My point of view on Mustafa Kemal Attaturk as a reformist

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was the first president of Turkey. He was viewed by most Turks as a great leader who successfully transformed the new Republic of Turkey into a modern nation.  However, his reform movement was a controversial issue to most Muslims. His attempt to turkify the language of Islamic prayer and the call to prayer was opposed by a great number of people. The abolishment of Turban and Fez together with the promotion of uncover way of dressing to woman were question marks to most Muslims although most Turks accepted those as modernand western. The purpose of this paper is to understand different views on the attempts to reforms by Mustafa Kemal in Turkey.

The very first step Mustafa Kemal took in his Kemalist ideology was to make Turkey a modern and secular nation. Mustafa Kemal’s definition of modernization is actually westernization. He believed that modernization necessarily entailed Westernization and he established a policy of state secularism with a constitution that separated the government from religion (Aydar, 2006). Since the new Turkish government inherited the country from the Islamic Caliphate Ottoman Empire, Mustafa Kemal’s primary desire was to separate religion from politics in order to westernize the country. He wants to erase the image of Islam entirely from the Turks. The thesis that Aydar put forth was about the reform attempts made by Mustafa Kemal and the reaction of people towards it. In contrast, according to the article The Ottoman Empire and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Heidy describes Mustafa Kemal as one of the greatest man in history.

Begin with the innocent thought that “A person should understand what they are reciting when they pray”, soon became a movement to reform Islam as a religion (Aydar, 2006).  Mustafa Kemal desired to reform the worship in Islam. He wanted to transform the language of the Muslim prayer which since ever, was performed in Arabic, into Turkish. Indeed, it is known in Islam that slight changes in the form and manner of worship is permitted (Aydar, 2006).  This slight changes are allowed especially for those who are ill, or travelling or elderly, however changing the language of the prayer is unacceptable.

Mustafa Kemal started to reform the religion and change the language of Adhan, the original form of the call of prayer and eventually the prayer. All these kind of attempts although supported by some, it is displeased by many Muslims. (Aydar, 2006).  More than performing the prayer in Turkish, there were some attempts to make a series of changes in the form of the prayer. These attempts made in Turkey had not been seen at any time anywhere else in the world (Aydar, 2006).

From my opinion, the idea of reforming Islam itself is uninviting. As a religion, Islam should be perfect and no need to be reformed. If really people believe that a religion comes from God, or inspired by God, reforming a religion itself is not an option. If one said they believe in God, they must also believe that God is perfect and anything comes from God must also be perfect and cannot be changed.  To some, changing the language of the worship is appropriate, however Islam regard this matter very seriously.

According to Aydar (2006):

In an Egyptian newspaper, el-Ahbar al Misriyya, according to Arslan, after the action by the Ankara government,  the next step would be to remove the sajda, and ruku of the prayer and then reduce the normal five daily prayer to one prayer, maybe even reducing it so far as to be only performed on Fridays.  (p. 5)

In Islam, every act of worship needs to be authentic and cannot be changed in any matter. If in this matter Muslims are not sensitive and response positively by accepting the change, it is possible that other attempts of reforming the method of worship could be done, again. Muslims were asked by God to believe Muhammad as a messenger. The teachings of Muhammad is inspired by God and must be obeyed. Muslims are allowed to rethink Islam. However to reform Islam in terms of worship, is prohibited. Muslims believe in God and do only what asked by God. God asked everyone to perform prayer in Arabic but if a Muslim perform it in other language, it is considered that the Muslim is not obeying the instruction of God but someone else. For that reason, any change in the religion is prohibited.

As a Muslim and coming from a non-Arab country, I totally understand why Islam wants every Muslims to perform worship in Arabic. Though my native language is not Arabic I do not wish to perform prayer in my mother tongue. It is true that people will need to understand what they recite in prayer, but instead of changing the system of Islam, why not encourage Muslims in the country to learn Arabic. Learning Arabic to understand what we recite in prayer will not degrade any other language. In fact, it is always better to learn both especially for a country that wants to apply an open relationship with the other countries. If everyone understand Arabic, anyone who come to Turkey and wanted to perform the prayer, will not having any difficulties to understand Turkish language of prayer and recitation. That explains why Islam ask every Muslims in the world, regardless where they live and what language they speak everyday, to perform worship in Arabic and not in their own official language: uniformity and unification.

This justifies why other imams did not support Cemeleddin in his approach. Rifat Borekci comment concerning the Turkish translation of the Quran was not the same as the Qur'an itself, and therefore any prayer that was performed in this manner was not valid (Aydar, 2006). Though my official language is Malay and not Arabic, I could not agree more with the statement above. Arabic is a beautiful language and very specific in its explanation. I could translate the Quran it my language but unfortunately, there will be confusions and misunderstandings to the readers. People can get the picture of the idea but could not necessarily get the real meaning of each verse if they only read the translation of the Quran. In addition, the translation will surely have my own interpretation of each verse.

Other attempts of reforming worship includes the idea that rows of seating was requested to be placed in mosques and that people be allowed to enter the mosques with their shoes on, musical instrument are allowed to be brought into the mosque and worship be performed accompanied by music. However, only the recommendations by the commission concerning the language of worship were accepted. (Aydar, 2006). I wonder why Ataturk thought transforming the mosque into a church would help to modernize the nation. If he wants to separate the religion from politics, why would he need to transform a mosque into a church and add music in the worship? Worship was meant to remember the Creator. If worship was added with music, how would one really get connected and concentrate in prayer. Muslims perform prayer as worship, not as an entertainment.

More than just the form of prayer and worship, since the new republic adopted “westernization’ as one of its primary principles, education was no longer linked to Islamic education; it was now a secular educational system. References to Islam were also eliminated and the sharia was replaced by man made laws. This new legal system favored women in the sense that they were granted the right to vote, they now had access to an education and better position in the public office. (Heidy, 2010, p.6)

Indeed, it is very pleasing that the new republic of Turkey favored woman and give them equal right as men. However, in my opinion, a country do not have to be westernized to give such rights to women. The right of women was first given by Muhammad in early Islam in Mecca and Medina. Therefore, to give right to women is not a western idea but an Islamic principle. The right of education for women was nowhere in any religious scripture but the Quran. The first Qur’anic verse revealed to Muhammad was “Read”. In Islam, it is an obligation for every Muslim to get educated. It is not because women were not allowed to work, in Islam, that most women are not in the labor force. It is because, women in Islam were treated as a queen at home and their duty is to take care of themselves and the family. It is the duty of men to protect the family, to take care of the financial needs of the family and to go out and work. That is why, when people talk about the freedom of women to work, I personally think it is actually a freedom for men to force women to do their job.

Other cultural changes includes the encouragement for the Turks to wear western-style clothing were like the abolishment of the turban and the fez. Unveiling was the modernizing intervention on the bodies of women. Although veiling has never been prohibited in Turkey, the government discouraged women from wearing it (Heidy, 2010). It was believed that the headscarf would disappear as a result of urbanization. However, the public visibility of the headscarf increased in the urban space in years later. In my opinion, although most people might think wearing headscarf and covering body is backward and uncivilized, I would argue the other way around. I personally cover my hair and body because I choose to. If people claim the abolishment of Hijab is liberation, I would say the wearing of Hijab is the true liberation. Being confidently around without the need to worry about being judged by my appearance is the absolute freedom. When I speak, I want people to pay attention to my words, not my body and hair. If I enter the labor force, I want people to accept me because I have the skill and the intellect, not the way I look. If a country want to be productive, then women should cover their bodies to avoid sexual attraction. Giving women the equal right means, women should be respected by the way they dress, not to be exploited to be half naked in public. Why is it when men wearing suit and tie, literally covering most of their skin, they were looked smart and modern, but when it comes to women, the less amount of skin they cover, the modern they define her? Is that equal?

According to Heidy (2010), “Ataturk is now seen as one of the greatest man in history. The Turks commemorate him every year.” (p. 6). Mustafa Kemal was called Ataturk which means the father of Turkey because of his great contributions and the idea in his reformations. The Turks believe Mustafa Kemal had successfully developed the nation as the result of his secular view. However, his idea and development was regarded as the reason for the falling of the Islamic Caliphate of Ottoman Empire. Most Muslims blame him and the secular approach of the government for the end of the Islamic Caliphate.

Islam was first came to bring peace, love and unity, then destroyed by Ataturk. He turkified the language of worship by replacing the Arabic language of prayer and the call to prayer by the Turkish language. This is against Islam. His idea of nationalism corrupted the message of Islam about love for everyone regardless their nationality, skin color, language and status. Muslims from everywhere know the official language of Islam is Arabic and united under the same language when they perform worship together in congregation. Ataturk was trying so hard to run away from the Islamic image and Ottoman Empire because he wants Turkey to be a powerful nation. In contrast, Ottoman Empire was once the most powerful empire at its time, especially under Suleiman the Magnificent. Istanbul became not only a political and military capital, but because of its position at the junction of Europe, Africa, and Asia, one of the great trade centers of the world. While under the ruling of Mehmet, Christians were the largest group of the population and coexistence was likely to be more efficient than conflict. People under the Ottoman Empire were living in peace and success before they were ruled by corrupted rulers.  Ataturk tried to move into a secular nation to modernize the country but in fact, it was proven that implementing Islamic principle will make a better country.

Mustafa Kemal was a great nation reformist but his attempt to reform Islam upset most Muslim around the world. He developed Turkey as a modern nation with the religion of Islam as the price. He gives freedom and right to women generally without realizing the fact that he was actually encouraging Muslim women to become more immodest. He was trying to encourage the Turkish identity by sacrificing the Muslim identity that the prior Muslims were working hard for since the time of Muhammad. He ruined the sacred language of the Quran by his idea of translating the Book of God into the language of Turkish resulting the worship were made in that particular language and losses it’s own meaning.

 

 

 

 

OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A PAPER I WROTE FOR MY CLASS, I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE IT HERE TOO.

Inspiration? Alhamdulillah

Let's again talk about this semester. Fall 2014.

Let's count our blessings.

First of all, I wanted to share about my friend. I have known him for one years and a half now. His name is Erik. I first know him because I joined MSA ( Muslim Student Association) but ironically, he was not a Muslim. He to me is nothing special by his look. But I actually admire him because of his character. The way he talk and the way he conduct himself just unusual to see now. I love the way he talk. He talks not too slow and not too fast that make it easy to understand him but not easily getting bored. 

I am writing about him not because I like him or what. Just to share, since the early days I know him, I always wish him to accept Islam. He was looking into it but at the time, he is not ready. His personality somewhat make me always wonder, how wonderful is that If he accepted islam with his nice way of conduct. I believe he will be a good Muslim is he accept islam. I am saying this simply because, he practices what Islam teaches that most Muslims are actually struggling to have good manner. I remember went to a trip to Philadelphia with MSA members. Of all, he is the only that I would suggest to be the best personality. At the time, unfortunately, he was not a Muslim. That was the peak where I really ask Allah to guide him. I even hope that he will not judge Islam by the act of Muslims. How embarrassing. 

Until one day, in a meeting, he suddenly approach us, and tell that he is now a Muslim. Me being myself, could not avoid being emotional. I almost cried. I am happy for him because for one fact, what ever happens after this, insyaAllah he is in the straight path. Then I reflected back to myself. I am happy for him, but at the same time, I am feeling so little about my self. As I told you, to me he has a good characters. Now, he is a new Muslim. Most of us know that when someone enter Islam, he or she will considered as new born baby. Sinless and pure. To be compared with my self, I know at this very moment, I obviously worse than him. Alhamdulillah I am so happy for him. How Allah bless him made me wanna cry. 

One more important thing is that he will be graduating another few more weeks. Why I was so worried and hope he quickly accept Islam was because after this perhaps he will spend less of no time learning about Islam if he did not accept it now. But all praise is to Allah. He is blessed.  He is now learning and actually I can see the change he made within himself. He is a Mexican. InsyaAllah he will get married with a Korean. With he becoming a Muslim, I really hope he will steadfast with this way of life and guide his future wife into this religion as well,  amen. 

Last week, i interviewed him for my project for women and religion class. Basically about the way women dress. I suppose he will be a good respondent for our survey. He was a catholic and now he is a Muslim. I was curious about the way the think of when he see the way woman dress. One think I could conclude from his answers is, he don't mind women dressing provocatively because that is their choice. However, he will not let his wife of his daughter to dress that way simple because he know that particular way of dressing will invite unpleasant negative view of men towards the women. Less respect for her. 

I thought I would share it here, just to remind everyone about that. 

That.s about that. The point I am making is that, as you can see, I am an observant girl. I admire most people without they realizing it. I am ashamed of myself when I see people. I want to be like them. I need to improve my self. I need to be a better person. From him, I learn that in need to improve my character. May Allah bless you.

The undeserved love

More about this semester, the undeserved love.

You could not imagine the feeling being loved by people while you are actually know that you do not deserve that much love. 

Helping as a volunteer to help out kids to learn Arabic at the masjid sounds so good. Most people will look high on you when you say you are doing such noble work. Unfortunately, you know yourself is you are sincere in doing that. Most importantly, God knows.

Imagine you are carrying a briefcase and you put some stuffs in it but not money, you carry around the back as if it really contains money. You wear a suit complete with a tie. People will look at you and wish they could be at your place. People praise you as if you are a very hardworking person who deserve those 'money' in your briefcase. The respect and power that you have now, people will keep thinking what they are now thinking.

But you know the truth. You know you are not a wealthy man, you do 

not deserve such respect and praises. Even if you act like you actually deserve it. Your heart won't accept those praises. Your heart will remain unease.

What I am saying actually is, yes, I go to the masjid like every week. I will try not to miss my Jumaah prayer, I dress very modestly, I help out for the Islamic school. But that does not a prove that I am a noble girl. Most people at the masjid look up at us. They invited to their house to have dinner and everything. They said that is the way they want to appreciate our value and help. Oh Allah. You know what is in our hearts, 

How much some times I do feel lazy to go or maybe nor sincere in doing something.

When I help the kind, as a normal young adult, I tend to get angry to some just because I think they should focus in class. Sometimes, I do whine about the kids to my friend and I think I could not handle them. But those behind the scenes are not realized by people. That makes they thought we are the best Muslims the have ever seen.

I wish to. But I am not, yet. 

Oh Allah, it is be cause of you I get all these. It is because of you, covering all my sins that people thought I am a nice girl. It is because you did not show them all those mistakes I did in my private life that they forget that I am too, not perfect. All these honor is from you and I definitely need to make sure to control myself. 

Indeed You know while they know not.

My studies

Longggggg time huh?

Yeah, it had been a very busy semester. No doubt. I was trying to find some time to update my blog but I haven't got a chance. Now that I don't like writing anymore. Writing has been my hobby since ever.  But sadly, I was too busy to write it properly.  

Let's start by saying bismillah alhamdulillah. 

Yeah, I was busy this semester. I know I missed doing what I used to be doing. But pro and cons, I actually learned a lot in those times. Obviously, I have a new housemate, we missed her for a year and not she is here. Alhamdulillah. Now, we are living three of us. 

Let's talk about study. Alhamdulillah my study is not so bad although I am actually struggling for some of my subjects, especially my federal taxation class. I can't hide it, it is a hard subject to me. I mean, maybe because I am not used with the taxation system here in United States. Some of the laws just can be accepted by me. Why is it complicated to calculate the tax. Just saying. But actually, without the exams and the projects, I would say I enjoy learning it, simply because I can see the perfection of Allah's law. The zakat is very simple and not complicated. I always compare what I learn in the class with what Islam teaches. For that reason, I am so proud to be a Muslim

Not to forget, my woman and religion class, what wonderful class. The fact that we learn about Christianity, i actually can make myself understand Islam better. You know what? I just know that I am actually a feminist. You can talk about women's right with me and I will say, consider islam!

I Islam is the only religion to give most right to woman. If you understand Islam, no one would argue about women's right. But people will start to question men's right instead! The fact that women were treated just like a queen in Islam. Would make most men jealous. Trust me, I am a feminist and a Muslim.

middle eastern history, what else can I say? It is an important class that most Muslim should take. Learn how Islam started to spread, and actually conquered 2/3 of the world, is really mind blowing. I know I took the class for granted. But this post is to remind my own self.

What else. Marketing and intermediate accounting. Both are fun. But I personally like marketing better. Marketing is so interesting that i started to understand the human's mind. To be precise, consumer's mind. 

Not that I don't like accounting but let's just keep it secret. 

Why am I updating about my classes?  I know right? I wanted and always wanted to remind myself about my intention. Yes, I am learning academics subjects. But I need to remember that I need to take them, not because of credits or graduation requirements. I took it because I want to know Allah. I know how much waste if I learn someting just because of the worldly reasons. I need to remind my self that I will die soon and I don't know when.

If I take it because this world and I die before having the chance apply them, imagine the waste of life. But if I have the right intention for Allah, I know every second I spend in learning the knowledge, I will be rewarded. InsyaAllah. 

My, word is always easy to be made but realize that to put into action is a total different story.

May Allah ease. Amiin

I have lots of lots of things to do!

I really have so many things to do. hmmphh,,

School will start tomorrow, insyaAllah. So today, I took a little bit of my time to reevaluate everything. Reevaluate what I had seen, what I had witnessed, what I observed, what I feel, what happened, most importantly, my own self.

Let's start with that. My own self.

This summer was a very great experience to me. I mean, it really was. Like what I expressed in my previous post, my Ramadhan was a wonderful and incredible experience. But obviously, life in not just about roses and ice cream. we have bitter and sour too. But I learn to appreciate every each of them. Learning to be wiser.

True indeed when they say, 'when people did something that upset you, promise to yourself to never do the same to anyone ever.'

 i need to remember this in my life, when joking, know your limit. Be sensitive to know if you hurt anyone without realizing.

As i aspected. This will happen. No one likes it, to be thrown from someone's heart when you are no longer needed. But things happen.

How do you feel when someone call you, the nightmare of their life? Perhaps when it comes from someone you don't really close to, it doesn't matter at all. But what if it comes from the one you really love and care. It hurts you very badly I tell you.

Yeah, you're right. Perhaps they were just joking. That's why, we really need to know our limit when we joke. Don't make fun of something that will hurt somebody.
Mind your words. I beg its okay to play once. But when you repeat it over and over again. You just can't stand it any longer. You are degrading them.

Imagine someone you love, repeatedly tell you how much they hate you. It hurt inside though they might just be joking.

But what can I do? Yeah, i can't force you to love me.  But i can force myself to make sure not to do those things that will hurt others.

No offense, i don't mind hated by anyone. I just need to find my own-self back. I live for Allah. Not for them.

I tried to be like what you want but at the end, you just don't appreciate what i just done for you. But i don't blame you for that. I put the blame wholly on my own self. I should've known that earlier. Yeah i did but i just too greed that i really want you to accept me, i want to be perfect for you but i forget that i will never.

I really just need myself back. I thank everyone who ever took place in my life. You really had taught me a lot. I appreciate my life better after you came in my story. May Allah grant you the best reward for that because i can't.

Yeah people make mistakes. Sometimes, i am grateful that i did. You know when everything goes very smoothly, perhaps, you constantly do good deeds, so many good deeds and listen to so many islamic lecture, you think you're good. But you forget one thing. You forget to feel it. You just do it for the sake of doing it. You do so many good deeds but you know your relationship with Allah is not getting any better.

Ask yourself why.

Sometimes, good deeds can be the means for you to the hell fire and a sin can be the mean for you to get to jannah.

Reflect on that line. That's why, sometimes, we fall to sin even after we do so many good deeds. Because when we looked religious, sometimes we forget that we can sin too. We look at other people like we are the only good and perfect. We are too proud with our good deeds. We're too confident that we can enter jannah with those deeds and forget that it is actually: all by Allah's mercy.

Then suddenly Allah purposely open the door of sin for us to fall. To make us humble again. To remember the existence and the power of Allah. For us to become closer to Him again.

One important point i would like to make, at-taqwahahuna, wa usiru ila sodrihi, salasa marat.

Piety is here, (while showing to the heart) three times.
Know your own self. You might be regarded by everyone else as a good muslim but Allah knows if your heart is darker than charcoal. You know it too. Stop your hypocrisy, clean and purify your heart.

That was about what I need to fix within my own self. The reality is, I don't live in this world by my own self. I need to serve the community as well. It is not that I think I am good that I need to help others.

After what i just witnessed, I really need to do something. I just kinda disappointed with what i saw. NO, I don't judge, but I just believe I really need to do something to fix it! I don't blame the person for their mistake but someone somehow just need to make sure it will never happen again. I will try to be the one. I know it's not my power to do that but I'll try.

My hope is not to convert. My hope is to convince Muslims to practice Islam. So that Allah will bless us all.

Again, its not because it think myself is better than anyone. But I know I need to play my role so that I can delete the possibility to fall into sin by anyone's influence.

I am to weak to stand practicing what I am supposed to if everyone else is heading the other direction. That's why I am concern. And I believe, that is why Allah ask everyone to keep taking care of each other so that everyone is moving to the right direction. At the end, I just want to please my very own Creator.

like people says, Give Allah what's right.Not what's left. :)

I will. I will, with the help of Allah.

Amiin.

My ramadhan experience in the United States

This ramadhan, hard to beat, will be missed.

How would you feel, when you walk into a masjid and everyone is relieved that you are finally there?

How would you feel when you need to travel out of city and suddenly you get a phone call asking where have you been that you don't attend the tarawikh prayer last night?

How would you feel, when people just can't stop talking about you because of how well-behaved you are? (They think), Amiin!

How would you feel when people want to skype with your mum to tell her how lucky she is to have a daughter like you?

How would you feel when you can sit together with people from other culture and nationality speaking the language which obviously you don't understand? And you find that on your left, people were speaking in arabic and on your right, people were speaking Thailand. And you was having a conversation in Malay. But, at the end. You know each other that you will hug them every time you meet. How sweet is that?

How would you feel,when people say, the non-muslims in your area are all afraid of muslims because they think muslims are terrorist and they know that if they mess up with one sister, the whole muslim brothers from the community will find the criminal , declare a war to teach him lesson to make sure, that that is his very final time to even have the intention to do anything to a muslim woman?

How would you feel, when every day, you don't have to cook because the masjid in the area is providing meal for you to eat for free?

How would you feel, when you realize, while having a group conversation, that everyone is from different country with different skin color. You have Uganda in it, Kenya, somali, saudi Arabian, sudanese, thai, Malaysian, Bosnian, Pakistani and others as well. You are all muslims and now are laughing at the same joke.

How would you feel, when people were keep on worry about you if you don't have ride to get back home?and now everyone is offering you a ride though you actually went there walking,earlier.

How would you feel, when you get the same exact pain for slamming a car door to your finger today and last 4 years, but today you actually get everyone's attention and sympathy while in old days, no one really care?

How would you feel when  someone give you a very sincere advice and share her stories to make sure you take a very good care of your self and your dignity as a woman so that in 20 years from now, she wants to hear from you that you are very happy with your husband and family.

How would you feel, when you can have a night over at the masjid like everyday for almost 10 days with people from different nationality and then you wake up to pray tahajud together,and then eat sahoor and pray fajr together?

How would you feel, when the night before eid, some give you a call, asking you to come to their house to give you something? And it is an Eid dress for you to wear it tomorrow on Eid!

How would you feel, when one hour before iftar, suddenly someone knock on your door to give you a ride to the Masjid, just because it is raining?

How would you feel, when you actually successfully ( insyaAllah ) went through ramadhan without missing even one day of tarawikh at the Masjid that end at 12.30pm everyday, and for the last 10 nights, you barely get 1 hour of sleep. Because you need to join the tahajud in congregation, to finish the Quran? And realizing you actually need to get to class the next morning and sometimes, you have an exam. Alhamdullilah, with Allah's help, you did it!

How would you feel, when you are trying to cook some food to bring the masjid to share with others, but you were so worry if it don't taste good or if people from different culture won't like it, plus you can not taste the dish simply because you are fasting and End up, when the iftar time comes, you notice that people like it so much that some will ask for the recipes and others will  take more of it. Alhamdulillah.

Huh, which favor of Allah shall I deny?

Answer those question and that is what i feel. I will miss this ramadhan. I break down the barrier between culture. It strengthen our bond as sisters in faith. It teaches me patience, humbleness, and sincerity.

And now, how would you feel when the all those experience is now a memory? It's the end of Ramadhan.  I just don't know if I can get all those experience again. The person who was giving me the sincere advice is loving to north Carolina. She's a revert and this is her first Ramadhan. Only Allah know how blessed I was to know her. May Allah bless her and me too. Some more, When  Ramadhan end, obviously less people will go to the Masjid. I might not see most of them like I used to, everyday in Ramadhan. No more tarawikh~~

Trust me, i have never cry because of the end of ramadhan but this time, I really do. I witness the blessing in it that enlightened my path and empowered me as a Muslim!

Alhamdulillah. Thank you Allah for everything! :')

Taqaballahu minna waminkum

Do the deeds but don't forget to be sincere and concentrate

We heard a lot about things to do during Ramadhan, What we want to do in terms of good deeds.. We have our own list on what we want to accomplish this month or maybe for the entire life that we don't know how many years left, or perhaps days? Anyhow, just to remind my self about something important, I decide to write something today, as a break from all those lists that I am trying to accomplish. I hope I get something from writing this too, as sacrificing my time, insyAllah.

Let's remind ourselves about sincerity, Ikhlas and concentration, khusyuk. 

some people don't really like discussing about this. To them, just do it. about sincerity, it is for Allah to judge. To be honest, I do agree to the opinion to a certain degree. Indeed, sometimes, for people of certain level, it is better to just to the deed besides arguing about it too much. Sometimes, we we think about sincerity, we just stop doing something because 'I don't feel like doing it'. For example, when people ask for help, we don't want to say' sorry, 'I just don't feel like helping you because I don't have the sincerity' . Obviously it is better to help no matter what. He is in need of our hand. For similar reason, we need to do righteous deeds because we are in need to those deeds to be written in our book of record.

However, to some extend, we need to to pay close attention to sincerity andconcentration as well. Those are two things that is so hard to gain. If we do get them, it is a gift from Allah. say Alhamdulillah. Ikhlas, even we our own selves don't know if we are doing it with Ikhlas. Even according to Imam Ahmad b Hambal (r.a), he said,

"The duty of Niyyah (intention) is something which is very heavy. "

Even a scholar like him consider that heavy, what about us regular Muslims? 

But sometimes, we do know if we are not sincere. Ikhlas is doing something for the sake of Allah, nothing else. When one day we feel like we want to let people know about our deeds and seeking attention and praise from them, We are surely NOT ikhlas. 

It is hard to get the state of Ikhlas, but that is actually something we can work hard for. Sometimes we can do something for thousands of reasons but for Allah is not in the list. How sad. Sometimes we want to be ikhlas in performing Shalah, but suddenly someone walked into our room, Anddddd suddenly we slow down our movements.We were about to finish our du'a andddd suddenly we take more time on the prayer cloth just because someone is looking at us. OH WHYYY?

May Allah help us, esspecially in this blessed month, Ramadhan, avoid riyaa' (showing off) and may we are able to do everything with pure intention, for Allah and nothing else. 

That is about Ikhlas. but what about Khusyuk? Especially in Shalah.. Huh,, what a topic? it is hard to even concentrate partly in Shalah and let's not talk about concentrate in every second in prayer!. We start our shalah.. our niyyah ' lillahi ta'ala' ... ALLAHU AKBAR. BISMILLAH.... eh did I left my ...astaghfirullah MALIKIYAUMIDDEEN... oh ya,, i almost for got my appoinment it's today! ishhhh I am suppose to be khusyuk! IYYAKANA'BUDU WA IYYAKANASTA'IIN.. ok, how do I stay khusyuk? do I need to close my eyes or open.. eh wait I am still not khusyuk! astaghfirullah.. WALADDOLIN..

Ever happened?. Ask your self. Why is it so hard to concerntrate? What is meant by concentrate anyway? Obviously, when we say we are concentrate in listening to lecture, it means we know what we are doing, we know where we are, who is speaking, what he says, without distraction and we hate distractions. Because we want to get the benefit from the lecture as the outcome is important for us.

I apply the same principe to concentrating in Shalah. Although some people think khusyuk is the ability to drop your tears in Shalah, to me Khusyuk is the ability to concentrate.Knowing what are we doing, When we recite the surahs and du'as in prayer, we are aware with what we are asking and reciting. When we praise Allah,we really meant it! We understand and can feel the greatness of Allah. Indeed to some extend, tears will drop out of fear and love of Allah. But it depends, some people cry in prayer because thinking their dead cat or what ever, still, it is not khusyuk, to me.

But have you ever concentrate to concentrate until you loss the concentration? ( if you don't get it, read again) I mean, in our shalah, while reciting verses, our mind is thinking about how to concentrate. instead of contemplating on what our lips are reciting or the Imam is reciting. That is not right. May we are able to khusyuk in prayer, especially in long shalah like tarawih ( since it's Ramadhan ). Amiin

Some tips to get the khusyuk, FOR ME TO APPLY.

*image from internet. 

Okay,, now we can proceed with our list of ibadah that we want to do in this Ramadhan until we die.. May our deeds are accepted by Allah. May Allah keep us all away from showing Allah. May He help us to do our deed with ikhlas and khushook. Allahumma Amiin.. 

Wallahu A'lam.

wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh :)

Ramadhan: My Specific Goals.

In the Qur'an, Allah says:  

"When My servants ask about Me, I am indeed close to them.  I listen to the prayer of every supplicant, when he calls on Me.  Let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me, so that they may walk in the right way" (Qur'an 2:186).

Ramadhan is coming, InsyaAllah.. This time, I really want to give my best. I really hope I can go through till the end of the month with much much good deeds. I realize enough how many sins that I had committed through out the year. Ramadhan is the time, to catch up my good deed so I can exceed over throw my bad's Ramadhan is the fast track. One good deed in this blessed month will be rewarded with 10 goodness. How awesome is that? That is the bonus in this month because it is so special. The offer of the 10 rewards applied to all good deed EXCEPT fasting because the reward of fasting is by Allah. He evaluates the quality of it. 

Imagine if I do 5 good deeds per day in this month, I will get 50 rewards! 50 rewards x 30 days = 1500 rewards per month! Awesome. I can't miss this chance. But honestly, I believe that 1500 reward per month is not enough to cover my sins!. I need more! more! so, what else do I need to do besides trying my best to gain the rewards to the fullest?! Come on, gang, let's rock this Ramadhan insyaAllah!. 

Ramadhan is the month when the Quran was revealed. Therefore, one of my important target is to make sure I establish a very great relationship with it! I want to start and finish the Quran through out this holy month, BUT NOT WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING ITS MESSAGE. Despite what everyone says about trying to read the Arabic as much as possible, I want to focus more on understanding it. I am learning a little bit of Arabic from a YouTube channel as my effort to understand directly from the original text but obviously I am still the beginner. To cover that, I want to read the Quran translation from cover to cover. What a shame if I can read other book and explain it to people about its content, its concept an even its synopsis with its flow but I can't to do same to the Quran? This is the month. I want to know what is there in the Quran. Reading not just its Arabic but also its meaning, from cover to cover.

May Allah help me and grant me strength and may He please. Allahumma Amin.

This month of training with all the shayateen chained, I want to take this chance to change some of my bad attitudes and behaviors. It had been almost a year that I said to myself " I want to change" but because of how weak I was and I am, I kept on falling to the devil's trap and tricks. Ramadhan will be my turning point, InsyaAllah. If I don't make it in this month, truly I have no hope! Seriously, I don't want to lose because this month, I don't have to fight with the shaytan, I just need to fight with my own desire. If I truly cant do this, really I am a loser ( audzhoobillah ) 

What I really want to give up starting this Ramadhan is the feeling of anger. If you knew me, you know how bad tempered I was and still am. I tried to manage my anger in the very best way. Alhamdulillah, I actually see the improvements. From getting angry and smash everyone right away, I learned to hold my temper and try to talk less words when I am burning. Latter, I tried to stay silent with no words when nerve starts standing. Seriously this really helped me from hurting people with my tongue to say something I had never wanted to say. But still, it is not enough. People can see my face expression. Indeed, something I intentionally show my anger on my face as the sign that I am not comfortable with what was going on instead on using my tongue. Unfortunately, my silent often misinterpreted. I am still struggling. 

Obviously people will not understand my struggle but Allah do. I often get upset when people don't understand my hardship dealing with my anger to not hurting them. So, that is what I want to change. 

I don't want the upset feelings. If possible, I just don't want the anger coming at the first place.  It is hard. But I really need that. I want to be someone who don't need anybody else to understand be because I know Allah is sufficient for me. My reward is with Allah. The harder the struggle, the greater the reward, Right? :) All I need is faith in my self to change or at least faith in Allah to help me changing myself into a better person, for Him. Amin. I want to be a patient person. Stop getting upset with those small matters because I have greater things to look beyond. When people mess up with me, it is their problem and let them deal with it, in the day of judgment. I don't want to make their problems, mine.

Not to forget, I want to be able to change myself into a person with no negative thoughts and revenge. The happiest person on earth is the one who can keep his heart free from envy, negative feeling about others and revenge. I want to be one. I remember the quote saying, ' hating some one is like drinking the poison and hoping the other person to die'. How foolish is that. Life is short. I don't want to compare my self with other/s blessings. Everyone has his own sustenance written for them. Why should I compare with someone 'above' me. All I need to do is to see the people below me and praise Allah for All the blessings. And also, use the blessing to help them, for Allah. That way is obviously much much more better for me. No hatred, no jealousy, no envy, not ungrateful, and be happy! Amiin. 

That is not all. I want to stop talking useless things. Alhamdulillah I did improve on that from time to time but for some reasons, I am on my way to start it again. No. no it can't be. I need to not let it happen. I am a muslim. I don't back bite and I don't listen to backbites but I will stop it. I don't complain stupid things and I don;t tolerate people complaining stupid things to me for mo reason. I have my problems, serious problems, that I need to focus on and locating my time to those useless talks won't help. I am a Muslim and I don't waste my time!

Back to the Quranic verse on the top, I need to make lots and lots of dua to be able to accomplish my mission this Ramadhan. These are just some of it ( because I am tired of typing :P). But these are the important ones. My previous post about Ramadhan also include things that I want to do in Ramadhan. InsyaAllah. All I need is to purify my intention from  time to time and ask Allah fro help. Because it is only He who has the power to make this happen. I seek forgiveness from Him from all my sin and wrongdoing and I seek help only from Him to be a better servant for Him. 

May He forgive us all for indeed, He is the most forgiving and the most merciful.

May He Accept our good deeds and give us rahma that make us to be one of the chose one to enter Jannah and May He put us away from the Hellfire. Allahuma sami' ud du'a . Allahumma Amiin.

Ramadan! what to do?

InsyaAllah, we'll meet Ramadhan again. Amiin. But what is so interesting about it? Be sure with your question. Ramadan is a very blessed month. There are some verses from the Quran about it, as well as hadith about it as well. 

Did you know that Ramadhan is the only name of month that are are mentioned in the Quran? How blessed is that? Ramadhan is the month of fasting and the month of quran. So what? 

Note that on the month of Ramadhan, the gate of hell fire is closed and the gate of the heaven is open and the Syaitan is locked up.Therefore, let's do less sin because Syaitan is tied. Prove that we are better with out Shaytan! Prove it that it was Shaytan that caused you to go astray.. 

Things to do in Ramadhan.
1. List the doa(s) you want to make!
2. List the ibadah you want to fulfill
3. List the good deeds you want to start or make.
4. List og things you want to stop
5. Gain knowledge about Ramadhan!
6. Make doa that we will get it into Ramadhan. Amiin

Things to do in Ramadhan
1. Fast and pray
        Not pray= kafir
        How do you know your ummah?
        = the place of the wudu

2. Pray jamaah in the masjid

3. Ramadhan is the turning point!
         -Intend not to go back to the old days
         -Do good deeds
         - Stop doing things you know its bad.
         - By Allah, do it! This is the chance!

4. Qiam tarawikh

5. keep in touch to your maker, you need Him more than anyone else.

6. Make sure to break your fast after the sunset! As soon as possible but not before.

7. Be patient! Stop asking about the time, like every hour ~_~

8. Read the quran, dhikir, zakah, DOA

9. Don't eat excessively!
 - we fast to understand how the hunger feels.
- But shockingly, most people gain weight during the month of fasting!
   Definately something wrong with that.
- Fasting should increase our awareness to help the poor as we atleast understand a bit, 
  how do they need to go through lives with so much suffering.

10. CHARITY!

11. Contemplate and reflect on the quran. Use your intellect.
        Ramadhan- month of the Quran. 
                        - it is good to start on ramadhan but why not start today?
                        - recite and know the meaning

12. Don't back bite!! Don't slander, Stop doing stupid useless things.
          Some people, don't get nothing out of fasting but hunger, naudzhubillah

13. Stop being extravagant
        - things are on sale. Do not buy things because it is cheap, but it because you need it  

 14.  lailatul qadar.. all out
        - we don't know when, so, do it continuously! :)

15. For the sake of Allah!

ASK FOR FORGVENESS, ASK FOR FORGIVENESS, ASK FOR FORGIVENESS!

Things to do after Ramadhan,

1. Eid ( obviously )
A blessed month: 
- upon completing the fast, the reward and blessings
-the day of happiness. (Eid)

2. Istiqamah- consistency
only worship Allah during Ramadan?  come on, Ramadhan is the starting point not till the end of the Ramadhan but till the end of our lives. Amiin.


Spend your time during this Ramadhan, very wisely! We take this opportunity , not because we are a pious. Don't think only a good Muslim will strive for this. Conversely, because we are not good enough, that is why we need to make use of this precious chance! Every good deed is multiplied by ten. Such a big reward. We know how bad we were, and that is why we need this blessed month to catch everything up again. Do good deeds in ramadhan, not because people around us force us to or because of everyone else is doing it, but because we know we need to be a better person to please Allah. Because what we had done through back days aren't enough to convince Allah to choose us in His heaven. 

Ramadhan is the month to discipline ourselves. 
- we can get up early to eat? How amazing is that
- we can hold ourselves from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset? Isn't that awesome?
So use this opportunity train ourselves to be a truly discipline person.

I believe we all have something in ourselves that we really want to get rid of it. This is the time!
Discipline ourselves to control our anger, control our desire, control what ever negative attribute that is sticking in ourselves! Have the intention and do it. Make doa, May Allah guide and help us all!.

Similar goes to the thing that we always wanted to start. Ramadhan is the time. (Supposely, you can actually do it now) But yeah, Ramadhan is one of the good time to start!. 

Let's, Just Let's rock this ramadhan as if we won't meet it again and probably we might not make it to the end. But the best advice is, come on, stop giving yourself those excuses! Now or never.

Stop fooling your own self! MAY WE ARE FORGIVEN AND BLESSED BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER RAMADHAN, TILL WE ENTER JANNAH, Allahumma Amiin :)

Wallahu'alam.

Muslim, non-Muslim, New Muslim.

 I violated some copyright issue, I admit, but I thought, this post is interesting.
It is from my classmate who is a non-Muslim (yet) sharing his feelings growing up in a Muslim Country.

"Growing up as a Christian in a Muslim populated country I have experienced the feeling of left out a lot. When I was in high school, before starting our school assembly, it would be open with a Muslim dua. Almost 90% of the people in my school are Muslim. I would just sit there and watch all of my Muslim friends perform dua. My friends who are Hindu, Buddhist and Christians would feel so left out. I was always wondering what it would be if the assembly starts with a Christian prayer. That would definitely come out in the news in my country. Even when starting our class, we would say “Assalammualaikum” to our teachers. Although the words are from Arab and not entirely related to Islam but I still felt that my country’s government tries to convert us into Muslims. We even have to study about Islam in our history class. We would have to memorize the life of Nabi Muhammad and the fellow Rashidun. They never teach us about Jesus and the Hindu gods. Some of my friend even go so far as converted into Muslim because he felt left out and just wanted to feel belong with our fellow Muslim friends. I just hope that someday secularization would be put into action not just in my high school but all the school in the world so that no one would be felt left out.  "

I never thought there some people feel like Muslims are converting them into Islam. I personally never thought of having that intention when I am doing something that is related to Islam. I respect his feeling but it is kind of shocking to know, personally.

I wonder if his friend is actually converted into Islam because of the feeling of left out or is it because he really believe in the faith. Allah knows best. But as far as I know, when people changing a faith, it is actually a big deal, especially when entering Islam. It is really a big decision. One need first to have the willingness face those rejection from his family and friends when embracing the new faith. As people know, Islam is has so many thing that one need to do when they make that decisio0n to really be a Muslim. they need to pray, perform Salah. that is one of it but it actually take a lots of courage and patience to do it. one need first to be committed! need to learn how to do it. not just the actions, but also the recitation need to be memorized. If the recitation is in ones mother tongue or in the language that he familiar with, that should not be a problem, however, it is in Arabic! Need first to learn the alphabet, like to learn a new language. It is a new language to people who don't speak Arabic.

until today, I really admire people who bravely take the decision to revert in to Islam. It is indeed not easy. even a as a born Muslim, I find it difficult to change in to a devoted Muslim. It is hard! A lot of challenges indeed..

But you know what is the sweetest thing is? Allah is there. Always. All we need to do is find Him and ask Him. Indeed, Allah's help is near.

* I did notice that I have changed my topic like dramatically, but, who cares, This is what I think. and what I need to always reflect upon.

- Be kind to people. no matter what their religious affiliation is, they need to be bless to have Muslims around them, not forced. Muslim or not, they are still human beings that need to be treated equally, as our prophet Salallahu'alaihiwassalam taught us.

- I love listening to the stories of converts, because that is really what sacrifice is about. They are willing to loss everything. They don't mind losing it as long as they are finding the God. simply, WOW! I really need that kind of faith too!

-We are obligated to try our best to show why are we, a Muslim. Show to the world, how beautiful it actually is that it is not a burden, it is a blessing. Share the love :)

May Allah guide us all.

Allahumma Amiin. :)

The price of studying overseas

The term price is often associated with money. However it is actually can be described by more than that.It is a cost, anything we need to sacrifice when we want some other thing in return. It is an opportunity cost.

The most expensive price that , to me, i need to stand is the sacrifice of the valuable time with family. Indeed, most people when they thought about studying overseas, what we think is fun, experience, independent, lucky and intelligent. Those are some sweet words floating in the mind when we talk about studying abroad, far from family.

But trust me, life is balanced. when you have the happiness, you will have to bare some sadness too. I am not too proud to study abroad but not also to regret it anyway.I am happy to have this opportunity but obviously, although most are my friends and relatives are jealous with where I am, I am too, jealous with where they are.

This is not a complaint. This is a reflection. I am not unhappy with what I need to sacrifice but this feeling makes me think and learn to be grateful. There are not many people would talk about this when they need to share their experience about studying in other country.I don't know about what they feel, but this is what I always feel.

Alhamdulillah, I have the opportunity experiencing different culture, different weather, different places, different time zone, different people and many more but note that i loss the time that I could have spend with my family.

I miss the time to be with my family. I need to sacrifice the real presence to make them happy. To make them laugh, to help them washes the dish, cook for them, clean the house for them, take care of my cats, eat with them, shopping, drive them to anywhere, I am not there for them when they need any help for a healthy young lady. I am not available for them when they need someone strong to do tough work. They are old already but they need to do everything by themselves in that late age, As if, I was never exist. I believe when they  raised me up, they hope that the cute little baby would grow up as a good kid and the a great human being. This little daughter was hoped to bring happiness in their-lives. This kid, will be the coolness of their eyes, they wish.

But when I grow up, a little older, I leave them. I went to a boarding school, for five years.Indeed, I did went back once in two or three months but of course, as a teenager at the time, our relationship aren't so strong. i have wasted times doing my business while letting them doing theirs. Allah, forgive me!.

Then, after high school, not even two months spending time at home, I entered a college, stayed in a hostel. time burned. After foundation, I was busy with my so-called important things arranging my journey to the US. Yes, I did spend sometime but of course not that much.

Now that I am here. almost a year. One year loss of time to serve them. I sacrificed one year till now, here 'enjoying' my self alone, without them. I was happy when my first time experience snow, I celebrated it myself, playing very happily forgetting about them. I sent them just pictures, but what can pictures do, they can't even feel the cold of it,can't even touch it to know how fluffy it is. What is the difference between me sending those pictures with what they seen on TV? While i am so happy, they can just observe. They get nothing, yet they make doa for me so I am always blessed with more happiness. wow.

I am the one who are happy. I am the one who get those experience. And they are the one who sacrificed a lot, Yet, i can't even have that love to make some sincere doa for them so Allah may bless them. I hardly find time  to really engage in my doa with the actual hope so that Allah love them like how they always love me! SELFISH ME! If they were too, being selfish, they would only make doa for themselves. the faced hardships and bugger problems more that I do, and I would be no one and nowhere without their doa. They can always forget me and just ask help from Allah only for themselves. But that is not what happen. They still and keep make doa for their ungrateful daughter who only-Allah-knows when do she make doa for them too, if any. Allah, Bless them, please!

This is the price in need to pay. sacrificing the joy with them, time with them, the chance to serve them and make them please and happy. I do not know till when, theywould be here. wallahu 'alam. but just in case oneday, I get thenews about their death, I am not sure if I cant bare it. I believe i have not make them happy. I would regret for choosing to sacrifice the time, but Allah knows best. but also, if I am the one who need to go first, That is even worse. For at least, if they go first i will still have the opportunity to serve them by doing a lots of good deeds that will benefit them in the here after, make doa for them so they will forbidden from the punishment in the grave and the hell fire.. But conversely, If I need to go first, what I have is what I have. What I already did is what I already did. I can't add more goodness. They were raising a kid, but that kid does not even know how to value them during her life. Their investment in this kid is worthless. they get nothing. Allah, Make me a good child! make me meet my parents, family, teachers, and friends, in the paradise, Jannatul Ferdous.Allahumma Amiin

Allah,
Guide me to make my parents happy, my family happy, everyone who have me, happy.
Amiin

If, one day, you are reading this, but I am longer in this world, please, firstly,make doa for me. I will need that very badly.And please, make doa for my parents,and my family
and tell them, I love them so much and I ask them for forgiveness for taking them for granted.
They are Mahanum Husin and Shaharom Nizam Abd. Manap. From Malaysia.

May Allah bless all parents in the world and grant them patience dealing with their children at this era.

want to get married does not means READY!

In one of my previous posts, I did mentioned, i want to get married... but that does not mean i say I am ready for marriage! Please, don't get me wrong...  of course i want to get married yeah, because I want someone to always be there with me.. like they always call it, the better half.. I wonder if anyone who don't have the desire to get married at this age.. 

However, even if, just if, my crush send a proposal to me or my family, wanting to take me as his wife, until today, i would have to reject! I am not ready. Yes, I want to, but I am not ready to enter that  responsibility world. I am not responsible enough to my own self! I am not ready for marriage unless I am totally responsible for myself first. If I can take care of my self financially, physically, emotionally, then I am ready for marriage.Marriage is ibadah.. it is not for me to get married just to satisfy my desire.. it is supposed to be for Allah! it is an Ibadah! my intention should be for Allah, and of course, I need to make sure to do my Ibadah with so much care! I am not yet ready. so many things that I need to be prepared to go through that world..

I once traveled with some guys.( InsyaAllah I will avoid doing that again..but I've learned so much) I know that guys are just like a big baby.. I need to be prepared for that! if I can't even organize my own self, how do I take care of that big baby? I mean, seriously.( Guys, no offense.. ). Anyhow, I must make sure I can handle and take care of those who are around me first before even think of getting married.. Honestly, I am not ready, until people around me could tell me if I am ready. I am not even a responsible child to my parents yet :(

I know, most scholars are asking and trying to encourage young people to get married.. Most young people are getting excited with this phenomena. But still, getting mature before getting married should be in the list!. I am totally agree that young people need to get married as soon as possible obviously to avoid those coupling, dating, and for sure, fornication. these sins are getting popular nowadays and should be overcome effectively.. how? get married! but before that, be MATURE! 

People are over excited to get married that they skipped the steps before getting married.  here is the list. 
1. Be mature
2. be responsible
3. get married
(of course,, with other obligations as well. learn.practice, teach)

Come on people... getting married early means getting mature and be responsible EARLY! how?learn for those sahabi( the companions of the prophet) like Zaid ibnu Harithah, Arqam ibnu Abu Al-Arqam, Talhah ibn Ubaydillah... and many more.. 

they became so responsible even at age of teens and around that.. They are willing to take care of the name of Islam because of how mature they are, they are ready to take the responsibility. What about us? even the school assignments, we can't manage. We are more interested in those movies, technologies that drive us no where. 

*sighs* 

conclusion : yes, I want to get married but in deeper meaning, I need to get mature and be responsible as soon as possible. Marriage is not to divorce. No one wants it that way.. so then, I need to make sure I get prepared first, before taking any step in.

Marriage is not for kids to have fun and when a problem comes, they get divorce.It is for a man and a woman to get together with the purpose of meet the ultimate goal, Allah's pleasure. It is a serious matter and not at all, a fairy tale like they try to prove. Thus, I am not ready until no one should tell me I need to do my homework, clean my room and call my parents. That time, I know exactly what to do. 

Self-sufficient but to Allah

sounds childish, but that is the reality. 


Wallahu ta'ala 'alam.. may Allah guide us all.. amiin