It has been an interesting couple of days for me. I have only found out how the words you write can spread like wild fire. After years and years and years of posting in my blog, do I realise its impact. My experience with blogging has been vast. I remember starting in 2004 when blogging was such a strange word to everyone else. Thank you to my sister Aliya for introducing it to me. This post is written caused by the overwhelming response Ive been getting for the past week.
Although whilst starting in 2004, there wasn't much to write about. And because of the increase of visitors to this humble blog of mine, Ive been going thru my posts from previous years. There were times where I find myself surprised with what Ive been writing about. During this self-reflection, I see how Ive grown thru my writing. There used to be lots of emotion in my posts. Now.. its implied. Haha (hopefully).
Anyhow, looking at the statistics in blogger, my hypothesis (the one about how people just LOVE controversial posts) is a definite true. Proven! Haha.
I now have readers from the middle east (Jordan, Egypt, etc) and the United States, and France and.. Hahhaha I think you get my drift. I wonder who they are. Hopefully just my juniours from school. Hehhe.
But dont feel threatened or anything with me mentioning it here. All of you are most welcome. You can stay and read as long and as many times you want :P And I promise I wont do any mumbo jumbo hacking to find out who you guys are. Unless you gimme trouble (haha.. now I sound like a mafia).
But I mean it when I say ahlan ahlan. What I meant at the beginning of the post was that I have NEVER, in my 8 years of blogging (although I wasn't active every single year) have I had this many visitors! Ha ha. I'd like to think that you guys read what I have to say because it makes sense. And because you can learn something from it. Hopefully good things.
It would really suck to realise that you only come here to find out what's been going on with my life, just to gossip and stuff.
But again, thank you. You guys have made my week all mellow and peaceful. I find myself eager to do some writing. You have given me a new sense of being, a splash of motivation to keep going and to keep writing. As a way (even though a small and tiny way) of bringing change to the world.
Next time, please drop a few comments my way. So that I know what you guys think. If you agree or disagree. I wouldnt want to be labelled "syok sendiri" any time soon.
This posts proves how something small can be so big to someone. You never realise how such a small gesture can influence someones day.
I noticed how people just love to read controversial posts. Hehe. Looking at the stats for my blog, the most viewed post was the one that consisted of my love letter to my future husband :) And apparently, after that very controversial post, my visitors/readers have increased a significant amount. Thank you for that. I just hope that you guys gain some insight and some lessons from most of my ramblings. I hope whatever I write in this blog will be messages that remind all of us the beauty of Islam, and bring us all back to Allah SWT if we find ourselves diverted from the right path.
So, as a 'treat', Im going to write about my quest in finding my soul mate =)
Although by now, most of you have read the expectations I have for my other half, I am sure many sisters out there feel basically the same way. No one wants a horrible husband/wife, no one wants an irresponsible life partner. Everyone wants the other half to be someone who can bring us to Jannah. Girl or boy, Im sure the situation is the same. The expectations the same.
Iklan: I haven't slept all night cos I had to finish a grant proposal. So I might be a little woozy by lack of sleep. So bare with my writing ok. Hehe.
I'll admit, finding your other half is not as easy as it sounds. People keep asking me when I'll be getting married. Friends, colleagues, co-workers, even family. There was a time when this made me feel very very stressful. But having grown up from all the experiences in life, you tend to go with the flow. Your maturity helps you understand the situation and accept that Allah's plan is way better that how we'd want our life to happen.
And yes, I've had my many disappointments when it comes to accepting and rejecting prospective candidates as life partners. Who hasn't. Oh ok, those who had it easy.. well, that's how Allah planned it for you. And congratulations. I only ask that you (whoever you are), to not compare. It's hurtful and insulting.
Ok, back to life partners. One has to face the facts that prospective males nowadays are becoming extinct. Those who are awesome, ofkos are taken. Those who from your point of view is a catch, just doesnt have the confidence to make the first move. Those who you see can definitely be partners dunia akhirah, just feels threatened by your academic qualifications.
Hmmm.. so sisters, what on earth are we going to do? I do not suggest not pursuing your studies just because there arent many guys also doing the same thing. I know that majority of the post grad students are females (in my department, 80% are girls). I don't know about masters, but I can assume that its the same case.
Come on, don't tell me you'd sacrifice the call for education and knowledge just for the sake of wanting to easily get life partners. One thing you shouldn't sacrifice is the pursue of knowledge. Even Islam encourages us to do so.If you are able, learn as much as you can. There is no shame in having a good educational background.
As for my brothers in Islam, wake up my dear brothers. What is this I hear that you always feel threatened by a sister who has a much higher qualification that you? Why do you hide and run the other way? Wake up and smell the seaweed. Be a man and face the facts. Better yet, go and GET that higher qualification if you want it. No one is stopping you but yourself. Don't break peoples heart just by giving this particular reason as a basis of rejection.
I write this all from experience. Yeah, it has happened to me. Numerous times. And I am no longer embarrassed to talk about it. With all the problems and experiences in the world, the fundamental principle in life is, someone out there has either had the same experience as you or much much worst than what you've been thru. Which is why we share. We talk, write and share. You never know whether with the sharing you do, someone who is going (or has been) thru the same situation can see it from a better light.
Life partners. Yeah, very hard to find. For me especially. There is always the issue of height. Hehe. I can't help standing out from the crowd. Its in the genes =)
Sometimes people say that I must be too picky. Some have tried to convince me that shorter husbands are not something so bad. Hmm.. let me stop you there. Although it isn't so bad, who doesnt want to have someone you can literally look up to? I am a serious romantic (lucky future husband ey :P), so I would love to be able to walk with my husband, holding his arm and having this sense of security. Which might work with a shorter husband, but I'll admit that it's hard to imagine.
English. Hmm.. another trait people seem to fear. As you can catch by now, you can assume that I would love to have someone who is good in English. But this is NOT a main criteria. I can live without the English. It would be a sacrifice from my part, but I am willing to do it.
My main criteria is someone who has a strong foundation in Islam, who is actively participating in Dakwah, who has the same beliefs and goals as me. If his Islamic practices are superb, then all the rest is not as important.
Im sorry to say, this is what saddens me. Don't tell me even these types are slowly becoming extinct. That would be a sad day. Very sad day.
So my brothers in Islam. If you are reading this, and you've been thru that thinking process of what to look for in a prospective partner, be a little lenient. Education should NOT be an issue. In fact, it should be an asset.
Whatever it is, I implore everyone to just be patient. Good things come to those who are patient. Don't think too hard about it because among the first things Allah had planned for us is our partners. So just wait and pray. InsyaAllah the day will come when you are reunited with your other half. Just don't stop praying.
Wallahu'alam
As a treat, here's a song that made me write this post. Enjoy :)
I know Im supposed to be doing something else right now, but I've been wanting to blog for quite some time. Since blogging requires actually having an idea what to write about, it's better to write before all the ideas seem insignificant and dated. So here goes.
I accidentally came across a video on youtube today, about a short and sweet speech by Sheikh Said Rageah at a Peace Conference. It really affected me personally. So I would like to share some points of his opening speech during the 2009 Peace Conference. Feel free to search for this video in YouTube. Among the points he mentioned in his 5 minute speech was about how we (as Muslims) should not be the cause of others not wanting to convert to Islam.
He first opened his speech with this ayat:
“And Allah invites to dar al-salaam [the Home of Peace] and guides whom He wills to a straight path.” (Surah Yunus: 25)
Being someone who believes in the day of judgement, of Heaven and Hell, there will come a time in life where these things pop up in our head. We try to imagine how the atmosphere would be, we close our eyes and dream of being in Jannah with everyone we know. We pray to dream of Paradise in our sleep, pray that we'll be able to smell the scent of Jannah when we wake up.
Assuming (and praying) that we have been Muslims all along until the day of Judgement, being dutiful to Allah SWT, following His commands and leaving everything else especially what He forbade us to do, Sheikh Said Rageah asked the audience to imagine how it would be like, lining up to enter Jannah.
But before entering Jannah, you realise that behind you, there is a long long line of people, all of them going other than Paradise. And you realise that the faces in this line are people you have seen before, people that you know. You realise that you know them by names, you've met them, talked to them before. They were your neighbors, your classmates, your friends and family. And each and everyone of them are there with a request from you before you enter Jannah.
So what will these people be asking for? They will have the simple request of asking Allah for Mercy, stating that the reason they have not been practicing Islam, the reason why they have not embraced Islam is because of YOU.
Nauzubillahi Minzalik
Today we don't need more Qurans to be printed, we dont need more interpretations of Hadith. We have enough materials and resources about Islam. And yet the people are not accepting Islam the way they should. Why?
Sheikh Said said that, the main reason this happens is, not because they do not see the beauty of Islam, BUT because they don't want to be like US. Because WE aren't living like Muslims.
In fact, a lot of youths are impressed with the western societies. They wan't to be like them, they want to talk like them, they want to move like them, they want to behave like them.
And when they see us as Muslims, they say "I don't wanna be like you".
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Don't become the reason of people not wanting to convert to Islam. It is a fact that people see how great and complete Islam is, how wonderful it is as a way of life. BUT, there are those who will not convert simply because they see how Muslims behave.
I heard this Imam from US speak in the radio IKIM once, about how at first he hated Islam. He didnt see why people wanted to convert to Islam. The reason behind this was because his neighbors who were supposedly Muslims, were drug addicts. They were the gangsters in their neighborhood. And yet they declare themselves as Muslims.
One of the things I personally find surprising and sad is the use of the term "non-practicing Muslims". What on earth is that? People should understand that there is NO such thing as a non-practicing Muslim. If you are not "practicing" Islam, you are NOT a Muslim.
Do not be the reason why people hate Islam. Do NOT give Islam a bad name because of ur actions. BUT, just act as Muslims. Act and live how our Prophet lived.
And always pray that the situation with others blaming you at yaumul akhirah will not happen to you.
Although whilst starting in 2004, there wasn't much to write about. And because of the increase of visitors to this humble blog of mine, Ive been going thru my posts from previous years. There were times where I find myself surprised with what Ive been writing about. During this self-reflection, I see how Ive grown thru my writing. There used to be lots of emotion in my posts. Now.. its implied. Haha (hopefully).
