Get Inspired! : Introduction

*waving my hands* 

"YOU WROTE A POST ABOUT GETTING INSPIRED A WEEK AGO. NOW YOU ARE BLURTING OUT AN INTRODUCTION?"

"I'M KINDA CONFUSED..."

"YEAH, SAME HERE... OH WELL, LET'S SEE HOW GOOD SHE EXPLAINS THINGS."

"YEAH, LET'S SEE.."

Nina-chan here! Slow down... Take a deep breath, then exhale slowly. Okay, as you guys might notice, I did a post about "Hidup Dibenci Allah?" meaning "Does Allah Hate My Life?" Okay, I really want to write that entry because I noticed that my friends are dealing with several problems that made them felt sad and depressed. So, I wrote that entry especially for my friends that are dealing with those problems. Get tough, my friend! InshaAllah, Allah will always be there by your side.

Back to the topic. Now, for this "Get Inspired" posts, I want to make you guys feel inspired again (InshaAllah) and do some amazing changes to this world. I know, I am not a someone, but at least I am giving some boost you guys in handling the problems that exists in this word. Today, I am going to talk about the word "Inspire". Before getting into that topic, I want you to enjoy this cute cat gif. 

Kawaii-desu-nee~

INSPIRE

Inspire-Inspired-Inspirations-Inspiring. Such magical words that will change an ordinary human into an amazing person who can change people's lives. I believe that a sprinkle of inspirations can change this world into a better place InshaAllah. Sometimes, a person such as myself that switches off the lights, turns on the air-conditioner and curls in a blanket while watching the television could use some inspiration. We can change the world if we know how right? Nina-chan here will boost you guys through some inspirations InshaAllah...

There will be a lot of pictures and videos displayed here, in this post and they are credited to their rightful owners. Feel free to click those pictures and reflect, InshaAllah. "In order to change our lives, we must change our days first." Meaning, let's make today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today! Iku yo! (Let's go!)

So... What makes you feel INSPIRED?

Looking at the NATURE? Watching the world of the unknown talking to each other in whispers... So magical, yet untouchable. At the right moment, InshaAllah inspirations will come.

If you're a person such as myself, ANIME maybe?

ARTS maybe? Calligraphy, posters, pictures? Something that will shake your heart?

Or perhaps reading inspirational QUOTES? InshaAllah...

I'm not sure what is it. Maybe it's art or music. Maybe talking to the person you love to be with. Maybe spending time with your family. Once you read this entry, please stand up and go out. See the nature. See the world that surrounds you, because sometimes they have their own secrets even though they do not speak. Talk to someone, ask them for advice because you will never know when you will be able to talk to them again. Grab opportunities because they do come but once. Do something you do not usually do because you will feel like someone new.

Go out. Feel. Grab. Touch. Do the things that you won't do.

Allah sends us in this world for a reason. Find that "reason". Find the answer to your questions. Do not be afraid because there will be always someone who is going to encourage you in any circumstances. Do not be afraid because Allah is near. Allah is there. Allah is here with us.

Inspirations need to be found. Inspirations are everywhere. Search for it because it wants to be searched. If none of that makes you feel inspired, go take wudhu' and pray. And also read Al-Quran. I believe, Al-Quran is the best inspiration in this world that anyone could ever find. Each page, each sentence has their own meaning. Their own treasure. Please, stop being lazy and procrastinating. The present is here and it needs to be filled with something valuable.

Your time starts NOW.  

Please, explore the world and you will find something hidden. InshaAllah, you will be inspired. And don't forget, after being inspired, test your potentials. Is it writing? Is it drawing? Is it singing? Something. Discover your potentials, and InshaAllah you will live your life amazingly. I will be doing this again another day, InshaAllah... I hope you guys felt inspired by this entry.

Nina-chan has to go now. See you soon and Assalamualaikum!

Hidup Dibenci Allah?

*lambai tangan* 

DISCLAIMER : Nina didn't publish any entry yesterday because many events happened last night. This entry will be considered as a "Friday Entry". Thank you for noticing this note.

Nina-chan sini! Hari ini Nina nak tulis entry dalam Bahasa Melayu. Nina kan salah seorang rakyat Malaysia... "Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa" kan? InshaAllah, esok Nina akan sambung tulis entry dalam Bahasa Inggeris. Buat masa ini, Nina nak bagi korang sedikit semangat. Semangat patriotik? Semangat kesukanan? Semangat kekitaan? Mungkin. Hari ini Nina nak bagi semangat kerohanian sikit kat korang. Harap korang boleh duduk dengan selesa di hadapan gajet elektronik korang dan baca serta menghayati apa yang Nina tuliskan. Sila tekan tajuk di bawah dan dengarlah alunan lagu tersebut sewaktu membaca. Selamat berinspirasi!

HIDUP DIBENCI ALLAH?

Ya, betul. Hidup kita umpama roda. Sekejap kita berada di atas. Sekejap kita berada di bawah. Tapi, sedarlah bahawa di mana kedudukan di roda pun kita berada, roda tersebut akan bawa kita ke destinasi yang ditujui. Kala kita berada di atas, kala kita berada di bawah... pasti ada ujian yang menyapa. Membuat kan kita tersentak, dunia ini tidak kekal semata.

Kadang kala, kita bertanya...

"Allah, adakah hidup ini dibenciMu?"

Di saat kita berada di bawah roda, kita akan terkena paku, sampah-sarap, batu dan makhluk lain yang akan menyakiti diri kita. Mungkin kelaparan, kesakitan atau keperitan yang kita alami. Mungkin kita merasa dunia ini tidak adil. Mungkin kita merasakan bahawa kita ini tidak layak untuk hidup di dunia yang diciptakan Ilahi. Tapi...

Sedarkah kita? Di saat kita bergembira, berbahagia, bergelak ketawa, bergurau senda... Allah di mana dalam hati kita? Allah di mana, wahai teman? Saat gembira, kita mudah lalai, terlupa dan leka akan nikmat dunia. Saat sedih, mudah sekali kita mengingatiNya, mudah sekali kita merapatkan tangan dan berdoa. Mengadu kepadanya...

Teman, ingatlah... "SubhanAllah", "Alhamdulillah", "Allahu Akbar" dan "La ilaha illallah". Ingatlah kalimah-kalimah ini. InshaAllah, dirimu tidak akan sesat di dalam penipuan dunia yang fana ini. Bukan Allah mengujimu untuk kepuasanNya, bukan... Allah mengujimu kerana dia sayang akan hambaNya. Mengapa ada yang miskin dan ada yang kaya? Mengapa ada yang boleh menyanyi dan ada yang tidak? Mengapa ada yang Muslim dan ada yang Kristian dan Yahudi? Mengapa setiap manusia diciptakan dalam keadaan yang berlainan? Menyapa? Ya, mengapa.

"Azwaaj". Bukan sekadar pasangan suami isteri. "Azwaaj" bermaksud pasangan atau golongan. Kita diciptakan dari berbagai golongan. Kalau Nina cakap, "Allah ini memang sempurna". Mengapa? Ya, mengapa.

"Allah menciptakan makhlukNya dalam berbagai golongan yang bergantung antara satu sama lain."

Mengapa Allah tidak ciptakan semua kaya? Mengapa Allah tidak ciptakan semua orang hidup gembira? Mengapa? Baiklah, bayangkan suatu situasi, di mana seorang mak cik sedang menjual kuih-muihnya di tepi jalan. Anaknya sedang bermain di taman permainan yang terletak tidak jauh daripada tempat jualan mak cik tersebut. Tiba-tiba, muncul sebuah kereta yang mewah. Kereta yang diimport dari luar negara yang berwarna serba putih, menuju ke arah tempat jualan mak cik tersebut. Sebaik sahaja kereta tersebut diparkir berhampiran mak cik itu, seorang lelaki yang memakai kaca mata keluar dari kereta bersama dompet yang berisi duit. Lelaki itu berjalan menuju ke arah mak cik itu dan memintakan mak cik tersebut untuk membungkus beberapa kuih karipap untuk dibelinya.

Bayangkan... Jikalau Allah menciptakan semua manusia kaya, mempunyai duit yang lebih daripada mencukupi.. Adakah insan yang sanggup menjual kuih-muih di tepi jalan untuk menyara kehidupannya? Adakah insan yang sanggup menjadi seorang doktor, jurutera, jururawat, atau pekerjaan lain semata-mata untuk menampung kehidupannya? Yang paling penting, adakah terdapat insan yang sanggup menjadi seorang guru?

Seorang juruterbang, misalnya. Walaupun kerjanya hanya duduk mengawal kapal terbang, gajinya amatlah besar. Berpuluh ribu setiap bulan, hanya dengan mengawal kapal terbang. Mengapa? Mari renungkan, jikalau cuaca yang kurang baik melanda sewaktu mengawal kapal terbang itu sendiri, adakah kamu terkejut dan panik? Mungkin. Tetapi, dia sebagai juruterbang harus menjadi seorang yang paling tenang dikalangan mereka yang berada di dalam kapal terbang tersebut.

"Assalamualaikum, tuan-tuan dan puan-puan. Hari ini cuaca kurang baik, jadi saya berharap agar anda tetap bertenang dan sentiasa memakai tali pinggang keledar. Kerjasama anda amatlah dihargai."

Cuba bayangkan, jikalau Nina yang mengawal kapal terbang....

"Assalamualaikum, tuan-tuan dan puan-puan. Mari kita mengucapkan dua kalimah syahadah sebelum apa-apa yang tidak diingini berlaku..."

Semua yang berada di dalam kapal terbang mesti akan panik. Itulah sebab Allah menciptakan hambaNya dalam berbagai golongan. Haiwan perlukan pertolongan manusia dan manusia memerlukan pertolongan haiwan. Tumbuhan memerlukan manusia dan manusia memerlukan tumbuhan. Setinggi mana pun pangkat seorang manusia, pasti bergantung kepada serendah-rendah pangkat manusia. Setiap makhluk bergantung kepada makhluk yang lain. Kita memerlukan tangan untuk menulis, kaki untuk berjalan, mata untuk melihat dan lain-lain.

"Sebab ini lah, Allah sempurna. Allah tidak bergantung kepada apa-apa."

Maka, janganlah buruk sangka kepada Allah. Jangan pernah putus asa dengan Allah. Jikalau ditimpa ujian bertalu-talu, mungkin Allah nak mengajar kita... Apakah itu SABAR? Mengapa sabar diperlukan di dalam hidup kita? Ataupun mungkin Allah nak mendengar luahan hati kita. Aduan kita terhadapNya. Mungkin Allah nak kita sedar, kita akan mati juga akhirnya.... Berjumpa denganNya di alam akhirat.

Maka, sebutlah empat kalimah tadi. Bila-bila kamu merasa sedih atau bahagia. Sebutkan sebagai tanda syukur bahawa kamu masih mempunyai Allah di dalam hati. Kamu masih hidup di bumi Allah, diberi peluang untuk mengumpul pahala sebagai bekalan di akhirat nanti. Bersyukurlah... kamu masih ada Allah di sisi. Kamu tidak dibenci Allah, teman... Tidak pernah..

 Menangis boleh... Tapi setelah kamu menangis, bangkitlah kembali. Allah kan ada.

Harap entry ini sedikit-sebanyak dapat membantu mereka yang dilanda masalah. InshaAllah, kamu akan bangkit kembali dan perjuangkan gama Islam ini! Sama-sama, InshaAllah...

Nina-chan harus pergi. Jumpa lagi dan Assalamualaikum!

Ramadhan Tiba, Ramadhan Tiba!

*waving my hands* 

Nina-chan here! Alhamdulillah, Allah gave me time to update my blog and post an entry. Today, as promised, I wanted to talk about Islam. Since Ramadhan is just around the corner, let's discuss what we should do to maximise the 30 days of the blessed month. Shall we? 

We shall.

"RAMADHAN TIBA! RAMADHAN TIBA!"

"Ramadhan is coming! Ramadhan is coming!"

"YE KE? ALAMAKK, NINA-CHAN TAK SEDIAKAN APA-APA LAGI!"

"Is it really? Oh gosh, Nina-chan didn't prepare anything yet!"

"TAKPE, KITA ADA MASA LAGI. JOM BELAJAR 10 CARA UNTUK MENJADI AKTIF PADA BULAN RAMADHAN! INSHAALLAH, RAMADHAN KITA AKAN MENJADI LEBIH BERKAT."

"It's okay, we still have time. Let's learn 10 ways on how to become productive in Ramadhan! InshaAllah, this Ramadhan will be blessed by Allah."

"OKAY, JOM MULAKAN!"

"Okay, let's get started!"

10 WAYS TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE IN RAMADHAN

What is Ramadhan? Why do Muslims fast in Ramadhan? Why is it so important for the Muslims to maximise their good deeds in this particular month? I am Nina-chan, and I am here to tell you why. Okay, first. What does fasting in Ramadhan means?

 Ramadhan is the ninth month in Hijri Calendar (Islamic Calendar). It is observed by Muslims worldwide as the month of fasting to commemorate the revelation of the Quran to Nabi Muhammad SAW.

 Fasting means to hold ourselves from doing anything that will make our fast not accepted by Allah (Eat, drink or doing anything forbidden whilst fasting) from sunrise until the sun sets.

I hope those definitions will make you understand more about fasting in Ramadhan. As a Muslim, I have to fast in Ramadhan as it is included in the pillars of Islam. People may think that fasting is such a boring act to do, mainly because we could not eat or drink until the Maghrib adhaan is recited. I disagree with that opinion, because fasting can actually be fun! Here are some tips on how to make Ramadhan fun (productive)!

 HAVE SINCERE INTENTIONS AND WORK HARD.

Ahhh, the old times. I used to make empty promises.

"I WANT TO FINISH AL-QURAN BY THE END OF THIS MONTH!"

  "I WILL NOT LIE TO ANYONE IN RAMADHAN!"

"I WILL SURELY QIAM EVERYDAY IN RAMADHAN!"

In the end, I will curl myself in bed like a potato with my stinky blanket and cry until my nose is filled with... Sadness. Heh, this year, InshaAllah let's not do the same thing again (where we fill ourselves with determination early in Ramadhan and got worked out in the end of Ramadhan). 

Make lots of duas in Ramadhan. "Allah, I want to be sincere doing good deeds in this month." That's good. Allah will judge your deeds not based on how many you did it, or how you good you were while doing it. Allah will judge you based on your intentions. How determined are you to perform good deeds in this month?

 PLAN YOUR DAY ON THE NIGHT BEFORE.

This is what I call a "good idea"! I didn't do it last year, so InshaAllah I am going to try this tip. Okay so... How do you plan your say on the night before you fast? Well, firstly...

~ Clean your desk before Ramadhan.

This is so important because if your desk is already messy, you don't want to do any work in Ramadhan just because you don't have any place to sit comfortably and do the task. Be productive, and clean once in a while. A clean desk is good, right?

~ Take any book (empty book) and make a planner out of it OR buy a Ramadhan planner OR download an app in your phone that can make you plan your Ramadhan.

Anything works. You just need to have a book or an app where you can plan. Simply, something that you like or make you feel pumped up in Ramadhan (book, cards, app, etc.). Choose one of these ways that will make your days in Ramadhan easy.

~ Start planning!

Set up a time. Maybe after tarawih, you can take your book or open your app and start planning. This question is really need to be answered in your planner.

"WHAT ARE THREE GOALS THAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE TOMORROW?"

Okay, here are some ideas on how you can plan.

 NEVER EVER MISS SUHOOR!

This is an important thing to do if you're like me! I tend to get very hungry and not energized if I don't have anything to munch before I do any activities in the morning. Please, at least one hour before Fajr. Take a date (not literally a DATE) and a glass of water.

 START WORKING ON YOUR MOST IMPORTANT THINGS RIGHT AFTER FAJR.

If you are a student (like me), the teachers/muallim(ah)s/professors must have given you tasks to work on and to send on that day. Get that done! Don't procrastinate (like me). 

Start NOW!

If you are reading this in Ramadhan after suhoor.

 TRY TO GET AN AFTERNOON SHORT NAP.

Either before or after Dzuhur, about 20 minutes or so. This is called "Qailulah". It is so that you can wake up for Qiamullail. Try watching this video to have some ideas about napping.

 PLAN YOUR RAMADHAN DAYS AROUND SALAH TIMES.

Ramadhan is the month when you get all your free time because hey. There's no breakfast, lunch and dinner. They are replaced by "suhoor" and "iftar". You will notice that a lot more task is given to you in this month. Plan your daily routine around salah times. Not the other way around.

 BLOCK AT LEAST ONE HOUR TO RECITE AL-QURAN.

After Subuh, or after Maghrib, block AT LEAST an hour to recite Al-Quran. We all need light to walk in this dark path. Fill your heart with the light of Al-Quran. I guarantee you, calmness will enter your heart after you recite Al-Quran InshaAllah..

 DON'T MISS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DA'WAH!

Watch some lectures in YouTube, attend usrah, watch islamic talks on television. Something that can include you in a discussion about Islam. You can watch Ustaz Nouman Ali Khan's lectures about Quranic Gems. Something at least one per day. At least, you will get knowledge about Islam and understand the religion more than you do.

"KENAPA KORANG PUASA? I MEAN, MANA ADA KEBAIKAN POWN?"

"Why do you guys even fasting? I mean, It's not like there are any benefits from fasting?"

*OKAY, MASA AKU UTK BERDA'WAH IKUT SUNNAH NABI*

*Okay, it's time to da'wah using Rasulullah's style*

Good luck!

 BREAK YOUR FAST WITH DATES AND MILK OR DATES AN WATER.

Simply three dates and a glass of water should be fine. Do not dive into a heavy dinner before Maghrib. You will get sleepy and tired to even perform salah. Do not! A glass of orange juice is fine too. And then, go take your wudhu' and pray! After praying Maghrib, you can have a LIGHT dinner. Remember, don't overeat in Ramadhan. It's a bad habit to have.

 GIVE LOTS OF PHYSICAL SADAQA

Get involved in organising community iftars, charity drives, helping orphans, etc. There's a masjid that need to be build but there's not enough budget to do it? Go and make sadaqa. There's a friend who needs help on him/her operation but he/she doesn't have enough support to doit? Help him/her. Do it! But, remember.. Do it with good intentions. 

That's all I can do. Let's maximise our good deeds in this month with good intentions and re-new our Imaan inside our hearts. Let's aim for Allah's redha to go to Jannah! Hope you are having a wonderful Ramadhan! I have to go clean my room...

Nina-chan has to go. See you soon and Assalamualaikum!