No one knows when he/she will be delivered to this transitory life. No one knows what kind of upbringing he/she will be nurtured. No one knows how many earthly possessions he/she can earn during his/her life. No one knows when the time of his/her life will come to an end. No one knows how his/her life will cease. No one knows…

Some people might live in a seemed-perfect life. And some might live in the contrary. No one has the capability to take one of which he/she prefers. There are inevitable matters in our lives that are out of our controls. We have no power to choose. We just have to live in those predestined matters without being able to make an escapade or to re-condition these things. Tawakkal and ikhlas are the key that enable us to live with our destinies. Accompanied with ikhtiar and istiqamah, everything will be just fine.

No one knows when the eternal war between Palestinians and Jewish will end. But one thing that even the highest technology of Israelis’ troops cannot cope is the destiny of Palestinians who will always be the occupants of Palestine.

No one knows why white-collar crimes are rampant in every level of Indonesian lives. Why a father can brutally rape and kill his own daughters. Why hunger and famine keep on haunting the land of Nubians. Why many of us aggressively talk about freedom without knowing the truest meaning of freedom itself. Why a man can take his partner of same sex to be his spouse in the land of King Arthur. Why and why…

Predestined matters are made to examine human’s abilities in coping problems. No one will gain hardships that are not bearable to his/her capability.Every adversity is just. Just for everyone…

In the end, the combination of ikhlas and tawakkal framed with the partnership between istiqamah and ikhtiar will be the best quencher for our being thirsty of the real happiness in this temporary state.

May Allah bestow us with these inner features, and make us eligible to take place in the group of most-grateful ummah, amiin.

(dalam rindu yg dalam padaNya…)

Things have changed.

Once upon a time, tranquil faces were abundant. I did meet them many times, in many places.

Once you behold them, you’ll find nothing but tranquility. So peaceful, so humble.

Today, those faces have gone. Substituted by odd ones of which features are alien.

Lip-gloss, powder and blush-on have tried so hard to polish those faces. Colorful fabrics sewed: hijabs are everywhere to adorn those face’s bodies. And yes, the results are magnifique, awesome, beautiful, pretty!

Still the real complexions cannot be concealed:

The radiance of sincerity and honesty

The shimmer of affection and compassion

The glow of amenity and humanity

I dug everywhere only to meet nihilism. I didn’t even find it in myself!

Things have changed my friends.

We are nothing but priceless dolls in disguise…of hypocrisy…

My dearie, I feel so blessed to have a best friend like you. The one who is willing to listen to my  peculiar ideas and miserable yarns .  The one who knew my real feelings when dealing with bitterness some times ago. The one who has entrusted her thoughts and secrets. The one who keeps on sending her warmest hugs…

Happy Milad my extraordinary friend, may ALLAH bless you always…

I wish we lived near each other so we could have our late night talks with a cup of tea and cookies! I feel like we are the soul-mates (JM)

I think one of the so many consequences of becoming a Muslim is being smarter than before. Disagree? Well, I believe many of us know that the first verse revealed to Rasulullah Muhammad SAW demanded us to R.E.A.D (iqra)…Read, read and read. Somehow, many people don’t dare to be smarter. We tend to keep our butts in its comfy place. We don’t eager to drag ourselves out of our comfort zones – imaginary ambiences that only exist in our perceptions.

If we want to earn agile brains on our shoulders, what should we read then? The Alchemist? Tolstoy’s War and Peace? Well comrade, no need to put burden on yourself with that so-called sophisticated books. It is the Quran. Simply, the comprehensive Quran.

We’ll find so many things –that even remain mysteries to present days– were successfully unfolded in the Quran. Unfortunately, many of us are so reluctant to consider the Kitabullah as the truest yet coolest life’s only source-book.

What’s inside it anyway?

Well, I inquired the exact words years ago and I did not get anything. Then I found out that only those possessed good intensions could comprehend the things inside the Quran. Don’t be judgmental or cynical if wanting to understand the substance of Al-Quran. And if obscurity appears when reading the Quran, don’t wear frown. It takes time to understand.

I myself felt baffled when reading an article in Indonesia’s leading newspaper saying something about Yusuf as and his food sovereignty strategies. I startled because the writer wrote the brief story of
Nabiyullah Yusuf in a similar way to the version of the Quran. Even though he didn’t put any reference on where he got such detailing stories like that, I believe he quoted it from the Quran. Please verify my saying in verse 46 – 49 of the Quran, surah Yusuf.

Speaking frankly –no offense please– the writer wasn’t of Muslims. For me, there’s nothing wrong with that (but we all know courtesy does exist in writing)…

How could someone out of Islam is eager to trust and use some parts of Al-Quran whilst we the Muslims don’t pay enough attention to that scripture that actually bestowed to us?

Alif laam raa. Inilah ayat-ayat Al Quran yang mengandung hikmah (QS 10:1)

Dan sesungguhnya Al Qur’an itu benar-benar menjadi petunjuk dan rahmat bagi orang-orang yang beriman.  (QS 27:77)

Sesungguhnya pada kisah-kisah mereka itu terdapat pengajaran bagi orang-orang yang mempunyai akal. Al Quran itu bukanlah cerita yang dibuat-buat, akan tetapi membenarkan (kitab-kitab) yang sebelumnya dan menjelaskan segala sesuatu, dan sebagai petunjuk dan rahmat bagi kaum yang beriman. (QS 12:111)

When beholding those elegant-niqaabis, the real niqaabis, not the forced ones, I was awed. Long before I could comprehend the reason behind their decisions to cover with niqaab, I always frowned at them and their niqaabs.

But now, Alhamdulillah I can understand. Though I also know that niqaab is not something obligated in the Qur’an, still I consider it as an elegant way to show our love to Allah. It is natural when we want to do something more than others. I remembered the art-class in my junior-high time; I always put my best endeavor to produce a nice drawing. I would use not only my crayons, but also my water-color tubes so that I could have some irregular effects on my drawing. By using this simple analogy, I can understand the niqaabis and their niqaabs.

Niqaabis aren’t retarded nor old-fashioned. I saw some niqaabis with light-colored niqaabs and speak languages other than Arabic. They were well-educated and very strong in life-planning.

For those who don’t understand, well I think it is not about being able to understand or not, but more about wanting to open our mindset for something new, please try to verify from the niqaabis’ point of views.

I’m not yet part of these wonderful niqaabis, but I do feel hurt if they gain wrong prejudices of others who don’t want to understand the reason why the niqaabis choose to wear niqaabs. And I’m not here to write that the mohajaba (who are covered with loose clothing and hijabs) and mohtasheema (the ones who are wearing a veil and tight clothes) are less devout than the niqaabis.  Only Allah knows…

I only try to understand each of us. I believe understanding will bring us to unity and peaceful state…

Many say that nowadays, in this so called free world, everybody has the right to state his stance and to utter his ideas on everything. Thus, one can say that he doesn’t like a certain thing whilst others may fond of it profoundly. It is a positive attitude since everyone has the equal right to say, think and do according to personal preferences. Some even say that being free is the basic indicator for assessing whether a democracy situation is running well or not. That’s why the frenzy of being free is so rampant. Everyone is competing to express freedom to gain the label of a democratic person.

Well for me, half of this concept of worshiping freedom is indigestible. Yes, I acknowledge the spirit of being free is good, but I put it in a way of which free means confident. Not the kind of ‘free’ that allows me to do ‘anything’ including things that are against the laws. Not the kind of ‘free’ that permits me to ridicule my life by doing ‘the happy-happy joy-joy things’ to have the time of my life. It is such a paradoxical circumstance when one expects to have freedom while in a different situation he demands for a definite order. Many people are campaigning for a freedom in attiring themselves and impulsively ‘attacking’ some people who have aspirations to truly live by the Syariah laws. On the other hand, one will always ask for a job description when applying for a job. I believe nobody wants to work if his future company doesn’t give any clue about the job. Isn’t it funny?

As a brainy-walking life being, I should be able to understand that everything has orders and consequences, including freedom. O yea, I’m talking the same words f-r-e-e-d-o-m, still it has orders. For example, as a Muslim woman, I have the freedom to keep myself (read: body) only for me and my Mahram -something that makes me so special because I can easily leave behind the freshest fashion clothes since the emphasis in Islamic clothing for women is not about the newest style but it is all about modesty. In this freedom of clothing, there are some demands prescribed in the Quran and hadith. These demands function as a fashion guide or virtual guru. It is not aimed to limit the freedom of expression of one’s preference in attiring herself. Don’t say that orders in fashion are old-fashioned because we are familiar with Cosmopolitan magz as well as Prodo and Her… I follow this Islamic ‘dos and don’ts’ fashion guide because I want to be stylish in front of My Creator, not in the eyes of other people.

Another example is the freedom of keeping my money for me only. I can utilize the money I obtain from work or business as I wish. My hubby is not permitted by my belief to spend my savings (unless I issue permission).

This is the freedom I follow.

Then, why I have to follow these orders? Well, who doesn’t want to have perfection in life? I do not want to buy a pair of shoes if one pair is lousy, and I do not want to spend my money for a cupcake if it is moldy even though the bakery offers a discount. I need improvements as students need to go to a higher level/class. And upgrading me means I have to do extra efforts that is close to perfection. I don’t want to be in a stagnant state, I yearn for achievements…

It is illogical to say that being free means I can say anything, do anything, because everything has orders…

What kind of deeds will this temporary figure leave when the term of its life comes to its end? Is it predestined or a subject to change? I’m keeping myself prowling for the answers and to tell the truth, finding the answers on how the life of mine will end is not easy. Being istiqamah, keeping this faith in a steady state with a hope that one day this iman will bring its keeper to the love of Allah, is far more difficult than executing a long-term project. The effort to be istiqamah is a heavy project. A real heavy project. The more I mill about the world the further I perceive it is not easy to successfully accomplish this project.

Firstly, there is no definite time on when this project has to end since the prerogative of terminating one’s life belongs to Allah only. Secondly, I fully acknowledge that my knowledge is literally shallow. And there are always reasons like lacking of me-time to do more Sunnah worships, being in a tired condition, currently out of town, and many more. To combat the demon inside is a difficult task since I have created such aforementioned reasons. And the challenges outside this body are also uneasy to handle.

They are addressing themselves as the “Yearning for Zion” people, and I do not see myself dare to do the same and proclaim that I’m longing for Allah, and Rasulullah. Why can’t I? How will I be successful to quell my life in Khusnul Khatimah when longing for Allah is out of my agenda? A sister in her blog says that Allah is everywhere and a believer shall find the particulars of Allah in everywhere as well! I want it: to find, to perceive and to witness the particulars of Allah, not only once, but always and forever.

Apparently the urgency of educating me more is an urgent matter. There is no time to waste. I want to always shed tears when infusing myself with Kalamullah, something that is recently hard to happen, even when reading the Saying: everything in this world will be disintegrated…

Oh Allah, I want to yearn for the day of being honored to ‘meet’ Thou…

Kebayoran Baru, in a state of wanting the iman back

There are many diseases rampant within our Ummah which are dividing us and slowly killing us as a nation. One of the most dangerous, yet common of these diseases is backbiting.

In Arabic backbiting is referred to as ‘Gheebah’ (Ghibah) which comes from the word ‘ghayaba’, which means something which is unseen. Here we can relate this to the action of backbiting; where a Muslims sees a fellow brother or sister committing an unlawful act and rather than advising him/ her, he speaks ill of the person to someone else while they are absent; hence the backbiter is unseen by the one who is being backbitten.

There is unanimous agreement amongst the scholars of Islaam that backbiting is haraam and therefore a major sin that, when committed, requires the Muslim to seek the forgiveness of Allaah (i.e. make tawbah).

The saddest thing about gheebah is that we fail to recognise that we are committing it.

Abu Huraira (radiAllaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) said, “Do you know what is backbiting?” They (the companions) said: “Allaah and His Messenger know best. Thereupon he (the Prophet) said: “Backbiting implies your talking about your brother in a manner which he does not like.” It was said to him: “What if what I say about my brother is true?” He said: “If what you said about him is true then you would have backbitten him, and if it is not true, then he is slandered (buhtaan) [Reported in Saheeh Muslim: hadeeth 1183]

It’s a great shame that we do not take heed to the teachings of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam). He (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) told us that even if what we say about a Muslim brother/ sister is true, it is considered as backbiting and if it is false, it is slandering. Let us ask ourselves: how many times have we spoken ill of a brother or sister to others while the brother or sister we are speaking about is absent? Let us also ask ourselves: have we atoned for this sin? The answer to the latter question is most probably no, and this is exactly the reason why gheebah is so deadly - we never think to ask for forgiveness of the sin as it is taken so lightly. In order to atone for the sin of gheebah, we must pray for forgiveness of the one who was backbitten and also mention good of him/ her to those who heard the backbiting.

It should be known that the backbiter should be stopped immediately and should be warned that he/she has committed in a great sin.Also, the person who listens to the backbiter should be aware that he/she is encouraging an evil if he/she remains silent. Therefore, if the person does not stop backbiting, then he should warn them. If they still insist on backbiting, he should walk away from him, for the Prophet has said:

“He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue; and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart and that is the least of faith.”

… and …

Abu Musa narrated that some people the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam), “Whose Islam is the best? (i.e. who is a very good Muslim)?” He replied, “One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands.” [Reported in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: volume 1, hadeeth 10]

Let us take a look at a companion of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), and how he feared for his tongue:

Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radiAllaahu ‘anhu) narrated that one day when Umar went in to visit Abu Bakr as-Siddiq and found him pulling his tongue, he said, “Stop! May Allah forgive you!” Abu Bakr replied to him, “This has brought me down to dangerous places.”

Not only has the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) warned us against backbiting, Allaah has also:

“O you who believe! Avoid immoderate suspicion, for in some cases suspicion is a sin. Do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another (to say something about another behind ones back that if one hears it, dislikes it). Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Surely you would abhor it. Fear Allaah; for Allaah is the Accepter of repentance, Merciful.” [Surah Al-Hujaraat (19): 12]

So, can we count how many times we have feasted on the flesh of a brother? It is something we’d never think of coming near, yet we don’t think twice before backbiting him.

Is it not astonishing how we tend to pick out the faults of others while we have not yet rectified the many faults we have in ourselves? It is too often that we, especially women, speak about others while we probably have more sins or faults than the one who is being spoken about.

Sisters! Remember that backbiting is a widespread disease amongst the Ummah as a whole; however, it seems to be most common amongst us women as we have a tendency to talk and gossip more than men. It seems that we tend to have more spare time to give a sister a ‘quick call’ which frequently ends in gossip, slander and backbiting.

Here are a few ways to avoid backbiting:

1.Choose the right company! – This is very important as we are often caught in the trap of backbiting because others are doing it.

2.Advice one another in private about any faults – this was you’ll be less likely to say it to others

3.Show kindness and love to fellow Muslims – without this enmity will become rampant.

4.Love for others what you love for yourself; if you don’t want to be backbitten, don’t do it to others!

Let us always keep the following words of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) in our minds:

“He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak that which is good or remain silent.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: volume 8, no.157]

Source: Umm Junayd

We need not any sophisticated methods to comprehend that Indonesian are so ignorant. This dull-witted stance has nothing to do with the latest release of Human Development Index 2007 that put Indonesia at the rank 108 of 117 countries examined. There is no doubt about how intelligent an Indonesian can be, but the level of intelligence does not represent the quality of one’s demeanor. Yes, a person who can dress himself up and works in the capital city of Indonesia does not always behave accordingly to their attires.

One simple way to prove this contradiction is by observing the behaviors of many commuters who use Pakuan express train in daily basis. Pakuan train is a common transportation among the inhabitants of Bogor, Bojonggede and Depok. This transportation mode can save our money and time without leaving behind the things like coziness and pleasure. Somehow, many Indonesian are just ignorant to keep the atmosphere in the train comfortable. The trains operated are of the grant of The Government of Japan, thus, everything inside the train is so ergonomic and accommodative to the needs of different types of people. Besides the ordinary seats, there are some custom-built seats for four occupiers only. These seats were embedded at the end of each railway coach. At the back window of the seat, some information stickers about what and whom these seats are dedicated for can be read clearly.

These seats are well known as Courtesy Seats.

People who are of old fellas, pregnant ladies, and people bring little kids can use Courtesy Seats, and even if some people already sit on it, these eligible ones still have their privilege to ask those non-eligible passengers to move to ordinary seats. However, since the train can be very full especially around 6am-9am and 3pm-6pm, many people will use Courtesy Seats and refuse to move when a pregnant lady ask for it. Some of them are even that cruel to just pretend asleep or ask the lady to look for another Courtesy Seat in other railway coaches.

I hardly believe this thing can happen. The very famous characters of Indonesians: friendly and hospitable are such a big lie and boast! The next thing happen, after that pathetic refusal will be like this: the woman will simply take out a piece of newspaper from her satchel, lay it on the train’s floor, and sit down as if nothing improper has occurred. What a poor incident. But, this is for real and happens everyday.

One day, I deliberately observed the number of male passengers and female passengers who sit on the floor. I did not surprise to find that the amount of female passengers sit on the floor is higher than the males. A sort of cowardice is happening I suppose…

Is it shameful to give our seat to pregnant women, senior citizens, or difable ones? If giving your seat is your final ticket that enables your feet to step on the heaven’s door, will you still be wicked to pretend asleep when watching a pregnant woman is heading to you? Is it okay for you if that thing happens to your mother, sister or your wife?

Maybe this writing seems to exaggerate a can-happen daily occurrence, yet, no one can just ignore the morality decadence of thousands Indonesian in the train. Somehow, these well-educated, good-looking, prospective executives are the representatives of Indonesia in many ways…

“I have no plan to marry another woman although my wife is permanently unable to get babies..”

I was totally awed hearing the statement of my colleague. He has married for almost 10 years, yet he gets no children. A perilous myom has brought her wife to undergo a uterus-removal surgery (I do not know the specific med term), and off course without a uterus a female is incapable to have pregnancies and to deliver babies.

In our society, the people who cannot do their natural responsibilities such as being pregnant, even for a destined cause like physical defect, are automatically disregarded and labeled as worthless individuals and thus they are unsuitable to be married, to be employed and to partake in any social or open activities. What a wrong conception! I know, many people will be against me on this topic. Please be honest to ourselves, and ask! How many public facilities are user-friendly for ‘gifted people’? And how many of us who are willing to give our hands whenever we find these gifted people encounter troubles in accessing that so-called ‘public’ facilities?

Going back to the preliminary topic, I believe that once in a blue moon a man would marry such a woman like above mentioned description. There is no wrong with this scarcity because one of the marital aims is to have descendants. But if a married man finds that his wife is sterile and then decides to desert her on the grounds of her incapability to deliver babies, well, I suppose his heart  must be beneath his feet..

It must be a profound heart-wound for a lady to see her husband leave her for that ’scientific reason’ and to be worse, she will suffer the pain of knowing that her husband is going to marry again, absolutely with a fertile female..

I salute you Pak Aji! For your earnest decision to keep staying next to your wife. Really, until this writing is finished, I easily recall your eyes’ glare when you say;

“I MARRY MY WIFE BECAUSE OF GOD AND THUS I CANNOT SEE HER SAD..”