No Problem & Five Phrases We Should Practise

No Problem!
Don't worry if you have problems!

Which is easy to say until you are in the midst of a really big one, I know. But the only people I am aware of who don't have troubles are gathered in little neighborhoods. Most communities have at least one. We call them cemeteries. If you're breathing, you have difficulties. It's the way of life. And believe it or not, most of your problems may actually be good for you!

Let me explain. Maybe you have seen the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. Tour guides regularly take visitors to view the reef. On one tour, the guide was asked an interesting question. "I notice that the lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colorful," a traveler observed. "Why is this?" The guide gave an interesting answer: "The coral around the lagoon side is in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, storms - surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of its life. As it is challenged and tested it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces." Then he added this telling note: "That's the way it is with every living organism."

That's how it is with people. Challenged and tested, we come alive! Like coral pounded by the sea, we grow. Physical demands can cause us to grow stronger. Mental and emotional stress can produce tough-mindedness and resiliency. Spiritual testing can produce strength of character and faithfulness. So, you have problems - no problem! Just tell yourself, "There I grow again!"

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Five phrases, we should practice

The best manner to avoid having negative attitudes and emotions control our bodies is simply to practice the wisdoms that we have been given throughout the Qur'an and Hadith. We should say:

1) "Alhamdullilah" It produces calm and health to practice saying, "Alhamdulillah" for what we have

2) "Insha'Allah" for what we intend

3) "Subhana' Allah" when we see something exciting or amazing

4) "Astaghfir'Allah" when we lose our tempers or become weak; and most importantly

5) "Allahu Akbar" when we are faced with the challenges of life.

These five phrases, said regularly, are like taking a multi-vitamin for holistic health. There is much wisdom in the Prophet's (SAW) statement (narrated by Abu Huraira (ra), "The strong [person] is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong [person] is the one who controls himself while in anger." In fact, staying patient and calm is key to physical strength.

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Idol Fever - Taufik-wal-Hidayah?

And I thought people had already been cured from Idol fever already... Seems like not only girls are recuperating from shouting their support and ogling at Sly and Taufik in the Idols Final... Geez... but guys too are suffering from Idol fever syndrome as evident in this blog.

There's gotta be some good explanations why it's so cool to be an Idol; why hundreds braved the the long wait and weather for the auditions (and not to mention the judges who have no qualms of bringing your pride to ground-zero); why the few memorable contestants who made fools of themselves on National TV by pretending they have the "Idol" materials and what-else-have-you..... In the end, it's all just about popularity; and the glamour of being the first Singapore Idol is lost upon not having as much commercial value as the runner-up...

Harlow, there's other news worth speculating... like how Bush got re-elected again even after what he did in in his previous presidential term; how CAO could sustain a loss amounting to $200m, or at least how Liverpool was humbled by the minnow Everton (Hurray to Everton, my favourite EPL club!!!!)... etc..

Which brings us to the question... in this world we are judged how good we are by people around us.... but later in the Hereafter... will there be worthier judge than the Almighty Creator Himself?

A FRIEND IN DEEN IS A FRIEND INDEED

Did you read the caption to this article? Well, read it again,
carefully this time. That's right, it's not a misprint. Really a
friend in Deen is a friend indeed. Let us examine why. Whether we
like it or not every moment of our lives we are interacting with
people. Our occupation, studies and activities provide us with
opportunities to associate with certain groups of people more often
than others.

This company that we keep definitely plays an important role in the
manner we behave. Just to be with it, we tend to do what those
around us are doing. A student is sometimes forced to behave in a
certain manner just to claim his place amongst his peers. How often
have people have to sacrifice principles of Deen to secure this kind
of friendship.

WAY OF LIFE
How important is it for a person to be guarded about the kind of
people he associates with? In a Hadith reported by Abu Hurayra
(Radhiallaahu Ánhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) is
reported to have said, "A Person is upon the way of life of his
close companion so each of you should be careful whom you take as a
close friend".

The effect that the kind of company you keep has on you has further
been illustrated by the beautiful words of Nabi (Sallallaahu Álayhi
Wasallam) where he has mentioned in a Hadith found both in Bukhari
and Muslim.

"The example of a pious companion and an evil companion is like that
of a musk seller and a person blowing a furnace. As for the musk
seller, he may give you some or you may purchase some from him or
you would obtain a beautiful fragrance from him. As for the person
blowing the furnace he may either burn your clothing or you would
obtain an unpleasant odour from him."

While we ensure that we only join good company, let us for a moment
think, what kind of friend have we been to our colleagues at work,
classmates at school and neighbours at home? Have we been
encouraging them to participate in activities that are un-Islamic.

Am I responsible for the first puff of cigarette that he took, the
first taste of drugs, the first sip of alcohol, the first attempt at
gambling, the first pornographic movie or magazine which has passed
through his hands?
If our answer to any of the above is in the affirmative then let us
ponder over the verse in Surah Furqaan (25:26-29) wherein Allah Taã
la says that the wrongdoer would bite his hands on the day of
Qiyaamat saying,
"Would that I had not taken such a person as a friend, he led me
astray from the message of Allah after it came to me."

Who then is a sincere friend? One who sticks with you through thick
and thin, through prosperity and adversity, above all the one who is
concerned about your welfare both in this world and the hereafter.
Allah Taãla says in Surah Zukhruff (43:67)
"On that day close friends would be enemies of each other except the
God conscious ones."

A friendship which earns the wrath of Allah Taãla is not worth
securing as it is said:
"Being alone is better than having an evil companion and having a
pious companion is better than being alone."

Complaints... complaints...

Well, well... some frequent visitors to this Blog have been complaining that I've not been updating my blog for a while....

True... but...

1. It's the busy period in my diary and I just can't think of other things to write in this blog... There's assignments to write and submit, the annual plan

2. I've been busy making other blogs go to that I just didn't update this blog and my other blog on Tunisia. Looks like it's stuck with the story up to the 10th day.... The photos are there, but I'm just plain lazy to re-cap and tell the story.

3. I'm just plainly distracted and have lost interest in continuing this blog. Don't be surprised to see this blog gone into oblivion one day...

We'll see how things will turn out in the next few weeks.... insya-Allah.