For the Love of God!

Safinah Talks presents

“Believing for an Extraordinary Year”

a mass religious lecture with a difference.

• Are you frustrated that at the end of another year, you’re still not excelling in life as much as you would have loved to?
• Are you disappointed in yourself for not being able to stick to your own personal promises which you have set at the beginning of the year?
• Would you like to be more disciplined in your actions for this new year?
• Would you like to know what our religion has to say when it comes to believing for an extraordinary year?

Break free from your limiting beliefs! And achieve all your resolutions throughout the year by unleashing your true God-given potential. Register your seats today by sending your name to 84447614

Sunday 27th December 2009 | Kembangan Plaza Level B1

Note:

• Safinah students attend for free
• Non-Safinah students are required to pay a minimal fee of $

In the name of God, the Most Loving, the Most Merciful

I remembered asking myself once when I was a teenager, what would happen if I were to bump into the people who have made my life miserable now (as a teenager) in 10 or 15 years time? Would I still have anger and hatred for that person in me. Would I look at the person the same way I did today? Or would I assume that the person has changed for the better and therefore deserves to be treated kindly just like any other person I know?

I’ve only discovered the answer to those questions when it REALLY happened 10 years later. And I realise that the hatred is gone, the assumption that the person is ‘bad’ has disappeared and I ended up treating the person like an old friend whom I’ve not met for a long time.

And I think I was able to feel and react that way only because I put myself in that person’s shoes. Sometimes you make certain mistakes in life when you were younger, and you secretly hope that the person you hurt or embarrassed would’ve forgiven you by now. I’ve also learnt one powerful thing about CHANGE; that CHANGE is possible for anyone, it is not a matter of whether a person CAN change for the better or not, but it is a more of about whether that person WANTS to change or not.

Being a good Muslim, we are always taught to assume the positives in others and to not be easily judgmental. Judging is God’s authority, not ours. We have no real right to judge others, as only God knows what’s in their hearts. The Prophet (peace be upon him) never liked jumping to conclusion when it comes to judging others and he is the best example for us all to follow. Therefore we shouldn’t worry about the negatives of what others might think or say about the good things we want to do for ourselves and others. We should instead worry about ourselves being judged by the Almighty on Judgement Day.

Love more & Judge less,

Mizi

Eid Mubarak!

Isn’t it beautiful how everything falls into place. Ramadhan and Syawwal are easily two of the best months for me personally. Not only do I feel more refreshed with a rejuvenated spirit going through a whole month of spiritual cleansing during Ramadhan, reconnecting with God intimately with the numerous opportunities and leaving it with a humble hope that all past sins have been forgiven.

And as Syawwal arrives, tradition encourages us to visit one another, to strengthen present relationships and rebuild broken ties. Families, friends and neighbours meet to catch up on things, offer delicacies to those who visit and to seek forgiveness from one another.

As humans, we usually succumb to making mistakes to both God and fellow humans. In the Quran it has been stressed that as part of being a good Muslim, we must always be conscious with both our relationships; vertically (to God) and horizontally (to fellow humans). Both ties are extremely important and we must ensure that we are constantly trying to please Allah with our good actions and please others with proper conduct and character.

Thus, as every time Ramadhan and Syawwal passes, I can only hope that I have done enough to at least clear some of the many mistakes I’ve done in the past. Rabbighfirli warhamni wa tub ‘alayya… O Lord please forgive me, show your compassion towards me and please accept my repentance…

Seeking forgiveness from all,

Mizi Wahid

Today’s Friday prayers was quite emotional. The overall ambience among the congregtion was of sadness, self-reflection and hope. Sad that Ramadhan will be leaving us all in two days time. Reflection on whether we have fully utilised the opportunities presented to us in Ramadhan for rewards, rahmah and repentance.  But the sense of hope among those present today was felt the most.  Many are hoping that all their good deeds will be accepted by Allah s.w.t., hoping that this Ramadhan was better than their previous ones and hoping to meet with another Ramadhan next year.

In this coming Eid, let us try to continue embodying the values we have internalised throughout the month of Ramadhan.

May Allah s.w.t. accept all our past deeds during the month of Ramadhan

Here are some greetings which we may want to consider saying to one another during our Eid visits:

Kullu ‘Aamin wa Antum Bikhair!

May you be in the best of state (condition) every year!

Eid Mubarak!

May you have a blessed Eid! 

Minal Aa’ideen wal Faa’izeen wal Maqbooleen

May you be among those who celebrate, among those who have succeeded and among those whose deeds have been accepted (by Allah)

 Taqabbalallahu minna wa Minkum Solihal A’maal

May Allah accept the good deeds we have performed (in Ramadhan)

Eid Mubarak,

Mizi

Less than a month ago, many of us were looking forward to this holy month. A month which promises plenty of opportunities for repentance, cleansing of the soul and to gain bountiful rewards for those who truly seek them.

As Ramadhan will soon be leaving us in 3 days time, let’s take a moment to reflect upon how it has helped us to become better Muslims.

Allah s.w.t. stated clearly in the same verse which commands Muslims to fast in Ramadhan that the purpose of this pillar of Islam is so that we may attain taqwa or self-restraint. Although many are already aware of this main purpose, but most of them look forward to the other benefits too. Nothing totally wrong with that, as long as they don’t forego the main purpose.

A Slimmer You

One of the most popular ‘benefits’ many look forward to is for the opportunity to shed some weight. Though it is a positive health benefit, but I think we should try to shed some other stuff as well. How about anger problems, laziness, excessive eating and spending, among other things. Well recently I read an article in a Malaysian magazine which suggested a different and interesting perspective. Instead of just hoping for a slimmer body at the end of Ramadhan, the article suggested, why not hope for a “slimmer desire” as well. After all, that IS one of the main goals, isn’t it?

Take 5 minutes a day to clear our mind, self-reflect and consider the areas in your life which require some upgrading and better self-management. May this Ramadhan be the most meaningful you’ve ever had. Ameen.

Towards a “slimmer” you,

Mizi

In the name of the Almighty, the Most Loving, the Most Generous, the Most Merciful.

May peace be upon all of you,

It’s about time that I start to write regularly again! Your head tends to become numb when you don’t ‘create’ for a long while. Moreover, being creative is one of the key components of success. Therefore, I shall write more in the future! InsyaAllah…

It’s about time we start to take advantage of Ramadhan’s abundant blessings before it finally leaves us again. Especially for those who feel like they may have already missed out on most of its earlier days. Believe that it’s never too late to start. And since we’re now in the final 10 nights, all the more reason for us to shift gears and go for the win!

For Muslim sisters who are unable to pray or fast in this final lap of the month, you may want to consider the following:

1. Recite Zikr (remembering Allah with a present heart)
2. Contemplate the words of Allah s.w.t. and our beloved Prophet p.b.u.h
3. Volunteer your resources (time, knowledge, effort) to organisations or individuals in need
4. Work on helping a loved one to quit an old bad habit or to start a positive new one
5. Ask the Most Merciful for what we want by making du’a (supplications) continuosly during this blessed month. It is said in a hadith that one of the du’as which will not be rejected is the du’a of a person who fasts. Ameen!

It’s about time…Let’s do this! Don’t forget me in your prayers.

To your future success,

Mizi