ASH-SHAKUR/ASH-SHAKOOR
(The Acknowledging One)
"And they will say, "Praise to Allah, who has removed from us [all] sorrow. Indeed, our Lord is Forgiving and Appreciative –"— (Qur'an 35:34)
"He who does not thank the people is not thankful to Allah." Sahih (Al-Albani) Sunan Abi Dawud 4811
According to the narration in Al-Bukhari and Muslim: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "While a man was walking, he saw a thorny branch on the road, so he removed it and Allah appreciated his action and forgave him." Riyad as-Salihin 127
A believer benefits from knowing that Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is al-Shakur. If Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ can be grateful to His servants when He has no need to be, and He continually forgives and rewards; then perhaps we can learn to be the same amongst ourselves.
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)
Ma sha Allah (God has willed it)
Viruses compete for the same host cell resources, leading to a reduction in the replication efficiency of one or both viruses.
Zanpakuto Survey: Ichimonji
My hero of choice is visionary, analytical, and decisive. They possess a keen intellect and a strategic approach to problem-solving, always thinking several steps ahead to achieve their goals.
My hero values knowledge and wisdom above all else. They are constantly seeking to expand their understanding of the world, drawing insights from various disciplines and experiences. This hero's decisions are guided by rationality and logic, as they carefully weigh options and assess potential outcomes before taking action. They inspire others through their innovative thinking and ability to see possibilities where others may see obstacles.
Despite their introverted nature, my hero is a natural leader who commands respect and admiration. They lead by example, demonstrating integrity, competence, and a clear vision for the future. This hero's strategic acumen and unwavering determination make them a formidable force, driving positive change and progress in their quest to make a lasting impact on the world.
Surah Ash-Shura (42:38): "And those who have responded to their lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation (shura) among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend."
This verse emphasizes the importance of mutual consultation in decision-making, a principle that underlies democratic processes.
Sahih Muslim, Book 20, Hadith 4569: Narrated by Abu Huraira: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The best of your leaders are those whom you love and who love you, who invoke God's blessings upon you and you invoke His blessings upon them. And the worst of your leaders are those whom you hate and who hate you and whom you curse and who curse you."
Eric sat in front of the five great elders to discuss the general process of the gamified system based on the democratic election of competent leaders.
Basically, the citizens elect their government leaders, Kuwanah, who then nominate their Luuswalhnaal to the central 46 to represent them in the supreme council. Those involved in businesses elect their Pushlha because they know best who the experts in finance are and who could lead them better.
Those involved in taking care of the environment choose their Tisla to lead them in dealing with environmental issues and improvements, as they are much more knowledgeable in those areas and can envision and actualize realistic measures.
Citizens who are employed also elect their Wilxsilk to champion their rights and well-being in workplaces globally. Ksilhma leaders, on the other hand, are selected by those involved in security and the maintenance of harmony, law, and order.
Pilaamh leaders are elected by people involved in industries globally, from small suppliers to international distributors. Pilaamkhun safeguards and ensures the citizens' well-being and health and is elected from those experts in those fields who have a genuine care for people without discrimination.
Lastly, Sumcma are elected by families to represent their concerns in rearing the next generation and their development.
The elders were impressed at how Eric managed to reuse the concept his grandfather and ancestors formulated to categorize their territory into a more humane and familiar system that could theoretically be beneficial.
But there was one concern they had...
"Where do you fit in all of this?" the head of the five elders asked, concerned as they had, after all, supported him in bringing together the central 46 to finally build a global empire they were hoping to establish, aspiring to put him on the throne as their puppet king.
Eric smiled and said in a serene voice, "I want this system to run without me, to ensure that the future will be better than today."
After all, he never wanted to stand at the top; he just wanted to have a normal and happy life for his family and those people he cared about, which is everyone.
The hollow howled in frustration upon realizing that chasing after the shinigami was a mistake, and that it should have run after the boy instead.
"Bismillah," Rukia prayed as she wore the special glove on her right hand. "Ichigo!" she then exclaimed to the boy, giving him a warning of what she planned to do.
Ichigo instinctively understood and braced himself for the impact of his transformation, to become the substitute shinigami.
Seeing this, the hollow attacked them decisively.
"Too slow," Ichigo stoically stated as he expertly dodged the attack while carrying Rukia in his left arm. He then swiftly slashed his zanpakuto, severely injuring the hollow's back.
Suddenly, the hollow used the leech-like creatures and fired them towards them.
"Be careful," Rukia said as Ichigo put her on the ground. "Those are bombs."
The boy's brow twitched in irritation, realizing the reason behind Chad's paralysis by the road as he passed him by, and why Rukia had been running for her life while severely injured.
"Damn," he cursed. "You made Karin cry, took hostages... and attacked a defenseless woman without hesitation," he enumerated with disdain. "You're a complete bastard."
"...Well, yeah," the hollow answered sardonically. "But it's going to be this bastard... who will eat you," he declared menacingly.
Ukitake watched from afar as Rukia exited his office after he informed her that she couldn't have a rank in his squad. He realized how small and fragile she looked with her dejected posture. Although he had just met her today, he felt an overwhelming urge to take care of the young girl. He wondered if agreeing to Byakuya's orders was the right thing to do, in order to keep her safe in his squad despite her potential, which was certainly above average.
As Rukia retreated towards the training ground where her fellow Squad 13 shinigami did their drills and training, she instinctively tried to find Kaien's reiatsu in the crowd, but felt nothing, making her feel even lonelier. As a child, she rarely felt disappointed in herself and usually eventually overcame it, but right now, she didn't feel as confident as before. The fact that she would have to admit her failure to the clan leader Kuchiki Byakuya, her Nii-sama, added more pressure on her.
As she joined the training, her mind tried to formulate ideas to improve and prove herself no matter what. Unbeknownst to her, someone was watching her from behind a tree not too far away.
Lost in thought, she diligently performed the drill even after her fellow shinigami took a break. Not long after, a group of shinigami approached her. One of them was a beautiful lady with short raven hair.
"Are you Kuchiki-taichou's sister?" she asked with a hint of veiled irritation in her voice, which Rukia immediately noticed due to her upbringing in Inuzuri, where a street rat like her had to constantly be able to read the situation to survive in that harsh and lawless place.
Rukia remained silent, trying to gauge their intent for approaching her. Finally, she answered after realizing that they were probably from a noble house. "Yes."
The girl looked her up and down before speaking again. "You don't look much like a Kuchiki," she said with a slight smirk.
Rukia met her gaze steadily. "Looks can be deceiving."
Another shinigami, a tall man with a stern expression, stepped forward. "We heard you couldn't secure a rank in your squad. How does it feel to be a Kuchiki and still be at the bottom?"
Rukia's heart sank, but she kept her face composed. "It's not the rank that defines a shinigami, but their dedication and spirit."
The raven-haired girl scoffed. "Spoken like someone who can't rise through the ranks."
Rukia shook her head, unbothered by their rudeness. "Think what you will. I know my path."
One of the other shinigami, a younger boy with a kinder face, stepped in. "Leave her alone, you two. We're all on the same side here."
The girl turned to him with a glare. "Stay out of this, Haru. We're just having a conversation."
Rukia gave Haru a grateful nod before addressing the group. "I may not have a rank now, but that doesn't mean I won't in the future. I'll prove myself with my actions, not just my name."
The group seemed taken aback by her determination. The raven-haired girl narrowed her eyes but said nothing more. They turned and left, leaving Rukia to her thoughts.
She sighed, feeling a mixture of relief and renewed resolve. She wasn't just fighting for herself; she was fighting to prove that she belonged, that she could rise above her past and her current circumstances.
Unbeknownst to her, Ukitake watched the interaction from a distance, feeling a deep respect for her resilience. He made a mental note to keep a closer eye on her progress. She might just surprise everyone yet.
Byakuya's gaze softened as he watched Rukia stand up for herself. He couldn't help but think of his late wife, Hisana, who would often shrink in stature whenever someone acted rudely, despite his best efforts to protect her. This memory made him feel a mix of nostalgia and relief, realizing that Rukia might be better equipped to cope with the pressures of bearing the Kuchiki name than he had initially thought.
"Alhamdulillah," he whispered to himself. "Hisana, your sister has grown up well and strong. You can rest in peace knowing that I will protect her at all costs. In sha Allah"
He thought before turning away, making sure his presence remained unknown since the start of Rukia's ranking examination.
To be continued...