My Humble Online Learnings Notes

As we journey towards success, transforming every action into an act of worship (ibadah) and pursuing excellence in our efforts for Allah, what remains is Istiqamah, the third "I". Istiqamah, translated as steadfastness, is about living every day with Ikhlas (sincerity) and Ihsan (excellence). This daily commitment involves the continuous struggle to maintain sincerity and excellence in all aspects of life. Istiqamah requires different levels of effort depending on the circumstances. Some days, achieving Ikhlas might require 90% of your effort, while other days it might only need 30%. For example, during Ramadan, maintaining Ikhlas and Ihsan might be easier as you engage in fasting, prayer, and charity, requiring perhaps 30% of your effort. In contrast, other times of the year, like Muharram, might demand 70% of your effort. Istiqamah is the daily battle and the spice of life, requiring effort to remain steadfast on the path of righteousness. The reward for maintaining Istiqa...

The second "I" that guides us towards success is Ihsan. Best understood as “excellence,” Ihsan is derived from the testimony of Rasulullah SAW. When one dedicates their life, actions, and intentions solely to Allah, excellence becomes a fundamental requirement. Every aspect of a believer's life, from living and breathing to speaking and acting, should be dedicated to Allah. This dedication necessitates that everything done for Allah is performed with the utmost excellence because Allah deserves nothing but the best. Living for the sake of Allah demands excellence in all areas of life. If you are studying, ensure your study is excellent. If you are working, ensure your work is excellent. Your university assignments should reflect this excellence. When teachers look at a class, the identity of Iman should be visible in Muslims as the best students, characterized by the best behavior, diligence, attention, intelligence, and interaction. Similarly, at work, excellence should ...

  Ikhlas, or sincerity, is the cornerstone of self-betterment and the path to success. This journey begins with Ikhlas, rooted in the first part of our testimony of faith, the Shahada, La ilaha illallah (لا إله إلا الله) There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah This declaration signifies that Allah alone deserves our worship, and no one else is worthy of such devotion or obedience. It represents a complete surrender to Allah's sovereignty, acknowledging that every aspect of life should be dedicated to pleasing Him alone. Central to this philosophy is the profound belief in Allah's supremacy, which involves relinquishing ownership of one's life entirely to Him. This commitment extends beyond mere words to a deep internalization, where every aspect of life—mind, body, and soul—is dedicated solely to pleasing Allah. This devotion is likened to an endowment, وَقْف waqf where the benefits derived from one's life are directed towards causes beloved to Allah, reinforc...

Success in life, both spiritually and materially, is a universal aspiration deeply embedded in the quest for a fulfilling and meaningful life. Sheikh Sajid Umar, in his enlightening talk, highlights three foundational principles that underpin true success: Ihsan (excellence), Istiqamah (steadfastness), and Ikhlas (sincerity). These principles form a comprehensive framework guiding Muslims in their spiritual, moral, and social development. By understanding and internalising these concepts, Muslims can achieve a balanced and harmonious life, fulfilling their roles as responsible individuals in society and devout servants of Allah. In the Qur’an, Allah SWT designates Muslims as the "best nation" with a profound responsibility and purpose. The verse Ali ‘Imran 3:110 states: كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ ۗ وَلَوْ آمَنَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُم ۚ مِّنْهُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ و...

The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, was formally introduced by the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab during his reign as the second Caliph of Islam. The decision to introduce this calendar system was based on practical and administrative needs of the growing Muslim community in Medina. Before the establishment of the Islamic calendar, various lunar and solar calendars were used in Arabia. These calendars were based on local customs and practices and varied among different tribes. During Umar's caliphate, there was a need for a unified and standardized calendar for administrative purposes, especially for organizing religious obligations and determining the timing of Islamic rituals such as fasting and pilgrimage. This calendar system would facilitate the organization of community affairs and ensure consistency in religious observances. In the Qur’an, Allah SWT mentioned: إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّ...

     A Q&A sessions from Bro Hijab's Talk:  From Logic to Faith Question: Why do the punishment in the Hellfire lasted for eternity when the sins done was about 60-70years of (worldly) lifetime? Explanation: The concepts of Jannah (Paradise) and Jahannam (Hell) are central to Islamic theology and play a crucial role in the logical framework of Islam. They serve as the ultimate destinations for human souls based on their deeds and beliefs in this life. The existence of these eternal realms is intertwined with the principles of justice, free will, and divine wisdom in Islamic thought. In Islam, life on Earth is viewed as a test where humans are given free will to choose between right and wrong. The existence of Jannah and Jahannam ensures that justice is ultimately served, with individuals being rewarded or punished based on their actions. This concept aligns with the human intuition of moral accountability and justice. كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۖ وَإِنَّمَا...