back-stabbing, bribery and dishonesty are commonly practiced among employers. This unhealthy competition is certainly not helping them to be supportive to each other. 

Later, the act of being selfish is also widely seen in public. Just go to public places such as restaurants, cinemas, stadiums, shopping centres or offices. You will be surprised to witness some despicable tricks of cutting the lines, shameful unnecessary arguments for parking spaces or ignorant refusal of using the numbered systems. Refusing to oblige rules seems like a normal practice among Malaysians and this clearly depicts an ugly picture of our society who only cares about themselves. Obviously, the unappealing attitude that they have been practising since childhood influences their adult life.

It is really a sad reality to see our people become so selfish.  This is further damaging as now people openly expose their low level mentality when they proudly post about their acts in social media such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. We can only shock our heads and sigh in despair.. Malaysia oh Malaysia….Bila nak berubah?

WHY WE MUST NEVER BLAME OUR MOTHER

I have a secret to share with you. When I was young, in primary school, I used to show my resentment to my mom for not having a younger baby sister or brother to play with.  I was pretty much lonely so after Quran classes I started roaming the village, Kampung Padang, named by its strategic position in the middle of paddy fields. I would visit my friends’ houses where I would have fun playing all those traditional games such as congkak, hide and sick, play house, combat and other children’s stuffs with them. 

We had so much childhood fun during the day but when the day ended, I had to return home and the emptiness started seeping in. I was lonely again. Having 2 brothers did not help much due to age gaps. I was practically left alone to entertain myself at night.  To make it worse, we had no television set at home until I turned 15 (1980).  Just imagine. Sometimes at night I would go to my nearby neighbours’ house to watch my favourite Combat, 6 Million Dollar Man, Bionic Woman and many other interesting movies and programs.

At that time life was very safe, crime cases were almost unheard off, everyone trusted one another and therefore,I was free to do as I liked. But whenever I did anything wrong, I would secretly put my blame on my parents….”because I don’t have a younger sister or brother, that’s why I become like this….”

10 years later, I had my first son, life definitely changed from peaceful dreams to troubled nights, from being a deep sleeper into light sleeper.  Then came another girl 2 years after that. It was still bearable. Another baby came a year after and another one was delivered the following year. By then I had 4 children already.  Life was slowly turning into nightmares. My husband and I shared the responsibility and we learnt new things daily. Allah is The Most Compassionate. We were granted 4 more until I turned 40 in 2005. Praised be to Allah for bestowing us with 8 children.. to care, to love and to cherish.

Sometimes, I sat back and started thinking…..maybe this is Allah’s reminder to me as I complained that my mom did not give me a baby sister or brother…now he Gives me 8…..haha….eight is enough….Syukur.

Why You Must Respect Yor Mother

        One day you make your mother cry..then you ask for forgiveness..then you hurt her feelings again...on and on this continues ..as if your love-hate relationship with your mother is something normal..Well, don't you know that mothers are the people that you must highly respect, uphold their status and love forever? They are so important that your life actually depends on how you treat your mothers.To highlight the importance of mothers, allow me  to present three reasons why they must be respected.

       First, your mother is the first person who protects and cares for you right from your existence in her womb until the day you are born. Who would be strong enough to carry you around for 9 months, detailing your growth, suffering all the morning sicknesses, showering you with her never-ending love and finally painfully struggling in delivering you? Nobody dares to do so but your mother. Thus, it is only right for you to show her some respect, paying her back for her sacrifice and comforting her with your good deeds. Respect is earned, not asked. So your sincere show of gratitude is enough to put all the smiles on her face.

Second, your mother understands you more than anyone in the family. Neither your father nor your siblings  have the intuition in understanding your hurt, your sadness or your happiness. A mother can just take a look at you, and she knows your feelings. Words can be deceiving but facial expressions can never be denied. Since your mother knows you inside out, it is a commendable act for you to show her some respect.

Finally,a mother is highly regarded in Islam so much so that our Prophet Muhammad SAW used to say 3x that you must love your mother first and then only your father.  It is indeed an honour to all mothers to be appreciated and crowned as the most important figures in Islam. So, if you are a true Muslim, you will surely understand and obey this as only through mother's blessings you will get the rewards.

Now, take a close look at your mother and shower her with your love and care..you will not regret this.

My Idea of Sharing

Assalamualaikum,

Well....it has been quite some time since i last updated  my first 3 blogs.....cannot blame this on anything but my mere laziness. life has been sooooo relaxing that i just forgot about sharing ideas and stories. Besides, my involvement in WhatsApp and Facebook, which is easier and faster, makes blogging look so ancient hehe.

Nevertheless, i never stop thinking that updating blog is more satisfying as i can share with readers my thoughts, ideas, stories and ramblings more...the more i write, the more i can express myself too.

So, i have decided to dedicate this special space only for voicing out my opinions about life..about our struggles and tribulations in dealing with this challenging world.