paradigm shift : every exit is an entry

source

salam alaykum

"EVERY EXIT IS AN ENTRY"

i stumbled upon this line during my teenage years, at school, wondering what it actually meant, only taking for granted that it was the 'motto' (or is it not?) for the school bowling club...

back then, being quite a curious yet still naive teenager i was, the farthest interpretation that i could conjure out of my 'not so expanded mind' was to understand that the bowling ball will hit the pins, being exited from the lane, and enters a mysterious chamber that eventually, will roll it back to where it first came from.

and i thought it was cool.

in fact, i still do.

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the transitions of life, from phase to phase, permits us the possibility of facing endless consequences that arise from even our simplest actions, decisions, or even a spark of thought, or perception...

in life, naturally we will face instances that require us to choose.... to make decisions.

again, almost naturally, our decisions will not only affect us, but also others who are in the same spectrum.

and this happens to everyone.

as almost similar with 'The Law of Attraction', the consequences of our decisions will affect everyone in the picture, and everything that are shared together...

time, commitment, feelings, memories...to name a few

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sometimes, we are forced to an alley which we see as leading to an exit...

and we thought, this is THE END.

we thought, this is it...there's nothing left here for us.

we thought, in front us is a black, empty wall.

we thought, we must change in order to adapt.

what we commonly forget is that,

there is always two flip sides of the coin

a door will always open for two routes

a 'something' will always begin from a 'nothing'

and that every EXIT is always an ENTRY.

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Allah has indeed purchased of the believers their lives and their wealth (in return) for Paradise (for) they fight for the cause of Allah, and they slay and be slain. (Paradise as a reward) is the true pledge, which Allah has made in the Taurat, the Injil and the Qur'an. And who is more true to his promise than Allah? Rejoice then in the bargain you have made, and (know that) it is the supreme triumph

(At-Taubah:111)

Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) and His companions' hegira from Mecca to Medina is an excellent example by God, to make us understand this concept.

the companions never imagined that they will be back to Mecca...and yet they came back as victors to claim their rightful place

they came back with heads raised high, and with full of emotions

the slaves came back as equals to their masters

the poors came back as equals to their down lookers

and now Mecca is theirs...and look and remember how Allah blessed them with compassion, power and knowledge.

their EXIT is now an ENTRY.

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this road,one we choose for da'wah and tarbiyah is long and difficult.

and yet, it promises rewards that no one could argue.

believe in this.

grit it with your teeth...and never let go.

for everywhere you go, you have been chosen to spread the words..the words of God, be it here, or anywhere.

may your words be the light to countless hearts

may your smiles be the rhyme of many

and may your actions be the code of the majority

every EXIT is an ENTRY.

"Call men to the path of your Lord (O Muhammad) with wisdom and good exhortation. Reason with them in ways that are best and most gracious. For your Lord best knows those who stray from His path and those who are rightly guided"

(An-Nahl:125)

of budget, the 'rakyat' and a reality check

salam alaykum

and so, next year's budget is finally out and announced.

"budget rakyat", they said.

As one who is directly involved in the education sector, my focus was particularly directed on these clauses;

Rewards for students who excel in studies:

- 30 National Scholarships for the creme de la creme of students, strictly based on merit

- Conversion of PTPTN loans to scholarships for students who graduate with 1st class honours degree, beginning from 2010,

- Offer of netbook package, including free broadband service, to university students for RM50 per month for 2 years.

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and that's it.

No news on MARA loans for Bumiputera students in private colleges.

i mean, needy students who each fajr, pray for the ni'mah of education to be blessed upon them for another day.

students who eat rice with fried anchovies or instant noodles almost everyday...not because of a change in taste and appetite, but just because they couldn't afford anything else

students who REALLY appreciate the holistic value of education.

students whose passion for learning, is fueled by a hunger for tarbiah.

students who have seen the worst.

students who deserve a second chance.

students who wants to BE CHANGED...and to CHANGE OTHERS.

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and for that, the blue highlighted lines disgusted me.

yes, they disgusted me.

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: Indeed if you are grateful, I will bestow more upon you, and if you deny My Favours, know that My punishment is terrible indeed!

(Surah Ibrahim:7)

the calling

Salam alaykum

in this very short period of life, we often stumble upon instances that made us ponder, rethink and reminisce the episodes of life that we have passed behind...

at times, it made us reflect the actions, decisions, and paths that we chose....

those that made us walk along the stretch of road that we go through everyday, each playing its part in making us a more matured individual...a more knowledgeable person...a more humble servant

one would probably wonder, what actually is the 'drive' that made a person choose hardship over pleasure...

or poverty over wealth

or tiredness over a state of relax

what?

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have you ever heard of this?

O believers! Shall I point to you a bargain that will save you from a painful torment?

That is, you believe in Allah and His Messenger and you strive to defend and uphold the religion of Allah with your wealth and your persons. That would be best for you, if you but knew (the truth)!

(If you do so) He will forgive you your sins, and admit you into Gardens underneath which rivers flow. And He will lodge you in pleasant mansions in the Gardens of Eden. That is the supreme triumph.

And there are other blessings which you desire, that is, help from Allah and a speedy victory. And proclaim the good tidings to the believers.

(As-Saff : 10-12)

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some people choose to bargain... and they bargain with God.

they look for the supreme triumph

they seek for the ultimate pleasure

they search for the never ending delight

and the bargain of course, come with a price...a sacrifice of wealth and worldly pleasure... at least, for a while

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"On, Ajib dah beli kereta duhh!"

"Yeke..kereta apa?"

"Toyota Vios!"

(a true story...recorded during this Hari Raya)

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to Mr. KPM, i believe i'd have to say i'm sorry.

i'm here to bargain with Allah, not you.

"ya muqallibal qulub, thabbit qulubana 'ala diinik.....wa 'ala tho'atik"

(wahai Tuhan yang membolak-balikkan hati, tetapkan hati kami atas jalan agamamu..dan dengan ketaatan kepadaMu)

of niqab, bikini and unjustified thought

Salam alaykum

Some readings to trigger some thoughts;

article 1

article 2

* To my UDB1312 students, kindly read through both articles carefully. Should there be anything unclear, please don't hesitate to ask. I might pose some questions in class later ^_^

a first for everything

salam alaykum

there is always a first for everything.


first time wearing a school uniform.

first time licking an ice-cream.

first time calling the azaan (with a full body shiver)

first time being away from home.

and now,

first Ramadhan (and the upcoming Syawal) as a lecturer....

a KTD lecturer.

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it's a whole new perspective.

it's as if you are being sucked into a new dimension, a new realm of thinking....

a new system.

looking at my students, my brothers, undergoing Ramadhan somehow recalls the memories of me myself performing saum during my student days...

only the memories of myself, i presume, were not at par at all with what they are having now.

how lucky you are, my students, my brothers,

to be reminded almost every day, of the barakah of Ramadhan, and to have the drive to prostrate and face Allah at every time you could.

how lucky you are, my students, my brothers,

to be in a place where everyone is rushing...
rushing to grab God's promises, promises of the unthinkable merits one would attain in this holy month.

how lucky you are, my students, my brothers,

to be surrounded by people who would say "Akhi (brother), you are fasting" when you are mad, or when you are doing things that would reduce your merits, or mar the holiness of this month.

how lucky you are, my students, my brothers,

to be echoed by voices reciting al-Qur'an almost everywhere you go, reminding yourself that you should also grab one, and join the melodious tune.


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how lucky you are.

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to all my beloved students, and brothers,

May the barakah of Ramadhan is showered on you (and me), and the coming Syawal becomes a blessed and joyful celebration for us.

a celebration for those who are in search of God's mardhatillah and knowledge.........sincerely.

EID MUBARAK....MAAF ZAHIR DAN BATIN =)