Facebook can bring in wonders…Agree?

Posted in Simply Elegant on 07/01/2011 03:59 pm by admin

For this instance, I could not agree more. A soul, an event organizer, saw our henna artwork from Simply Elegant fan page, sent us a private message and invited us to do henna at Heeren. It’s not for a one time-off thing, it’s for 3 consecutive weekends!! Alhamdulillah. Ka-chings! :)

Neither my partner, Nana San, nor myself know this person. But yet Allah had planned that one of our sustenance will come through her. MasyaAllah! And to top it off, the deal was made quick and easy. Again, I couldn’t thank Allah enough for giving such ease to us.

So on 18 June 2011 at 6 pm, there we were … ermmmm … actually I was there all alone for the 1st 2 hours as Nana San had prior appointment for her bridal services. Frankly, although I have been doing henna artwork for so many hands already, this event still sent goosebumps to me. Erk!

Immediately after I sat down, the first customer arrived. My hands were shaking! Shaking especially hard since I’m always doing henna as duos, and there was I, all alone (self pitying mode… Heahea~).

Anyway, that was really a big challenge for me! Especially when you have no one beside you to assure you that everything is fine and you are doing great. My mind was totally blank. Not a single idea of what to design on her hand.

So I kept on telling myself,

“Ok stop being a freak Zah! You can do this! You have been doing this so many times already!”

That’s how I comforted myself. Finally I took a deep breath and GO!!! Well, the hands shook alright for the first few mins but then once the brain started to focus, the henna cone just went on smoothly. There I was … in my own world! Khekhe!

The response to the henna design was AWESOME! People were queuing and waiting patiently for their turn. In fact, the organizer was telling us that our booth had the most crowds. 3 hours just passed in a blink of an eye. So was our 2 weekends. Alhamdullilah. This week will be our last weekend. And again this time round, I will be there all alone. Nana San is out for her bridal services. InsyaAllah the hands won’t shake as much after that first experience :)

By the way, if you want your hands to be henna-ed, do come down to Heeren from 6 – 8.30pm tomorrow! If you cannot, don’t be afraid cause I will be there on Sunday too, same time and same place! The best part… It is totally FREE! So come… come… I’ll be waiting!

Meantime, you can check out the designs we made at the event, the fun we had and the satisfaction from the customers :)

 

It’s that DAY of the year again…

Posted in Miscs on 06/07/2011 05:20 pm by admin

Thanks to Allah. It’s that DAY of the year again. A year older, a year wiser. :)

But most importantly, it’s the DAY where my mom bertaruh nyawa to bring me to this dunya. So it’s actually a day of celebration for my mom – for all her sweat, sacrifices for bringing me to life and not forgetting for carrying me in her tummy for 9 months. MasyaAllah!

Alhamdulillah, masih diberi kenikmatan dan kesempatan bernaung di bumi Allah. Semoga sisa sisa usia dapat terus berkhidmat mengajak ummah mentauhidkan Allah dan menegakkan syariahNya. InsyaAllah. Sepertimana sabda Rasulullah saw:

“Setiap daripada kamu adalah pemimpin dan kamu semua bertanggungjawab terhadap orang di bawah jagaanmu.”

(HR Bukhari dan Muslim)

 

Power of “Istighfar” (seeking forgiveness)

Posted in Inspirational Quotes on 05/31/2011 10:53 am by admin

This moving story gives me goosebumps! Please read on and may it be of benefits to us all, InsyaAllah.

This story is about “Istighfar”. It is from the life of Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal, who is considered as a renowned scholar of Islam and a famous theologian. Imam Ahmed is also considered to be the founder of the Hanbali school of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and is one of the most celebrated Sunni theologians, often referred to as the “Sheikh ul-Islam” or the “Imam of Ahl al-Sunnah.”

During his old age, while Imam Ahmed was travelling he stopped by a town. After the prayers, he wanted to stay for the night in the masjid yard because he didn’t know anyone in the town. Owing to his humility, he hadn’t introduced himself to anyone thinking that if he did, he would be welcomed by many people.

Failing to recognize Ahmed bin Hanbal, the caretaker of the mosque refused to let him stay in the mosque. As Imam Ahmed was quite old, the caretaker had to drag him out of the mosque. On seeing this, a baker from a nearby place felt pity for this man (Imam Ahmed) and offered to be the host to him for the night. During his stay with the baker, Imam Ahmed observed that the baker would constantly recite Istighfar (seek forgiveness from Allah). Imam Ahmed asked the baker if the constant practice of saying Istighfar had any effect on him. The baker responded by telling Imam Ahmed that Allah had accepted all of his duas (supplications), except one. When he asked him what dua was it that hadn’t been accepted, the baker replied that he had been asking Allah to provide him the privilege to meet the famous scholar Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal.

On this, Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal said that Allah had not only listened to his dua but had dragged him onto his (the baker’s) doorsteps. [Summarized from Al Jumuah magazine, vol 19, issue 7]

This story is a reminder of the power of saying Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) frequently. Let’s remember that the Prophet pbuh used to say Istighfar frequently during the day.

Tafseer Al-Qurtubi states:

A man complained to Al-Hasan about a drought, and he said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

Another man complained to him of poverty and he said to him: “Pray to Allah to forgive you.”

Another man said to him: “Pray to Allah to bless me with a child.” He said: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

Another complained to him that his garden was dry. He said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

He was asked about it and he said: “This is not my personal opinion, for Allah says in Surah Nooh (interpretation of the meaning):

“Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance. And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.”

Tafseer Al-Qurtubi (18/301-302)

One of the narrators of a Hadith was asked about the manner in which forgiveness is to be sought, to which he answered: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to say: ‘Astaghfirullah! Astaghfirullah! (I beseech Allah for forgiveness, I beseech Allah for forgiveness)’.” [Sahih Muslim].

 

Are you sure Trials are the Sign of Love from Allah swt?

Posted in Inspirational Quotes on 05/04/2011 12:18 am by admin

“Anyone for whom Allah intends good, He makes him suffer from some affliction.” (Bukhari)

I used to have difficulty understanding this verse. Last time, whenever I was strike with a calamity – calamity that brought me down to my knees, I took it as Allah swt WRATH on me. Sadly, this mentality is perceived by many people as well.

Anyway, my perception changed when I was first introduced to Don’t Be Sad book.

In one of the chapters, it was brought to my attention that:

“They should remember about the Companions of the Prophet pbuh who were severely persecuted or even killed after becoming Muslim. Even the prophets of Allah, the best of all people who ever walked on the face of the earth, were persecuted by their community without exception. Even our beloved Prophet Muhammad pbuh was not spared from trials and tribulations. Was Yusof (pbuh) not thrown into a well, sold as a slave, and then thrown back into a prison? In fact, the Qur’an tells us that many prophets were brutally killed by the unbelievers.”

These examples should establish the fact that trials and tribulations are not a sign of Allah’s displeasure on someone. Quite the contrary, it is rather a sign of Allah’s love on someone.

The Prophet pbuh said:

“When Allah who is Great and Glorious loves people, He afflicts them with trials.” (Tirmidhi)

The punishment in the Hereafter is much severe – in fact unimaginable from our worldly perspective – than any affliction one can face in this world. Therefore, when Allah swt loves someone and intends for him or her to go to Paradise, He wipes out his sins and mistakes and rewards him highly by putting him to afflictions in this world.

So yes, trials are actually the signs of Love from ALLAH SWT. If you are on trial, be thankful because you know that’s ALLAH SWT showing you HIS love.

“If ALLAH brings you TO it, HE will bring you THROUGH it.”

“When Allah intends good for His slave, He punishes him in this world, but when He intends an evil for His slave, He does not hasten to take him to task but calls him to account on the Day of Resurrection.” (Tirmidhi)

In Don’t Be Sad book, all you need is just to flip at any page of the book and you will land on the words of wisdom that can soothe even the disheartened souls. A book that I keep close to my heart; that I will pick up often to find solace; and a book that I will NEVER leave far from my reach.

Want to feel the peace and tranquility I felt when reading verses from the book? Grab a copy now. Just click here.

 

Mengambi iktibar dari kisah sahabat Nabi saw, Tsa’labah.

Posted in Business In Islam on 04/24/2011 11:20 am by admin

Mengambi iktibar dan pelajaran dari kisah sahabat Nabi saw, Tsa’labah. Semoga kita tidak dilalaikan dari menunaikan ibadah dalam kita menguruskan perniagaan. Nauzubillah min zalaik.

Seorang sahabat yang bernama Tsa’labah iaitu pada mulanya Tsa’labah adalah seorang yang cukup miskin dan taat kepada Allah dan Rasul-Nya. Setelah beliau didoa oleh Rasulullah saw lantas dia menjadi kaya dan milionman. Tetapi disebabkan dikuasai perasaan tamak dan lupa menyebabkan Tsa’labah menjadi bankrap.

Apabila sahabat bertanya kepada Rasulullah tentang ketiadaan Tsa’labah datang ke masjid untuk solat berjamaah, baginda menjawab: “Kesibukan menguruskan harta kekayaan dan kecintaannya terhadap keduniaan juga perniagaan menyebabkan ia buta mata dan buta hati untuk mencari jalan ke masjid.”

 

Siapa itu Ibnu Majid?

Posted in Business In Islam on 04/21/2011 04:43 pm by admin

Hari ini saya ingin kemukakan salah satu tokoh Islam iaitu Ibnu Majid, bagaimana dengan kemahiran beliau dalam industri perkapalan dan ilmu pelayaran memberi sumbangan yang amat besar dalam memajukan serta memperkembangkan perdagangan umat Islam.

Ibnu Majid adalah pengasas dasar pelayaran moden yang berasaskan pengetahuan ilmu astronomi dan geografi. Beliau menemui laluan ke Lautan Hindi, Laut China Selatan, Parsi dan Lautan Pasifik.

Pengetahuan yang luas dalam bidang pelayaran menjadikan beliau pelaut ulung sehingga diberi gelaran Singa Laut.

Beliau menghasilkan manuskrip yang menceritakan cara melakukan pelayaran melalui Laut Merah dan Lautan Hindi, menjadi petunjuk kepada pelaut bagaimana untuk menuju ke mana-mana pelabuhan, mengenali rupa bentuk pantai dan mengenali arah tiupan angin monsun pada musim tertentu.

Bangsa Arab mengambil faedah daripada ilmu pelayaran ini yang membolehkan mereka belayar jauh ke pelusuk Lautan Hindi untuk berniaga. Mereka dapat melebarkan sayap perniagaan mereka di serata pelusuk dunia melalui jalan laut hingga ke kepulauan Hindi dan China di sebelah timur, Madagascar dan Mozambique di sebelah selatan.

Selain itu, ia membuka peluang kepada kerajaan Islam dahulu meluaskan pengaruh dan mengembangkan wilayah mereka menjadi kerajaan lebih kuat, berwibawa dan bersatu.

Semoga kita dapat mengambil iktibar dari contoh di atas bahawa setiap ilmu yang dipinjamkan kepada kita dari yang HAK, dapat memberi dan akan bermanfaat kepada orang lain. InsyaAllah.

 

Reality Bites REAL Hard!!

Posted in Miscs on 04/13/2011 06:19 pm by admin

For the longest time, I had been stoic and tough. Always in my rationale state of mind regardless what comes my way.

But today, I’m an emotional lump! It’s been awhile that someone else could hurt me. Strangely, this person did. Ouch!

My tears trickled down my cheeks. I don’t know how to explain exactly why I’m feeling this – but I felt an acute contraction in my heart.

How do we become strong without being hard, and remain soft, without being weak?

When do we hold on, and when can we let go?

When does caring too much become too much?

Is there such a thing as loving more than we should?

Hmm…

SUCCESS is only a product of STRUGGLE and struggle almost ALWAYS includes withstanding and overcoming the harms inflicted by others.

So how much longer can I tolerate those harms? Whenever I have decided to move a step further, something, just something prevented me from it. THAT something sometimes drives me insane. That hinders me from making a definite decision. YICKS!

I used to believe that I am living in a perfect life. I overlooked the fundamental truth that it wasn’t. Allah will test us throughout our journey in life. Before, I failed to understand that this world is inherently imperfect.

We, as humans, are inherently imperfect. We will inevitably hurt others, knowingly, and unknowingly, intentionally and unintentionally.

But what did I do to her to deserve this? That question has been lingered in ME for the past seven years. I have to comfort and tell myself that I am dealing with a psycho. A psycho that refuses to get out of my life. Argh!!!

Whatever it is, I believe and will always cling to the rope of Allah, InsyaAllah.

For every hardship there’s two ease at the end of it.

THAT is Allah’s promise. So why should I be threatened by that psycho right? :)

 

Thank You ALLAH!

Posted in Inspirational Quotes on 04/11/2011 06:41 pm by admin

Thank You ALLAH!
When the truth was revealed, the next thing to do is blurted out in anger. But I was reminded instantly of this verse:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

“Whoever controls his/her anger at the time when he has the means to act upon it, Allah will fill his heart with contentment on the Day of Resurrection.” (Tabarani)

Thank You ALLAH!
When I questioned why am I not valued after all the sacrifices I have made, I was immediately hit with this quote from “Don’t Be Sad”:

Do not be in a state of agitation if you give someone a pen as a gift and he uses it to satirize you, or if you give someone a walking stick to lean upon and he strikes you with it. Most humans are ungrateful to their Lord, so what treatment should you and I expect?

MasyaAllah! Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing… ALLAH KNOWS BEST!!

 

Awww!! A special song dedicated to ME from my SOUL :))

Posted in Miscs on 04/08/2011 11:34 pm by admin

‎Zah Han … This is dedicated especially to my lovely sister! Enjoy~

Weee…..I’m so touched! Thanks Zurianah Hassan. Ups and downs we will excel together for our mission! Yeah!!

 

Learn Love Pray

Posted in Simply Elegant on 04/06/2011 10:46 pm by admin

Alhamdulillah. FINALLY! Our LLP is approved! Phew~ After all the hiccups, documentation, brainstorming etc etc. Our OWN Learn Love Pray was born. :)

6 April 2011. That’s the date to be remembered – another date to add to the list as one of the most important date to cherish.

What is this partnership all about? Well, as the partnership’s name says it all – Learn Love Pray. More details can be found on the website, www.nana-san.com. Hold ON! We are revamping the website and InsyaAllah, it will be up and ready in about 1-2 weeks. So fasten your seat belt, hold on tight to your seats and TUNGGUUUU!!!!!

Oh yeah! Almost forget to introduce the ladies behind the partnership. Drum roll….The simply elegant ladies :)

 
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