The Wonder of Questions: Series 1: Part 2

InsyaAllah, we continue with the second part now:

One question: WHY would Allah sent us Islam?

Because our mind have limitation, that's why.

I was doing neuroscience last semester and I was so fascinated by human brain. It only weighs around 1.2 to 1.5 kg, but it’s called the 'higher centre' of our body system. It governs every system in our body: our heartbeat and circulation of blood (cardiovascular), our inspiration and exhalation (respiratory), our digestion (gastrointestinal), our reproduction, temperature and hormones (reproductive and homeostasis), the excretion of waste product from our body and metabolism (renal), and how our muscles work and our mobility (musculoskeletal). And all the systems are controlled by nervous system and mediators (neurotransmitter, hormones etc) that subconsciously in return, controlled by the brain. [In a way, Islam is like that. Allah is the higher centre, alQuran and Sunnah are the nerves and mediators and the components of our lives are the different systems we have on our body]

And I’m doing psychology at the moment, and I keep on being amazed at how mysteriously our mind works, and how there are so much more that human don’t know and yet to be discovered. Some things are just left unexplained because they cannot be explained by human minds.

Now, this is the role of Islam: to answer all the questions that human cannot think simply by using their minds because it’s our fitrah, which is Allah had limited out mind to certain limit only. Beyond that is beyond our territories.

And that’s the reason why I keep on reminding myself that if something bad came up in my life, it’s not an excuse to throw fits, show my temper and tantrums, because I don’t know what’s good will it bring for me; because my mind have limitation and because He knows the best.

In the book, there are 3 questions that human will keep on searching and looking for the answer. And yet, human without the right guidance will not be able to answer them:

Where did we come from?
Why do we exist?
Where are we going later/soon?

to be continued...

Author's notes: Think about the questions and think about how human (without Islamic knowledge) think and how would a person with akidah answer? How would ISLAM answer?

The Wonder of Questions- Series 1: Part 1

I'm reading a book on aqidah/tauhid at the moment, and as I go along, I decided to do a short summary of what I've learned through the book, what I've learned through experiences and through various lectures I've been to. Thus, I'm starting this series: The Wonder of Questions. Series 1 have 3 parts. Today I put on Part 1:

Islam. Just hearing the name brings peace to human, whether they admit it or not. I've been to a lecture called Islam: A True Religion. And according to the lecturer, definition of true and religion is so subjective that people can take it whichever direction they wanted. I agree.

But let's be realistic here: when we say religion, we only think about spiritual relationship between human and the God. Full stop.

However, Islam holds more definitions, deeper meaning than that. Linguistically, Islam means surrender or submission. Broader approach, Islam means a complete submission to Allah. For me, it's ad-Deen, which means my WAY OF LIFE which underlies rules, regulation, limitation, liberation of how I should live. And according to Syeikh Khalid Yasin, it's a SYSTEM (to put it simply) which has many components that complete it.

Whichever way you put it, it is something: a guideline, a path, an-nur (light) and a way, which is given by Allah through his messengers to bring human back into the right way to return to Him one day.

This is the basis of syahadah: I believe there is no God except Allah, and I believe Muhammad (peace be upon him, p.b.u.h) is His messenger.

Thus, when we realize this, it's clear that everything in the Quran and Sunnah are the ways of life, guideline of living, advices, warnings, and good news that Allah has given to us via His messenger: Muhammad (p.b.u.h).

If we take the SYSTEM approach, hence, the components would be guidelines of how to submit oneself to Allah (fiqh), solid belief to Allah (tauhid), how one should behave (akhlak), what have happened in the past (seerah), laws, rules, regulation, limitation on our daily lives that include on economics, science, law, philosophy, arts, history and everything. It touches our life from the moment we open our eyes in the morning till we close our eyes to sleep, and in between those periods.

One question: WHY would Allah sent us Islam?

to be continued...

One Step At A Time

The 'buzyness' of last 2 weeks activities disabled me to think about the new house and everything that comes with it. Now that I'm starting to slow my pace, I can see that there are a lot more things that I need to settle before I can really reach the place I want have in the house. Unexpected problems and issues only make me halt, whine and sigh. A tap on the shoulder by my mom made me realize these are the issues that I'm dealing at the moment while I stand as a student, not yet working, let alone having a family. I always wonder how my dad can endure all the housing issues in the past. At times my mind reasoned with me that men have stronger mental strength when dealing with problems; yet at the same time I'm thinking if he could do it, why don't I?

And I realize I need to take one step at a time, not too rush everything because in doing so, I only added the pressure. Okay, breathe in... breath out... :p

I came early this morning to uni (which ironically I'm no longer in campus anymore, so I prefer to call it the 'hospital', alothough it's not in the hospital, but the classes located near the hospital). I met Manju in Phramacology Building Computer Room and later we went up to the cafeteria to have lunch. "I really like staying out of the college. At least I'm at uni the whole day and can concentrate on studying, rather than going back to my room and doing something else" I commented. She agreed. I guess it depends on how you view your house- a place to relax, or a place to study.
When I was still at the library after the class have all finished, Branden came at the table I was on and greeted me, "Welcome to the Club," He says... Alas, finally after 2 years trying to join "The Branden's Club", now only I achived it :p

I went to watch 'Playboy of the Western World' at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night. Along with Farid, Nazli, Shila, Diana and Zura we walked there since it's near to our place. It was nice... except for the Irish accent that I'm not used to and had to really listen to understand the storyline. I wonder how Tini, Abadi and Huda coping with their accent; it's not something easy to understand in a short time. But for a one-stage-non musical-play, I think it was interesting. At least I've seen different type of theatre compared to the ones I've been in Malaysia.

But to compare that with Syeikh Khalid Yasin's lecture on Sunday night entitled Islam: The True Religion, I think the 7.50 bucks ticket is more worth it than the 40 bucks one I paid for the play. It's much more satisfying. And at the moment, I learned there are many ways of spreading words of Islam. And I also learned to see things from different perspective. Learning is great. There's never too much room for learning...

It's time to go home now. Travelling alone at night is not adviceable I guess...

Ja'

I need sleep

I think I'll purposely wake up late tomorrow
I really need a good rest, especially after yesterday's orientation... been in uni since 8 a.m. till 9 p.m.! Well, the night was for the City Lights Tour anyway. I didn't go for mine during my orientation, so it was quite interesting taking some new students to Utopia in Northbridge for bubbletea, along with Varun and Branden.

Today was a more relaxed day. I just came to make sure everyone in my group enrolled correctly. Afterwards, I settled my own stuff namely getting the Guild sticker and diary, getting the Transperth sticker, renew the OSHC and update my ANZ info as well as got exemption from the interest fee... That's done, I can relax for two days before going to Friday's O-day. I just hope that I didn't make a lousy leader :p

It was fun though. In a short time you make a lot of new friends and aqquiantances (sp pls?). In a way, I discover a new side of myself... I know I can go all bubbly if I'm in the mood, but I don't know that I could just go to some people and say, 'Hey! Can I help you?' :p And there are a lot more muslims I see around... I really treasure this as one of the most unforgettable experience. If I have a chance, I'd do it again without thinking twice, the pleasure you get just by getting people to feel comfortable cannot be described. Unfortunately, next year insyaAllah when I start my fourth year, I won't have the chance to do this again as we start early... both Branden and I were quite sad :(

Helped the International Student Service (ISS) with the Sausage Sizzles as well this afternoon, and made a few more new friends. One of the reason was because I haven't seen Tasha for quite some time. It's nice to catch up on some stuff. Before I went back to Mounts Bay, Tasha asked me if I have gotten the ISS t-shirt, and I said no. Well, I'll get one anyway soon 'cos she said she'll give one to me *YaY* I came to help because I was bored, doing nothing in the library while waiting for it to start, yet, I'll get another free t-shirt! Nice, eh?

Now... I need a good sleep!

p/s- Thanks everyone to drop by, namely Huda, Shila, Rabbit, wanzhaf n shifak... Alhamdulillah I'm good here, Shifak... Miss you guys there!

I Dream of...

Geannie... :p

Nah... that was a title of a classic series my mom used to love, I believe

I'm back in Perth right now. The day after I arrived, I went to the med library to meet my two wonderful sisters who helped me a lot in early January. We met Jess as well. We were discussing about the course and books, and for a moment I was tempted to change my option to forensic... but I stick with psychology.

The day after, the new students of Petronas came. 9 brothers and 1 sister. Ija, the new girl shared the apartment with me and Alia. Shamely she had to see the 'disasterous' state of our unit due to me just finished removing the boxes from another unit to ours. We're at ease with each other, but I guess we still need more time to really get comfortable. I wonder if Tini, Alia and I were in the same state when we first came to Perth almost 3 years ago.

The next day I had briefing for the Orientation Group Leader (OGL) in UWA. I'm happy that I'm doing this at last. It has been a wish since I started uni. Before going for the briefing, I stopped by at Currie (haha... I really miss that place now!) and met the MARA newcomers. 2 of them got my and Alia's doubleroom. Again, we were at ease, but still need more time to bond. I wonder if I took a long time with Shu or not... Afterwards, I took them and the whole lot of Pet jr. (minus two brothers) to the city to shop for their stuff. Never been so tired this year... yet!

Friday proved to be all physical work in the second meeting of OGL. So this was how they prepared for our orientation! Finished earlier than estimated time. With me, I took back the list of my 'subordinates' for Monday, as well as Varun's for he wasn't there on Friday. I'm still wondering what should I do in 'Ice Breaker' slot on Monday... Should I pair them up or should I just ask them to introduce themselves individually... Quite boring I must admit... Maybe I could use the technique they used our batch Petronas orientation? And maybe I could add the game during the first MSA lunch last year? Yeah... that might work.

Got a phone call from Rai, saying a new student coming in, in need of accomodation. If it was a sister, I think I might know the right person that need a housemate as well... but it turned out to be a brother... oh, that reminds me I have to tell the brothers about it... Must get that in my 'To do List'.

When you thought that you're over with something, and thought that everything's perfect at the moment, you just didn't expect that that feelings came again. 'Enough is enough' as I told Ruby this afternoon. I wonder when will I perfectly get over it because it's too tiring already. And at times like this, I just wish that they are people whom I could talk to, namely Alia, Shu, Ruby or even my 'sister-in-law'. Again, there's the urge to go and sleep somewhere else.. Unfortunately there was no one around. In the end, I turned to Him and open up the Book of Guidance (Quran) to soothe the pain and weird feelings.

I'm to meet Kak Lin and her husband who're arriving tomorrow. Now, I'm wondering where the heck is YMCA in Perth. And looking at the Unistart booklet I receive for OGL, I'll have two full on days next week... Luckily I'm not involved in Host Day on Weds and Thurs... I'm thinking of becoming the mentor/host day leader though next year... Sounds like fun...

p/s- Alia... cepatla balik! :p

You don't always get...

...what you want or what you planned.

And at times like this, my heart usually beats faster than normal.
I guess if I were to take my BP and pulse rate, I might have the sign of hypertension :p

I wished to stay longer here.
And when I have the word 'holiday' in my mind, I imagine the world of doing nothing except lazying around at home, eat, watching junk programmes on the tv and read some books peacefully.

I have always wished to have a useful holidays, filled with activities and programmes.
But all I wanted this time around was to stay at home without anyone disturbing, so I'm free to do whatever I wanted (or more like doing nothing) at whatever time I want.

But I guess things won't always go as your initial plan.
And I have to reconsider every move I'm going to make.
And at times like this, you just somehow have conflicting thoughts and ideas with your father.

Which frustrate me even more.

Kalau ini ujian, aku redha

Wallahualam

Growing Up!

Ahh! The beauty of growing up!
I have the feelings that I'll love the new Naruto manga Part 2!

I'm starting to have a non-stop wide smile on my face now...

Can't wait till the next episode :p

Ja Ne! :D

Vignettes- Versi Bahasa Melayu

Nenekku mahu ke Bali akhir bulan ini
Wah! Bestnya jadi nenekku... telah menjejakkan kaki ke Beijing, Perth, Vietnam, London, Indonesia, Thailand, Mekah, Los Angeles etc...
Nenekku sudah berumur 70 tahun, tapi masih segak dan sihat, boleh berjalan-jalan mengalahkan aku. Hari ini di rumah aku, esok di rumah Mak Andakku, lusa di rumah Pak Longku!
"Along, Nenek pesan Shark Cartillage 2 botol" "Nenek pesan Calcium 5 botol" Hehe... jangan main-main, ubat nenekku semuanya diimport!
Teringat lagi beberapa tahun dahulu, kami beramai-ramai, aku adik-adikku dan sepupu-sepapatku, berkumpul di rumahku di KL, menolong nenekku membuat jem tartnya yang famous, sambil dia bercerita tentang asal-usul kami, cerita tentang nenek moyangku...
Teringat lagi, baru minggu lepas, tatkala aku bercerita mengenai 'timeline' kebangkitan Islam pada adikku, nenekku menyampuk, memberi pesan dan nasihat, serta petua yang diamalkannya...
Baru tadi aku menegur mamaku, "Ma... jem tart tu nenek buat untuk along... Mama yang habiskan eh?" Tersipu-sipu mamaku, aku tersenyum...

Hai nenekku, marilah ke Perth lagi! :D
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'Kau ni tamak la, Wani' detik hati kecilku. 'Kenapa pulak?' Marahku sendiri. 'Yela... itu nak, ini nak... yang mana satu yang kau nak?'
Bila terdengar Afaf membuat GP visit sepanjang cuti ini, aku pun hendak buat...
Bila tahu yang Zainab dan Brendan buat voluntary work dekat hospital, itu pun aku hendak buat...
Niat nak bukak kitab mengaji emakku, itu pun hendak kubuat...
Yang mana satu yang nak buat ni? Cuti tinggal kurang sebulan?
Semalam jumpa Dr. Dalilah, mintak nak duduk di Klinik Rantau Petronas, ala-ala GP Visitku di Perth... Dr. Dalilah kata boleh, boleh check out lab facilities yang ada di sana...
Tapi aku kena buatlah satu formal letter to the Manager of the Clinic...

Hmm... apa pulak yang nak kutulis dalam surat tu nanti? Dah la Bahasa Melayuku yang formal dah lapuk! Aduh!
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Tsunami-'[Etymology: Japanese, from tsu harbor + nami wave] A great sea wave produced by submarine earth movement or volcanic eruption: Tidal wave' (sumber: Merriam-Webber Online)

Adikku yang bongsu kata:
T- Tuhan
S- Sampaikan
U- Utusan
N- Neraka
A- Agar
M- Manusia
I- Insaf

Ayahku sampuk: "Ataupun, Tuhan Sampaikan Utusan Neraka Akibat Manusia Ingkar"

Mungkin ada benarnya... Wallahualam...
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Lupakan sauna!
Ada yang lebih baik daripada itu!: Mandi Ais! *brr! sejuk!*
Lagi bagus kalau ada Ozon machine... Lebih baik untuk kesihatan! InsyaAllah
Kuingatkan guna ais yang special... rupanya ais yang betul *brr!*
Letakkan garam, herbal dan pati bunga... Lepastu berendam la dalam bathtub tu... InsyaAllah menghilangkan segala toksik dalam badan... tapi kena buat lebih dari sekali laa
Wah... mem-promote nampaknye aku ni!
Jangan main-main... treatment mandi ais ni sekali buat RM 75!

MakAndak! Nak buat lagi sebelum balik Perth! Best la!
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"Ma, Syafiq dah balik!" Pukul 2 petang.... Eh, cepatnya budak ni balik...
"KK balik pukul berapa?" Tanyaku... "Entah... 2.30 kot"
Dah pukul 2.30 petang, kelam-kabut aku mencapai kunci kereta. Tugasku sebagai driver mengambil adikku di sekolah bermula kembali...
Sampai di SMK Rantau Petronas (he... sekolahku yg tersayang!) kujenguk-jenguk adikku. "Mana budak ni... balik jalan kaki ke sebab aku lambat?"
Alih-alih, hampir pukul 3 baru dia keluar... Habis sekolah pukul 2.40 rupanya!

Dah la lesen dan handphone pun lupa nak bawak!
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"Macam mana re-orientation?" Taipku, pabila ketemu teman satu sponsorku di MSN
"Best!" Taipnya
"Berapa orang budak baru yang akan datang Perth?" Tanyaku lagi bila teringat catatan Salwa di blognya dan perbualanku dengan 'kembar seirasku', Fazz di YM
"9 orang- 8 lelaki, 1 perempuan. 2 Geology, 1 Account, 1 EE, yang lain petrol/o&g"
Wah.... ramai jugak juniorku nanti di Perth! Siapa sangka ada jugak orang yang nak pergi Perth... Hehehe...
Teringat perbualanku dengan teman yang lain minggu lepas... "Hopefully ramai aa junior baru tahun ni"
"Siapa la nak datang Perth?" Soalku. "Elok jugak kalau tak ramai... Pening kepala nanti!" Sambungku.
"Tapi kalau tak ramai, kita jugak la yang kena buat kerja nanti! Kalau ade diorang, at least kita tak payah buat banyak-banyak, boleh arahkan je..."

Haah eh? Betul gak... Hehehe *evil giggle* Siap la wahai juniorku, akan kami 'buli' anda semua! :p *macam ye je!*

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Kadang-kadang geli hatiku membaca blog orang, ada yang berunsur lawak... Namun ada juga yang serius dan penuh dengan informasi...
Apa tujuan mem-blog-ing ni?
Diari kehidupan? Sebuah catatan tak formal sejarah hidup?
Atau suka-suka?
Wallahualam...

Tapi kebelakangan ini susah untukku melawat blog rakan-rakanku di sodeeq.com... Al-Huda! Hukamak! Apa cerita anda?

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Lagi pasal blog...
Aku mahu tukar layout! Yang ada background putih!
Aku mahu itu!
Teringat Maria kata, syarat membuat website ialah biar senang pelawat kita melihat layout webpage kita. Biar tak sakit mata, so tak sakit hati baca...
Jadi aku mahu layout dengan background putih!

Bila pulak hendak kucuri masa ini? Tertanya sendiri

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Wah! Cousinku kena ke Manchaster untuk interview untuk masuk universiti!
Mak io... dia ingat kita ni kaya sangat ke nak ke luar negara begitu sahaja?
Seorang lagi cousinku dah di Tokyo, bekerja di sana...
Tempoh hari masa raya, aku di rumah Mak Ngahku...
"Nak ikut Mak Ngah pergi Jepun? Mak Ngah nak hantar barang-barang Kakak. Kakak dah sibuk suruh Mak Ngah datang cepat"
"Ala Mak Ngah! Mana la ada duitnya!" *Aku masih student! Mana ada duit nak travel ke Jepun!* 'Tapi aku nak pergi...' Bisikku sendiri.
"Mak Ngah bagitau lambat la... Winter clothes wani semua dekat Perth!"
Alahai.... Melepas la aku lagi. Semalam berborak dengan Kakak melalui YM pun, Kakak kata datang la!
Pulusnya ngak ada, Kak!
"Ala... Masuk je 'Buku'!" Usiknya
Hai... masuk ' buku' lagi! Asyik masuk buku je! Penat gak!

Teringat perbualanku dengan Zainab. Kalau ada dua bahasa yang boleh aku pelajari, aku hendak belajar Bahasa Arab dan Bahasa Jepun *haha! Pengaruh anime!*

Green light and clear!

Setapak to Keramat - Clear
Setapak to Ampang Jaya - Clear
Keramat to Setapak - Clear
Setapak to Sg. Merab, Bangi - Clear

Karak to Kuantan (L/raya Pantai Timur) - Clear!

And I was supposed to take over from my mom from Kemaman to Kerteh, but when I fell asleep, it was so hard to open up my eyes... first time driving a long range distance for 90-110 km/h speed (velocity to be more exact) really drains your energy.

But it was a good experience. :)

Now that I'm done with my 'obligation', I have more time with my family... and my beloved blog! :p

Anyway, there's a post in my Friendster Bulletin Board: Kenapa lelaki suka perempuan yang lawa? (Why do men like beautiful women?)

For me the answer is one- Sebab memang dah fitrah mereka dijadikan utk menyukai wanita yang cantik.

Manusia ini memang dijadikan suka kepada kecantikan. Lihat sahaja 4 cara untuk lelaki memilih calon isterinya- rupa parasnya, hartanya, keturunannya, dan akhir sekali baru agamanya. Kenapa ditetapkan begitu? Kerana memang sudah menjadi fitrah lelaki (malahan wanita) bahawa mereka akan melihat rupa paras dahulu. Kalau syarat pertama terletak kepada agama, maka tak kahwin la lelaki2 yang ada dlm dunia ni :p

Islam itu memang indah... segala peraturannya menepati fitrah dan lumrah hidup manusia... Manusia sahaja yang berlagak pandai, mahu menunjuk-nunjuk bahawa kita lebih pandai mengatur hidup dan menggubal undang2 berbanding dengan apa yang telah Allah tetapkan...

Wallahualam...

Life- A Faithful Teacher

I always say I learn something new everyday.
And some significant lessons bring big impact in my journey.
Some ' bad' things that I thought happen to me probably are the best things in my life.
And He knows what's best for me, that one I admit, everytime something significant knocked on my ' door'.

This time, I just want to say,
Alhamdulillah and tawakkal-tu'alallah

Life is indeed a faithful teacher...