Aiman Azlan's Blog

"I only realized that I am an American Muslim when I traveled abroad to other Muslim lands." (Dr. Sherman Jackson) When I reflected upon these words, I realized that the statement is true for me too. I have been in Canada for almost 4 years now, and I am constantly reminded of how Malaysian I am while I'm here. In Malaysia, I didn't notice my Malaysian-ness because I am surrounded by Malaysians and the Malaysian culture. It is only when I was taken out of that place when I realized that I am, in fact, Malaysian. Plus, my Canadian friends remind me of that fact all the time. I was born and raised in Malaysia. The Malaysian culture has shaped a lot of who I am today. Though I am still flexible to change, that culture remained a huge part of my identity. One of the many beauties of Islam is that it doesn't wipe out our identity clean. In fact, Islam acknowledges the culture we were born in, and Islam purifies the culture to make it better. It is like pu...

I am not sure why, but some of us freak out when people ask questions about our faith. It is rather weird when you think about it. We should be happy that there are people out there who are genuinely interested to know more about what we believe in. Before we educate others, we obviously need to educate ourselves first. Allocate some time to attend classes, read good books, and ask qualified and well-informed teachers. The internet is a good resource, but be extra careful about it. We have no idea where Sheikh Google got his degree from. I think people would appreciate honesty from our part. Like the saying goes, "Honesty is the best policy". Explain nicely using wisdom and a language that people can understand, and explain to the extent of our knowledge. If we don’t know something, then say “I’m sorry. I don’t know.” The important thing is to not make stuff up just to look smart or to impress people. If people don’t understand something, then we should help them unde...

Towards the end of my secondary school, I arrived at a phase in my life where I had to decide what program to take in university. I did some research. I looked at this and that. It was a little bit like trial and error phase. I started from my interest (what I like) and I went from there, because if I want to do something as a career, then I want to do something that I enjoy doing, something that I care about, and something that I find meaningful. My parents helped me a lot in the process. They pointed me to the right direction, to the best of their abilities. My dad knew that I like science so he suggested that I pursue Biotechnology because it has to do with science and at the time, it was a newly-emerging, growing field in Malaysia. I thought about Biotechnology. To be honest, it didn’t excite me as much as I want it to, but the idea of it was interesting enough and since I couldn’t think of anything else at the time, I decided to go for it. I applied for a scholarship to ...

Daughter: Dad, I want to get married. Father: That is a good thing to wish for. What kind of man do you want? Daughter: I want a life of luxury and ease. So, I would like a man who can help me achieve that life. The father became worried by her words. Father: Umm...I've never known you to be like this. I've never even seen you with a jewellery in your possession other than the ring your late mother left you, the same ring I married her with. If you were to sell it, the money you get won't be enough to buy you anything of value. Honestly my dear, I am surprised by your ambitions. The daughter looked at the ring her father alluded to. She rubbed it gently with her left index finger.  Daughter: Dad, the luxury I seek cannot be bought by gold or diamonds. The ease I wish for cannot be offered by any wealthy man. Father: I don't understand. Daughter: I seek the luxury of Jannah and the ease of being in the company of the Prophets. I seek the life of luxury ...

Sometimes it is good to stop, take step back and look at all the good things that we already have, and take the time to appreciate them. Some blessings are easy to be overlooked because we got used to them, and because of that, we tend to take them for granted. Take some time off in our busy schedule, be alone for a while, and reflect on all the things we have. Know that even in the darkest of times, we can count of these blessings to brighten up our day. Here is my list of 23 blessings that I am grateful for, in no particular order. I have a physical body that works well. I have food and water. I can pray, 5 times a day, without any difficulties. I have family and friends who care about me, and I care about them. I can read the Quran. I have people who watch me on Youtube. I am here in Canada to pursue my undergrad studies, on a scholarship. I am doing a degree about a subject that I am passionate about. I finished my degree. I can cook. I have a roof on top of my he...

Photo by Andalib After about 4 years of being in University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada, I have completed my degree in Biology and Psychology. I am currently waiting for my convocation in mid-November of this year. Seeing that I am graduating soon, many of my peers have raised the question: what’s next? The usual trajectory after graduating from a university is to either work or pursue a higher degree (Masters or PhD). I have no problem with either of them, but I do have a problem with doing things just because that is the way things are or because that is what other people are doing. I want to have more control over my life and not let other people decide my life for me. After all, it is my life. I will be held responsible and accountable for it in front of Allah. Not that I am saying that I do not need anyone’s help. I do. What I am saying is that I do not want to do things without due diligence. Take a break I want to take some time off. I have been in the system, go...

Photo by epSos.de There are individuals, men and women, in the Ummah who spent (literally) decades of their lives intensely immersed in knowledge seeking to understand Islam the best that they can. They are those who are qualified to say things about Islam that you and I are not. Not everyone is on the same level. I don't mean that one is better than the other in the Sight of Allah - that title is up for grabs by anyone. However, there are those who are qualified to do certain jobs that you and I are not. The medical model is a good analogy to understanding how Islamic scholarship works. Not everyone in medicine can diagnose and/or prescribe medicine. Nurses and pharmacists can't diagnose and prescribe medicine. They are not qualified for that purpose. For those who are qualified, their diagnosis and prescription qualifications are limited to their respective specializations. For example, a general doctor can handle everyday illnesses like a fever and a cold. Bu...