This seems more than a little unusual within a faith that emphasizes prayer. Five daily prayers, unheard of in other religions, more recommended in the night at troubled times, special prayer times during Ramadan, prayers at various rites of passage. There are compelling visions of thousands bending down in prayer in Mecca and other sights throughout the world.
At this moment in time I am being accorded enormous blessings without even asking. How can this be? I am not taking any of this for granted. I am filled with enormous gratitude, thank Allah (SWT) not only during prayers but throughout the day. I thank the many Malaysian people who daily bestow their kindness, their concern, their gifts upon me. But, as well as that, I look for meaning, trying to determine why I have suddenly become so blessed and what I am to do with these blessings – extending them and sharing them with other deserving Muslims.
I have been here in Penang Malaysia for about a week, although it seems much longer. I am admittedly in my honeymoon period with Malaysia; being mindful that I once felt this way about Edmonton, once felt this way about Saudi Arabia. Malaysia offers a sense of tranquility, and affordability. Everything fell immediately into place after my arrival here. That is a sure sign – such peace of mind and ease means that one is on the Straight Path. My Malaysian Muslim sister met me at the airport – a tumultuous greeting was secretly recorded. Stumbled upon a hotel, making the choice based on its name, Lexis Suites. Obviously because of my name, it seemed too good to be true. Sometimes when things seem too good to be true, they are. But not so in this instance.
Did research later, discovering that Lexis Suites is a Malaysian phenomena.
“The story of Lexis Hotel Group, which opened its first hotel in 2006, is a tale of continual innovation, expansion and a single-minded dedication to the best-in-class quality and service. In tandem with its motto, “Hospitality Is Our Passion”, the Malaysian-based company has transformed the local hospitality industry by combining personalised service with an unwavering commitment to quality and excellence. In the process, Lexis Hotel Group has redefined the hotel experience for the modern traveller…
Having firmly established itself as a premium brand in the hospitality industry, Lexis Hotel Group is adamant in providing professional management services for a portfolio of resorts and hotels in Malaysia, each distinctive and memorable, especially its world record-breaking water villas and the extraordinary above-the-sea living experience that they offer.”
This Lexis Suites is the perfect place for me to be at this moment for many reasons for which you shall learn in the upcoming days and weeks. How did I get here? Was it magic? All of the events that had to come together – beginning with meeting my Malaysian Sister in Medina. Of course it is not chance. Allah (SWT). Allah is the best of planners.
I knew that this was so, that one of Allah’s 99 names extols His planning. In seeking to understand my good fortune, to clarify my thinking, I began Internet research .
“But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners. (Sarah Ali ‘Imran 3:54) A Muslim believes that everything happens by the will of Allah. Whatever He wills happens, and whatever he does to will does not happen.
This is a rather complicated concept when you throw in the concept of free will. This explanation, by Sheikh Muhammed Saaith Al-Munajjed is an attempt to help others understand this. “Belief in al-qadar does not contradict the idea that a person has free will with regard to actions in which he has free choice. Sharee’ah and real life both indicate that people have this will.”
Other scholars used terms that were, more descriptive, explaining there were two types of Qadar: fixed and flexible. The fixed Qadars are beyond our control totally. Examples are the time and place of our birth, any illnesses and natural disasters that befall. Us. The flexible Qadars are within the realm of free will. Whether we do or or evil, what we choose to believe and how we choose to live are the flexible ones. There are some provisions and lifespans that may be increased or decreased. “Allah blots out what he wills and confirms [what He wills]. And with Him is the Mother of the book.” (Surat Ar-Ra’ad, verse 39) Depending on certain conditions, the angels may re-write a person’s provision and lifespan. If a person upholds the ties of kinship, his provisions and lifespan will be extended, otherwise they will decrease.”
Majmoo’al-Fataawa 8/540] provides guidance for the extension of a lifespan and certain beneficial conditions that go along with it.
- Patience, and more patience
- Names and Attributes of Allah – ar Rahman, ar Rahim, al Wadud, etc
- Trust in Allah
- Husnul Zon – positive thinking
- Do NOT have any bad opinions of Allah
- continue to worship Allah in times of happiness and in times of distress
- The higher the iman, the bigger the test
- Expiation of sins with patience
- Increase humility
- Seek refuge from shaytan
- Understand who your awliya’ are
- Ask ONLY from Allah for help and patience – lots of du’a
- Resolve the issues to the best of our abilities
- Do Not compromise Islam
There were other suggestions
- Understand tawheed very well
- our nafs proned to evil – 12:53
- shaytan as our number one enemy
- Dunya is a very short period – the hereafter is much longer and everlasting
“…and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.”[2:216, al-Qur’an].
As I read the suggestions I realized that I was following many of the suggestions, without even knowing about them.
Reading a level of comfort just went about ‘my business’ yesterday. My Malaysian sister and I had a great day. Traffic can be difficult with traffic jams so she did experience some stress. We went to the breakfast buffet – she showed me how to eat Malaysian food. I never could have figured that out myself – a combination of many foods and condiments. It was absolutely delicious. We decided to explore the streets near the hotel, visiting the local shops. Everything is close at hand. There is a pharmacy with two extremely women, so helpful in explaining and helping me find what I needed. Then a grocery store, with foods that are utterly familiar and utterly different. I can use my electric kettle to boil water for noodles, they have the most interesting coffee. There is a medical clinic across the street, signs in English explain the treatments one can receive. Almost anything one might need. Of course, one always worries about one’s health when traveling – no need for concern with a clinic across the street.
We chatted, holding hands and laughing together. Then a late lunch at Lexis Suites. Roselle Coffee Shop. I took many photographs which I shall attach. The homes are simple structures, but so colorful and inventive. It is a simple way of life, so needed in this troubled times. Faithful readers, you will be jealous.
I was reading my Muslim’s Character book. There is a chapter Do Not Go Near Jealousy.
“Islam has declared jealousy as haram (forbidden). Allah has commanded His messenger to seek shelter from the mischief of of jealous people, because jealousy is a spark that burns inside the bosom and hurts the jealous person as well as others.”
I have found this to be so true. A young Saudi woman met at the Kohbar Hilton Garden Inn, nicknames Pearl of a Girl became SO jealous. She hurt herself and SO many others. She lost her job, apparently. I do not go near her anymore. I live in Malaysia. I am safe from her here.
There are more adventures ahead. My Malaysian Muslim Sister and I are planning, in the future, Inshallah to travel via train to Kula Lumpur. There is a Lexis Suite there. Look at what will await us.
‘A pinnacle of urban luxury and sheer elegance, Imperial Lexis and Grandview Residence is set to make its debut in 2023 in Kuala Lumpur’s ever-ascending skyline, and will sit strategically in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, along the bustling Jalan Kia Peng, with close proximity to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower and other skyscrapers. This luxurious 53-storey 5-star hotel and exclusive high-end service apartment development, will feature 275 guest rooms consisting of 272 Sky Pool Villas and 3 VIP Suites, as well as 164 units of Luxury Suites, that are adorned with exquisite and ultra-chic interiors. With full five-star facilities, sumptuous food and beverage outlets, a full glass sky viewing deck, an open-air rooftop bar offering striking views across the city’s skyline, and is the first hotel in Kuala Lumpur to have a private pool in all of its guestrooms, the Imperial Lexis is set to be the talk of the town and become one of the most famous hotels in Malaysia.”
