"Although I have been through all that I have, I do not regret the many hardships I met, because it was they who brought me to the place I wished to reach. Now all I have is this sword and I give it to whoever wishes to continue this pilgrimage. I carry with me the marks and scars of battle – they are the witnesses of what I suffered and the rewards of what I conquered.  

God willing, these are the beloved marks and scars that will open the gates of Paradise. There was a time when I used to listen to tales of bravery. There was a time when I lived only because I needed to live. But now I live because I am a warrior, and because I wish one day to be in the company of Him for whom I have fought so hard." ~ Paulo Coelho

I've heard people lamenting they can't live without this thing. Much less being real obsessed with it. Hmm.. I guess perhaps some of us have let MSN occupy already quite a major standing in our virtual realm - the Boredom-Blaster if I may put it that way. But knowing the high chances of having lengthy hours possibly consumed along with it, this always left me ending up rather guilt-ridden and making myself aiming not to repeat it again. After all, "What harm could it ever do for a day without it?"  

But no doubt the cycle appeared yet another time… continuing its series... till the pang finally set in. Adeih. Is it that hard for me to ever leave this thing? =( In the midst of all the self-checking then did I decide to take that step. Mission "MSN-abstinence" – experimenting myself in a way. To see how far I could last out w/o it hehe. Alhamdulillah, been nearly 3 weeks now since I last appeared online. ^_^v

Truth is, it just wonders me how we may tend to say there's just not enough time to read up & know more on matters of our faith, our Deen, when there's somehow an availability there to spend it up in other less purposeful ways. But I guess the answer comes back clearly that it's all a question of our will, our own choices that marks the thin line between what we deem is fine to do or better to be done instead at that very instant.

So yeps, perhaps it is best for me to be away from MSN, with the exception from 9am to 4pm that I'm required to be online for my assignment's info-sharing & transferring files with my teammembers during school hours. But of course my dear sisters & sahabiyyah, I'll still be contactable daily through my email and Hp ye. And bi iznillah I will be online during the weekends for us to catch up on each other. (:

* Some alternatives that we can do besides MSN-ing, insyaAlllah

• Refresh & strengthen our grasp of memorising Juz 30 (Juz 'Amma) of al-Quraan.
• Brush up our knowledge of Imam An-Nawawi's 40 Hadith.
  
• Explore & increase our understanding through Islamic articles such as this one.
• Any other beneficial activities that can be thought of ^_^
  

Most importantly, before we make an action let's try to consider first whether "Is what I'm doing something that Allah pleases?" yes. (: May He guide & bless our effort, insyaAllah Ameen!

From my side of view, the pyramid could act as another option in seeing how bonded a person actually is to His Creator. Every single part of his life, be it the large fragments of his actions, to the intricate depths of his feelings and importantly his intentions behind all of those.. the attachment exists beyond reason! But indeed the question also lies in how hard he attempts to maintain the strength of that connection..

How great the fact really is of a man who checks his heart first before he advances in his step, making sure his deeds are solely done for Allah alone, so when he feels as though his efforts are not appreciated or recognized by the people around him, he takes comfort in God's promise that Allah is always with those who patiently persist in doing the best that he can to please Allah (raih cinta & keredhaanNya), and that his ultimate reward is assured deservedly in the hereafter,

Feels secure in seeking protection & strength from Him to continue fighting this battle; trust Him for what awaits in his future in which Allah knows what's best for him; and knowing that richness lies in being contented with the blessings he is bestowed with.. subhanallah walhamdulillah! All needs in the foundation stages are met! (:

You may have noticed that "Insan Kamil" lies on the summit at the pyramid's peak. "And this is meant by one who strives to be the Complete/Perfect Man in relation to his principles & character," Ustaz Zhulkeflee explained (:

Ahaa.. And at this point an idea struck my mind that perhaps I could link this to the Tarbiyah Content Strands, or nurturing/training the self to achieving the best of qualities as extracted from Bro Dawud at-Tauhidi's lecture. ^_^

Take ablution

Perform the Witr prayer

Deep reflect, self-check even for a moment

Hate none. Forgive all. Do try ye (:

Ease the mind from thinking too much of the day's problem. Chill out yea

Safeguard your intention to wake up in the night for Tahajjud & Hajat prayers (Qiyamullail). Let's take every available opportunity there is to be closer to Allah!

Zikr. Be it simple recitations or reading Quran. Even a single page has plentiful rewards!

Here's something I've chanced upon from EmanRush Audio's website. Real Nice!

EmanRush \ ee-man-rsh \ noun (2003):

1. faith accelerated
2. a rush of blood to the mind and heart, causing tears, warm whispers of repentance, hair to stand and an overwhelming urge to prostrate to Allah; sweet.

Really really like this word! ^_^

"The exclusive audio label of AlMaghrib Institute, provides you with high quality lectures to stimulate your mind with reflections of your deen. Whether on your way to work or school - stuck in traffic - in the subway or on the bus, always count on our productions to give your soul a Rushhh."


The above "Touched by an Angel" seminar 16-CD set is actually an accredited audio solely dedicated to the explanation of Part 30 of the Qur'an, presented by Bro Muhammad alShareef who was born in 1975 and raised in Canada, memorized the Quran in his youth & later graduated with an Islamic Law degree from the Islamic University of Madinah. SubhanAllah!

No doubt I did feel quite disheartened not being able to listen to it, but they've generously provided its Tafseer Juz 'Amma companion notebook with Translations, Selected word-for-word list, Special points such as the Surahs' Backdrop & Gems to Remember and Quizzes throughout the work, for the user to complete and take note of these to interact with the context and connect with its meanings. A great package for personal reflection & learning, insyaAllah. ((:

Alhamdulillah, thanks to Bro AbdurRahman who posted a comment here with links to a really wide spread of Muhammad alShareef's online articles, transcribed lectures & other downloadable resources which I'm really keen to explore. JazakAllahu khairan!

“Waste no time debating what a good Muslim should be. Be one!”

~ Muhammad alShareef

Ternyata ada peningkatan yang amat baik di situ- Walaupun liriknya masih kekal dalam bentuk asalnya namun jelas lagu Kembali '06 nyanyian Far East - yang diberikan suntikan segar dengan iringan merdu seruling & kombinasi suara yang cukup mantap - sungguh seakan terus memanggil2 utk diputar lagunya dari laptop ana. Sedap!

Hmm. Semalam sempat juga satu idea ni menyelit dalam fikiran ana waktu tgh bersiap-siap nak keluar dgn ibu & sisters. Bukannya ape, cuma terperasan yang kadang-kadang ni bila kita dengar sesuatu lagu tu, nanti mesti ntah mcmane boleh teringat kat sekian-sekian insan tau. Kaitannya pun wAllahu'alam ana pun tak pasti sangat kenapa, cuma rasa seperti ada keserasian kat situ yg tak dapat ana nak jelaskan.. =D Atau mungkin adalah elemen-elemen terselit yang menggamit memori antara insan dan lagu.. chey macam betul je

Hehe. Okaylah, dalam table tercatit namelist contoh mengikut apa yang ana rasa saat ni.. Harap sisters tak marah yea? Boleh terkenang antunna bila dengar lagu-lagu ni tau. Betul tak bedek.. :D

It was related that Abdullah bin Mas'ud said, 'I asked the Prophet (may peace be upon him) what action is most loved by Allah and he said, "The prayer at its proper time."' [Hadith narrated by al-Bukhari] 

"My son, when you pray, do it like a person who is bidding farewell to this world, and don't assume you will have another chance to pray again.." - Muadh Ibn Jabal r.a.

I doubt there's even such a word. =D But in point of fact I am actually experiencing this high fancy towards water. Yeah, kind of weird I know. Hehe. A while back – before Ramadhan if I could recall clearly - Ibu was concerned that I've not been drinking enough H2O per day. But in a turn of events now the contrary's happening! Imagine downing a 500ml bottled mineral water at nearly one go and then returning continuosly for more & more.. MasyaAllah, I wonder where this super surge of drinking craving comes from. And funnily it makes me more high-spirited somehow.. waduh waduh..

But.. through this phenomena I can make a conclusion on one thing though; that another way to cheer myself up is to just drink! Even plain water will do. Get Elated the Halal Way la k. =P And yes, to make oneself an uber yum yum Milo Dinosaur instead of buying any choc drinks from McCafe or Coffeabean would be a smarter choice, Diy. [Note: This one acts as a reminder for yours truly who sometimes want & wonder how they taste like but quickly cast away those thoughts upon realizing =D]

What's more, there are lots of good options out there at far affordable prices too! The ones shown below are my personal favorites & selling at only 80 cents each!~ *nods2* Selalu beli dari kedai Uncle Sun Wen Seng bila kadang2 tgh stress balik dari sekolah.. ^_^

Okaylah. Enough of the mumbo jumbo. The main gist I'm trying to put across is that it's still dangerous to be drinking too much water. Googled up on this matter few days ago and came across the terms Hyponatremia & water intoxication. Was quite worried that I did experience some symptoms like confusion, nausea and fatigue. And from the resource it says that if the sodium level is not treated the loss could interfere with the brain, heart, and muscle function, and it may lead to even the existent cases of coma & death. wa na'udzubillahi min zalik.. >_< 

So yes. Let's try to keep things in moderation and under control aite. Bi iznillah we will be able to do just that. Away you go harmful desires~

"When Satan tempts you, seek refuge in Allah Who is All Hearing, All Knowing." [7: 200]

Coming back from our luncheon at Causeway Point's KFC, I was already all chirpy with a filled tummy after the committee meeting this afternoon. Decided to take a sit first with my Milk Tea & Pearl drink happily in hand while waiting for Maimanah outside the store, and of all places Raudah and I thought we were actually lucky to get an empty bench just in front of a video retail outlet.

Ahh..  wrong move, ladies. For a second we assumed that they were showing the latest hit movie of a laidback plot, but as the scene suddenly changed into a high-pumping chaos & carnage then did I realise that this was no common story line.. Whuarhh.. kepala pusing banyak pening wooo.. >_<

A lesson learnt today: Never let my eyes wander off to seeing monsters gorging down humans right after a hearty meal.. Expect instant groggy self as the aftermath.. huhu.




But I would say that this new Korean fright flick sure deserves its rightful credits. No wonder it took audiences and critics by storm when it was launched at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, and is actually Korea's highest grossing film in cinemas (!)

The animated monster which personally look like a nasty mudskipper + chameleon mutant as big as a bus & thumping down full speed ahead from Seoul's Han River reaaally seemed terrifyingly realistic that I couldn't help but silently shriek & squirm inside when it ran after its prey & then managed to grab them.. Adeih.. Heart-wrenching betul..

But how sadder is the reality that there're people who think nothing of killing others mercilessly, and causing those alive in living torture.. O Allah, may they be aware of their evildoings, and let the vice in their hearts dissipate with compassion. Protect the righteous ones in Your constant care. Ameen..

Teringat bait puisi Bro Hafez Iftiqar,

Wah seh.. How quickly drastic can our emotions switch when we're served with two visuals of totally opposite sentiments? Indeterminate actually. But one thing I do know, being tickled so much with watching a series of hilarious Thai adverts at Youtube could still send myself tearing up in an instant once I swerve over to these poignant ones below. The next moment I know my eyes were getting all heavily blurred.. huhu.

Akhir kalam dari ana, "Ingatlah insan-insan tersayang.." >_<