a journey of finding The Creator: part 1

- 7th July 2009 -

We arrived in sydney at around 2pm. From the airport, we went straight to Malaysian Hall. After settling down, we had our dinner at the Taste of Thai (1st halal restaurant I'd found here) with friends from other universities, namely UTAS and UNSW. At around 8pm, the TONG event started at the car park of Malaysian Hall. There were live performances as well as art exhibitions. It was quite disappointing though to see many muslims (or melayu perhaps) happily enjoying such gigs. I'll feel guilty if I ask to Him to keep me away from such people. Isn't it our responsibility to remind those who forget?

- 8th july 2009 -

After having some confusions at the Malaysian Hall in the morning, we were heading to the newly opened MARA office in the afternoon. Then we went for a sightseeing all around sydney. This included Sydney Opera House, botanical garden, pancakes on the rocks (I cant even finish it!) and Harbour bridge. On that night, we were rushing to catch a train to Newcastle. Alhamdulillah, everything went well and we arrived there after a 3-hours journey.

- 9th july 2009 -

At 7.30 in the morning, nadia drove us to a water breaker at the Nobbys bay. The scenery was beautiful indeed. Subhanallah. We had our breakfast there too. Then, we went for a sand boarding; it's such a lifetime experience. Well, we spent more time on taking pictures rather than surfing on the sand. We had a good rest until the evening. Delicious pizza and pida were our dinner on that night.

D.E.P.E.N.D.E.N.C.Y

Few weeks ago my mobile phone could not work properly (well, perhaps that is because it fell down from my bike when I was rushing to a clinic). Images just don’t appear on its LCD anymore (that's why I don’t suggest anyone to buy a flip).Then, during my winter holiday in newcastle, my digital camera could not work also. It has some sort of lens error. And that's because I took too many pictures when I went to sandboarding. Perhaps, the little tiny sands were stuck on the lens. To add salt to the already terrible injury, I accidentally deleted a folder of pictures that I took during the holiday. I'd admitted that I cursed a bit on that night (astaghfirullah). Well, whatever the device is, I think Allah is giving me a lesson through these events. Laptops, handphones, mp3s are among electronic devices that are considered as crucial necessities in most people's lives. Some people just cant imagine how can they live without those things. I thought so too at the beginning. But then, my life went perfectly well without them. I quite regret on how too dependent I'd been on those lifeless things. I'd forgot that I should only depend on Allah, The Most High.

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

You (alone) we worship, and You (alone) we ask for help (1:5)

وَلاَ تَرْكَنُواْ إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَآءَ ثُمَّ لاَ تُنصَرُونَ

And incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you, and you have no protectors other than Allah, nor would you then be helped (11:113)

We read the first verse 17 times a day. But how far do we understand and apply it in our everyday life? We should only depend on Him and not on those objects made by humans. Allah is whom we should always turn to and seek help from. I do admit that sometimes I'd spent more time on those technologies than on remembering Him. This definitely should not be the way. They can only be means that can bring us closer to Him, not dragging us away from Him. The blame should not be burdened on such devices because at the end of the day, it all depends on the person himself. Whether he is dragged away by enjoyments offered by latest technologies or manipulating the rapidly evolving technology to achieve the ultimate missions of life; to perform ibadah to Allah SWT (52:56) and become khalifah in this world (2:30).

His creations are indeed much greater than ours.

ISTIQAMAH

hadith 21

On the authority of Abu 'Amr, though others call him Abu 'Amrah Sufyan bin 'Abdullah, radiyallahu anhu, who said:

I said: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam which I could not ask anyone but you." He answered: "Say: 'I believe in Allah', and then stand firm and steadfast (istiqamah)." (HR muslim)

The literal meaning of "Istiqamah" is to go straight into the right direction, acting rightly, allowing no deviation. It is derived from the stem "Qiyyam", which implies the continuity of doing something, following up with it and making sure that it is done in the right way and there is neither deviation nor swerving.

http://fortyhadith.iiu.edu.my/hadith21.htm

this hadith shows that islam is about believe in Allah (iman) and our actions in fulfilling His obligations (amal). our deen (religion) is imperfect without any of those element. they complement each other. the actions depict how strength or iman is in our heart and how far we submit ourselves to Allah SWT. it is undeniable that our iman can easily be weakened by negative influences. that's why we have to renew it regularly by always remembering Him, reflecting upon His magnificient signs, understanding His words in the Quran (by heart and aqal) and many other ways. to bring ourselves closer to Him is one thing, but to sustain it is even harder. that's why we have to strongly avoid even a slight negative desire or influence from entering our heart. be steadfast and stand firm on the right path commanded by Him. fulfill His obligations and avoid His prohibitions while stay away from any alluring deviations. keep your eyes and heart on your real destination (ie the Hereafter) all the time and ignore those attractions around you.

فَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَآ أُمِرْتَ وَمَن تَابَ مَعَكَ وَلاَ تَطْغَوْاْ إِنَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

So stand (ask Allah to make) you firm and straight as you are commanded and those who turn in repentance with you, and transgress not. Verily, He is All-Seer of what you do (11:112)

"So unto this then invite (people), and stand firm as you are commanded, and follow not their desires…"

(42:15)

may Allah bless you always