Mengadu
to my other half today about my rubbish meeting with SV that didn't go
quite as well as I'd hoped.. Mengadalah cerita.." I bawak data kat James
tunjuk kat dia. Dia tengok, then kata ' interesting, but I don't know
what that means'. I said to him 'Imagine that??' (masa ni tunjuk
tensionlah)..
My Baba quietly replied : ' Ma, when your SV does not know what it means, then that's it. It's your area now. From now on he will just follow you now because he REALLY doesn't know. Who will? You. This is your PhD '
Wow what a statement. Thank you Fendi Arshad
for putting things in perspective for me. I'm so lucky I have you who
had been on this journey before and can now share the wisdom of it with
me. Syukur alhamdulillah.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Zuhud : Probably the most difficult path to tread to gain nearness to Allah swt
Dear Self ,
One of the big things I understand in my journey towards understanding and hopefully wisdom in shaa Allah is Zuhud. It refers to one renouncing all worldly pleasures ( that do not bring benefit towards akhirat) in order to gain nearness to Allah swt.
In a blog I read by thesunnahway.com ( so they are not my words) Zuhud is defined as :
“Zuhud” is an Arabic word and a vital concept in Islam. The English meaning is asceticism which means renouncing worldly pleasures in order to gain nearness to Allah.
whereby some Islamic scholars define:
Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra) said “Asceticism is not that you should not own anything, but that nothing should own you.”
Ibn Taymiyyah said Zuhud is to leave alone things which not benefit you in the next life. He also said ’Az-Zuhd entails abandoning what does not bring about benefit in the Hereafter. Al-Wara’ (abandoning a part of the permissible for fear of falling into the impermissible) entails abandoning what you fear its consequences in the Hereafter.’”
Then, ibn Al-Qayyim commented,”This statement is one of the best and most comprehensive definitions of Az-Zuhd and Al-Wara’.” In addition, Sufyan Ath-Thawry said,”Az-Zuhd in this Dunya entails having a short hope (or avoiding having hopes that one will live long), not by wearing the thick clothes or wearing the garment (as some people who observe fake Zuhd think is a part of Az-Zuhd).” this is part but pls read the attachment to fully understand what zuhd is and insha Allah it will answer the question the perosn who started the thread asked.
Ibn Taymiyyah also said Ikhlaas cannot be achieved except after having Zuhud, and there is no
Zuhud except after having Taqwa, and Taqwa is following the commands of Allaah and His Messenger) and keeping away from prohibitions. (Ibn Taymeeyah – ‘al-Fatawa’ 1/94)
Sufiyaan al Thauri said about Zuhud: “Zuhud is to have limited amount of expectations (very few hopes); it does not mean eating poor or inadequate foods as many think, or wearing a cheap gown or cloack”
Allah swt said regarding Zuhud “Thus, you should not grieve over anything you miss, nor be proud of anything He has bestowed upon you. GOD does not love those who are boastful, proud”. [57:23]
so zuhud in the above verse is defined as: not being over joyed with the glitters of the life of this world and not to regret things which have passed you by.
Ibn Mubarak said about zuhud: “It is having trust in Allah, and being content in times of poverty”
Abdul Waahid Ibn Zaaid said: “Zuhud can be practised by anyone even if he only possesses one deenar or dirahm”
Abi Sulimaan ad-Daa’raam said Zuhud means to leave, those things which distract you from Allah the Exalted and high and many Ulma have said this.
Ruweemul Ja’nayd said Zuhud is to belittle the dunya (this life) and to wipe away its traits from ones heart
Thu’il-Noon al-Misree said zuhud is controlling ones nafs (desires).
The asceticism of the salaf, their abstinence, their honour and rank, their refusal (to accept monies from the people
Shaikh Muqbil rahimahullah; for verily, by Allah, was a model in piety, abstinence and refusal of worldly matters. And he was given insight (by Allah) when he used to refuse money and warned against asking people. He used to launch a fierce attack on anyone who collected money in his (Shaikh Muqbil’s) name
Ahmad ibn Hanbal rahimahullah used to refuse money – and he is cited as a model of abstinence in his refusal and dignity when he traveled to Abdur Razzaaq from Iraq to San’aa. On the way, he and his companion, Yahya ibn Ma’een, performed Hajj and found Abdur Razzaaq in Makkah. So ibn Ma’een said to Ahmad: “Here is Abdur Razzaaq. Allah has brought him to us so we do not need to travel.” Ahmad replied: “I have made the intention to travel to San’aa so I will not return.” Then he traveled to Sanaa and on the way he ran out of money. When his companions found out, they offered him monetary assistance. But Imam Ahmad refused and instead opted to work as a porter for the bedouin camel owners, carrying loads on his back – and he was an Imam rahimahullah. He saw that porterage, work and eating from the sweat of ones own hands was better by thousands of times than taking money from the people; because the upper hand is the one that gives and the lower hand is the one that receives. And Ahmad did not want his hand to be the lower one, may Allah be pleased with him.
SubhanAllah. So grand in reward but so difficult to attain. Especially in this war in my heart of devil against malaikat. May I succeed. Amin.
One of the big things I understand in my journey towards understanding and hopefully wisdom in shaa Allah is Zuhud. It refers to one renouncing all worldly pleasures ( that do not bring benefit towards akhirat) in order to gain nearness to Allah swt.
In a blog I read by thesunnahway.com ( so they are not my words) Zuhud is defined as :
“Zuhud” is an Arabic word and a vital concept in Islam. The English meaning is asceticism which means renouncing worldly pleasures in order to gain nearness to Allah.
whereby some Islamic scholars define:
Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra) said “Asceticism is not that you should not own anything, but that nothing should own you.”
Ibn Taymiyyah said Zuhud is to leave alone things which not benefit you in the next life. He also said ’Az-Zuhd entails abandoning what does not bring about benefit in the Hereafter. Al-Wara’ (abandoning a part of the permissible for fear of falling into the impermissible) entails abandoning what you fear its consequences in the Hereafter.’”
Then, ibn Al-Qayyim commented,”This statement is one of the best and most comprehensive definitions of Az-Zuhd and Al-Wara’.” In addition, Sufyan Ath-Thawry said,”Az-Zuhd in this Dunya entails having a short hope (or avoiding having hopes that one will live long), not by wearing the thick clothes or wearing the garment (as some people who observe fake Zuhd think is a part of Az-Zuhd).” this is part but pls read the attachment to fully understand what zuhd is and insha Allah it will answer the question the perosn who started the thread asked.
Ibn Taymiyyah also said Ikhlaas cannot be achieved except after having Zuhud, and there is no
Zuhud except after having Taqwa, and Taqwa is following the commands of Allaah and His Messenger) and keeping away from prohibitions. (Ibn Taymeeyah – ‘al-Fatawa’ 1/94)
Sufiyaan al Thauri said about Zuhud: “Zuhud is to have limited amount of expectations (very few hopes); it does not mean eating poor or inadequate foods as many think, or wearing a cheap gown or cloack”
Allah swt said regarding Zuhud “Thus, you should not grieve over anything you miss, nor be proud of anything He has bestowed upon you. GOD does not love those who are boastful, proud”. [57:23]
so zuhud in the above verse is defined as: not being over joyed with the glitters of the life of this world and not to regret things which have passed you by.
Ibn Mubarak said about zuhud: “It is having trust in Allah, and being content in times of poverty”
Abdul Waahid Ibn Zaaid said: “Zuhud can be practised by anyone even if he only possesses one deenar or dirahm”
Abi Sulimaan ad-Daa’raam said Zuhud means to leave, those things which distract you from Allah the Exalted and high and many Ulma have said this.
Ruweemul Ja’nayd said Zuhud is to belittle the dunya (this life) and to wipe away its traits from ones heart
Thu’il-Noon al-Misree said zuhud is controlling ones nafs (desires).
The asceticism of the salaf, their abstinence, their honour and rank, their refusal (to accept monies from the people
Shaikh Muqbil rahimahullah; for verily, by Allah, was a model in piety, abstinence and refusal of worldly matters. And he was given insight (by Allah) when he used to refuse money and warned against asking people. He used to launch a fierce attack on anyone who collected money in his (Shaikh Muqbil’s) name
Ahmad ibn Hanbal rahimahullah used to refuse money – and he is cited as a model of abstinence in his refusal and dignity when he traveled to Abdur Razzaaq from Iraq to San’aa. On the way, he and his companion, Yahya ibn Ma’een, performed Hajj and found Abdur Razzaaq in Makkah. So ibn Ma’een said to Ahmad: “Here is Abdur Razzaaq. Allah has brought him to us so we do not need to travel.” Ahmad replied: “I have made the intention to travel to San’aa so I will not return.” Then he traveled to Sanaa and on the way he ran out of money. When his companions found out, they offered him monetary assistance. But Imam Ahmad refused and instead opted to work as a porter for the bedouin camel owners, carrying loads on his back – and he was an Imam rahimahullah. He saw that porterage, work and eating from the sweat of ones own hands was better by thousands of times than taking money from the people; because the upper hand is the one that gives and the lower hand is the one that receives. And Ahmad did not want his hand to be the lower one, may Allah be pleased with him.
SubhanAllah. So grand in reward but so difficult to attain. Especially in this war in my heart of devil against malaikat. May I succeed. Amin.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
memories of 1988 as told to my eldest son Arian
Eizad Arian
: Here is my absolute favourite. This was the phrase my main
speaker/rebutter Kak Zalifah said in the semi-finals against STF in the
English Debate State Championships 1988:
"The opponents are so myopic that in trying to say we are short-sighted; they have actually made a SPECTACLE out of themselves."
At that time, we could hear a pin drop in the school hall packed full of people; followed by a raptourous applause. The STF students mouths were wide open and then we clinched the semi-finals from them. Just like that. Us from good ole unknown Segamat. Nobody had ever heard of Sekolah Menengah Cannossian Convent Segamat and their debate team until that day.And yes, we took the State Championship trophy home later on that afternoon.
"The opponents are so myopic that in trying to say we are short-sighted; they have actually made a SPECTACLE out of themselves."
At that time, we could hear a pin drop in the school hall packed full of people; followed by a raptourous applause. The STF students mouths were wide open and then we clinched the semi-finals from them. Just like that. Us from good ole unknown Segamat. Nobody had ever heard of Sekolah Menengah Cannossian Convent Segamat and their debate team until that day.And yes, we took the State Championship trophy home later on that afternoon.
Still gives me goosebumps talking about it today Arian, 26 years later.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Dear SELF 3/3 Surah Al-Mulk
Kelebihan Surah Al Mulk
Ibnu Abbas berkata: “Pada suatu hari ada seseorang menghampar jubahnya di atas kuburan dan ia tidak tahu bahwa tempat itu adalah kuburan, ia membaca surat Al-Mulk, kemudian ia mendengar suara jeritan dari kuburan itu: Inilah yang menyelamatkan aku. Kemudian kejadian itu diceriterakan kepada Rasulullah saw. Lalu beliau bersabda: Surat Al-Mulk dapat menyelamatkan penghuni kubur dari azab kubur.” (Ad-Da’awat Ar-Rawandi, hlm 279/817; Al-Bihar 82/ 64, 92/313/2, 102/269/
Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (sa) berkata: “Surat Al-Mulk adalah penghalang dari siksa kubur, surat ini termaktub di dalam Taurat, barangsiapa yang membacanya di malam hari ia akan memperoleh banyak manfaat dan kebaikan, …Sungguh aku membacanya dalam shalat sunnah sesudah Isya’ dalam keadaan duduk. Ayahku (sa) membacanya pada siang dan malam. Barangsiapa yang membacanya, maka ketika malaikat Munkar dan Nakir akan masuk ke kuburnya dari arah kedua kakinya, kedua kakinya berkata kepada mereka: kalian tidak ada jalan ke arahku, karena hamba ini berpijak padaku lalu ia membaca surat Al-Mulk setiap siang dan malam; ketika mereka datang kepadanya dari rongganya, rongganya berkata kepada mereka: kalian tidak ada jalan ke arahku, karena hamba ini telah menjagaku dengan surat Al-Mulk; ketika mereka datang kepadanya dari arah lisannya, lisannya berkata kepada mereka: kalian tidak ada jalan ke arahku, karena hamba ini telah membaca surat Al-Mulk setiap siang dan malam denganku.” (Al-Kafi 2/233/hadis 2)
Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (sa): “Bacalah surat Al-Mulk, karena surat ini menjadi penyelamat dari siksa kubur.”
Ibnu Abbas berkata: “Pada suatu hari ada seseorang menghampar jubahnya di atas kuburan dan ia tidak tahu bahwa tempat itu adalah kuburan, ia membaca surat Al-Mulk, kemudian ia mendengar suara jeritan dari kuburan itu: Inilah yang menyelamatkan aku. Kemudian kejadian itu diceriterakan kepada Rasulullah saw. Lalu beliau bersabda: Surat Al-Mulk dapat menyelamatkan penghuni kubur dari azab kubur.” (Ad-Da’awat Ar-Rawandi, hlm 279/817; Al-Bihar 82/ 64, 92/313/2, 102/269/
Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (sa) berkata: “Surat Al-Mulk adalah penghalang dari siksa kubur, surat ini termaktub di dalam Taurat, barangsiapa yang membacanya di malam hari ia akan memperoleh banyak manfaat dan kebaikan, …Sungguh aku membacanya dalam shalat sunnah sesudah Isya’ dalam keadaan duduk. Ayahku (sa) membacanya pada siang dan malam. Barangsiapa yang membacanya, maka ketika malaikat Munkar dan Nakir akan masuk ke kuburnya dari arah kedua kakinya, kedua kakinya berkata kepada mereka: kalian tidak ada jalan ke arahku, karena hamba ini berpijak padaku lalu ia membaca surat Al-Mulk setiap siang dan malam; ketika mereka datang kepadanya dari rongganya, rongganya berkata kepada mereka: kalian tidak ada jalan ke arahku, karena hamba ini telah menjagaku dengan surat Al-Mulk; ketika mereka datang kepadanya dari arah lisannya, lisannya berkata kepada mereka: kalian tidak ada jalan ke arahku, karena hamba ini telah membaca surat Al-Mulk setiap siang dan malam denganku.” (Al-Kafi 2/233/hadis 2)
Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (sa): “Bacalah surat Al-Mulk, karena surat ini menjadi penyelamat dari siksa kubur.”
Dear SELF 2/3 Surah Ar-Rahman
Dear Self:
Kelebihan Surah Ar Rahman
1. Rasulullah saw bersabda: “Barangsiapa yang membaca surat Ar-Rahman, Allah akan menyayangi kelemahannya dan meridhai nikmat yang dikaruniakan padanya.” (Tafsir Nur Ats-Tsaqalayn 5/187).
2. Imam Ja’far Ash-shadiq (sa) berkata: “Barangsiapa yang membaca surat Ar-Rahman, dan ketika membaca kalimat ‘Fabiayyi âlâi Rabbikumâ tukadzdzibân’, ia mengucapkan: Lâ bisyay-in min âlâika Rabbî akdzibu (tidak ada satu pun nikmat-Mu, duhai Tuhanku, yang aku dustakan), jika saat membacanya itu pada malam hari kemudian ia mati, maka matinya seperti matinya orang yang syahid; jika membacanya di siang hari kemudian mati, maka matinya seperti matinya orang yang syahid.” (Tsawabul A’mal, hlm 117).
3. Imam Ja’far Ash-Shadiq (sa) berkata: “Jangan tinggalkan membaca surat Ar-Rahman, bangunlah malam bersamanya, surat ini tidak menentramkan hati orang-orang munafik, kamu akan menjumpai Tuhannya bersamanya pada hari kiamat, wujudnya seperti wujud manusia yang paling indah, dan baunya paling harum. Pada hari kiamat tidak ada seorangpun yang berdiri di hadapan Allah yang lebih dekat dengan-Nya daripadanya. Pada saat itu Allah berfirman padanya: Siapakah orang yang sering bangun malam bersamamu saat di dunia dan tekun membacamu. Ia menjawab: Ya Rabbi, fulan bin fulan, lalu wajah mereka menjadi putih, dan ia berkata kepada mereka: Berilah syafaat orang-orang yang mencintai kalian, kemudian mereka memberi syafaat sampai yang terakhir dan tidak ada seorang pun yang tertinggal dari orang-orang yang berhak menerima syafaat mereka. Lalu ia berkata kepada mereka: Masuklah kalian ke surga, dan tinggallah di dalamnya sebagaimana yang kalian inginkan.” (Tsawabul A’mal, hlm 117).
Kelebihan Surah Ar Rahman
1. Rasulullah saw bersabda: “Barangsiapa yang membaca surat Ar-Rahman, Allah akan menyayangi kelemahannya dan meridhai nikmat yang dikaruniakan padanya.” (Tafsir Nur Ats-Tsaqalayn 5/187).
2. Imam Ja’far Ash-shadiq (sa) berkata: “Barangsiapa yang membaca surat Ar-Rahman, dan ketika membaca kalimat ‘Fabiayyi âlâi Rabbikumâ tukadzdzibân’, ia mengucapkan: Lâ bisyay-in min âlâika Rabbî akdzibu (tidak ada satu pun nikmat-Mu, duhai Tuhanku, yang aku dustakan), jika saat membacanya itu pada malam hari kemudian ia mati, maka matinya seperti matinya orang yang syahid; jika membacanya di siang hari kemudian mati, maka matinya seperti matinya orang yang syahid.” (Tsawabul A’mal, hlm 117).
3. Imam Ja’far Ash-Shadiq (sa) berkata: “Jangan tinggalkan membaca surat Ar-Rahman, bangunlah malam bersamanya, surat ini tidak menentramkan hati orang-orang munafik, kamu akan menjumpai Tuhannya bersamanya pada hari kiamat, wujudnya seperti wujud manusia yang paling indah, dan baunya paling harum. Pada hari kiamat tidak ada seorangpun yang berdiri di hadapan Allah yang lebih dekat dengan-Nya daripadanya. Pada saat itu Allah berfirman padanya: Siapakah orang yang sering bangun malam bersamamu saat di dunia dan tekun membacamu. Ia menjawab: Ya Rabbi, fulan bin fulan, lalu wajah mereka menjadi putih, dan ia berkata kepada mereka: Berilah syafaat orang-orang yang mencintai kalian, kemudian mereka memberi syafaat sampai yang terakhir dan tidak ada seorang pun yang tertinggal dari orang-orang yang berhak menerima syafaat mereka. Lalu ia berkata kepada mereka: Masuklah kalian ke surga, dan tinggallah di dalamnya sebagaimana yang kalian inginkan.” (Tsawabul A’mal, hlm 117).
Dear SELF 1/3 Surah Al-Waqiah
One of three Suraahs I must memorize and read on a daily basis :
Dear SELF
Kelebihan Surah Al Waqiah
Ubay bin Ka’b berkata bahwa Rasulullah saw bersabda: “Barangsiapa yang membaca surat Al-Wâqi’ah, ia akan dicatat tidak tergolong pada orang-orang yang lalai.” (Tafsir Nur Ats-Tsaqalayn 5/203).
Abdullah bin Mas’ud berkata bahwa Rasulullah saw bersabda: “Barangsiapa yang membaca surat Al-Waqi’ah, ia tidak akan tertimpa oleh kefakiran selamanya.” .” (Tafsir Nur Ats-Tsaqalayn 5/203).
Imam Ja’far Ash-Shadiq (sa) berkata: “Barangsiapa yang membaca surat Al-Waqi’ah pada malam Jum’at, ia akan dicintai oleh Allah, dicintai oleh manusia, tidak melihat kesengsaraan, kefakiran, kebutuhan, dan penyakit dunia; surat ini adalah bagian dari sahabat Amirul Mukimin (sa) yang bagi beliau memiliki keistimewaan yang tidak tertandingi oleh yang lain.” (Tafsir Nur Ats-Tsaqalayn 5/203).
Imam Ja’far Ash-Shadiq (sa) berkata: “Barangsiapa yang merindukan surga dan sifatnya, maka bacalah surat Al-Waqi’ah; dan barangsiapa yang ingin melihat sifat neraka, maka bacalah surat As-Sajadah.” (Tsawabul A’mal, hlm 117).
Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (sa) berkata: “Barangsiapa yang membaca surat Al-Waqi’ah sebelum tidur, ia akan berjumpa dengan Allah dalam keadaan wajahnya seperti bulan purnama.” (Tsawabul A’mal, )
Dear SELF
Kelebihan Surah Al Waqiah
Ubay bin Ka’b berkata bahwa Rasulullah saw bersabda: “Barangsiapa yang membaca surat Al-Wâqi’ah, ia akan dicatat tidak tergolong pada orang-orang yang lalai.” (Tafsir Nur Ats-Tsaqalayn 5/203).
Abdullah bin Mas’ud berkata bahwa Rasulullah saw bersabda: “Barangsiapa yang membaca surat Al-Waqi’ah, ia tidak akan tertimpa oleh kefakiran selamanya.” .” (Tafsir Nur Ats-Tsaqalayn 5/203).
Imam Ja’far Ash-Shadiq (sa) berkata: “Barangsiapa yang membaca surat Al-Waqi’ah pada malam Jum’at, ia akan dicintai oleh Allah, dicintai oleh manusia, tidak melihat kesengsaraan, kefakiran, kebutuhan, dan penyakit dunia; surat ini adalah bagian dari sahabat Amirul Mukimin (sa) yang bagi beliau memiliki keistimewaan yang tidak tertandingi oleh yang lain.” (Tafsir Nur Ats-Tsaqalayn 5/203).
Imam Ja’far Ash-Shadiq (sa) berkata: “Barangsiapa yang merindukan surga dan sifatnya, maka bacalah surat Al-Waqi’ah; dan barangsiapa yang ingin melihat sifat neraka, maka bacalah surat As-Sajadah.” (Tsawabul A’mal, hlm 117).
Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (sa) berkata: “Barangsiapa yang membaca surat Al-Waqi’ah sebelum tidur, ia akan berjumpa dengan Allah dalam keadaan wajahnya seperti bulan purnama.” (Tsawabul A’mal, )
Friday, April 25, 2014
Terima kasih Ya Allah di atas ilmu yang dipelajari
Looking back at yesterday and I cannot believe that I had run PCR, gel electrophoresis, RNA extraction, DNA purification, Nanodrop quantitation, analysed chromatograms for MLST sequencing in one day; and RT-PCR and mouse experiments with 6 week old Swiss mice last week ; with ease. Syukur, syukur alhamdulillah.
These used to be the things that for my work colleagues and undergraduate friends will know, I will run away very very quickly from because they just scared the life out of me.
It sure looks indeed that this old fashioned microbiologist has finally embraced molecular biology with love. Syukur to Allah for this wonderful opportunity at ilmu.
Now ; to finish the thesis. And go HOME as planned. ASAP. Amin...
These used to be the things that for my work colleagues and undergraduate friends will know, I will run away very very quickly from because they just scared the life out of me.
It sure looks indeed that this old fashioned microbiologist has finally embraced molecular biology with love. Syukur to Allah for this wonderful opportunity at ilmu.
Now ; to finish the thesis. And go HOME as planned. ASAP. Amin...
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