Awakening to reality

As Neo would say whenever caught in a tight position, “Operator, I need an exit”

It might be life imitating fiction, it could be fiction imitating life. But as I dive deeper and deeper into life, I can’t help but feel frustrated by the reality that there are fewer people around me trying to do the right thing.

“I feel good about the good things that has happened; I feel bad about the bad things as well; But I wouldn’t change anything, because those things brought me to where I am today”

When I was growing up, doing the right thing was banged into me. From my parents, from relatives, from school, even from TV programs; whatever I did, or observe, I was asked not to just do the right thing, but also, understand the importance of doing the right thing.

Sometime after my parents moved to Japan, I stop doing those things which I was asked to do. Simply because I found it too difficult. I guess, in some ways, it was me being rebellious. No matter what the reason, I went astray.

“It is, and always will be, easier to do the wrong thing, which is by being selfish, and caring about ‘numero uno’. If anyone is guilty of that, then I would be the prime example.”

For those of you who:

1. Are against Islam – without willing to learn it fully and completely
2. Are against helping people – even when it means being mean
3. Are ‘allergic’ to preaching – even when it helps you be better

Than I ask for you to quickly click the ‘x’ button on the window. For you will see this post as self righteous and nothing more.

“I feel the need to explain again that this isn’t an attack on any one person or group, nor is it meant to show that I am better, more righteous and more pious than any one person or group. I am merely expressing the feelings in my heart, which has been residing in it for a good while now. Only now do I have the courage to express it, and not suppress it. Anyone who knows me will understand that this little space in cyberspace is my one sanctuary where I am free to rant and rave about my inner most emotions”

For those of you who decides to read on, I thank you for affording me your time.

Issue 1: Religion.

“I am a believer in Allah, and I bear witness that prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is his messenger”

Ever since the September 11th 2001 attack on the twin towers in New York, my religion, Islam, has been attacked again and again by people of all ages, of all beliefs, and of all walks of life.

They take liberty in attacking anything that doesn’t compute in their minds as conforming to their own ideology and way of thinking.

Why is it that these people are so hell bent in portraying Islam as public enemy number one? This is made simpler by acts of Muslims themselves who try to explain Islamic teachings (with good intentions I must add) based on their own interpretation, which, by Islamic law, is termed as bid’ah (innovations, creations, additions).

“Bid’ah (in relation to the teachings of Islam) is wrong, whether it is ‘good’ or  ‘bad’, as it is altering the teachings of Islam, and when the teachings of Islam is altered, it is no longer Islam. For in the Al-Qur’an, Allah says he has perfected Islam for Muslims, for all time. At the first instance one changes  a single iota of that, one is no longer a Muslim”

“Whenever in doubt, refer to the teachings and doings of the prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the holy Qur’an. For Islam (at the end of times) will be divided, and only these two things will ensure a Muslim’s safe passage into heaven”

Please do not take the above and derive from it that I am championing one sect over the other. But it is my own research into Islam assisted by those who know better in the field. Even then, I would always apply the strictest form of critical thinking into what is presented in front of me. For those same people, although much more knowledgeable on the topic, are, at the end of the day, humans, and one of humankind’s fitrah (nature) is to err. So to take what they teach as fact and nothing but fact is wrong. And what I say here maybe erroneous as well.

Which brings me to my point. Research Islam and its full and complete teachings before attacking it, and for Muslims, research Islam and its full and complete teachings before defending it. Don’t take anyone’s word for it, take only the Al-Qur’an and the teachings and doings of prophet Mohammad (PBUH), and you will find it’s true meaning. This I am sure of as it was what the prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said himself.

“Hence my introduction at the start of this blog was how hard it is to do the right thing”

Issue 2: Parents

“I love my parents, and I will allow nobody nor anything to come between me and my parents”

As globalization becomes more and more a reality, I see how the world is now uniting in one method of thinking, and one method of conformation. Which is disappointingly more and more about being independent and again looking out for the wellbeing of oneself.

Call me traditional in my thinking, but I wholeheartedly believe that it is a child’s responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of their parent. Unfortunately, more and more people (adults and youth alike) are of the thinking that once one reaches a certain age, one should be out on one’s own, and leave one’s parents in order to build one’s own life.

“The average span of a human life is 75 years, I am 31, I have 44 years left in this life, ergo, my parents only have around 10 to 15 years. Sure, life and death is Allah’s call, but it will come one day, and the thought of it made me realize that I have to make everyday count. Hence, when I’m called a ‘momma’s boy’, or ‘daddy’s boy’, I don’t mind it at all. It shows that I am indeed appreciating them until the day Allah decides to take them away from me”

“Heaven, is placed at the sole of your mother’s feet. And (as Muslims) we have been ordered to love our mother, love our mother, love our mother, then love our father”

When it comes to this, I am one of those who only came to realize all of it in the past few years. And I feel bad for not realizing it sooner. Balancing professional life, social life, and home life isn’t easy. Add in the responsibility one has to one’s parents will only make it even more complicated and difficult. Nobody can, and will be, successful in achieving all of it, when push comes to shove, something has got to give. But alas, the solution has already been given to us by the prophet Mohammad (PBUH) who said that the best of lives, are those living in moderation. A little bit of each is all that is expected of us, and I, for one, will strive to achieve this.

“Hence my introduction at the start of this blog was how hard it is to do the right thing”

Issue 3: Hikmah (Wisdom)

“Whatever happens in life, either good or bad, there is hikmah behind it and for it”

“Everything that happens in life, happens for a reason”

I subscribe to the though that anything bad that happens to oneself, it is Allah’s way of preparing us for what is to come in the future, and only by going through these experiences would one be strong enough and ready to face worse experiences in the future.

While anything good that happens to oneself, is Allah’s way of rewarding one for perseverance, patience and strength that one goes through in the process of achieving those good things. Even when the good thing comes out of nowhere, it is because one is deserving of it, one just doesn’t realize it.

I have always believed that one is free to, and should, criticize wrongdoings and stand firm for what one believes in. But lately, the criticism thrown around has just been about one side believing their side is better and superior than the other. Be it democracy, way of life or religion, more and more people want everyone else to subscribe to their particular school of thought. A world where everyone thinks the same and differing opinions are unacceptable. Discussions and debate are seen as cumbersome and a strict no-go area, because it is seen as violent and insensitive of other’s belief or standings. Acceptance and tolerance is used as a prime reasoning that discussions and debate is seen as such. But it is these two things that would help enlighten ourselves (not the same term used to describe Illuminati and the New World Order mind).

Tolerance and acceptance will only happen when one is willing to learn about the other side, and understand why the opposite side feels so strongly about their stance.

“Criticism should be used to spur discussions and debate, as it will lead to enlightenment of the other side of the argument, and from there, one would be able to tolerate and accept the other side’s stance. Not used as a conforming tool to have everyone agree with one’s own stance”

As a species on Allah’s world, we have long forgotten our role in society and life.

I am one such example.

“We were made different (by Allah) so that we could learn off of one another, and accept the difference in one another so that we may live harmoniously together”

“Hence my introduction at the start of this blog was how hard it is to do the right thing”

I was once afraid to voice (type is more accurate) these views for fear of being reprimanded and/or getting shunned from those around me. But as that has already happened, I have found the courage to do so. Most of the time I find others unwilling to listen, discuss nor debate on this as it is seen as dark, twisted, depressing and non motivating.

I assure you, that it is not.

It is merely the voice of an awaken soul, the soul that has been slumbering all this while. A soul that is inside all of us, which we are either too afraid to face, or find it too difficult to tackle.

“Hence my introduction at the start of this blog was how hard it is to do the right thing”

The Army of Black Banners will come forth, I only pray I have opened my eyes  and heart wide enough to see it coming. For I would love nothing more than to be part of them. Because only by opening my eyes and heart would I then be able to differentiate the true Army of Black Banners from the false ones.

This life is merely a test.

A test which I have every intention of passing with flying colours.