Doktor Gigi

Perjalanan Saya Menjadi Seorang Doktor Gigi

Oleh: Dr. Nur Hidayah binti Abu Bakar (DDS, USM)

Mari saya mulakan kisah hidup saya dengan memperkenalkan diri saya. Saya kini berusia 25 tahun. Merupakan anak sulung dari 3 orang adik-beradik, ibu kami telah meninggal dunia semenjak saya berusia 13 tahun. Saya memulakan persekolahan ketika darjah 1 di SK Wangsa Jaya, merupakan pelajar yang bermasalah, nakal, agak perlahan untuk pick-up, sehingga perlukan kelas khas untuk mengeja dan membaca serta hanya ketika darjah 2 saya tahu mengira dengan baik. Sekolah menengah di SMK Seksyen 5 Wangsa Maju setelah mendapat keputusan UPSR 4A1B (Matematik). Keluarga saya bukan orang senang, saya tidak pernah punya peluang mengikuti kelas tuisyen atau kelas tambahan kecuali jika ia percuma. Alhamdulillah PMR mendapat 7A1B (Matematik) dan SPM (kelas sains tulen) saya mengambil subjek tambahan iaitu Kesusasteraan Inggeris dimana saya tidak mempunyai tutor dan terpaksa belajar sendiri. Alhamdulilah rezeki keputusan sederhana jika dibandingkan pelajar lain, hanyalah 6A,4B dan 1C(Add Math). Saya mendapat 2 tawaran belajar, iaitu Diploma Sains UiTM (2 tahun setengah) dan juga matrikulasi Melaka intake kedua (biasanya intake ini bagi pelajar yang kurang cemerlang).

Saya memilih matrikulasi (1 Tahun) dan mengambil jurusan sains hayat. Tujuan kerana 2. Pertama, saya tak ingin habis belajar terlalu lambat, keluarga saya susah dan saya perlu dapatkan pekerjaan secepat mungkin. Kedua, bidang sains hayat membolehkan kita mempunyai peluang untuk masuk kedalam apa sahaja bidang apabila kita berijazah nanti. Jika anda menguasai sains, saya yakin boleh menguasai apa sahaja. Saya memilih biologi, bukan fizik. Keputusan graduasi, pointer saya adalah 3.70.Tidak hebat sebenarnya. Di sini saya ingin memberitahu apakah pilihan saya dalam UPU:

Saya memilih matrikulasi (1 Tahun) dan mengambil jurusan sains hayat. Tujuan kerana 2. Pertama, saya tak ingin habis belajar terlalu lambat, keluarga saya susah dan saya perlu dapatkan pekerjaan secepat mungkin. Kedua, bidang sains hayat membolehkan kita mempunyai peluang untuk masuk kedalam apa sahaja bidang apabila kita berijazah nanti. Jika anda menguasai sains, saya yakin boleh menguasai apa sahaja. Saya memilih biologi, bukan fizik. Keputusan graduasi, pointer saya adalah 3.70.Tidak hebat sebenarnya. Di sini saya ingin memberitahu apakah pilihan saya dalam UPU:

1. Pergigian (USM)

2. Geologi

3. Psikologi

4. Law

5. Perubatan

6. Pergigian

7. Perubatan

8. Law

Pilihan pertama saya letak kerana saya tahu bidang itu mempunyai prospek kerjaya yang amat baik sama seperti perubatan (sekarang tidak lagi baik kerana terlalu ramai graduan), dan Ia boleh memberi gaji yang baik untuk saya menaiktaraf kehidupan keluarga saya. Adik-adik, motivasi saya memilih bidang apa adalah 3, pertama bidang yang saya yakin punya prospek kerjaya baik demi keluarga, kedua ia adalah bidang sains yang saya minati dan ketiga saya ingat ia tidak sesukar perubatan. Saya dapat tawaran Doctor of Dental Surgery (Ijazah Sarjana Muda) dari USM Kubang Kerian. Di sini ada beberapa perkara yang adik adik perlu tahu jika ingin mengambil pergigian. Ia tidak mudah. Ia mencabar kerana:

1. Anda perlu belajar tentang perubatan A-Z

2. Anda perlu mahir menangani stress bebanan tugasan, esei, seminar, presentation, exam (exam medical pun ada), kemahiran tangan, kemahiran komunikasi dengan pelbagai pihak, tagging, praktikal yang panjang dan berkemahiran tinggi

3. Ini adalah bidang professional di mana anda perlu ada attitude yang baik, empathy, compassion yang tinggi dan tanggungjawab terhadap komuniti serta pesakit

Bidang ini bukan untuk anda jika anda:

1. Tidak minat langsung sains terutama biology, fizik

2. Hanya berminat dengan duit

3. Kerana dipaksa

4. Tidak boleh menangani stress jika punya banyak bebanan

5. Tidak pandai mengurus masa

6. Tidak mempunyai keinginan untuk membantu komuniti atau orang lain membaiki kesihatan mereka

7. Tidak mempunyai empati dan tidak suka bergaul dengan masyarakat

8. Tidak mempunyai daya belas kasihan yang tinggi

9. Tidak berminat dengan bidang yang sentiasa memerlukan kita belajar sepanjang hidup ilmu yang sentiasa updated

10. Tidak ada daya ketahanan yang tinggi

Bidang ini untuk anda jika

1. Anda berminat dengan ilmu sains, fleksibel dan suka belajar walaupun ianya mula mula asing

2. Anda suka membantu orang menambah baik kehidupan mereka

3. Anda mempunyai inisiatif untuk menjadi lebih baik dari segi nilai dan dasar moral

4. Anda ingin meningkatkan taraf hidup anda dan keluarga anda menjadi lebih baik

5. Anda (jika Melayu Muslim) ingin menjadi Muslim Melayu yang bertahap professional dan membuktikan anda boleh

6. Anda sukakan cabaran

7. Anda suka kerja komuniti dan suka bergaul dengan masyarakat

8. Anda suka belajar benda baru

9. Anda mempunyai daya tahanan yang tinggi walaupun stress

10.Anda boleh berdikari dan sedia belajar dari kesilapan

11.Anda memang minat bidang ini

Nasihat saya untuk adik adik yang masih tidak tahu nak memilih apa, jangan ambil bidang jika dipaksa. Tiga orang sahabat saya berhenti separuh jalan jurusan pergigian dan perubatan kerana tidak tahan dengan tekanan belajar dan tidak minat langsung. Jika anda seorang yang fleksibel dan sukakan cabaran, ya, anda boleh ambil bidang ini, lebih baik lagi jika anda minat. Solat istikarah. Betulkan niat belajar, niat untuk berbakti kerana Allah s.w.t. Jangan hanya fikir tentang duit atau prospek, jika ia adalah bidang yang anda minat, GO FOR IT walaupun bidang seni. Rezeki ada buat mereka yang tekun dan tabah. Sedikit maklumat tentang jurusan DOKTOR PERGIGIAN:

1. Masih tidak ramai doctor gigi dalam Malaysia, maka ia adalah bidang yang baik untuk diceburi.

2. Perlukan penguasaan sains perubatan

3. Ijazah Sarjana Muda menjadikan anda seorang doctor gigi awam (General Practitioner). Apabila anda sambung Master (Ijazah Sarjana) anda boleh menjadi Doktor Pakar Pergigian contoh: Pakar Bedah Mulut, Pakar Endodontik, Pakar Prostetik, Pakar Restorative, Pakar Periodontik, Pakar Orthodontic , Pakar Pergigian Kanak-kanak

4. Nisbah doctor gigi perempuan lebih ramai dari lelaki, jadi adik adik lelaki silakan.

5. Gaji permulaan boleh mencecah RM3500 sebulan dalam kerajaan, swasta lebih tinggi, tetapi anda wajib bekerja dan berkhidmat dalam kerajaan selama 2 tahun

6. Jika anda ambil biasiswa JPA, sepuluh tahun bond dengan kerajaan.

7. Kos pengajian di IPTA adalah lebih kurang RM300,000 ++ . Banyak biasiswa ditawarkan, PTPTN juga ada serta Baitulmal dan zakat juga boleh membantu.

8. Sekurangnya perlu ada RM700-800 sebulan untuk kos sara hidup dan buku. Buku selalunya RM100 lebih each, ada yang lebih murah, boleh beli 2nd hand.

9. Apabila dah graduate anda akan berdaftar dengan Malaysia Dental Council (MDC). Terdapat juga Malaysia Dental Association (MDA) yang boleh disertai dengan bayaran tertentu.

10. Bidang ini memerlukan anda bekerja dalam komuniti masyarakat setempat. Banyak aktiviti kesukarelawanan.

Saya mengakui pernah juga nak putus asa. Tetapi perjalanan ini berbaloi. Bidang ini membentuk watak saya menjadi professional dan ingin sentiasa membaiki diri serta memberi lebih lagi kepada masyarakat.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and Loving.. These past few weeks had been hard on me. I've been complaining and depressed about burdens falling on my shoulders, little did I realized behind every hardship, there is ease and hikmah (wisdom) from Allah.. subhannAllah! I forgot that Allah mentioned it in the Quran: "And surely We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and crops; but give glad tidings to the steadfast,Who say, when a misfortune striketh them: Lo! we are Allah's and lo! unto Him we are returning.Such are they on whom are blessings from their Lord, and mercy. Such are the rightly guided. (Surah al-Baqarah 155-157)" I've forgotten, that Allah is with those whom who are patient. I've forgotten my place as a Muslim who should have asked from Allah. That Allah has stated: "Abu Hurairah, may Allah be satisfied with him, narrated, "the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Almighty Allah says, "I am as My servants thinks I am, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me to himself, I remember him to Myself; and if he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a gathering better than that. If he draws near to Me a hand's span, I draw near to him an arm's length, I draw near him a fathom's length; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him with haste" (Al-Bukhari, Muslim, at-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah) I forgotten that Allah love us so much that He would come to us in haste, even if we are just walking to Him. I have forgotten that: "Allah tasked not a soul beyond its scope. For it (is only) that which it hath earned, and against it (only) that which it hath deserved. " (al-Baqarah 286) that Allah is the best of Helper: "But Allah is your Protector, and He is the Best of Helpers." (Ali Imran 156) Every answer to our grief and misfortune, Allah has stated the ways to ease all these. He even stated that there is always ease after every hardship, that is His very words! "But lo! with hardship there will be ease, (5) Lo! with hardship there will be ease; (6) So when you are relieved, still toil (7) And strive to please thy Lord. (8)" (Surah alam-Nasyrah) Thus, my friends out there, at times we can be so heart broken, so down, sad, helpless, and we will tend to forgot Allah's words, Allah's promises.. That with every hardship, there is wisdom behind them, and with every hardship, always come back to Allah, ask from Him, seek Help from Him, as He always listens to His servants, Insya Allah. That Allah love those who are patient and steadfast!

The Book of Knowledge: Summarized Sahih al Bukhari

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim..
Assalammualaikum and good day dear readers and friend, hope you all have been doing fine and always be within the showering of His blessings and love, insya Allah ^^

I came across a large volume of Summarized Sahih al-Bukhari and feel very compelled to share some of the hadiths from the book of knowledge.

1. Narrated Abu Waqid Al-Laithi r.a: While Allah's Messenger s.a.w was sitting in the mosque with some people, three men came. Two of them came in front of Allah's Messenger s.a.w and the third one went away. The narrator added: The two persons kept on standing before Allah's Messenger s.a.w (for awhile) and then one of them found a place in the circle and sat there while the other sat behind them (the gathering), and the third one went away. When Allah's Messenger finished preaching, he said, "shall I tell you about these three persons? One of them betook himself to Allah, so Allah took him into His Grace and Mercy and accommodated him, the second felt shy from Allah, so Allah sheltered him in His Mercy (and did not punish him), while the third turned his face from Allah and went away so Allah azzawajal turned His face from him (likewise)". Sahih Bukhari


2.Narrated Ibn Mas'ud r.a: The Prophet s.a.w used to take care of us in preaching by selecting a suitable time, so that we might not get bored. (He abstained from pestering us with religious talk and knowledge all the time). Sahih Bukhari

3. Anas bin Malik r.a: The Prophet s.a.w said, "Facilitate things to people (concerning religious matters), and do not make it hard for them and give good tidings and do not make them run away (from Islam)." Sahih Bukhari

4. Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud r.a: The Prophet s.a.w said. "Do not wish to be like anyone except in two cases. The first is a person, whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously (according to what Allah has ordained in a just and right way); (the second is) the one whom Allah has given Al-Hikmah [wisdom i.e the knowledge of the Quran and the Sunna of Prophet s.a.w] and he acts according to it and teaches it to others,". Sahih Bukhari

5. Narrated Abu Mas'ud Al Ansari r.a: Once a man said to Allah's Messenger s.a.w "O Allah's Messenger! I may not attend the (compulsory congregational) Salat because so and so (the Imam) prolongs the Salat when he leads us for it." (The narrator added): I never saw the Prophet s.a.w more furious in giving advice than he was on that day. The Prophet s.a.w said, "O people! Some of you make others dislike good deeds (the Salat). So whoever leads the people in Salat should shorten it because among them there are the sick, the weak and the one who is in a state that requires urgent relief". Sahih Bukhari

Muslim Parents Role in Islamic Education of a Child

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim...
Alhamdulillah, all grace to Allah for letting us breath for another day to cleanse and perfect our deeds in His world. Alhamdulillah for allowing inspiration to me to share my ever so little knowledge compared to His wisdoms. Insya Allah I hoped that as little as it is, some benefit would reach you all. ^^

31st March 2012, I was given an opportunity to give a tazkirah in conjunction with the celebration of Maulidur Rasul. The content of my tazkirah was "The role of muslims parent in Islamic education of a child". It covers on why we are given the role with association to the role of our prophets and why to the young children, where do a parent start to educate their children, what is the best way to reach their child and the importance behind these teaching especially in terms of aqidah enforcement, insya Allah.

1. The role
Brothers and sisters! We all was taught about the role of all of our prophets, sent by Allah to guide mankind. Each prophet was sent to their people and Rasullah s.a.w our beloved and last of the prophets was sent to guide the whole mankind. They guide men to worship Allah, the One God. It has been stated by Allah and Rasullah s.a.w, that Rasullah is the final prophet sent to mankind and there will be no other after him. So the question is, who will guide mankind after his passing? Al-Quran and as-Sunnah is our guide, and as the final ummah, the job of spreading the Words of Allah has befallen on our shoulder. Yes! Our shoulder. It is our job to ensure the continuity of the teachings of Islam, insya Allah. That is why as a Muslim parent, teaching the young ones is one of the many obligation of spreading His words. And it is also considered a form of dakwah. Dakwah is compulsory for all Muslims, for Allah has stated:
"Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way. Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is best aware of those who go aright. an-Nahl(125)

And there Allah has said, call unto the way of your Lord (Allah). Call which means to ask them to follow or to tell or to preach to them simply of the way of Allah. And He even mentions, do it with wisdom and fair exhortation (hikmah), which will be delve deeper later.

Allah has also stated that the reason of our creation is to be a khalifah ( a leader on Earth). Khalifah which also means to lead, in all different parts of life:

"Behold thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." al-Baqarah (30)

Vicegerent in that ayat refers to a deputy or a an administrative appointed by a Ruler. We are the administrators of Allah, insya Allah!

Thus, after much emphasizing on why we have this role to preach, let's move on to why specifically to preach to young child.

2. Emphasizing Islamic education to the young ones

Children. Whatever the people around them do, they'll mimics it. The younger they are, the easier they are to be influenced by the environment. Even in scientific field, young children has the fastest rate of development. They are curious, experimental, thirsty of answers about things around them, and they are definitely very receptive to new knowledge. That is why, the best time to start educating your child on the concept of Islam, is since they are young. Even as young as in the womb!
It is also attributed to the fact that they revolve around their parents when they are young (before entering schools). Once they enter school, their attention are divided and their understanding are influenced partly by their peers. That is why it is important to groom them with the knowledge when they are still within the compound of parents influences and to also prepare them to face different perspectives of life once they started schooling. It is also important that parents have the knowledge when their children ask questions and not just simply wave them away, answers are very important for them!

3. Where do you start?

We now know why we have to educate them and when. Now where do you start? Do you start with rules and regulations in Islam? Or do you start with stories about the prophets (sirah)? Or do you start with doa's? I'd love to give an analogy on this:

Whenever we buy something, a product, we will always try to know the creator of the product, say, like a famous painting, we want to know the painter (the creator) in order to understand the painting. Or a musical piece, we want to know the composer, in order to get what he's trying to tell from his piece. Same goes to Islam. The first step to educate your child is by introducing them to their Creator! Yes, as simple as that, introduce them to Allah, who creates us all. When we know, we will understand, when we love Him, we will follow Him! So the step is to teach akidah first, that Allah is our Creator, He is God, the Only One, and the Mightiest. Teach them on the characters of Allah,The Most Compassionate, The Ever Forgiving, The Ever Watching, The Wisest. Let them know the magnificence of Allah, and eventually love Allah. Once that they have this strong foundation of faith and love for Allah, everything else will come easily, insya Allah!

4. How do you tell them?

Leadership by exemplary,like Rasullah s.a.w, he always showed the best character of a muslim that always attract people into Islam. A parent is a role model to their children, thus whatever you do in front your child, show it in the best manner, in the Islam way. When you eat, include your child to say gratefulness to Allah, who has given food on the table. When you solat, tell your child, its a form of gratitude and worship to Allah for giving us life. Incorporate everything of Islam in your life and include your children in it, insya Allah they will follow. Relate daily things in life to Allah, such as the creation of complex thing: the sky, the moon, the star, it is impossible for us to create them, so definitely, it is created by a magnificent creator, Allah. Simple daily things can be related easily to Allah and understood by the child. They will ask a lot of questions and this is a good opportunity to ensure their full understanding by providing good answers, and if you don't know, find the answer and tell to your child, never leave them unanswered. Example of association that can provide answers on Islamic issues are Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia and IIS (Islamic Information and Services), insya Allah.

5. The importance of akidah
Lately, Muslim society are facing tremendous pressure on our faith by the media, such as the news, movies, dramas, Facebook anti-muslim/atheist group and cultural influences by the West. It is so easy to see how some drama depicts misinformation on Islam (tangkal,bomoh,etc2), fairies that have powers, these are all influential to the mind of young child, especially when young ones are actively involved with the world technology lately. Thus, a strong foundation on akidah is very important to maintain their faith, not to associate Allah with anything, and to understand fully that only Allah is Powerful. With an emphasize on akidah, kids know the importance of God the One concept and with the love to their Creator, knows that they don't want to do wrong to Allah,insya Allah.

May this writing help a little bit, insya Allah. Forgive me for any misconduct of words, and any opinion are warmly welcomed. Wallahu'alam.

The Truth: Knowledge

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and Compassionate, for letting us live in His Deen, for letting me and you be born in the truest of the truest and the only truth of islam. How are you all my beloved friends? May you all be within the showering of His blessings and guidance, insya Allah.

Today, I am moved to share the discussion about us. Who are you? Some will say I am Hidayah, I am Amin, I am Malay, I am Muslim. But what I want to talk about is Muslims. What makes a Muslim? Are you Muslim simply just because you were born in a Muslim family, or are you Muslim for bearing the Muslim's name? And if so we are confident that we are Muslims, what makes a Muslim? How do we be Muslims? Why do we be Muslims? (Remember the 5W and 1H- who, what, why, when, where and how (^^)

I would like to share what I've read in a book by Sayyid Abul A'la Mawdudi. Let's start with a sentence from the al-Quran, Surah Al-Mai'dah, verse 3:

"Today I have perfected your Din (way of life) for you, and I
completed My blessing upon you, and I have willed that Islam
be the Way for you"

Allah has said so. Islam is the perfect religion. The perfect belief. Who held this belief is the righteous, Muslims.

Thus, how do we be Muslims? Is it simply by saying, I believed in Allah. Full stop. No, it's not. It lies in us to actually consciously and deliberately accept the teachings of Rasullah s.a.w and act accordingly. How do we know what the teachings are? The most important question, how do we know the true Deen?

And the answer to that is, simply, by seeking knowledge. Yes, the first step in search of the truth is knowledge. Why? Because knowledge is like a light that will illuminate the path for you. Knowledge will tell you what is and what not. And remember, there is a hadith that states: "Whoever follows a path of knowledge, Allah will make a path to Heaven easy for him" Hadith Bukhari. SubhannAllah! By searching knowledge, not only we will know the truth, but it is easier to reach Heaven! Heaven with rivers flowing beneath it for each of us...

I am lucky, some of you is lucky, we were born in Islamic family. Thus, all the teachings comes first to us without us really searching for it. But truthfully, it is not enough, simply doing something, without understanding it. That is why, whatever we are doing, look for the knowledge of it, not be a blind follower. And also for non-Muslims, if they really in search of truth, insya Allah, by searching knowledge of islam, you will find the truth, and insya Allah, you will find Iman. We will find Iman in pursuit of knowledge, if Allah permits. Thus, being a Muslim is a choice, not a chance, nor blind faith, never by name or birthright! A choice that we choose to believe when we seek knowledge and find the truth.

Therefore, Islam consists firstly of knowledge (al-Quran and Sunnah) and putting these knowledge into practice. When you add these two with faith and belief, you have truthfully be a Muslim, insya Allah.. For without knowledge, we will always be in a state of ignorance and anytime, the little knowledge that we do not strive to add on, can easily be taken away from us, God forbid.

Thus, brothers, sisters, friends that I love and cherished, seek knowledge, seek it, you'll find the truth. Put it into practice and you will be a righteous Muslim, and faith, will come easily with these two together, insya Allah! May we always be in right path of Islam, may we all be the true Muslim in a sense of being! Ameen..

bearing a Muslim title.

assalammualaikum dear friends! please be reminded that this post is absolutely not intended to disgrace or degrade or embarrass any specific persons. It is aim to highlight and discuss common situations in which how a Muslim being viewed from a perspective of liberal and open minded Muslim and non-Muslim alike, and myself. Thus, brace yourself! Be prepared to be touched/teared/hurt here and there within those hearts of yours, but let's not forget to review back our life, our identity and the name that we bear daily for the rest of our lives as a Muslim, insya Allah.

Let's begin with a question. Philosophers and scientists love to start an intellectual journey with a question. And how does questions begins? It is when we start to think of something, and what usually makes us start to think before asking? When we observe something. Thus, a good mind always think and ask with relation to what they see. Good mind + good eyes! huhu.. thus my question to you, how do you see the Muslim community these days around you and specifically to my round of colleagues, within our educational society/campus? I'm not sure about your view, but this is how i view my observations.

Situation A
He's an excellent student. Thrive in academics, superb in sports, funny, charismatic leader. Oh but too bad, he's not a Rakan Masjid, or exemplary Muslim. If not can be a husband material already! ^^ Rarely saw him at the masjid. If by ratio, he would be one of the few Muslim that is accepted into the list of excellent student (let's be honest, Malay barely made the list). Solat? Puasa? SubhannAllah, let it be Allah to decide.

Situation B
She's so beautiful. Wears the hijab, and shy and never misses the solat, always recite the al-Quran, soft with her speech, kind etc.etc. Excellent to be made as an exemplary wife. But... her academics, ummm, well.. sports involvement? Nope. Deans list? Never. Intellectual discussion? Well, hard to do that with her.

Situation C
He's a Rakan Masjid (please be noted this is my campus religious student association, it could be any other name according to your place of study), very modest, kind and nice. Would be considered a good Muslim with his level of knowledge of islam. Academic is so so, okay la, but... Heard that sometimes kind of hard to rely when it comes to organizational activities, missing in action, barely reach able. Wouldn't want to judge, probably busy or having health problems etc2.. but what would people think?

These are the most commonest situation that i could think of based on my observation. Yes, nobody is perfect. Yes, I shouldn't judge. Yes, always have good judgement on other people. Yes, i won't deny all those things, sememangnya benar dan benar dan amat digalakkan. But would you deny reality? Would you turn blind to all these situations instead of solving it? Would you consider yourself to be within those 3 groups, and if so, how do you feel when you start to think of what would other people see you as, especially the Muslim community? and finally, do you deny that these things haven't even occur within your eyes? Let's start the discussion with an open heart and try to probe into the issue with the intention of solving it instead of being judgmental.

Situation A: If we doesn't take into account that religion plays the most important criteria to take a person as our spouse, then we can neglect this. If we think that his life is his own, then we can ignore this.If we think that he's perfect enough, do entertain me! Okay. As an image to the outside world involving non-muslims, he's good, in fact, he probably reflected himself as a well achieving Muslim Malay. The problem lies within himself and us (the Muslims).First: Rasullah s.a.w stated that there are 4 criteria in choosing a spouse- his religion, his wealth, his appearance and his heredity. But the best choice is to choose one with religion. You can find this hadith. Second: We all as a Muslim are obligated to preach with hikmah. Yes, it is compulsory. Thus, we cannot let him be in his world, and be selfish that he is not entitled for the good endings in the Hereafter. Please, this is not "jaga tepi kain orang", remember preaching towards good is everyone's job. How would you be in a journey to the Heaven, but forgot to pull your brothers and sisters as well, that would be selfish right? Third: Nobody is perfect. But we have to strive towards that perfectness in term of our Deen. It should be balanced, the worldly and the After. A Muslim is being judged by his deeds to his Creator, and truly, he hasn't gone quite there yet. Thus, what should we do? Show our love to him by leading him towards the journey to meet Allah in the best manner possible. Insya Allah..

Situation B: Please don't misunderstood me that shyness is a problem. The problem is when shyness is exaggerated that it is almost impossible to approach. Please don't misunderstood as well that I'm judging her religious deed. It is in fact alhamdulillah if we could do that too always! What I want to highlight here is that, some girls misunderstood that shyness is a barrier to be outspoken and confident, to do things (sports, public speaking, leadership). Hmm.. Can't a girl be shy but be outspoken and confident as well? You answer that. Next, I know, some of you will say, "itulah dugaan yang diberi Allah pada die, sebab Allah sayang, die diberi ujian sebegitu". emm, saya setuju. Dugaan diberi berbagai-bagai. Thus why do i highlight this one? Because many people thinks that academic result is everything, it reflects a person, but i disagree. It should be balanced. But if she focuses too much on her religious pursue and neglected the academic part, then what do you think? How would you balance it? If we look into the History of Islamic civilization, we come across many religious Muslim figure and yet with an excellent resume of academic achievement, Avicenna (Ibn Sina), Khawarizmi etc2.. Thus achievements is not solely on our dependence to Allah s.w.t, it should also be added with effort, effort, effort. Unless you have put much effort enough and the results is still that way, yes, then we can say, its Allah's will. But it should come with this, it's Allah's will, i bow to it, but I will try harder! Insya Allah!

Situation C
Now in this situation it's a problem with attitude or behavior, or probably lack of judgment/insight towards his decision. We know in many societies, student bodies and activities, men always be the high committee. We need their leadership. Now some would say, fine, we'll do the work without him, some would say in their heart: "kenapa die ni asyik MIA jekk, why why? tak baik la, student lain pun busy jugak, aku pun sakit jugak, tp still datang je meeting".. some would be angry and start kutuk2 (Nauzubillah!).. So how do we see this situation? I see it like this. 1) The impact of his attitude and 2) How we deal with this.

1)The impact of his attitude:
Towards Muslim, it will make them wonder why such religious guy be like that. And they will start to question his transparency, and his stand and how much he understands that islam teaches us to hold to an amanah. I don't know what non Muslim will think of, but probably, they will start to think, "orang Melayu tak boleh harap", "orang Melayu buat kerja tak bersungguh", and bear in mind Melayu is almost 100% bearing Muslim names. I would rather emphasize that his action is a bad refection of a Muslim Malay to the community.

2)How we deal with this
It's hard, because we're dealing with a person. But we can try . and the best would be advice. If he does not take heed, then the best we should prevent him from doing further damage, that is we should tell him to release the post and reflect back. Why is this important? Because if he did it without a good reason, he's wrong. But if he has a reason, he shouldn't take the post in the first place. We should always know our capabilities and limits.


Thus, my friends, after 2 hours of typing, contemplating, thinking; I just would like to conclude that THIS IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU TO ACCEPT my view, or to edit it or to reject it. And i sincerely open further discussion, and i sincerely apologize for any rash words, for any misunderstanding, i just hope we could open up, and realize that Muslims these days are facing so much scrutiny, questionings and judgments. It is our job to fix that, it is our obligations to live as Muslim with the conscience that we are being watched and judged, not by people only but by Allah too, thus we have to be in best form! And above are just simple daily situations, there are more and more situations out there! SubhannAllah.. Insya Allah, next time i will try to insert verses of al-Quran and hadith (well, I'm still learning too, insya Allah), and all the bad comes from me, all the goods is all by Allah's Grace and Kindness..

The Askings of Heart

Ya Allah,
Sayangilah aku,
Sayangilah aku..
Tetapkanlah aku dalam agamaMu
Tetapkanlah aku dalam golonganMu
Permudahkanlah aku dalam kesukaran,
Lapangkanlah dadaku ini pabila ia kesesakan
Gembirakanlah daku apabila daku kesedihan
Dengarilah daku apabila aku meminta..
kerana Kau adalah Tuhan Yang Satu
Yang Maha Pengasih
Maha Penyayang pada hambamu yang meminta..
Yang ku cintai
Yang ku cintai
Tempat segala pergantunganku..
Tenagkan daku apabila ku dalam keributan
Bersihkan daku apabila ku kekotoran
Bukalah akalku apabila ia tertutup,
Ampunilah aku dalam semua dosaku.
Ya Allah, dengarilah aku, dengarilah hati & jiwa yang meronta ini.
Murahkanlah rezeki aku jika itu memudahkanku
Tetapkanlah hatiku padaMu, padaMu
Biarlah hatiku menjadi sungai yang mengalir tanpa halangan,
kecintaannya padaMu tidak dicemari statik.
Ya Allah, Ya Rahman, Ya Rahim...
Ingatkan daku apabila lupa,
Benarkan aku apabila sesat,
Kekalkan aku sebagai hambamu,
Dalam perjalanan ini menujuMu dan syurgaMu..


Alhamdulillah, after almost 2years of not writing, this little heart and mind was moved to share my extraordinary experience to finally embracing His Deen. Always the heart knows when it is weeping, depressed and wronged, and so many times, we rely too much on the world, the people in it, in expectations to fulfill our heart needs. Yet, there is no peace, no lasting contentment, no fulfillment, without the Will of Allah, and without our dependancy on Him.
Alhamdulillah, late last year, i was touched by something almost unexplainable, yet peaceful and beautiful, simple and fitrah to the heart. Islam. I was born in a Muslim family, raised as an Islam by name, yet, I have not realized i stray too far and far away from Him, and all of my miseries must have been of my neglect to Him. SubhannAllah. Thus, in all my intention, i finally chose Islam because i wanted to, because i believed in it, because it suited my heart, like what Rasullah s.a.w has said "that the heart be at peace at what that's good, and despair at what was to be bad". I chose Islam because of Allah's will, that my heart loves it. Loves it, loves it. I could cry for this. It is an overwhelming feeling that when you finally realize, you are free from the state of dependency to the world, and put your entire faith and believe in Allah s.w.t, that you feel at ease everytime you face Him, that you feel being watched and protected by Him, that finally, we humbled ourselves to Him. The Most Gracious, The Most Graceful, The Most Beautiful. I share to all of you so that you may know, that I am a Muslim by choice and faith in heart, and that I hoped, that if any of you see any wrong that I've done, i wish you to advice me, because advice is good. Insya Allah..Alhamdulillah for this life and peace be upon every one of you. :)