Istikharah for those who are Indecisive

Indecisive

I’m tired of running, running away from facing the reality…

I’m tired of dreaming, coz life isn’t a fairytale…

Why must be so complicated or am I the one that making it more complicated?

Should I wait? Should I quit? Should I proceed?

Each step now is crucial

Either I’ve missed the boat or he’ll miss the boat as I may take another boat waiting

True that I can’t keep my options open anymore

But rather being alone than cause any injury to someone’s precious heart

O Allah, guide me to the right decision for me who is severely indecisive…

Istikhaarah: The Guidance Prayer

The description of Salaat-ul-Istikhaarah was narrated by Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah as-Salami (may Allah be pleased with him) who said,
The Messenger of Allah used to teach his companions to make istikhaarah in all things, just as he used to teach them surahs from the Qur’an.
He said, ‘If any one of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say (meaning):



‘O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty.
You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things.
O Allah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me.
And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: for me both in this world and the next), then turn me away from it, [and turn it away from me], and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.”

The Prophet added that then the person should mention his need. [Saheeh al-Bukhaari]

Salaat-ul-Istikhaarah is for every Muslims to practice in making right decisions. It’s a way for all of us to implore Allah for divine guidance and mercy. It is yet another invaluable resource from Allah to keep us on the straight path of Siraat-ul-Mustaqeem. 

Put your trust in Allâh, certainly, Allâh loves those who put their trust (in Him). 
 [Surah Al-Imran Ayah 159]

New Year New Yearning

I'm reassembling pieces of me now, recollecting the spirits once inflamed, to start all over again...need to get away from this comfort zone and be brave enough to be the CHANGE that I've dreamt to see in this world.

After hearing talks by IMAM (Islamic Malaysian Medical Association of Malaysia) upfronts (Prof Hatta, Dr Musa, Prof Rashid) at the 13^th  IMAM Scientific meeting, my spirit rekindled with their unfaded uplifting ideas and advice. The inputs I’ve gained (though I managed to attend one day only) were priceless. It is true that even soul need to be fed and nurtured. 

Thanks to my friend who attend the two days program and brief me on some of the inputs she gained which I missed out. Furthermore, Dr Musa, one of the well-known speaker in the program, had nicely provide some of the important key notes which were addressed at the conference:

• SEERAH - Our glorious medical legacy in the context of maqasid as-syaariah
• SYIFAA - We as instruments of His healing
• IHSAN - In search of excellence
• IQRA’ - Fostering a culture of knowledge & research
• KHIDMAT - We in the service of humanity
• SOLEH WA MUSLEH - Creation of a generation of "soleh" professionals
• ALAMIAH - Global partnerships

Maqasid as-syaariah is the 5 imperatives of Islam and need to be mainstreamed into the map of our age as modernity presently at large & choking its hegemony. As Muslim profesionals, we need to challenge the contemporary axis of power and heading for transformation towards justice. Therefore, operationalising Maqasid in the real world mandates acquiring, embracing
and acting on the following 5 V's (Dr Musa’s mnemonic):

•Visionary 

{ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ }

“And Allah knoweth that which ye keep hidden) of good or evil (and that which ye proclaim) of good or evil” (anNahl:19)

•Virtuous – virtues, values & morality are central
•Vocal – engaged in scientific discourse
•Visual – the new vocabulary of the global age
•Virtual – the rise of the network scientific society

Some other things mentioned by a religious speaker in the program was regarding on how one's heart can be soften: 1) sick 2) poor 3) dead. While taking care of our health, we shouldn't forget in taking good care of our heart, the main core of our human bodily function. Though it's the only human organ which has spare parts but once it spoiled, it won't recover to its original form... 

I shouldn't be dismay anymore with my lack of skill coz it's time to strive my best

I shouldn't bother what other people think of me coz I know my own limitations and capabilities

I shouldn't be afraid to voice out coz I'm adult enough to make good judgments and decisions

Sudah lama rasanya diri ini tidur 

Tidak mahu lagi bertakuk di air yang lama

Tiba masanya ke depan tanpa berundur

Semoga mimpi yang indah menjadi nyata...

It's time for a new HIJRAH in this new year of Muharram!

Striving while waiting for the call

Labbaikallahumma labbaik
Labbaika La syariikalakalabbaik

                                

It was not long before when I was one of the guest of the Holy land. Hearing the sermon all over again remind me toward my experience of umrah recently this year before Ramadhan. Altogether I wonder whether I've changed myself for the better or not. I've entered a new phase of working experience now as an MO and also in a new place. Alhamdulillah, Allah made my path easy for me so far... in few days time I'm going to start my first on call and while waiting for that call I need to strive my best and prepare myself everyday. I suppose that should be what I'm doing in preparing for hajj and off course preparing myself in meeting Allah in the hereafter. Everyday is a striving day for the better and for us to prepare while waiting for the call..the final call... InsyaAllah.

                                               

I'm sharing here a nice song by Irfan Makki on Hajj - truly an inspiration one. May the spirit of hajj always be in our heart of Muslim as to rekindle our Imaaan...

                                    
Miles away, oceans apart
Never in my sight always in my heart
The love is always there it will never die
Only growing stronger a tears rose down my eye

I am thiking all the time
When the day will come
Standing there before you
Accept this Hajj of mine

Standing in ihram, making my tawaf
Drinking blessings from your well
The challenges that I have suffered
And might rekindles my imaan

O Allah! I am waiting for the call
Praying for the day when I can be near the Kabah wall
O Allah! I am waiting for the call
Praying for the day when I can be near the Kabah wall
I feel alive and I feel strong
I can feel Islam running through my Veins
To see my Muslim brothers, their purpose all the same
Greeting one another, exalting one True Name
I truly hope one day that everyone's a Muslim.
That they remember you in everything they say

Standing in ihram making my tawaf, making my tawaf
Drinking blessings from your well
The challenges that I have suffered
And might were rekindles my imaan

O Allah! I am waiting for the call
Praying for the day when I can be near the Kabah wall
O Allah! I am waiting for the call
Praying for the day when I can be near the Kabah wall