I’ve read 3 books in January and currently reading one more. Wow, rightt! #newyearvibes Hehehe..Well, my goal this year is to read 40 books in total… Let’s see!
Revive Your Heart by Nouman Ali Khan (4.5/5 star)
This is an old book I found in the storeroom when I spring cleaned last December. Guess what, I bought this book 6 years ago you know.. That time, I didn’t know who Nouman Ali Khan was, and I also didn’t read much from this kind of genre.
When I started reading it, I felt a bit awkward with everything written in it and the way it’s written. I couldn’t relate to the Islamic perspective he explained or more so, a confession here – I was kinda offended of what is said. I don’t remember what was it but it’s something that made me feel snapped! And so I didn’t finish the book. Marked as DNF – ‘this author is extreme!’
6 years later, now, I’m reading it again with a little wiser mind and an open heart, or a bit matured perhaps. And everything makes sense now. Sigh… Sigh to just how blinded I was and how egoistic this self is against the truth. May Allah s.w.t guide us all.
“Putting Life in Perspective.” This book basically deals with certain issues in the Islamic society in modern times, explaining very specifically and in depth so that we understand what is actually conveyed from the Al-Quran in regard to our matters nowadays and what does it have to do with the religion in ourselves. Just be ready to wake up from mistakes and the life perspectives from our lenses that have been wrong all along. Truly a revival of the heart.
Oh by the way, this book is not written.. It’s a compilation of his lectures that maybe you can check it out on Bayyinah TV or Youtube. Still, a recommended read!!
Kamar-Kamar Budi by Hasrizal Abdul Jamil (4/5 star)
At this age, after going through so much in life that tested my level of Iman and reaction on undesirables, I come to realize that there’s a lot in myself that I need to correct. Of course. Self-improvement is a constant thing everyone needs to do upon themselves but somehow, maybe, we’re too used to feeling that we’re ok, until time comes to test our ground. That time only we’ll know the true colors of our own selves that’s actually not as bright. Bygones be bygones, I take things as a calling to fix myself to become a better person, insyaAllah.
This book talks about akhlak and social ethics, discussing the contents from Surah Al-Hujurat. There are many commands and prohibitions from Allah s.w.t that we have to live by as a requirement to become a Mukmin, not just a Muslim. The author reviews every ayah from the reason it’s sent down, the meaning behind it and his own perspectives and reminders to the readers. Brief, yet concise focusing on the topic specifically, not every detail of the surah.
Tafsir Al-Quran Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat – Surah Al-Rahman
I’m currently studying Surah Ar-Rahman, the twin chapter to Surah Al-Waqiah and my selection of tafseer is definitely from this series – Tafsir Tok Guru, Almarhum Nik Aziz Nik Mat. Somebody gifted me with this tafseer of Surah Al-Fatihah 2 years ago, and it was completely a compelling read to me. From there I intended to collect all books from this series and study each one of it. InsyaAllah. The transcription of the lecture is taken from the audio cassette of Tok Guru’s lecture, transcribed by typing every word spoken. May Allah s.w.t bless the people working behind the scenes of this remarkable project.
Surah Ar-Rahman is a beautiful chapter in the Quran where Allah s.w.t mentions the heavenly gifts, the worldly gifts, the ni’mat that He bestow upon us the slaves out of His Mercy by The Name He gave to Himself – Ar-Rahman, with 31 repetitions of a single reminder to which favors of your Lord would you deny? It is a surah that will make us stunned by the greatness of Allah s.w.t and feel the nothingness of ourselves if it’s without His Mercy.
May Allah s.w.t forgive and have mercy for our late Malaysian scholar Tuan Guru Nik Aziz for his every word of wisdom explaining the Words of Allah s.w.t delivered every Friday morning during his time.
I’m only halfway through but it’s already very mesmerizing, Subhanallah. More to go…
Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday
And this is the next read for the remaining of January. Wait for the review, if it’s worth it!
As ever,
SALZY
Salzy Mommyhood 