[Part 2:] The Journey Towards Faith

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Assalamualaikum

Title: [Part 2:] The Journey Towards Faith

Continued from part 1...

But alhamdulilah. Had it not been for my parents, I think I would have drifted further away from Allah. My parents came to know of a family-weekly-nightly religious class, conducted by a recognised Ustaz. & he taught us about Hadith 40. I had no idea what Hadith was all about in the first place. Pathetic aren't I?

& I remember how I dread going  for the first lesson because you see, since the class was held at night, I had to give my favourite TV shows a go. My parents eventually managed into forcing me into going for this Hadith class. One thing about my parents is that once they blow their top, you wouldn't dare defy their orders. Haha, and because I was forced into going for this class, I ended up at the class with a very, very, very long face.

It was through this class that I began to know more about our Prophet SAW. Somehow, His mannerisms & several other beautiful hadiths found in the book of Hadith 40, had a huge impact on me. There was so much that I didn't know. I mean back then, I hardly knew anything about our Prophet. Well you could put it this way; learning about Hadith, was the beginning of my journey towards seeking the truth, & knowing more about Islam.

As time goes by, curiosity got over me & I thought that perhaps it is indeed time for me to know more about Islam. & when I told my mum that I wanted to know more about Islam, she immediately enrolled both my sister and I into this "Kelas Bimbingan Remaja" class, held at Masjid Assyakirin. A fardhu ain class held for teenagers like myself, who had no basics about fardhu ain. But surprisingly, the Ustaz who conducted the lesson knew how to capture the attention of youths like us, very aptly. He was funny and cracked quite a number of decent while in between lessons. I enjoyed his lessons throughout and was looked forward to his lessons everyweek.

To be honest, Masjid Assyakirin was the first mosque, that I've ever been to. When I first entered the mosque, I felt lost. & then when it was time for the isya' jemaah prayers, I felt even lost because that was my first time, performing jemaah prayers in the mosque. I made quite a number of new friends through the KBR class.

But there was this particular group of muslimahs in my class, who never fail to capture my attention. When they walk, they walk with grace. When they talk, they talk modestly & when they smile, they look brighter than the sun! I heard from some of my friends that they were from a muslim youth association from some mosques in Singapore. I observed them each time they walk pass me. Their hijab, were long. It covered their chest, and it symbolises modesty. Their clothings, were loose and they were not tight fitting. In fact, they looked nice in their jubahs. And they wore hand stockings, and wore socks.

& then I compared myself with them. I took a look at myself in the mirror in the toilet after I took the wudhu'. My hijaab, it was okay. Not too long, not too short. But because I am tall, I thought that perhaps, I should get myself a long hijaab like those sisters too. Then, I looked at what I wore. Their's was loose fitting. Mine was, body hugging. I wore a dress(with an inner of course), and tight jeans. I had no socks on. All of a sudden, I felt naked. Really. & I felt ashamed.

Ever since then, I did a complete wardrobe makeover. I threw away all of my T-shirts, and stock up on my hijaabs, and brought more loose-fitting long skirts, long sleeved shirts, jubahs, hand stockings and socks. I feel most comfortable and confident, each time I am in a jubah! Heehee. & then from then on, each time I looked at myself in the mirror, I would dress up in a way such that Allah would be pleased with me. I don't care what the others may think of me. Old fashioned? Blah, blah, blah. I really don't give a damn about fashion anymore. Seriously. For as long as I look presentable, I don't see why I should whine and fret over the kind of costume that I wear because at the end of the day, it is who you are on the inside that makes you a star.

Slowly, I learnt how to lower down my gaze each time a hot guy pass by me. LOL. As a teenager, like any other girls, *giggles*. But alhamdulilah, I would say that I have succeeded in this part. It was hard at first, but I soon got used to it. I would only look at them, when it is necessary. Eventually, with the help of the internet and websites like iloveislam.com, I came across many islamic articles that were truly inspirational. & that was how, my journey towards faith began.

He opened the path for me. Coincidentally, there was an intake for a 16 weeks course held at Perdaus; Pra Sijil Pengajian Islam Belia. My mum signed me up and I made manymany new friends there. I've successfully completed the course & then I have since moved on to continue with a 1 year course; PERGAS's Sijil Pengajian Islam.

I don't really know how to end this post becase I am so sleepy already. It's 11pm and there's school tomorrow. I think I shall end it off here for the time being. Till then.