First of All, Believe in Allah. As we know, this pillar emphasizes His Oneness or Tawheed. But do you actually know how to believe in Him? And how do you know if you actually practice this pillar? From what Sr Miza explained to us, prayer is one of the symbolize that we worship Him. We need to spend time with Allah often. But how? Actually, do you realize when the last time you do your prayer on time? That's the point. We sometimes deliberately delaying prayer even though we have no reason to do so. If we keep on doing this, how can we prove that we ourselves believe in Allah? From now on, we need to pray on time and not intentionally delay or miss them.

Secondly, Believe in Angels. We all know that angels are created from light and serve as an obedient servant to Allah SWT. For this pillar, we need to always remember that angels are everywhere, they were assigned to monitor and watch our doings. Do you remember when we were kids, learning about 10 names of the angels that we should know? Do you still remember which one are tasked to record our deeds and sins? Yes, they are Raqib and Atid. We need to aware of their existence and remember they are watching us. In that way, we can prove that we believe in Angels.

Last but not least, Believe in Revealed Books. Allah sent down the scriptures to His servants to guide them to the right path. Our divine scripture is now Al-Quran which is the ultimate source of guidance to Muslim, shaping their worship, moral and daily interaction. To practice this pillar is easy. Do recite the Quran everyday even one page is enough. As long as you consistent in reciting it and never leave it untouched.

That's all from me. Thanks for reading my yapping.

Name: Nur Farissa Farhana Binti Saidi

Age: 17 years old

Hometown: Kuala Berang, Terengganu

Secondary School: SMK Tapu, Hulu Terengganu

Matric No.: 255617

Mahallah: Khalid Al-Walid

Course: Malay Language for International Communication (MACOM)

Contact No.: 017-9665914

E-mail: ndnarnylee@gmail.com

Instagram: @hnaryssa

Facilitator: Sr Miza

Usrah Group: Group 73

Hobby: Drawing, listening to music and watching movies

First of all, Believe in Prophets. There are 25 Prophets that we should know from Prophet Adam A.S to Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. In our daily lives, we follow Rasulullah's teachings and practice what the Rasulullah S.A.W practiced. By that, we are used to know about Rasulullah more than other prophets. But what about other prophets? How do you believe prophets other than Rasulullah S.A.W? Based on what I learned from Sr Miza, she said that we should know more about other prophets' stories. For instance, Nabi Nuh A.S who called his people to worship only Allah for many, many years, some say 950 years. Most of his people rejected him and mocked him. Allah then commanded him to build a huge ship. When the big flood happened, only those who believed in him were saved inside the ship. The disbelievers, including his wife and his son drowned. Shortly, like I said earlier, to practice this pillar is just know the prophets' story and take lesson.

Next, Believing in the Day of Judgment. Believing in the Judgement Day means believing that one day, the world will end and everyone will be brought back to life by Allah. On that day, each person will be judged fairly by Allah. From my perspective, to practice this pillar was to prepare with good deeds and avoiding sins. Also, we need to have faith in Quran since Allah has said the real thing about the Judgement Day in it. Those who do good deeds will be rewarded by Allah and enter Paradise while those who disobey Allah will be punished in Hell. In short, to practice this pillar, we believe it through our faith, show it through action and say it with our tongue.

Last but not least, Believing in Qada' and Qadar means believing that everything that happens in this world, whether good or bad, is already planned by Allah. Allah knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen. From what Sr Miza said, we need to put on our effort, making prayer and tawakkal. Allah SWT saw our efforts to gain something but don't expect too much. Allah knows what is the best for us and what's bad for us. Allah has said in the Quran in Surah al-Baqarah ayah 216:

“But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.”

Shortly, Even if we fail, keep trying and trying again until we succeed. Believe that Allah will not waste the sacrifices of His servants.

That's all from me. Thanks for reading my yapping.

First of all, we are talking about intention. Our intention must be pure, sincere and because of Allah SWT. Not only to achieve success in this world. And we need to always remember that we are here, learning and seeking knowledge to have His pleasure. Seeking knowledge is one of the most valuable acts in Islam as it helps us to improve ourselves.

From what Sr Miza said, it is important for us to practice good manners by respecting our lecturers while seeking knowledge. Maintaining good relationships with our lecturers and peers is also crucial and part of adab that Rasulullah teaches us. We should never feel that the knowledge we have is already enough. A true believer not only worships Allah but also treats people with justice, mercy, and kindness. Together, ḥablum minallāh and ḥablum minannās complete the balance of faith and character in a Muslim’s life.

In short, knowledge should not only be learned but also practiced. In surah Al Isra' ayah 9, Allah said that true guidance comes from Him. The combination of knowledge and adab can make learning become interesting.

That's all from me. Syukran.

For this topic, Sr Miza asked us to record a video and explain the topic assigned based on our understanding. So, here I will write based on my own perspective.

From what I understand, ihsan means doing everything with excellence and sincerity, knowing that Allah always sees us. It is very important for a Muslim because it makes our worship, like prayer and fasting, more meaningful and not just routine. In daily life, ihsan encourages kindness, honesty, and excellence in dealing with others, since we know that every action is being watched by Allah.

What preparation we can do for the Hereafter? Based on my understanding, we need to perform 5 times prayer, fasting, zakat, reciting Qur’an and make du’a. Also doing good to others like helping the needy. Furthermore, we need live responsibly in community and practice both hablum minallah and hablum minannas in our life.

That's all from me. I apologize for any lack of information. Thank you!

Let me introduce my group members first.

1. Hajar Solehah Binti Ab Rahman 251963

2. ⁠Nur Qistina Amalin Binti Nur Muhamad Faizal 257011

3. Nur Farissa Farhana Binti Saidi 255617

4. ⁠Dhia Dhalia binti Mohamad Ritzuan 251635

5. Umie Aida Binti Azman 258631

6. Nurul Auni Busyra Binti Mohamad Asri 257648

So for this poster, my part was to find information about Ahkam and elaborate it. From my perspective, ahkam are the rules and commands by Allah. Ahkam is more important because it protects us from doing wrong. As Muslims, we must practice ahkam to live a balanced life and be prepared for the Hereafter.

That's all from me. Thank you.

But today, Sr Miza made an activity based on this topic which is called "Radio Buruk". We were formed into 4 groups that contains 5 to 6 members each group. Sr Miza will tell a sentence related to 5 pillars of Islam to one of the group members and then tell her members without using voice. But sign language allowed. It was such an exciting game to play, and Sr Miza also prepared a prize for group that won.

Let me explain briefly about 5 pillars of Islam. The first pillar is Shahadah, which means believing that there is no god but Allah and that Prophet Muhammad SAW is His messenger. The second one is Salah, which is praying five times a day as we told to. The third is Zakat, which is sharing part of our wealth to the poor and needy, teaching us that our wealth is also someone's "rezeki" too. The fourth pillar is fasting during the month of Ramadan, where Muslims cannot eat or drink from dawn until sunset. This helps us learn patience and gratefulness. The last pillar is Hajj, hijra to Makkah, which Muslims should do at least once in their life if they are healthy and able.

That's all from me. I apologize for any lack of information. Thank you!

Before that, do you know what's the difference between Adab and Akhlaq? From what Sr Miza said, Akhlaq is something that invisible. It is inside our hearts like honesty and patience. While Adab is about etiquette like speaking politely, respecting parents and elder people. Simply tell, Adab is what we show outside.

Back to our topic which is manners towards parents. In surah Maryam verse 41-50, Allah SWT said about Prophet Ibrahim AS. He spoke kindly but firmly to his father, who worshipped idols, and reminded him that idols cannot hear or help. His father was the one who create that idols and sell to people. Prophet Ibrahim invited his father to worship only Allah, but his father rejected him and even threatened him. Still, Prophet Ibrahim remained respectful and prayed for his father.

Let's continue with the Adab towards parents. From what Sr Miza shared with us, the first one was talking nicely with parents even they were wrong in some situations. We as a child must speak with respect and polite. Next, we cannot disrespect parents even though they lack knowledge in certain things. We should explain to them in soft tone and politely. Last but not least, we must not fight them even we are not in blame. Wait until our parents done before explaining our side.

That's all from me. Thank you!

MY WISH

My wish is to continue improving myself as a Muslimah in every aspect of life. I want to strengthen my faith so that I can face challenges and always put my trust in Allah. I also hope to become someone with good akhlak, because I believe that manners reflect the beauty of Islam. Another manifest of mine is to get beneficial knowledge that I can practice not only for my own growth, but also to guide and inspire people. I hope to be a person who discipline and responsible. Most importantly, I wish that my journey in usrah will help me be a better person, so that I can be closer to Allah and prepare myself for the Hereafter.

MY REFLECTION

Through usrah, I got a wide understanding of Islam and realized the importance of practicing knowledge in my daily life. These weeks reminded me that usrah is not just about learning, but also about building ukhuwah with friends and supporting each other. I feel more motivated to improve myself, especially in terms of akhlak and consistency in worship.

I also learned that small actions, when done sincerely, can bring us closer to Allah. Usrah has encourage me to take steps forward on becoming a better person. Most importantly, I appreciate the opportunity to share and listen to others, as it made me realize that we all face different challenges but can encourage each other with kindness and understanding. I would like to thank Sr Miza for being a good and responsible naqibah for this group. She shared a lot of informations and explained every topic accurately.

Our usrah sessions are already beneficial and meaningful. But for future usrah, I think it would be interesting if we could try having short quizzes or games related to the topic to make the discussion more lively. Another idea is to prepare mind maps together, so everyone can contribute their ideas. This will help us remember the lessons better. By adding these activities, our usrah will not only remain meaningful but also more engaging and memorable for everyone. Besides, we can strengthen the bond between usrah members.

That's all from me. Thank you!

Today, I want to share some reflections on the Acquisition of Hikmah.

In our journey as believers, Hikmah is more than just being smart. It is the profound ability to understand the true nature of things and act in a way that pleases Allah. It is often called the ‘lost property of the believer’ meaning we should always be seeking it wherever we go.

So, how do we actually gain this wisdom? It starts with our Ibadah. When we perform our acts of worship with the right mindset, we aren't just doing physical movements, but we are cultivating inner qualities like humility and sincerity.

To truly acquire Hikmah, we must focus on three core pillars: Niyyah, Amal, and Ehsan.

Firstly, everything begins with our Niyyah which is intention. We must constantly check our hearts to ensure our actions are sincerely for Allah alone. Secondly, this intention must be turned into Amal which is consistent good deeds that serve both Allah and the community. Lastly, we strive for Ehsan, the highest level of faith where we worship Allah as if we see Him. By internalizing virtues like patience, honesty, and compassion, these qualities eventually become part of our character.

Overall, the path to Hikmah is a continuous cycle of learning, acting with excellence, and reflecting on our relationship with Allah SWT.

Today, I would like to share some reflections on the Reasons and Sources of Hikmah from Ibadah.

Sometimes, we get so caught up in the routine of doing our Ibadah that we forget the reason behind it. Every act of worship is actually a gift for our own spiritual growth:

1. It all starts with our Purpose of Creation. As mentioned in Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:56), we are created to worship Allah. This isn't just a duty, it's a way to nurture discipline and purify our hearts.

2. Our Salah acts as a spiritual anchor, restraining us from wrongdoing and keeping us grounded in remembrance.

3. Through Sawm (Fasting), we don't just stay hungry. We develop empathy for others and weaken the influence of Shaytan over our desires.

4. Zakah teaches us that our wealth is a trust. By giving, we purify our souls from greed and support those in need.

5. Hajj serves as a powerful lesson in obedience and unity, teaching us to avoid disputes and focus entirely on Allah.

Overall, ibadah is the path to Allah’s pleasure. When we worship with sincerity, it doesn't just change our routine, it transforms our character and elevates our soul to a higher level.

Today, I would like to share some insights on how we can prepare ourselves for Salah with khusyuk.

What is Khusyuk?

To me, khusyuk is that state where we are fully focused, performing our prayer with a sense of calmness. It is a private conversation between us and Allah SWT. While it is considered sunat and not strictly wajib or obligatory to achieve khusyuk, it is the soul of our prayer.

1. Why do we lose khusyuk?

I have learned two main reasons why we often struggle:

• Imperfect Wudhu: Sometimes we rush our ablution. We need to ensure our wudhu is performed perfectly to set the right tone.

•Rushing the Prayer: Praying last minute or in a hurry really kills the khusyuk. If there are no urgent matters, we should strive to pray at the beginning of the time.

2. How to gain Khusyuk?

Here are four practical steps we can take:

•Avoid praying while holding back your urges or needing to go to the toilet. This creates a rush feeling and might even invalidate the prayer.

•Don't let your eyes wander. Focus solely on the place of prostration.

•Try not to eat too much right before praying, as a heavy stomach can make us feel sluggish.

•Find a quiet place without distractions. Most importantly, try to internalize the meaning of the verses we recite and pay attention to your own recitation.

Overall, remember that we should always put in our best effort. As long as we are physically able to stand, we should stand firm in our prayer. Let’s try to improve our khusyuk bit by bit!

In our usrah today, we explored how Salah is more than just a physical routine. It is the "Soul of the Prayer" when performed with Khusyuk which is devotion and concentration. When we pray with a present heart, it doesn't just stay on the prayer mat, but it transforms our entire character and daily life.

The 5 Core Virtues of Khusyuk:

1. Al-Taah (Submission & Loyalty): We learn sincere obedience to Allah’s commands. Prostrating (Sujud) is the moment we are closest to our Creator, training us to be disciplined in all aspects of life.

2. Al-Jihad (Striving): True prayer requires an inner struggle (jihad al-nafs) against laziness and distractions, like social media or wandering thoughts. Consistency in Salah builds our inner strength.

3. Muhasabah (Self-Reflection): Salah acts as a daily self-check. It makes us pause to evaluate our intentions, admit our shortcomings, and seek forgiveness.

4. Iffah (Modesty & Self-Restraint): As mentioned in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:45), Salah restrains us from shameful and unjust deeds. It builds moral integrity that stays with us even after the prayer ends.

5. Tawaddu' (Humility): By recognizing our total dependence on Allah, we remove pride and arrogance from our hearts.

The impact of Khusyuk is profound. It strengthens our Iman, improves our behavior, and helps us build a strong Islamic personality.

Overall, we learned that:

"Salah is not only performed, it is lived."

My group chose the topic “Benefits of Good Niyyah” for our roleplay.

My part was to give examples of practicing the good niyyah daily.

Name: Nur Farissa Farhana Binti Saidi

Age: 18 years old

Hometown: Kuala Berang, Terengganu

Secondary School: SMK Tapu, Hulu Terengganu

Matric No.: 255617

Mahallah: Khalid Al-Walid

Course: Malay Language for International Communication (MACOM)

Contact No.: 017-9665914

E-mail: ndnarnylee@gmail.com

Instagram: @hnaryssa

Facilitator: Sr Miza

Usrah Group: Group 63

Hobby: Drawing, listening to music and watching movies

For this week, I would like to share some insights on the spiritual virtues we gain through fasting. It’s not just about staying hungry, but it’s a deep exercise for ourself.

1. Fasting is actually training us to develop true patience (Sabar)

We practice Sabar in three ways:

• Obedience to Allah: Following His commands by increasing good deeds and avoiding what He has forbidden.

•Physical Discipline: Restraining ourselves from eating and drinking. This actually makes us appreciate the blessing of food much more when we finally break our fast!

•Resisting Temptation: Facing daily trials, whether it's seeing someone who is not mumayyiz eat in front of us or even scrolling past ASMR and Mukbang videos on TikTok and YouTube. It’s all about mental strength.

2. There are three levels of fasting according to Imam Al-Ghazali:

Level 1: Basic one which is just abstaining from food and drink.

Level 2: The disciplined level. We guard our physical senses from sin. For example, keeping our tongue from saying bad things and guarding our eyes from looking at things we shouldn't.

Level 3: The highest level. This is where we detach our hearts from worldly distractions (lagha) and focus entirely on being closer to Allah, knowing that rewards are multiplied during this month.

3. How to Cultivate Compassion and Empathy (Rahmah) ?

• Humble yourself: It puts us on the same level as the less fortunate. We feel the same hunger and thirst that they experience daily, which humbles us.

• Generosity: It encourages us to feed others who is fasting. There is a beautiful Hadith mentioning that whoever provides food for a fasting person to break their fast will receive a reward equal to theirs.

Overall, Sawm (fasting) is much more than a hunger, it is a comprehensive spiritual training.

For this week, I would like to share some insights on the virtues of Zakat. It is more than just a religious obligation. It’s a beautiful system designed by Allah to manage our wealth and refine our character.

1. What makes Zakat special?

First, we need to understand that Zakat is a specific form of wealth distribution determined by Allah for specific groups of people (Asnaf). It proves that Islam isn't just about ritual worship, it actually teaches us how to manage our worldly assets effectively based on the Quran.

2. Zakat vs Sadaqah (Charity)

I noticed three main differences that we should keep in mind:

• Obligation: Zakat is wajib (mandatory) and is one of the pillars of Islam, whereas Sadaqah is Sunnah or voluntary.

• Recipients: Allah has already determined who is eligible to receive Zakat. For Sadaqah, we have the freedom to give it to anyone.

• Types: Zakat is divided into two which are Zakat Fitrah and Zakat Harta (wealth). Sadaqah is broader, including things like Waqaf and donations.

3. Core Virtues

The practice of Zakat builds two major virtues in us:

• Tawakkal (Trust in Allah): It’s a sign of a true Muslim. By giving Zakat, we show that we don't depend solely on our wealth. We trust in Allah’s promise that He will replace what we give with something much better.

• Ukhuwah (Brotherhood): It strengthens the bond between the wealthy and those in need.

Overall, Zakat isn’t just about the act of giving money. It’s about ensuring that others can also feel and enjoy the Nikmat (blessings) of Allah. It balances the community and purifies our hearts.

My wish for this semester is to strengthen my faith so that I can face any challenge with a calm heart, always putting my trust in Allah.

I also want to focus on my akhlak, because I believe that being kind and respectful is the best way to show the beauty of Islam. I hope to gain knowledge that I can actually practice in my daily life, and hopefully, use it to inspire others too. I want to be more disciplined and responsible in everything I do, so that this usrah journey truly brings me closer to Allah and helps me prepare for the Hereafter.

MY REFLECTION

Looking back at our sessions, I’ve realized that usrah is so much more than class, it’s a place where we learn deeper about Islamic together. I feel more motivated now to be consistent in my prayers and still trying to apply khusyuk in my Salah.

I have learned that even small, simple actions can mean a lot when they are done sincerely for Allah. A big thank you to Sr. Miza for being such a great and responsible naqibah. Her explanations are always clear and very helpful for me.

IDEAS FOR UPCOMING USRAH

To make our usrah even more fun and memorable this semester, I have a few small suggestions:

•Weekly "Sunnah" Challenge: Maybe we can pick one simple habit (like reciting a specific dhikr or selawat) to practice together throughout the week.