My Humble Online Learnings Notes

[Book Review: The Art of Waiting by Ezzah Mahmud] Finding Beauty in the Wait, Unlock The Blessings with Patience and Faith Recently, I experienced a setback when I missed my online midterm exam. I had thoroughly prepared for the exam three weeks in advance, ensuring plenty of time for revision. However, I overlooked the fact that the exam was scheduled according to Saudi Arabia’s time zone, and as a result, I missed the sitting. The error was mine for not double-checking the time, something I normally do diligently. Thankfully, I will have the opportunity to retake the exam, but I will lose 15% of the marks. Although this is disappointing, I am reminded of the wisdom in the Qur’anic verse: “And they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.” (Qur’an 8:30). Alhamdulillah, for indeed, there is wisdom in every situation, even if we do not fully understand it at the time. This incident led me into a period of deep reflection. During this time, I recalled a book I had r...

The Psychology in Playing Victims and Seeking Validation One of my pet peeves is encountering people who constantly play the victim. I used to have a very strong personality, which often made me blunt. However, learning the hadith, "If you have nothing good to say, remain silent," changed how I handle such situations. We all know someone who seems to play the victim in every scenario. They make it appear as though the world is always against them, and it can be frustrating to witness. I’ll admit, I’ve fallen into that mindset before. A friend once suggested that some people don’t intend to play the victim—they’re simply seeking validation. That made me question: what’s the difference between playing the victim and seeking validation? Both behaviours are regarded in psychology as unhealthy coping mechanisms. They arise from underlying issues like insecurity, low self-esteem, and difficulty managing emotions. While everyone struggles with hurt and feelings of being wronged, how...

[Book Review: The Story of Yusuf by Sh Dr Sajid Umar] Stages of Personal Growth and Self-Development Reflected in Surah Yusuf If you don't know yet, you should know by now that the story of Yusuf AS is the best of stories in the Qur’an. That is the words of the AlMighty: نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْقَصَصِ بِمَآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمِنَ ٱلْغَـٰفِلِينَ ٣ We relate to you ˹O Prophet˺ the best of stories through Our revelation of this Quran, though before this you were totally unaware ˹of them˺ [Yusuf 12:3] Hence, I would definitely looking forward to read the book by my beloved Sheikh, Sheikh Dr Sajid Umar, as he announced the released of his book, The Story of Yusuf (get your copy here:  Publisher - Quillspire ) Alhamdulillah, though we read, know and familiar with the story as told in the Qur'an, the book help me in understanding the lessons and wisdoms that are in the story, from another perspective and views. I was e...

  One of the most beautiful aspects of our relationship with Allah is the closeness He has with us. In times of hardship, joy, or even when we feel distant from Him, Allah’s presence is constant, and His response to our du’a is immediate and guaranteed when we call upon Him with sincerity.  Allah assures us in the Qur’an: وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me  ; so they should respond to Me and believe in Me, so that they may be guided [ Al-Baqarah 2:186] This verse reflects Allah's love and closeness. Notice the language Allah uses — He does not say, “if you call,” but “when you call.” This subtle but profound shift in wording conveys Allah’s certainty and eagerness to respond to our prayers. Just like a mother waiting for h...

[Book Reviews] How to Love a Porcupine vs. The Prophet of Mercy:  Lessons in Compassion and Self-Care   In life, we often find ourselves navigating relationships that challenge our patience and emotional well-being. Whether it's a friend, family member, or coworker, dealing with people who seem to "prickle" us at every turn can be exhausting. But what is the best way to handle these difficult relationships? Should we invest energy in understanding their behavior, or is it better to simply extend mercy and move forward? In this post, we'll explore two contrasting approaches: Dr. Debbie Ellis's How to Hug a Porcupine and the Islamic teachings on mercy as embodied by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) . Each offers valuable insights into dealing with difficult people, but ultimately, it's about finding a balance between compassion for others and mercy for ourselves. Before leaving for Aix, I saw my son bought the book  How to Hug a Porcupine . The book intrigued me, especia...