Reverts, thank you!

            This is just one of many "revert" stories that I've heard. It's strange that I, a born Muslim, find passion for my faith from them - instead of the other way around.
            I approach my faith renewed vigour after hearing their recounts on the reason they embraced and practise the religion diligently. I see Islam through their eyes...and find it refreshing and more beautiful.
            And I find a common theme in all their stories - they made it a point to study Islam. Their reasons vary. Some did it to discredit the religion. Some did it to fill a void. Some did it out of sheer curiosity. Some stumbled upon it accidentally. Some were disillusioned with their previous faith.
            But they all had one thing in common - they believed that there is a god. I guess I haven't come across an "atheist" revert so far.
            These reverts live in non-Muslim countries. Yet they are more conscientious about spreading the word. They find every opportunity to make dakwah. They are more diligent at living the Muslim life. Many do it against all odds. It's not easy being a minority - particularly in countries which are openly hostile toward Muslims. Yet they persevere.
            I'm humbled by their dedication to the faith that I inherit. And sometimes take for granted. I'm embarrassed by the lame excuses I tell myself for not being diligent at making dakwah. For not being a better Muslim.
            I should be taking a leaf or two from their books....and revert!

I ENVY the Reverts!!

            I come across stories of folks reverting to Islam. Most are amazing stories. Be it the local or international scenarios.
            Smack in the face stories of folks being absolutely captivated by the religion. Eventhough some weren't even looking for faith systems.
            Such is the power of "hidayah". Such incredible power that could turn man 180 degrees. Even those we deem the most miserable of the human species.
            Here I am - a born Muslim. Who yearns for this "turn". To feel the ecstasy of such passionate faith.
            So I keep on praying for "taufiq" and "hidayah".
            Here are several things I learnt from a lecture by Dr MAZA:-

    Jenis2 Hidayah:

    o   daripada tidak boleh faham kepada boleh faham
    o   membezakan antara yang benar dengan yang salah
    o   hendak kepada Islam.

    Hendak dan tahu ----> belum tentu MENGAMALKAN!

    "Taufiq" diperlukan untuk mengamalkan "Hidayah". However, "Taufiq" adalah perkara besar dalam hidup manusia yang tidak boleh didapati dengan ikhtiar kita semata2.
    Hence, we need to ask Allah for both ----> supaya kita sentiasa diberi petunjuk supaya kita TAHU dan MAMPU untuk mengamalkan yang benar.

    Doa2 yang Rasulullah saw amalkan:-

    1.     "Ya Allah, datangkanlah untuk diriku taqwa dan bersihkanlah. Engkaulah yang sebaik2 yang membersihkan."

     2.     "Ya Allah, jadikan aku sayang iman."


            I normally recite a simple doa of, "Ya Allah, berilah aku taufiq dan hidayah."

            I look at the reverts, and I feel so small.......

Read it Right: Al-Fatihah

          This video brought back memories of my carefree childhood years. I remember reading the Quran as a child with Pakcik Rahman, our next door neighbour. He was of a stern demeanour and most kids were terrified of him! But he was really a cool guy. He'd hold a "rotan" [bamboo cane] which he used as a pointer - I don't remember him beating anyone with it. But that "rotan" [and its threat] was enough to inculcate terror in us.
          5 nights a week, after maghrib, we'd assemble at his humble abode. There must have been at least 30 kids there of various ages. Makcik Jah [Pakcik Rahman's wife] and Kak Siah [his daughter] would help teach those still on the muqaddam. They were the sweetest folks on earth. Which didn't prepare us for Pakcik Rahman!!
          Then came the day I completed the muqaddam and was deemed good enough to sit before Pakcik Rahman. Oh, my! From that day on, I felt like I didn't know the characters or sounds at all! I discovered muscles in my facial region which I didn't know existed.
          Pakcik Rahman was nothing like the ustaz in this video. He wasn't a man of many words. Or of many smiles either. But he was my best ustaz ever. Pakcik Rahman did not let me get away with just knowing the Quranic characters - he made sure I knew how to recite them the right way. I remember whole lessons going by with just recitation of the basmalah or certain quranic characters.
          The Quran starts with surah al-Fatihah....and I must have spent at least 2 weeks on that with Pakcik Rahman before he was okay with my recitation. Till today, I would remember him when I recite this surah. I remember his admonitions of, "kena ada angin kat "ha" tu Ijan!", "kena dengung kat "mim"", "senget mulut tu" at "walad...", "sebut elok2 "an'am"", etc. I never knew this simple surah which I had learnt to recite way before I sat before him would be this complex to read!
          Pakcik Rahman was the one who lead me during my "berkhatam" ceremony before my "nikah". He had tears in his eyes then. I didn't know why and I didn't ask either.
          I didn't get to finish my tajweed with Pakcik Rahman - my loss. Going away to boarding school meant I couldn't study with him any more. However, I learnt later [after his demise] that Pakcik Rahman considered me as one of his best students - his wife told me this. That brought tears to my eyes :)
          Thank you, Pakcik Rahman. May you be amongst the righteous.

Why this blog?

            All through the decades, I was a Muslim who merely "read". I didn't "study" the religion. Hence, I forgot much of what I read or the stuff I read didn't have much of an impact on my daily life. It was just pure academic and rhetoric.
            Someone must have loved me enough to make doa for me to be "enlightened". And Allah swt must have loved him/her enough to make his/her doa come true. I'm thankful for this. I really am. Alhamdulillah :)
            In my sunset years I'm called to study my religion. From the very basics. I don't profess to know it all or even understand it all, but I do know that I feel more enlightened.
            I have a habit of taking down notes. The researcher in me I guess. I've decided to share my notes in the hope that it would intrigue others to find out more....and share what they find with me. I hope that whoever reads my notes would share what they know of a topic with me or correct me if need be.
            My notes will be brief. Sometimes just in bullet forms. Links/book titles will  be provided. I'm in no position to expound on the topics. I don't even dare to venture an opinion!
            Should you need more information please ask an expert okay....and share your findings with me ;)

Me.....

            I was born a Muslim. As I got on in years I learnt that I was what is termed as a "cultural Muslim"  which is defined by Wikipedia as "religiously unobservant, secular or irreligious individuals who still identify with the Muslim culture due to family background, personal experiences, or the social and cultural environment in which they grew up". Smack in the face!
            As far as Islamic rituals goes, I prayed seasonally, fasted every Ramadhan except for the time I had Shasha, paid zakat, did sedekah as and when the occasions presented themselves and read the Quran. I educated myself on religious matters sporadically - as and when I felt the urge.
            I grew up at a time when "majlis ilmu" were almost unheard of, when "Ugama" was just an option paired with "Art", when "Jawi" was the script that "old" people, kids from Kedah, Johor and Kelantan, and the kids at religious schools read, when most of my peers here in KL were Quran-illiterate, when masjid were far and few and madrasah schooling was only for the boys. In short, I grew up in a secular environment which didn't promote religious awareness.
            I am forever grateful to my parents for their efforts in ensuring that I could read the Quran well enough to not forget it in later years. Also the tauhid that they instilled in me that withstood the test of time.
            I grew up in a strange time when all manner of so called Islamic doctrines were thrown in my face. This included the shortcut-to-heaven, hellfire and brimstone, and for-the-life-of-me-I-can't-imagine-this-is-Islam doctrines. The Qadiani cult is one I remember several people following. This old man would come and his followers would show utter devotion to him. I was told they did their pilgrimage in Penang. He was apprehended after a couple of years into his dakwah here in my kampung and most of his followers were successfully rehabilitated.
            In college I was exposed to the tabligh style dakwah movement of the hellfire and brimstone sort. For the first time ever I sighted ladies in jubah and niqab - a vision I was totally unfamiliar with. I remember being given an unpleasant jolt when I encountered one, fully clad in black, in the dead of night! I actually stopped in my tracks and waited to see if she walked normally or floated. A good thing I wasn't of the "screaming" sort! It's sad, however, that the daies I met were mostly of the call-you-names and harassed-you sort - "Apa pakai macam ni ni?! Mari join usrah kita ajar you tentang Islam!". Extremely unappealing to an 18-year old who got put down in public for sure. In hindsight, it's amazing that, most times, I could zip my mouth and smile then - given my fiery nature. I guess I saw the truth in their rants.
            The truth is the truth regardless of how it's thrown at you. I may resent it at times but I've always accepted it.
            I believe that this attitude is what made me "turn".....  :)