who's the protector-Allah or random objects?

Assalamualaikum, readers,

Today, we revert back to the side of me where we don't talk about love, marriage and boys. let's talk about superstition.

i am a Muslim. been a Muslim my whole life. grew up in a Muslim family, with Muslim practices.

however, somewhere in between, there is some blurred lines.

for instance, my Grandma recently told me to put some Quranic verse in the car. as a protection.

protection from what?

protection from the evil spirits, protection to the car, myself and whoever in it while driving.

i didn't argue much, but told her there is a Quranic verse (which is laminated by the way) in the glove compartment. 

then she passed me a gift, tasbeeh (beads) from an uncle who went to Mecca to perform umrah, she told me to hang the tasbeeh in the car, again, as protection.

well, this is where a lot of people go wrong. these were never taught in Islam.

so where did my grandma went wrong?

first and foremost, i would like to clarify that in Islam, we are taught that Allah is the protector. He is the Creator, He is the most Powerful.

that's why a true Muslim would recite some doa (prayers) before performing anything. because we want the job/activity to be blessed with His name. so that He protects the activity/routine from evil/harm.

however, one should also be reminded that just because you recite the doa, doesn't mean that you will be forever protected from harm or mishap. 

because, we all believe in qada' and qadar (The phrase means "the divine decree and the predestination"-Wikipedia) basically we believe that our fate has been decided long before we were made, and that everything happens for a reason.

but, we should never believe that the tasbeeh or Quranic verse in the car is the PROTECTOR against all evil/mishap. NO!

that is wrong.

same goes to when babies are sick, usually infants, the elders would believe it's because of evil around them. and that placing the Quran near the babies when they sleep at night would protect them, because the evils would be AFRAID of the Holy Quran.

but actually, Allah is protecting the child. so we should ALWAYS and FOREVER believe that Allah (God Almighty) is the only protector. so we should pray to Allah that the child is protected against all evil, or any sickness. 

this is just a rant, because i could never change my grandma's perspective on it. i think she knows that the ultimate protector is God, but somehow she still feels the need to just have the things there. 

but i hope you would understand the concept of protection in Islam. 

Wallahua'lam.

row on a boat or ride a horse?

relationship is never easy. and it is never a straight path.
(you'd think i was in at least 3 relationships. but i was never in one)

a lot of people were very sure of a relationship at the beginning of it, where the flowers were blooming on each sides of the garden, the river was calm and the weather was perfect for a date outside.

and then when they reach a hurdle, that's when everything is tested.

distance, time, work, trust.

then suddenly the flowers began to wilt, the boat started to rock and there is a storm. 

will you survive?

if you water the plants, if you don't panic on the boat and look for a shelter to survive the storm, then maybe you will.

but if you just stare at the plants, scream and panic on the rocky boat and just stand in the rain waiting for the storm to pass, then maybe you won't make it through.

but you would know how i love horses and Mr Zorro and riding into the middle of nowhere? (you'd know if you have been reading my blog)

i would like to address my future relationship as the horse riding experience.

i may be terrified of heights (i really am) and i've never went horseback riding before.

and i've never met my Mr Zorro, so i have no idea how he will be.

but if he has the patience and strength to help me on a horse (because i'm fat and heavy), then calm me down while i am on the horse freaking out if i would be okay, then maybe we would have a wonderful journey in front of us.

but hey, why is he playing the hero part and you just act like a princess?

okay. i will get down and dirty as well. 

if he doesn't like horseback riding, then maybe we could just walk with the horse. 
if he hates or has a phobia with horses, i will hold the rope myself, and he can walk beside me. we can accompany each other, gripping each others hands bracing for whatever that might happen after that. (what if the horse started acting out and gallop away? or what if he jumps and i let go of the rope?)
P/S: did i mention i am kindda paranoid of the possible circumstances of...EVERYTHING?

the thing is, relationship is a two way thing. you complete each other. you never let go of each other no matter what lies ahead,

if one is feeling like shit, the partner should make some tea and sit by the other on the couch, try to lift his/her spirits up.

if one is happy and delighted of a promotion, they should celebrate. hug, kiss or dance, order some pizza and have some quality time with each other. watch a movie or something.

life is simple. we complicate things. 

our brains do. 

other peoples words do.

don't let anybody else control your life, but you.

you made a commitment to each other. stick by each other. no matter how shitty things get.