Monday, November 29, 2010

Quranic Home, First Step towards Love for Quran

WHAT parents do not wish to have children who love and practise Al-Quran?

The first step toward this is creating a home where parents read, cherish and practise Al-Quran, because children learn by examples.

Teaching the children Al-Quran and encouraging them to memorise it is an honourable duty in life, wrote Dr Saad Riyadh in his book Kaifa Nuhabibul Quran li Abnaina (how to instill the love for Al-Quran in our children), before commencing on the need to build a home where a love of Al-Quran can be fostered. Build a model home, he said.

If you wish your children to love Al-Quran, turn your home into a model home where interaction with Al-Quran proceeds in the best manner.

This is a home where Al-Quran is read in a beautiful voice and in tranquillity, instead of in a loud voice that disturbs other people.

'Ignorant' Home

This is the house where no one cares about Al-Quran. Nobody reads it. Or are reluctant to read it.

Yet the parents of the house think that it is important that their children learn Al-Quran, so they send the youngsters to Islamic schools or places where they can memorise the Book. It does not occur strange to the parents that they themselves do not read it, or even if they behave in ways that are against Al-Quran. The children may memorise some chapters of Al-Quran, but those verses remain mere words that they can utter if they have to but not something that the children live. The words of Al-Quran do not enter their hearts, and they will be forgotten soon.

'Rigid' Home

This is the home where Islam is practised by the parents in ways that do not give any space for the children to be relaxed or creative.

Parents insist that their children study Al-Quran through methods that disregard the uniqueness of each child, their characters, abilities and inclinations.

Children will remember this inflexibility and it will be difficult for them to associate learning Al-Quran with ease, affection and comfort.

'Quran-less' Home

This is the home where its inhabitants have forgotten all about Al-Quran, and so Al-Quran has forgotten them. Instead of Al-Quran, the noise of all kinds of musical instruments enters the mind and the heart of the children.

'Model' Home

This is a home where its inhabitants love, read, practise and translate Al-Quran into their daily lives. Al-Quran is alive amongst them, and so love and compassion grow strong in their hearts. The children believe in Al-Quran and the guidance provided therein for their lives. When Al-Quran says this or that, they believe in that guidance and follow it. They love Al-Quran because they believe and witness all the goodness that comes from it in their own lives.

My Parents, My Teachers

When parents say they wish their children to love and know Al-Quran, they must first know and close to Al-Quran and love it thoroughly. They say to their children, Al-Quran is the Book of Allah. Whoever guards it, Allah will guard him or her. Whoever holds on to it for guidance in life, Allah will help them. This is the Book that will help us become good people, loved by Allah.

After that, the parents go on to show that their behaviour, too, is according to Al-Quran. Which child would want to heed a parent who tells him that Al-Quran will make him a good person, but then goes on to do things that prohibited by Al-Quran?

Winning Childrens Hearts

Parents need to realise that Allah has planted in their hearts the love for their children, but that they will need to work to have that love reciprocated. Before parents can expect their children to love Al-Quran, they need to first win their childrens love and respect for them. Here are some tips from various experts.

Build closeness with the children. Pray that Allah grant good for your children, and pray that Allah unite your heart with theirs.

When introducing your child to Al-Quran, treat him in accordance to his ability. Do not push him excessively.

Be creative and use different methods when teaching, including games and quizzes, so children will not be bored. Use CDs, pictures, or films and colourful books for your study sessions with the children.

Give rewards. Or withhold rewards, as a form of punishment this is better than snapping or humiliating your children for failing to achieve something. In this way the children will be able to maintain their self-respect, and will in turn respect their parents.

Know your children well, so you can appeal to their uniqueness.

Try to be your childrens friend, instead of an instructor or even a hero who gives them a home, food and clothing and thus has the right to demand that they give back by learning Al-Quran for you.

Be sensitive and pay attention to anything that might prove to be obstacles in your childrens happiness and tranquility at home. Try to prevent any elements that might be harmful, even in the forms of friends of your children or television.

You can never say I love you enough so express your love to your children as often as possible.

Original Source: The Brunei Times

Friday, November 19, 2010

Oh no, self centeredness!

What is self-centered?

- When someone only cares about themself. This can also be known as 'selfish'.

What is a self-centered person?

- A self centered person is:

Talks about themselves constantly.
Does not listen to others well nor cares to listen to what others have to say and makes no bones about it.
Self centered people can cut off a conversation they are having with another person and start talking about themselves.
They can be vain about their looks and are constantly looking at themselves in any reflection they can manage to get too, or, constantly preening themselves while the world flies by.
They take, but don't give back.
They may flirt even if they have a boyfriend or are married.
They constantly need reassurance about their looks.
If they don't get enough attention they will sulk.
Basically everything in society is about 'them.'

How do you handle a self centered person?

- always change the topic or ignore whenever they talk about themselves. Talk to more people and hint to them that they talk too much about themselves (in a nice way)

How do you change a self centered person?

a) Contrary to popular belief, self centered people are, in fact, MORE caring than MOST people. The reason that they seem distant is because people take advantage of them, so they focus inwardly, where it tends to be more comfortable. Because of this self reflection, they tend to realize their faults faster than others and they help others when nobody else is paying attention because they feel that everybody else is self centered. Accuse a self centered person of being uncaring or greedy, and I assure you, nine times out of ten, they will become angry with you. It's merely their way of telling you that YOU are self centered for not considering the fact that they are SECRETLY caring individuals and don't want to be stepped on. So, the nxt time you see a self centered person, ask yourself, "What do I need to change about myself?"

b) If you accuse anyone of being uncaring and greedy, they will get angry. It doesn't prove anything. And if self-centered people were secretly caring and generous, then by definition they would not be self-centered. This theory is honestly one of the most bizarre and convoluted I have ever come across.
As to the question, people do change, but usually self-improvement comes from within. You can't make a person change; they have to come to the realization that they need to change on their own.

Facebook unfriending 'triggered asthma attack'

Salam everyone....

Somehow, I find this interesting. This incident happened in Italy. However has anything like this ever happened to anyone in Malaysia? Does a person get mentally/psychologically stressed under certain circumstances while going through Facebook? It happened, so it might happen again?

Can virtual friends give you asthma? The question is put in an unusual case study reported on Friday by the medical journal The Lancet.

Facebook unfriending 'triggered asthma attack'

Italian doctors describe how a 18-year-old man with a history of asthma suddenly experienced bouts of breathlessness during the summer months, when he was normally free from these symptoms.
The teen's worried mother learned that he was depressed after breaking up with his girlfriend, who had deleted him from her list of "friends" on Facebook while "friending" lots of new young men.Using a new nickname on Facebook, the young man succeeding in becoming her "friend" once more and in finally gaining access to her picture on her Facebook profile.

Intrigued, the doctors asked the patient to wear an airflow mask, measuring respiratory flow, whenever he accessed Facebook.Sure enough, his breathing volume dramatically plunged as soon as he logged in, sometimes by more than 20 percent. After getting help from a psychiatrist, the patient determined not to login to Facebook any more -- and the asthma attacks stopped.

The patient had no other physical problems or anything else untoward in his medical history, say the investigators.They conclude it was the stress of Facebook login that triggered the asthma: the patient literally choked at the prospect of seeing and communicating with his ex.The case is reported in a letter by five doctors, led by Gennaro D'Amato of the High Speciality Hospital in Naples.

The authors say the case could be a useful tip for doctors who want to explore mystery cases of wheezing and breathlessness among young patients, for whom social networking is fast taking the place of real-life relationships, with all their ups and downs.

"Facebook, and social networks in general, could be a new source of psychological stress, representing a triggering factor for exacerbations (a worsening. It may refer to an increase in the severity of a disease or its signs and symptoms) in depressed asthmatic individuals," says the letter.

"Considering the high prevalence of asthma, especially among young people, we suggest that this type of trigger be considered in the assessment of asthma exacerbations."

Monday, November 15, 2010

Hari Raya Aidil Adha 17/12/2010

Rasulullah Sallallhu 'alayhi wasallam said: "The heart of the person who remains awake (in Ibadat) during the night of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adhaa will not die on the Day when hearts will be dead, i.e. the Day of Qiyaamah." (TABRANI)

The nights of both Eids, i.e. the nights preceding the Days of Eid, are auspicious occasions which should be observed with reverence and worship. These holy nights, should therefore not be allowed to pass by in idleness. Full advantage should be taken of these opportunities by offering obedience and Ibadat{worship} unto Allah Ta'ala to the best of our abilities. Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness for sins), Tilaawat (reciting the Quran), Nafl Salaat, Durood(salawaat), etc. should be profusely offered on these holy nights.

SUNNATS OF THE DAY OF EID-UL ADHA

Ø To rise as early as possible (in fact much of this night should be spent in Ibaadat [worship]).

Ø To take a sunnat bath (mandi sunnat hari raya)

Ø To use the Miswaak.

Ø To apply Itr (perfume).

Ø To wear one's best clothes, ensuring that it conforms with the Shariah (sunnah dress).

Ø Eid-ul-Adha is like Eid-ul-Fitr in every sense except for that in Eid-ul-Adha it is desirable not to eat anything before prayer, if you have eaten then there is no harm.

Ø To go to the masjid as early as possible.

Ø To choose a separate route when returning from the masjid.

Ø To walk to the masjid. However, there is no harm in using any means of conveyance if the masjid is a distance away.

Ø To recite the Takbeer [Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La IlahaIllallahu, Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahilhamd] while walking to the Eid Gah.

Ø If we have the means then Qurbani (Udhiyya) should be done

Let us Celebrate the Day of Eid by caring for the weak and needy in our community, discharging our Qurbani and by upholding the Commandments of Allah Ta’ala and the Sunnah of our Beloved Nabi Muhammad(Peace be upon him)

Eid Mubarak!!!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

That time of year....

Courtesy : Dr S Ebrahim

For many when we hear the phrase “It’s that time of year again...” we think of year-end holidays and another year gone. For others it’s the dreaded time of exams. Again! A time of fear and anxiety, a time of wishing we had done more during the year, but there’s no getting away from it. It’s that time of year again....

And as we grow older the exams seem to get more difficult and the brain more reluctant to yield the information we crammed into it. At junior grade the answers are simple, such as the teacher who asked Albie to come to the map and show the class where is America, Albie did so correctly and then the teacher asked: “Now class, who discovered America?” “Albie!!” was the prompt and proud answer.

As we grow older we can no longer get away hiding behind childhood innocence but have to demonstrate our learning ability and answer the questions about intricate subjects that often have a multitude of odd sounding phrases that difficult to pronounce and even more difficult to learn. But without learning there can be no progress. “The more knowledgeable the man, the more valuable the man” said Hazrat Ali (RA)

With the limited time to cram a year’s worth of information we often seek extraordinary solutions, but there are few except the tried and tested method of prayer, hard work and lots more hard work. But here some practical tips to help you:

1. Pray - Before any study session spend a few moments praying. Sometimes teens think that Allah is only in the most spiritual parts of their lives, but Allah is in every aspect of your life. He wants you to succeed. Praying can bring you closer to Allah and make you feel a little stronger and relaxed going into test time. Ask others to also pray for you. We can never underestimate the power of prayer.

2. Study SMART – more time doesn’t mean more effective studying. Ideally study for 50 minutes then spend 10 minutes reviewing the material just covered. Then take a 5minute break to soak it all in.

3. Establish a study timetable – many students loose hours of study time deciding what to study and the mind will always gravitate to those subjects we enjoy ignoring the ones that we dislike and really need attention.

4. Lose the Excuses - It can be easy to put off studying until the last minute. The things going on around you can be tempting ways to procrastinate. Exams are overwhelming. They do test your limits, but you can learn. You need to keep your pace reasonable and learn what you can.

5. Eat Well – while many teenagers are convinced that chocolate slabs and crisps are packed with sufficient sugar and carbohydrates to nourish the brain – in reality, they only satisfy the taste-buds and are very poor brain food. High sugar foods may give you energy at first, but then it plummets pretty quickly. So drop some of the ‘snacks’ for a real good meal at least twice a day.

6. Get Your Rest - Sleep is one of the most important tools you have in studying for exams. You may feel stressed and like you don't know everything you need to know, but a good night sleep can help relieve that stress. A lack of sleep can end up clouding your judgement or increase your number of mistakes. Get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night, especially the night before your exam.

7. Take a Breather - Breaks are a good thing. Even the test preparers of major tests like the ACT and SAT know the importance of taking a breather, as they schedule them into the test time. Studying can take its toll on you, and after a while the words and information can just seem like a jumbled mess. Step away from what you are studying and just clear your head with something different. It will help make you fresh to continue.

8. Have Some Fun - Yes, exam time is stressful, and you may feel like you have to devote all your time to studying. However, if you develop a good plan you should have some time to spend with friends and family. Make some time to do some things with your youth group that week to just blow off steam. Taking an hour or two to get away from the stress is a good thing. It will make your head a bit clearer when you back to studying and you will feel reenergized.

When all else fails then you could pray a lot more and come up with some imaginative excuses like:

Father: Why are your exam marks so low?
SON: Because I sit at the desk at the back, Dad.Father: What difference does that make?
SON: Well, there are so many of us in the class that when it's my turn for marks there aren't any left.

We pray that Allah Ta’ala grant all the students success in their exams and use their knowledge for the sake of promoting his Deen. And we also ask Allah to assist us all in our FINAL exam and allow us all to pass this difficult assessment. Aameen!