Concretization of meaning

Bismillah.

"Words are embodiment of states 
and concretization of meaning." 
- Shaykh Muhyiddin Ibn al-Arabi

A friend shared this amazing line with me today. 

The great thing about the great shuyukh is that they can state the obvious, yet in doing so, they make it sound so profound as they can take the meaning of their phrases to another level and stir up contemplation to unmask an even deeper meaning to it. That's why they are the shuyukh. Subhanallah.

To my simple and shallow mind, what it says is that our words are representative of our states. If we are happy, we speak of happy, positive things. If we are in a sorrowful state, our words would come out to reflect our sadness. Likewise, if we are overwhelmed by negative thoughts, we will talk about only the negatives. That's very natural. Our words are embodiment of our states.

And what we utter, what we say will make the meanings of what we say become concrete - that is concretization of meaning. That's like saying whatever word we mention is like a du'a that we hope it will materialize and become reality. Although Shaykh Ibn Arabi is saying it is more than just du'a or hoping. In fact, what we say will become concrete and will become reality. It's like the phrase: 'You are what you think.' But the shaykh is saying, your words will most definitely become reality. MashaAllah.

I believe those who have attained a lofty state on account of purification and attaining enlightenment, their words are like kun fayakun. Say be and it is. But of course they are the select of the select. They are creme de la creme. They are the chosen ones. They, I imagine, would not exploit their capabilities in the wrong way, regardless of them knowing their own capabilities or not. The difference between us and them is in the degree of yaqin (certainty). They are on the higher rung of certainty, perhaps haqqul yaqin.  Whereas we still hover on the lower rungs of certainty i.e. ilm yaqin and ainul yaqin.  

As a commoner we should heed the shaykh's advice. To enable ourselves to say only the good, we should strive in putting ourselves in a good positive state. And we must be careful with what we utter for what we utter might become reality, because according to the shaykh, it's a definite self-affirmation. Therefore, only utter good positive things if we want good positive things to manifest. Or to rephrase that: utter good things and good things will come to be.

Allahu a'lam.

Ramadan Kareem. May Allah continue to be more generous on us this Ramadan for that which is both zahir and batin. Ameen.

Credit: MBS

Run up to Eid festivities in Kuala Lumpur

Bismillah.

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah that we are healthy and able to enjoy Allah's generous bounties. This posting is done with Aunty S of Spain in mind, to bring back her memories having lived some years in Kuala Lumpur. Also for Dr. N who could be missing out on Eid preps in KL.

Malaysia is indeed a colorful and bountiful country. To our foreign readers, remember 2014 is Visit Malaysia Year, so come on over : )

Eid decor at KLCC

Eid cookies sold at KLCC.
I personally loovvee... Eid cookies made/sold in Johor Bharu
(the southern-most city in Peninsula Malaysia).
Have to give it a miss this year.

Eid fiesta at Mid Valley Mall, KL

My Eid dress by Variante.
The label's designer is one humble Indian gentleman
who chose to name his work
after his father Mr. Varian.
Variante carries plenty of decent Muslimah dresses.

Bangsar Shopping Center decorated Turkish style

May you have a great bonding time
with your family as you shop for Eid!

In the meantime, let's reflect on this Ramadan advertisement by a local bank CIMB Islamic, which quotes a verse of the Qur'an.

"I am Ever-Forgiving to anyone who repents,
has faith, acts rightly, and then continues in guidance."
Surah TaHa 20:82

"Open your hearts and be guided by the right values.
Choose to forgive and also seek forgiveness.
Allow the ties that bind to strengthen and grow ever closer."

 "Mulia" is a Malay word for noble.
May Allah beautify us with noble characters.
Ameen

Economics | Ergonomics | EGOnomics

Bismillah.

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah. It's the first weekend of Ramadan. Like most women, I intend to go grab an abaya for Eid. We must look nice for Eid. In fact, Muslims should spend in order to look presentable. In Islam, the economics theory works quite differently, the more you spend with a good intention for the sake of Allah, the more you could yield. One's niyyat is a key variable factor. 

Ergonomics is the study of people's efficiency in their working environment. It is about human factors and their interactions. I wonder if anyone has done a study on the ergonomics of Ramadan. Anyway, Miss Wiki says there are three types of ergonomics: physical, cognitive and organizational. The first has something to do with perception, reasoning and memory.

In Ramadan, our perception becomes more acute especially when we are at the Bazaar Ramadan where there is just too many dishes to choose from. Below are pictures taken at a famous Bazaar Ramadan in Raja Alang Road, Kuala Lumpur. It's a must-go place, in fact it's a yearly ritual for a former Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir Mohamad to visit this bazaar.

When we are presented with so much food, our reasoning would fail us inadvertently : ) But it's ok, our Lord has asked us to not only eat that which is halal but also tayyiba - that which is good. Our Creators knows us better, we love good food.

Singapore murtabak  

Our drinks are as colorful as our scarves

Spring rolls

Now who cares about ergonomics theory. But on a serious note, Ramadan is a good time to tame the ego. It teaches us the flaws of EGOnomics. When we were at Masjid Khalid al-Walid yesterday, the imam reminded the jemaah to leave our job-positions, honorific titles, wealth, fame etc. outside the mosque and enter the masjid as a servant of Allah.

It reminds me of the episode at the sacred valley Tuwa where Moses was asked to leave his sandals:  "I am your Lord. Remove your sandals." [Surah Taha]. We are supposed to be barefoot in front of our Master, so forget about other accessories.

Forget about entering the masjid with our 3-storey bungalows, our big cars, the pride of having a good looking, VIP/rich spouse, the pride we have for our children, our Louis Vuitton handbags, even if we need to carry one into the masjid, our ego that is attached to the bag's price tag should not be bagged with us when facing the Lord as a servant. A servant is plain. A servant is often garbed in a simple uniform. A servant is humble towards his/her master. A servant does not say much but just get on with his duties.

May Allah make us live the rest of our lives as a true and obedient servant. A servant who serves with utmost sincerity and hope for no rewards except that which the Lord may decree, at His appointed time, as He wish. Ameen.

Glory be to Allah. 

Allahu Akbar.

Written for you

Bismillah.

You asked me to write;
This lonely scribe;
If there was love to shout;

How should we write?
of the things already written,
in the Tablet of our Lord;
Who holds us by the forelock,
made our hearts unite;
souls merged in unison;

You asked me to write;
This solitary scribe;
If there were lovely words to compose;

How should we write?
of the things already known,
In the night skies written;
In the moon's reflection;
that our love blossoms
against odds,
we count not;

Besides, what do we care,
for a Majnun like thee?
What sin is there,
for a Layla like me?
How can love ever be found guilty?
when it dwells above the law;
a divine gift it is
from the One sole giver

O the throb of my heart,
Our love is meant to stay afloat
never shall it be submerged,
forever and ever celebrated;
Written for you
in this blessed Ramadan;
Joyous,
as is the glorious sun.

- E

Small sharing | Small practice

Bismillah.

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah. To quote a buddy of mine: "Ramadan nights are not for sleeping".

It is 3.47 a.m. and I'm snacking on sweet cherries, grapes and crisps courtesy of one sister in my office who might speed her way on the sirat because she simply loves giving food to people like every other day. I call her Ummul Ma'idah. May Allah bless all our friends who show us good examples. Ameen.

Thought I share with you this simple and important tips I heard from Ustaz Kazim Elias who is arguably the most popular and adored ustaz in Malaysia right now. So popular that even the King and the Queen love him. He said: "Being a [popular] preacher is not glamorous at all. There are people who dislike me and call me all kinds of names. So it was sweet to have one woman came up to me offering kind words of encouragement so that I would continue doing what I'm doing." Ustaz Kazim of course knows better of the challenges one would face, doing what he's doing. And he urged the audience to practise what he does after each solat. That is to recite verse 56 of Surah Hud.

"I place my trust in Allah, who is my Lord and your Lord. 

There is no creature but He holds it by the forelock.

Surely, my Lord is on a straight path."

Today, I learned this and that a roe is a deer. LOL. And it's Eurasian, wow! And doe is a female deer like the nursery rhymes sang by the other kids when I was little. Excuse me, I never went to kindergarten because my family could not afford it.

Praise be to Allah, who teaches us new things every day. Rabbi zidni 'ilma war zuqni fahma.

The occupant of this study room did not know at least two easy words:
mangrove and roe.
 Heh..heh...
She is hoping someone would take her to the zoo, after Eid :)

Thought that counts | Post-teraweeh

Bismillah.

Masjid Khalid Al-Walid, Kuala Lumpur
2nd Ramadan 1435 Hijri

Wonder what the scene is like during teraweeh at masjids on other continents. My thoughts roam to a few countries such as South Africa, Spain, UK. The picture above is so Malaysia, where both men and women just love wearing colorful clothing. We all know, in places like London and other western cities, people mostly stick to grey or black outfit. 

Was at another mosque last night but decided to "go back" to Masjid Khalid Al-Walid tonight. The congregation and the manner solah was performed was much more organized and smooth. Maybe because this masjid is managed by the armed forces. Maybe it's a barakah left by Habib Umar bin Hafiz who visited once before.

Unlike most masjid in KL, this masjid holds teraweeh for 8+3 rakaah only, instead of the longer version 20+3. For a novice like me eight is enough or my thoughts would start wandering far and wide after the 8th rakaat. No need to go beyond your capabilities, if you can't keep your thoughts with Him throughout. 

This is just another post-teraweeh rambling while enjoying brand-x juice and thinking of one of my guests who loves it because they don't have it in Singapore heh heh...It's the thought that counts eh? But this guest is pious and for pious people, Allah often grants even their trivial wish, just to please them. He left a majlis taalim in KL hoping to drink his fave drinks and came to my house, and there it was!

Sometimes we take for granted of the many favors Allah grant us just by keeping our thoughts with Him. Remember Him and He remembers you. The thought we have for Him counts and gets rewarded, sometimes instantly, we have all experienced that. Subhanallah.

Gosh, it's 12.13 a.m. yet I can't stop visiting the kitchen and opening the fridge LOL.

I know at this hour, one of our readers is performing his witir prayers. He's feeling energetic tonight, thanks to spirulina taken at iftar and sahur. Maybe we should give it a try.

I thought of posting this random rambling to cheer you up a bit, post-teraweeh. But then again, people usually feel upbeat post-teraweeh. 

Good thoughts always,

E

Fasting while we can | Recurring good deeds

Bismillah.

Sunday morning in Penang. The rain had just stopped. Was visiting my late father. The atmosphere was captivating. It was as though the smell of the rain, the moderate temperature and the stillness of the graveyard, all blended in one essence for my spirit to savour.

It's a real dwelling place that which we see in the photo. They have migrated to a realm so different than where we are. So we say the prayer: 'O Allah forgive them and forgive us, verily we will be following in their footsteps to meet You O Lord.' 

We should take advantage of the time and space we are in now. We are up and about on earth with a nimble body. We are in a position to fast, pray and do a lot during Ramadan. But their deeds have been accounted for, the ink for their record book has dried. There's nothing more to add except maybe if they had in their lifetime performed recurring amal jariah. Jariah means continuous so I heard from an ustaz in Cambodia, one ustaz who's determined to focus more on the jariah aspect of his amal. That's like smart saving. The returns of which is compounded. So don't just do amal, do amal jariah.

We are here on this earth. We are fasting for a limited period of time in a day. We are continually fasting. The dwellers of barzakh are continuously "fasting". They are continuously in qiyam while we try to stand to pray for a longer period in Ramadan as compared to other months.

When Ramadan comes to an end, we will pay zakat fitrah for our bodies. Of course our bodies need to make zakat payout. Our bodies must be put to good use for the sake of its Creator. Ramadan, of all months, is the time when we exert our bodies a lot more for the sake of Allah. We have to stretch ourselves from dusk to dawn. We have to literally stretch ourselves during teraweh prayer. And the night is stretched further to make time for sahur - a time slot of the day which does not exist in the other months.

Ramadan is indeed a gift for the living, for us all who are still breathing. I wonder how many breaths we will end up taking this entire month? The dwellers of the barzakh might want to relive Ramadan if they could. They might be lamenting: 'Oh the breath that I wasted during the x-number of sacred months throughout my life.'  Or they could be enjoying the fruits of their hard work in Ramadan? Allah knows best the state of each soul who returns to Him.

Let us pray so that Allah forgives our fathers, mothers, uncles, aunties, grandparents, cousins, siblings, neighbours and friends who are occupying the barzakh. We will indeed be following in their footsteps. And when the day comes, let's hope our families and friends will remember to visit and say a prayer or two for us.

Al-Fatihah