"As-Salam" (the source of peace)

In the Quran, Allah is often referred to as "As-Salam." For instance, in Surah Al-Hashr (59:23), it is mentioned: "He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him."

The Quran encourages believers to seek peace and resolve conflicts peacefully. In Surah Al-Fussilat (41:34), it is stated: "The good deed and the evil deed are not equal. Repel [evil] with that which is better; then indeed, the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend."

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Do not harbor grudges against one another, nor jealousy, nor enmity; and become as fellow brothers and servants of Allah. It is not lawful for a Muslim to avoid speaking with his brother beyond three nights." (Sahih al-Bukhari)

These teachings underscore the value of promoting peace, resolving conflicts amicably, and fostering a sense of brotherhood and unity.

Islamic term meaning:

auzubillah minashaitan ni rajeem (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the accursed Satan)

astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness in God)

auzubillah (I seek refuge in Allah)

In sha Allah (God willing)

Subhanallah (Glory be to God)

La hawla wala kuwata illa billah (there is no power and no strength except with Allah)

bismillah (in the name of Allah)

alhamdulillah (praise be to God)

Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest)

Assalamu Alaykom wa rahmatallahi wa barakatu (Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings)

wassalamu Alaykom wa rahmatallahi wa barakatu (and Peace be upon you too and God's mercy and blessings)

Ma sha Allah (God has willed it)

Renji was only 10 years old when he arrived in Soul Society, a place so unfamiliar and terrifying.

"Is this the afterlife?" he asked himself in horror. Then he recalled what the people in black clothing said, that he would be sent to Soul Society or something.

Because they looked kind, he believed that everything would be alright. But this is not what he expected.

Homeless and alone, Renji braved the cold winter and scavenged for food in the trash.

The people in Hanging Dog are the worst kind of people he had ever met in his life, and what's worse, the Shinigamis who are supposed to protect the world are protecting only those who have money, and for the likes of him, they couldn't care less.

And so, young Renji decided to suck it up and fight to survive, even if he had to resort to stealing.

In his quest, he met three other orphans who became his crew, and together, they pulled off heists.

But then one afternoon, as they were running away from the old vendor, they were saved by a girl.

Renji couldn't believe how agile she was. She integrated herself within the group and soon became their leader as she defeated him in everything.

But somehow, he wasn't as angry as he pretended to be, as he was outperformed.

Rukia is just a weird girl. She's boyish and always makes the other boys cry and scared. But she has a certain elegance in her.

Just a while ago, she beat the hell out of the biggest kid in their shack after he bullied a weaker kid, saying that they were all suffering, so might as well help each other than fight.

"What are you looking at, Renji?" Little Rukia asked the boy standing below the tree branch she was sitting on.

"Nothing, idiot!" Renji immediately answered as he turned his face away, blushing.

Rukia laughed at the pineapple, finding how amusing it is to tease him.

Renji smiled at the memory as he stepped inside his new office as Squad 6 Lieutenant. For him, Rukia is the kindest person he had ever met.

And the prettiest.

When they were young, they used to play in the river, and every 14th day of January, flowers floated in the river.

Rukia would pick them up and smile. And seeing her in such a manner always made him stop and stare at how beautiful she is.

Since then, they decided that they should celebrate Rukia's birthday every 14th of January, since even Rukia doesn't know when she was born.

Just a couple of districts ahead of Hanging Dog, a woman threw the beautiful flowers in the river as tears ran down her eyes. Missing the sister she had abandoned years ago. Wishing that the flowers might reach her soul, wherever she is.

Tatsuki looked at the door where Ichigo and the transfer student exited their classroom.

She had known Ichigo since they were very little and knew that every girl in town, aside from Orihime, avoids him because of his delinquent reputation.

It certainly is unusual, and the fact that they seem familiar with each other in some way...

She doesn't know what to think of it.

"What's the problem? You have the powers of a Shinigami now. And I'll help you," Rukia reasoned. "You have no choice; this really is your fault—"

"No way!" Ichigo firmly rejected.

Rukia was stunned. "Excuse me?"

"I said no way!" Ichigo said as he walked away. "I don't want to face any more of those monsters."

"Wait a second!" Rukia called out to the teenage boy. "You—"

"I fought that thing yesterday," Ichigo suddenly stopped and then looked at the girl. "To save my family!"

Rukia remained silent.

"I'm not gonna fight those things for total strangers," he reasoned. "I am not that self-sacrificing."

Rukia stared at him in concern. Because a muslim should be willing to protect others, even strangers, from what she had learned from the Quran and authentic hadiths.

"Sorry to disappoint you," he added as he resumed walking away.

Rukia thought for a while, realizing the darkness of this situation. Many civilians would get hurt and even killed, because her shinigami powers was stolen by a teenage boy who doesn't seem to care about anyone other than his family.

"Very well," she said mysteriously. "You leave me no choice."

Then Ichigo suddenly sensed Rukia running after him with strange gloves on her hand.

"What are you—" he could only say as Rukia slapped his head with so much force that his 'soul' separated from his body.

"What happened?!" Ichigo yelled as he watched his body from where he was pushed away.

"You," Rukia called the new Shinigami. "Come with me!"

to be continued...