وَمَا تَنْقِمُ مِنَّا إِلَّا أَنْ آمَنَّا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّنَا لَمَّا جَاءَتْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ 

Wama tanqimu minna illa an amanna biayati rabbina lamma jaatna rabbana afrigh AAalayna sabran watawaffana muslimeena

And you do not resent us except because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims (in submission to You)."

Surah Al-Araf: ayah 126

May your walls know joy;

May every room hold laughter, and 

Every window open to great possibilities.

Maryanne Radmacher Hershey

Narrated Anas: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 

“The real patience is at the first stroke of a calamity.”
Sahih Al-Bukhari (Book 23, Hadith 389)

Sometimes, I wish that I am a cat.

Where people feed me when it's time.

Passerby would pet me, stroke me and even say hello.

I would watch people walk by for the morning rush hour, 

I would see them walking back home looking so tired, 

holding their groceries or their children on the other hand.

But they will never fail to say hello to me or pet me.

I wish I am a cat.

And I wish that human would be nice to each other, 

just like how they are nice to the cats.

Dear God.

I learnt something new today. There is a difference between hearing and listening. Although both uses the ears but there's a huge difference in both. Subhanallah!

Hearing is the physical act done by the ears. One can hear voices or sounds or echo but not necessarily any action is done pursuant to hearing. Listening on the other hand, is hearing and then committing oneself to do the action with heart and soul. 

When I heard that, I realised that maybe in my distractedness with my studies and worldly affairs, I've been hearing the Quran and not listening. Perhaps that I've just been reading the Quran and without appraising it.

I need to go back to the ayah that mentions, "We have listened and obeyed (Surah Al-Baqara: ayah 285). Anyone can hear but it takes effort and determination to listen. 

Letters to God

by Norhafsah Hamid
(page 138)

Dear Muffin.

You would never know how much your parents love you so. You are indeed a blessing to them. You brought them joys, accompanied them when they needed most. Your tiny paws grown and your furry fur been trimmed, you've grown into such a beautiful teen. Thank you for being there for them, Muffin. Thank you for being understanding. Thank you for your warm and kind love, thank you for letting us learn to love and be thankful for whatever that has written for us.

Love, 

Mama Sarah

Beauty.

Beauty is the eye of the beholder. Yes, that's the quote that anyone forever knows. I fell in love with the beauty that God has created. The sun, the moon, the stars. That morning that turns into night. The greenery and the calming sea. The birds chipping with the harmonious melody. Beauty should be felt from within. Beauty is like taking deep breathe and letting it go peacefully. Beauty should leave a smile on your face. Beauty should be able for you to be thankful and give your thanks and praise the Almighty.