Nickname: Wardina / Wa

Matric No: 2310074

Kulliyah: Kulliyah of Education (TESL)

Year of study: 2nd Year, 1st Semester

Whatsapp: https://wa.me/60183914500

Instagram: wrdna.sz

Sr. Sofia also laid out the course structure and upcoming assignments, giving me a clear roadmap for this course and preparing me for what's to come. Overall, this session was a great way to break the ice and I also felt a little bit relieve after successfully went through this first session.

Much to my surprise, I ended up jotting down many more timestamps than expected. (Maybe I got a little carried away – my notes ended up more detailed than some of my classmates, hehe.) The experience felt more like listening to an informative podcast, all while gaining valuable knowledge.

On a personal note, Sr. Sofia's warm and sweet voice made the learning process even more enjoyable. Her closing remarks, reminding us to prioritize self-care and remain patient on the learning journey, really touched me.

We were all a bit shy at first, but as we discussed the topic, we slowly warmed up and felt more comfortable with each other. My part of the presentation was about the importance of dressing properly when seeking knowledge. I was happy that Sr. Sofia seemed to agree with my opinion!

By the end of the day, I made new friends, and I hope our group continues to work well together on future tasks.

She also highlighted that Islam is a universal religion, suitable for all people regardless of background. Finally, Sr. Sofia reminded everyone that following the Quran and Sunnah is essential for Muslims to live a righteous life. Even though attendance was low this week, I enjoyed the session and gained valuable knowledge!

But success didn't shield him from the internal battles. This admired artist, just like the younger me, had also struggled with mental health. What inspired me most was his courage to not let it win. He used his sadness to make his art even more powerful, turning his pain into something everyone could understand.

His creations weren't just expressions for me, they were a lifeline. When I felt lost and alone, his art was a light, a silent way of saying "you're not by yourself." This artist's story is a reminder of how strong people can be. It is a reminder that even when things are tough and we have dark times, we can still achieve our dreams. His story, like so many others, inspires millions, including me, to never stop chasing what we believe in.

"What didn't kill me only made me stronger and I begin to bloom like a lotus flower once again." - Amygdala

"You, who sacrifice your sleep for your dreams, it's okay to rest. For today, don't even dream" - Snooze

The First Pillar: Belief in Allah's Existence

While we cannot see or hear Allah SWT directly, He has provided us with countless signs that point to His existence. The Quran, the holy book of Islam, is filled with beautiful verses (Ayat) that describe the wonders of the world around us. These verses can be a source of great comfort and guidance, especially during difficult times.

Sr. Sofia also suggests a powerful technique to deepen our connection with Allah SWT while reading Quran. By replacing the word "servant" with our own names, we can personalize the message and feel a stronger bond with Allah SWT.

The Second Pillar: Belief in Allah's Power

We must believe in Allah SWT's ultimate power. He is our Creator, and because of that, we have a duty to follow His commandments and avoid things He has forbidden. Unfortunately, many people today become slaves to worldly desires like wealth and possessions, forgetting the true purpose in life.

The Third Pillar: Belief in Allah's Ownership

We must believe that Allah owns everything in the universe. This includes our possessions, our health, and even the sustenance we receive each day. Trusting that Allah determines our provisions helps us live with gratitude and contentment.

The program kicked off with a delightful mini potluck! There were all sorts of delicious treats, from fried noodles and sandwiches to tarts and even some cool-looking cocktails. (though I couldn't have too much!).

After filling our tummies, it was time to break the ice. We played a fun game that involved teamwork and introductions. Divided into groups, we used a rope and a book. To pass the rope, someone had to introduce themselves – name, hometown, course, and a passion or hobby. It was a great way to get to know each other better, and the winning group was determined by whether they could keep the book from falling using only the rope. Even though I was a bit shy, it turned out to be a lot of fun. Plus, I even met someone unexpectedly – someone who came from my own hometown! Such a cool coincidence!

The program didn't stop there. We had a talk about the meaning of life, our purpose as humans, and even read some surahs from the Quran together. It was a truly enriching experience. I learned so much and even felt a bit emotional when the discussion touched on some relatable topics. By the end, we all gathered for few group pictures, and I even captured one with my newfound friends.

I truly enjoyed the programme and wished I could attend more like it. Sadly, with my packed schedule these days, it seems like impossible.

First, a group presented on whether stories with bad endings are always bad for us. It made me think about how even sad stories can teach us valuable lessons.

Sr. Sofia then built on this idea by talking about the next pillars of Iman (faith). One is believing in the holy books (kitab). We learned that Muslims believe all scriptures come from Allah and are fair to humanity. They contain laws, advice, and Allah's promises, like heaven for good deeds and hell for bad ones. The four main scriptures are the Tawrat, Injil, Zabur and Quran. Unlike the Quran, which remains unchanged, some earlier scriptures have different versions.

Next, Sr. Sofia explained believing in the prophets. We learned that Allah sent prophets to guide us, with some receiving revelations just for themselves (nabi) and others tasked with spreading the message (rasul). These prophets delivered Allah's commands, set good examples, and made things easier for us to understand.

Sr. Sofia also discussed believing in the afterlife (akhirat). Here, everyone will be judged based on their deeds, leading to heaven or hell. This reminds us that every action has consequences and motivates us to prepare for the afterlife. We also learned about the Siratul Mustaqim and the reward of heaven for faithful Muslims.

Sr. Sofia concluded by talking about believing in qada and qadar. This means we believe Allah has planned our overall journey, but we still have free will to make choices. For example, Allah might give us wealth, but we choose how to use it – for good or bad deeds. The outcome is in Allah's hands, but our choices determine how we get there. This reminds us to be responsible for our actions and strive to make good choices.

The first group discussed whether Adab (manners) or Ahkam (rulings) were more important. They explained that while following the rules is crucial, having good manners is just as important.

Another group's presentation focused on how to cherish life. They shared ideas about appreciating the blessings we have, like our family and health. They also mentioned using our time wisely to do good things and help others. This presentation made me think about how I can be more grateful for the things in my life.

The last presentation explored why our faith (Iman) is always tested. It was a powerful reminder that tests help us grow stronger. They also explained that these tests help us grow closer to Allah. This presentation reminded me of the importance of staying strong during challenging times.

Overall, I learned a lot from these presentations and feel grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a knowledgeable and inspiring session.

Sr Sofia emphasized that interpreting these signs is a task best left to the ulama, the religious scholars. Our focus, she explained, should be on achieving ihsan, a state of excellence in our worship and deeds, driven by the knowledge that Allah sees us at all times.

After that, my group and I presented our designated topic in front of everyone. Following the presentations, we also need to put our lesson into practice by acting them out. My groups and I need to demonstrate proper adab while learning and seeking knowledge.

Even though I felt quite sad as this course has come to an end, a sense of relief also prevails as I reflect on the challenges overcome and knowledge gained. I am grateful to have successfully navigated this course with the guidance of Sr. Sofia, whose kindness and consideration fostered a positive learning environment. This Usrah class also gave me an opportunity to connect with such a wonderful group of people. Overall, I sincerely hope that everyone, myself included, manages to pass this course with success.

After several weeks of preparation and overcoming technical challenges that delayed our presentation, we were finally able to deliver our findings to fellow classmates. It was a moment of relief to share our research and insights. We hope our presentation not only benefited them but also presented new knowledge and deepened their understanding of the Islamic faith

Sr. Fawazz also explained the three pillars of Usrah: ta'aruf, tafahum, and ta'wun. I also found it interesting that we recited Al-Quran and Rabitah dua together before class ended. Hopefully, this approach will help me improve my Quran recitation by the end of the semester.

I wish there will be a permanent, strategic, and comfortable location for our next class session. This will provide a consistent and conducive environment for us to engage in meaningful discussions and activities.

We started the class with Quran recitation. Sr. Fawazz chose Surah Muhammad for us to read together. She then explained the five pillars of Islam and emphasized the importance of prayer. She said that prayer helps us renew our faith every day.

After that, we had a group activity. I was in a group of four. We watched a video titled “Allah Said Do This After You Sin.” We discussed the message of the video and planned a presentation to share our insights. We only had a short time to prepare, but we tried our best to create a creative presentation.

Even though our group didn’t win, I was proud of our work. I hope we can do even better in the future. I also wish we had a bit more time to prepare our presentation that night.

Sr. Fawazz explained the pillars of repentance (taubah). She said that to truly repent, we must stop sinning, feel regret, make a firm decision not to repeat the sin, and seek forgiveness from others if we have wronged them. She also discussed signs that Allah may accept our repentance, such as feeling peace in our hearts, increased devotion to prayer, and a renewed desire to do good deeds.

For our activity, we were asked to create a word cloud based on our favorite Quranic verse. I chose verse 70 of Surah Al-Anfal. This verse inspires me because it speaks of Allah's forgiveness, kindness, and the tests and rewards that come with faith and hope. I included words like forgiveness, kindness, faith, hope, trials, and reward to represent the core message of the verse. It reminds me that even in difficult times, we can find hope and reward if we remain faithful.

Last but not least, I would appreciate it if Sr. Fawazz could delve deeper into the subjects we cover during our Usrah sessions.

Additionally, my group exchanged our individual difficulties in written form and worked together to propose potential solutions. I sincerely hope that my contributions were helpful to the person I assisted. I also hope that I can improve my ability to provide effective help to my groupmates in future sessions.

For the in-class activity, we were tasked with creating an ideal daily schedule for a Muslim, prioritizing good manners and etiquette. The use of mahjong paper made this activity both engaging and informative. I hope to contribute more actively to such activities in future sessions.

Then, we had a photography session and a potluck dinner, where everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time. Sr. Fawazz also taught us how to do a rabbit origami and then we need to write some notes in the origami before exchanging it with other people. Finally, Sr. Fawazz invited a few students to share their reflections on the usrah classes. As the session concluded, I experienced a mix of sadness and relief. While I was sad to see the course end, I was also relieved to have completed it.

Hopefully, I will be able to apply the knowledge I gained from these classes and wish everyone success in passing this course.

The interactive activities have further enhanced my understanding and strengthened the bonds of sisterhood among the class participants. I hope to continue applying the knowledge gained in these classes to my daily life and to further deepen my understanding of Islam.