AlQur'an 034.039 - .....nothing do ye spend in the least (in His cause) but He replaces it: for He is the Best of those who grant Sustenance. Al-Quran 049.012: O you who believe! avoid most of suspicion, for surely suspicion in some cases is a sin, and do not spy nor let some of you backbite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, surely Allah is Oft-returning (to mercy), Merciful.
Friday, March 25, 2011
10 wills and 10 principles of Hassan Al-Banna
Sunday, March 20, 2011
A no-no with children
I was exchanging banters with my folks (my elder sister, my wife, my niece, my daughter and my mother) in Seberang Baroh when my sister recalled that our mother told her when we were small that she found my sister in Kampuong Batu Hampar whereas your truly was found in Kampung Bukit Titi. Both kampung are in close vicinity of kampung Manir, Kuala Terengganu. The story was confirmed by our mother.. She recalled saying those things when she cannot cope with our antics.. ” buas and barrok” (Trengganu-speaks for wild and naughty ).
My sister always (until she was 11 years old, at least) thought that she was an adopted daughter and yours truly was, however, too young and insensitive to be bothered by that “found in Bukit Titi” story.
Then my niece recounted a story that yours truly always told her that she (daughter of my elder sister) is engaged to yours truly, she was 10 years old then. The niece, now, a happily married lady, told us that she hated me whenever I visit her mother.. she would be wide awake at night.. asking herself whether she have to be married even though she was only 10 years old.. she did not dare to ask her mother .. this goes on for quite some time until an ustazah (a lady religious teacher) told her that her uncle cannot marry her ..
bread vendor by scalerman from trekearth
Then she relates a story that her mother told her that her elder sister was given to the family by a Chinese friend when she was young baby.. the reason for the sister’s fair skin.. and that she herself was given away to the family by an Indian bread seller.. the reason for her dark skin. The niece went on and told us that she always told her friends at school that she and her sister were actually adopted children.
My better half recounted her story about her niece being told that she was given to the family by an Indian handyman when she was quite small. Later she was told that a particular Indian man who came to the kampong as her father.. The niece would always be on the lookout for that particular Indian man and when he was around she would approach him with her smile.. looking kindly at him without as much as saying a word.
Then, out of the blue, my sister talked about a day when my mother was bantering with my niece about “the so-called Indian parent”. Sometimes later, an old Indian man was seen in close vicinity .
My niece said “Here come your husband, grandma...”
“Ah there goes you grandpa” my mother quipped almost instantly..
Here is to hoping that we are given the courage and guidance not to repeat others mistakes.
Have a good day.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Talking ..it
I thought I felt very generous today.. I feel like I will share two stories with my readers.. however, weird the title may be..
Tok Kenali (seated extreme left) with Pendeta Za'aba- from Google
A well known Malay Ulama, Tok Kenali (1868-1933) has built “pondok school” (aptly named Pondok Kenali in Kampung Kenali) to teach religious subjects in close vicinity of his house in Kubang Kerian. As he has stayed in Mecca, the Muslim Holy Land for some 20 years to diligently study various branch of religion.. It was not long, that students as far as Johor, Perlis, Kedah,Patani, Indonesia and Cambodia came to learn from him. (for more detail you can read from http://traditionalislamblog.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/tok-kenali-his-life-and-contributions/)
His offspring also followed his lessons but being children, they tend to let loose their curiosity and playfulness, at some unappropriate time.
That does not escaped the watchful eyes of their mother who at one time told Tok Kenali..
“Abe.. ore dari pucok Kedoh nun maghi ngajji di pondok kito.. anok anok kito tu dok kube dale baroh”
“Dear Hubby.. People come from as far as Kedah to learn at our Pondok.. our sons are whiling away their time in a small pool of water (buffalo water hole)” Translation.
“Mung ni mek mace mace lah. Acu mung tengok tahi kambing bulat bulat tu.. mung getel ko sapo getel?”
“Darling wife.. you are so..so.. lah. Have a look at goat’s excretion.. they are in round pellets form.. was it you who fashioned it to be round or was it someone else?” Translation.
The other story is from a friend's e-mail that come with a title "A Little Girl on a Plane"..
but googling the title.
It seem that it has been told several times over ..
with the latest modification poking at Umno's MP..
some filthy modification I would say..
and I thought better of sharing it here..
(you can google the complete title should that interest you..) ..
hence this rather short post.
Have a good productive days ahead.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
A Good Story
An elderly man in Mumbai calls his son in New York and says,
'I hate to ruin your day son, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are getting a divorce; 35 years of marriage... and that much misery is enough!'
'Dad, what are you talking about?' the son screams.
'We can't stand the sight of each other any longer,' the old man says.
'We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Hong Kong and tell her!'
Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone.
'Like heck they're getting divorced,' she shouts, 'I'll take care of this.'
She calls Mumbai immediately, and screams at the old man, 'You are not getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then , don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR??' and she hangs up.
The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife.
'Okay', he says, 'It's all set. They're both coming for Deepavali and paying their own airfare!!'
MORAL:
No man / woman is busy in this world all 365 days.
The sky is not going to fall down if you take few days LEAVE and meet your dear ones.
OFFICE WORK IS NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE
and
MONEY MAKING IS NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Power Of Compassion
The word “compassion” is not just the quality of Holy Being or only right or possession of those who are religious be it the Buddhist, the Christian, the Muslim or Hindus. It is the common virtue and quality of human being. This quality in you will be covered out if you are bias on your own views and living. LaGuardia Airport, aerial view (photo from allgraphicsonline.com) LaGuardia airport is one of America 's busiest airports. It was named after Fiorella LaGuardia, the Mayor of New York City during the Great Depression and all of W.W.II. He was adored by many New Yorkers who took to calling him the "Little Flower," because he was so short and always wore a carnation in his lapel.He was a colorful character -- he rode the New York City fire trucks, raided city "speak easies" with the police department, took entire orphanages to baseball games, and when the New York newspapers went on strike, he got on the radio and read the Sunday funnies to the kids.
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Monday, March 7, 2011
Heart Disease: detection, treatment and prevention.
I have to admit my guilt of taking the liberty to post my complete note on heart disease from Medicalnet.com (wholesale pictures and notes, albeit some modification on alcohol consumption) for those readers (although not many from the comments received so far) who find it important to know this dreadful malady of modern living .. but then a promise is a promise.
A healthy heart works as an "electrical pump" and needs a strong blood supply to conduct electricity. People with heart disease, however, have a weak blood supply, so their hearts conduct electricity poorly. An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a noninvasive test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. An EKG takes approximately five minutes and is painless. Many other heart conditions can be diagnosed with an EKG, for example:-
abnormal heart rhythms, evidence of prior heart attack, evidence of an evolving heart attack, unstable angina, congenital heart abnormalities, evidence of abnormal blood electrolytes and evidence of inflammation of the heart (myocarditis, pericarditis).
Sometimes, if an electrocardiogram comes back normal, doctors will use stress tests to detect heart disease.
What is a stress test?
Symptoms of heart disease tend to show up when the person is exercising because that's when the heart needs a higher level of oxygen delivery. However, for a person with heart disease, the coronary arteries can't deliver the amount of oxygenated blood needed because of the coronary artery blockage. That's why stress tests require the patient to perform a strenuous activity under a doctor's supervision, such as walking or running on a treadmill. An EKG is taken of the person before, during, and after the stress tests. Stress tests have a 60%-70% accuracy rate for detecting blockages in the coronary arteries. If a patient is unable to walk on a treadmill, a stress test can be used with medication that mimics the physiology of exercise without the patient needing to walk, and the heart can be imaged with nuclear techniques or ultrasound, and this is as good as exercise.
Another test option is echocardiography, which uses sound waves to generate images of the heart.
What is echocardiography?
Doctors may want to use echocardiography to detect heart disease. Echocardiography uses sound waves to generate images of the heart. The test serves as a tool to see how well the heart muscle is functioning. A normal heart pushes at least 50%-60% of the blood in the ventricle out to the body when it beats. Echocardiography can show if the heart muscle is weaker than this, which could indicate heart disease.
Computerized tomography (CT) scans are used to show that heart disease is not present and that the coronary arteries are normal.
Why use computerized tomography tests (CT scans)?
Computerized tomography tests, also known as CT scans, take detailed images of blood vessels to show whether they have narrowed. In general, this test is used to show that heart disease is not present.
Coronary angiography via cardiac catheterization is considered the "gold standard" of heart disease tests.
What makes coronary angiography a superior test compared to the others?
During coronary angiography, doctors guide a catheter into the coronary arteries. Next, a small amount of radiographic contrast (a solution containing iodine, which is easily visualized with X-ray images) is injected into each coronary artery. X-ray images are then taken, which are called the angiogram. Angiographic images accurately reveal the extent and severity of all coronary arterial blockages.
Heart disease treatment is different for everyone.
There is no single treatment method for heart disease
Each person experiences heart disease differently, and no one treatment method works for everyone. A multi-faceted approach of dietary changes, lifestyle changes, exercise, and medications may be combined,, depending on the patient's individual situation and needs.
For some patients with heart disease, medications may be necessary.
What are some common medications used to treat heart disease?
Common heart disease medications can include:
beta blockers which reduce heart rate and blood pressure;
nitroglycerin, which dilates the coronary arteries, making it easier for blood to flow;
calcium channel blockers, which help slow the heart rate, allowing the heart to beat more efficiently;
ACE Inhibitors, which dilate blood vessels to increase blood flow and relieve stress on the heart; and statins, which reduce the number of lipids (found in cholesterol) in the blood to reduce the likelihood of plaque forming on the arteries.
When medications aren't enough, sometimes invasive procedures are used to help treat heart disease.
What are some of the procedures performed to treat heart disease?
The following are common procedures used to treat heart disease.
Coronary (balloon) angioplasty: A thin catheter is inserted into the blocked artery with a tiny balloon on the end. When the balloon is in the spot of the blockage, it is expanded to keep the artery open so blood can flow more freely, and the catheter is removed.
Stents: The insertion of a stent is similar to coronary angioplasty except that over the balloon is a small metallic tube (a stent) that stays in place to keep the artery open while the catheter and the balloon are removed.
Atherectomy: A drill-like device or laser cuts away the plaque covering the arteries.
Brachytherapy: Radiation is applied to the blockages to remove them from recurring after angioplasty.
Heart disease is a highly preventable and reversible disease. A healthy diet is a major factor in controlling heart disease.
Although heredity is a risk factor for heart disease, and an individual cannot control this factor, other factors can be modified to decrease the risk of heart disease. What you eat can reduce your chances of developing heart disease. A heart-healthy diet includes lots of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Chickpeas, beans, and soy products can help lower your cholesterol as well as olive oil, garlic, and avocados. Nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, and pecans, can boost "good" cholesterol (nuts are high in calories, so limit the amount you eat). Incorporate fish and seafood into your meals a few times a week. Also, try to avoid sweets.
Other lifestyle changes that can be made to help prevent heart disease include stop drinking alcohol and quitting smoking.
Lifestyle changes: Stop drinking alcohol and quitting smoking
Drinking alcohol and smoking has been linked to heart disease, so the sooner you quit, the better. In fact, after just three years of not smoking, your risk of developing heart disease becomes equal to that of a nonsmoker.
Exercise, controlling high blood pressure and diabetes, and taking daily aspirin are more ways to reduce your chances of developing heart disease.
Lower the risk of heart disease with exercise, aspirin, and by controlling high blood pressure and diabetes.
The following steps may help reduce your risk of heart disease.
Regular exercise strengthens the heart, lowers bad cholesterol (LDL), raises good cholesterol (HDL), and lowers blood pressure, The AHA recommends exercising at least 30 minutes of exercise at least three to five days a week.
Control high blood pressure and diabetes: If you have diabetes, keep blood sugars under control.
Take a low-dose aspirin daily; This can reduce your risk of heart attack.
Talk with your doctor before taking any new medications or starting an exercise program.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Heart Health
When plaque builds up to the point that it ruptures, it causes a blood clot to form in the coronary artery. The blood clot blocks blood from flowing to the heart muscle, leading to a heart attack. In a worst-case scenario, sudden cardiac arrest or fatal rhythm disturbance can occur.
What are the risk factors for heart disease?
Some of the common risk factors for
heart disease include- smoking,
- high blood pressure (hypertension),
- high cholesterol,
- diabetes,
- family history of heart disease,
- peripheral artery disease, and
- obesity.
One of the most devastating consequences of heart disease can be sudden cardiac arrest
Symptoms of heart disease usually occur during exercise or activity. That's because the heart experiences increased demand for nutrients and oxygen that cannot be met because the coronary arteries are blocked. Other symptoms of heart disease include
chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, jaw pain, and back pain, especially on the left side
Other symptoms of heart disease may include dizziness, weakness, irregular heartbeat, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Other symptoms of heart disease may include
- dizziness or light-headedness,
- weakness when at rest,
- irregular heartbeat,
- nausea, and
- abdominal pain.
Women, seniors, and people with diabetes tend to experience heart disease differently than men.
There are variety of tests to detect heart disease and it related treatments. Not to forget are some available means of control and lifestyle changes that can be made to prevent heart disease but that will another dig on this not so heart warming topic.
May Allah bless us all and keep us from suffering this dreadful disease.
Have a nice and productive days ahead.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Heart Attacks And Drinking Warm Water (updated)
The article is not only about drinking the warm water after your meal, but about Heart Attacks. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.
The picture is from MedicalNet.com
For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is very Harmful to have Cold Drink/Water during a meal. Because, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
French fries and Burgers are the biggest enemy of heart health. A coke after that gives more power to this demon. That are for those with western taste. On a similar note for us Malaysian, Roti Chanai (Pan cake of wheat flour fried using ghee or oil) and Nasi Lemak (Rice cooked with coconut milk) are the biggest enemy of heart health. A Teh Tarik (tea with milk -a Malaysian style concoction of sort) after that gives more ummph to the taste-bud and more power to this demon. Do try our level best to avoid them for our Heart's Health.
Common Symptoms Of Heart Attacks
A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.
A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this message sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life. Read this & Send to a friend. It could save a life... So, please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends you care about.
It was only yesterday, I went to visit a colleague who is recuperating from an open heart surgery conducted after a chest pain during a course of heart attack. I have yet to visit another colleague who have the misfortune of having a stroke while having an open heart surgery.
I think in this few years I have visited more than five close friends who have open heart operations. Most of them very eager to share their experience and I found out the medical term they used are out of my vocabulary.
I believe it is time for me to learn more about the heart attack.. next post maybe.
Important Notes from the Readers (precious input on the subject matter)
(thank you Puan Rosfida for sharing with us your precious personal experience)
Dah hampir sepuluh tahun tak minum air sejuk or ais (for about ten years I have not taken cold or iced drinks), and I do see the effects.
Sendi kurang sakit (less joint-pain),
perut kurang buncit (less protruding stomach),
gigi kurang sakit (sensitive teeth!)
(thank you VerseAnggerik for sharing with us your precious experience)