Rain & Motivation

Since the weather is really dark and gloomy lately, and it is raining almost everyday. So, here is a self motivation and something nice to read during a rainy day.

Through the Rain

When you get caught in the rain with no where to run
When you're distraught and in pain without anyone
When you keep cryin out to be saved but nobody comes
And you feel so far away that you just can't find your way home
You can get there alone
It's ok, won't you say

I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again on my own and I know that I'm strong enough
to mend
And every time I feel afraid
I hold tighter to my faith and I live one more day and I make it
through the rain

And if you keep falling down, don't you dare give in
You will arise safe and sound, so keep pressing on steadfastly and
you'll find what you need to prevail
What you say

I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again on my own and I know that I'm strong enough
to mend
And every time I feel afraid
I hold tighter to my faith and I live one more day and I make it
through the rain

And when the wind blows
And shadows grow close
Don't be afraid
There's nothing you can't face
And should they tell you, you'll never pull through

Don't hesitate, stand tall and say

I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again on my own and I know that I'm strong enough
to mend
And every time I feel afraid I hold tighter to my faith
And I live one more day and I make it through the rain
And I can make it through the rain and stand up once again
And I live one more day and I, I can make it through the rain
Oh yes you can,
You're gonna make it through the rain

The First Ten Days & Nights Of Dhul Hijjah

The Article is taken from IqraSense;


This year Hajj (Arafat Day) will be on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 corresponding to 9th Dhul-Hijjah. The first day of Dhul-Hijjah therefore falls on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009. Eid Al-Adha therefore will be on Friday, November 27th, 2009.

Most Muslims very well know the blessings of the nights of Ramadan, especially the last ten nights. However, not everyone knows that the first ten days of the last month of the Islamic month, Dhul Hijjah, are equally packed with blessings.

Allah has provided Muslims numerous opportunities throughout the year to renew their faith and to encourage them towards acts of goodness by specifying such special days. So, we have another such opportunity that we shouldn’t let pass by just like any other period in time.

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al-Fajr (interpretation of the meaning):

“By the dawn; By the 10 nights” [al-Fajr 89:1-2].

Most scholars agree that these ten nights refer to the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer also had validated that opinion by stating: “This is the correct opinion.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413]

Ibn ‘Abbas reports that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said,

“No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these days [meaning the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah].”

Among the deeds recommended during those ten days are observing voluntary fasting, offering animal sacrifices (lamb, goat, etc.), sincere repentance, recitation of the Quran, staying up the night and finally praying the Eid prayers on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah.

Hafsah reported, “There are five things that the Messenger (saws) never abandoned: fasting the day of ‘Ashurah, fasting the [first] 10 [days of Dhul-Hijjah], fasting 3 days of every month and praying two rak’aah before the dawn prayer.” [Related by Ahmad and an-Nasa'i]

Abu Hurairah relates that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, “There are no days more loved to Allah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijja. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer salatul tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the night of power. [i.e., Lailatul Qadr].” [Related by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and al-Baihaqi]

The Prophet (SAWS) commanded us to recite a lot of Tasbeeh (”Subhan-Allah”), Tahmeed (”Al-hamdu Lillaah”) and Takbeer (”Allaahu akbar”) during this time. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (SAWS) said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel (”La ilaaha ill-Allah”), Takbeer and Tahmeed.” (Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is saheeh). (Islam-QA.com)

So, as Muslims we should welcome the ten days of Dhul Hijjah with the same fervor and enthusiasm as we welcome the last ten days of Ramadan or any other blessed days in Islam. Lets make the most of it.

Insomnia?

Since the last few weeks I have problem to sleep. If I try to sleep at 12.30 a.m, the time I manage to sleep is around 3 a.m. Most of the time my eyes are wide open and I don’t feel sleepy at all. Being me somebody who seldom fall in the deep sleep I can easily wake even heard somebody slowly open the door. I’m only feeling tired in the morning the rest of the day I’m energetic.

I try to exercise believing that if I’m exercising my body will be tired and I’m easily fall asleep. But it doesn’t work. I have regular coffee intake, not more than a cup per day so I will not blame on my coffee. I seldom take a nap during day. If I did that I find myself up all night. I don’t have big problems that give problems to my normal sleeping hours. I don’t have exam, assignment or anything related. The only thing I’m doing now is just looking back at my proposal and made some amendments. I don’t put much pressure while doing that and nothing much to worry until I have to have a sleepless night.

Well…thinking it back may be it is not really a problem and 3-4 hours sleep is just enough for me.

Lazy Rambling

أللهم إني أعوذ بك من الهم والحزن

وأعوذ بك من العجز والكسل

وأعوذ بك من الجبن والبخل

وأعوذ بك من غلبة الدين وقهر الرجال

I should read a LOT of the above doa. I’m really in a lazy mood. Lazier than normal. As people always blaming on the hormones for any changing moods, I can’t even find any significant relationship between hormones and laziness. I’m feeling lazy. What else can I say. Busyness is a really nonsensical defense for my laziness at the moment. I’m not at all feeling busy & still waiting for the exam result to come out. I’m really lazy to do anything, reading, writing and etc. Even to fill in the form for kenaikan pangkat and scrutinize all the documents is like ages to do. I know the new coordinator in the department is already babbling for my procrastination. Got her message recently written “study hard and remember all my advices”. When I read the message twice, I felt like replying “which one?” .There are a lot of advices she gave me before I left for study leave. Personal advices, study advices, do’s and don’ts and etc. Anyway I should be thankful for the advices and reminder.

There was annual meeting of Economics Graduate Association recently and all the postgraduate students were invited to attend the meeting. Due to my laziness I didn't even bother to go until Kak S called me. The meeting couldn't proceed unless there was enough quorum. So, I was there just to complete the quorum. The best part I was forced by Mr President to hold a post in the association. I think all those who were qualified (finish the coursework) got the posts (remember there was not enough quorum). I was actually threatened by Mr President with the Phd room. Ha3x. If you don't have any posts, then it will be really difficult for you to get a room. Doesn't it funny if you are in the politics, people really want to hold any positions but in this meeting you have been persuaded and threatened to hold a post which you don't even bother about it. Well....another story I made an irrational thing on that day too. I was fasting and Mr President asked me to eat nasi ambeng that they have ordered tripled than those who attended the meeting. Again, I was lazy to explain to him that i was fasting and was pity to look to those who work hard for the meeting (not a really solid reason to breakfasting) so I ate nasi ambeng. Half way eating I felt like giler ape breakfasting for the sake of nasi ambeng. No, I'm not a fan and far from a lover of nasi ambeng. (Nasi lalapan lagi sedap). Feeling regret for the whole day.

I went to Kompleks Tabung Haji Kelana Jaya to send my second abang. Abang performs his hajj this year. He went alone not be accompanied by anyone except his bags. Should not worry about that, insyallah he will find a lot of Malaysian’s friends and friends all over the world. As abang was wearing his Tabung Haji bracelet and I could remember vividly the same scene at the same place three years ago, when my sister’s MIL trying to put the bracelet on my hand she said this is the most expensive bracelet I’m going to wear. It needs a lot of money, efforts, sweat, determination, patience, sacrification and invitation from Allah to wear it. Her words touched my heart very much. The feeling of wearing it will never be the same as you are wearing the RMXXXXX gold/ platinum bracelets women can dream for. When I saw that scene again, the mix feelings, the sense of jealousy (jeles org dpt p haji) at the same time happy for abang as he will be guest of Allahfor the hajj season this year. Kakak said who knows we are going to be invited by Allah too this year. Sound impossible for this year but who knows! May be... the following years lah kak!. On another scene, Bibik got the teary eyes when she heard the Talbiyah. She wondered whether she will get a chance to perform hajj. I told her that Allah will invite His guests if the person has a determination to go regardless the races, the wealth, the colour or the countries you come from. As I was explaining to my nephews and the niece where and what abang is going to do during hajj, she was listening and told me “ enak ye kak kalau dapat pergi haji. When I looked at her, I saw her hoping face and the sincerity in her words I wish I have a lot of money and sending somebody like Bibik to Mecca. Back to the story of my abang, he is in Madinah now, a “lone ranger” journey to fulfill the 5^th pillar. I know abang is well prepared for the journey mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. But still the tense, the anxious and the happiness can be seen through his face before he checked in to the hall. I just wish abang a great and successful pilgrimage. May the journey be the beginning of a better tomorrow, and the return be a fresh start altogether.

I got a reunion invitation for Economics students from U* on the 20^th December. I even got a personal invitation from Bib (one of active members of the organizer) but sorry Bib I don’t think I will go due to certain reasons. My schedule is filled with the plans which are “subject to change”. By the way why I need to explain?….I owed nobody any explanations for not attending the event that I used to be excited to go. Yes…I have done my work during the tarik session but I didn’t make any promises to go for the reunion. The pity part is for Is,(I know you are reading this). She will come from Sarawak on this December . I feel guilty when she said if I go then she will go too. If I don’t go definitely she will not too(Ini kes Titanic, I jump, you jump) . Well… see what I can do but 70% is definitely I will not going. Another 30% I’m still thinking. Love to meet my friends whom I haven’t met for a long time but still I have good reasons for not going.

Got this newspaper, sound like a funny news but it is a true story and and there is lesson should be learnt too.

People always said life is too short. Enjoy the moments and live life to the fullest but what if working is your enjoyment

P/S: Pardon me I'm so lazy to make paragraphs and subtitles