The sudden plot twist

The irony in hopes and plans, is that reality punches you in the face when it's not align with our expectations. Sure, we've understood and acknowledged the possibility of a plot twist, but to actually experience the hardcore truth of something that is not abiding the laws- OUR made up laws, the ones where we go "it should've been like this..", "it shouldn't have been like that..", it's a tough reality to accept.

Because the things is, we've been abiding the laws our whole life, we've followed the rules, we went through the flow. Wake up, go to school, eat, pray, toilet, sleep. Rinse & repeat. And to have something messing up the flow, even though it should've been flawless, there's a sense of betrayal burning inside.

But then again, there must be a reason for all of this, and there might be some good outcomes as a result of all this mess. If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm talking about the recent announcement about the re-sitting of Maths I final exams, and as one of the students who took the exams with full honesty and determination, it's something to be frustrated about. I mean, the aftermath of this re-sitting effects the 1 year students the most. Two subject during a short sem is already a challenge, and having to prepare for a third subject is adding another burden to the already slanting shoulders. It's not like everyone got the 'bocor'ed questions, plus it's Algebra, even if you get the exact identical questions, if you don't know how to answer it, you're still going to flunk, it's one of those subjects where you can't exactly cheat. The point is, nobody wants to re-sit the paper.

But what's done is done right? The ones holding power has already stated their decision, and there's nothing we can say that could miraculously change their minds, and I doubt a petition can save the day (but there's a chance for hope). So rather than moping around, grieving about the matter, let's shift places, and try looking at the whole situation in a whole different paradigm.

It's probably one of those chances that doesn't come by quite often (also, not an option either), and let's play a little game of "what ifs" shall we? So we all know our current GPA (-4 credit hours) and as much as our curiosity is running with a number of possibilities of having a higher GPA, it also means that it could've been lower. What if our final marks+carry marks did not exceed our expectations. What if it's the reason our GPA could've lowered a grade. What if we actually failed in it? Then this could mean an opportunity to fix it. With the time given to study, we can actually make this work.

But that's the real problem right? The time to study. Those taking short sem might have the privilage of having a 'studying environment' but those on holiday til next year, then it's a challenge to actually get up from bed before noon, sleep before midnight, and get off the computer before the battery runs out...twice and we resort to plug-in. Liking a facebook status or reblogging a tumblr post. Everything is too tempting compared to studying. I bet most of you have already forgotten how to write on paper, since it has been weeks typing on keyboard.

But that's not stopping us. No, we're going to show the world how capable we are at Algebra, even if it does mean we have to do it the second time. (They probably looked away the first time)

So you see guys, it’s not always a matter of perspective. But it is always a matter of OUR perspective. Carpe diem and seize the day they say. The question is, are you going to seize whatever they say you should be seizing, or should we all spice it up a bit and navigate our way through life with our own custom set of google-goggles? Either way, there’s a lesson to be picked up at every corner. But it depends on what you’re willing to learn.

10 Ways To Slow Your Life Down.

1. TAKE PHOTOS
Go somewhere, anywhere. Go with a friend. Go alone. It doesn’t matter cuz the most important things you need is a camera and your pair of legs. Like what you see? Then snap it. One day, however many years from now, you can look at it and remember the story behind it cuz you didn’t miss that moment.


2. READ A BOOK

No, we’re not asking you to turn into a bookworm but stories have the power to bring you into a different world with you just sitting in your bed with an “Eat Pray Love”. It’s also a great way to let your imagination run wild – something you usually don’t have time for.



3. PLAN A ROAD TRIP

Roadtrips are fun, especially when you’re with friends but you guys are not going to go anywhere if you don’t properly plan it and DO it! Get yourselves away from the bustle of the city and into your adventurous spirits to discover a different world than the one you’re in everyday.


4. MOVIE MARATHON

The Potter series has just ended. It’s an awesome time to gather your Potter fan friends at one of your houses and watch all seven and a half Potter films. Be sure to stock up your popcorn and drinks cuz it’s gonna be a long day in front of the telly.



5. DISCONNECT YOURSELF

Phone calls, texts, IM chats, FB posts and messages – your life is just never on pause with all these distractions keep coming in. There’s never going to be a time where you can take a breather or relax with the constant flow of FB notifications you’re getting. At least, try going without Facebook for one whole week and see how it feels like.



6. BE ALONE

While hanging out with friends is fun, you still need your ‘me’ time once in a while. Keep one day reserved just for yourself and do whatever you like. A day where you don’t have to be chewed on by deadlines, trying to please others and getting your brain fried with information overload. Follow the commandments of Bruno Mars’ “The Lazy Song” – at least most of it.



7. SING IN THE SHOWER

If you’re usually taking a quick splash in the bathroom while running through a long list of mental to-dos, you probably forgot to karaoke Rebecca Black’s “Friday” as you rinsed the shampoo off. Take a long, rejuvenating shower (but not too long, or you’ll turn into a prune) and sing those annoying tunes outta your head.



8. GO FOR A WALK

More often than not, we’re always stuck inside– be it for school, work or at home – and technically that’s not very healthy. Try going for a stroll in the late evenings, alone or with a friend/family, when it’s not so hot, and observe the nature around you. You might even get into a good conversation with the person you’re with or get new creative ideas while you’re at it.





9. EAT SLOWER

Seriously, don’t rush through your food. Be like the French and savour the taste of your nasi lemak. You’re not in an eating competition so enjoy your meal while you can. Besides, eating slower actually makes you feel full while consuming less so you won’t end up overeating!



10. DO NOTHING

Yup. Just sit there or lie down and do absolutely nothing. Stare at the ceiling or blank out to the sound of silence. Take in deep breaths and try clearing your mind – imagine Yoda meditating with the Force till he can float! Meditation helps ease your mind and slow it down from all the panic and rush attacks it’s been getting.

The Secrets of Sahur

In Islam it's a sunnah that we fast, and I bet many of us feel better when we sahur compared to missing it. Like any other sunnah, there is a hikmah in sahur, here I reveal the secrets of sahur. (Taken from this book, of course..)

There are many hadiths that strongly suggest sahur in the Ramadhan. Among them Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Tirmidzi, and Nasai[3]. In these hadiths sahur is associated with blessings and goodness. In other hadiths by Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Daud and Nasai[4] we are asked to sahur to differentiate our fasting from the people of the book. The times we are recommended for sahur is further towards dawn, as it was said that we are told to delay sahur but hasten our fast breaking[5].

According to Imam Ibn Abdil Bar, all hadiths regarding to the delaying of sahur and the hastening of breaking fast are all sahih and mutawatir.There is a significance in a delayed sahur, as it can be considered as breakfast, thus we don't feel hunger upon our regular chores of the day. A researched showed that the most important meal of the day is breakfast, BBC News dated March 7th 2003 reported that taking breakfast preserves health compared to other meals in the day.

MADRASAH RAMADAN CAMP

In the name of Allah The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful and all praise to Allah, Lord of the universe and prayers are upon His final Prophet, Muhammad p.b.u.h. Alhamdulillah, we are given the opportunity to live in His world as the most respected creature as a caliph. As a caliph and also the servant of Allah, our duty is to obey and serve Allah and follow His Messenger, Muhammad p.b.u.h. in order to achieve the glory in life and in the Hereafter, as been mentioned by him in the Qur’an.

In conjunction with this Ramadan, the Dakwah and Training Bureau Mahallah Representative Committee (MRC) of Mahallah Abdul Rahman Ibn ‘Auf in collaboration with Mahallah Ummu Salamah had organized Madrasah Ramadan Camp (MRC 2011) with the theme; “Forming the true youth spirit through the miracles of Ramadan” on 12^th August 2011 -14^th August 2011.

The camp was successfully held at Kem Rimba Ria Suara Hutan, Sungai Congkak with the number of participants about 94 of students. Most of them had gave us positive feedback and we are really appreciate their willingness to sacrifice their time to join this program.

We hope that this programme could allow the muslim teenagers to comprehend more about the noble religion of Islam besides of going through a new and indelible experience of fasting during the Ramadan especially since this is their first time celebrating the holy month in CFS IIUM Nilai.

We are also hope that all the knowledge gained will be apply into their entire life, insyallah!

Lailatul Qadr : The Night of Power

Assalamualaikum,

Qadr means honour and dignity. Lailatul Qadr means the night of honour and dignity. It is this night in which the first Divine Revelation came to the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam, when he was in prayer in the cave of Hira. Since this night enjoys the honour of having the first revelation brought to the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam, it has been named Lailatul Qadr.

This is one of the holiest and most blessed nights, which is likely to occur on one of the odd nights on the last ten days of Ramadhan and most likely to be the 27th. The reward of worship on this night is better than the worship of a thousand months of worship, equivalent to a person's lifetime. So, on this night one should pray nafil namaz, recite the Quran, do Tasbih, Zikr, Duas, etc as much as possible.

This night had already opened its gates of treasures when the angel for the first time had come with the Divine Message in the cave of Hira, but its auspiciousness has continued to be with us permanently. Every year in the month of Ramadhan, this night is given to the Ummah. Muslims engage in prayers, recitation of Quran and praying to Allah, as the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallamsaid: "The person who offered prayers to Allah in the night of Dignity with faith and with hope of reward from Allah, all his past sins have been forgiven." (Bukhaari)

As the rainy season is suitable for farming, similarly for the attainment of nearness to Allah, specific times , specific days and specific nights are most suitable, e.g. the time of Tahajjud prayers, Friday prayers, month of Ramadhan, the Day of Arafah, etc. So also the Night of Power is the most suitable night for attaining nearness to Allah.

In the Hadeeth, we have been asked to seek it in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadhan. Hazrat Aa'ishah radhiyallahu anhaa narrates that the Messenger of Allah sallalahu alayhi wasallam has said, 'Seek the night of Dignity in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan'.(Bukhaari).

By odd nights, the reference is made to the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th night of the month of Ramadhan. No one night has been fixed so that the yearning to find it may increase and people may spend more nights in worshipping Allah. From this aspect, the importance of `Itikaaf (seclusion) during the last ten days of Ramadhan is clear.

Some special prayers and Zikr for Laitul Qadr

1. Seeking Forgiveness. Hazrat Aa'ishah radhiyallahu anhaa asked the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam that if she happened to get the night sublime what prayer should she say. The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam replied that she should say the following prayer :

"Allahumma innaka afuwwun kareemun tuhib-bul af-wa fa-afo anni"

(O Allah, You are the One who grants pardon for sins, loves forgiving, so forgive me.)

2. Reciting Astaghfar. The following should be recited as much as possible:

"Astaghfirullah hallazi la-ila-ha illa huwal Hayyul Qayyumo wa atu-bu ilaihe"

(I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Almighty, there is no God but He. He is self-Existent, the Eternal and I return to Him)

3. Reciting Surah `Inna anzalnahu...'

"Inna anzalnahu fee lailathil Qadr, Wa maa adraka maa lailatul Qadr.

Lailatul Qadri khairum min alfi shahr. Tanazzalul malai-katu var-roohu

fee ha bi izni Rabbihim min kulle amr. Salaamun heya hatta matla-il fajr."

4. Do Salatul Tasbih.

5. Do Afzul Zikr i.e. La ilaha illallah