Book Review : The First Decade by Vivy Yusof

#spoileralert #nottoomuch I was totally rooting for the launch of this book since day one I knew Vivy Yusof, the Proudduck blogger, was writing her own book! I bought it on the very first day it launched and read it right away and finished it in two days! I was so excited to review about …

I Need You More

Home Aloneeeee. Year-End School Holiday is here and so the kids are away leaving Mom alone at home for a sumptuous me-time! Hoyeah! As usual, it’s time for me to shoot all the things I’ve been planning to do but couldn’t do just because of my handful attachment when the kids were around. Clearly, I …

Calamity, Actually

The ihsan of Allah becomes manifest to us even in our darkest moments. Saidina Umar Al Khattab (r.a) says that; "No calamity ever befalls me except there are four blessings wrapped in it." The first one is that it wasn't in my deen. If I get a calamity in my family or my health or my money, no matter how bad it is, for if it's not in my deen, that's a good thing. Number two, the second blessing is that; it wasn't bigger. That calamity could always be bigger. Number three is that; I was not stripped of being content with it. These are incredibly powerful words. When we lose a loved one and we say Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun; we belong to Allah and to Allah we return, that is a statement of contentment. That is a statement of submission. And Umar Al-Khattab (r.a.) says that I'm able to experience that I was not stripped, I'm not sitting there shaking my fist (asking) why God why or disbelieving in Allah or being angry with Allah. That I am able to summon up the ability or I am gifted the ability to be patient and to be pleased with Allah.  And number four that I continue to expect reward for it.  ~Text copied from the speech of Sheikh Ammar Al-Shukry via Instagram~ This is such a beautiful way to view every calamity, every problem, every dark moment that came landing into our lives unwelcomed. It's never about denying or running away from it, it's about the art of viewing the unwanted parcel by seeing it through the lenses of faith.  Only through faith that one can see the silver linings, only through faith that heart can feel the blessings.  Motivations like this is something that we might have come across before, but it is always good to be kept reminded at times that calamity, is actually a blessing. Recap this as a checklist : ~ It is not in my deen~ It's not bigger or worse~ I utter istirja' Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un~ I'm expecting reward from this YES for all FOUR? Khalas... I'm all good! Alhamdulillah 'ala kulli hal.  As ever,SALZY

A Fulfilling Weekend

The past weekend has been the most fulfilling one to me! Satisfying much, I attended three online talks organized by Faith Events inviting my favourite speaker Ustadha Yasmin Mogahed live in Kuala Lumpur! Alhamdulillah. I was already excited when they announced the speaker’s name but I felt even more thrilled when they revealed the topics …

As I Begin Again

It's 1st of Muharram today, Salam Maal Hijrah 1444H. As we begin again, let's turn all our hopes for the New Year to this beautiful du'a. Oh AllahAs the new year for the Islamic calendar begins,I pray for health.Health that sometimes I take for granted.I thank YOU for the nights I am able to sleep …