Newly Upgraded Islamic Graveyard in Kuala Lumpur

My mom showed me this article yesterday in Utusan, but the article dated 30/11. They've upgraded the graveyard! They look really neat, clean and tidy. No more scary graveyards! No more bumping or sitting on other people's graves! 

I hope graves in other states will also have an upgrade on the graveyards. It'll be such a convenience for visitors.

Kubur Islam yang cantik dan kemas.

Source: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Bicara_Agama/20121130/ba_01/Hapus-persepsi-negatif-kubur-Islam

Kursus Pra-Perkahwinan di Kuantan

*Jika perlukan post ini di dalam Bahasa Melayu, sila berikan komen, saya akan cuba buat post baru dalam BM, cheers!*

I had the courtesy of attending a Pre-marital course last weekend at Masjid Sultan Ahmad Shah. Translated in Malay, Pre-marital course means Kursus Pra-Perkahwinan or in short, kursus kahwin.

Every Muslim in Malaysia needs to attend this course in order to get married. If you didn't attend one or if you failed to produce a certificate that you've attended one during your "i do" day, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) would not proceed with the ceremony. In short, you won't get the permission to be married.

It's just basically a 2-day course (from 8am to 5pm) consists of listening to lectures. Some of the lectures are good, some are quite boring, but all of them are very informative. It depends on the lecturer. Anyway,I thought it was a very good reminder, since as a human we tend to forget. Most of the topics we already learned in school, but I have to admit, I've forgotten some of them.

I didn't go with bB, since he still doesn't feel like going, yet. In the end, I went with my friends. But I think it is better to go with your friends, otherwise it'll be quite boring, because you'll be separated from your boyfriend/fiance.

Okay, I'm writing this posts so that you guys will know how and where to attend one in Kuantan. Because when I was searching for it on Google, I couldn't even find one decent info on the course held in Kuantan. Most of the blog or web are about the ones held in KL. Even the JAIP site couldn't give enough information. In the end, I posted a question on FB, and it was answered by my friends.

So, if you have any desire of attending Pre-marital course in Kuantan, the first thing you have to do is

1. Get the FORM. 
   How to get THE FORM? Just go to Pejabat Agama Islam Daerah Kuantan. The building has a sign "Pejabat Daerah & Tanah Kuantan". Don't ask me why Islamic Department building has a State Department sign. Seems some of my friends told me that they just switched building, but I still have no idea why they didn't have the courtesy to change the sign. Seriously.
   
   Where is Pejabat Agama Islam Daerah Kuantan? It's located between Shahzan Inn and The State Mosque (Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque), just behind the Kuantan Art Museum. You will see an orange building with the sign "Pejabat Daerah & Tanah Kuantan".
   
   If you intend on using the Google Map or GPS, please write Pejabat Daerah & Tanah Kuantan. They didn't update their address yet either.
   
   When you're there, remember, YOU HAVE TO COVER YOUR AURAT in order to enter the office. Once you're inside, just go to any counter and ask for the form. Sometimes they will just put the forms inside a basket. Just look for the sign "BORANG KURSUS KAHWIN"
    
2. FILL IN the form
   Well, this is pretty basic. I think you'd be able to fill in the form without any problem. Just remember, you will need to provide a copy of your IC.
   
   
3. SUBMIT the form
   Submit the form along with the RM 80 fee. Yup, there's a fee, and it's RM80 for one course, but there will be only one course for the rest of your life. You don't need to attend anymore course if you got divorced and want to get married again or if you intend of having more than 1 wife. One course, one certificate lasts for a lifetime.

Pretty easy right?

Once you've submitted your form, they will print a receipt for you and give you the date of the course. Please check your name properly on the receipt, because you don't want them to wrongly print your name on the certificate.

ON THE DAY OF THE COURSE

When we asked the lady at the counter where the course was held, she said  "It's here". Please make sure to call the office and ask again where the course is held, or you'll be like us, wandering around the office, wondering why the place was close and empty. In the end, we were late, and found out that the course was at The State Mosque after asking the guard.

When entering The State Mosque, just look for the sign "BILIK SEMINAR". It is held there. :)

REMEMBER, you will need to dress in modesty. Baju kurung/jubah and make sure you cover your hair. ;) If you're a guy, it doesn't matter as long as it's modest.


Okay, hope this will help you guys!

If  you have any further questions about this, you can call Pejabat Agama Islam Daerah Kuantan at 09-5161154.

One step closer, I supposed? :">

Nifsu Syaaban

Salam Nifsu Syaaban.

Sempena malam yang mulia ini, saya disini ingin memohon maaf sekiranya saya telah melakukan kesilapan dari segi kasar bahasa mahupun perbuatan yang telah menyingung perasaan sesiapa pun. Semoga kita mendapat hikmah dan hidayah dari Allah swt. Semoga kita dapat membimbing antara satu sama lain demi kebaikan. InsyaAllah. Lets forgive and forget, and make a better future.

Have a wonderful month. Ramadhan is just around the corner. Lets build ourselves to be closer to Allah swt.

Hidayah, Rezeki dan Jodoh

Hidayah, rezeki dan jodoh. Ketiga-tiga perkara ni semuanya terletak di dalam tangan Allah swt. Semuanya bergantung kepada Allah swt.

Tapi kalau kita tak mencarinya, adakah kita akan jumpa hidayah kita? rezeki kita? jodoh kita?

Ada satu "quote" jumpa kat tumblr, facebook, blog-blog yang kata:

"Bila bercakap soal jodoh, ramai memilih untuk berusaha keras mencari walaupun sedar hakikat jodoh sudah ditentukan. Tapi bila bercakap soal hidayah, ramai pula memilih untuk menunggu biarpun sedar hakikat hidayah itu perlu dicari, bukannya jatuh ke riba."

Saya rasa ayat di atas sedikit "misleading". Saya rasa bukan setakat hidayah yang kita perlu berusaha keras mencari, rezeki juga perlukan usaha keras dan jodoh itu termasuk dalam rezeki, bukan? Rezeki yang halal ye.

Allah akan ketemukan hidayah, rezeki dan jodoh kita, kalau kita betul-betul berserah kepada ketentuan Allah swt dan pada masa yang sama usaha mencarinya. Kerana ketentuan Allah swt perlukan usaha. Bukan semua benda akan jatuh ke riba.

Kalau lah jodoh tu betul di tangan Allah. Kenapa ada sahaja mereka yang tidak berkahwin? Betulkah ayat mereka kerana "tiada jodoh" atau disebabkan mereka memang tidak mahu berkahwin dan tidak mahu mencari pasangan. Ramai sahaja yang kata mahu ada suami/isteri tapi hanya bergantung kepada kata-kata dan doa kepada Allah tetapi pada masa yang sama tiada usaha untuk mencari. Adakah itu salah Allah swt?

Daripada pengalaman, saya dapati mereka yang tidak berkahwin, majoritinya memang kerana mereka tidak mahu berkahwin. Jadi, bagi saya, sebahagian kecil keputusan yang ditetapkan di dunia ini untuk kita, terletak di tangan kita juga. Allah swt hanya membimbing supaya kita dapat membuat keputusan yang terbaik untuk diri kita dan juga diredhai oleh Allah swt.

Saya baru habis tonton bual-bicara oleh Yasmin Mogahed tentang Cinta, Perkahwinan, Memilih pasangan hidup. Dia mengatakan bahawa perkahwinan itu adalah kenderaan untuk kita ke syurga. Jadi hidayah juga boleh dijumpa melalui perkahwinan, tidak? Jadi tidak kah perlu kita mencari jodoh itu juga?

Wallahualam.

Kalau ada yang tidak setuju, saya terima kritism dan komen-komen kalian semua dengan hati yang terbuka. InsyaAllah. ;)

*Please watch the video on Love, Marriage Selecting Your Life Partner by Yasmin Mogahed. It is very heart-enlightening. =)

Helpless

A friend of mine posted up this video on Facebook. I was crying my heart out while watching it. As much as I want to be there, as much as I want to help, I feel so helpless and weak and ignorant.

Let us give them our Du'a. As that is as much as I feel I can do, for now. :'(

The beauty of Islam

I am in love with this quote.

In a world where you can get information on your fingertips. It is best if you use them wisely. I've been following a blog called The Beauty Of Islam on tumblr. Every day I am inspired to become a better Muslim because of their posts. May the sisters who created the page be granted Jannah. =)

 Check them out! The Beauty of Islam

"I do, dont I?"

I'm tired of everyone asking when I'm gonna say "I do". It's not that I don't want to sit on the pelamin and be thrown with bunga rampai and perfume water. It's just that I am just not ready to take that big step.

It feels scary to me.

Yeah, I was all out for it 5 years ago. It was in one of my wishlist to be married at 25. Try searching the post in the archive 4 or 5 years ago, I'm sure you'll find it.

I'll be 25 in less than 2 weeks and I am scared as hell to get married and I'm so tired hearing people asking me, "so, when is your turn?, when's your big day?". I think all my single and in a relationship friends are going through the same thing as me. I don't know who gets it harder, the single ones or the in a relationship ones.

I see my friends getting engaged, getting married like its so easy to do. So why is so hard for me? It's the same feeling when people ask me "when are you going to wear hijab?" yerp. the same exact feeling. When I just feel like running away every time people ask me that. Yeah, I've been with the same guy for almost 5 years now, but I see relationships go wrong even after 10 years together. Yeah yeah. Don't you people start with me about the relationships because of Allah swt and the right path.

Like this couple did

I'm not them.

So I've summed up why I don't want to get married (yet).

1. Everytime we fight, we break up. Like how is that supposed to make me feel secured when we're married. Don't fight? yeah. like that's going to work. So every time we fight we'll ask for divorce? How does it work? Do we feel differently when we're married, because divorce are such a hassle, do we just break up while we're married and then get back together? LOL! I can't seem to find that security from him yet. Every time I cry, he leaves. I just can't stand that.
2. Both of us can't decide where we'll be staying after marriage. I mean, I want to stay in Kuantan of course but he doesn't want to stay near the mother in law, and I don't want to stay in Johor!! KL is ok, but my heart still says Kuantan. 
3. The ceremony will be tiring. Yeah, I wish I want a small wedding, a true Islamic wedding but I'm sure my mom won't allow it. You see, my family is big, REALLY BIG. My grandfather on my father's side has 4 wives and 20 children and my mom has 9 siblings. So you can imagine. Plus my parents are upper class people, so they have reputation. I really doubt they'd go for a wedding in the mosque.
4. The truth is, I just don't think I'm ready to be a wife. Not until my bB let go of the things he wants me to be, but accept me. I can't stand his bickering of me not covering my hair, although the topic has stopped for quite some time now, I'm sure it'll resurface soon. Maybe I'll get married once I'm ready to wear hijab. haha.. I'm praying every day that I'll open my heart to His religion, but I just can't take it when other people keep asking me to do it. 

When the time comes, it'll come. Only Allah knows. InsyaAllah, I won't stray. ;)

Note to self: Kenapa susah sangat nak buat pahala? Kalau hati tak ikhlas pun tak guna rasanya...

I'll get married, when he can stand in front of me and watch me cry when I'm upset.

Obedient Wives Club

My non-muslim friends are circulating this video in facebook. I'm totally saddened by the fact that this club does not understand the concept of polygamy and misinterpreted the Holy Quran. I can't help but feel like, it's giving Islam a bad name, even though their intentions are good.

How did women fall down so low when we are given the higher degree by Allah s.w.t? There are even a Surah dedicated to women in the Quran. Surah An-Nisa' which means "The Women". Every single welfare of women are written in that Surah. How noble are we women to be given such recognition by Allah swt? 

What does the non-Muslims think about this? Of course they think it's stupid. I wish they'd understand our religion. I wish they'd understand that Islam is not stupid. I wish they'd understand how Islam gives nobility to women. I wish they'd know that this video does not convey Islam.

"And if you fear that you cannot act equitably towards orphans, then marry such women as seem good to you, two and three and four; but if you fear that you will not do justice (between them), THEN (MARRY) ONLY ONE or what your right hands possess; this is more proper, that you may not deviate from the right course." 
(AlQuran; Surah An-Nisa':3)

O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion. And do not make difficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them unless they commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good. 
(AlQuran; Surah An-Nisa':19)

Polygamy are created to take care of women's welfare. The verses in the Quran stating that polygamy is accepted was received by the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W due to the fact that there were plenty of widows during his time and they were at war. Muslim men were allowed to take these widows as their wives in order to provide and take care of them.

I hope the men as well the people who created OWC can see this. May Allah swt show us the way. Amin...

Knowledge

I have been reading the Quran with it's tafseer(translation) since new year. It was one of my resolutions to read at least ONE AYAT A DAY. But I've been getting better, Alhamdulillah and been reading A PAGE A DAY.

It used to be so difficult reading the Quran. But I'm glad it's getting better, and I hope it won't get worse.

So far, I've only read until Surah Al-Nisa. And I really love it. Is it because I'm a feminist? haha. Not really. This ayat from Surah Al-Nisa really captured my heart.

"Dan Allah hendak (membersihkan kamu dari dosa dengan) menerima taubat kamu, sedang orang-orang (yang fasik) yang menurut keinginan hawa nafsu (yang diharamkan oleh Allah itu) hendak mendorong kamu supaya kamu menyeleweng (dari kebenaran) dengan penyelewengan yang besar bahayanya.

ا

Allah (sentiasa) hendak meringankan (beban hukumnya) daripada kamu, kerana manusia itu dijadikan berkeadaan lemah"

- Surat Al-Nisa ayat 27-28

I love it because it makes me feel like I have hope. I love it because it shows how Merciful Allah swt is.

It made me cry.

Sinner

Has anyone got any of this link posted on your facebook wall?

"~✿ Tudung kita pun dah nak ke arah macam ini sekarang..cuba perhatikan..ini fesyen bertudung ZAMAN SEKARANG yang DIBANGGAKAN ramai..
Rasulullah bersabda,
"Sesiapa MENYERUPAI satu kaum, ia dari kaum tersebut".
(HR Imam Abu Daud dari Ibnu Umar) 

JAUHILAH dari memakai sebegini..AGENDA kafir laknatullah itu sangat HALUS sehingga kita tidak sedar, ketahuilah wahai WANITA ISLAM sekalian."

Let me give you another quote I got;

45. Muslim women wear the head covering (hijab) in fulfillment of God’s decree to dress modestly. From a practical standpoint, it serves to identify one as attempting to follow God in daily life and, therefore, protects women from unwanted advances from men. Righteous women throughout history have worn this type of modest dress. Prominent examples are traditional Catholic Nuns, Mother Teresa and the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus.

Interesting facts about Islam

Please remind ourselves that Islam is not the first religion of Allah swt. Please remind ourselves that Islam is not the first religion that Allah swt commanded to cover our head and dress with modesty.

If I see women covering their heads, walking around anywhere in the world, If these nuns did not wore their cross on their chest, I would've thought they're Muslims.

And I ask you, Isn't the shirts and pants the men wore are not of the Westerners? Did not the "non-Muslims" who created this type of clothes? T-shirt and jeans? and we see Muslim men wearing them all over the world. Why not say something about that? Why not wear like the Arabs? Wouldn't that be more Islamic? If that is your argument?

Why keep beards when the Jewish rabbis also keeps their beards, as well as the Brahmins? Wouldn't that be like following other religions too?

but who am I to say such thing u may ask, I don't even wear Hijab...
I'm just wondering...

Let My Heart be Open

I was kind of sad she answered the way she did. But it is not her fault.

Oh Allah, now I see.

"It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and measured out stages for it; that ye might know the number of years and the count (of time). Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain His Signs in detail, for those who understand."

Al-Quran, Surah Yunus, Ayat 5 [10:5] 

My Choice

I don't want to wear it just because everyone else does

I don't want to wear it because people asked me to

I don't want to wear it because of fashion

I don't want to wear it to feel proud

I don't want to wear it because of my husband

I don't want to wear it, then take it off again, then wear it again

When I wear it, I'll wear it with love

When I wear it, I'll wear it with dignity

When I wear it, I'll wear it for Allah

Because that way it'll feel forever

Hidayah itu milik Allah

so stop forcing me or in your words 'advising'.

After 6 years

After 6 years celebrating Eid in Moscow, finally this year I'm celebrating at home.. It has been fun so far, a lot of people came to my house which I consider as a blessing.

Even though my dad isn't really well, but I am so thankful that I still may celebrate this beautiful occasion with him.

So I wish Muslims around the world on this blessful month, to forgive and forget..

SALAM AIDILFITRI

MAAF ZAHIR DAN BATIN

And also to Malaysians,

HAPPY MERDEKA DAY!

HAPPY RAMADHAN!

Sorry I've been out for a while. I just got back from KL on Saturday. Tomorrow I'll be starting my electives in HTAA. Hopefully everything will go smoothly. ^.^

Anyway, Italian Job Part 3 will just have to wait. I barely started on it, I just don't have the mood yet. My blogging mood always starts late at night, and since my jet-lags are gone, I've been sleeping early. Anyway, hope you guys will stay patient.. it's Ramadhan after all.. ^.^

I would like to wish all the Muslims,

HAPPY RAMADHAN!!

May this year be more bless full and meaningful.. InsyaAllah..

Mendedah Aurat

Ok. So one of my friend shared this link on facebook. I'm feeling a little offensive because I don't wear hijab/headscarf as a Muslim.

1) The first statement says, it is because of those who doesn't wear hijab is the reason behind the increasing rape cases happening in Malaysia (or around the world).
Ok. Well, are they going to ask all those non-Muslims in Malaysia to wear hijab too just like in Arab? And those that do wear hijab get rapes because of us that doesn't wear them? Isn't that a little prejudice?
You know, my roomate's Russian friend laughed when she told her about rape cases in Malaysia. Its like they never even heard of it. Is it because they're allowed to do sex freely? maybe. But it's definitely not because everyone covers their body here. Its the mentality.
If they want to blame something, I'd rather they blame all those American tv shows and music video. They're showing more body than anyone in Malaysia. And yet, no one blames Astro or even the Internet. Most guys I know download porns, so where's the purpose of every girl wearing headscarf anyway?

2) I have nothing to say about the 2nd statement except that I'm one of those people who says those things. lol. Well, I felt defensive. But I know I'm wrong for not wearing hijab.
Although, I know people who wears hijab but does not solat. I think it's better to build the foundation first. Wearing hijab is not in the list of the Five Pillars of Islam. Only your Iman is in the question. I personally think, they should catch those men who doesn't perform their Solat & Friday prayers first before they start pointing fingers at women who doesn't wear hijab. Don't you agree?

3) Oh, this is like saying, it's ok to be one of those Munafik people. As long as you look good, like you're following God's rule, it's ok. It's ok if you're not doing it whole-heartedly, as long as people see you're doing it, it's ok. As far as I know, Islam isn't the forcing kind, and whatever you do you must do it with all sincerity. Wallahualam.

4) I ask for Allah to open my heart to wear hijab everyday. I'd rather they say to those people who doesn't even pray to Allah, "kalau tak solat sekarang, bila lagi?" and NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I HEARD "bertudunglah sebelum anda ditudungkan". If that's the case, the men should wear hijab as well. heh..

This is just my thought as one of those who doesn't wear a hijab. I don't know why not wearing hijab is one big issue as I see, there are so many other issues that contributes to a damage of society than not wearing hijab. Rape cases still happens in Arab even when everyone is wearing Burqa itself. Correct me if I'm wrong. Wallahualam. In the end, I just give in to Allah s.w.t, as He knows what is best for me. Amin...