Hari Asyura

Today I felt like putting up a new entry and I received a good email from my good friend Agil who was with me in SDAR from 71-74.. We called our group sdara6774: 1967 was when we were in Form Remove (in Tanjong Malim, Perak then), 1974 was when we were in in Upper Six (in Seremban, NS).

As tomorrow, 10th of Muharram, is an important day in Muslim Calendar, I would like to share some notes on that important day (in English) and Agil's e-mail on the subject (in Bahasa)with you. To readers who could not understand Bahasa.. I seek your kind forgiveness... as translation would take too much time, and this entry need to be made today to effectively allow those who wish to celebrate (by fasting?) the 10th of Muharram tomorrow.



Note: Non-Muslim readers are much-welcomed to read but may find the content is a tad too "Islamic". For your easy reading the words/paragraphs in italics are from Abdullah Yusof Ali's interpretation of Al-Quranic verses.

From Arabi77 of http://www.yabiladi.com/

Allah (swt) says in Qur'an: 'You will not find any people who believe in Allah & the last day, loving those who resist Allah & his Apostle. Even though they be their Fathers or sons, or their, brothers or kindred. For such Allah has written faith in their hearts & strengthened them with a spirit from himself. And he will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. Allah will be pleased with them & they with him. They are the party of Allah. Truly it is the party of Allah that will achieve felicity.' (58, 22) .

In the above ayat, Allah (swt) has clearly documented the status and rank of all the Sahaba (ra).

For this reason it is narrated from Abdullah ibn Mugafar that

RasulAllah (saw) said: "Fear Allah, Fear Allah! Do not make hostility with my Sahaba after me. Whoever loves them, love them due to his love for me, whoever is adverse to them is so, due to his adversity to me. He who insults them, he has insulted me (saw), he who insults me has insulted Allah (swt). He who insults Allah (swt) surely Allah (swt) will insult him. "

From the Qur'an and Hadith it is established that love and respect of the Sahaba (ra) and their ways is obligatory on all Muslimins. It is obligatory to hold your tongue and keep silent other than speaking about them in the wrong way.

It is saddening, in the month of Muhurram lots of people speak adversely about those Sahaba (ra) who should be revered & they take the incident of the Shahada of Hadrat Hussain (ra) as a point of beating themselves and wailing, which has been specifically prohibited in the Hadith. To carry out these type of actions removes a person from the straight path.

It is stipulated in the Hadith which actions should be practised on the 10th Muhurram (Ash'ura) and are:

Ibn Abbas (ra) relates: "I have not seen RasulAllah (saw) mentioning the reward of fasting on the day of Ash'ura more than any other day. And I have not seen that RasulAllah (saw) mentioned the reward of fasting in the month of Ramadan more than any other month in the year. " (Bukhari, Muslim)

Imam Gazaali (rah) says:"The reason that the day of Ash'ura has been given the importance is that in the beginning of Islam the fast of Ash'ura was Fard, when Allah (swt) revealed the ayat of fasting in Ramadan as being Fard, the fast of Ash'ura was retracted to a Nafil. And that ibadat which was Fard and was retracted to a Nafil is better than that nafil which was never a Fard act." (Muzalisul-Abrar)

Abdullah Ibn Abbas (ra) relates:"RasulAllah (saw) did hijrah from Makkah to Medina. At that time RasulAllah (saw) saw the Jews keeping fast on the day of Ash'ura (10th Muharram).

He (saw) asked them: 'is this a special day in your religion?'

They said:'yes, this is a very important day for us, on this day Allah (swt) freed Musa (as) and bani Israel, and drowned the army of Phiroan, as a means of thanking Allah(swT) Musa (as) fasted so we also fast on this day.'

RasulAllah (saw) said:'I have more right to Musa(AS) than you.'

Then RasulAllah (saw) himself would keep the fast of Ash'ura and ordered the Ummah to do the same. (Bukhari, Muslim) The fast of Ash'ura is kept on the 10th Muharram.

It is also stated from Ibn Abbas that: RasulAllah (saw) said " InshAllah next year I will keep a fast on the 9th Muharram to go against the way of the Jews' but Nabi (saw) was taken before this by Allah (swt)" (Muslim)

It is established from the Ulema that the fast of the 9th Muharram should be kept with Ash'ura, if you cannot keep this fast, then keep the fast of the 11th Muharram. (Ma'ariful Hadith)

May Allah (swt) grant us-the correct understanding of the month of Muharram, lead us on the correct path and keep us away from all wrongs and innovations. May Allah (swt) accept our efforts and forgive our shortcomings, Ameen.

From http://www.inter-islam.org/Miscellaneous/muharramreyaz.htm

Some Ulama (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadhan were made compulsory, the fast of the day of Aashora was compulsory upon the Ummah.

This is stated in a Hadeeth reported by Hazrat Aisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha):
"that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) ordered the observance of the fast of Aashora. However, when the fast of Ramadhan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast." (Bukhari)

Recommended deeds on the day of Aashora

The Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. He said:
"This fast is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year."(Muslim)

One should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the Non-Muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) said:
"When Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) observed the fast of the day of Aashora and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said: `O Rasulullah! It is a day revered (glorified) by the Jews and Christians.'

Thereupon Rasulullah said: "The coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will for surely fast on the ninth (also)." (Muslim)

These Ahadeeth indicate clearly that one should fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram. However, if one does not manage to fast on the ninth, then he/she should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"Observe the fast of Aashora and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after." (Baihaqi)

Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth and the eleventh of Muharram. To fast only on the day of Aashora is Makrooh as stated by Allamah Ibn Aabideen Shaami.

One should be generous on one's family and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashora, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year." (Baihaqi)

These are the only actions supported by Ahadeeth.

Let us observe this great day according to the ways of Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu-Anhum), and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Almighty Allah.



My Friend, Agil might have acquired the information here from a reliable or not so reliable source(wikipedia)... Please forgive him for writing and myself for including his email.. Should you find better or reliable info, kindly put it in your comments to this entry so that future reference can be made to your info.. Here is Agil's email content:-

Sahabat2ku 6774,

Sekadar mengambil kesempatan memperingatkan, esok (malam ini) 10 Muharam kita akan sambut hari Asyura.

Maka hari ini banyak keistimewaannya kerana banyak perkara yang telah berlaku dan yang Allah jadikan, di antaranya termasuklah:

-Hari pertama Allah menciptakan alam.
-Hari Pertama Allah menurunkan rahmat.
-Hari pertama Allah menurunkan hujan.
-Allah menjadikan 'Arasy.
-Allah menjadikan Luh Mahfuz.
-Allah menjadikan Malaikat Jibril.
-Nabi Adam a.s. dicipta.
-Diampunkan dosa Nabi Adam a.s. setelah bertahun-tahun memohon keampunan kerana melanggar larangan Allah.
-Nabi Idris a.s. diangkat darjatnya oleh Allah dan Malaikat Izrail membawanya ke langit.
-Diselamatkan Nabi Nuh a.s. dan pengikutnya dari banjir besar selama enam bulan dan bahtera baginda selamat berlabuh di puncak pergunungan.
-Nabi Ibrahim a.s. dilahirkan di kawasan pedalaman dan terselamat dari buruan Raja Namrud.
-Nabi Ibrahim a.s. diselamatkan Allah dari api Raja Namrud.
-Nabi Yusuf a.s. dibebaskan dari penjara setelah meringkuk di dalamnya selama tujuh tahun.
-Nabi Yaakub a.s. telah sembuh buta matanya ketika kepulangan anaknya Yusuf di hari tersebut.
-Nabi Ayub a.s. disembuhkan dari penyakitnya.
-Nabi Musa a.s. telah diselamatkan daripada tentera Firaun dan berlakunya kejadian terbelahnya Laut Merah.
-Allah menurunkan kitab Taurat kepada Nabi Musa a.s..
-Nabi Yunus a.s. selamat keluar dari perut ikan paus setelah berada di dalamnya selama 40 hari 40 malam.
-Kesalahan Nabi Daud a.s. diampuni Allah.
-Nabi Sulaiman a.s. dikurniakan Allah kerajaan yang besar.
-Nabi Isa a.s. diangkat ke syurga ketika diburu oleh tentera Rom untuk menyalib baginda.

Sebagai yg sahabat2 semua maklum, banyak amalan2 sunat boleh di lakukan pada hari Asyura, diantaranya:

1.Melapangkan masa / belanja anak dan isteri
2.Memuliakan fakir miskin
3.Menahan marah
4.Menunjukkan jalan yang lurus/membetuli orang sesat/orang yang salah(terpesong aqidah(tauhid) dan akhlaknya)
5.Menyapu / mengusap kepala anak yatim (menghormati dan memuliakan mereka)
6.Bersedekah
7.Memelihara kehormatan diri
8.Mandi Sunat dengan lafaz niatnya: "Sahaja aku mandi sunat hari Asyura kerana Allah Taala."
9.Bercelak
10.Membaca Qulhuwallah(Surah Al-Ikhlas) hingga akhir seribu kali
11.Sembahyang sunat empat rakaat dengan lafaz niat: "Sahaja aku sembahyang sunat hari Asyura empat rakaat kerana Allah Taala. Pada rakaat pertama dan kedua selepas al-Fatihah di baca Qulhuwallah sebelas kali.
12.Menjamu orang berbuka puasa
13.Puasa Sunat Asyura dengan niatnya dibaca Sahaja aku berpuasa esok hari sunat hari Asyura kerana Allah Taala.

Sama2-lah kita merebut peluang ini untuk beramal pada hari esok.

Salamun alaikum.
AGIL


May you find this entry useful and have a good rewarding days ahead.

Notes on Istighfar

I am recording my note on what I have heard after Subuh (early morning) prayer on one of those weekend morning when I was blessed to be at the congregation. I have made some search on the subject to cover up my inadequacies at the congregation, i.e. lack of good hearing, not writing fast enough, not remembering enough fact or perhaps lack of focus.

Note: Non-Muslim readers are much-welcomed to read but may find the content is a tad too "Islamic". For your easy reading the words/paragraphs in italics are from Abdullah Yusof Ali's interpretation of Al-Quranic verses.

The teacher(ustaz) talked about the similarity between Moses and Abraham.. both hastening to the Lord.. trying to please.. as I could not find Verses of The Book concerning Abraham.. I put down Abdullah Yusoff Ali’s ... translation of relevant part of Chapter 20 (surah Taha)

(When Moses was up on the Mount, Allah said:) “What made thee hasten in advance of thy people, O Moses?” 020.083

He replied: “Behold, they are close on my footsteps: I hastened to thee, O my Lord, to please thee.” 020.084

He then talked about Istighfar and divided the subject into 5 parts:-

1. Basic Concept of Istighfar

Human being is not free from committing offences, hence the need for Istighfar which mean to ask Allah’s forgiveness.

From Synopsis on Istighfar by Professor Abdul Jaleel in The Review of Religions, December 1993 ..

Istighfar means to cover up, protect or suppress. The primary connotation of Istighfar is to supplicate for the suppression of human tendency to fall into error so as to be safeguarded against error or sin. Its secondary connotation is to supplicate for suppression of consequences of error. Thus Istighfar might connote suppression of a person's tendency towards falling into sin or error, or his protection against the consequences of such errors or sin, or of the errors and sins of others.

On account of lack of knowledge of Arabic, the true significance of Istighfar has been lost to many. This word is derived from Ghafr, the other infinitive forms being Maghfirat, Ghufran etc. As given in all Arabic dictionaries, the word ghafr means - to cover or to protect. Therefore the primary meaning of Istighfar mean, seeking protection or a prayer of protection and support. All other meanings usually given to this word are derived or secondary.

Synopsis on Istighfar concludes

Istighfar is the closest form of communion with God, the highest flight of the spirit of man towards the Divine Being. The man who resorts to Istighfar humiliates himself before God, admitting the weakness of his nature and dreads the Power and Glory of the Creator. His whole delight, his very paradise, is in this fact that he should fly to that rock of strength, without whose shelter he cannot live. His own self is annihilated and God is all in all to him. The man who constantly recurs to Istighfar, feels his own dependency and turns to God for help and aid and thus gives evidence that he has overcame the weakness of flesh and resisted the evil tendency because the strength of God is with him and His Light descending upon him, has suppressed every infirmity of nature which could have led to sin.

The teacher said.. it should be stressed that there is nothing in Paradise that is forbidden so when Adam was asked not to approach one tree..

“O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as ye wish: but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression.” 007.019

it is should be considered as a form of Discipline. On committing the offence,

Adam’s supplication is ...They said: “Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost.” 007.023

There is a story on Moses..
And he entered the city at a time when its people were not watching: and he found there two men fighting,- one of his own religion, and the other, of his foes. Now the man of his own religion appealed to him against his foe, and Moses struck him with his fist and made an end of him. He said: “This is a work of Evil (Satan): for he is an enemy that manifestly misleads!” 028.015

Moses’ supplication... He prayed: “O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul! Do Thou then forgive me!” So (Allah) forgave him: for He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 028.016

Jones’ supplication... And remember Zun-nun (Yunus), when he departed in wrath: He imagined that We had no power over him! But he cried through the depths of darkness, “There is no god but thou: glory to thee: I was indeed wrong! 021.087

The teacher mentioned about 3 big sins:-

i. Shirk is when you associate Allah SWT with something else

ii. Rebellion against (disobedience to) own parents

iii. Running away from the battlefield

Then he talked about five types/groups of people worthy of mention:-

i. Assobirin –those who are patience- InnaLLaha ma’assobirin

ii. Assodiqin – those who are truthful

iii. Almustaghfirin– those who ask for forgiveness during sahur time (before Fajr)

iv. Alqonitin- those who are diligent (consistent?)

v. Almunfiqin – those who donate part of what Allah has given to them

Then he talked about a du'a known as the Sayyid al-Istighfar and is the most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah.

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّى لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَ أَنْتَ ، خَلَقْتَنِى وَ أنَا عَبْدُكَ وَ أنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ ما اسْتَطَعْتُ ، أعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِ مَا صَنَعْت ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَ أبُوءُ بِذَنْبى فَاغْفِرْ لِى فإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ - Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Anta Khalaqtani wa ana abduka, wa ana 'ala ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu, A'udhu bika min Sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u Laka bini'matika 'alaiya, wa Abu Laka bidhanbi faghfirli innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta

(O Allah! You are my Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You.)

He did reminded everyone that in Arabic the phrase 70 times signifies many times.,, and the Prophet Muhammad saw is said to istighfar more than 70 times everyday..

2. Who need to Istighfar

The teacher said it is “us” that need to istighfar as sins are just like the dust on the roads...very difficult to avoid.

The real significance of Istighfar - seeking protection of God from evil. Hence the necessity of Istighfar by every person is obvious without any consideration of actual commission of sin by him. In short, existence of sin is not a pre-requisite for Istighfar. There is a craving in the very nature of man to attain perfection. To satisfy this craving, he is guided to say Istighfar and this makes up the deficiency of human nature by imploring strength from God. (Synopsis on Istighfar)

He then quoted a story of two friends of Prophet.. Anas went to see Othman A’ffan after seeing a beautiful lady. The latter in his khasyaf told the former “in your eyes I can see sign of small fornification (zina)".

3. To whom we need to Istighfar

The teacher said that we need to istighfar to Allah.

Since we are discussing this subject from the Islamic point of view, the obvious answer to the first question is - to none other than the One God, Allah. The common form of this prayer is Astaghfirullah i.e., I seek the protection of Allah or I pray to Allah for His Protection and this makes it conclusive that the Istighfar is addressed to the One God alone - Synopsis on Istighfar.

4. From what do we Istighfar?

The teacher said that we istighfar from our sin and our negligence and reminded that the Prophet ask us to generalised our du’a so as to include more people – the dead and also those who are alive.

The answer to this question is the most important point to be settled and is the main subject of this discussion. Is the protection sought simply from the punishment of evil which a man has wrought or is it sought primarily from the evil itself and only secondarily from its consequences if the evil has been done? For the correct answer, one has to go to the fundamental question of relation between God and His creatures. God of Islam is not only the Creator but Supporter as well. Whatever has been made by Divine hand is also supported by it. If, therefore, man needs the creating hand of God to come into existence, it is equally true that he needs His supporting hand to be saved from corruption. The Divine attribute of creation required that man should be created in the image of God and the requirement of Divine attribute of support was that, what had been created in Divine image should not be given up to corruption and everlasting destruction. It is to denote these two Divine attributes, the adjectives Al-Hayyi, Al-Qayyum are used in the Holy Quran regarding Allah, which means, the One Who brings into existence and supports that which He has created. -Synopsis on Istighfar .

5. Why do we need to Istighfar?

The real significance of Istighfar - seeking protection of God from evil. Hence the necessity of Istighfar by every person is obvious without any consideration of actual commission of sin by him. In short, existence of sin is not a pre-requisite for Istighfar. There is a craving in the very nature of man to attain perfection. To satisfy this craving, he is guided to say Istighfar and this makes up the deficiency of human nature by imploring strength from God. -Synopsis on Istighfar

The teacher told the congregation that Istighfar is necessary to request Allah’s blessings and mercy. He talked on the issue of Allah’s blessings and mercy or the lack of it and relate it to

i. Flash Flood and other calamities.

ii. Rate of rampant crimes.

iii. Collapse of buildings (in Terangganu?)

iv. Accident on our roads and highway.

The teacher lamented that it is rather difficult for students who are on PTPN’s money to get Allah’s blessings and mercy as there are element of usuy practice by that body..

He mentioned about a big surau in Lembah Pantai built by probably illegal squatters and although the squatters are no longer there.. perhaps due to Allah’s blessings and mercy.. the surau has been frequented by a lot of people However, he sadly said that the surau has to go... harbouring people who are anti-establishment?!

He then quoted the famous story of Hassan Al-Banna who when asked (by different people at different times):-

i. how to overcome dry season.. his answer – do Istighfar

ii. long marriage but still without children.. his answer – do Istighfar

iii. Food Crops that are not doing well at all.. his answer – do Istighfar

Hassan Al-Banna was later confronted by his disciples on the issue and his answer was

That was recommended in Surah Nuh–Chapter 71

“Saying, ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord; for He is Oft-Forgiving; 071.010

“‘He will send rain to you in abundance; 071.011

“‘Give you increase in wealth and sons; and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers (of flowing water). 071.012

i. As an illustration, the teacher recounted a story of a couple who has been married for 7 years but was yet to get children..

ii. they istighfar with the intention of getting a children.. they get daughters in year 8 and 9

iii. then they istighfar with the intension of getting a son.. they get a son in year 10.

iv. then they istighfar with the intension of getting providence(rezeki).. they have good providence ever since.

He then quoted a story on Aishah who asked the prophet (I think) what should she do if she see a ‘night of Power (lailatulQadr)'. She was advised to read the du'a

اللهمَّ انَّكَ عَفُوٌ تُحبُّ العفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنَّا (3) يا كريم

Allahumma innaka `afuwun tuhibbu-l’`afwa f`afwa `anna

“O Allah, truly You are all-Pardoning, You love to pardon so pardon us” (3 times). On the third time say “O Most Generous” (Ya Karim)

To illustrate Allah’s blessings and mercy , the teacher talked about the famous Ayat seribu Dinar (1000 Dinar verse) as pictured below:-

......And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out, 065.002

And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion. 065.003

The teacher closed his admonition(tazkirah) by recounting another story on Imam Ahmad ibnu Hambal, the founder of Hambali Sects, (Do be reminded that at this point of time, the internet, facebook , newspapers and television are not available and Imam Ahmad’s follower might not have recognised the Imam)

Imam Ahmad was travelling through a town, he stopped at a mosque for his night prayer and asked the caretaker of the mosque whether he can sleep at the mosque.. The mosque’s caretaker courteously rejected the Imam Ahmad’s request. The conversation was overheard by a bread seller who told Imam Ahmad that the Imam can sleep in a room at his house. During the early morning, the bread seller knead flour to make his bread.. He istighfar every time he knead the flour.

Imam Ahmad asked the bread seller “Why do you istighfar every time you knead the flour?”.

The man replied “I am very confident of Istighfar and I have made a supplication to Allah for a wish which is yet to be accomplished/fulfilled”.

The Imam asked “What is your wish?”.

The man said “Oh, I wish that I can meet Imam Ahmad Ibnu Hambal”.

May you find this entry useful.. have a very good day.

Moringa - the miracle tree.. a life-line

The other day, my agro friend was expounding on the miracle tree, Moringa. (Pokok kelor to some, mungga to others). He was planning to plant the Moringa trees as supplement for cattle fodder in his farm and one of his staff served Moringa Tea that day. I went home and googled on Moringa and I found these interesting articles which I put here for your reading pleasure, another feeble attempt to share whatever little I know. I am also trying to fulfill my promise to my fellow blogger friend, yohteh , from the my comment to him in my previous entry.

MORINGA OLEIFERA TREE

I know some “facts” presented in the articles are repeated over and over.. but that can also mean many people know about them.. and I also have the picture of "telor goreng daun mungga"(fried egg with moringa leaves) from one of the blog (with permission)

FRIED EGG WITH MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAVES

The Moringa Oleifera Plant which grows mainly in the Asian regions. It has been used as a good healer of many diseases the last two thousand years and more. It was mostly used by the earlier medicine men of many countries and races. It is believed that it can cure and prevent more than 300 diseases. Today Given the right nutrition our body will and can heal itself .

The Moringa leaves are the most nutritious part of the Moringa tree. Enormous nutrient supplement helps in curing 300 different diseases, which increases the importance of Moringa in our day to day life. Moringa is a tremendous source of bio-available vitamins and minerals which are the partners of enzymes and co-enzymes. Vitamins activate enzymes and without vitamins, enzymes could not carry out their work, and we could not live. Moringa, with 90+ nutrients, is the best source to nourish the body with the essential nutrients. Dried Moringa leaves contain 4 times the Vitamin A in carrot, 17 times the calcium in milk, 15 times the potassium in Banana, 0.5 times the Vitamin C in Orange and 25 times the Iron in Spinach. Moringa has Vitamin A Beta Carotene, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pyrodixine, Biotin, Ascorbic Acid, Cholecalciferol, Tocopherol and Vitamin K.

(please note the numbers do not tally as the picture is from different article)

Vitamin A is needed to prevent night blindness, promotes healthy skin, and fights infections. Vitamin C is needed to maintain healthy gums, assists in healing wounds, and helps the body use iron. Vitamin E will protect your body against free radical damage to cells. Calcium and Vitamin D are essential to maintain strong bones and teeth. Moringa is rich in vitamin to the extent that it is one of the richest plant sources of Vitamin. The list of Minerals present in Moringa is abundant and few of the main minerals include Calcium, Copper, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese and Zinc.

All these minerals are needed for the proper functioning of the body. These vitamins and minerals present in Moringa makes the Moringa tea a healthy drink. Various parts of this plant such as the leaves, roots, seed, bark, fruit, flowers and immature pods act as cardiac and circulatory stimulants, possess antitumor, antipyretic, antiepileptic, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal activities, and are being employed for the treatment of different ailments in the indigenous system of medicine.

Scientifically speaking, Moringa sounds like magic. It can rebuild weak bones, enrich anemic blood and enable a malnourished mother to nurse her starving baby. Ounce for ounce, it has the calcium of four glasses of milk, the Vitamin C of seven oranges and the potassium of three bananas. Moringa has triple the iron of spinach. Both Moringa and the common carrot are diamonds in the roughage department, but Moringa has quadruple the beta carotene, which is good for the eyes and effective against cancer.The Bethesda, Md.-based International Eye Foundation is using Moringa in Malawi because it’s loaded with Vitamin A, the lack of which causes 70% of childhood blindness. Its medicinal qualities also are tantalizing. The seeds and roots contain an antibiotic that Guatemala’s University of San Carlos found to be as effective against skin infections as neomycin.

In recent years, studies published in the journal Phytotherapy Research and Hort Science have found different Moringa parts to be effective in lowering blood sugar, reducing swelling, healing gastric ulcers,lowering blood pressure and even calming the nervous system.

One amazing true to life testimony on the benefits of Moringa is the case of Awa Diedhou ( from Africa ), an infant born weighing 3 pounds, 5 ounces. Her mother couldn’t produce sufficient milk and the child was given little chance to survive. On a Moringa supplemented diet, the child quickly grew “quite fat,” and the mother began producing milk.

Beri beri, rickets and scurvy are among the diseases caused by the lack of nutrients that are abundant in Moringa. Three spoonfuls of Moringa leaf powder contain 272% of a typical toddler’s daily Vitamin A requirement, along with 42% of the protein, 125% of the calcium,, 71% of the iron and 22% of the Vitamin C. It contains a full complement of minerals and all the amino acids of meat .

It could be said without any doubt that from the pure Moringa Tree Leaf we can get very good benefits for the health, which are very much reported in studies of the leaf. It is the organic, natural, endurance and energy supplement of health. According to the annals of the ayurveda, India’s old tradition of medicines, the leaves of the Moringa Tree could treat at least 300 diseases.

Written below are the benefits of the Moringa Leaf:
 Increases the Natural Defenses of the body
 Provides nourishment to the eyes and the brain.
 Promotes metabolism with bio-available ingredients
 Promotes the Cell structure of the body
 Promotes natural Serum cholesterol.
 Lowers the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
 Promotes the normal functioning of the liver and the kidney.
 Beautifies the skin
 Promotes energy
 Promotes proper digestion
 Acts as an antioxidant
 Takes care of the immune system of the body
 Promotes healthy circulatory system
 It is anti-inflammatory
 Gives a feeling of general wellness
 Supports the normal sugar levels of the body.

Moringa leaf boosts your energy in a natural manner, and is a remarkable source of nutrition. This energy promotion does not happen because of sugar, so it lasts for a long time. Individuals ingesting it say that their ulcers are healed, tumors restricted, there are reduction in the arthritis pains and inflammations, controlled blood pressure, the skin problems are restored, and finally they have stronger defenses against diseases.

here is another article..

2008/2009 - GHANA MORINGA PLANTATIONS AND NURSERIES
In the year 2008 Paul Yeboah dreamt about Nature’s Medicine Cabinet called "Moringa oleifera". In many African languages called "Never Die". Moringa is not new, it has been known for centuries by people living in tropics areas of the world. Moringa tree has proven itself as a powerful indigenous resource for fighting against hunger and malnutrition.

In the year 2008 Paul Yeboah started doing communities Moringa plantations in one of the regions of Ghana called "Brong Ahafo Region" and now has three thousand farmers (3000) and three hundred communities are into this project and the project is ongoing.

Paul Yeboah is given moringa seeds free to communities into groups and associations and holding workshops/training and seminars for these communities about cultural practices and the numerouse uses of the tree "MORINGA"

Moringa promises relief from the devastating diseases and malnutrition and hunger that are so rampant in the Africa and Africa American communities such as:
1. Diabetes and complications leading to kidney diseases.
2. Obesity brought on by malnutrition (over fed - under nourished).
3. High blood pressure, stroke and heart diseases.
4. Tumor and cancer.
5. Lupus, Arthritis and other Auto immune diseases.
6. Glaucoma - Blindness.
7. Skin Diseases
8. Prostate enlargement and prostate cancer.
9. Hepatitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Irritable bowel syndrome.

Moringa is best known as an excellent source of nutrition and a natural energy booster. It is loaded with nutrients, Vitamins and Amino Acids.
Moringa is not a hyper intense sugar - based energy source. As it helps reduces blood pressure gives you good night sleep.
Moringa leaves are good animal fodder.
Moringa is good for alley cropping and good to replenish degradable lands to arable crop land.
The seeds are good water purifier for communities at the rural areas suffering from water born diseases like (Guinea worm and Bulili urcer).

In the so-called developing world, moringa leaves, pod or leaf powder have become very successful as a nourishment for small children, pregnant or nursing women. Moringa has been known to bring relief from HIV and AIDS, Malnutrition and diseases caused by bad water, bad food and environmental toxins.

Moringa is timely chosen by Paul Yeboah in Ghana as a project running by Permaculture in Ghana and being pledged in the year 2008 in the UNEP billion tree planting campaign for 30,000 trees planted and given IPS GHANA recommendation letter for Donor Support and legally to use their LOGO in addition to IPS logo as well.

You can also look here for more info

Moringa has been promoted as a life line to the poverty stricken .. a miracle tree, yours truly are also praying for a life-line to my agro friend efforts.. a miracle of some sort..

Hopefully this is of benefit to you, have a good day.

A small setback

I have been gearing myself up to put up a hydroponic sprouting of fodder grass system (that can help our farmers to grow as many as 4000 heads of cattle on 20 acres site) at MAHA 2010. Some of the info on hydroponics can be viewed here . However, due to something that are/were beyond my simple mind to comprehend, my friend has to cancel his involvement with MAHA 2010.. there goes my involvement with MAHA 2010.. Both, me and my agro friend believe we have to find a new approach to introduce our version of hydroponic for fodder grass.. a small setback..

To those who has made a mental note to see me at MAHA.. I seek your forgiveness..

I seek Allah's little favour to allow us to assist our fellow Malaysian farmer..

One shy MIL

All pictures are courtesy of googles.

My first mother-in-law(MIL) was a very shy lady. When I first joined the family, I tried to make a small conversation with her only to find her talking in monosyllable and then dashed off to the kitchen on one pretext or another.

One Ramadhan in the 80’s, my late X (Al fatihah) and her two sisters and families went back to Alor Setar to celebrate the Eid with their parent or my parent-in-law. As the Eid was still a few days away, the husbands of two SIL went out visiting long-lost friends/ relatives or attended to other businesses. They went out in the morning and came back a short duration before the time for breaking of fast or ‘buka puasa’. The three sisters would be busy preparing the house for the Eid or exchanging news.
FIL would be busy reading the newspapers and reciting the Book, whereas MIL would be busy with the household chores in the morning and preparing food for ‘buka puasa’ in the afternoon. Yours truly ended up, a ‘free roamer’ having ample time with little or nothing to do.

After competing for a glimpse at the newspaper with FIL, I tried to make myself useful to my MIL (partly because FIL would be reciting the Book and three sisters doing womanly things together, it took too much effort for me to join in). I ended up following my MIL every activity, helping her de-husking the coconut, grating the coconut flesh, preparing the fire, kitchen and what-not. That 2 or 3 days helping my MIL in the kitchen ended up with MIL getting a little bit comfortable to talk to yours truly. This, however, did not go unnoticed.

One of my SIL confronted my MIL (jokingly) a day after the Eid, “Ooih Mak ni bila dengan suami saya, mak tak cakap sepatah pun, bila sampai tang si Sharif tu, mak bukan main lagi.. bergebang sakan” ( Ooih Mum, when my husband is around you did even speak a single word, but when it come to that Sharif fellow, mum talk like a long lost friend.. like there is no tomorrow).

“Ooi, aku nak buat lagu mana, si Sharif tu dok ikut aku tang mana mana.. dok tanya itu, dok tanya ini, tolong sana , tolong sini ..apa aku nak buat dia nak tolong. Sampai aku terpaksa sembang dengan dia. Laki hang mana pernah lekat kat rumah dan kalau bercakap dengan aku pun bukan pernah lebih dari 5 patah.. lepas tu aku naik malu aku pi ke dapoq.. (Ooi, what can I do, that Sharif followed me everywhere, ask this and that , help here and there.. whatever I wanted to do he wanted to help, until I no longer feel too awkward to talk to him. Your husband has not been in the house too much and if he talks to me, it would not be more than 5 words before I feel embarrassed and ran off to the kitchen..).

So every time I came back o Alor Setar I made it a point to help my MIL in her kitchen. My MIL could not get over her shyness as far as sons-in-law are concerned. When she has a prolonged sickness (something to do with wrong medication for diarrhoea), she specifically sent out words that she would be very embarrass if I were to see her in her condition, then. Unfortunately that health problem brought her to the end of stay on this earth. Her passing away saw me taking 10 days leave to accompany my FIL.

Sleeping after Subuh prayer and Nail-clipping

Pelita Ayan image from google

I remembered some 40+ years ago, waking up at the melodious voice of my late father “mengaji” between 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. He has to recite the Al Quran from memory as the light from “pelita ayan” powered by kerosene is not strong enough for him to read The Book. He will be reciting the Quranic verses while performing his morning stretching, which at times took him 1 to 2 hours. Sometime I would wake up as early to accompany him, using the pelita ayan to do my home-works. He would only allow me to accompany him if I promised not to attempt to sleep after the Subuh prayer. He did not explain much as to why I should not sleep after the Subuh prayer.. It was my mother who has made some attempt to explain it to me saying in her thick Trengganuspeak “orang dok tidor lepah Subuh.. ka’at rizki” (people do not sleep after Subuh prayer.. it discourages sustenance or provision).

Last Saturday, I sent a few SMS to a fellow Muslim an hour after Subuh. Just when duration of Subuh was about to finish he called me to provide answers to my queries and worries. Satisfied that I understand the situation perfectly, he finished the call telling me that he and members of his family would be doing his routine.. sleeping after Subuh … My not so sharp brain was out of focus then..Oh why not .. after all it is Saturday!.

After a while.. I recalled, this friend here has been doing business for some 15 years.. however good were his proposals / working papers.. Other opportunistic bystanders seem to be benefiting from them (proposals / working papers).. while he slogs on.. having to struggle day-in and day-out to make ends meet. 15 years is quite a long time to struggle and this last 12 months seems to cap it all.

Another SMS seems to be the order of the day.. my SMS to him reads :
“I had been prohibiting my children from napping after solat Subuh.. For there is a saying that sleeping after Subuh is not encouraging rizk (sustenance or provision ).. Unless you are not well.. I am not about to change my stance” .

Late that evening, I received another call from him still talking about business at hand.. to end up saying that he has told his grandson that from now on there will be no more sleeping after solat Subuh .

I have four Chinese families as immediate neighbours(one on each sides, in front and at the back) with my house sandwiched in the middle.. Two families are familiar with my habit of sleeping late and woke up very early. May be I talked too much about the virtue of waking up and starting the day early, or perhaps I made too much noise in the early hours of the morning or maybe they were trying to beat the traffic, my Chinese neighbour staying to the west of our house went to their “kedai pakaian” di Pasar Chow Kit before 6 a.m. After the first week , they came back and reported that people who sell clothes in places as far as Seremban has frequented their shop in the early morning hours as they can go back to Seremban early to open their shops. Few months later, coincident with the fasting month, they told me that they has rented the shop besides theirs and they were then running a 2 door shop operation.. 2 years later they came back and reported to me that they were running a 3 door shop operation.. For quite some times my better half and yours truly did wonder why was it that particular neighbour always gave me clothes for Baju Melayu and her for Baju Kurung for Hari Raya for some years.... until my better half told them that I bought a 7 year old Mercedes E230 cash (pssst.. by virtue of reaching 50 yers old.. yours truly did have some withdrawal from EPF for that E230).

Another Chinese neighbour (husband and wife) , which are staying to the north have been seen to leave their at 6 a.m for quite sometime now, thank to the good word of that successful neighbour. They operate a motor car workshop somewhere in Puchong. Their workshop is in a rather obscured place not easily accessible and they have been surviving by words of mouth. Words get around that they are doing very much better now as many motorist dropped by at early hours to have their cars repaired. The customers like to come to the workshop as their working hours will be least affected.

I could not figure out why is it that it is easier for some non-Muslim to practice the tradition, hadith of the Prophet, as compared to our Muslim brothers. You can see it in our daily life.. Malay foodstalls selling food for breakfast open up their business very much later than the Mamak and the Indian.

It was the other day that my better half told me a story about her brother’s best friend. This guy was frequently being reminded by his mother not to clip/cut fingernails at night.. cos she said the one who clip/cut fingernails may meet “bloody demise"(mati berdarah). However that guy always brushed off his mother telling her how come you (his mother) are so superstitious, still believe the ancient stories.. I am not sure whether there is any Prophet tradition that forbade us from clipping/cutting fingernails at night.. but the guy coincidently met his demise in a very bad motorcycle accident. Googles only produce documentation that relate this to superstition.. May be it is..

Motocycle accident image from Google

Should any reader of this entry found any hadith on prohibition to clip/cut fingernails at night and prohibition of sleeping after Subuh prayer; you are very welcome to quote it in your comment to this post.. Please!
Many thanks to Yohteh's for his comments which include ...Malay readers are urged share the readings .. on clipping fingernails .. here and on sleeping after subuh ..here

Have a wonderful day..