Between Dhuha and Fajr'

Post Ramadhan,  I decided to trim down my scope on understanding the Quran. I found the longer verses of the Makkaniah times too long and as Nouman Ali summarized, the message is the same, and it is being repeated just so that it could resonate in the hearts of the ummah and make it a habit - to live by the messages.

Of late, I am enjoying the mind game I play on my own, as I chose to start memorizing the shorter more prose-like verses in the shorter surahs and this time with meaning.

Why is there both a surah on the time of dhuha, as well as a time of fajr? 

I think it is for us to see that, the world offers us the best opportunity to take heed and make a living for ourselves (Ad-Dhuha), whilst if we do not be careful (Al-Fajr), we can also succumb to the worldly delights and suffer from it too. 

"He found you lost, and guided you,

He found you poor, and made you self-sufficient" (Ad-Dhuha 7& 8)

"And as for man, when his Lord tries him and (thus) is generous to him and favours him, he says, "My Lord has honored me..
But when He tries him, restricting his subsistence for him, then he says (in despair), "My Lord has humiliated me!" (Al-Fajr 15 & 16)

Anyways, just food for thought, I am still trying to make sense of this but with restricted wanderings..its always best to learn these things with a teacher so as to not go astray. Happy reflecting.

Black mats and heart shaped boxes

I've always wanted to upload a post where I show all the different groups I am involved in, the different activities, the facades you have. Your interests. Looking for the photos was a bit tiring so I shall share this one here.

Of late it has been a lot about yoga, I do not run as much I think it shakes things up way too much in my body and the recovery period is a bit more damaging. Which is why I now stick closer to yoga and even doing it at home to make the most of the practice in class. 

This shot of us after class was just one of the nicest things we could ever agree to do together. That is the pixie of a lady Sazzy, and in front of her is the guest instructor for the night, Azmi. 

Money can't buy happiness but you are supposed to be wise on how you spend it. Make memories, go out and do stuff. Sure we are all lazy to get out of our comfort zone, but the extra mile of taking the time to do something different will make the whole journey a lot more enjoyable.

Hope for more zen-like happiness. Bottle it up and store it on the counter of health and good times. So I can reach for more whenever I am low.

And fold

I think I'm doing alright. 

Only thought about you twice, and the rest was mostly about dying and understanding other bits and pieces of life.

My only remaining task is to settle my worldly debts. Other than that its all on me. 

Sambung kisah makan bawah meja

I am 30 and I finally can read and make sense of what He was saying in His book..

This ramadhan I still ate under my table when I could, although minus the good company I had last year when I did it in Menara Citibank, I still enjoyed my unbroken tradition of eating something silly with a warm drink.

I am thankful that I am getting older, I think without age and wisdom I will never get this close to the Maker and dive into the poetry of His words. I think I have come to my senses and the wrinkles and unpretty complexion will not bother me as much as it did yesterday.

I enjoy my morning walks towards the office now even thoroughly than ever. My references to Him with what I see and hear around me is limited, wish one day I can reference him to my hearts content.

The only poetry book I ever needed was with me all along.

"And brought (within view), that Day, is Hell - that Day, man will remember, but what good to him will be the remembrance?" - 89:23