Where there is torture of good people,
the system which supports it will surely be destroyed.
There are many good people in this world who want to do good work.
You should convince them,
work with them
and organize them
to do maximum service
for the suffering humanity.

- Shrii Prabhat R. Sarkar

Earthquakes and fires,
Wrath or reminder?

We should be reminded of our humanity.
It is time.

Truly in the heart there is a void...

"Truly in the heart there is a void that can not be removed
except with the company of God.
And in it there is a sadness that can not be removed
except with the happiness of knowing God and being true to Him.
And in it there is an emptiness that can not be filled
except with love for Him and by turning to Him
and always remembering Him,
and if a person were given all of the world and what is in it,
it would not fill this emptiness."

- Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya

I have gone through the second intensive week of the semester, and I already have this thought: I'd rather have my own children, and take care of them.

I'd rather be out of this system. I need to get out of this convoluted system, where money is the motivation and passion is a facade.

I'd rather change the society by having my own family, and make changes within myself, and my family.

The inward precedes the outward.
Change the self, then the family, and then the society.

- source

2008's intuit-transmission:
prosperity and good relations

2009's intuit-transmission:
obstacles and great growth

2010's intuit-transmission:
progress, challenge,
and something else which I cannot grasp.

This year's highlights:

My 25 26 year old brother's engagement - 31st of January.
My 26 27 year old sister's engagement - 15th of February.
My 23 24 year old sister's marriage (along with a friend's) - November.
College Graduation - June?
A step towards independence - am getting a full-time job.
I am turning 22 this year (I was reminded by an old friend, sheesh.)

2010. I feel it, but I am uncertain about what it is. Progress, challenge, and what? It is something distant, yet near. Only He has all knowledge of what is ahead. I shall not linger in wanting to know. Let it come. Meanwhile, I have to take care of the things going on at the moment. There are many things to progress in, inward and outward. I pray I will not lose sight of things.

And so it has begun...

It is the second day of my final semester, yet I am exhausted. Many of my cohort mates are. It is never easy to complete a two-year programmme, I think. Everything is squashed together - there's barely time to breathe, barely time to sleep. But, this time, I do not wish to complain about anything. I would like to breathe it all in. This is a blessing, and I should strive through this last lap with a smile on my face.

It is fascinating how, through such immense pressure, many of us are depending on God Almighty for strength. These were posted on Facebook:

• "Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and He will help you. Psalm 37:5 (NLT)"

• "WITH GOD, I KNOW I CAN MAKE IT. "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.""

• "Among the signs of success at the end is the turning to Allah at the beginning. ——— Al The Hikam of Ibn Ibn ‘Ata’illah, chapter 2, 26."

I understand that for some of us, the pressure is much worse due to many other responsibilities. I am amazed at how strong these people are. We will all be amazed at how strong we can be.

Ya Rabb, O Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, There is none to be worshipped save You. Verily, we are dependent on You. It is Your aid which we seek. I pray that you bless us all with endurance, patience, and constancy through this final lap, ameen, ameen, ameen ya Rabbal 'Alamin.

The Old Woman

"Jaga maruah,
Solaat jangan lupa."

Skin has shriveled,
Eyes have seen,
Heart has felt,
Tongue has dulled,
Soul is freed.

Shorter Lives, Fewer Breaths, Greater Urgency.

The masses rejoice at new beginnings, fresh hopes.
I could not help but to spend the last hour of 2009 in quiet solitude.

With age, comes greater responsibility.

Every individual has his own condition. His own state.
The believer, the atheist, the heedless, the greedy.
The meek, the oppressed, the tyrant, the envious.
The sleeper, the fool, the wealthy, the learned, the angry.
The rebel, the drunk, the sleepless, the worried, the unsettled.

In each, lies battle upon battle.
One has the responsibility to strive to improve one's own condition,
against the baser self, against whims,
against the death of the heart.

In each, lies battle upon battle.
Never ascribe purity to yourselves.
We are all battling -
either we remain in states of abjectness in the new year,
or do something.

With age, comes greater urgency.

"Are you in doubt?"

The Great Enemy
has sworn
to not release you
from his tight grasp,
from cradle to grave.
Be steadfast.
Be vigilant.


I'd like to attend the RIS Convention one day, God willing. This year's took place in Toronto:

RIS8 Trailer - Reviving the Islamic Spirit 8th Convention

"I don't like what you're doing,
but I respect who you are.
Because maybe who you are tomorrow
will be better than who I am today."
- Professor Tariq Ramadan

"We can dream big –
and if our dreams are to follow
the prophetic path of
caring for the orphan, the widow, the sick, the poor –
then surely our dreams will take flight and,
blessed by God,
will be realized with patient, persistent, courageous work."

- Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America