Yours Truly,

12/02 ya |  1 .on yours truly, an Online Publication by NUS Muslim Society Photo by Ummul Nazihah

Editorial Team Main Editor: Qystina Darwyshea, 57th Assistant General Secretary Assistant Editor: Ummul Nazihah, 57th Honorary General Secretary Assistant Editor: Adli Faiz, 57th President NUS Muslim Society Website: nusms.org.sg Instagram: instagram.com/nusms Twitter: twitter.com/nusms Facebook: facebook.com/nusms Collaborations: [email protected] Enquiries: [email protected] Subscribe to our Mailing Blast: bit.ly/NUSMSML

meet the 57th exco! FAIZUDEEN EIZYAN HAKEEM NUHA NAZIHAH FARISMA ADILAH ADLI QYSTINA HENNY FARAH SARAH RAIHANA AMIN ZOHRA ANIQ SYASYA NABILAH SHAUQAT ADILAH

editors' note Bismillahirrahmaanirrahiim. Assalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb., Dear beloved readers, May peace be upon all of you who are reading this, wherever you may be - in the comfort of your humble abodes, or in transit as you make your way to your destination, or even at your workplace, sipping your coffee (or tea) as you take a 5-minute break from work. May Allah s.w.t be pleased with you and your families and may peace and salutations be upon our beloved Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, his family and his companions. All praises and glory be to Allah s.w.t, the Most Merciful, who has presented NUS Muslim Society (NUSMS) with an opportunity to produce this simple yet profound piece of publication for the first time in its history. It is with immense pleasure and honour that the 57th NUSMS General Secretariat is able to compile beautiful memories of what has happened in the academic year that has recently passed in amazing excerpts prepared by members of society themselves. Yours Truly, was born from the idea that NUSMS should keep an archive of the achievements and contributions of our members. The archive serves as a repository that can be referred to by future generations, and hopefully, one day, it can be considered as a form of intellectual heritage left behind by those who came before us. The name Yours Truly, is near and dear to the editors’ hearts as it symbolizes the friendship, love and camaraderie that have blossomed for the past year for the Exco members. Yours Truly, culminates the feeling of comfort that one dearly seeks from another person as one goes about their everyday life as an undergraduate student in NUS. The sense of belonging and relief that engulfs us as we meet our companions on campus for the first time, before making our way to dinner together, or even to that one religious talk organised by NUSMS. Yours Truly, aims to be that source of happiness and joy that one receives when they read the publication, reminiscing the times that they have spent together with their companions while attending the plethora of events and activities that NUSMS organizes in that year. At the same time, it is hoped that the publication will serve as a reflection point for those who succeed us and may it be beneficial and pave the way forward for them and society.

What readers can expect from Yours Truly, is a summary of the events, activities and initiatives organized by all ad-hocs, Ground-Up Initiatives (GUIs) and Exco for the academic year of 20/21. In addition, readers can also discover some key takeaways from these events and points for improvement to be taken note of. Not forgetting, they can also revisit the monthly email write-ups prepared by the editors and selected members of NUSMS. The write-ups are written based on the Islamic calendar and months. It has been a tough year for all of us with the COVID-19 pandemic still vexing and tussling its way into our lives, threatening to take control. For some of us, we may be strong enough to stand on our own; but, many of us may require a helping hand. Yours Truly, hopes that it can be that hand we are so desperately looking for in our lives - a piece of thread that we can hold on to - lest we drown in the sea of negativity bred by the current state of the world. With Yours Truly, one can look back at the past year and celebrate the little things in life - the conversation shared with a close friend over dinner at a NUSMS event, the butterflies in the stomach that one felt while cycling past the dark night with their friends during Rihlah - and so many others. Finally, our deepest appreciation and gratitude to the 57th NUSMS Exco, for accompanying the society through this difficult year that has left us. It has been a year filled with ups and downs, but we made it through together as an Exco, and as a society. Thank you to our ad- hocs: Islam Awareness Series (IAS), Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH), Rihlah, Project Link, Valour, Legendeus (FOC), and our GUIs: Guide2Goodness (G2G), Qur’an The Immense Ocean (QTIO) and NUS Nisaa’ for the wonderful lineup of events and activities organised for the community. May Allah s.w.t accept all our efforts, ameen. To the 58th NUSMS Exco, the time is now. The stage is yours. May Allah s.w.t guide you in His path always, and may this publication be of benefit to you and those who may need it. Yours Truly, 57th NUSMS General Secretariat

contents 1. Muharram........................................................1 a. e-SLF........................................................2 b. Welcome Tea...............................................3 2.Spiritual Oasis Project.........................................4 3.Quran: The Immense Ocean...................................5 4. Safar..............................................................9 a.Adhoc Induction...........................................10 5.Get Booked!....................................................11 6. Nisaa'............................................................12 7. Rabi'ulawwal....................................................18 a.Leadership Empowerment Series.......................20 8.Welfare Pack...................................................22 9.Guide 2 Goodness.............................................24 10. Rabi'ulakhir.....................................................28 a.Leadership Empowerment Series.......................29 b. The Timeless Truth Series..............................31 i.Understanding Contemporary Issues..............32 ii.Understanding Sexuality...........................34 iii.Understanding Mental Health......................36 11.Islam Awareness Series......................................40 12. Jamadilawwal..................................................46 13.Project Link....................................................47

iii.Understanding Mental Health......................36 11.Islam Awareness Series......................................40 12. Jamadilawwal..................................................46 13.Project Link.................................................. 14. Jamadilakhir....................................................52 a. eMpower...................................................53 15. Rihlah............................................................56 16. Rejab.............................................................61 17.Our Sacred Path of Love.....................................63 18.Peace Be Upon Him...........................................64 19.Freshman Orientation Camp.................................70 20. Syaaban.........................................................71 a. NOUR-ishing..............................................72 21. Ramadhan.......................................................76 a.Garden of Love...........................................78 b.Budding Love..............................................79 22. Syawal..........................................................80 23. Valour..........................................................81 24. Zulkaedah.......................................................86



Muharram 1442h The new Hijri calendar starts with the month of Muharram. Many of us know the meaning of Haraam, but very little do of the meaning of Muharram. It signifies one of the four holy months when warfare is forbidden. It is also the month in which the tenth is considered sacred, for many significant events happened such as Prophet Musa being saved from Pharaoh and Prophet Nuh's ark landing on Mount Judi. As such, our beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬encouraged us to fast on the day of Ashura (tenth of Muharram) and increase in acts of worship. 1

EE--ssllff ((ssttuuddeenntt lliiffee ffaaiirr)) Our first ever online SLF session! E-SLF is often the first touchpoint our freshmen make with the NUS Muslim Society, through which the freshmen meet the faces of NUSMS and get to know what NUSMS is about. We were thrilled to host our E-SLF through Instagram Live and Zoom. Thank you to everyone who tuned in! 2

Welcome Tea! Welcome Tea is an integral part of NUSMS’ calendar held at the start of Semester 1 for the incoming Muslim freshmen of NUS. Welcome Tea serves as a platform through which we hope to reach out to the student community & spread awareness, as well as to spur interest in the freshmen such that they are inspired to be involved in our activities planned for the upcoming academic year. Through Welcome Tea, we sought to provide opportunities for freshmen & seniors alike to interact & share ideas from past initiatives. Most importantly, we hope to create new & long-lasting bonds amongst freshmen. Watch out for tea puns! 3

spiritual oasis project! SOP aims to provide maintenance & upgrading of the prayer spaces on campus. It hopes to empower the Muslim community in NUS to take charge & generate new ideas for the continual improvement of the musollahs to create a homely environment for all users to find respite in as they seek remembrance of Allah (swt) MUSOLLAH CLEANUP! List of Musollahs: https://www.nusms.org.sg/musollah 4

Qur'an: The Immense Ocean @theimmenseocean QTIO aims to provide classes held within the NUS campus where students would be able to gain exposure & knowledge of the Qur’an under the guidance of our local Asatizahs. QTIO provides a platform for people to connect & form a better relationship with the Qur’an, making the Qur’an the basis of our actions in our daily lives. In hopes of building a community with love for the Qur’an, QTIO plans to achieve this by broadly two approaches. Firstly, by learning about the Qur’an, its contents and reflecting on them, and secondly, by learning to read the Qur’an. Guiding Us Home By Ustaz Zulkarnain Azman, Ustazah Marhamah Senewi & Ustaz Mohamad Nasrullah Refa’ie Zoom sessions delving into topics that allow us to learn more about our Creator, Allah, through the Qur’an, which has been given to mankind as one of our main sources of guidance. Through knowing more about Allah, only then will we truly feel grateful towards all His blessings as His servant. This is done by learning His 99 Names and Attributes (Asmaul Husna) as well as Surah Al-Ikhlas. 5

review One session cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances Make-up session was not feasible as the schedule was a bit tight and it was hard to find a time where both Ustazah Marhamah and QTIO were available The other 6 sessions were successfully conducted on Zoom and also streamed live on QTIO’s Instagram account Instagram live proved to be a more accessible platform than Zoom Sticking to a single theme ensured depth, but some sessions overlapped in terms of content Scheduling the topics to align with the time of the semester allowed the participants to better relate to them Tea Time - Tajweed & Tadarus By Ustaz Ho Muhammad Adi 3 sessions on the basic rulings of Tajweed to guide and teach us on how we can improve our recitation. In order to supplement and revise the Tajweed lessons, we also had group Tadarus sessions where we had facilitators from among the NUSMS community to guide their friends and to learn from one another in improving the recitation of the Qur’an. 6

review Student facilitators helped create a safe space for Muslims in NUS to come and recite the Qur’an together, regardless of their proficiency in their recitation COVID-19 restrictions resulted in a quota for participants of the physical sessions Structure of theory and practical lessons was useful Ustaz was very engaging and practical as he prepared Tajweed exercises for them to do during his lessons 7

QTIO 20/21 Round-up Challenges Faced Finding ways to better connect with the participants especially due to the current pandemic situation Getting monetary sponsorships for Semester 2 sessions as the expenditure was predicted to be higher due to the sessions being held physically on campus (Sessions were previously all planned to be online due to COVID-19) Advice for Future Committees QTIO should focus on events that are relatable and practical for undergraduates like us in order to deepen our connection to the Quran in our daily lives Have flexibility & a contingency plan during the planning process during these uncertain times Never underestimate the importance of welfare + team bonding as most of our meetings are done online and it can be quite draining at times We are highly encouraged to seek knowledge, but we should also place importance on applying the things that we have learnt into our daily lives such as our relationship with the people around us, nature and also Allah QTIO is catered for anyone who is generally interested in learning more about the Qur’an, regardless of their background or knowledge of the Qur’an! 8

SAFAR 1442H Let’s take some time to understand the significance of this month. In the pre-Islamic era, it was widely believed that Safar was an ‘unlucky’ month, however, to believe such superstitions is not part of our religion. These past beliefs remind us that time has no effect on our lives, as any good or bad is decreed by Allah s.w.t. We must always place our sincere trust in Him and remember that whatever befalls us is in accordance with His will only. A significant event that happened in the life of our Prophet s.a.w during this month was the Battle of Al-Abwa, which was his first of many expeditions in fighting for Allah’s religion! 9

ADHOC INDUCTION After Welcome Tea where our freshmen sign up for adhocs, we meet them formally for the first time at Adhoc Induction! During Adhoc Induction, our lovely adhoc members pick up the skills and general know-how for their specific roles, and they are also equipped with guidebooks by their respective ExCo Secretariats. After Adhoc Induction, the various adhoc journeys formally commence! 10

Get GET READING HERE: Booked! https://getbooked.netlify.app/ bit.ly/NUSMSGetBooked Get Booked! is a platform for NUS undergraduates & alumni to share & borrow Islamic books, with the goal of promoting a culture of reading and intellectual discussion within the community. Be sure to join in on the #GetReading discussions in the Telegram channel, where digestible excerpts from various books are shared! ePxucreipfticfartoiomnHoafmtzhae Yusuf's interview with Mr Ibrahim Heart from Wardah Books! 11

Nisaa' @nusnisaa For Ladies, By Ladies A platform for Muslim women in NUS to engage and interact with one another through various events organised throughout the academic year with a mission to spiritually, intellectually and physically strive to excel in this world and in the next and vision to forge a sisterhood through gatherings and a strong support system within the NUS muslimah community. Striving in Times of Uncertainty Allah ‫ ُﺳ ْﺒ َﺤﺎﻧَ ُﻪ َو َﺗ َﻌﺎ َﱃ‬and Rasulullah ‫ﷺ‬: The light and hope in our lives Striving for Stability By Ustazah Farhana Munshi 9 Zoom sessions of the exemplary lives of the women companions of the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬, filled with love and faith for Allah and His Messenger ‫ﷺ‬. review 9 sessions allowed for consistency, was something sisters can look forward to Coverage on the topics of Seerah was well received & inspiring 12

Nourish with Nisaa' By Dr. Radiah Salim & Sister Noor Mastura Mental Health / Domestic Abuse: Aims to raise awareness while providing spiritual + practical guidance and support for sisters who are struggling review Topics were well received by the audience, high demand for such topics to be covered by Nisaa' Audience had a clearer understanding of mental health challenges & abuse after attending the talkshow Fewer signups than usual as event was held during exam period Companionship Rebuilding and forging new companionships Muslimah Lookbook Campaign! A social media campaign on IG showcasing Muslimah modest fashion trends & styles with the intention to promote World Hijab Day + encourage positive exchange of creative ideas and discussions regarding modest fashion. The styles include casual and formal wear. 13

review The campaign was well received by the audience and “World Hijab Day” engagement is something they look forward to every year Campaign addressed 3 topics: “Casual Wear”, “Office Wear”, and “Hijab”. Each topic was meaningful and the sharings by different sisters allowed the audience to relate better Could have tagged local businesses to our posts so that sisters would know where the clothes were purchased from and it also helps to promote the local Muslimah fashion businesses Muslimah Campaign could incorporate intellectual aspects like Fiqh/Shariah Nisaa' Sports Day A fun day to indulge in sports like Captain's Ball & Netball with Muslimahs in NUS in the hopes of forging friendship and sisterhood 14

review 1st physical event! Refreshments were greatly appreciated Important to anticipate for any possible venue cancellations (due to midterms in this case), had to use the outdoor netball court where it was very hot during noon Introduce shorter game time as many of the players were tired and decided to rest instead COVID-19 precautions of only allowing a maximum of 50 participants was definitely a challenge, but the team did a great job adapting to this! The Lost Art of Sisterhood By Ustazah Nur Huraidah Emphasising the importance of sisterhood and reviving the duties of friendship to cultivate qualities that promote inclusivity, mutual love and service to our society for the sake of Allah (swt) 15

r erfelveicetwi o n s Hybrid event: Physical + Zoom broadcast Ustazah Nur Huraidah was a relatable speaker for the event as she linked her experiences to lessons about friendship Audience definitely gained something from the talk, many looking forward to more events that cover topics relatable to youths A technical dry run would have been beneficial (to test out audio from Zoom, screen sharing, which screen to share at any time) Nisaa' Majlis Selawat with Ust. Farhana & Qasidah Girls Concluding event for Nisaa', a day of remembrance and strengthening of companionship review More physical attendees as compared to previous events Food and drinks were received in sponsorship, saved costs Held after exams so more people could attend + right before entering the last 10 nights of Ramadhan so we could set our intentions beforehand 16

Nisaa' 20/21 Round-up Challenges Faced Event dates should consider busy periods in the semester, as sisters may be occupied with exams & assignments thus unable to attend Zoom sessions meant that it was more challenging to replicate the ~vibes~ of physical events, thus alternative platforms can be explored further to maximise the experience for participants Communication issues: Can be resolved with better and more frequent inter-subcommittee communication Advice for Future Committees Come with great intentions and make friends beyond our own subcommittee Enjoy your time, view it as a medium to strengthen your ukhuwah, don't view it as a work, enjoy the process! Set good and sincere intentions for the goodness of society, make sure we too, want to learn and apply the knowledge of Islam so that it can benefit ourselves too There is so much sweetness and joy in finding sisters and friends who are on the same path to goodness with you! There is more motivation to do good together than when we are alone Always seek advice from Ustazahs because they have the knowledge and experience to guide us in our events Do more selawat and insyaAllah it will help your events greatly! 17

RABI'ULAWWAL 1442H The month of Rabi’ulawwal is indeed extremely special to a lot of us out there who love and yearn to meet our Prophet Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬. Traditionally, Muslim communities from various parts of the world will spend their time during this month, showcasing their love for the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬by attending Maulid and reciting qasidahs. Muslims are also encouraged to apply the Prophetic Sunnahs in this month more consistently so that we may emulate him in every step of our lives and become closer to him eventually. The month also holds much significance as several events happened during this time, most notably the birth of our Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬himself. The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬was born in Makkah on a Monday, though narrations differ on the exact date. His birth had also been anticipated for a long time by the people and Prophets that came before him. 18

Such is the greatness of the man whose name was already known by the people before him! The Prophet’s ‫ ﷺ‬birth was also surrounded by several miracles. It was noted that his wet nurse, Halimah, and her family were blessed for years after bringing in the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬. For instance, the old she-camel belonging to her family managed to produce milk once again after the arrival of the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬and her cattle became healthy and strong soon after, thereby bringing in food and wealth to Halimah’s family. Thus, it is clear that the birth of our Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬has indeed brought nothing but mercy and blessings to the entire world, synonymous with another narration in the Al-Qur’an, “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” (21:106) This verse reaffirms the status of our beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬as the bringer of peace, mercy and blessings to this world. As believers of the religion, Islam, we should commemorate and honour him as the Prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬has been sent by Allah to guide us to the truth, and he has done so in the most gracious manner possible. The Prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬is truly an exemplary figure that embodies the Qur’an as his character. RABI'ULAWWAL 1442H 19

LEADERSHIP EMPOWERMENT SERIES #1 PROJECT AND TEAM MANAGEMENT SHARING BY USTAZ FIZAR ZAINAL THE GREATEST EXAMPLE PROPHET MUHAMMAD ‫ﷺ‬ Rasulullah ‫ ﷺ‬was sent down to perfect good character as a teacher If you really love Rasulullah ‫ ﷺ‬then follow him, for Allah will love you and forgive your sins, as Allah is All-forgiving EXPECTATIONS ON LEADERS POWER TUSSLE The nafs may be distracted by the power that leadership grants Humans are easily swayed by wealth, status and lust, and other distractions \"Indeed, We have created humankind in constant struggle.\" Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power WHEN THEY FALL SHORT OF OUR EXPECTATIONS Don't judge them, empathise instead Have sabr and eliminate the different factors that may have caused it Recognise their limitations Even the young and zealous have their own limitations Don't focus on the shortfalls, instead lead collaboration to find a solution 20

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES COVID-19 Might come down to a choice between the continuity of organization vs providing for the people of the organisation Unlearning and relearning Preparing for all sudden changes What would the Prophet do? LEADERSHIP IN ISLAM GUIDING BY ALLAH'S COMMAND Good leaders lead by example To lead, we must first be able to listen Do we listen to the commands of our parents? Seek knowledge and be guided by the Quran Have firm principles to abide by LEADERSHIP AS A RESPONSIBILITY A leader shouldn't lead others to evil acts Imbibe in the others the importance of establishing prayers and paying alms Qalb leadership: Leadership with a heart Leading with mercy, with the heart as the source of intentions COMPETENCY & HUMILITY BEING A PERSON OF GREAT BENEFIT No one can confidently say they have the best iman and taqwa If we wait to reach perfection before we lead, we will never be able to lead The best is the one with the most benefit to people, find your strength and work on it Always stay grounded Continue putting in the effort and make dua that Allah will ease your affairs 21

welfare pack SEMESTER 1 The Welfare Pack initiative is a bi-annual collaboration between NUSMS & PBMUKS that seeks to provide welfare packs at the end of each semester to motivate & support Malay/Muslim NUS students for their upcoming exams. Additionally, these welfare packs are also given to the NUS staff to show appreciation for their contributions to the school. in Semester 1, e-welfare packs were sent out to students in light of the COVID-19 pandemic & included practical items for students like e-coupons & digital collaterals like calendars. It was limited to 50 slots which filled up very quickly! 22

SEMESTER 2 With COVID-19 regulations loosened in Semester 2, physical welfare packs consisting of snacks & relevant Ramadan essential items such as dates & a tasbih were given since the holy month of Ramadan coincided with the finals period! 23

Guide2Goodness @guide2goodness A spiritual boost; providing classes held on campus which focus on the sciences of Islamic Spirituality (taṣawwuf) and Islamic Sacred Knowledge. The Voyage A practical framework for the seeker of knowledge to get started on a spiritual journey towards Allah ‫ﷻ‬, specifically catered to the mind, context and life of a Singaporean Muslim student The Voyage By Ustaz Dr Feisal A 6-part series in Semester 1 which served as a gentle & welcoming introduction to the concepts of ihsan & tasawwuf. It hoped to provide a practical framework for the seeker of knowledge to get started on a spiritual journey towards Allah ‫ﷻ‬, specifically catered to the mind, context and life of a Singaporean Muslim student. 24

review Audience particularly enjoyed the Q&A segment and the historical anecdotes shared by Ustaz Dr Feisal Since G2G always leverages on good food and good vibes, it was challenging to attract a crowd as the ambience could not be easily replicated The Port of Call A comprehensive framework on setting intentions by discussing a few specific examples related to the prevailing context of COVID-19, mawlid season of Rabīʽ al-Awwal & preparation for ad-hocs The Port of Call: Renewing Intentions By Ustaz Mukhtar A 4-part series with Ustaz Mukhtar in Semester 1, with the first session was held on Zoom and the rest were held on Instagram live review Ustaz's humour, numerous beneficial reminders & advice was well appreciated by participants Held mostly on IG live which was found to be too short (due to the 1 hour limit) for such beneficial sharings, but was still concise and effective! Instagram is relatively more accessible, resulting in higher attendance rates 25

Uncovering Our Treasures Maximising one's potential as Muslim youth through their intellectual, social and spiritual capacities by drawing from the experiences, practices and history of some iconic aspects of Islam: reading, the mosque and the burdah Uncovering Our Treasures By Ustaz Dr Muhammad Mubarak, Mr Ibrahim Tahir, Ustaz Dr Mohamed bin Ali & Ustaz Nasrullah Refa'ie A 3-part series with 2 of them exploring a new mode of delivery, a dialogue, and tried to cater to a wider audience review Ustaz's humour, numerous beneficial reminders & advice was well appreciated by participants Held mostly on IG live which was found to be too short (due to the 1 hour limit) for such beneficial sharings, but was still concise and effective! Instagram is relatively more accessible, resulting in higher attendance rates 26

G2G 20/21 Round-up Challenges Faced Maintaining an effective online presence during the pandemic Ensuring that key points are emphasised upon without digression or overlap Ensuring speakers know how to properly set up their livestreams Advice for Future Committees Since G2G had always leveraged on good food and good vibes, it was challenging to attract a crowd as the ambience could not be easily replicated Essential to choose a speaker who has good chemistry with the emcee/host and is comfortable conducting classes through Zoom! 27

RABI'UL AKHIR 1442H Rabi'ul Akhir is the fourth month in the Islamic calendar. Rabi’ is named after spring, for the Arabs used to harvest crops during the months of Rabi’ul Awwal and Rabi’ul Akhir. One of the significant events in the months of Rabi’ul Akhir is that Jerusalem was conquered in this month, on the 16th Hijrah! 28

Self Management Leadership Empowerment Series #2 Sharing by: Dr Walid Jumblatt Subject: LES #2 Leadership Styles To lead - by example & instruction Our Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬is the best example of good character, but he still had enemies Exemplary character must be complemented by instruction To inspire We want others to believe and be invested in the cause we are fighting for Give them a stake in the committee: Don't make decisions alone The best leader is a good listener, don't create an environment where others' self-censor/dismiss their own opinions Don't ever say \"my\" committee It's not yours! Use 'our' instead Intentions & Objectives The means never justifies the ends The road to hell & heaven is paved with good intentions, so always do things the right way We are doing this for Allah swt, not for ourselves Personal objectives -> Should remain as side objectives The cause you are investing in extends far beyond you Never be consumed by success/failure: We should put in our best efforts, but success is always by Allah swt 29

Different Roles for Everyone Are we allowed to ask for a position? Yes, it is permissible to put yourself out there A good person doesn't make a good leader and vice versa, some communities are strengthened by corrupt leaders You must always be thinking & reflecting about your role, and never feel too comfortable in it Some leaders are charismatic, others use their actions instead of words We may have different dispositions but we are all leaders in our own right Never discount or diminish someone else's role Figure out your comparative advantage and what you can bring to the table! Being Accountable for My Leadership Be aware of socio-political issues, if you aren't reading then you aren't doing your job properly Understand the sensitivities in the community you are serving Know what the OB markers are Know who to turn to for advice Recognising the potential of student organisations Don't let fear inhibit your potential It's okay to make mistakes, students are more readily forgiven compared to adults Be cognizant of your priorities Studies are a priority: Grades may not define you, but they will open more doors in the future Your sacrifice doesn't end here NUSMS is a first step for you to begin contributing to the wider community when you graduate! 30

the timeless truth A 3-part series aiming to initiate discourse surrounding contemporary issues within the NUS Muslim community. Recordings: https://bit.ly/tttsessions 31

The Timeless Truth: Understanding Contemporary Issues! Sharing by Deputy Mufti Ustaz Dr Hannan Hassan Framework Fatwa: must solve the \"problem\", and not just about issuing a hukum to legalize certain matters from Syariah's perspective Halal is not a black and white matter Consider the following when thinking of halal: The \"Why\": Understanding the rationale and greater purpose The \"What\": What does it mean and what the supporting evidence is The \"How\": the specific situation and its implications YUMMY FOOD MEETING FRIENDS! 32

Understanding of Syariah Not simply about what's halal or haram Understanding of Islamic rulings must come with knowledge of society and its context Shapes what is best for humanity taking into context the social fabric The \"halal status\" COVID-19 vaccine: Regardless of the ingredients, if it serves the purpose to save lives and protect our community then we should take it Discerning a situation of darurah (necessity) Islamic rulings serve as our guidelines Main principles of Syariah: Protection of lives, Prevention of harm Q&A SESSION TAKING NOTES~ Halal as a Personal Responsibility Halalan Toyyiban: We are encouraged to eat food that is halal and wholesome for us A dependency on seeking out halal certification makes us less resilient in figuring out for ourselves what is permissible and impermissible We are responsible for our own ability to discern what is best and most healthy for us When overseas: Which is healthier? Eating maggi every day because it's \"halal\" or eating kosher/vegetarian food? Our responsibility toweigh the pros and cons of the choices we make 33

The Timeless Truth: Understanding Sexuality Sharing by Ustaz Dr Firdaus Yahya Islamic Perspective Allah has created parameters for us, no matter who we are attracted to Everyone has our own personalised test, including heterosexuals. Transgenders have a test from Allah, beyond the person’s control We try our best to follow the guidelines Islam has placed Cross-dressing is forbidden And the male is not like the female [3:36] Support When someone comes out to you: Earn their trust, befriend them, do not push them away Remind and advise them of Islamic rulings Boundaries set by Islam should not be transgressed At the same time, maintain an understanding that each of us is not perfect Support as a community: Show respect and stay guided by our Islamic morals We are still Muslim brothers and sisters No matter what one practises, it is between them and Allah Everyone has their rights We must accept our fellow Muslims and not ostracise anyone Support as a family: Let them approach you first ‫ٱ ْد ُع ِإ َ ٰﱃ َﺳ ِﺒﻴ ِﻞ َرﺑﱢ َﻚ ﺑِﭑ ْﻟ ِﺤ ْﻜ َﻤ ِﺔ َوٱ ْﻟ َﻤ ْﻮ ِﻋ َﻈ ِﺔ ٱ ْﻟﺤَ َﺴ َﻨ ِﺔ‬ Invite ˹all˺ to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and kind advice [16:125] Kindly advise but do not harshly impose Supporting Muslims and their rights Everyone needs people to help them We support everyone’s rights to feel safe We need to educate without creating another negative perspective/opinion 34

Sex reassignment surgery: Any bodily change in Islam is haram unless it is for medical purposes If one has undergone surgery and would like to revert back to their past figure, they are not obliged to do it if circumstances (financial, health risks) prevent them from doing so Depends on each individual's own situation Societal context: Biological makeup vs. Dressing In Islam, there are things that are bedrock solid and unchangeable But there are also things that are malleable, which depend on the context of your time and society Tree trunk: Shari’ah (path) Source and root from Quran, sunnah and Ijmak (consensus from revered scholars) Branches and leaves: Fiqh They can change according to how you understand and apply the shari’ah which depends on the conventions of your society Shari’ah provides guidelines to be implemented in various situations Fashion: Scotts/Arabs putting on skirts/gowns What is acceptable is influenced by cultural perception Main guideline: Not imitating the opposite gender Heterosexuality Be aware of your boundaries Verses in the Quran: ‫َو َﻻ ﺗَ ْﻘﺮَﺑُﻮ ۟ا ٱﻟﺰﱢﻧَ ٰٓﻰ ۖ ِإﻧﱠ ُﻪۥ َﻛﺎ َن َﻓ ٰـ ِﺤ َﺸ ًۭﺔ َو َﺳﺂ َء َﺳ ِﺒﻴ ۭ ًﻼ‬ Do not go near adultery. It is truly a shameful deed and an evil way Anything that can lead to the act is forbidden Whatever actions that lead to sexual desire is haram 35

THE TIMELESS TRUTH: UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH SHARING BY DR RADIAH, USTAZAH NORAINI AND MS SUMAIYAH KEY DEFINITIONS Mental Illness: Brain dysfunction that affects thoughts, perceptions, mood and behaviour Examples: Depression, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, general anxiety disorder Mental Health Challenges: Examples: Dementia (brain atrophy, shrinking of the brain, progressive degenerative disorder) Developmental Disabilities: Occur in children, but can continue to adulthood, leading to things like Addiction, Personality disorders: Antisocial, borderline personality disorder Mental Health (by WHO): a state of wellbeing (contentment/happiness) in which the individual can realise his/ her own abilities and is able to contribute to our society FAITH & MENTAL HEALTH: MAQASID AL-SHARIAH Hifzul Aqal (Preservation of mental health) Cognitive capacities What affects your ability to think/function as a capable adult Alcohol is forbidden because it skews affects the way you think Depression and anxiety as normal ailments which are part of life ‫ﷺ‬In the life of our Prophet & the sahabah They experience grief and anxiety in their lives Depression vs Grief: Symptoms may be similar but they are distinct from one another Hifzud Deen (Preservation of faith) Practices and beliefs which strengthen our deen 36

MENTAL HEALTH AS A CONTINUUM Mental Health: Journey Full of Ups & Downs Feeling Depressed vs Depression Anyone can feel depressed but if the feelings leads to dysfunction, then it has tipped into mental illness Stigmas against Mental Illness People are labelled when they become dysfunctional However, like any physical/tangible illness, such dysfunction is merely a chemical imbalance in the brain Approaching Mental Illness Requires a holistic approach Taking medication & psychological/social/spiritual support go hand in hand Iman does have a role to play in helping someone with mental illness A firm belief in Allah helps to build someone’s resilience Applies to physical illness as well! RISK FACTORS Risk Factors Strong family history, higher susceptibility if one doesn't adopt a healthy lifestyle Chronic illnesses can increase risk Those without family history may take longer to get ill What Can Be Done? Monitor you mental health Seek help before it deteriorates Be aware of family history, trauma, stress levels Learn from this challenge and eventually reap blessings behind it insyaAllah FAITH & SPIRITUAL RISK Avoiding Khayal (‫)ﺧﺎل‬ Emptiness and a lack of self-identity Creates space for our imagination see what isn't there Puts illogical ideas into our beliefs Blurs the line between what is real and what is a delusion When khayal becomes part of one's reality, Urgent need for the brain to rest Possible medication for brain to heal from the stress inflicted on it Loneliness Loneliness in duties and carrying the burden of expectations Can create a sense of self-rejection 37

SUPERNATURAL: INTERFERENCE OF JINN Possession & Mental Illness: 2 separate things Often linked together as possession can be very stressful The stress from it can trigger a mental health condition There are people who have both Different Kinds of Possession Jinn is an entity that is very different from human being They cannot stay in your body for a long period Some are inherited from generations There are conditions that open up or invite the jinn subconsciously Often during a time/space when one has been hit with emptiness or hopelessness, during which the subconscious is very vulnerable (which may invite the activation of the jinn) SUPPORTING LOVED ONES How Can We Help? Show concern, check in regularly, invite them to share their feelings if they're comfortable Simply listen without advising unless they ask for advice Validate their feelings Be empathetic and compassionate, accompany them to seek professional help if they're ready Empower them with their innate strength and resilience There is a uniqueness in each of us that nobody can replicate, remind them who they are! Encourage them to adopt a healthy lifestyle (ie. go for walks together, eat regular meals) Surah al-Asr: ِ‫َوﺗَ َﻮا َﺻ ْﻮ ۟ا ﺑِﭑ ْﻟﺤَ ﱢﻖ َوﺗَ َﻮا َﺻ ْﻮ ۟ا ﺑِﭑﻟ ﱠﺼ ْﺒﺮ‬ Remind fellow Muslims to do righteous deeds, advised each other to truth and patience Do not judge, or make them feel like they are to be blamed ♡It’s fine to rest or cry 38

COMMITTING TO OUR MENTAL HEALTH Taking Care of Our Nafsiyah 5 daruriyyat which can strengthen it or bring it down Nafs (self) Deen (spirituality) Aql (cognitive capacity) Nasl (social support) Maal (economic strength) Everything We Do is Ibadah Take care of ourselves as a duty to Allah swt Religion and spirituality gives us a purpose Every challenge is an expiation of sins or opportunity to elevate our ranks There is a hikmah behind everything Do good deeds as people who give more, are happier people If we don't take care of ourselves, who will? We can turn to Allah swt, psychologists, our family & friends, but we have to ikhtiar on our own, normalise seeking help Our loved ones may cheer us on but they cannot face our challenges for us We are our own best friend Love ourselves! THE PATH TO RECOVERY Recovery is not Linear There are bound to be relapses, but what matters most is remaining positive to overcome challenges in striving to be well Any challenge can only bring us closer to God and keep us humble If everything in life is perfect, we will start to attribute our successes to ourselves instead of Allah’s grace and mercy Understanding the Laws of the Universe Allah swt is closer to us than our jugular vein, He knows us better than anyone Qadar: our choices & intentions put us on a certain path We've made choices to go down different roads, and some are not good for us Qada’ dua yaruddul qada’ ‫اﻟﺪﻋﺎء ﻳﺮد اﻟﻘﻀﺎء‬ Pray that Allah swt takes you from where you are and places you where you are supposed to be Patience Time taken being in on the wrong path is the same amount of time we need to go back to the right path We can't have unrealistic expectations, we need to allow time for the systems to reverse 39

Islam Awareness Series @nusms_ias Sharing knowledge & insights about Islam among NUS students & providing a platform for discourse about Islam for Muslims & Non-Muslims through engagement with both audiences through talks and dialogues. IAS 1442h aims to aid participants on their own journeys of self discovery, learning new insights & clarifying misconceptions and doubts about Islam. Discovery INTERFAITH DIALOGUE: LIVING THE FAITHFUL LIFE AS A UNIVERSITY STUDENT To discover more about other faiths & gain an appreciation of their own faiths, while understanding one another's struggles in juggling faith with student life. REVIEW Audience found the experience eye-opening and well facilitated Highly aligned to the overall aim of IAS, to increase the awareness of Islam across NUS Students Diversity within each breakout room could be improved, requires more participants & possible collaboration with faith groups 40

INTERFAITH COLLABORATION! SEARCHING FOR ALLAH S.W.T (WITH USTAZ DR FEISAL & QASIDAH BROS) Talk on the topic of spirituality & searching for Allah (swt) in our lives. REVIEW ENLIGHTENED FACES! Well-facilitated by the emcees, especially in managing changes in timing & unforeseen circumstances Proper full rehearsal should be conducted for the committee to be familiar with the roles & timings to be adhered to throughout the event 41

BEAUTIFUL SHARINGS REVERTS SHARING: WAS TO ISLAM A diverse panel of speakers: Nadiah M. Din, Bilal Jeanpierre, Chef Omar & Sheikh Mikaeel Ahmad Smith, sharing their stories on how they found Islam & what made them revert, as well as to share their struggles so we can learn from their stories to strengthen our Islamic faith! REVIEW Speakers were carefully chosen, ensuring the content was delivered very clearly & in an engaging manner which allowed for participants to enjoy the session Decisions made were prompt enough to ensure that the delay of the entrance from one of the speakers did not disrupt programme flow Subcommittees worked in tandem and communication was efficient alhamdulillah! 42