What is the real strength in character? A lesson from a child

On Thursday, the last day of school my daughter's school was celebrating teacher's day and the children were told to wear nice clothes. Unfortunately due to a miscommunication, the message didn't reach me and my poor child went to school in her uniform. Her eyes filled with tears as soon as she saw her friends dressed up in beautiful baju kurung and the boys in baju melayu. I felt terrible but I took her hand, explained the situation to her class teacher and left her in good hands.

It may seem small but to a child...it is a first step in facing a hardship and dealing with disappointments. I watch my children grow up and see all the little hardships they face, the disappointments, the changes they have had to deal with, moving to a different country, changing schools, making new friends, going through a separation, adjusting to new family life; and sometimes it seems too much to handle but I see so much strength in them SubhanAllah! 

Life is full of hardships and disappointments but these difficulties are the building blocks of our strength and character.When I asked my brother who is an ex-MCKK "Would you send your boys to a boarding school despite all the stories we hear today of alleged bullying?" His answer was simply "YES" and his reasoning: it was those hardships that made him who he is today. It made him strong, resilient and a fighter. 

Everyone faces hardship but just by mere survival is not good enough. For a person to go through a test and to come out angry, bitter, vengeful and unrepentant does not do justice to the wealth that lies behind those hardships. Hardships are meant to shape us into better people, to elevate oneself to become wiser, more humble, more patient, more forgiving and more understanding. I consider this as true victory. Those who are cancer survivors and become volunteers for cancer support groups. Those who lose children through horrifying events and become champions in saving other families from similar fate. Those who survive through war and volunteers to help war victims. Those who go through difficult relationships and are able to solve their differences and become friends. 

I've had a fair share of frictions with various individuals throughout my life but we have been able to resolve matters and be friends. I have so much respect for them and are proud to be their friends, May Allah SWT reward them. 

So, when I picked my daughter up from school at the end of the day, I was pleased to see her smiling, laughing and playing with her friends. She had totally forgotten about what she was wearing and neither of us spoke about it. She was simply excited to tell me all about her interesting day of eating sweets and playing games, Alhamdulillah. 

"Remember, happy people have often experienced as much adversity as those who are unhappy. What sets them apart is that they have the good sense to manage their memories in a way that enriches their lives."

- Life lessons from the monk who sold his ferrari-

Resurgence of the Khilafah: Are we ready to accept?

In a previous post I expressed my despair of not believing in the Malaysian society and my own negative ideas that the muslims in this country are not ready to discuss the concept of Khilafah. I admit I was extremely wrong and recognize that one must never lose hope nor give up on the truth.

It seems that with the current climate, more and more people have expressed their awareness of the existence and history of our Khilafah system; established from the time of Rasullullah SAW until the moment of its destruction in 1924 (the Uthmani Khilafah)

I also came across an article titled "Khilafah & alam melayu" posted by Panglima silam highlighting the relationship between the Uthmani Khilafah and this part of the world as well as the protection that the Khilafah gave to us at the time. History highlighted the fact that this part of the world is a land of Ushr; a land conquered without any form of fighting because the sultan and the people of this land embraced Islam willingly. It was reported in Java, Raja Srivijaya sent a letter to Muawiyah and Umar Abdul Aziz accepting the protection of the Khilafah and in the year 718, Raja Srindravarman embraced Islam.

At this crucial moment where there is a strong realization of the split in the muslim votes in the last general election, questions are being raised about the true mechanism for unity. It is in the nature of this ummah to yearn for unity....because it is part of our belief in Allah SWT and His words, the Qur'an. Allah SWT says

The Noble Qur'an 3:103, 105And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur'ân), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allâh's Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islâmic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allâh makes His Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided.

Hadith - Sahih Muslim (3/1340) and Ahmad (2/367)
The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Indeed Allah is pleased with three things: That you worship Allah alone without associating any partner along with Him; that you hold fast altogether to the Rope of Allah and not to become split-up; and that you give sincere advise to whomever Allah put in charge of your affairs.”
The ummah is also aware of the internal and external plans to divide them and to attack the very foundation of the Islamic belief i.e Tawheed - to belief in the Oneness of Allah SWT. Him alone holds Power, the One and only creator of the universe. This understanding and concept needs to be upheld and protected by all Muslims.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/malaysia-failure-of-u-s-to-subvert-the-elections-and-install-a-proxy-regime/5334439

In this current climate, all islamic groups / parties / organizations working towards permanent change should take the opportunity to explain to this ummah about the islamic aqeedah and the beautiful Khilafah system that governed 2/3rd of the world with justice.

I am not postulating that the Khilafah can be re-established here and certainly maybe NOT within the next 5 years Wallahu A'lam but there is glimmer of hope that the people are ready to accept the concept of Khilafah as an alternative system to the current system....at least to consider and think about it.

وَمَكَرُواْ وَمَكَرَ اللّهُ وَاللّهُ خَيْرُ الْمَاكِرِينَ (3:54)