Enviromental Ethics

Yesterday, we had presentations from the remaining groups on ethics. Well, one of the modules we are studying now is Islamic Ethics. But we're studying those from the Western ones as well. Thus, our presentation require us to touch on a particular topic, a current issue and link it with the Islamic worldview. One presentation that was thought-provoking was the one on Enviromental Ethics, from sis Ruqa's group.

Have always been a visual learner, so viewing a short trailer from An Inconvenient Truth before the actual presentation made my hair stand (or bak kata orang, bulu roma ternaik). They presented it informatively. I'm sure in one way or another, it reflects on us, ourselves, our own awareness or collective awareness to our surroundings. Well, like some say, the truth hurts. But then, it is a good point of reflection on us, our duty as vicegerents on this Earth.

Maybe you or I have been taking things for granted. We do things based on what we feel comfortable without wanting to feel the pinch, the struggle. Only thing is, our life is part of our struggle to reach the finest goal for eternity's sake.

What Say You? 'Eid Adha video

Got an email with regards to 'Eid Adha.

NYPMSN hit the streets to find out more what the community understands by the celebration.
Kudos to the team. A good effort. May Allah reward our efforts and sacrifices as well.

Click this video here to view their interviews with the Muslims.

Sacrifices

Islam is not merely the confession of a faith which is made once in a lifetime. The path of Islam cannot therefore be anything other than the path of struggle, and therefore sacrifice. Not much comes to us in life without endeavour or struggle. We gain only what we earn by our strivings:

"We have created man into (a life of) trial and pain" (al-Balad 90:4).
"And that nought shall be accounted unto man but what he has striven for" (al-Najm 53:39).

The soil is there, the water is there, the seed is there; but the soil will not turn seeds into crops unless we dig it, plough it, sow the seeds, water the plants, protect them and harvest the crop. Without sweat and toil, the gifts of God that abound all around us will not yield their full treasures to us. Indeed the richer the treasures desired, the greater the efforts required.

Nevertheless we must prove, within our human limitations, that we are prepared not only to profess our faith in our cause, but also prepared to struggle and sacrifice what we really love for that which we declare to be dearest to us.

Sacrifices are essential for the development of all moral qualities, but especially for the development of patience, endurance, perseverance, fortitude, resolve and determina tion. These can be summed up in just one word: Sabr.

"God loves those who, fighting in His way, join ranks as if they are a wall of molten lead", says the Qur'an (al-Saff 61:4).

What a beautiful and meaningful parable. Strong and solid, fused and welded, impregnable and without cracks and fissures, that is how members of a Muslim community, joined, welded together, strive in the way of Allah.

Without some sacrifices on the part of each block a solid wall will never come to exist.

*Extracted some from youngmuslims.ca

It's really a point of reflection with the recent things that have happened. Just in time to backtrack since the beginning of it till present. Values gained, while some can still be improved. The humble servant just has to keep on learning and sow other seeds of goodness so that the plants will grow healthy and beautify the garden of the future. Hopefully, the sacrifices will bring me close to Him.

To understand or not to understand

The heart feels very very heavy at this point of time.
When the mind is full of thoughts.
It's just the enlightenment which is much needed.
But seems that the night doesnt want to end with a light heart.
I don't like unsettling feelings before closing my eyes to rest.
It's too teary a night.
It's just uncomfortable.

Maybe I think too much.
Or too concerned.
Or disappointed with myself.
Or a spur moment of failure.

It's just hard to understand isn't it?
Of what is felt deep inside?
What's to share when one doesn't even get it?
It's just at the wrong time isn't it?
Just like a ticking bomb, waiting to explode.
Of which I pray it doesn't.
Maybe at this moment, you too do not understand.
Because you can't seem to empathise.
Because u're not in my shoes.
Perhaps, you were never in my shoes.

Except for You i place my trust...
I'll try to stay strong...
Even if I might crumble...
Aameen Ya Rabbal 'Aalamiin.

When shallow breather arrives , it always remind me the end of time.
But thank You for still letting me see the world, still...

Maybe it's time for seclusion.
Can't handle it no more.

xx Sometimes it's better to be invisible but active. Rather than visible but latent.

Are you a Maths teacher?

I would consider myself a Maths wiz during my primary school years. Because it was easy to score full marks. It gets tougher when you go higher. So I wasn't one anymore, because it wasn't one of the favourite subjects when I grew up, hehe. I love languages. Yes, I do. At least my calculation ain't as bad as some... Look at the sums I retrieved from GeckoFly's

Is this what you call creative? Hehehe...



Let's call it Creative Maths... Huhuh.

Obstacles

I asked ALLAH to spare me pain. ALLAH said "No". Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

Life is like an obstacle course. The obstacle course has stages as well depending on our level of expertise. A novice will not able to partake in an expertise level while it would be too easy for an expert to be in the novice stage. When a novice goes through a basic course, he'll meet with challenges; to climb, jump, crawl, roll or stretch. Having to succeed in that particular course will certainly make him gain rewards if it is a competition. However, what means much to that person would be the satisfactory gained after the hardwork. And after all this, he'll try to upgrade to the intermediate, advance and other more difficult stages.

Likewise, with regards to the levels of faith, we are tested to have a better place in Allah's eyes, insyaAllah. The higher level one attains, the higher tests they will be. Without challenges, we might not be able to know where we stand. Some of us fear of facing them and we prefer to stay in our own coop, our own comfort because we are not willing to be out of the hole full of thorns.

Each of us, I'm sure has goals in life. To achieve it, we draft out plans to ensure the success of our goals. However, we have to bear in mind that what we plan for, may not be smooth-sailing. When I was in my late teenage years, I tend to be so upset when things didn't go well. But experiences, mainly, will make us view the different perspectives of life, hopefully to make us better people. Also, being very sensitive wasn't a healthy trait. I've learnt few years ago by not to let trivial irritants obscure my vision and thwart my progression in life. It wasn't an easy road. But I wouldn't want to give up. How...?

I asked ALLAH to grant me patience. ALLAH said "No". Patience is a by product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is earned.

Because there are other more important things for us in life. Or perhaps, those trivial irritants are just a test from Him to build the patience in us. Yes, patience. As a close one of mine never fail to remind me, everytime when things happen, I would imagine how Rasulullah would react to the situation. True enough, emulating the traits that he has is such a great virtue. Yes, the tests he went through were much greater than us. He was patient in dealing with all sorts of difficulties. Looking at how he solved his trials in life were thought provoking. And thinking about it may enlighten the thorns we feel, how small it may be.

I asked ALLAH to make my spirit grow. ALLAH said "No". You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

So if our spirits are low, we have to find ways to make ourselves relight again. And bear in mind that whenever we feel hurt, we have people around that love and support us. Most importantly, Allah knows the truth of what we go through in our daily lives and consistently be our guidance.

Some quotes worth sharing...

Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
-Joshua J. Marine

Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict. -William Ellery Channing

It is not good for all our wishes to be filled; through sickness we recognize the value of health; through evil, the value of good; through hunger, the value of food; through exertion, the value of rest.
- Greek Proverb

xx Much better, insyaAllah. Thank you Love, the eternal Love.

The Ultimate LOVE!

HEY YOU!
Who me?
YES YOU!
Wassup?

Have you ever consider bringing a friend dear to you closer to the ultimate LOVE? Ultimate LOVE?
Ahuh, the ultimate LOVE, the highest of all LOVEs, the ETERNAL LOVE?
Hmmm...
Why the hmm? This is one GREAT LOVE you won't regret, pal...
So any tips?
Yeah, I've got 12 tips for ya...
Shoot!

#1 Your intention should be pure, pal. That's why you call it love. Love should be pure from the start isn't it? I wouldn't want a love tainted with black spots.

#2 Practice it yourself! Then, your friend will have confidence in you while searching for the great love.

#3 We have the two main sources of guidance. Use them! There's lots of marvellous examples for us to emulate and learn!

#4 Hey pal, when you talk to others, talk as if you don't know them. Don't be an I-Know-Everything kinda person. Don't judge, pal.

#5 Keep on smiling! No faces on upside down. Anyway smiling is a good way of exercise isn't it? We need to be approachable...

#6 Initiate somethin' good and hang out with 'em! I mean if it's for good cause why not?

#7 Wherever you go pal, remember your role as a Muslim. Anyway, what's cool is that Islam is a way of life, pal. Bring it with you everywhere you go. That's your trademark.

#8 Spread the loveeee... Why not spread your love of volunteering to your friend? It's contagious!

#9 Ask them 4 fundamental questions, pal. I'll tell ya later what those questions are.

#10 The basic ingredient, don't forget! The main element: Take it 5 times a day as a dose to calm your heart. That's a must! Anywhere, everytime!

#11 Respect your elders, pal. Observe their good actions and praise them in question. Your friend might just change their perspectives about their parents.

#12 When you've succeeded in helping your friend find the Eternal Love, keep on supporting them. Because the seeds of Love needs to be planted constantly to grow more Love around.

So spread the love to gain the Ultimate Love, pal. You won't regret it... =)

• Source of content: mywic.com
  Edited mode of presentation : widzgeek

Last Weekend's Affair

A 2nd cousin's wedding, congratulations...

My junior from school during my yesteryears.
In the same shoes again, as my junior in NIE.
Now, a cekgoo too.

*Ting ting* The nerves!

Today, I witnessed quite a number of reckless drivers in every road that I went to. In each road, within seconds, there will be about 2 cars swerving recklessly.

So what if you're a van, to prove you can speed like a car?
So what if your car is more ex than mine (when your car has a triangle symbol on it?)
So what if you're at the wrong lane and need to squeeze?
So what if you're speeding or slowing down?

Where's the signal, man?
How about pulling out those signal lights if you want your own freedom of way?
Or buy a vehicle without a signal light.
Where's you courtesy dear Sing.a.po.reans?

Oh yeah, it's a concrete jungle.
Jungles don't have traffic lights, yes?