Before you read further, it would be good if you get to know me first.

People say if you don't know then you don't love,

If you do know then don't fall in love,

Name: Ammar Nashruddin Bin Mohd Roslan

Age: 18 Years Old

Hometown: Batu 7, Gombak

Secondary School: MRSM Sungai Besar UA

Matric No: 251079

Email: ammarnashruddinrsln37@gmail.com

IG: nazh0_7

Usrah Group: 106

Facilitator: Br. Nash (Me)

This week, I kicked things off with an icebreaking session for the group. The goal was to get everyone comfortable and introduce them to each other. We spent some time sharing a few fun facts and getting to know one another, which really helped set the tone for a more relaxed and open environment.

However, I had to cut the session short because I needed to attend another program, Mc Lead. Despite the early end, I made sure to take a moment to explain the usrah system to the group. I emphasized how we’re all in this together and how the bond we’re building is more than just about the program, it’s about us becoming a family from now on.

It was a quick but meaningful start, and I feel like we set a solid foundation for what’s to come!

I focused on sharing the Hadith Jibril with the group. But before diving into the hadith itself, we did a tadabbur (reflection) session on some Quranic verses to set the right mindset. I stressed that it's not enough just to memorize the content,we really need to understand it and apply it to our lives.

Hadith Jibril is a pretty common one, but I was actually surprised to find that there was someone in the group who didn’t know about it. That was a good reminder that even well-known teachings might be new for some, and it's important to approach these discussions with fresh eyes.

We went through the hadith in detail, breaking down its content and meaning, and I made sure to ask questions throughout to keep everyone engaged and ensure they were understanding it. As usual, the vibe was casual and interactive, just like a normal usrah session. Everyone got involved, and it felt like a productive session overall!

I covered the first three pillars of Iman: Belief in Allah, Belief in Angels, and Belief in His Books. I know these are topics we’ve all heard about before, but I wanted to emphasize that understanding them at a deeper level is important. A lot of us, myself included, might have just memorized the concepts in the past without fully grasping their meaning and significance.

So, this time, the goal was to dig deeper and really reflect on what each of these beliefs means for us personally.

I also decided to keep our meeting spot the same as usual, even though some other usrah assistants had changed locations. My room has air conditioning, so I figured it’d make the environment more comfortable and conducive to learning.

One thing I missed out on, though, forgot to take a picture this time! 😅 But other than that, the session went well, and it felt like everyone was engaged and thinking critically about these important aspects of our faith.

I covered the last three pillars of Iman. But this time, I wanted to make sure everyone was actively involved, not just me talking the whole time.

So, I split the group into smaller teams and asked them to share their thoughts and insights on each pillar as well. Instead of just presenting information, they had to discuss it amongst themselves and then present their thoughts to the whole group.

I also added a little fun twist to keep the energy up

if I noticed a team not engaging in their discussion, they’d get a “cute punishment”. It wasn’t anything serious, just a lighthearted way to encourage everyone to stay involved, and it worked! The atmosphere became much more relaxed, and I could tell everyone was having a good time while still learning.

I’m really glad I managed to spruce up the mood this time. It’s important to learn, but it’s just as important to have fun while doing it! Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and actually participating more, which was exactly what I was hoping for.

I was supposed to cover the topics of Ihsan and Eschatology, but unfortunately, I was really sick that day. My condition got pretty bad, and my friends insisted I go to the clinic, so I ended up with an MC (Medical Certificate) and couldn’t attend the usrah session in person.

Even though I couldn’t be there physically, I didn’t want the session to go off track. I made sure to share the materials about Ihsan and Eschatology with them beforehand. I also reminded everyone to complete their assignments. We couldn’t do our usual face-to-face sharing, but I encouraged them to keep the discussion going through our social media group. It was a way for us to still connect and share thoughts on the topics, even if I wasn’t there in person.

It wasn’t the ideal way to do it, but it worked out. Everyone kept the conversation going online, and I’m thankful they stayed engaged even without the usual meeting setup. Hopefully, next time I’ll be feeling better to lead it in person!

I focused on Adab, specifically looking at Nabi Ibrahim’s adab with his parents. We explored how his respect, kindness, and obedience to his parents serve as a powerful example for us. It was a really meaningful lesson on the importance of honoring our parents, no matter the circumstances.

I also threw in a tricky question to challenge the group: What’s the difference between adab and akhlak? The answer was actually already in the slides, so I’m not sure if they got caught off guard or just needed a little time to think about it. But I was trying to get them to engage more, so it wasn’t just me talking the whole time. A little back-and-forth always helps make things more interactive!

I also had to remind them about their E-portfolio and the Roleplay video assignments. To be honest, I reminded them a bit late because I’ve been swamped with work and my sickness from last week threw off my schedule. It’s been a bit hectic, and I know I could’ve been more on top of it. But hey, we got through it, and I hope they’re all staying on track with those tasks!

1. Patience and Flexibility:
One of the biggest takeaways has been learning to adapt and stay patient. Whether it was cutting a session short because I had to attend Mc Lead or dealing with unexpected sickness, I had to be flexible and find ways to keep the sessions going. The online sharing and group discussions were a good reminder that things don’t always go as planned, but that doesn’t mean the learning has to stop.

2. Engagement Matters:
I’ve also learned how important it is to keep the group engaged. Whether through interactive questions, small group discussions, or adding a little fun (like cute punishments ), making sure everyone plays an active role really helps set the tone for the session. It keeps the atmosphere light, makes the learning more enjoyable, and shows that it’s not just about me talking it's about us all contributing.

3. The Value of Reflection:
Going deeper into topics like the pillars of Iman and adab helped me reflect more on my own beliefs. It’s one thing to know something on the surface, but it’s a whole other thing to understand it on a deeper level. I can see now that reflecting on our faith, and discussing it in detail, helps solidify the importance of these concepts in our daily lives.

4. Personal Accountability:
I also learned a lot about being more accountable. Between managing the sessions and keeping track of assignments like the E-portfolio and Roleplay video, it’s clear that I need to stay more organized. Missing a reminder here and there made me realize that I need to balance my responsibilities better especially when life gets in the way. But at the end of the day, we’re all learning and growing together.

5. Group Dynamics:

Finally, I’ve learned how valuable teamwork is. Dividing the group into teams, giving them space to discuss, and seeing them take ownership of the session really helped create a more dynamic and interactive environment. Everyone brought their own insights to the table, and that diversity of thought made the sessions richer and more enjoyable.

All in all, it’s been a learning experience for me as much as it has been for the group. It’s not just about sharing knowledge, but about creating a space where we can all learn from each other, support each other, and grow together.

1. Better Time Management:
One thing I really wish I had done better is managing my time more effectively. Between the sessions, my other responsibilities, and unexpected setbacks like getting sick, I found myself scrambling to catch up. I definitely could’ve been more proactive in keeping track of assignments and reminders. If I had been more organized, I wouldn’t have had to rush through some things or delay reminders for assignments like the E-portfolio and Roleplay video. Better planning from the start would’ve eased a lot of that stress.

2. More Interactive Activities:
While the small group discussions worked well, I think I could have incorporated more hands-on activities or creative ways to engage the group. Maybe more roleplay exercises or some interactive games to help solidify the concepts we were learning. I know we all learn in different ways, and I think I could’ve made the sessions even more dynamic if I had been more creative in how I approached the teaching methods.

3. Consistency in Attendance and Presence:
I also wish I could’ve been there for every session. Missing Week 5 due to my sickness wasn’t ideal. It was hard for me to let go of the responsibility, and I know I missed out on the chance to guide the group through that material. I really value being present and having that face-to-face interaction, so I wish I hadn’t let external factors interfere with that.

4. Deeper Connection with Each Member:
I also wish I had taken more time to connect with each member individually. It’s easy to get caught up in the flow of the sessions and forget about the one-on-one check-ins. Getting to know where each person stands in their understanding, struggles, and personal journeys would’ve helped me provide more tailored guidance and support. I want to be more intentional about fostering those connections moving forward.

5. More Time for Reflection:
Lastly, I wish there was more time for the group to reflect on the sessions and really internalize the lessons. Sometimes, we rush through topics and don’t give enough space for everyone to truly reflect and digest the material. A bit more pause after each major topic or lesson would’ve given us all the opportunity to think about how it applies to our lives and solidify the knowledge.

At the end of the day, every session has been a learning experience for me too. The things I wish for are all things I can improve on in the future, and I look forward to applying these lessons in the upcoming weeks. Every challenge is a chance to grow, and I’m excited for what’s next!

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Human beings were created to worship Allah and every act of worship in Islam carries wisdom that benefits the believer. Worship is not only about fulfilling duties but also about building faith, sincerity, self discipline and good character.

Salah reminds believers of Allah regularly and helps prevent immoral behaviour. It nurtures humility, sincerity and spiritual awareness, strengthening the connection between a Muslim and the Creator. Sawm (fasting) develops taqwa, patience and self-control while encouraging empathy for others and reflection on one’s actions.

Zakah purifies wealth and the soul by removing greed and promoting generosity and care for the needy. Hajj trains believers in obedience, discipline and equality, guiding them to avoid sinful behaviour and focus fully on worship. Altogether, these acts of worship aim to shape morally upright, spiritually conscious and devoted believers.

Salah

Salah is a central act of worship in Islam that connects a believer directly with Allah and plays a vital role in shaping faith, discipline, and moral character. It is obligatory upon every Muslim who is sane and has reached puberty, and its validity depends on fulfilling conditions such as being in a state of purity, covering the aurah, facing the qiblah, praying within the prescribed time and avoiding actions that invalidate the prayer. Salah is composed of essential pillars including intention, standing if able, takbiratul ihram, recitation of al-Fatihah, rukuk, sujud, final tasyahud, ṣalawat upon the Prophet SAW and end with salam in the correct order.

In addition to its pillars, Salah includes various sunnah practices that enhance its quality, such as dua' iftitaḥ, tasbiḥ during rukuk and sujud and maintaining proper focus and posture. Salah trains consistency and self-control by discouraging actions like excessive movement or unnecessary speech during prayer. When performed correctly and consistently, Salah strengthens Iman, nurtures obedience to Allah, encourages self-reflection and restrains a person from sinful and immoral behaviour making it a foundation for a strong Islamic personality.

Khusyu

Khusyuk is the state of humility, calmness and full presence of heart and mind before Allah during Salah. Although it is not a pillar of prayer, khusyuk is the essence that gives Salah its spiritual depth and meaning. Through khusyuk, prayer develops sincere obedience to Allah, inner struggle against distractions, self-reflection, modesty, and humility, especially during sujud where a servant recognises total dependence on Allah.

Achieving khusyuk requires both mental and physical preparation, such as performing wuduʾ properly, praying on time, avoiding distractions and understanding the meanings of the recitations. Factors like worldly concerns, hunger, fatigue and lack of focus can hinder khusyuk. When Salah is performed with khusyuk, it strengthens faith, improves self-control, refines character and ensures that prayer influences a believer’s behaviour beyond the act of worship itself.

Fasting is an important act of worship prescribed to Muslims, as well as to earlier nations with the purpose of developing taqwa, which means being constantly mindful of Allah and avoiding sin. Through fasting, believers learn self-control and spiritual discipline, training themselves to restrain desires and behave in a way that pleases Allah.

Fasting is not limited to abstaining from food and drink. It also requires controlling speech, actions and behaviour, such as avoiding lies, immoral conduct and harmful actions. The Prophet SAW emphasized that fasting loses its true value if a person continues sinful behaviour showing that fasting is meant to purify both the body and the character.

Fasting also teaches patience (sabr) and strengthens self restraint. Experiencing hunger and thirst helps believers develop empathy for the poor and encourages generosity and kindness toward others. Overall, fasting nurtures faith, compassion and a stronger connection with Allah.

Zakah is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a compulsory act of worship that involves giving a fixed portion of wealth to those in need. It is not meant to burden Muslims, but to purify wealth, strengthen faith, and improve society. Literally, zakah means growth, blessing, and purification, while technically it refers to the prescribed share of wealth distributed to eligible recipients.

Beyond its financial function, zakah has both spiritual and social benefits. Spiritually, it develops tawakkul (trust in Allah), as Muslims learn to rely on Allah rather than their wealth. Socially, it builds ukhuwah (brotherhood) by reducing selfishness and encouraging care, empathy, and responsibility toward others.

Through zakah and sadaqah, Muslims strengthen their relationship with Allah and with the community, creating a more just, united, and compassionate society.