Half Glass of Water

“What is the most effective way of Dakwah (Making an invitation towards Islam)?” One of my friends asked. “As we know that most non Muslim has no idea what Islam really about. Islam is the eternal light of our life, our soul and salvation to afterlife.”

“Dakwah is not an easy task. Before we invite non Muslim to have a brief knowledge about Islam, what is our role to emphasize Islam is the right path? Non Muslim friends tend to judge our behavior and speech as a Muslim, it might reflects our personality and the image of Islam itself. How do we going to convince people that Islam is the right path of human being while we are on the opposite way?”

Alright, let’s talk about the little philosophy about half glass of water.

There’s an empty glass on the table, I fill in the water till half glass level. At this very level of water, Optimism consider the glass is “half full” while Pessimism consider it as “half empty”. Every one of us has different point of view on the same glass of water, this method also used as a general litmus test to simply determine an individual's worldview.

Now I’m holding an empty glass, it has nothing inside. Assume this is a servant’s heart who knows nothing about Islam, no Iman (faith), also no hatred against Islam. It’s an empty glass which is ready to be filled with water anytime. However, only one drop water filled in the glass in uncertain timing. The water may drops more than ten times in sixty seconds or just one drop every hour. This “drop” of water represents the positive knowledge and influence about Islam. It can be anything that comes to us in positive way, like an article that praise the Mighty of Allah, a book from library, al-Qur’an verse on internet, or may be just a few advices from Muslim friend, a smile from your Muslim colleague. It counts as “A drop of water”, as the influence is very low but still absorbed into someone’s heart.

The empty glass filled with drops of water day by day, until it reached half glass of water few years later. All praises to Allah. Most of the reverted Muslim isn’t embrace Islam in 24 hours, but over years of observation and learning what Islam explains about Al-Mighty Creator and afterlife. A lifelong learning progress along with our heart, also known as our “fitrah”. As stated in al-Qur’an Surat Ar-Rūm (The Romans) 30:30

So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.

Everyone born with fitrah within our heart, the will of seeking our Creator and deny His equivalent. Most people do not know the fitrah is knocking on their heart, begging them to witness the truth of life. Still it doesn’t stop certain people who seeking the meaning of life from major religions, finding the eternal truth that never wiped away by time and place. Seeking knowledge is a long journey because our world is fulfilled with tons of information from every angle. Sometimes we feel frustrated to examine the truth and false regarding any specific issue. Therefore those good things of Islam absorbed in a smooth way regardless of false information and hoax widespread at the whole world. Either let it be political reason or missionary influence, Islam never been an easy issue for Non Muslim community ever.

Few years passed by, one of the servant named Jessy has a half glass of water, you may interpret it as Jessy has a heart with 50% confident and knowledge about Islam. She isn’t reciting Shahadah yet and remains Non Muslim. She feels so comfortable whenever her Muslim friends praise Allah by saying Alhamdulillah and Masha’Allah when good things happen. This is such a beautiful way to express Muslim’s appreciation to life. One day Jessy tells her Muslim friend that she just got an offer from a well known company. “Alhamdulillah, I am really not expected this might happen on me.”

“Stop saying ‘Alhamdulillah’, you are not a Muslim! How dare you say that to disrespect my religion??”

The glass of water is shaken. Water spilled out a bit that makes it less than half cup, more likely a leftover glass of water. Jessy feels attracted to the beauty of Islam after years of learning, dismayingly decreased in less than one minute. “You are not qualified to say such word because you aren’t Muslim!” Jessy may feel their inner voice screams out, along with irritating looks upon her. Alright then, Jessy isn’t a “Full Glass of Water” that qualified to mention the beauty of Islam. Although she was Empty Glass few years ago, knows nothing but only hatred against Islam due to the Media irresponsible influence and rumour.

Most of the half glass water spilled out by Judgemental Muslim.
That’s pathetic because instead of giving support and encouragement, Judgemental Muslim prefers to be Pessimism and criticize every weakness on Jessy. They overlooked how a Non Muslim feeling attracted to Islam might but keeps on criticising how wrong Jessy outfit is, how disregard when she dare to talk about Islam, how disrespect while she mentions the name of“Allah”.

Human’s heart is so fragile that it might have fracture due to negative comment from someone’s speech. Therefore we must be speak a good word or just remain silent. Never underestimate the influence of negative comment as stated in hadith :

Abû Hurayrah relates that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak a good word or remain silent. And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to his neighbor. And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to his guest.” [ Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim ]

A full glass of water was originally empty. Since the day of birth, everyone strives so hard to learn the meaning of life. While Non Muslim takes a longer journey to realize the truth. This effort also depends on their will to get closer with Creator step by step. As hadith stated below:

"Allah says, 'I am as my servant expects Me to be, and I am with him when he remembers me. If he thinks of Me, I think of him. If he mentions Me in company, I mention him in an even better company. When he comes closer to Me by a handspan, I come closer to him an arm's length. If he draws closer to Me by an arm's length, I draw closer by a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him. If my servant comes to Me walking, I go to him running." (Al-Bukhari)

One doesn’t learn who is Creator unless they took the first step to reach out, let it be thinking, mentioning, going closer or walking to Islam. It must be started with self initiative. Those who have broken glass is left behind, only the tough glass still getting fulfilled till the last drop of water. Dealing with Judgemental Muslim isn’t pleasant at all, no matter how beautiful is a glass from its outlook and shape, still meaningless if it’s empty inside.

Speaking of Judgemental Muslim, I would like to share news about Felixia Yeap that becomes hot topic recently. English, Malay and Chinese Newspaper publish her drastic changes from a former playboy bunny into Hijab lady. Let’s take it as a real life example of the “half full half empty” fairytale, you would know that the largest barrier of Dakwah comes from Muslim ourselves.


I wear the hijab with good intentions, says former Playboy bunny

Full Article : http://my.news.yahoo.com/wear-hijab-good-intentions-says-former-playboy-bunny-003023203.html
 
Felixia Yeap's Blog : http://felixiayeap.blogspot.com/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/felixia.yeap.fanpage

Published in one of the Malaysia's Newspaper

First Malaysian Playboy bunny and model Felixia Yeap’s decision to don the hijab (Muslim headgear) despite being a non-Muslim has shocked many, with some fans berating her and labelling it as a "publicity stunt".

The 27-year-old Ipoh beauty, who has been modelling since she was 19, however, remained unperturbed by all the scepticism and criticism that she had been receiving since she started donning the hijab a few months ago.

Yeap, who is still receiving invitations to appear at Playboy events and functions all over the world despite ending her career as a bunny in 2010, defended her action.

“I had always wanted to wear the hijab but I only got the chance to try it this year when I went for a casting call in a Celcom television commercial for the Hari Raya celebration.

"It was a blue hijab and I fell in love with it. Then, I had another chance to wear the hijab again when I was hired as a model for a Muslim boutique in a fashion show during the Hari Raya season,” she said.

On the negative perception towards her for donning the hijab, Yeap said she did not blame the fans for being "confused" with her action.
“I won't blame them. People who don't know me, do not read what I write, will get confused.

"My past photoshoots and modelling gigs which I have on my Facebook and blog, those are my achievements.

"I want people to know, if I can stop being sexy, cover myself up, be a better person, a respected woman, why can't they understand the story and moral behind it? Let it be a story to inspire people,” said Yeap.

She said she feels better when she covers herself up.
“People are not looking at you because of the size of your breasts or your body shape, instead, people look at you because of your intelligence and your character.

"I don't deny that I had cried after several modelling jobs recently. I love to cover myself up, so when I have to give in to the demands of my work which required me to be sexy, I felt exploited,” she said.

Yeap stressed that she only had good intentions in donning the hijab and being in a multiracial country, she is aware of the religious sensitivity surrounding the issue.

“I am not doing this to be disrespectful. I am doing this with a lot of sincerity and good intentions.

"I admit that I am a free-thinker. What I have to say is, if someone is trying to learn something and you keep pushing them away, they are going to run away. They will ask why are they being forced away from something that they are trying to learn,” said Yeap.

She also said that if a religion could show her the beauty of life and living, people should try to understand her action.

“People are attracted to beautiful things. So do I. And if a religion could show me the beauty of life, why should I resist just because a few confused racists and extremists try to twist things around?

"Are they righteous enough, or consider themselves greater, to judge another human being? Well... unless they are God. But based on how they curse, insult and behave... I don't think so,” she said, adding that she felt sorry for these people.

She said despite all the criticisms, she is happy to be able to inspire people and remind them of their religions.

Asked if she would be wearing the hijab permanently, Yeap said she is slowly learning to be a better person.

“I want to be a better person, a better woman. The year 2014 will be the beginning of something beautiful,” said  Yeap.

Yeap had been featured in the local and foreign FHM magazines before she was hired as a Playboy bunny.

Before that, she had participated in a television reality show called "I Wanna Be a Model" and was among the finalists in season three of the show.
She was also the first runner-up for Miss Chinese World Malaysia 2006 and the finalist for Dewi Remaja Malaysia.

Spilled milk

What’s the appropriate ending of this strangest article ever? (My first attempt to blend in a little bit philosophy into article)

Fragile glass hearts are around you, please handle with care!