1st Syawal has always been a reunion for family members. And yesterday marks another wonderful eid celebration after a month long of fasting. My dad and I went to the mosque for the Eidul Fitr prayers in the morning then after which, my family did the west to the east routine of visiting of my paternal grandma at her place. From there, we went back to the west to visit my maternal grandparents. Haiz...What a long and tiring journey..But "bo pian", must go. 3rd stop was my house. Aunts, uncles and cuzzies dropped by before going to one of my aunt's house, who happened to stay in the same block as me ! :) This Sunday will be a yearly whole family outing. We'll be renting out a minibus and we'll be doing visitings around Singapore ! Well, i'm too tired to continue. I'll let the photos do the talking...

Beloved Ayah and Ibu Hanis and me Family portrait The adorable "tin tin". (Iyaz) Atok and step-nenek

The cuzzies

Happy Greetings of Eid al Fitr everyone ! :)

May God bless all who have fasted during this month and may He accept all our Ibada (worship). We beseech God for His guidance in all our thoughts and actions. May He help all of us share in the joy of our friends and family. May He help us remember and feel the suffering of those who are disadvantaged and oppressed so that we may work to establish peace and justice for all.

"Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith."

----------------

The celebration of Eid ul-Fitr culminates a month of fasting wherein the faithful have spent their time praying and beseeching God for forgiveness and mercy. For many, Ramadan was not just an abstention from food and drink. Rather, it was an exercise in patience and discipline. Eid is the celebration for those who fasted and obeyed God's rules and teachings. It is for those who spent the month of Ramadan in complete devotion to Allah. Eid is a time when the entire Muslim community comes together to share in each others joy and blessings and also to lessen the burden of those who may be suffering.

It is preceded by people shopping and looking around for gifts for their near and dear ones. It is a time when the bright lights from homes and shops illuminates our life. We use see this day and the following days to spread happiness and social harmony by visiting our friends and relatives.

Gifts are exchanged during Eid by young and old alike. We also visit the elderly and the sick. Eid is a time where all kinds or festivities prevail. Many of us gormandize to make up for "lost food" during the month of Ramadan.

However, with all the going around we some time forget our lesser privileged brethren. We forget that there are many out there who have nothing to celebrate. There are those among our brothers and sisters for whom Eid day is just another ordinary day. There are those who open their cupboards on Eid day and find them bare. There are those who in hospitals who will go through a bleak and lonely day with no one visiting them. Friendless, deprived of company, they will have no one to offer solace or comfort. Let us therefore see to it that our deprived brethren welcome the day of Eid with warmth and hope.

As we buy gifts and clothes for our children, let us earmark a special sum for those who cannot afford to buy. Also we should instill in our children a sense of compassion so that when they buy something they will also think of their unfortunate brethren. Let us teach them the art of giving.

We should let them know that there are millions of children in; war torn areas of Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Kashmir and Chechnya, the poor and downtrodden areas of Africa, Asia and South America, and even in the forgotten ghettos of Europe and North America who do not have the basic necessities to make this day a different day. We cannot divest ourselves from the misery of others. We cannot shrug it off saying that it does not concern us. To do this would be an injustice to humanity. The Quran (5:8) tells us ... Be just: that is next to piety.

Many of us donate money to charity and fulfill our religious duty. However, if we actually meet the recipients of our charity the perception of charity changes. There is a feeling of belonging when the recipient and giver meet.

Islamic ideology teaches us to be kind and compassionate. Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that "I and the provider of the orphan will be together." And what greater prize is there for anyone of us than to be around our beloved prophet. All we need for that is compassion, sincerity and a feeling of brotherhood and understanding. And that will decide the quality of our life on earth and the hereafter.

I'm back again! First 4 weeks of IAP have been very enriching although i'm quite busy with work that's assigned to me. Anyway, I enjoyed the NYPMSN informal iftar last Thursday. I value the ukhuwah that has been formed and strengthened. Hope to see more new members engaging in our club's activities in the near future, and for the coming months and years ahead. May Allah bless us in whatever we do.

I just got back from the mosque. Stayed a while to listen to the syarahan by Ustaz Burhanudin. Topic that was shared is "10 jari memohon maaf", a syarahan about muhasabah that includes spiritual sentiments. Packed with fruitful information, that makes me wanna share with you guys over here, InsyaAllah when I have time.

Here's a du'a and poem on Ramadhan by the Ustaz :

Ya Allah, Engkau jadikan bulan Ramadhan yang Kau istimewakan ia, dari semua bulan
Kau pilih ia dari semua masa dan zaman
Kau lebihkan ia dari semua waktu-waktu dalam setahun
Dengan Ramadhan, Kau pilih kami
Kami berpuasa pada waktu siangnya, atas perintahMu
Dan kami dirikan solat malamnya, atas pertolonganMu
Untuk memperoleh pahala dan ampunan dariMu

Selama sebulan, Ramadhan berada di tengah-tengah kami
Namu kini Ramadhan akan meninggalkan kami
Pada akhir waktunya, pada hujung jangkanya, pada kesempurnaan bilangannya

Ya Ramadhan, betapa banyak orang yang terbebas di dalammu
Betapa bahagianya, orang yang menjaga kesucianmu
Engkaulah bulan, yang sejahtera segalanya, betapa kami akan selalu merinduimu

Ya Allah, kami pecinta Ramadhan
Dengannya telah kau muliakan kami
Dari lubuk hati kami, penyesalan paling dalam
Dari lidah kami, permohonan ma'af yang paling tulus
Anugerahilah kami pahala, dengan segala kekurangan kami
Memenuhi hakMu di bulan ini

Ya Allah, apa sahaja dosa besar dan dosa kecil
Yang kami lakukan di bulan ini, atau kesilapan yang kami langgar dengan sengaja
Atau kerana terlupa, atau kezaliman pada diri kami dan kezaliman kami terhadap orang lain
Tutuplah kami dengan ma'afMu
Terimalah kami dengan ampunanMu
Ya Allah, dengan berlepasnya bulan Ramadhan ini, lepaskan pula kami dari noda-noda kesalahan

Pastikan kami mendapat redhaMu
Pastikan kami memperoleh ampunan dan kasih sayangMu
Ya Arhamarrahimin

Indahnya hari-hari terjalin dalam naunganmu ya Ramadhan
Pada lapar dan dahaga kami temukan kesabaran
Bahagia menjelma bila saat berbuka tiba
Dan di sisiNya, pahala telah ditetapkan
Kesyahduan akrab bersemayam di hati

Sebening telaga Al-Kautsar, diperciki seberkas cahayaNya
Mutiara dan Marjan berbinar-binar
Segala puja dan du'a datang dan bergerak ke angkasa
Seputih merpati terbang beriringan
Menggapai singgahsanaNya, megah tak terbayangkan

Moga Ia menerima segala amal
Mencurahkan air kesejukan pada hati yang gementar, mengharap saat perjumpaan

Ku teguk manisnya setiap hening malam mu ya Ramadhan
Yang kami lebur dalam ruku' dan sujud kami, penuh kekhusyu'an
Mengalir pada setiap ayat Al-Quran yang dibaca di atas sejadah selebar hijau dedaunan, seluas birunya lautan

Tinggalkan semerbak wangi kasturimu di masjid-masjid dan di rumah-rumah kami wahai bulan Ramadhan
Biar hati kami yang singgah tetambat di dalamnya
Merekah iman dan amal yang berterusan Kan kami untai hari-hari yang lewat, seolah kau tak beranjak, di sini berdekatan dan kisahkanlah indahnya Taman Firdaus, jelitanya para bidadari yang di atas dipan duduk bertelekan

Sampaikan salam rindu kami ya Ramadhan

Pada mereka, permata Jakut yang menanti

Menanti di pintu gerbang AR-Rayyan...

Allah says, "We sent it (this Qur'an) down on a blessed night. Verily, We are ever. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments

Reflections on the word Lailat al-Qadar

This word is a compound word made up of the following:

1. Night [Layl]: indicates the time from sunset till dawn

2. Power [Al-Qadar]: This word carries a number of different meanings such as honor, serenity, judgment, and power. The scholars differed over the meaning of this word when used in relation to that special night that takes place during the month of Ramadan. Here are the most common interpretations: Some scholars held that it was a word related to magnificence and honor

This meaning is obvious because it is the night that the Qur'an was sent, Prophet-hood was announced and the angels descend. Other scholars held that the one who revived this night with worship would become honorable because Allah [the Exalted] would raise his/her ranks.

Practical lessons:

1. As Muslims we should feel honored because Lailat al-Qadar was the night that the Qur'an was sent and the Prophet was chosen by Allah. However, this was also the night that witnessed the birth of a new religious nation, the nation of the Prophet and we are blessed to belong to that nation. Do you feel humble? Do you feel blessed to be a part of that nation? Do you feel and share the greatness of this night? Do your actions reflect that humility?

2. If one wants to be honored then let him do so by worshiping Allah

Another meaning the scholars put forth was something restricted or difficult to attain. That is because the night of its occurrence is restricted from the knowledge of men and the only way to find it is to put forth effort and seek it. It is also said that the earth becomes full with the presence of an infinite number of malaikah.

Practical lessons:

3. When something is hidden it is a sign of its value. One someone who truly understands this will work to find the hidden treasure in this night.

Finally, Some scholars contented that the meaning was related to judgments and decisions This is because it is this night that the angels distribute what is destined for Allah's servants with regards to those servants provisions and lifespan for the next year. Some scholars contended that the night which ones provisions and life were to be giving is during the middle of Sh'aban. However, the majority of scholars hold that it is this night, the Night of Power. Allah says,

"We sent it (this Qur'an) down on a blessed night. Verily, We are ever. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments."

Practical Lessons:

4. One should reflect on how lucky he/she was to live another year to worship and serve the Creator. Reflect on one's success and praise Allah. Think of one's shortcomings and seek His forgiveness. Come out of Ramadan with new goals and aspirations. We Ask Allah to guide us and bless us to see this special night.

_________________

Me n Lil Sis.

Editted the photos in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2! I'm new to it and I find it quite cool. A software that specialises totally in photo enhancement.

This song is a du'a actually. I was touched by the lyrics and I thought I'd like to try do my own version, although I know Afghan(orginal singer) executed the song way better than me. Anyway, i'm just experimenting, just for fun.lol.

andai kutahu
kapan tiba ajalku
ku akan memohon
Tuhan tolong panjangkan umurku

andai ku tahu
kapantiba masaku
ku akan memohon
tuhan jangan kau ambil nyawaku

aku takut
akan semua dosa dosaku
aku takut
dosa yang terus membayangiku

andai kutahu
malaikatMu kan menjemputku
izinkan aku
mengucapkan kata taubat padaMu

aku takut
akan semua dosa dosaku
aku takut
dosa yang terus membayangiku

ampuni aku
dari segala dosa dosaku
ampuni aku
menangisku bertobat padamu

aku manusia
yang takut neraka
namun aku juga
tak pantas di surga

Ramadan is the month of fasting for Muslims the world over. Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk for the duration of Ramadan. For some, fasting may appear as a form of deprivation and of bodily exertion. On one level, abstaining from sensual needs and pleasures is indeed a physical experience. But those who stop at the physical aspects of fasting miss the essence of Ramadan and its purpose.

Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. These are the foundation upon which the entire structure of Islam is built. These consist of the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting Ramadan, paying of Zakah [the annual charity payment], and performing the pilgrimage to Makkah, known as hajj. Three of the five pilars of Islam are rituals, that is, prescribed religious acts whose rationale is not immediately available for understanding. These are prayer, fasting, and hajj. Muslims are required to do them because they are part of their religious duties, that is, they are part of their covenant with God.

As a ritual, fasting is a symbolic act whose meaning becomes gradually apparent through experience. The meaning embodied in a ritual is always unveiled when one immerses himself or herself in the act itself. This does not mean that fasting is not open to intellectual delineation, but rather any intellectual delineation either presupposes or predicts a meaning that can best become apparent through performing the symbolic act itself.

Spiritual Development

The essence of fasting Ramadan and its goal is summed in the Qur'an in one word: taqwa. "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may attain taqwa." (Qur'an 2:183)

But what is taqwa? And how does it relate to the physical act of fasting?

Taqwa is a recurring theme in the Qur'an and a paramount Qur'anic value. Taqwa is both an attitude and a process. It is the proper attitude of the human toward the divine that denotes love, devotion, and fear. Love to the source of good and beauty that make life worth living; devotion to God's boundless wisdom and majesty; and fear of misunderstanding the divine intent or failing in maintaining the appropriate posture and relationship.

The attitude of taqwa cannot and does not stay in the confines of the human spirit, but is ultimately revealed in expression and action. The attitude of taqwa is ultimately revealed in, and in turn reveals, the true character it nurtures: the commitment to the sublime values stressed by divine revelations of courage, generosity, compassion, honesty, steadfastness, and cooperation in pursuing what is right and true.

Taqwa is equally the process by which the believers internalize the sublime values of revelation and develop their character. Thus the Qur'an reminds the believers that they should not reduce religious practices to a set of blind rituals, of religiously ordained procedures performed at the level of physical movement, and that they should always be mindful that religious practices, like praying and fasting, ultimately aim at bringing about moral and spiritual uplifting: "It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West: But it is righteousness to believe in God and the Last day, and the Angels, the Book, and the Messengers; to give out of the things you hold dear to your kin, the orphans, the needy, the wayfarer, the one who asks, and to free the slave. And to be steadfast in prayer and to give for charity. To fulfill the covenants you have made, and to be firm and patient in times of pain, adversity, and panic. Such are the people of truth, and such are the God-conscious." (Qur'an 2:177)

As Ramadan helps us to develop our moral discipline, it also reminds us of the plight of those who live in constant hunger and deprivation. We are reminded time and again by the revealed book that religiosity is meaningless and pointless if it does not lead people to care and share: "Have you seen one who belies judgment; it is the one who repulses the orphan, and does not insist on feeding the needy. So woe to those who pray but are neglectful of their prayers. Those who are guilty of duplicity and refuse to provide for the ones in need." (Qur'an 107:1-7)

Commitment

Fasting Ramadan, like other religious practices in Islam, is an occasion for pursuing moral excellence that can also be translated into excellence in social organization and interaction. In a tradition that was reported in the books of Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet was once asked: "O messenger of God! who is the most honored of people? He said: the one who has most taqwa. They said: this is not what we are asking about.... He said: ... the best of them prior to Islam is the best of them in Islam if they comprehend (the revealed message)."

It is not difficult to see that the Prophet's companions did not have immediate access to the meaning of taqwa, as many Muslims today still don't. When they did not accept his first statement as an answer, the Prophet gave them an explanation of what he meant when he responded to their question about "the most honored of people." In responding with the question, the Prophet was reiterated the meaning provided by the Qur'an: "Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous (mutaqi)." (Qu'an 49:13) The Prophet's statement underscores the fact that taqwa as a moral and spiritual quality is significant in the human world insofar as it leads people to act with compassion and respect toward others.

Empowerment

Nothing does empower a community more than the development of the moral character of its members. By embodying the moral values of revelation, people can have a higher social life, one that is based on mutual respect and help, as it is based on honest and fair dealings, and a sense of duty that encourages people to observe the principles of right and justice as they pursue their varying and competing interests. The theme that moral life based on the notion of taqwa leads to societal strength and prosperity is an oft repeated theme in the Qur'an: "Whoever has taqwa of God, He prepares a way out for them, and He provides them from sources they never could imagine." (Qur'an 65:2-3) And again: "Verily the earth is God's to give as a heritage to such of His servants as He pleases; and the end is best for the God-conscious." (7:128)

Fasting is not simply a time during which people deprive themselves from physical pleasures, but is an occasion to exercise moral restrain and experience spiritual growth. Ramadan is a time of remembrance of God and renewal of commitment to the high and noble values he revealed to mankind. And nothing would give us the sense of spiritual fulfillment than a state of taqwq, of God-consciousness, that Ramadan helps us to realize.

Untuk Renungan Bersama

Ramadan datang, ramadan pergi.

Masa berlalu tanpa kita sedari,kini telahpun kita memasuki hari yang ke 17 Ramadan. 17 hari daripada bulan yang penuh berkah ini telah pun meninggalkan kita.Bagaimanakah amal 'ibadah kita sejauh ini? Adakah kita telah memanfaatkan peluang-peluang yang tersaji? Ataupun adakah kita hanya menunggu hari raya di akhir bulan nanti? Beringatlah, sesungguhnya Ramadan hanya tinggal 13 hari lagi. Marilah kita rebut segala peluang-peluang ini dengan mempertingkatkan amalan kita. Semestinya kita tidak akan tahu samaada Ramadan akan kita lewati lagi. Kerna esok bagi kita mungkin tiada lagi...

Hari raya hari kemenangan, Hari kesyukuran dilimpahi kemuliaan, Di lipatan seni mehnah Ilahi, Ada maksud murni yang lebih hakiki...

Pada nafsu yang dilentur lapar dahaga, Pada fikiran disinar wahyu dan sabda, Pada hati bersih di solat tarawih, Apakah semuanya telah dimiliki...

Puasa mengajar erti ketabahan, Menghadap ujian berlandaskan iman, Puasa perisai yang sangat maknawi, Penyingkap hijab antara hamba dengan Illahi...

Puasa sempurna menahan rohani dan rasa, Puasa sederhana menahan indera dan juga anggota, Puasa biasa hanya melawan lapar dan dahaga, Lalu di manakah puasa kita, Adakah masih di tahap lama...

Lalu muhasabah di hujung Ramadhan, Sudahkah terbangun jiwa teguh dan kukuh, Atau kolam jiwa masih tercemar keruh, Bersembilu dosa duri angkara...

Ketika bertahmid, bertakbir, bertasbih, Terasakah kita hamba Illahi, Yang hanya mampu mengukir tadbir, Sedangkan padaNya segala takdir...

Last week was a very,very busy week for me. I'm on attachment and I hardly get anytime to rest...Well, I think I got to get use to the working world. lol. Done with my Psychology exams yesterday and i'm left with one more this week, which is Sejarah Perundangan Islam. And after which will be the DPIA school holidays! It's gonna be 2 weeks this time :)

I enjoyed yesterday's NYPMSN iftar. I came with Bro Asyraf at about 5.45pm after the exams. Btw, it was my first time becoming a bilal at the mosque. I was so nervous that I was shivering...I felt that there are many aspects that I need to work out. But insyaallah, from the support of friends and families, I'd be able to overcome the challenges. Amin ya rabbal 'alamin.

Just a short announcement: Al-Khair Mosque will be organizing Tilawah-thon/better known as Majlis Khatam Quran on the 28th of September 2008, Sunday after Asar. Anyone interested can drop me an e-mail at azmi_mestica@hotmail.com , so that I can pass you the form. This event will be held at the mosque's main prayer hall. Muslimin muslimat dipersilakan hadir.

My new logo design

Did the 'welcomeRamadan' desktop wallpaper

Below are some of the sketches that I did in my mini sketch pad. Some are inspired by games that I played, the last one is a piece for my assignment 1,whereas the rest are just sketches to pass time...

---

Mom, lil sis and I went to geylang just now to buy lil sis's baju raya and my songkok. We decided to go today as for the coming weeks i'll be quite busy with IAP and stuffs. Another reason is also to prepare early so that it will not interfere dalam kesibukan mengejar pahala during the blessed month of Ramadan.

I2R(company that I'm posted to... for IAP), here I come !

"When a thing does not work, you have to fight to make it work."

Well,to be frank, I don't even recognise any of them when I was kid.Not until my dad started talking to me about the history of local football. When I was in primary school, my dad used to talk to me about how dazling and great the Lions were in the 1970s up to the early 1990s.

It's definitely hard to belive by just listening to stories that's been told without any video recordings for references. But judging from what i've been hearing from the people who have witnessed the moments of the glorious era, it have somehow sunk into me that hearing is almost believing.

That made me want to watch the movie that reveals the history and the glimpse of what had actually happenned during that era, although I know that the movie might not be 100% accurate.

I made my way to the cinema just now. I initially wanted to watch it with my dad, but unfortunately, my dad has to do "o-t"(over-time).

I enjoyed the movie quite a lot ! It's not just about the storyline that made me enjoy the movie, credits also needs to be given to the whole production team for making the movie, believable !

But from my opinion, this movie will only make sense to the local soccer die hard fans. However, I also encourage those who wants to get to know the local football scene, to also watch.

But an advise from me is to bring a person who knows at least a bit about local football when watching, or at least do a little research on it, or you'll get "lost" and have a hard time understanding the movie.

• It is clear from the hadith that the Prophet s.a.w. had encouraged us to fast, partly in our preparation for Ramadan.
  
• It is highly encouraged that we perform all good acts, such as performing the night prayers (qiyamullail), giving charity (sadaqah), reciting the Holy Quran and performing various other good deeds.
  
• Whatever we choose to do, let us do them continuously (with istiqamah), and to do them whilst being aware and conscious of the values behind these acts.

But if one is not used to that pattern, and he wants to fast after Nisfu Syaaban, then it is not advisable for him to do so. In hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad, Rasulullah s.a.w said: Which means: When Nisfu Syaaban comes, stop fasting until Ramadan.

Since Nisfu Syaaban is a sign to us that Ramadan will be coming shortly, it is well advised that we take that seriously. We should begin our preparations for Ramadan. If we can go to such great extent to prepare beautifying our houses and ourselves for Hari Raya, why can’t we do the same for Ramadan? In fact, Ramadan is more important than Hari Raya. Hari Raya will be celebrated in just one day. Ramadan is celebrated for the whole month and to elevate our spiritual self. So in all sense, Ramadan is much more important than Hari Raya. Thus, it is important that we make a greater preparation for Ramadan.

The blessedness of Nisfu Syaaban lies in its night. There are many hadith that conveyed the blessedness of Nisfu Syaaban. Even though a great number of those hadith about the blessedness of Nisfu Syaaban are either weak or dubious, there are many scholars, Ulama, who are of the opinion that, taken as a whole, it indicates that there is some truth on the blessedness of Nisfu Syaaban. Syeikh Mubarakfuri, a famous hadith scholar of high repute from India, wrote in his book Syarah Sunan Tirmizi, that he supports the blessedness of Nisfu Syaaban. He said that the existence of many hadith, even though weak, seems to convey that there is some truth in those hadith, and that Man does not fabricate them.

But in our earnest to pursue the blessings of Nisfu Syaaban, or any other nights or days for that matter, there are two important things we should remember.

First, we must not dedicate specialized acts of worships for a particular time period, except specified by Al-Quran or authentic hadiths. Thus for the night of Nisfu Syaaban, we should reject all accounts of special prayers or recitations for that night. There is no special solat for Nisfu Syaaban. Instead, we should increase our general acts of worship, such as performing sunat prayers, tahajud prayers, reciting Al-Quran, remembering Allah through zikir, and to seek his forgiveness.

The second thing that we should remember is that: when we perform any acts or worship, we should not do them purely for the sake of receiving its promised rewards. For example, it has been promised by our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w that whosoever fast six days after Ramadan, will be rewarded as if he has fasted for the whole year. While this promise can be regarded as an encouragement and motivation for us to perform such act of worship, it should not be the only reason for us to perform that worship. Instead, we should be sincere when worshiping Allah. Not for this reward or that reward. For sincerity is its best reward.

When someone is sincere in worshiping Allah, he will receive unlimited rewards. Rewards that only Allah knows. Allah says in surah Al-Baiyyinah, verse 5: Which means: And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer; and to practise regular charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight.

Let us not just regard Nisfu Syaaban as a sign that Ramadan is near. We should also regard Nisfu Syaaban as a sign that we should look into ourselves, to do some self-accounting on our past deeds. How little our devotions to Allah are and how much our sins are. How unprepared we are for the blessings of Allah in Ramadan. If that is our condition, we should seriously consider doing some house cleaning. Not for our physical houses, but for our hearts, and our spiritual self. Grab the opportunity presented to us in the night of Nisfu Syaaban to repent on all our mistakes, and to seek forgiveness from Allah. And for two weeks after that, let us watch carefully our character, our manners, so that when Ramadan comes, we will be spiritually ready for it.

Besides doing self-accounting on ourselves, let us also do self-accounting on our community, and the Ummah in general. Ramadan comes. Ramadan goes. Has there been any improvement in our community? Are there members of our community who still disregard, or worse, do not respect Ramadan?If there are, then we should do something. We should use self-accounting as a tool to take stock of our community and ourselves. Let us be aware of the mistakes and deficiencies, and then take steps to correct and overcome them. This is a characteristic of an excellent society, to constantly do self-correction and tackle problems head on.

We Muslims are special. If other communities do self-improvement for their life in this world, we should do more. We are commanded to improve both our worldly life and our life in the Hereafter. We should be a model and inspiration to all. May the coming days witness a positive change in our community, and ourselves amen.

-Extracted from the Friday Sermon of 15 August 2008 and July 2005.
(muis.gov.sg)

Definitely, if you're a genuine local soccer fan, you wouldn't want to miss watching this movie which will soon be coming to the cinemas near you ! Here's the trailer:

Di dalam cahaya-Mu Tuhan ku harap pertunjuk-Mu
Di dalam sinaran purnama ku mohon keampunan
Moga terlerailah segala dosa-dosaku
Mogaku jadi hamba yang bersyukur

Tuhan yang Esa udara yang ku hirup
Terasa nikmat-Mu yang menggunung
Tidak tehitung harga nilaiannya
Oh Tuhan, Kau Pengasih, Maha Penyayang

Oh Tuhan di depan ujian
Terasa diri ini memerlukan-Mu
Ku harap Kau lindungi hamba yang lemah ini
Kau Tuhan Maha Kuasa Maha Pengampun

Ku harapkan pintu taubat-Mu terbuka luas
Untuk hamba-Mu yang sering leka
Dengan rahmat-Mu dan kasih sayang-Mu
Kau ampunkanlah segala dosa-ku
Moga selamat di dunia dan akhirat
-Munif Ahmad

Have you heard a song,
One that moved you, one that made you sing along?
Your dreams and hopes will all come true
If you believe that every vision begins with you.

*Shine for Singapore
This is your song
Deep inside your heart where it belongs
It'll always stay, strive for your goals.
You will achieve with visions so bold.

#Shine for Singapore
This is our song
Reach out for the sky, far and beyond
As one we'll stand, we're Singapore
It's here that we belong

Have you heard a song
One that moved you, one that made you sing along?
Your dreams and hopes will all come true
If you believe that every vision begins with you.

Nowhere I'd rather be, this is home to me
This star shines strong and free

-A very meaningful lyrics I thought...

Sometimes, you get complacent when you think that you have done enough and are satisfied with it. But when you get to know the end result that does not meet your expectations, that is when you feel down, depressed and the sudden drop in self-confidence.

These are just my thoughts and experiences. It may not be true, but like I said, these are just my thoughts and experiences that I want to share...

However, as a Muslim, I believe in making du'a, followed by making an effort and doing my best, and finally, leaving the rest to Allah s.w.t. .

If Allah brings you to it, He'll bring you through it. And also, suffering is a gift, in it is hidden mercy..