During LIMA 07', I was elected as the LO for Jordan Delegate. The Jordanians were represented by their Commander of the Jordan Royal Air Force, Major General Hussein Sodash. He came with his ADC, a nice guy by the name of Colonel Ayman Mastouq. My AO was an Air Force officer, Lt. Col. Wan Ibrahim. He is a great guy, who can't seem to stop talking. He seems to enjoy talking and I let him talk, as I enjoy listening to people.
There is a lot of people that can talk but only few that can listen. So, if you can be those few ones that can actually listen, you're indeed a rare type. I like to listen to people. Cause I gain a lot of new information, knowledge and personal experience from them. I wonder what did I do, that made people so easily to open up to me. After seating around with them for an hour, they start to reveal everything there is, about them to me. Things that they don't normally tell people. They usually said like 'I can't actually tell you why cause it is personal', then after a few minutes, after I had given them my full attention, suddenly, I knew why it was personal in the first place. How humans really need to be listen to.
What I really wanted to write about is what he asked me while we were driving back to Andaman after we had our dinner at Kuah town. He asked me, "Why did Allah created Man? He doesn't need us. The world can exist even without us." I smiled. It is the common question for those who seeks Allah. Longing to know who is his creator. Before I could answer, he told me that he had asked a lot of people, some Islamic scholar on this question, non seems to give him a good answer. As he quiet down, I seems to feel it is my turn to say something.
I answered his question in a simple sentences, "Allah said, "I am a secret and I would like to be known". Allah in His splendors and greatness, would really want his creation to admire Him. To be awed by his Magnanimity." I stopped there. He quickly respond, "Exactly!" I didn't sure, he already know the answer, merely testing me or he is trying to shun his enlightenment by my answer. Either way, I didn't care. I have no ego in this. This knowledge which I possess is Allah's anyway. So, why do I feel need to brag about it. He can took it back anytime He want.
I urge him to seek Allah. To know Him. As it is the foremost thing in Islam. As the Holy Prophet (S) had said, "The fore thing in Islam is knowing Allah".
Why did Allah said he was a secret?
Simple. If Allah didn't sent any prophet as His messenger, would we the ordinary human being would know anything is to know about Allah? We will be on an endless continuous search. A search that will reach no end. This is what happens to those philosophers that tried to locate God only using his own mind. Remember, the dimension of God is in the metaphysics realm. There is no way an ordinary human can reach such dimension without the permission of the on that created us. It is because that he wanted us to know Him that he sent his holy messengers to tell mankind, that there is only one god and He is Allah. The only deity.
It is Allah who is the creator, the architect, the sustainer and almighty. It is all of many reason why we, mans must submit to Him. And to Him only. But Allah created Man with obstacle to be a true worshiper. Why? That is another article.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Attaining Kusyuk (Concentration) in Salah
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
"The believers will be successful. For those who humble themselves in their prayers;"
These are the verses from Surah Al-Mukminun. It evolves around who are among the Muslims who are one that will be successful now and here after. Those who is humble themselves is those who has attained the state of Kusyuk, full concentration when performing their salah. Allah has high lighted how important is the attain that state. I'm not going to go on how a good salah helps us but rather on how to attain Kusyuk.
Then again if you would to skim through all the books available in book store that talks on Kusyuk, almost all of them have different approach. Every one has their own technique on attaining Kusyuk. Every part of the salah has their own style of getting concentration, like when you reciting the Al-Fatihah, some imagining being between heaven and hell. Some imagining that Allah is directly facing him/her, listen attentively towards every word and watching every gesture. That is of course some of the example of style that I have came across. This lead me to conclude that every one has their own style. The most important is that you gain it. How? That is all up to you.
Still, there is a basic foundation on how to achieve such state. The main base is 'faith'. The Holy Prophet (S) had spent 13 years instilling the tauheed of the oneness of Allah. This is the main base for the attaining of kusyuk. As the Prophet (S) has once said, "The beginning of the Deen is knowing Allah". Thus the understanding of Allah is important as that is the very reason why we perform the salah in the first place.
That the problem with Muslim nowadays, their input on their religion is rather upside down. The emphasize should be on the tauheed first, then the syariat. What is happening now is rather the opposite. This what made the religion is unwelcoming and unattractive towards the Muslims themselves because they did not understand their own religion.
Islam becomes dull and seems to be so remote from its own believers. As the Holy Prophet (s) once said, "The beginning of the Deen is knowing Allah".
"The believers will be successful. For those who humble themselves in their prayers;"
These are the verses from Surah Al-Mukminun. It evolves around who are among the Muslims who are one that will be successful now and here after. Those who is humble themselves is those who has attained the state of Kusyuk, full concentration when performing their salah. Allah has high lighted how important is the attain that state. I'm not going to go on how a good salah helps us but rather on how to attain Kusyuk.
Then again if you would to skim through all the books available in book store that talks on Kusyuk, almost all of them have different approach. Every one has their own technique on attaining Kusyuk. Every part of the salah has their own style of getting concentration, like when you reciting the Al-Fatihah, some imagining being between heaven and hell. Some imagining that Allah is directly facing him/her, listen attentively towards every word and watching every gesture. That is of course some of the example of style that I have came across. This lead me to conclude that every one has their own style. The most important is that you gain it. How? That is all up to you.
Still, there is a basic foundation on how to achieve such state. The main base is 'faith'. The Holy Prophet (S) had spent 13 years instilling the tauheed of the oneness of Allah. This is the main base for the attaining of kusyuk. As the Prophet (S) has once said, "The beginning of the Deen is knowing Allah". Thus the understanding of Allah is important as that is the very reason why we perform the salah in the first place.
That the problem with Muslim nowadays, their input on their religion is rather upside down. The emphasize should be on the tauheed first, then the syariat. What is happening now is rather the opposite. This what made the religion is unwelcoming and unattractive towards the Muslims themselves because they did not understand their own religion.
Islam becomes dull and seems to be so remote from its own believers. As the Holy Prophet (s) once said, "The beginning of the Deen is knowing Allah".
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Praise be to Allah
"Praise be to Allah"
I guest that is all that I could say. Recently, I been getting more calm and focus in my life. I almost cried when I remembered how miserable I was before this and looking at how am I now. Praise be to Allah again, that is all that I could say. How could I say it more?
I wish that my thoughts wouldn't leave even a second from Allah. It felt so calm when thinking of Him. It is actually amazing how my understanding of my faith had increase by the day. And I hope it will never cease to. I began to understand the shahadah. The first part is acknowledging Him as the Only One God. The second is acknowledging Muhammad PBUH as His messenger. Well, that is the plain over view of it.
If we are to go deeper we will find that the first part is to completely, through every bits of atoms in our body to acknowledge Allah as The GOD. The one that we must obey, abide and worship every second of our waken life. We must not summit to anyone or anything. He must be the center of our life. I mean, if you want anything, you ask Him!When you achieve something great, praise Him. When in sadness, talk to Him. He is loving and always listening and watching. He had love for us more than anyone could've imagine.
When we have acknowledge that, comes the question of HOW? On this the Holy prophet had shown us the way. He had set an example on how to worship Allah. How to become a servant worthy of Allah's attention. We all have His Most Holiness attention but of all of us out there, which one that Allah is proud to brag about to His angels? This is the second part of the shahadah.
Then again, after so much deeds, we began to realised that none of all our deeds matters to Allah, cause it the end all of it came from Allah! It was from Him that we gain our strength and the attention to worship Allah! Again we climb back to the first part, re-establish our faith to Allah. Remember, it is He that judges us, not we, ourselves by looking at our deed and ibadah. Then we might asked how come we have to salah, to siyyam and perform the Haj? If it will never save us from the hell's fire in the end? Again we go to the next part of the Shahadah. The holy prophet PBUH is the one that Allah guarantees a place in Jannah but he never stop worshiping Allah. In fact he even worship more until his legs hurts doing the Salah.
It is here my understanding of the faith stops. I am waiting for a further guidance from a true teacher that can guide me further on understanding the reality of life and of Allah. As long as I didn't stray away from the Shahadah, that is fine with me.
I guest that is all that I could say. Recently, I been getting more calm and focus in my life. I almost cried when I remembered how miserable I was before this and looking at how am I now. Praise be to Allah again, that is all that I could say. How could I say it more?
I wish that my thoughts wouldn't leave even a second from Allah. It felt so calm when thinking of Him. It is actually amazing how my understanding of my faith had increase by the day. And I hope it will never cease to. I began to understand the shahadah. The first part is acknowledging Him as the Only One God. The second is acknowledging Muhammad PBUH as His messenger. Well, that is the plain over view of it.
If we are to go deeper we will find that the first part is to completely, through every bits of atoms in our body to acknowledge Allah as The GOD. The one that we must obey, abide and worship every second of our waken life. We must not summit to anyone or anything. He must be the center of our life. I mean, if you want anything, you ask Him!When you achieve something great, praise Him. When in sadness, talk to Him. He is loving and always listening and watching. He had love for us more than anyone could've imagine.
When we have acknowledge that, comes the question of HOW? On this the Holy prophet had shown us the way. He had set an example on how to worship Allah. How to become a servant worthy of Allah's attention. We all have His Most Holiness attention but of all of us out there, which one that Allah is proud to brag about to His angels? This is the second part of the shahadah.
Then again, after so much deeds, we began to realised that none of all our deeds matters to Allah, cause it the end all of it came from Allah! It was from Him that we gain our strength and the attention to worship Allah! Again we climb back to the first part, re-establish our faith to Allah. Remember, it is He that judges us, not we, ourselves by looking at our deed and ibadah. Then we might asked how come we have to salah, to siyyam and perform the Haj? If it will never save us from the hell's fire in the end? Again we go to the next part of the Shahadah. The holy prophet PBUH is the one that Allah guarantees a place in Jannah but he never stop worshiping Allah. In fact he even worship more until his legs hurts doing the Salah.
It is here my understanding of the faith stops. I am waiting for a further guidance from a true teacher that can guide me further on understanding the reality of life and of Allah. As long as I didn't stray away from the Shahadah, that is fine with me.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Educational Speaking
I had stumbled upon a video that showed the Americans problems in managing their education system. The real main problem was from 2 aspect, one is the public school administrators and another major one is THE TEACHERS UNION. They are the main reasons that is prohibiting the changes in their systems.
The administrators being bureaucrats they resist change and blaming having lack of money as the main reason the Americans children are not preforming well in schools. Then the video showed how a public school had manage to gain an extra funding from the government up to billions of dollar to improve the condition of the school. Sadly, after building an Olympics size swimming pool, hi-tech gym and an indoor miniature stadium, the school's performance drops even worse.
The program then showed a private school that had less money, no gym and swimming pools are have kid that had achieve better result that the heavily funded public school. So, it proves that money doesn't solve the problem. The success of the private school is the sincerity of the principles and the teacher in better educating the children. Having more money clearly doesn't solve the problem of under achieving students.
Then there are the teachers union. One association that I will forbid my wife (yes, she is a teacher) to join up. They are the main culprit of the problem. Why, because they had numbers in their sides! They even manage to mind bogglingly, create an almost impossible system to fire incompetent teachers. Believe me it is really complicated that in a year out of 80,000 teachers working in America only 2 had been fired. Not because they are small numbers of incompetent teachers but because of the complexity of the firing process. And it will took years to do it. That's the power being in numbers.
When they were covering the topic on teachers union that I saw the same phenomenon happeing in Malaysia. MTUC having the numbers try as they might to stop from the PTDs in penetrating the education service. PTDs aren't really taking over as educators but doing the administration job for them. So, they can concentrate more in educating and let the us (yes, I'm one of the PTDs) do the administrating. Thank god that not all teachers object to the government decision to let the PTDs positioned in the State Education Department. Most of them, realised that PTDs are no treat to them.
I was hoping that the Malaysian teachers continue their excellent service to Malaysia futures, instead of concentrating in holding post as administrators. if that were their goals, when I guest they are in the wrong service.
The administrators being bureaucrats they resist change and blaming having lack of money as the main reason the Americans children are not preforming well in schools. Then the video showed how a public school had manage to gain an extra funding from the government up to billions of dollar to improve the condition of the school. Sadly, after building an Olympics size swimming pool, hi-tech gym and an indoor miniature stadium, the school's performance drops even worse.
The program then showed a private school that had less money, no gym and swimming pools are have kid that had achieve better result that the heavily funded public school. So, it proves that money doesn't solve the problem. The success of the private school is the sincerity of the principles and the teacher in better educating the children. Having more money clearly doesn't solve the problem of under achieving students.
Then there are the teachers union. One association that I will forbid my wife (yes, she is a teacher) to join up. They are the main culprit of the problem. Why, because they had numbers in their sides! They even manage to mind bogglingly, create an almost impossible system to fire incompetent teachers. Believe me it is really complicated that in a year out of 80,000 teachers working in America only 2 had been fired. Not because they are small numbers of incompetent teachers but because of the complexity of the firing process. And it will took years to do it. That's the power being in numbers.
When they were covering the topic on teachers union that I saw the same phenomenon happeing in Malaysia. MTUC having the numbers try as they might to stop from the PTDs in penetrating the education service. PTDs aren't really taking over as educators but doing the administration job for them. So, they can concentrate more in educating and let the us (yes, I'm one of the PTDs) do the administrating. Thank god that not all teachers object to the government decision to let the PTDs positioned in the State Education Department. Most of them, realised that PTDs are no treat to them.
I was hoping that the Malaysian teachers continue their excellent service to Malaysia futures, instead of concentrating in holding post as administrators. if that were their goals, when I guest they are in the wrong service.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sayang Ku
Sayang,
Abang tahu hajatmu itu,
kita berusahalah sekadar termampu,
walau tercapai ia belumnya tentu,
itu resam hamba yang serba tidak tahu,
namun jangan diputuskan asamu itu,
dari rahmat Yang Maha Penentu.
Sayang,
Di sini tidak sempurna,
Rupa, harta, kuasa, apa sahaja,
semuanya ini ilusi semata,
buat berteduh basahnya hujan,
dan teriknya suria.
Sayang,
Hidup kita bukan di sini,
hidup kita di kemudian hari,
di mana nanti tiada realiti,
sepertinya suasana di sini.
Sayang,
Abang akan berada di sini,
Selagi diizin Robbul Izzati,
jatuh kita bersama menangis,
melonjak kita sama meninggi,
moga kelak kita bersama,
kekal di firdaus abadi.
Abang tahu hajatmu itu,
kita berusahalah sekadar termampu,
walau tercapai ia belumnya tentu,
itu resam hamba yang serba tidak tahu,
namun jangan diputuskan asamu itu,
dari rahmat Yang Maha Penentu.
Sayang,
Di sini tidak sempurna,
Rupa, harta, kuasa, apa sahaja,
semuanya ini ilusi semata,
buat berteduh basahnya hujan,
dan teriknya suria.
Sayang,
Hidup kita bukan di sini,
hidup kita di kemudian hari,
di mana nanti tiada realiti,
sepertinya suasana di sini.
Sayang,
Abang akan berada di sini,
Selagi diizin Robbul Izzati,
jatuh kita bersama menangis,
melonjak kita sama meninggi,
moga kelak kita bersama,
kekal di firdaus abadi.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Medically Speaking
Even in the virtual space, we reserve our comments on the government’s policies. Why can’t we voice it out? Because we are all civil servants? We are employed by the government with that all of our freedom of expression is pulled away beneath us? What kind of nation we are turning into?
Back to the topic, medical expenses are rising these days. Watching all the figures rising, I could conclude that sooner or later that the government will have to draw the line on giving out free medication. Slowly, the top decision makers are doing just that. They did it slowly with out the mass knowing about it. All the small stuff is beginning to be denied of subsidy. Soon anything that is related to major surgery will not be under the responsibility of the government. Who knows? If there is still some, it would be under certain limits or a certain percentage. No more free health care. Are we Malaysian are prepare for such event?
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Changing Minds
I was watching a lot of debate video lately. Some by Ahmed Deedat, some Dr. Zakir Naik and even from Sheikh Yusuf Estes (funny guy!). There's a distinct style between all of them. Some confrontational, some more to seek common view.
In the end I concluded that I don't condone Ahmad Deedat's style of confrontational. I mean, if we were selling an idea to someone criticising his idea is a bad thing. it may also creates a different respond that what the preacher wants. I rather like Yusuf Estes ' way of da'wah. He merely asking the Christians to think for themselves. To make differentiation, to evaluate and to make their own conclusion by simple study. Because he said the bible is NOT all of it were rendered to humans words but it also contains Allah's Holy Words. In the case of the bible, the priest that was supposed to preserve those words decided to make certain changes without the authority of it's author.
Instead of debating my showing that 'I am right and you are wrong', Yusuf Estes is more of a smooth persuading guy. Letting the listener do their own evaluation. It's logical! If you are a salesman, condemning his previous purchase is not a very good idea. He is like saying, 'Yes, you've got a good vacuum cleaner but what if I tell you that with a lower price you can get a all-in-1 vacuum that would not only clean you carpet, also it washes your dishes, do your laundry and massage your back when you're tired!". And yes, some will buy it and some will decline. Hey, that's sales for you. Funny as it seems, it the same with da'wa. As Allah said to His Beloved Prophet when he prayed to Allah, asking for Abu Talib to join him in Islam. Allah answered that hidayat is His and He will bestowed it upon who ever he wants.
I gain a lot of knowledge from Yusuf. It's not that local malay Ulamas are not good or not as knowledgeable as him, it is just that his way of conveying the massage of Islam is simple, straight to the point, no politics and a simple, easy to understand Islam. No some mombu jumbo stuff that is so complex. His way can really seduce a lot of Christians and Atheist in joining Islam! It's just pure and simple Islam. And it helps with him being funny!
I hope the wave of Islam continuous until the end of time.
In the end I concluded that I don't condone Ahmad Deedat's style of confrontational. I mean, if we were selling an idea to someone criticising his idea is a bad thing. it may also creates a different respond that what the preacher wants. I rather like Yusuf Estes ' way of da'wah. He merely asking the Christians to think for themselves. To make differentiation, to evaluate and to make their own conclusion by simple study. Because he said the bible is NOT all of it were rendered to humans words but it also contains Allah's Holy Words. In the case of the bible, the priest that was supposed to preserve those words decided to make certain changes without the authority of it's author.
Instead of debating my showing that 'I am right and you are wrong', Yusuf Estes is more of a smooth persuading guy. Letting the listener do their own evaluation. It's logical! If you are a salesman, condemning his previous purchase is not a very good idea. He is like saying, 'Yes, you've got a good vacuum cleaner but what if I tell you that with a lower price you can get a all-in-1 vacuum that would not only clean you carpet, also it washes your dishes, do your laundry and massage your back when you're tired!". And yes, some will buy it and some will decline. Hey, that's sales for you. Funny as it seems, it the same with da'wa. As Allah said to His Beloved Prophet when he prayed to Allah, asking for Abu Talib to join him in Islam. Allah answered that hidayat is His and He will bestowed it upon who ever he wants.
I gain a lot of knowledge from Yusuf. It's not that local malay Ulamas are not good or not as knowledgeable as him, it is just that his way of conveying the massage of Islam is simple, straight to the point, no politics and a simple, easy to understand Islam. No some mombu jumbo stuff that is so complex. His way can really seduce a lot of Christians and Atheist in joining Islam! It's just pure and simple Islam. And it helps with him being funny!
I hope the wave of Islam continuous until the end of time.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
I Felt Lost...
The more I looked upon the people around me. The more I got confused. As part of the society, I couldn’t isolate myself from them. I am part of the great social system that Allah has created. There’s no escaping. I must learn how adapt to the new idea that I live with the ideas of chaos around me.
Am I the one in the wrong or is it that I am trap in this new mindset that I have. Isn’t not that Allah had said that all that I have is from him. Nothing that I has is mine. Even my own self is his and his alone. Non belong to me.
I’m confused. The more I think, the more I’m confused. The more I know the more I’m lost. Lost in my own thoughts.
I think I’m way ward from the right path. Allah, I felt lost.
As if I was left, ignored by Allah.
Allah, lead me to you…
Am I the one in the wrong or is it that I am trap in this new mindset that I have. Isn’t not that Allah had said that all that I have is from him. Nothing that I has is mine. Even my own self is his and his alone. Non belong to me.
I’m confused. The more I think, the more I’m confused. The more I know the more I’m lost. Lost in my own thoughts.
I think I’m way ward from the right path. Allah, I felt lost.
As if I was left, ignored by Allah.
Allah, lead me to you…
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Thinking Logically
Recently, I attended a tahlil and at the end of it there is a short tazkirah relating on the journey of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) to see Allah to receive from Al-Khaliq himself, the Solah. More than once the speaker had emphasised that in this case as Moslem we must believe in the journey as demanded by our faith. As he said that, if by using logic only, we will reach a conclusion that the journey is impossible.
On that note my mind starts drifting away a moment from the talk to start asking myself, why? Why can’t logic accept such incredible journey is possible? By what kind of parameters that is being used to analyse or to arrive to a conclusion that such journey is impossible?
This question bothers me for days. Why human logic can’t accept it? After referring to Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary, it had simple definition of ‘Logic’ that states; “Logic is a way of thinking or explaining something, whether right or wrong”. This simple definition describes the majority of average people understanding when they refer to thinking logically.
What is wrong with this line of thought? Most people have this paradigm logic that excluded the existence of Allah. This is where the fallacy of most Moslem thinking. How can you accept that Allah exist but put Allah out of the equation when we are to think logically? Doesn’t that contradict each other?
Why this style of thinking dominated Moslem minds?
This is the result of a continuous reconditioning of the mind by intellectuals which do not believe Allah exist. These so called, materialist scientists exclude Allah of this world. They had set a standard that when you think logically you should dismiss the existence of a superior being. Stating that the inclusion of this superior being as a deterrence to logical thinking, since its very existence cannot be proven empirically.
Fascinatingly, this way of thinking is fallacy in par se. During the tazkirah, the speaker had gave an example of the existence of God is like the presents of sugar in a glass of water. By using our tongue, our taste receptors, we will find out that the water is sweet. Since we know the character of sugar, which is sweet. Immediately, we suspect there is sugar in the water. We can’t see the sugar, we can’t see anyone drop in the sugar but yet, we know there is sugar present in the water. We don’t need to see the sugar physically.
Some may argue, how can we be sure its sugar? Some other substance could also produce sweetness similar to sugar. This is where the understanding of sugar comes in. If you totally understand sugar, you immediately know if it’s real sugar or something else.
Thus in this case, he said that in order to detect the present of Allah, we need to study Allah. We need to know His character. We cannot study His Zat or form as He has described himself as ‘not similar to anything that has been created or even any form that crosses our mind’. Knowing His characteristic we can immediately, detect Allah present as we detect the present of sugar in our glass of water.
I found it strange that in physics, most of the particles that had been detected by physicists cannot be seen, only can be detected using instruments. And the particles are studied by looking at its signatures that it left behind after a certain nuclear reaction. From its own distinct signature of the particle, its mass, characters and even spin are known.
What is the difference with the detection nuclear particles and of Allah? Isn’t our receptor are instruments of detection?
What cannot be seen, felt, taste or heard doesn’t mean that it does not exist. We detect its presents by seeing, feeling, tasting and listening to its signatures that it leaves behind. This is what Allah meant that ‘you can see Me by looking at My signs that I have created around you’.
Now, let us return to the Isra’ Mikraj? The journey is logic with the involvement of Allah. As simple as that, the mystery is solved.
Some people said that with the inclusion of Allah, there can be no exact science. There would be disorder. As when Allah is introduce to logical thinking, everything is possible. There will be not system, only chaos. Again this is a fallacy. Allah created the universe not randomly or in not particular order but according to a perfect structured system. Everything happens according to this perfect system or known as Sunnatullah or to some as the Law of Nature. The motion of celestial bodies, the birth of a child happens when a man and a woman mate and humans cannot walk on water.
Still now and then, Allah wants human to ‘see’ Him. Thus he created miracles that defy the ‘usual’ laws of nature as He see fit. Such as miracle like the birth of Prophet Jesus is without the need of a father, Prophet Abraham was thrown into a huge bonfire, the fire turned cold and of course the miracle journey of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
How to add Allah to logical thinking?
Simple, when a man and a woman is married, Insya-Allah, they will be blessed by Allah with children. Still, they have to be married or have sex but having sex doesn’t guarantees the baring of a child. If we are hungry, we still need to consume some kind of food and Insya-Allah, we will not hunger after that. Thus, where is the chaos in this logical thinking? Is it beautiful to think in this logical way? Everything is according to Sunnatullah, subject to the permission of Allah.
This way, we have Allah in mind in everything that we do. Doesn’t that, what Allah want us to do? Doesn’t this line of thinking keep us in mind that we are vulnerable and always in need of Allah? Beautifully, with this concept, it also makes us to become courageous as we know others can’t hurt us, if He forbids it. Also doesn’t with this notion helps us to easily accept the journey of Isra’ Mikraj?
I end my rambling with a piece of thought, “without Allah, the very existence of the universe is ILLOGIC”.
On that note my mind starts drifting away a moment from the talk to start asking myself, why? Why can’t logic accept such incredible journey is possible? By what kind of parameters that is being used to analyse or to arrive to a conclusion that such journey is impossible?
This question bothers me for days. Why human logic can’t accept it? After referring to Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary, it had simple definition of ‘Logic’ that states; “Logic is a way of thinking or explaining something, whether right or wrong”. This simple definition describes the majority of average people understanding when they refer to thinking logically.
What is wrong with this line of thought? Most people have this paradigm logic that excluded the existence of Allah. This is where the fallacy of most Moslem thinking. How can you accept that Allah exist but put Allah out of the equation when we are to think logically? Doesn’t that contradict each other?
Why this style of thinking dominated Moslem minds?
This is the result of a continuous reconditioning of the mind by intellectuals which do not believe Allah exist. These so called, materialist scientists exclude Allah of this world. They had set a standard that when you think logically you should dismiss the existence of a superior being. Stating that the inclusion of this superior being as a deterrence to logical thinking, since its very existence cannot be proven empirically.
Fascinatingly, this way of thinking is fallacy in par se. During the tazkirah, the speaker had gave an example of the existence of God is like the presents of sugar in a glass of water. By using our tongue, our taste receptors, we will find out that the water is sweet. Since we know the character of sugar, which is sweet. Immediately, we suspect there is sugar in the water. We can’t see the sugar, we can’t see anyone drop in the sugar but yet, we know there is sugar present in the water. We don’t need to see the sugar physically.
Some may argue, how can we be sure its sugar? Some other substance could also produce sweetness similar to sugar. This is where the understanding of sugar comes in. If you totally understand sugar, you immediately know if it’s real sugar or something else.
Thus in this case, he said that in order to detect the present of Allah, we need to study Allah. We need to know His character. We cannot study His Zat or form as He has described himself as ‘not similar to anything that has been created or even any form that crosses our mind’. Knowing His characteristic we can immediately, detect Allah present as we detect the present of sugar in our glass of water.
I found it strange that in physics, most of the particles that had been detected by physicists cannot be seen, only can be detected using instruments. And the particles are studied by looking at its signatures that it left behind after a certain nuclear reaction. From its own distinct signature of the particle, its mass, characters and even spin are known.
What is the difference with the detection nuclear particles and of Allah? Isn’t our receptor are instruments of detection?
What cannot be seen, felt, taste or heard doesn’t mean that it does not exist. We detect its presents by seeing, feeling, tasting and listening to its signatures that it leaves behind. This is what Allah meant that ‘you can see Me by looking at My signs that I have created around you’.
Now, let us return to the Isra’ Mikraj? The journey is logic with the involvement of Allah. As simple as that, the mystery is solved.
Some people said that with the inclusion of Allah, there can be no exact science. There would be disorder. As when Allah is introduce to logical thinking, everything is possible. There will be not system, only chaos. Again this is a fallacy. Allah created the universe not randomly or in not particular order but according to a perfect structured system. Everything happens according to this perfect system or known as Sunnatullah or to some as the Law of Nature. The motion of celestial bodies, the birth of a child happens when a man and a woman mate and humans cannot walk on water.
Still now and then, Allah wants human to ‘see’ Him. Thus he created miracles that defy the ‘usual’ laws of nature as He see fit. Such as miracle like the birth of Prophet Jesus is without the need of a father, Prophet Abraham was thrown into a huge bonfire, the fire turned cold and of course the miracle journey of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
How to add Allah to logical thinking?
Simple, when a man and a woman is married, Insya-Allah, they will be blessed by Allah with children. Still, they have to be married or have sex but having sex doesn’t guarantees the baring of a child. If we are hungry, we still need to consume some kind of food and Insya-Allah, we will not hunger after that. Thus, where is the chaos in this logical thinking? Is it beautiful to think in this logical way? Everything is according to Sunnatullah, subject to the permission of Allah.
This way, we have Allah in mind in everything that we do. Doesn’t that, what Allah want us to do? Doesn’t this line of thinking keep us in mind that we are vulnerable and always in need of Allah? Beautifully, with this concept, it also makes us to become courageous as we know others can’t hurt us, if He forbids it. Also doesn’t with this notion helps us to easily accept the journey of Isra’ Mikraj?
I end my rambling with a piece of thought, “without Allah, the very existence of the universe is ILLOGIC”.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Memories
I had once had this wish that I could easily forget certain memory or memories, especially, those relating to painful memories and some embarrassing ones. I tried every single day to deny that the incidence ever happened to me. I understand why I felt that way. It was because what had happened was something to which I could ever thought that I would do.
I had always said to myself that if it ever occurred, I will not be the cause of it. It turned out that I was wrong. It drove me almost to the edge of my sanity. I became short fused and had pleasure in looking for some one to hurt and fight. I didn’t understand why. As if I had this desire of hurting myself. As if I hate myself. Yes, I guest that was it. I hated myself. I couldn’t accept that I did such a terrible thing.
Amazingly, I kept my sanity. I kept on going, even with a terrible bleeding. As they say, time would heal anything. Slowly but painfully, the wound healed but in such a dead pace. It was when I turned to God that everything starts to reviled itself. He had given me the strength that I so in need. He reviled to me the truth. It was as if I was all these time, in a terrible dream. He has awakened me from my deep slumber. No doubt in my mind, that God had purposely delayed the process as to the time when I was ready to accept the truth.
I realised that in God the Omnipotent knowledge, it was in his knowledge, that what I had back then could do me more harm than good. It’s a painful reality that I had to accept.
I felt that He tailored for me, some long plot to get me there. That’s why sometimes I felt I’m only playing God’s script that he had beautifully laid out for me. For that, I prayed day and night for the ending to be full of light and bright.
Now, I know. Now, I understand. Memories acts like a vivid reminder for all of us. That’s why we remember some and forget some. Those that retains will significantly shapes our life’s decisions. In order to grow wiser we must go through all kinds of painful mistakes. Like knowing how hot is boiling water, acts as a reminder to never touching it again in the future or how best to handle it. In this case, how you look at your memories is also vital. Again, the guide of Allah is needed. Without His guidance, we may interpret the memories erroneously.
Memories mould you to be the person you are today. Yes, if you had different memories in the past, you would have been someone totally different. So, choosing your future is like choosing your past, your history, your memories. And your memories turns you to the person you are in the future.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
My First Entry
I guest, I should began with, "Hello World". I'm born on the last day of the first month of the year 1978. Born under the snake that holds the water urn. Always considered myself as abstract. I some time even confused myself.
Many more would come. Especially, those ideas of mine. Waiting to see the light of day. My thoughts of this and that. It's hard when you have to many interest. Maybe, I'm interested in life. Full of zealiousness towards life. Kind of easy to see when you find that I'm kind of person who likes to have a good laugh.
'Take care of Allah and He will take care of you'
Many more would come. Especially, those ideas of mine. Waiting to see the light of day. My thoughts of this and that. It's hard when you have to many interest. Maybe, I'm interested in life. Full of zealiousness towards life. Kind of easy to see when you find that I'm kind of person who likes to have a good laugh.
'Take care of Allah and He will take care of you'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
