_{On our first meeting, after the taaruf session where we introduced ourselves and got to know each other, we were given a task for our Usrah class. One of the tasks was a roleplay activity. It was a group assignment, and each group was given a topic. My group got the topic “Are all bad ending stories really bad for us?” and here’s our result. Enjoy!}

_{In Islam, the pursuit of knowledge is a sacred pursuit that draws the heart closer to Allah, nurtures the soul, and allows us to fulfill our obligation to both ourselves and others through wisdom.}

_{It provides clarity in worshipful acts, fulfills our responsibilities as khalīfah on earth, and allows us to walk through this life with the light of truth in an untruthful world, as the Qur'an reminds:}

^{_{“Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” (Az-Zumar 39:9).}}

_{However, knowledge is incomplete if it is not combined with adab. True learning unfolds through humbleness listening with sincerity, questioning with respect, avoiding arrogance and revering people that teach us.}

_{As Imam al-Shafi‘i indicated by his attitude towards his teachers, knowledge flourishes when it is exercised with respect and humbleness.}

_{The Pillars of Islam form the foundation of a Muslim’s faith and practice. The first pillar, Shahadah (Declaration of Faith), is a sincere statement of faith. Only with sincerity in Shahadah can other acts of worship be done with genuine intent. The second pillar, Salah (Prayer), when performed correctly, helps a person avoid committing sins. The benefits of these pillars are vast. They bring us closer to Allah, strengthen relationships among people, maintain faith, shield us from major sins, and turn us into true and lasting servants of Allah.}

_{In addition to this, following proper etiquette in seeking knowledge is also important. Just as Angel Jibril approached the Prophet ﷺ with respect and good manners, students of knowledge must also approach learning with humility. They should look for teachers who really understand the subject. Students should not hesitate to ask questions and should make sure to study and master one topic well before moving on to the next.}

_{I am Nur Hanis binti Zolkeflee, a curious soul who enjoys weaving together knowledge, creativity, and personal growth. Born and raised in Pasir Gudang, Johor, I carry with me the warmth of my roots while always reaching for new horizons.}

_{I find joy in drawing flowers and landscape, as they allow me to see the world through different lenses and express myself in meaningful ways.}

_{In my academic journey, I strive not only to learn but also to create whether through ideas, projects, or connections with others.}

_{I believe that life is a canvas, and every choice, effort, and experience is a brushstroke painting the story of who I am becoming.}

_{Instagram : @hniszlee}

_{Gmail : nhniszlkflee@gmail.com}

_{Belief in the scriptures means acknowledging the revealed books: the Zabur, Tawrat, Injil, and finally the Qur’an. The Qur’an was sent as eternal guidance for humanity. Muslims must follow and apply its teachings in daily life. This includes practicing its commands, such as giving charity, sharing its lessons with others, and seeking guidance from it in all matters.}

_{Belief in angels is also essential. They are creations of Allah made from light, each with specific duties, including recording all our deeds. This reminds us to control ourselves and avoid sins.}

_{Belief in Allah is the highest and most important pillar of faith. It requires Muslims to obey His commands, avoid His prohibitions, and reflect deeply on the Qur’an (tadabbur). This helps us understand our Lord and our religion better. We must believe in Him exactly as He is described in the Qur’an without questioning His nature.}

_{The Qur’an itself is a divine miracle. It is unmatched in linguistic beauty, protected from alteration, and contains truths and scientific insights that confirm its authenticity. It provides complete and timeless guidance for every aspect of human life.}

_{Belief in the messengers is a fundamental part of faith, as Muslims must believe in all prophets, since rejecting one means rejecting all. Muslims are required to follow the shariah revealed to the final messenger, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who was sent to all of humanity. All prophets called people to worship Allah alone, warned about the temporary nature of this world, and guided them toward the straight path to Paradise. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was uniquely honoured with special privileges and the greatest intercession on the Day of Judgment, and Muslims are obliged to follow his noble qualities such as gratitude, patience, repentance, and humility. Belief in the Day of Judgment strengthens faith by encouraging good deeds and patience, while belief in divine decree brings peace and trust in Allah’s will.}

_{Ihsan, in Islam, indicates the finest degree of faith, higher than both islam and iman, which means to worship Allah as though you can see Him, and if not, to have absolute conviction that He sees you. All people can be Muslims, yet not everyone reaches ihsan which takes sincerity, a quest for excellence, and doing everything with beauty and perfection, not only in worship or ibadah, but in character or akhlaq, belief or aqidah, and interaction with others. In worship, ihsan is about quality and quantity in what we do, always seeking to improve ourselves so we are better today than yesterday.}

_{This concept connects strongly with Islamic eschatology, which means the beliefs about the Hereafter and the Day of Judgment. Not believing is considered to be disbelief. Ihsan promotes sincerity and the knowledge that Allah sees everything, discouraging sin, while belief in Hereafter gives life meaning and encourages good and deterring evil. Islam teaches that many small signs of the Day of Judgment have emerged, such as women outnumbering men, numerous earthquakes, the spread of music and women singers, belief in astrology, the diminishing of good actions, and the feeling that time is moving quickly, along with many others.}

_{Adab is the practical expression of good morals and conduct in Islam, rooted in the Arabic meaning "to refine or discipline," and representing far more than mere politeness. It's the visible "how" of good behavior in daily life, reflecting one's inner Akhlaq (moral philosophy). Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) provides the ultimate example of Adab in the Qur'an (Surah Maryam 19:41–50) by treating his idol, worshipping father with love, gentleness, and wisdom, never resorting to insults or harshness, even when threatened. His respectful, peaceful response, followed by a promise to pray for his father, teaches that true Adab requires patience, humility, and respect, especially during disagreement, and its noble practice was rewarded by Allah with a blessed lineage and lasting honor, confirming Adab as a deep reflection of faith and Islamic values in every interaction, particularly toward parents and elders.}

_{In semester 2, in usrah 2, my group and I got an assignment called 'Roleplay'. The title we chose was "Why we need to be Khushu'?". In this assignment, my task was to discuss about the benefits we get from khushu'. So, here is the result of our work, enjoy!}

_{The idea behind the main acts of worship is like a solid training camp to help shape and grow our souls, getting us ready for our lives here and what’s to come after. Each type of worship has its own special purpose:}

• _{Prayer helps keep us on the right path by reminding us of Allah and steering us away from bad behavior.}

• _{Fasting is a personal journey to build our piety and has its own unique rewards.}

• _{Zakat helps improve our lives by cleaning both our wealth and our souls.}

• _{Hajj is the ultimate show of commitment to Allah, prepping us for the afterlife.}

_{Together, these acts of worship help us grow in five stages, starting with the individual Muslim and spreading out to families, communities, countries, and then the whole Muslim world. By connecting our personal selves with the larger world around us, Ibadah equips us to be effective stewards, ready to manage life according to Allah's wishes. This spiritual framework ensures that we not only stay morally sound but also get ourselves ready for the everlasting life ahead.}

_{The different types of worship in Islam go beyond simple rituals as they serve as a full-on training session for the human spirit, getting people ready for their roles here and in the afterlife. Each act has its own special purpose:}

• _{Prayer helps keep you on the right path.}

• _{Fasting enhances your sense of piety.}

• _{Zakat cleanses and nurtures the soul.}

• _{Hajj demonstrates complete devotion to Allah.}

  
  

_{Together, These practices help develop both the individual and the wider Muslim community. A key part of spiritual growth is the quality of salah, especially achieving khushu’, which is humility and full focus before Allah. Khushu’ comes from realizing that one is standing in front of the Creator. Preparing for this begins before prayer through proper wudhu, which purifies both body and soul, while the adhan and iqamah help shift attention away from worldly matters. By practising khushu’ and understanding the purpose of worship, a Muslim can live in alignment with Allah’s guidance and prepare for the hereafter.}

_{Ibadah in Islam forms a complete system to refine the human soul and align the individual with Allah’s greater order. Through practices such as salah, sawm, zakat, and hajj, spiritual growth begins with the individual and extends to the wider Muslim community, shaping believers into responsible khalifah on Earth and preparing them for the akhirah. At the heart of this process is salah, which is only truly effective when performed with khushu’. Khushu’ means having a humble, focused heart fully present before Allah, supported by proper external preparation like wudhu and responding to the adhan, as well as internal awareness that prayer is a personal dialogue with the Creator. This state gives prayer its true meaning and strengthens a believer’s connection with Allah.}

_{Ibadah consists of divine guidelines that refine the human soul and prepare believers for their role as khalifah on Earth. This spiritual journey begins with the individual and gradually extends to the family, community, and the wider Muslim ummah. Central to this process are salah and sawm, which cultivate discipline and strengthen the relationship with Allah. Salah serves as a daily spiritual anchor, and its true impact lies in achieving khushu’, a state of humility and focus that begins with proper wudhu and the awareness that prayer is a personal conversation with Allah. When performed sincerely, even a small act of prayer carries immense reward. Sawm, on the other hand, is a unique act of worship with hidden rewards promised directly by Allah. It nurtures taqwa, offers spiritual protection, and brings joy in both this life and the hereafter. Together, prayer and fasting cleanse the soul and prepare believers to live according to Allah’s guidance while remaining focused on the akhirah.}

_{Zakah is one of the pillars of Islam and is obligatory for eligible Muslims. It purifies wealth and shows that Islam covers both spiritual and social responsibilities. Giving zakah builds tawakkul, as Muslims learn to rely on Allah rather than wealth, trusting His promise of reward. Zakah also strengthens ukhuwah by promoting care, unity, and empathy within the community, while fulfilling both obedience to Allah and responsibility towards others.}

_{Overall, the usrah strengthened my understanding of Islamic values and helped me practise leadership through responsibility and empathy. It also encouraged me to reflect on my own actions and relationship with Allah, as I realised that I must first work on myself before guiding others. This experience has contributed to my personal and spiritual growth, and it has motivated me to continue improving as both a learner and a servant of the ummah.}

_{Hikmah means wisdom and true understanding that guides a person to act correctly according to Allah’s commands. It combines knowledge with action and is closely linked to fear of Allah. Hikmah can be acquired through ibadah when worship is performed with sincerity, humility, and the right intention. In education, hikmah helps develop critical thinking and supports the goal of Islamic education by encouraging students to understand and practise Islamic values.}

_{Niyyah refers to the intention behind an action and must be solely for Allah SWT. Without proper niyyah, deeds may not be accepted. Amal is the practice of good deeds and acts of worship done with sincerity and consistency, benefiting both individuals and society. Ehsan represents virtues such as honesty, patience, and compassion, which should be practised continuously until they become part of one’s character.}

_{At the same time, the experience highlighted areas for my improvement. I learned that I need to be more consistent in preparation, more confident in facilitating discussions, and more mindful in managing time during sessions. I also realised the importance of continuously improving my own knowledge and spirituality so that I can guide others more effectively. Overall, this usrah experience has encouraged both my personal growth and self-reflection, motivating me to become a better assistant and a more committed servant of the ummah.}