People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

-

What I feel to be an apt 1000th entry.

Life hasn't been easy but I've gone this far. You can bet I'm going to do and be my best to fulfil this God-given gift called life. <3

I've been irrationally unhappy and hungry for the past few days, which is very unlike me. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's pms. Or maybe it's this damn wisdom tooth that is starting to grow out. I'm not quite sure. What I'm terribly sure is that I don't quite like this state.

It's been more than a year since Amin and I got into a relationship but I still find it unbelievable whenever we learn how similar we are. From tastes and preferences to quirky habits and mannerisms, we're actually very similar. Sometimes, I'd observe him and realise that I'm very well looking at the male version of myself. 

I'm not passing judgement on this, it has both its pros and cons. Of course, being with someone who is so similar to me allows me the benefit of hindsight and the ability to understand some of his actions. Yet at the same time, it's a struggle to come to terms with some of the negative aspects, especially when I know I'm very well doing the exact same thing.

I guess this relationship has a funny way of making me reflect and ponder about some important issues. Our similarities allowed me to take a step back, reevaluate and reconsider what I have so often taken forgranted. It's also gently pushed me to face and internalise issues that I have for so long fearfully dusted under the carpet. Perhaps this is His way to show and guide me the way to be a more wholesome being and a better servant to Him, by crossing my path with someone who is so similar yet so different to me in many aspects, I'm not quite sure.

What I'm very sure about though is that being with someone who's loaded with experiences has made me value the little lessons that life has to offer daily, and be thankful for opportunities and circumstances, no matter how positive or positive they are.

I believe everything happens for a reason. There is nothing that happens in vain. Even being with someone so similar to me very well happened for a reason.

Well, someone who's very similar, not identical. At least, I know U don't snore and he doesn't grind his teeth while sleeping. Heee. ;)

She is simply stunning and her voice, so raw and beautiful, it pulls heart strings. <3

-

"I wish nothing but the best for you, too; Don't forget me, I beg, I remember you said, "Sometimes it lasts in love, But sometimes it hurts instead,""

It was a hell of a ride to be where I am right now but like I always choose to believe, there have been no regrets. Alhamdulillah, for these feelings of peace and serenity that have been blessed upon me. I have never felt stronger than today.

"What really counts are good endings, not flawed beginnings" [Ibn Taymiyyah]

Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You~(Qur'an 3:8)

I have been accompanying my girlfriend for Basic Introduction to Islam courses at Darul Arqam for two months now and I still cannot believe the amount of peace and revelations I get every class. The simplicity of the class, that reduces the knowledge of Islam to its very foundation and bare, made me realise how sometimes, we're so caught up with the big hoo-haa of piety, that we forget the core of being a Muslim. Also, to be in the company of people who are there by their own will, who are keen on learning Islam, is just beautiful.

Yesterday, we learnt about the salah, or the solat, however you want to say it as. Have you ever, done your prayers and not know what you've just recited or the significance of the bodily actions that you just did? Then have you ever learnt those meanings and realised how your prayers now have a different impact on your life? I guess it's important to know why we do certain things, if not for the extra faith, but to have that deep sense of satisfaction that you are doing it out of understanding and not mindless doctrine or following.

Just say, use the compulsory al-Fatehah for example. We read this surah every single unit, sometimes mechanically. Yet when you actually know and internalise the meaning, the ritualistic prayer can take on a whole new level of meaning.
 

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

مَـالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّين

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, the Merciful, the Most Merciful, Owner of the Day of Recompense. You (alone) we worship; and You (alone) we rely for help. Guide us to the Straight Path, the Path of those upon whom You have favored, not those upon whom is the anger, nor the astray. (Amen - please answer)

We pride ourselves to be academics, to be students of education and knowledge, yet sometimes we fail to learn the core meaning of our existence.

 

— Love The One You’re With, Emily Giffin