a 1-minute self-absorption

Intended for decoration ^^

Having reached this age, I still get this; "Oh, you're in college? I thought you were 16!" And I would go like -_-") for a second. Obviously the people here can't guesstimate our age just by looking. I guess having a beard doesn't help in telling that I'm old enough to get married either. It's no biggie actually, why make a fuss out of it..haih. In fact, I should be happy that I look younger on the outside, shouldn't I? (hoho) All the high schoolers I'm friends with are much taller, bigger, sturdier, handsomer than me, and their beards, Subhanallah, three times as big. Well check out what they eat for breakfast: Loaf breads with cream cheese (packets of them). I feel I'm getting fat just at the sight of it. I doubt if they could see the word "mature" written on my face at all. But ironically speaking, being mature has little to do with age; It's not about how long you have lived, but it's about how you behave, think, and react accordingly. Believe me, I've seen a 50-year-old who acted like a child, and it's not a good sight at all. Another definition of being mature would be being ready to take on the responsibilities that come along as you grow older, something I'm still untiringly working on. So, I really wish that this increase in age comes with an increase in taqwa, wisdom, good deeds, and closeness to Allah swt. Otherwise, getting up another level in age does not signify any good, right? And to mom, no matter how much beard I've grown, how many digits I have added to my age, I'm still your sweet little boy.

P/s: And..I insist on keeping, to some extent, this childlike nature of mine. :D

a glimpse into..

Allah swt loves His servants more than a mother loves her baby child. He loves every single human being; He hates the disbelief of the disbelievers, but as human beings Allah swt loves them. We are the best of His creation, whom He created with His own hands in stages. Apart from us, there is also creation that Allah swt created within just two words, 'kun! fayakun' (be! and it is). While all the other creation submits completely to the orders of Allah, we on the other hand can choose either to obey or disobey Him. Choosing to obey Allah, despite all the trials and temptations He has placed against us, elevates us to a high status in His eyes. If, and only if, the disbelievers knew how much love and mercy Allah has upon them, their limbs and flesh will fall off out of overwhelming shame, and even they would think there is a place for them in Jannah.

How do we know that Allah swt loves us so much? There must be signs to that. As for now, let's take a glimpse into the following stories and ponder over them;

1) Once a sinful woman was going on a journey. She saw a thirsty dog sitting by a well. She tied a cloth to her shoe, took water from the well and gave it to the dog. Over this mercy, Allah swt forgave her.

2) There was a sinful person. He did many sins in life. Before death, he advised his sons to burn his body after death and spread the ash in the air and water. His sons did this. In akhirah, Allah swt called that man and asked, "Why did you do this?" He said, "Due to my fear". Allah said, "Only for my fear: I have forgiven you. Go to Jannah."

3) On the day of judgement,there will be 2 sinful men. Allah swt will order them to go to Jahannam. One will run fast to Jahannam. Second will walk slowly, looking backward. Allah swt will call them back. Allah will ask the 1st man, why were you running. He will answer, "I did not obey you in Duniya. Today I want to obey you quickly". The second will answer, "I heard about your mercy and rahmah. Today I am looking towards your mercy". Allah swt will say, "You both go to Jannah".

4) On the day of judgement, a person will be lacking one good deed. Allah will say to him, "Bring one good deed or go to Jahannam". He will go to his relatives and friends. Nobody will give him even one good deed. At last, he will find a person who will have only one good deed with him. He will say, "I have only one good deed. I cannot go to Jannah. Please take my one good deed and you go to Jannah". Allah swt will ask, "Who gave you this one good deed". That person will be called. Allah swt will say, "You did mercy today, I do my mercy, You both go to Jannah".

Courtesy of: deen-path.blogspot.com

When a servant of Allah goes to the masjid, for every step he takes, one reward is written, one sin is removed, and one rank is elevated for him in the hereafter.

When a person intends to do good, a complete reward is written for him; and when he does it, the reward is multiplied at least ten times. When a person intends to do evil, none is written against him; if he stops himself from doing it out of fear of Allah, one complete reward is written for him; and if he does it anyway, only one sin is written against him.

If we look at the the above examples, it goes without saying that Allah swt is the Most Merciful. He forgives His servants for the most trivial of reasons. He is looking for excuses to forgive us every moment in our life. He wants all of us to enter Jannah, and the hellfire is just a warning. For this reason Allah swt sent the best of people (124 thousands anbia' a.s.) to the worst of people to tell about the glad tidings of Jannah and the warnings of Jahannam, so they would come back to Him in repentance. Had He wanted, He could have decided to give equal accounting to good and evil deeds but He had decided long ago that His Mercy is greater than His Wrath. =) Thus it's obviously our loss if we fail to draw a portion of His sheer Mercy upon ourselves. Wallahua'lam.

Kampung Boy Learning English (KauBoLEh) (2)

Present Perfect Tense contd.

The form of the verb we use for Present Perfect Tense is called the Past Participle (the third form of the verb);

Base Form >> Past Form >> Past Participle

work >> worked >> worked
write >> wrote >> written

So the following are a couple more examples on the usage of Present Perfect Tense to conclude the previous section;


3) Used to talk about an action that occurred in the past, which still has importance to a present situation

Ex. 1: I have received Adam’s letter.

Ex. 2: She hasn't made her decision yet.


4) Negative statements and questions with Present Perfect

Negative statement: He hasn't found a job yet.

Question: Why hasn't he found a job yet?

Now that we have covered the Present Perfect, we can proceed to the Present Perfect Continuous, which is slightly different in structure.


Present Perfect Continous (The Intro)

1) Used to talk about an action that started in the past and continues to the present

Ex. 1: I have been working at the same job since 2009.

Ex. 2: The company has been hiring foreign workers for many years.


2) Used to show that an action is still happening

Ex: He has been working for the past eight hours.


The tricky part is, with some verbs, we can use either the Present Perfect or the Present Perfect Continuous with very little difference in meaning

Ex. He has been working as a custodian for the past few years. OR
He has worked as a custodian for the past few years.


We do not use a continuous tense with nonaction verbs (like verbs that show feelings). You can ask Mr. Google for a list of nonaction verbs so you'll get a better picture of this.

Ex. I have known her for almost 3 years. (Not: have been knowing)


Okay, let's not cram in too much at once. Taking it easy helps you digest the material better. So far it's been quite easy and straightforward I guess, so keep the remaining gigabytes of your brain for later. I came up with the acronym 'KauBoLEh' so I don't have to keep typing out the long title, and it's kinda cool too. Ingenious kan? ^^

Kampung Boy Learning English (1)

I was thinking of something to do; something educational that I enjoy doing, which I can also share with others. So I thought I would do a review on English grammar. Yep, I do like grammar! As much as I like having Nasi Lemak and Teh Tarik for breakfast back home. I figured that the best way of learning is teaching; as you practice what you know, you help your brain retain it better.

So, what topic should we do a review on? Let's see..okay, let's do a review on 'Types of Tenses'. One thing that distinguishes English grammar from Malay grammar is the critical use of tenses, as in past, present, and future tenses. Instead of just adding words that indicate a specific tense, in English, the verb itself has to be modified accordingly. A mistake in tenses can disrupt the intended meaning of a sentence.

Present Perfect Tense

eat >> have eaten
beat >> have beaten
fly >> have flown


1) Used for a repeated action to show how many times you have done the action (up to the present)

Ex: I have eaten three cups of megi.

Use 'since' or a 'since clause' to specify the time;

Ex. I have eaten three cups of megi since yesterday.

Note: Always use Simple Past for a 'since clause';

Ex. I have eaten three cups of megi since I arrived.

2) Used for a state/feeling that extends from a point in the past to the present

Ex. 1: I have liked her since I first saw her.

Ex. 2: I have been frustrated since I found out she's taken.

Note: For a repeated action that was definitely completed in the past (not connected to the present), simply use Simple Past, with an appropriate time phrase;

Ex. 1 I went to Teluk Intan three times last year.

Ex. 2 I saw her only a few times last winter.

Okay let's stop here for now. Next time, I'll pick up our review on Present Perfect Continuous Tense. I'm sorry if you find the above wording confusing, and I'd love to accept any comments, corrections, and constructive criticisms too since I myself am still learning. Questions are most welcomed. Until the next lesson, see ya. Assalamualaikum. ^^

I'm sorry

I'd like to apologize to you..

• whom I made promises to that I didn't keep.
• whom I've given hopes only to crush them later.
• whom I didn't stand up for when I should.
• whose expectations I have failed to meet.
• whose resources I have spent to waste.
• whose company I've taken for granted.
• whose feelings I have hurt.
• whom I've put in an awkward position due to my lack of control over my feelings.
• whose sincerity I have doubted.
• whose trust I did't fulfill.
• whose feelings I didn't return.
• whose cuteness I can't resist?

I'd like to apologize for..

• not making the best of the chances I had.
• having been slacking off and not studying hard enough.
• spending on things I don't need.
• letting my gaze wander off.
• getting in the way when I'm not supposed to.
• not voicing out the truth when I should.
• not calling home often enough.
• not being of much help around.
• not being much of a good muslim, servant, dai'e, leader, son, brother, friend, student, JPA scholar, housemate, lab partner, blogger..oh, MySA member! (if I'm still considered a member ^^")

So..are my apologies accepted?