That time of the month

In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the ever-merciful.

Allah created women with different physiological features to men. One of the most obvious ones is the menstrual cycle.

According to Ibn Hajat al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari, the first woman to have had period was the mother of all human, Hawa, when she left heaven and lived on earth. At that time of the month, given what's ordained by Allah, women are restricted to perform most of the main ibadahs such as solah and reading the Quran. And most of us, more often than not, thought that it is some kind of a holiday Allah has given to us, which also meant, that it is a break from seeking pahala (reward) from Allha. 

"By Al-Asr (the time). Verily, man is in loss, except those who beleieve in (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth and recommend one another patience"103:1-3 

Allah, in the Quran has stated, in surah Al-Asr, how time is one of the most powerful weapon which an either direct us towards heaven or hell, naúzubillahimin zaalik. When we're not seeking Allah, of course the temptation from shaitan seems a lot more desirable. Therefore, we should really make use of the time that we have, every single minute in life, whether it's that time of the month or not. 

One of the things that we could do is to make niat, things that we do as ibadah. Remember, everything that we do, can qualify as ibadah as long as they are conducted in good manner, with good intention and does not lead to munkar. Even without the main ibadahs such as solat and fasting, any act that fulfills the above criterias can help to increase our afterlife's share. Be that greedy person who takes every opportunity that comes her way.

Zikr is like a rope, tying the heart so that it is always near to Allah. There are all kinds of zikr that we could say during our period and the main ones are istighfar, tahmeed, takbeer, tasbeeh and also Al-mathurat. Allah, in surah Al-Ahzan has once said that "The men and women who's mouths endlessly say my name, Allah will reward them with forgiveness and the biggest of rewards".

Because it is haraam to pray when one is having her period, there would definitely be more time to dwell oneself into books. For someone who likes to read like myself, I think the slots I allocate for solat, when my time of the month comes, I think it is best to read books about aqidah, feeqah and akhlak. As a result, the reading and ílmu gained from the reading could transfer as confidence when performing solah and in life, in general.

These are just some of things that we girls could do to really fill our 'free'time when that time of the month comes. Remember, time waits for no man.

Selalu Bertaubat dan Beristighfar

Dengan nama Allah yang maha penyayang lagi maha mengasihani.

Abu hurairah r.a meriwayatkan bahawa Rasulullah s.a.w bersabda yang bermaksud:

"Seorang hamba melakukan satu dosa lalu ia berkata: 'Wahai Rab, aku melakukan satu dosa maka ampunilah aku'. Maka Allah berkata: 'Adakah hamba-Ku tahu bahawa dia mempunyani Tuhan yang mengampuni dosa dna menghapuskannya? Aku telah mengampuni hamba-Ku.'

Kemudian, setelah beberapa ketika, dia kembali melakukan doa dan berkata: 'Wahai Rab, aku telah berbuat dosa lain, maka ampunilah aku. 'Allah kemudia berkata: 'Adakah hamba-Ku tahu bahawa Dia mempunyai TUhan yang mengampuni dosa dan memaafkannya? Aku telah mengampuni hamba-Ku'

Kemudia setelah beberapa ketika, ia melakukan dosa lagi dan berkata:'Wahai Rab, ak telah berbuat dosa lain, maka ampunilah aku'Allah berfirman: Apakah hamba-Ku tahnu bahawa dia mempunyai Tuhan yang mengampuni dosa dan memaafkannya? Aku telah mengampuni hamba-Ku-- sebanyak tiga kali-- maka lakukanlah apa yang disukainya.'"

(Riwayat al-Bukhari dan Muslim) 

of Iman's passing

In the name of Allah.

Yesterday news arrived to me that a friend has gone to meet His sole creator. One thing that was even more shocking was the fact that arwah was involved in a motorcycle-lorry accident. Arwah was riding his motorbike and then hit by a lorry who then, left like nothing happend. It was a hit and run accident.

I knew arwah back when I was attending tuition in Taiping. Both of us were in primary school; I was in Convent and arwah was from St. George. I do not remember much from those years but I do remember that arwah and I would always sit next to each other in tuition. When either of us brought sweets or chocs to class (the tuition centre was next to shop), we would share them. And I remember him being super smart as he would always finish his work fast.

We did not go beyond that, as we were only tuition friends. We met only during tuition and nothing more. We did not have phone calls neither did we ever play together. So when the school year ended, so did our friendship.

Fate brought us together back again when I entered boarding school. Unknowing that he was in the school, I enrolled and became his junior. I was really shocked to have met this person as he has grown so tall, so different from the little boy I shared my candy with. The first time I met him in school, both of us were surprised that nothing came out of our chatty little mouths. The early words were, "Ni yang tusyen kat Assam Kumbang tu kan?"... Those were the days.

Back in high school, arwah and I did not get the chance to be good friends again. Whenever we bumped into each other, only smiles would appear on our faces and nothing more. We did not ever chatted in school, perhaps it was because we were in this phase where girls talking to boys would be perceived as liking and it wasn't cool then. I am so sorry that I wasn't brave enough to continue the friendship we had.

A few years after that, when I was in Dunedin, I heard that Iman was in the UK, studying Maths (if I'm not mistaken). It was even a greater news knowing that he was well into dakwah and tarbiyah there. Iman whom I heard rumours about in high school, had changed into a Muslim, a great one i my opinion. At that point of time, I prayed inside that Iman would be consistent on this path and masyAllah indeed he has.

So yesterday, when I heard about his passing, shivers really ran down my spine. I know that him leaving his family, and the world, means so much more then just mere death.

1) Allah loves him and that Allah wants to meet him now rather than later. Iman has contributed to much into D&T in Malaysia, that Allah wanted to meet this person early, at only 24 years of age.

2) Hundreds of people had make duá for him, looking at my timeline on just facebook yesterday. Looking at his page, indeed it was swarmed with dua's and prayers and thank you notes on how Iman has affected their lives.

3) A reminder that death is always near, in fact the closest thing to us, is death. Therefore, let not his passing be a waste. Do not just be sad today and tomorrow continue with our lives but always bear in mind that death is could just be a minute away.

4) Those who have done their part in this world as a Muslim, performing what's been asked of us by Allah, inshAllah will have husnul khotimah. In Iman's case, indeed Allah has granted him that. Semua orang yang baik-baik, termasuklah APG dan Mukharikah tak putus-putus berikan duá dan menyatakan betapa dunia d&t kehilangan seorang akhi yang hebat.

Bismillahirrahmanirrah.
Ya Allah, ENgkau ringankanlah siksaan kubur Iman, sesungguhnya Engkau maha pengampun sekalian umat. Saksikanlah Ya Allah, Iman sudah melaksanakan hakMu dan kerana itu, permudahkanlah perjalanannya. Engkau berikanlah tempat yang terbaik untuk Iman dan Engkau berikanlah kekuatan untuk keluarga Iman menghadapi segala dugaan. Amiin ya rabbal álamiin