SIGNPOSTS ON THE SEEKER'S HIGHWAY

Education commences at the mother's knee, and every word spoken in the hearing of little children tends toward the formation of character - Let parents always bear this in mind.

- H. Ballou

If one wants to know whether one is climbing upwards toward success, there are certain signs and indications that can help him to determine his progress.

1. As one becomes more knowledgeable, one becomes more humble and merciful to others. Think of an expensive pearl: the more heavy and valuable it is, the deeper it is in the ocean. A wise person knows that though knowledge is a gift, Allah tests the one whom He gives it to. When one is thankful for the gift of knowledge, one will be raised in ranking.
2. The more one performs good deeds, the more one becomes cautious and fearful, in the sense that he does not feel secure from error, such as a slip of the tongue or a change of heart. He is always in a state of watching over himself and of being wary. He is like a careful bird: each time it lands on a tree, it soon leaves it for another, afraid of the skilled hunter and his bullet.

3. The older one gets, the less covetous should one be for this world, for he comes to know with certainty that his time is soon finished.

4. The wealthier one becomes, the more generous should one be towards others. The wealthy Muslim must understand that his wealth is a trust given to him, and that Allah is testing him in that wealth.

5. The higher one's status becomes in society, the closer should he be to ordinary people, showing humility and fulfilling their needs.

But there are also signs that indicate wretchedness:

1. The more knowledge one attains, the more haughty and arrogant he becomes. Such a person's knowledge is not beneficial. His heart is empty and his company is heavy to bear.

2. The more he increases in deeds, the more proud he becomes and the more contemptuous he becomes of others. He doesn't give the benefit of the doubt to anyone except to his own self. Thus, he deems that he is the only one who achieves salvation while all others are bound for destruction.

3. The older he gets, the more avarice and cupidity become part of his character. He gathers, but he never shares. Calamities and misfortune fail to move him into becoming a benefactor to others.

4. The wealthier he becomes, the more miserly he becomes with his money.

5. The higher his position in society, the higher his level of arrogance and haughtiness.

"ALLAH TEST HIS SLAVES: SOME OF THOSE SLAVES WILL PASS THE TEST WHILE OTHERS WILL FAIL IT"

BEES

THE WORLD OF BEES IS FULL OF WONDER THAT REMIND US OF GOD'S CARE. THE TINY BEE LEAVES ITS HIVE IN ORDER TO SEEK OUT SUSTENANCE. IT LANDS ON A GOOD AND PURE SURFACE AND SUCKS OUT NECTAR. IT THEN RETURNS WITH A LIQUID THAT PROVIDES REMEDY FOR PEOPLE, ALWAYS RETURNING TO ITS OWN HIVE WITHOUT LOSING ITS WAY.

PAUSE TO REFLECT - REPENT

When the believer is overcome by misfortune, only by repenting can he truly find a way out of his difficulties. Rather than looking outward, at extrinsic influences, the believer should search inward and see that he is blameworthy and deserves what has befallen him. Only when he reaches this level of consciousness can he begin the process of correcting, or in some cases redressing his errors, and repenting to Allah for past mistakes. And when he takes care of these inner affairs of his, Allah will take care of his outer ones. These words might sound simple, but they are very few who apply them in practice.

LIFE'S PURPOSE

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold

Prioritising money over God is wrong. There is a greater purpose in our work beyond just making money, whether for ourselves or our corporations.

Those of us who are leaders of an organization should work to create a mission in which our organization's purpose is more than just making money. We can trust that serving a higher purpose will lead to a business success.

We can't minimise the struggle we may have in finding meaning and purpose in our work. Here are three suggestions to help us.

1. Find a home.

It's important to find the environment that unleashes your talent and recognise your contributions. The environment that is right for one person may not be right for another.

We are also being called to bloom - not only for our benefit, but for the benefit of others. This may mean leaving the safety of a present job and travelling into unchartered waters. It may mean staying where we are and blooming where we are already planted. Either way, it is important to connect with the environment that brings out the best in each of us.

2. Align work with passion.

Every job has its share of mundane tasks. Those tasks don't have to put out the flame that burns inside of us. It is our own responsibility to fan into flame the gift of God has placed inside us. We can't settle for the comfort zone and security of a job that we are not passionate about. We must take a leap of faith to pursue our passion.

3. Trust that God has called you to work for a purpose.

We all struggle to find the right balance between earning a living and serving a purpose. This tension is both normal and necessary because it helps shape our journey. However, don't let the obstacle stop your journey. When you find yourself caught between two masters, choose God because He wants you to succeed. "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

IMAN

Iman: Faith or belief. Suggests security for believers against untruth and misguidance in this world and punishment in the afterlife. Assumes belief in the oneness of God, angels, prophets, revealed books, and the hereafter. Faith is a matter of free choice in Islam but is also considered a gift from God; no one is to be compelled to believe. The Quran establishes the close connection between faith and action, so that true faith manifests itself in right conduct. Believers are commanded to obey God, Muhammad, and authorities; fulfill their commitments; be truthful; perform ritual prayer, spend their wealth and struggle steadfastly to do the will of God, shun drinking, gambling, and exploitative business practices; and avoid treating people condescendingly.

KIAMAT

1. "Tidak ada sesuatu pun yang dapat melembutkan hati serta meringankan beban dan persoalan jiwa kecuali seseorang itu menjadikan akhirat sebagai jaminan untuk dunianya, kematian sebagai jaminan untuk akhiratnya dan amalnya sebagai bekalan untuk keimanannya."

2. "Manusia tidak boleh hidup dengan baik jika menjauhi ilmu tentang kiamat. Akhirat ialah tempat perhentian akhir bagi kehidupannya. Namun, kehidupan itu adalah kehidupan hakiki yang abadi selama-selamanya."

3. "Dunia ini adalah ujian dalam perjalanan menuju akhirat atau bekalan menuju akhirat. Allah telah menjadikan dunia sebagai tempat ujian dan dugaan bukan tempat untuk berbahagia, bersenang-senang dan bergembira."

SEBUTAN DAJJAL, YA'JUJ DAN MA'JUJ

Di dalam kisah Israk daripada bicara Abdullah bin Mas'ud, katanya: Apabila Nabi diisrakkan, baginda telah menemui Ibrahim, Musa dan Isa salam dan selawat Allah ke atas mereka sekalian, maka mereka pun duduk bertukar-tukar fikiran tentang Saat (kiamat). Mereka memulakan dengan Ibrahim maka beliau tiada mempunyai sesuatu pengetahuan mengenainya. Kemudian mereka menanyakan pula Musa, dan beliau juga tiada mempunyai sebarang pengetahuan mengenainya. Sesudah itu, maka berkata Isa: Allah akan menyerahkan kepadaku suatu tugas untuk aku laksanakan! Lalu beliau menyebut tentang keluarnya Dajjal, maka katanya: Aku akan diturunkan (dari langit) semula ke bumi, lalu aku akan membunuhnya. Ketika itu barulah masing-masing manusia akan kembali ke negeri masing-masing. Sesudah itu keluar pula Ya'juj dan Ma'juj, dan mereka adalah suatu kaum yang mengalir seperti air dari tempat-tempat yang tinggi. Mereka tiada menemui air, melainkan mereka hirup kesemuanya, mereka tiada menemui sesuatu, melainkan habis disapu-bersih olehnya. Maka orang ramai datang kepadaku meminta pertolongan, lalu aku akan berdoa kepada Allah Ta'ala untuk menghapuskan kaum itu, maka habislah mereka mati di merata bumi, sehingga bumi pula merasa bosan dengan bau mereka, lalu orang ramai datang sekali lagi memohon pertolonganku, maka aku akan berdoa kepada Allah, sehingga Dia menurunkan hujan yang lebat menyapu segala bangkai-bangkai kaum itu serta melimparkannya ke dalam laut. Kemudian semua gunung-ganang diranapkan menjadi rata, dan pada ketika itu bumi pun dapat dilihat terentang sepanjang mata memandang, apabila semua itu ditakdirkan Tuhan berlaku pada masa ini, maka ketibaan Saat (kiamat) kepada manusia adalah laksana wanita yang sedang hamil sarat, tinggal menunggu masa saja, kaum keluarganya tidak tahu apakah dia akan menyerempakkan mereka dengan kelahiran anaknya itu pada malam hari atau siangnya.

MASUK KE SYURGA - UNTUK MUSLIMAH

BERHIJAB - Yang mesti engkau perhatikan bahawa leher, dada, atau lengan tidak boleh nampak ketika solat, kerana semua itu termasuk aurat yang wajib ditutupi oleh wanita, baik tatkala solat mahupun di luar solat.

Dalam wasiat yang agung Nabi sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam memberi batasan beberapa sebab bagi wanita yang dapat menghantarkannya ke syurga.

1.. Solat fardu yang lima

Ketahuilah wahai muslimahku, sesungguhnya Allah telah mewajibkan kepadamu agar engkau bersuci, menghadap kiblat lalu solat lima kali sehari semalam. Solat merupa tiang agama. Siapa yang menegakkannya, bererti dia menegakkan agama dan siapa yang meninggalkannya, bererti dia telah merobohkan agama. Allah telah memperingatkan agar tidak menyia-nyiakan solat.

Allah juga memperingatkan agar engkau tidak menyibukkan diri dalam pencarian harta atau disibukkan oleh anak sehingga engkau meninggalkan solat.

2. Puasa Ramadhan

Yang dapat memasukkan wanita ke syurga, iaitu puasa Ramadhan. Ketahuilah wahai muslimahku, bahawa Allah telah mewajibkan kamu agar melaksanakan puasa Ramadhan sebulan penuh secara sempurna. Puasa ini merupakan salah satu sendi Islam yang lima.

3. Menjaga Kemaluan (Kehormatan)

Yang memasukkanmu ke syurga ialah memelihara kehormatan diri, memiliki rasa malu dan memperhatikan hijab.

4. Taat kepada suami dalam hal-hal selain kederhakaan kepada Allah

Taat kepada suami termasuk akhlak yang baik, yang menjadi sendi atau dasar kehidupanmu dan inti kebahagiaan dunia serta akhiratmu.

Huraian diatas, nescaya engkau akan mendapatkan redha Allah. Jika Allah redha kepadamu, bererti DIA mencintaimu. Dan jika DIA mencintaimu, tentu DIA akan memasukkanmu ke dalam syurga-Nya dan menjauhkanmu dari neraka.

QUOTE UNQUOTE

" A life that is far removed from GOD is a sad life indeed. No matter how much money we accumulate, or how grand our house is, if GOD is not the centre of our lives then happiness will elude us forever. True happiness can only be found when we at least attempt to fulfill our purpose in life. Human beings exist to worship GOD. GOD wants us to be happy in this life and in the hereafter and HE has given us the key to real happiness. It is not a secret or a mystery. It is not an enigma or a puzzle. It is ISLAM."

Posted by Aisha Stacy @ Islamreligion.com on 12 April.

You can view more @ Islamreligion.com which is linked to BANYUEMAS

RELIEF AFTER HARDSHIP

Hardship, no matter how great and far-reaching it becomes, never endures or lasts. Rather, the harsher and more difficult one's circumstances become, the closer one comes to ease, comfort, and relief. Then help and aid are forthcoming from Allah. Is not the end of every dark night a bright morning?

BLUE SWIFT

PAUSE TO REFLECT

There are two points we should bear in mind when we think about the issues of hardship and relief:

First, when one can no longer bear a hardship, he will lose all hope in human beings, and as a result, his heart will depend upon Allah Alone.

Second, whenever the true believer feels that relief is slow in coming, and whenever he feels that his prayers are not answered; he will blame no one save his own self. He will say to his self, "I am in this situation only because of you. Had you been worth anything your prayers would have been answered." Such self-reproach is more beloved to Allah than many good deeds. When a slave of Allah goes through this process of introspection and self-reproach, he breaks down before his Lord and admits his shortcomings and confesses that he deserves the calamity that befell him and that he doesn't deserve to have his prayers answered. At this point, the answer for his prayers comes quickly and the black cloud above him dissipates.

IMPORTANT ANNOUCEMENT

DEAR ALL,

IF ANY OF YOU RECEIVED EMAIL MESSAGES ON 30 MARCH FROM MY PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS, PLEASE IGNORE! - WHICH IS NOT MY DOING!

IN THE MEANTIME, MY BLOG IS A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION TO ALL.

HAPPY VIEWING ....

WITH LOVE,

AISHAH

STAY YOUNG MY FRIEND

We all need to read this one over and over until it becomes part of who we are!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Keep only cheerful friends.

The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

2. Keep learning:

Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever..

Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop."

And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

3. Enjoy the simple things.

4. Laugh often, long and loud.

Laugh until you gasp for breath.

And if you have a friend who makes you laugh,

Spend lots and lots of time wth HIM/HER.

5. The tears happen:

Endure, grieve, and move on.

The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.

LIVE while you are alive.

6. Surround yourself with what you love:

Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.

Your home is your refuge.

7. Cherish your health:

If it is good, preserve it.

If it is unstable, improve it.

If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

8. Don't take guilt trips.

Take a shopping trip, even a trip to the next county.

To a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

9. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

I love you, my special friend.

10. Forgive now those who made you cry.

You might not get a second chance.

And if you don't send this to at least 4 people - who cares?

But do share this with someone.

Remember! Lost time can never be found.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.