For example, should you intend to see a waterfall on the northern facet of Bali, good drivers shall be quoting for a 12-hour day. Daily hire of a car and driver is usually 10 hours, plus 100k per hour thereafter. If there is one factor you can do earlier than hopping into a personal automotive or SUV, it’s partaking with your driver to set crystal clear expectations about how long you anticipate their providers and the whole cost. The commonest mistake is to book a driver with the lodge and expect the most effective.

A great driver will know the place one of the best bathroom breaks are. Make sure you ask for a bathroom break a minimum of 20 minutes ahead of time, or on the very least your driver knows the way to stop and find while travelling by way of suburban areas with no public amenities. However your driver might have somewhere to be later, so don’t count on unlimited time. Ask clearly what theirexpected variety of hours are for the journey, and make a point to set a specific time you need to be back at your resort or villa.

If you need to, you may also request a service for more than in the future. If you book sufficient time, the driving force can even take you to locations around or outdoors of the town. Visit and experience the beauty that is Cairo with the time you could have that solely a driver in hand may give enough protection. In a busy metropolis like Cairo, vacationer will be well suggested to e-book a Private Driver. This will save you time and money and allow you get pleasure from one of the best town has to offer.

They will undoubtedly be offering the lowest cost driver potential, and whereas the automotive could also be in respectable situation your driver will more than likely not have a clue as to your expectations. Because they have a monopoly on the transport choices when you don’t have already got a non-public automotive and driver you are literally at their mercy. Depending on provide and demand and which method the wind is blowing you might have to pay as much as 2-5 instances the amount that a traditional taxi fare would value you. For trips to sights further than 5 km away, then hire a personal automobile and driver. However, if you will be going additional than strolling distance for most days I extremely advocate hiring a private automobile and driver for the total size of your stay. Waiting time is constructed-in to the price of a private driver. You can e-book your driver in Cairo from 2 to eight hours daily.

If you wish to do a visit very far east, north, or west of Bali then a 12-hour tour is possible, but there shall be a small extra fee per passenger. This charge is to cover gas prices and wages for the driving force for his extra time. The extra payment price will rely upon the space you have to go, and it might start at around £5 per individual. After reserving, you can work with StephMyLife to create a personalised itinerary for your trip.

Book in a 30 minute Skype consultation, taxi nice or talk by way of e mail to design your tour. The entirety of our service is built around understanding our purchasers and their household needs. We use our expertise in the personal sector, our specialist knowledge and psychological insights to provide you with essentially the most suited household employees candidates. Melissa’s personalised strategy will save you time, leading to fewer CVs and essentially the most suitable candidates.

Ustadh Usama Canon embraced Islam in 1996 and was an early student of Shaykh Hamza Yusuf under the then-Zaytuna Institute (together with others such as Mustafa Davis and Shaykh Yahya Rhodus) before continuing his study of the traditional Islamic sciences with some of the foremost scholars across Africa and the Middle East.

Ustadh Usama is the founding director of the Ta’leef Collective. Originally formed in 2002 as part of the outreach programme for the Zaytuna Institute, Ta’leef became an independent body in 2005. It is now a non-profit organisation based in California that aims to provide a healthy, culturally relevant understanding of Islam, serving not only converts but also Muslim youth who find themselves alienated from the religion.

A man of many hats, Ustadh Usama also serves as a Muslim Chaplain for Muslim prison inmates under the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, as well as a spiritual advisor for the Chicago-based Inner City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), in addition to the many speaking and teaching engagements he has worldwide. Ustadh Usama is also one of the founders, together with Ta’leef Collective projects coordinator Micah Anderson, of Oudimentary, a company dealing in traditional incense and perfumes.

A popular and engaging speaker, Ustadh Usama Canon is no stranger to these shores, having been to Singapore several times to speak and teach at various events, including most recently in 2011 for Darul Arqam’s Love Retreat and SimplyIslam’s Journey to Ihsan- A Seekers’ Retreat .

Besides issues affecting converts to Islam and Muslim prison inmates, one of Ustadh Usama’s primary areas of concern is the youth and ensuring that religion remains both accessible and relevant to them. Aside from his work with the Ta’leef Collective to engage disenfranchised Muslim young adults, he has spoken at and conducted workshops for youth across the United States and the world for organisations such as SimplyIslam, SeekersGuidance, the Risala Foundation, and others.

Ustadh Usama has also spoken on a variety of issues affecting the Muslim community in Reflections, a series of short videos directed by Mustafa Davis, filmmaker and co-founder of Ta’leef Collective.

Always conducting his talks with both humility and humour, Ustadh Usama Canon marries a knowledge of the traditional sciences of Islam with an engagement with the day to day concerns of the average Muslim, ensuring his talks and lessons are both relevant and grounded in deep spirituality. His talks are not to be missed.

Upcoming Events in Singapore

Ahmad Zhaki Abdullah
Ahmad Zhaki holds a degree in English Literature from the University of London. He is a full-time executive at a local training institute and a part-time writer.

On 21st February 2016, Habib Kadhim Jaafar as-Saggaf concluded his last night for this visit in Singapore with an electrifying mawlid with the Singapore Haqqani Ensemble at SimplyIslam, 152 Still Road.

Habib Kadhim during the Mahallul Qiyam

Habib Kadhim attracted over 250 people to the premises, filling the whole hall with men, women, children and the elderly. The Singapore Haqqani Ensemble recited the Mawlid ad-Diba’ie, interspersing it with various qasaaid in praise of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It was very apt then that Habib Kadhim’s ensuing advice to the crowd was on the greatness of sending prayers (salawat) upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Habib Kadhim speaking in Arabic and SimplyIslam’s staff & Arabic translator, Ustadh Abid as-Salah translating into English.

Here are some notes from his sharing last night:

If we had tongues numbering the number of hair we have and all the tongues are praising and being thankful for the Prophet ﷺ , it will not be enough for the ni’mah (gift) of the Prophet ﷺ.

In a qasidah, there’s a line that goes, “Khairal bariyya, nazra ilayya” “O best of creation, cast your glance on me”. One gaze/glance from the Prophet ﷺ  will lift you up in spiritual stations more than 1000 years of worship would.

Without us asking for this glance/gaze, he will send us these gazes by virtue of his mercy ﷺ

One of the greatest blessings for us is that we are from his ummah (community) and receiving the most beautiful aspects of his mercy.

To preserve these blessings upon us, we have to just thank Allah for them. Like in the Qur’an it says, “If you are grateful, I will give you more.”

If we leave such majalis (gatherings) that remember the Prophet ﷺ , gradually the love for the Prophet will leave our hearts, nauzubillah (may Allah save us from this).

A mark of a weakness of a Muslim in his love for the Prophet ﷺ is when he says salaam to the Prophet ﷺ during the tahiyat  without presence/in heedlessness.

The pious, righteous, the ulama’ and the awliya’ are in, and feeling the presence of the Prophet ﷺ at all times.

Believers who are sincere in their love for him do not forget the grants and the presence of the Prophet ﷺ.

Sultanah Zubaydiyah, a lady from the 9th century in Yemen was known for her abundance of zikr and salawat. She was blessed with a vision of the Prophet ﷺ in her dream based on her numerous salawat. She saw that someone told her that her da’wah is accepted by Allah, so ask for whatever she wants. She consulted her teacher and was told, the greatest thing you can ask for is to see the Prophet ﷺ  in this life before the next.

Divine gifts are not restricted to time, place or gender. When Allah, the Malikul Mulk (Owner of the Kingdom), wants to give, He will give.

Why are these gatherings to remember the Prophet ﷺ  important? Because they attach and link the hearts to the Prophet ﷺ . And the gaze/glance of the Prophet ﷺ will land on those who remember him ﷺ.

Allah raises and purify us by the virtue of the salawat of Prophet ﷺ.

The easiest and shortest way to the Prophet ﷺ  is to make salawat.

How amazing is this matter? Allah sent salawat first then He tells us to send salawat. And when we send salawat, Allah sends 50 salawat upon US for one salawat we send to the Prophet ﷺ . This is the abundant gift from the Greatest Giver.

If all of mankind from Nabi Adam alayhi-salaam until the last man at the end of time were to send salawat on the Prophet ﷺ , the amount is not even a fraction of the salawat done by the angels in the first heaven. Then what about the 2nd, 3rd, 4th heaven and so forth?

There are angels in the planets, stars and moons making salawat on the Prophet ﷺ and we cannot imagine the number of angels nor the number of salawat being made.

One salawat from Allah on us is more than a million years worth of our worship. The Companion Ubayy bin Ka’b said he would spend all his du’a in salawat on the Prophet ﷺ.

Ubayy bin Ka’ab said “I once told the Messenger of God, (upon whom be peace and blessings of God The Exalted) ‘O Messenger of God, I invoke much. What portion should I offer salutations upon you?’

The Prophet replied, “However much you wish.”

To this I asked, “A fourth?”

He said, “If you wish, but should you increase the number, it will be better for you.”

I then asked, “A third?”

He said, “If you wish, but should you increase the number, it is still better for you.”

I then asked, “A half?”

He said, “If you wish, but should you increase the number, it is still better for you.”

I then said, “Indeed in my invocation, I shall make all of my prayers upon you!”

To this, the Messenger of God replied, “If you do that you will be freed from anxiety and all your wrongs pardoned.” [Hadith, recorded by Tirmidhi]

This is why we make salawat: we have needs and requests from Allah, and by virtue of our salawat, all our needs and requests will be met. The greatest channel and most beautiful medium IS our prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ.

No one knows the reward of the person who does salawat except Allah.

The Muslim continuously make praises until his heart will receive mercy from the Prophet ﷺ.

Remembering the Prophet ﷺ  is in reality remembering Allah.

May we keep our tongues moist with salawat, our hearts alive by being thankful for the gift of the Prophet ﷺ and be granted many more opportunities to be in gatherings that remember the Prophet ﷺ. And may Allah grant Habib Kadhim and all our teachers long and healthy lives so that we may benefit from their counsel and rectify our states. Ameen!

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Ameera Begum
Ameera is the Editor of Muzlimbuzz.sg, a chronic reader and a news junkie.

Po and friends return, making us laugh and go “Woahhhh!” at Shifu’s and Master Oogway’s wisdom. Don’t worry, no spoilers ahead!

I’ll be frank. I’ve been a fan of the Kung Fu Panda movies since the first one came out in 2008. Po is clumsy, unabashedly adorable, and all-round lovable. The humour is side-splitting, the action scenes thrilling and the wisdom of the Kung Fu Masters mind-blowing.

Here’s some of my favourite quotes from Master Oogway from the first movie:

I admit, I’m not alone in my love for the Kung Fu Panda movies. SimplyIslam made this poster shortly after the first movie!

Click here for source of Master Oogway’s picture.

Click here for source of Master Oogway’s picture.

8 years and 3 movies later, the Kung Fu Panda movies are still as enjoyable to watch and continues to drop some deep wisdom bombs!

Wisdom #1

In one scene, Shifu is surrounded by walls of scrolls as he tries to find something about Kai (the bad guy in the 3rd movie). In his frustration and urgency, he says, “There’s so much wisdom in here, I can’t find anything!”. -mic drop-

SimplyIslam recently started a campaign called #FindCredibleTeachers. In the past few years, we’ve found that the easy access to Islamic books and Shaykh Google makes some people think that you can learn Islam without a teacher. You increasingly hear of someone quoting a short YouTube video online of an unknown bearded man speaking Arabic to justify why this or that thing is haram.

Muzlimbuzz wrote on this phenomena too:
1. Tips for the Newly Religious
2. 4 Refutations to Anti-Hadith Arguments

Our religion’s tradition of seeking knowledge is noble and indispensable. Scholars are revered for their years of study, reflection, spiritual training and wisdom. Their advice is so needed today in the chaos of self-made ‘teachers’ and books-and-internet-only Muslims. Had the Qur’an been enough to teach the people about our religion, then Allah wouldn’t have sent the beautiful Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam as His Messenger and Example.

This is not to say that our religion is inaccessible, but that scholars have their positions because they have earned it. And the rest of us should behave as students and leave legal rulings and judgments to those who have the capacity to do so. And we most definitely must stay away from committing takfir on others and assigning people to Hellfire like we own it. We must connect ourselves to a credible teacher who can clarify our doubts, not add to it. Teachers who can increase us in our obedience and love to Allah and Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam and better our relationships with our parents and neighbours, not increase us in our hatred of others who hold different beliefs and understanding.

May Allah guide us to credible teachers who will teach us His religion the way He intended it, in the spirit of love, mercy and tolerance that Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam taught his Companions. Ameen!

Wisdom #2

In the previous 2 movies, Po comes to a realisation about something confusing that Master Oogway or Shifu says much, much later. This movie is no different. (No worries, still no spoilers for KF3!)

In Kung Fu Panda 1, Po, after being told he is the Dragon Warrior, opens the Dragon Scroll which is supposed to hold ‘limitless power’ only to find that the scroll was a blank, shiny surface. Po, who never believed he was the Dragon Warrior in the first place, thinks the whole thing is a joke and goes fuming to his father’s noodle shop. At this point, Po’s father, Mr Ping decides to tell Po the secret ingredient to his noodles: nothing.

Po: “Huh?”

Father: “You heard me. Nothing! There is no secret ingredient!”

Po: “Wait, wait, it’s just plain old Noodle Soup? You don’t add some kind of special sauce or something?”

Father: “Don’t have to, to make something special, you just have to believe it’s special.”

There are several interpretations to the emptiness of the blank scroll:

1. The Dragon Warrior does not need ‘limitless power’ from an external source as he can find it in himself.
2. Or as his father says, Po does not need validation from the scroll, he only needs to believe he is the Dragon Warrior.
3. The scroll is empty because in reality, there is no Self. (Woaaahhh)

Towards the end of the movie, Po says something along the lines of how he can’t understand what Master Oogway or Shifu says sometimes. I know that feeling so well. In a particularly distressing moment in my life, I had asked for some clarity from my Shaykh. I wanted a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No’. Instead, I got a “If your heart is open to it, go ahead.” WHAT.

It’s not that our Sufi Masters want to be purposely enigmatic, mysterious or downright confusing. It’s because their minds and souls are clear and pure and they see things from a different perspective from us normal folk who still struggle with our nafs. Often, I begin to understand what they meant a long time later as more things in life unfolds. (There are still some pending confusion.)

This reminded me of a particular Sufi story. A great saint had said to the people, “The God you worship is under my feet!”. Enraged and convinced that he had committed a sacrilegious offence, the people and the ruler ordered that he be killed. Hundreds of years passed and a new ruler dreamt of this saint who informed him of what happened. When he awoke, he rushed to the spot that the saint had uttered those words and ordered his soldiers to dig it. They found two cauldrons full of gold. The saint meant that the people only claimed to worship God but were devoted to and worshipped wealth (the gold in the cauldron) instead.

It’s also reflective of the exchanges between Sayyidina Musa and Sayyidina Khidr in Surah al-Kahf. Sayyidina Khidr, who the Qur’an described as “on whom We have bestowed Mercy from Ourselves and whom We had taught knowledge from Our own presence”, ilm-ladunni, Divine Knowledge (Surah al-Kahf 18:65) insists, “You will not be able to have patience with me!” (Surah al-Kahf 18:67) when Sayyidina Musa asked that he be taught from Sayyidina Khidr.

We then read of instances when Sayyidina Khidr does things that baffles Sayyidina Musa, such as wrecking a boat, killing a young man and then repairing a wall in a town without asking for compensation. (Feel free to refer to Surah al-Kahf for the verses.) All these instances would baffle any of us as it goes against the grain of normalcy and logic. And yet, Sayyidina Khidr explained his actions later on and they turned out to be full of wisdom.

Life is full of such instances and we trust that everything that happens has Divine Wisdom and does not escape Allah’s Knowledge. And that’s pretty darn comforting even in the most confusing of times.

Wisdom #3

Another favourite scene of mine was this exchange between Po and Shifu:

Shifu: Mastering chi requires mastery of self. Oogway sat alone in a cave for thirty years, asking one question: who am I? Who am I? I’m lucky if I get five minutes before you interrupt…

Po: Aw, so now I have to sit alone in a cave for thirty years?

Shifu: Eventually. After you master teaching.

Po: Teaching? There’s no way I’m ever gonna be like you!

Shifu: I’m not trying to turn you into me; I’m trying to turn you into you.

This was an eerily similar statement to that which was said by the late Shaykh Nazim an-Naqshbandi, “I do not change anyone, I do not add to anyone. I only pass on Divine Knowledge. I give from you to you, from within yourself. I make connections.”

It was also said that Sayyidina Ali said, “O man, the cure to your ailment is within you and you do not know; and your pain is also from you but you do not see. Do you suppose that you are only a small body, while the universe is within you?”

It also goes back to the old-age journey of self-discovery. Po comes to peace with and finally answers the “Who am I?” question in the movie (lucky panda!) but for many of us, we try on many masks and shed different layers until we are finally comfortable in our own skin. We study tasawwuf and learn about characteristics of the nafs and struggle every day to be a better version of ourselves, and not pretend to be someone else or what we are not.

Jalaluddin Rumi also says, “Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.” 

May we be true to ourselves, trust the process and #FindCredibleTeachers in our journey back to God.

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Ameera Begum
Ameera is the Editor of Muzlimbuzz.sg, a chronic reader and a news junkie.

Syrian refugees fleeing the conflict in their country needs to walk thousands of miles to safety. They pass through Turkey to reach Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and some even to Germany.

This perilous journey that millions of refugees undertake is the inspiration behind Ustadh Muhammad Zahid’s initiative to raise $32,000 by walking 32 kilometres on his 32nd birthday this coming 14 March 2016.

A humanitarian worker and beloved teacher to many in Singapore, Ustadh Zahid has been involved in many fundraising and humanitarian work in several countries. He has also personally been to Gevgelija, a town at the border of Greece to provide winter necessities for the Syrian refugees coming through.

Source: Facebook page of Ustadh Zahid

“Their journey is long, they have to face challenges like the biting cold and sleeping uncomfortably. Sometimes their shoes give way and sometimes they lack food,” Ustadh Zahid says.

During his 32km walk, Ustadh Zahid intends to share his experiences meeting with the Syrian refugees, and to raise awareness about their plight and especially their journey.

The fundraiser is called #MakeTheWalk and will run for 7 days towards 14 March 2016. The donations will be given to BAPA Relief, a local organisation that does humanitarian work.

On his Facebook page, Ustadh Zahid explains how you can help:

1. Share the story and hashtag
2. Share the page and hashtag
3. Donate any amount individually
4. Donate any amount in groups
5. I will be conducting the walk alone however, if you would like to initiate your own fundraising initiative, contact us for collaboration opportunities!

Powered by: Muslim Youth Forum Singapore
Official Beneficiary: BAPA Relief of bapa.org.sg

How to Donate:

1. Cash, Nets and Cheque payments at:
Kembangan Court, No.5 Jalan Masjid #01-15 Singapore 418924
Tel: 62787750
Mon – Fri: 10am – 6pm
Sat n Sun: 10am – 4pm

We wish him all the best and hope he meets and exceeds the amount inshaAllah!

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Ameera Begum
Ameera is the Editor of MuzlimBuzz.sg, a chronic reader and a news junkie.