This whole idea of Tajdid Month At al-Amin is really superb!. I guess the passing months were real hectic months for me; there goes Sports Carnival, KBM, English Lang Program with US Embassy, meetings,meetings and more meetings…. I didn’t sleep properly nor eat properly; same thing goes with my Ibadah L….. This month would be a perfect month for us all to rejuvenate our Iman, re-evaluate our Ibadah and purify our intention (niat)
Back To Basic
Going back to the basic of why Almighty Allah created us..
[And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision for themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or My creatures).] (Adh-Dhariyat 51:56-57)
No one can deny the fact that Allah designed and subjugated the creation in order for man to fulfill the objective he was originally created for…to serve Allah and to Allah only. To live a life that is meaningful and blessed, we must have a goal that is worth striven for. Having no purpose of life is like having no life at all.
Set Goals
Set a goal for yourself during this month which you will do your best to achieve. Let that goal be to save you from Hellfire and to enjoy Allah’s pleasure and salvation.
In order for you to achieve that lofty goal, you will have to struggle yourself with all these matters below (just suggestions):
- With Fasting
OK, according to the school rules, Thursday is the compulsory day for all Al-Amin staff and students to fast. Hopefully, we do not view this rule as mere ‘RULE’ to follow, but take the opportunity to gain deeds and follow the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet. (Sometimes I tend to forget, once, i unintentionally eat chocolate publicly, gee, I totally forgot that i`m fasting!! ..lol).
So do not cheat or lie or backbite or usurp others’ properties or gaze at what Allah has prohibited (the opposite sex). It is well-known that fasting is of three degrees:
1. Abstaining from food, drink, physical and mental desires.
2. Keeping your ears, eyes, tongue, hands, and feet, and all other bodily organs free from sins. Refraining from bad behavior such as lying, cheating, music, smoking, backbiting and slandering others to create animosity among them. The Prophet (peace be on him) said: "No slanderer shall enter the Jannah."
3. Avoiding occupying your heart with unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, and upholding nothing in your heart but Allah the Almighty.
So, what holds you back from drawing nearer to Allah and being one of those very few people who observe fasting of that third and special degree?
With Standing in the Night in Prayer
It is highly recommended for you to observe Qiyam al-Layl (Night Prayer), for it was the practice of your righteous predecessors. Qiyam al-Layl brings you closer to your Lord, atones for your sins, drives disease from your body, and stops transgression. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
- With the Quran
You can listen to the Quran being recited and you will get the same hassanat as if you were reading it yourself. Or you can take the opportunity to double up and top up your Hafazan.. it is advisable to make a checklist on what Surah or which ayyats have you successfully memorized
- With Charity
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “Give out charity, for it guarantees your salvation from Hellfire” (At-Tabarani). However, what if you do not know one or it is not that easy for you to access a charity every day? You could try to gather and combine your charity every 10 days, for example, and then give it out at once. Or, we could spare a lot of Tabung Palestine everywhere especially during recess at the School Hall.
- With Dhikkir (Remembrance of Allah)
You can spend a lot of time just saying "Subhan Allah" or "Alhamdulilla" or "Astaghfir Allah" which will give you tons of hassanat.
- Watching Religiuos Shows on TV or Youtube
There are a lot of amzing Islamic shows on TV and Youtube as well.. They constantly remind you of Allah and how close He is to us. You can watch all Islamic videos uploaded on Youtube (especially those made by brothers and sisters of Islamic Emirate of YT…hehe.. just promoting)
Also, you can make Du'aa which is very important as a du`aa is “the believer’s weapon,” du`aa’ (supplication to Allah), in every situation. This is true of every situation that occurs for a Muslim in daily life. During fasting, stick to making du`aa’, because in this state you are nearer to Allah and your supplications are more likely to be accepted. Thus, you should make du`aa’ to Allah all the time and not forget that Allah responds to the invocations of the supplicant when he or she calls on Him sincerely from the heart. Allah says in His Ever-Glorious Qur’an:
[And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad—peace be upon him) concerning Me then (answer them) I am indeed near (to them by My knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.] (Al-Baqarah 2:186)
- Massive Da`wah Campaign
Launch a massive da`wah campaign to the whole school, distribute flyers, little books, pamphletes, Hadith or Quran reminders on the school walls, give salam etc etc...
Last but not least, performing the other acts of worship and duties is most important, and Salat in particular, without which no other act of worship, is accepted by Allah. Praying in congregation is a great aspect in our religion. Everyone should attend: its reward is twenty seven times greater than that which is performed individually. The Prophet (peace be on him) was just about to burn the houses on those who did not attend the congregational prayers (strictly for men).
Ookeh Dokkie..since that i`m the one who`s typing this posting, I should be the first one to accomplish what i`ve typed. Ya Allah, give me a LOT OF STRENGTH …Amin…
