Who am I? | Dreamer

Bismillah.

A little bird told me some curious souls are googling "who is E.Ismail Lisan al-Din"
LOL.

The answer to that query is: she is a dreamer. Although in the blog profile she describes her occupation as a seeker and a lover. LOL.

Anyway, she'd like to quote Joan Didion:

"I write entirely to find out
what I'm thinking,
what I'm looking at,
what I see
and what it means.
What I want
and what I fear."

Yes.

I'm thinking "me" is all I have, the raw vulnerable me. I can't photoshop me - my soul; just that my photos tend to look photoshopped but actually no, it looks better than I do in person cos I use Samsung Note and "sharpen" is the chosen "effects". But it's all my own face. LOL.

I write to find out what I am looking at. I'm looking at life on a daily basis as I embrace it with gratitude hence the attempt to blog daily, sometimes ahead of time, sometimes backdated. I used to write more serious stuff on Islamic lessons from majlis taalim which I attended quite regularly but not anymore cos I have changed and grown to be a different kind of person as compared to my early years of blogging. There are still plenty of religious information which I had posted that are yet to be internalized and practiced. Though I'm glad I have memorized almost all of the new selawat I heard/learned from the shuyukh. Alhamdulillah.

Writing makes me truly see things from an intimate angle. Oftentimes, I see the one obvious reality that life is short thus we have to prioritize our time wisely. I am grateful for the tawfik-boost that I've been getting lately so I read the Quran daily and make plenty of selawat. Alhamdulillah. This is a wonderful blessing really, cos some holier-than-thou people called me "satanic". They should leave me to my path cos I don't contribute to their book of deeds. LOL.  

Anyway, when I write, no matter how tasteful or tacky my writing appears to be, it helps me dive deeper on the meaning of the subject that I dwell upon. It helps me find some clarity to this subjective and dynamic thing called life.  

And when I write, I somehow would discover what I really really want to express from the random mental sparks that hibernate in the brain and the waves of feeling that engulfed my heart. 

As I write, I realize my fears get unmasked...so I often wonder if it might be my last posting. I can't help but wonder how would some of the regular genuine readers know if I have moved on to meet the Lord. 

So, I agree with Joan Didion.

Anyhow, who am I, is of course not important to you or anyone as we are all obsessed and preoccupied with knowing ourselves. One of the popular Sufi maxims is that he who knows himself knows his Lord. Yes, life is primarily about knowing oneself, knowing the Lord and worshipping the Lord we know.

Never mind me, this is another typical Saturday nite rambling. LOL. Just leaving a small insignificant mark that I am alive and grateful for today.

"You may say I am a dreamer, 

but I am not the only one..."

Think beautiful thoughts

Bismillah.

Think it. Write it. Live it. Be it.
[Tokyo-2016]

So that our world becomes a beautiful place. 

So that we may live a beautiful fulfilling life.

So that we become a happy and grateful person.

Wish y'all a weekend filled with joy and laughter. 

: )

p/s
Happy birthday, H.E.
May you quickly evolve to be the best version of you.
Bestest of wishes from Beta.

***
Good read:
https://dailyinspirationandgratitude.com/2017/10/03/to-succeed-you-must-tell-a-different-story-self-improvement/

Happy World Teachers' Day | Universe-sity

Bismillah.

For all the wonderful teachers out there - mine - especially those who coached me on strengthening my faith and servitude to Allah. Some of whom do not hold the official title of a teacher or ustaz/ustazah, yet a simple lesson through words that originated from a sincere and caring heart and actions that were selfless - be it a sisterly/brotherly/motherly/fatherly gesture, all of them "teachers" shall forever be in my heart and mind.

May, we too, in turn, have the opportunity to impart one or two useful lessons to others.    

It is commonly agreed that only teachers who are passionate about teaching can make students truly passionate about learning. Yes, admittedly, there were also teachers we disliked as a child. I remembered a couple of them who discredited, discounted me, and who deliberately dampened my spirits. But at least, they too taught me something!

Rabbi zidni ilma

war zuqni fahma

Move forward

Bismillah.

But it sure helps a lot if you read the Quran regularly, do plenty of salawat, pray wholeheartedly, contemplate deeply, and be confident in Him - yaqin.

Wama tawfiqi illa billah
And my success is only through Allah.

May the rest of the week be fruitful and peaceful.

-E-


#thankYouAllahforthetawfikboost

p/s
I have begun to tweet more. It's more about motivational stuff to psych up myself 😁
@EzzaIsmail

p/s No, there's nothing wrong with my right eye. Lol.
😉

Character | Shine

 Bismillah.

"Reputation is what people think of you;
character is what God and Angels know of you."
- Thomas Paine

So, what character are you presenting to the Lord today?

Says Ali ibn Abi Talib

If I may be sentimental a wee bit. I am kinda missing my Quran tajweed teacher as I treat myself to a cocoa drink tonight cos that's what I served my guide most of the time - Maresi or Landessa coffee/cocoa. Alhamdulillah, something to remember him by and keep me motivated with my recitation.

I believe if we are of any good, it's not because we are good, it's mostly because there are so many good people out there who keep praying for us. 

O Allah, grant me Your love
and the love of those who love You
and actions that will bring me closer to Your love.

May You make us rise with greater tawfik each and every day. May You make us shine in Your eyes.
Aameen.

"Read the Quran again and again and forget about what's bothering you. Allah's words have the ability to give you peace of mind." 

- Dr Bilal Philips

Fourth Quarter Affirmations | OAKtober

Bismillah.

YaHuu...we have reached the 4th Quarter of 2017. It's October already. We sure can draw inspiration from the good ol' oak trees.

"The tallest oak in the forest
was once a little nut that held its ground."

Why not renew our affirmations for this last leg of 2017? By the grace of Allah, may we sail this last quarter smoothly.

I can't wait for Quarter 1, 2018 for a couple of reasons which I won't disclose here. LOL. InShaAllah will get there bi-iznillah.

More money in my hands please ; )

Those lil notebooks on the table say:

1. Believe you can and you're halfway there.

2. Be a pineapple. Stand tall, wear a crown and be sweet on the inside.

3. Trust that when the answer is no, there is a better yes down the road.

4. If you're going to rise, you might as well shine.

: D

Hope my small sharing could give a spike to your Monday mood.

p/s
Me - after a quick grocery run, after iftar yesterday, hence the upbeat feeling. Alhamdulillah.

"The best time to plant an oak tree was 25 years ago. The second best time is today." - James Carville

So today on the 2nd of October, let's start a new good habit, something that would make us proud and grateful when we look back, that we started today.

p/s

I started a new habit - reading the Quran on a daily basis - since mid-September, I'm now at Chapter 11. Alhamdulillah. I hope my ustaz reads this. LOL.

Auspicious weekend | Grand Muharram

Bismillah.

Assalamualaikum
Hi folks

So have you done the 1000 Al Ikhlas today? Malaysians observe Ashura today by the way.

I have done it  Alhamdulillah for the tawfik-boost, again.

So now I can chill for a bit while waiting for iftar.

I wish to encourage our young readers to imagine Allah running to you as you put effort to walk to Him (per Hadith Qudsi). Imagine you making one step - reciting one Al Ikhlas and counting the beads one at a time - imagine Allah making 10 steps to you in return.

So if we may do some maths, that's like 1000 x 10 steps = 10,000 steps which the Lord reciprocates! Amazing. And the rewards for fasting and doing any good deeds in this month of Allah - Muharram - is even greater. 

You know Malaysia used to have YES (Year-End-Sale). We might still have it or have they coined a new acronym for the big sale festival? Anyway, it is incomparable and better - the Muharram offer. Amazing how generous Allah is, already giving us a big bonus at the start of the new year, instead of at the end of the year. So let's grab it!

Know that you genuine readers who think well of me; those who made du'a for me; those who have helped me; those who gave me all kinds of presents (like that tasbih/misbaha and prayer mat in below pic) and those who have asked me to make prayers for them - I have got all of you covered in my special petition this weekend! 

: )

I have a feeling 1439 Hijri is going to be an awesome year bi-iznillah. But in order to secure a good year, let's make full use of this grand month of Muharram.

#fastabiqulkhairatiamintheraceletsrace
#ithankAllahforthetawfikboost