Every year we would write our resolutions before New Year or for some during before Awal Muharram. That is something to be admired for.
I do think some of us do it because "well everyone does it". A lot of us somehow does not recognize or understand the significant of certain dates.
At the side of my bed, I have a mini calendar which I bought on 27th Sept. Very recent. It does not have days but it has dates. For each page there is a snippet from Quran or Hadith. Some I just read and some invoked curiosity that I read further.
There was one verse that invoked my curiosity that I choose to spend a few minute reading deeply into the Surah. To be frank, for the first time I was holding Quran like a story book. It was Surah At Taubah.
Funny how it has invoked a great curiosity at this time of year when it is near Awal Muharram. From that surah I found out that according to Islamic calendar we should observe 4 months, Zulhijjah, Zulkaedah, Muharram and Rejab. These are the 4 months where fighting is prohibited in Islam. That anger we feel that we channel into war, is forbidden in these four months.
If you asked me, there is no better way to start a year than free of hatred, grudges and anger.
The best part about Surah At Taubah is also telling you about Jihad. When I say Jihad, don't take it like how the media portray it to be. For me the way I see it, Jihad is like a resolution. To make sure you fight hard to be a better person.
For example;
When I told a friend about the challenges to change I mentioned wearing tudung is one of them.
He told me "That is your jihad then, mine is to stop smoking"The point I am trying to put across is simple. Often we write resolutions without understanding the significance of the date. In my case, I only do things that I understand and motivate me.
I come to realized how significant Awal Muharram is at the moment I read this Surah. God has outlined clearly that before we prepare for our own "jihad" we have to enter it with the right foot. Free of malice & hatred basically making peace with yourself, your enemies and your loved ones.
Yes, some of us quoted verses of Hadith and Quran to prove a point. Point is taken. However do observe the time of day where we decided to use such Quotations’ and our intentions.
Is it to live up and motivate or is it to show that we are better than the other?
I am thankful that Allah have given me strength and patience to withstand critics.
I prayed to God everyday and seek for His mercy and Guidance to tame the heart of my loved ones. I did not get it easy. He made sure He throws in a lot of tests before He gave me the answer.
Usually if I am too lazy, I would just flipped that calendar and let it passed by. Somehow for a few days now that one line from Surah At Taubah was on my mind. By the time I read it, I knew God have answered my prayers.
I hope He will guide you the way He has guided me.
Will leave you with the picture of my side table.
These are the current books I've been reading. Oh yeah, Jodi Picoult's book is still on hold. Malas sikit. The pink book was given by a friend for my b'day to help me keep my elegance. As you can see, I am still a student in a lot of field. Hope that my slow pace in transformation could be understood. Far left, is the calendar that welcomes me everyday when I wake up.
