When You Are Down

Perchance you may have experienced  a strong feeling that whatever happened to you at some point of time was unique and has never been experienced by humankind. Experiences will tell you that whatever that seems so important/ significant today (loss, tragedy etc.) will be of small importance/ significance few months/years from now.

A teacher (ustaz) told his audience (jemaah) that there is basically no new  good deed or crime that has yet to be committed by human being.  The method and the execution might differ but general deed or misdeed remains the same. 

These statements, somehow, fascinate me. I searched my databank (or rather I racked my brain) to find out related incidences that can lead me to arrive at similar conclusion.

I can remember a few stories on misdeed committed in the past,  there is one story  that was rather cruel and remained stuck in my mind for quite sometimes. 

It  was about a man that worked with the Sultan, probably during the time before the British managed to install their advisor to the Sultan. Normally the man worked for 5 -6 days a week and came home on Thursday evening.  He was not feeling well that particular day and the palace was kind enough to let him off.

He went home and caught his wife  and her "friend" in the middle of an amorous activity in his bedroom. Being a man from silat circle he managed to quickly overpower his wife "friend" and rid him of his "tool". He then chased his wife around the village but by some chance the wife  has managed to elude him. He put the man's tool in the water bucket and brought it back to the palace to admit his crime.  

Water bucket

When I was a bit younger,  during the school holidays, I frequented a small wakaf (gazebo), a common meeting place for Pulau Duyong folks back in the 60's and 70's.

                 A Gazebo

There I normally met a few old folks talking about the weather and village's activities other than playing checkers (read Dam Aji). I recalled in one of those naughty conversations about couples conducting their amorous activities in the boats around the nipah palms in a few small rivers found on the island.

      A small river with Nipah palm

Adultery or infidelity has been in existence from time immemorial?

By the same token, loss (of property, life etc.) and tragedies are not new and unique. For Muslims there are few verses of AlQuran concerning this issue. The most familiar perhaps is the last verse of AlBaqarah (Heifer : 286)

Hopefully the above Quranic verse  will put you in better state of mind when you are down . 

Have a nice day.

Powerful Tips for the Last 10 Nights of Ramadhan

 This is a cut and paste post.. Tqvm Cheqna.  These tips are from Sheikh Tawfique Chowdhury.

1. Do not let your 'performance' until now affect your last 10 days. The moment of forgiveness could be today or anytime in the coming days! It is not all lost! If you sincerely wish it could have been better - Chin up and get ready to make it your best yet! Start with a positive, sincere intention!

2. Today, take a little time to read the Tafseer of Surah al-Qadr to understand what actually happens this night! You will feel its power & greatness so much more!

3. Do not wait for the 27th Night to give it your "all". The entire last 10 days should be your target. Stay up each night! Would you want to miss Laylatul Qadr even "by chance"?

4. Do not fall into any innovations/celebrations any masjid or culture might try to promote. Follow the Sunnah! The Prophet (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) guided us simply: "Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

5. Memorize and keep asking the dua' taught by Rasulullah (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam): Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).

6. Prepare a short dua' list. Remember this is as awesome as it ever gets for a servant of Allah! The Night of Qadr, of Destiny! Consciously pick each and everything you crucially wish for in this dunya, in your deen, family, and in your aakhirah! Don't forget to include the brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering and in grief!

7. Take brief naps during the day, if possible. Keep your stomach light and sleep as soon as you have prayed 'isha. Do not delay! After a brief nap, refresh yourself and get. ready for worship.

8. Don't neglect your family! Rasulullah made it a point to wake up his wives throughout these nights! And yes, your children are not too young to stay up some part of the night - if they can be allowed to play video games or watch TV, they can be inspired to be up atleast for sometime! Prepare them, make them excited, plan some activities for them to do!

 9. Look the Part: The way we dress and prepare.has a big effect on our psychology. Wear your best, perfume yourself, and feel the energy!

10. Choose a spot, whether in the Masjid or in your home, where you can have peace and solitude. Keep your mushaf, praying mat, and water at hand so that you are not distracted by constantly getting up for this or that.

11. IMP: This is not the night to tweet pics or update FB statuses about how amazing the night is and how you are feeling & worshipping Allah! Let that be a secret between you & your Rabb! So switch off those phones, wifi, laptops and computers. Disconnect with the world, and connect with al-'Afuww!

12. If you find yourself feeling sleepy, vary your acts of worship. Alternate between qiyaam, heartfelt dua'a, reading the Qur'an. Do not spend the night listening to lectures or recitations. Or do it only for a short while when you feel the sleep coming on!

13. Patience is the Key: The last 10 days might be tiring. You might still have work or school. This is the time to bear all that hardship, and keep firm sabr. Think how Allah has blessed you with this tremendous opportunity that might NEVER come again in your life again. If you knew for sure that this was your last Ramadan , if you knew certainly that Jannah was up for grabs, wouldn't you sprint for it no matter what it takes?

14. This is most important: Keep husn adh-dhann bi Allah (good expectations from Allah). When you ask, remember you are asking the Most Generous King. If you hope for the best, He will give you the best. Don't hold back. Trust in Him, pour out your heart in front of Him, and let no doubt, no barrier, no evil thoughts keep you away from ar-

Rahman, ar-Raheem!

Allahumma ballighna laylatal qadr..

KELEBIHAN NISFU SYAABAN

Artikel ini saya copy paste dari WhatsApp    Dipost oleh a friend DKN.. Untuk ingatan saya... Malam ini malam Jumaat 12 June 2014 difahamkan ialah malam Nisfu Syaaban

Nisfu Syaaban (Nisf bermaksud separuh) adalah peristiwa hari ke-15 dalam bulan Syaaban tahun Hijrah. Umat Islam mempercayai yang pada malam Nisfu Syaaban, amalan akan dibawa naik oleh Malaikat untuk ditukar dengan lembaran amalan yang baru setelah setahun berlalu. 

Pengertian am Nisfu Syaaban dalam bahasa Arab bererti setengah. Nisfu Syaaban bererti setengah bulan Syaaban. Malam Nisfu Syaaban adalah malam ke-15 Syaaban iaitu siangnya 14 haribulan Syaaban.

Dalam Raudatul Ulamak dan diriwayatkan bahawa Rasulullah SAW bersabda:

أَتَدْرُونَ لِمَ سُمِّيَ شَعْبَانَ؟ قَالُوا: اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمْ. قَالَ: ِلأَنَّهُ يَتَشَعَّبُ فِيهِ خَيْرٌ كَثِيرٌ.

Yang bermaksud, Tahukah kamu kenapa bulan ini dinamakan Syaaban? Para sahabat menjawab: Allah dan RasulNya mengetahui. 

Baginda bersabda: Ianya dinamakan demikian kerana bercabang-cabang dan banyak kebaikan padanya.

Firman Allah,

فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ.

Yang bermaksud, Pada malam yang berkat itu, dijelaskan (kepada malaikat) tiap-tiap perkara yang mengandungi hikmat serta tetap berlaku, (tidak berubah atau bertukar).

Al-Dukhaan: 4

‘Ikrimah dan sebahagian ulamak tafsir menjelaskan bahawa perkataan malam pada ayat ini bermaksud malam nisfu syaaban.

Di sini dinyatakan kelebihan malam nisfu Syaaban sebagaimana sabda Nabi saw,

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: إِذَا كَانَ لَيْلَةُ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَقُومُوا لَيْلَهَا وَصُومُوا نَهَارَهَا، فَإِنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَى يَنْزِلُ فِيهَا لِغُرُوبِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَى سَمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَيَقُولُ: أَلاَ مُسْـتَغْفِر فَأَغْفِر لَهُ، أَلاَ مَسْتَرْزق فَأَرْزُقهُ، أَلاَ مُبْتَلى فَأُعَافِيه، أَلاَ كَذَا، أَلاَ كَذَا حَتَّى يَطلعُ الفَجْر.

Yang bermaksud, Rasulullah saw telah bersabda: Apabila tiba malam Nisfu Syaaban maka kamu hidupkanlah malamnya dan kamu berpuasa di siang harinya, sesungguhnya Allah turun (hampir) padanya dari terbenam matahari ke langit dunia dan berfirman: Sekiranya terdapat orang yang memohon keampunan maka Aku ampunkannya, sekiranya terdapat orang yang meminta rezeki maka Aku beri rezeki kepadanya, sekiranya terdapat orang yang ditimpa bala maka Aku sejahterakannya, sekiranya begitu… sekiranya begini… sehinggalah terbitnya fajar. (Riwayat Ibnu Majah)

Sabda Rasulullah saw,

إِنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَنْزِلُ إِلَى سَمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا لَيْلَةَ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَيَغْفِرُ لأَكْثَرَ مِنْ شَعْرِ غَنَمِ بَنِى كَلْبٍ.

Yang bermaksud, Sesungguhnya Allah Azza wa Jalla turun ke langit dunia pada malam Nisfu Syaaban maka diberikannya keampunan terlebih banyak daripada bulu kambing Bani Kalb.

(Riwayat daripada Imam Ahmad, al-Tirmizi dan Ibnu Majah).

Terdapat pula dalam hadith yang diriwayatkan daripada Abu Hurairah r.a berkata: Rasulullah saw telah bersabda,

أَتَانِى جِبْرِيلُ لَيْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، وَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدٌ هَذِهِ لَيْلَةُ تُفْتَحُ فِيهَا أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَأَبْوَابُ الرَّحْمَةِ، فَقُمْ وَصَلِّ وَارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ وَيَدَيْكَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ. فَقُلْتُ يَا جِبْرِيلُ مَا هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةُ؟ فَقَالَ: هَذِهِ لَيْلَةُ تُفْتَحُ فِيهَا ثَلاَثُمائَةِ بَابٍ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ، فَيَغْفِرُ اللهُ تَعَالَى لِجَمِيعِ مَنْ لاَ يُشْرِكُ بِاللهِ شَيْئًا إِلاَّ مَنْ كَانَ سَاحِرًا أَوْ كَاهِنًا أَوْ مُشَاحِنًا أَوْ مُدْمِنَ خَمْرٍ أَوْ مُضِرًّا عَلَى الزِّنَا أَوْ آكِلَ الرِّبَا أَوْ عَاقَ الوَالِدَيْنِ أَوِ النَّمَّامِ أَوْ قَاطِعَ الرَّحِمِ، فَإِنَّ هَؤُلاَءِ لاَ يُغْفِرُ لَهُمْ حَتَّى يَتُوبُوا وَيَتْرُكُوا. فَخَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ عَلَيْهِ الصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلاَمُ فَصَلَّى وَبَكَى فِى سُجُودِهِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ: اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ عِقَابِكَ وَسَخَطِكَ وَلاَ أُحْصِى ثَنَاءً عَلَيْكَ أَنْتَ كَمَا أَثْنَيْتَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ فَلَكَ الحَمْدُ حَتَّى تَرْضَى.

Yang bermaksud, Jibril a.s pernah datang kepadaku pada malam Nisfu Syaaban seraya berkata: Wahai Muhammad, inilah malam yang dibuka padanya pintu-pintu langit dan pintu-pintu rahmat. Maka bangunlah kamu, bersolatlah dan angkatlah kepala dan kedua tanganmu ke langit. Maka aku bertanya: Wahai Jibril malam apakah ini? 

Maka jawabnya: Inilah malam yang dibuka padanya tiga ratus pintu rahmat, Allah mengurniakan keampunan bagi mereka yang tidak menyekutukan sesuatu dengan Allah dan rahmat ini tidak diberikan kepada tukang sihir, tukang tenung nasib, orang yang bermarah-marahan, orang yang kekal meminum arak, orang yang berzina, orang yang makan riba, orang yang derhaka kepada ibu bapanya, tukang mengadu domba dan orang yang memutuskan silaturrahim. Maka sesungguhnya mereka itu tidak diampunkan sehingga mereka bertaubat dan meninggalkan perbuatan tersebut. 

Lalu Nabi saw pun keluar dan bersolat sambil menangis dalam sujudnya dan diucapkannya: Sesungguhnya aku berlindung kepada Engkau daripada seksaan dan kemurkaanMu. 

Dan tidaklah aku dapat menghitung segala pujian kepadaMu, Engkau sebagaimana Engkau memuji diriMu sendiri maka bagiMu segala pujian sehingga Engkau redha.

Imam Syafi‘e berkata: Lima malam yang dimustajabkan doa ialah malam Jumaat, malam 2 hari raya, malam awal Rejab dan malam Nisfu Syaaban.

Daripada Saidina Umar Abdul Aziz r.a, beliau menulis kepada pegawainya di Basrah:

Bagi kamu empat malam yang istimewa dalam setahun. 

Pada malam tersebut Allah mengagihkan kerahmataNya sepenuhnya. Malam-malam itu ialah malam awal Rejab, malam Nisfu Syaaban, malam Idul Fitri dan malam Idul Adha.

Apabila tiba bulan Rejab, Rasulullah saw berdoa dengan doa ini,

اَللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِى رَجَب وَشَعْبَانَ وَبَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَانَ

Justeru, pada Nisfu Syaaban kita digalakkan untuk berpuasa di siangnya serta menghidupkan malamnya dengan memperbanyakkan ibadah seperti membaca al-Quran, beristighfar dan melakukan solat sunat. Kemudian mohonlah doa supaya diampunkan segala dosa, ditutup sebarang keaiban, dimurahkan rezeki dan dimudahkan segala kesusahan.

KAIFIYYAT MEMBACA DOA MALAM NISFU SYAABAN

Membaca surah Yasin tiga kali, tiap-tiap satu kali bacaan Yasin, dibaca satu kali doa.

1. Bacaan pertama dengan meminta dipanjangkan umur.

2. Bacaan kedua dengan niat menolak bala.

3. Bacaan ketiga dengan niat terkaya daripada manusia.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

وَصَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى سَـيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَسَلَّمَ، اَللَّهُمَّ يَا ذَاالمَنِّ وَلاَ يَمُنُّ عَلَيْهِ يَا ذَاالجَلاَلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ، يَا ذَاالطَّوْلِ وَالإِنْعَامِ، لاَ اِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ ظَهْرَ اللاَّجِينَ وَجَارَ المُسْـتَجِيرِينَ وَمَأْمَنَ الخَائِفِينَ، اَللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ كَتَبْـتَنِي عِنْدَكَ فِى أُمِّ الكِتَابِ شَقِيًّا أَوْ مَحْرُومًا أَوْ مَطْرُودًا أَوْ مُقْـتَرًّا عَلَيَّ فِى الرِزْقِ فَامْحُ اللَّهُمَّ بِفَضْلِكَ شَقَاوَتِي وَحِرْمَانِي وَطَرْدِي وَاقْتِتَارِ رِزْقِي وَأَثْبِتْـنِي عِنْدَكَ فِى أُمِّ الكِتَابِ سَعِيدًا مَرْزُوقًا مُوَفِّقًا لِلْخَيْرَاتِ فَإِنَّكَ قُلْتَ وَقَوْلُكَ الحَقُّ المُنَزَّلُ عَلَى لِسَانِ نَبِيَّكَ المُرْسَلِ يَمْحُوا اللهُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيُثَبِّتُ وَعِنْدَهُ أُمُّ الكِتَابِ اِلَهِي بِالتَّجَلِّى الأَعْظَمِ فِى لَيْلَةِ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ المُكَرَّمِ الَّتِى يُفْرَقُ فِيهَا كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ وَيُبْرَمُ، أَسْـأَلُكَ أَنْ تَكْشِفَ عَنَّا مِنَ البَلاَءِ مَا نَعْلَمُ وَمَا لاَ نَعْلَمُ وَمَا أَنَتَ بِهِ أَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ الأَعَزُّ الأَكْرَمُ، وَصَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالَى سَـيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَسَلَّمَ.

Rujukan:

Kitab al-Nafahat al-Nuraniyyah fi Fadhail al-Ayyam wa al-Layali wa al-Syuhur al-Qamariyah.

Wallahua'alam.

How to Convert to Islam and Become a Muslim

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The word “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background. Becoming a Muslim is a simple and easy process that requires no pre-requisites. One may convert alone in privacy, or he/she may do so in the presence of others.

If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has full conviction and strong belief that Islam is the true religion of God, then, all one needs to do is pronounce the “Shahada”, the testimony of faith, without further delay. The “Shahada” is the first and most important of the five pillars of Islam.

With the pronunciation of this testimony, or “Shahada”, with sincere belief and conviction, one enters the fold of Islam.

Upon entering the fold of Islam purely for the Pleasure of God, all of one’s previous sins are forgiven, and one starts a new life of piety and righteousness. The Prophet said to a person who had placed the condition upon the Prophet in accepting Islam that God would forgive his sins:

“Do you not know that accepting Islam destroys all sins which come before it?” (Saheeh Muslim)

When one accepts Islam, they in essence repent from the ways and beliefs of their previous life. One need not be overburdened by sins committed before their acceptance. The person’s record is clean, and it is as if he was just born from his mother’s womb. One should try as much as possible to keep his records clean and strive to do as many good deeds as possible.

The Holy Quran and Hadeeth (prophetic sayings) both stress the importance of following Islam. God states:

“...The only religion in the sight of God is Islam...” (Quran 3:19)

In another verse of the Holy Quran, God states:

“If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (their selves in the Hellfire).” (Quran 3:85)

In another saying, Muhammad, the Prophet of God, said:

“Whoever testifies that there in none worthy of being worshipped but God, Who has no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and Prophet, and that Jesus is the Slave of God, His Prophet, and His word[1] which He bestowed in Mary and a spirit created from Him; and that Paradise (Heaven) is true, and that the Hellfire is true, God will eventually admit him into Paradise, according to his deeds.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

The Prophet of God, may the blessing and mercy of God be upon him, also reported:

“Indeed God has forbidden to reside eternally in Hell the person who says: “I testify that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah (God),’ seeking thereby the Face of God.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

The Declaration of the Testimony (Shahada)

To convert to Islam and become a Muslim a person needs to pronounce the below testimony with conviction and understanding its meaning:

I testify “La ilah illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah.”

The translation of which is:

“I testify that there is no true god (deity) but God (Allah), and that Muhammad is a Messenger (Prophet) of God.”

To hear it click here or click on “Live Help” above for assistance by chat.

When someone pronounces the testimony with conviction, then he/she has become a Muslim.  It can be done alone, but it is much better to be done with an adviser through the “Live Help” at top, so we may help you in pronouncing it right and to provide you with important resources for new Muslims.

The first part of the testimony consists of the most important truth that God revealed to mankind: that there is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Almighty God. God states in the Holy Quran:

“We did not send the Messenger before you without revealing to him: ‘none has the right to be worshipped except I, therefore worship Me.’” (Quran 21:25)

This conveys that all forms of worship, whether it be praying, fasting, invoking, seeking refuge in, and offering an animal as sacrifice, must be directed to God and to God alone. Directing any form of worship to other than God (whether it be an angel, a messenger, Jesus, Muhammad, a saint, an idol, the sun, the moon, a tree) is seen as a contradiction to the fundamental message of Islam, and it is an unforgivable sin unless it is repented from before one dies. All forms of worship must be directed to God only.

Worship means the performance of deeds and sayings that please God, things which He commanded or encouraged to be performed, either by direct textual proof or by analogy. Thus, worship is not restricted to the implementation of the five pillars of Islam, but also includes every aspect of life. Providing food for one’s family, and saying something pleasant to cheer a person up are also considered acts of worship, if such is done with the intention of pleasing God. This means that, to be accepted, all acts of worship must be carried out sincerely for the Sake of God alone.

The second part of the testimony means that Prophet Muhammad is the servant and chosen messenger of God. This implies that one obeys and follows the commands of the Prophet. One must believe in what he has said, practice his teachings and avoid what he has forbidden. One must therefore worship God only according to his teaching alone, for all the teachings of the Prophet were in fact revelations and inspirations conveyed to him by God.

One must try to mold their lives and character and emulate the Prophet, as he was a living example for humans to follow. God says:

“And indeed you are upon a high standard of moral character.” (Quran 68:4)

God also said:

“And in deed you have a good and upright example in the Messenger of God, for those who hope in the meeting of God and the Hereafter, and mentions God much.” (Quran 33:21)

He was sent in order to practically implement the Quran, in his saying, deeds, legislation as well as all other facets of life. Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, when asked about the character of the Prophet, replied:

“His character was that of the Quran.” (As-Suyooti)

To truly adhere to the second part of the Shahada is to follow his example in all walks of life. God says:

“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘If you (really) love God, then follow me.’” (Quran 3:31)

It also means that Muhammad is the Final Prophet and Messenger of God, and that no (true) Prophet can come after him.

“Muhammad is not the father of any man among you but he is the Messenger of God and the last (end) of the Prophets and God is Ever All-Aware of everything.” (Quran 33:40)

All who claim to be prophets or receive revelation after Muhammad are imposters, and to acknowledge them would be tantamount to disbelief.

We welcome you to Islam, congratulate you for your decision, and will try to help you in any way we can.

---

Footnotes:

[1] God created him through His statement, “Be!”

Alfatihah untukmu sahabat

Maulidirasul mengingatkan aku tarikh pergi seorang sahabat yang kami banggakan dizaman persekolahan kami.
Captain itulah gelarannya, ketua pasukan bolasepak sekolah yang buat julung kalinya merupakan pelajar sekolah yang pertama terpilih untuk mewakili pasukan bola Negeri Sembilan.
Inilah nukilan saya mengenai peristiwa itu, nukilan yang di abadikan dalam memento Sdarian 67-74

Alfatihah untukmu sahabat

12 RabiulAwwal
Tahun 2003 Masehi
Takkan ku lupa
Tarikh keramat ini
Kunjungan terakhirmu
ke Kuala Mangga
Sungai Mangga
Royal Belum

12 RabiulAwwal
Tahun 2003 Masehi
Takkan ku lupa
Tarikh keramat ini
Kunjungan pertamaku
Ke Lubuk Dua Beradik
Sungai Sara
Royal Belum

Entah kenapa
Sewaktu engkau menghadapi
Kegawatan detik akhirmu
Aku terpijak ular
Dan sebatang gigiku
Gugur di Sungai Sara

Ketika airmata Zul Black
Berderai menimpa pipimu
Di tepi Sungai Mangga
Aku masih terkinja
Mengintai Tengas
Ikan kegemaranmu

Sembila purnama
Sepeninggalanmu
Aku ke Sungai Mangga
Mencari bekas dan jejakmu
Di Kuala Mangga
Lubuk kegemaranmu

Kuala Mangga mu
Tidak seindah dulu
Banyak lori hantu
Menodai tepiannya
Pacuan empat roda
Turut menggagahinya
Pukat, jaring dan jala
Bermata satu inci
Tuba, bom dan bateri
Bersantai didasarnya
Merobek segala
Cucu cicit dan puit
Tengas kesayanganmu

Bersemadilah engkau sahabatku
Dalam redha Ilahi
Ketahuilah juara tengasku
Takkan aku termampu
Menjaga warisanmu
Dan tengas kesayanganmu
Di Kuala Mangga

Wan Sharif 19 Mei 2004

Alfatihah untukmu Captain @ Zainal Abidin Shaari
sempena pemergianmu tanggal 14 Mei 2003.

3 (not so) Easy Habits to a Healthy Lifestyle

I could not recall (and as such could not give credit to the writer) from where I took this article. I do hope my reader can gain something from this and do remember that there should be 'with Allah will' at some points. The picture is from the face book, courtesy of my good friend, Prof Bidin Yatim.
Now that the new year is approaching, maybe it is a good time to start living a healthy lifestyle as promoted by our beloved RasululLah pbuh.
There has never been a time in human history where you can live longer and live better than you can today. Incredible advances in pharmaceuticals, medicine and healthcare enable people to overcome disease and illness and continue to thrive well into their 70s and 80s. Perhaps the largest growing demographic group in America today is people who are 90 and 100 years old, or more. Your job is to join this group and to be fit and healthy all the days of your life.
For almost the entire history of the human race, longevity was a matter of accident or coincidence. Today longevity is a matter of design and choice. You can actually decide today to enjoy superb levels of physical health, and by developing specific health habits, you can assure that you live longer and better than has been possible for any other generation in human history.

1. Choose to Be Healthy and Fit
The first habit for you to develop is the habit of achieving and maintaining your proper weight. More than 40% of Malaysians today are officially classified as “obese.” This means that they are more than 20% above their ideal weight, based on height and weight charts. Even worse, there are many millions who are officially classified as “morbidly obese.” This means that they are 40% and 50% above their ideal weights. They are in danger of dying from being so overweight.
Everything you are, and ever will be, is the result of your choices and decisions. If you want to change some aspect of your life, you have to make new choices and new decisions, and then you must discipline yourself to follow-through on your decisions.
Being overweight is very much a matter of choice. No one can eat for you but yourself. No one can put the food into your mouth for you. You only eat as the result of your own decisions and your own actions. Anyone who is overweight is in that condition because they have been unable to restrain themselves in the presence of food for a very long time.
The only way to achieve your proper weight is to develop the habit of eating less and exercising more each day and each week. But just as it takes you months and years to become overweight, it takes you many months to get rid of the weight once you make that decision.
It is not easy to lose weight. This is because you develop automatic habits of eating that are hard to break. You get into a rhythm of eating certain foods – morning, noon and night. You become accustomed to eating snacks between meals, and to overeating in the evening. It is not easy to break these habits, but it is definitely possible. This is your goal.

2. Eat the Right Foods
The second habit you need to develop for long life full of health and fitness is the habit of eating a proper diet. You have to develop the habit of eating the right foods, in the right proportions, at the right times.
Everyone knows that they should eat a more balanced diet, containing more fruits, vegetables and whole grain products. In addition to this basic principle, there are several things that you can do to modify your diet, and develop the habits of good nutrition, which will lead to a combination of weight loss and higher levels of energy and fitness.
In addition to eating a peak performance diet to achieve rapid weight loss and improved functioning, you should develop the habit of eliminating the “three white poisons” from your die, which are salt, sugar, and flour. This change in your diet is so simple and yet so powerful that every one of my students who tries it is absolutely amazed at how quickly they get noticeable results.

3. Get Lots of Exercise and Rest
The third habit you need to develop is the habit of effective exercise. Many people stop exercising in their late teens and early twenties, even people who were active in sports when they were growing up. However, the human body, made up of 610 muscles, is meant to be exercised regularly throughout your life.
Develop the habit of articulating and moving every joint in your body, every single day. This keeps your muscles and joints agile and flexible. Regular exercise assures that you have greater balance and mobility. It helps to diminish the likelihood of muscle or joint pain or problems.
Develop the habit of exercising 200 minutes each week. If all you did were to go for a walk, 30 minutes per day, seven days per week, you would be one of the fittest people in our society. If you disciplined yourself to ride an exercise bicycle, work out on a treadmill, swim, jog or engage in any aerobic exercises that get your lungs and heart pumping, you will dramatically improve your levels of health and energy in a short period of time.
The next habit that you need for superb all around health is the habit of proper rest. You need seven to eight hours of sleep each night for optimal performance. If you get less than six to seven hours of sleep per night, and you continue to work as hard as you normally do at your job, you will eventually develop a “sleep deficiency.”
You can change the way you feel about yourself, and your performance in your work and personal life, by developing the habit of going to bed early, by 10:00 pm each night and getting a good night’s sleep every night of the week.

May you, my friends, be blessed with the will power and courage to stay fit and healthy.

A note on worldly life - Part 1

This is a note taken from a tazkirah at the main mosque in my area.. Masjid Al-Ubudiah, Kampung Ampang Tasik and the teacher - Ustaz  Shahril Long, one of my favorite teacher who can quote the verse from the book (almost at will). For the lack of time I am going to partition the tazkirah's note to 3 parts.

The worldly life is nothing but illusory enjoyment (003:185)
Human beings may be disillusioned by worldly life on three matters or ways:-

1. worldly wealth
2. Worldly position
3. Worldly power

1. Worldly Wealth

One who has worldly wealth is exemplified by Qarun, who when asked how do he got to be so rich.. His answer to the question is recorded in the Book.

He said "This is given to me because of the knowledge (I have) with me".028:078

He has been disillusioned by his wealths and has become arrogant.

The danger of being wealthy are illustrated in :-

 Should Allah expand His provision to His servants ( to full extent), they would spread mischief on the earth..042:027

 In fact, man crosses the limit. He deem himself to be free of needs..096: 006-007

by no means!(can he ransoms himself out). It is a raging fire that will pull out the skin of the scalp. It will call him who had turn his back and fled away (from the truth) and accumulated (wealth) and hoarded (it).070: 015-018

The end of man disillusioned by worldly wealth is recorded as:-
We made him and his home sink into the earth. So there was no group for him who can help him against Allah nor was he one of those who can defend themselves.028:081


Happy new year (Selamat menyambut Awwal Muharram)

Awal Muharram

Sebagai peringatan untuk diri Doa akhir tahun untuk dibaca selepas solat asar, 14 hb November 2012.

Doa awal tahun untuk di baca selepas solat maghrib,  14 hb November 2012.

Semuga Barakah, Rahmah dan Maghfirah Allah bersama anda sepanjang tahun

Tanpa suara dan wajah

Masih jauh rasanya
Perjalanan hidup ini
Semakin suci niatnya
Mencari redha ilahi

Makin longlai langkahnya
Menyusuri lembah ini
Tanpa suara pintanya
Bahkan wajah sekali

Telah terasa goyahnya
Sesekali terpesong begini
Kurang mengerti pangkalnya
Menyusuri laluan jerih ini

Kenapa begini payah
Mencari sedikit cinta
Tanpa kelibat wajah
Serta lunaknya suara

Bermujahadah lah ya akhi
Mengejar cinta suci abadi
Bercahayakan redha ilahi
Mungkinkah tergapai disini

Suruhan cinta kepada anbiya
Suruhan cinta kepada ilahi
Tanpa wajah dan suara
Miripkah cinta segila ini

Akan setiakah kau menanti?

Tazkirah - my notes

It seems that there were few events that have been weighing the mind of many religious teachers(ustazs/ustazahs) during the last few days of fasting month (Ramadhan in 2012).
picture from I love Islam.com

On the night following the second day of Ramadhan after Isya Prayer, someone was said to be arrested for giving Tazkirah in AlRahman Mosque, a mosque in close vicinity of University Malaya .

Then there was a recent call for the need to curtail the tazkirah activity...

There are also Muslim who wrote pages to Imam and teacher complaining that tazkirah is unneccessary since there is already Terawih prayer during the Ramadhan.

An ustaz gave a Tazkirah on this subject matter in musolla DarusSalam in my Taman Bukit Teratai, Cheras the other night.

Verse 29 suratul Insan (076:029). Indeed, this is a reminder(tazkirah); so let anyone who so wishes, adopt a way to his lord.

Tazkirah is a command from Allah...
As AlQuran is guidance for human being, anyone who aim for Allah Pleasure and anyone who believe Allah's promise needs Tazkirah.
Verse 9 to 12 of Suratul A'la (087:009 -087:012)
009 :so extend advice/reminder (to people), if advice/reminder is useful
010 :the one who fears will observe the advice/reminder
011 :it will be avoided by the most wretched/unfortunate one
012 :who will enter the biggest fire

From above we can see that tazkirah is obligatory and useful for those who believe and fear Allah. It was said that Prophet's friends asked for Tazkirah .. One of Prophet's miracle is that he knew his friends strength and weakness, their character.. even their walking style ..as told that during mikhraj.. when the Prophet asked Gabriel whether the sound he heard is the sound that came from the sound of his friend, Bilal walking.

The ayah 011 and 012 are self-explanatory.

So going back to the incident at the AlRahman Mosque above.. can you imagine what will happen to the one who reported the Tazkirah and the one who actually arrested the ustaz who gave the tazkirah.

Verse 21 surah Alghasiyah 088:021 So continue to give tazkirah, for you are a tazkirah giver.
It seems that Allah has declared the prophet is a giver of Tazkirah.

Verse 11 of Surah Albaqorah (002:119) Surely, we have sent you with the truth, as a bearer of good tidings and a warner and you will not be asked about the people of Hell.

Verse 2 of Surah AlAnkabut (029:002) Do people think that they will be left ( at ease) only on their saying "we believe"; and they not be put to any test?
From all the argument above, I guess that in all probability, that IT IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT for a Muslim to avoid or detest Tazkirah.

Have a good day

My Beloved

I was busy chasing rainbows.. now that I have 'lost' 3 trusted team members due to some realignment and yet to lose another one soon due to someone powerful (?) enough to enforce a policy that was rather unnatural... 'you cannot marry somebody from the same organization'!?
My usual reason for resorting to my normal act of posting something from the internet. You might have come across this but I think it is good enough for me to document it for my future reading. Hope you like it ;)



There was a time in my youth,
When Islam was only a custom.
They said “say there is no diety except God,..
And pray, you’ll go to Heaven.”

Ah, how simple, no struggle in this,
Just a word, and simple act.
Thereafter I’m absorbed in this world again,
With my ‘assured’ place in Paradise intact.

But this was not to be my fate
For ALLAH chose to guide my heart.
I learnt of a man who struggled so hard
When his mission was from the start.

The story of someone who had morals,
Spoke gently, kindness he knew.
Never fearing to say what’s right,
His conviction in ISLAM was true.

The touch of his hand was as soft as silk
To comfort a crying child.
To mend his clothes, or do the chores,
Never complaining, he always smiled.

His smell was always of musk,
And cleanliness he kept at his best.
Stark contrast with the heroes of today,
Who stink of beer and sweat.

He held the hands of his companions.
Unashamed to play with many children.
So modest, so humble, a perfect example,
That strangers could not recognise him.

His eyes slept little for nights were precious,
His prayers he treasured much greater.
To pray in the depths of night,
Seeking forgiveness, and nearness to his Creator.

He broke his tooth for me at Uhud,
And bled for me at Ta’if.
He cried for me, tears of concern,
Just so I could have this belief.

His enemies admired his teachings,
Uniting every religion, every clan.
Till ISLAM came to every corner of the world,
O, but indeed he was only a man.

To own a house, or build his wealth
Was not his main priority.
To establish ISLAM was more essential,
To bring us under a Higher Authority.

Don’t you want him to plea for your case,
When before ALLAH-The Judge-you stand?
Don’t you wish to be around his fountain,
A burning desire to drink from his hand?

So I love him more than all creation,
My Leader, my Humble Prophet.
Muhammad (SAWS) was a mercy to all mankind,
And to me, he is MY BELOVED !


To all Malaysian.. happy independence day

Romancing Rocks

I was busy planning this fact finding geological fieldtrip in Labuan and Bintulu from 13 July until 20 July 2012. The purpose of the trip was to collect data required for us to prepare a "Guidebook" for future fieldtrips. Although numerous fieldtrips have been conducted in these two areas, we have promised our management that this field trip would relates more to our daily work as three of us are involve on the subject matter on daily basis.

I am only showing you a few pictures of our three days stay in Labuan in this post because I thought you might get bored with too much rocks. Maybe I will put up more similar posts and pictures later.

Please note that these picture are considered an intellectual property of my friend, Mr Yap, and any use of them for any purpose is strictly prohibited. i.e. you have to get my permission to use them.

On my way back at Tg Layang Layangan beach.
Yes! we do worked till sunset ;)


At Kg Ganggarak.


Now! what happens to the Ophiomorpha?.


Cuestas near Bethune head.


Los conquistadores de las cuestas

At Tanjong Kubong


Figuring the waves action at Tanjong Kubong


Now! how do these sand beds get to be vertical?


At Layang-Layangan beach


Near Tanjung Layang-Layangan


"Kelaparan - Jalan jalan cari makan"

For Muslim friends.. Selamat berpuasa di Ramadhan yang Mulia.
Have a nice weekend to all.

Life's manual? -part 1

I was pleasantly surprised, the other day, to note that one of my junior at school who used to be my badminton partner, Ustaz(teacher) Shafiee Muhammad Amin, was delivering a tazkirah at Surau Al Muhsinin, level 2T in Tower 1, Petronas Twin Tower, KLCC. Last Thursday, my developer friend, Haji H, called me to attend Ustaz Shafiee’s Quranic class at Surau Jamilah (named after Haji H’s mother) in Merdeka Villa, Ampang.

Note: Non-Muslim readers are much-welcomed to read but may find the content is a tad too "Islamic".

The class is a once a monthly affair and Ustaz Shafiee is known to go by one verse (ayah) per session. That days’ program was on the first verse of the first surah (AlFatihah). The teacher, however felt that he should go into an introduction so as to make the attendees better understand his approach.

He started his class by going into how Allah has introduces Himself in verse 007.180
For Allah there are most beautiful names. So, call Him by them and leave those who blaspheme His names. They shall be recompensed for what they have been doing.

The teacher said that we should call Him for most if not all our major need for example:-
· Decision making - Ya Hadi
· Short of sustenance (rezqi) -Ya Razzaq
· In fear – Ya Hafizd

The word “call Him” is the supplication (du’a) which is defined by the Book in verse 002.186
When My servants ask you about Me, then (tell them that) I am very near; I respond to the call of one when he prays to Me; so they should respond to Me, and have faith in Me, so that they might be on the right path.
He told the class that du’a is obedience as words in italics above signify.

He further elaborated
· that good life is defined by life of taqwa or compliance.
· Receiving merits, bonus and elevated to higher rank/position can be a burden
· That health is not a rezeqi as health is given for us so that we can be obedient to Him.

That whatever is given can be taken away.. and should that happen we should not despair as written in 057.023
So that you may neither grieve on what has escaped you, nor over-exult on what He has given to you. Allah does not love any vainglorious boaster:

He looked into the definition of rezqi(sustenance)in AlQuran and concluded it as whatever that is given that make us obey Allah i.e. amal soleh(good deed).

The teacher said that “amal soleh opens up the door of rezqi”.
He relates amal soleh as life currency as per verse 016:97
Whoever, male or female, has acted righteously, while being a believer, We shall certainly make him live a good life, and shall give them a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.

To turn our daily activities to amal soleh (good deed); the activities has to fulfill two criteria
· Sincerely performed
· Accordance to Al-Quran and as-Sunnah.

While the opposite of amal soleh is sin, an activity that is either
· Not sincerely performed
· Not in accordance to Al-Quran and as-Sunnah.

He told us to be careful about sin as “sin opens up the door of disaster”.
A bombshell of sort..

· The teacher further stressed that one of the common sin committed by most Muslim (that they are sometimes unaware of) is not learning to read the Al-Quran since:-
a) To acquire ilmu Al Quran (knowledge, skill etc.) is fardhu ain (obligatory on every Muslim.
b) To read Al Quran properly, we have to follow what the Book told us how.. tartil (with proper tajwid, makhraj etc).

· We should refer to Al Quran to live our life if we believed that Al Quran was sent by Allah as a Muslim living manual, just as we should send our car to the manufacturer or its agents (who follow the manual) for service or excellent repair work.


Have a nice weekend..

Birthday and Anniversary Bliss

Have a productive week ahead dearest friends.

Makan makan at the office

Today we organised an office lunch to celebrate the success of two of our exploration wells. I was happy as one of them is the one that my team has drilled at the start of 2012. All geoscientists and non geoscientists working on Malaysian acreages was invited to join in the thankgiving celebration of Peninsular Malaysia Exploration team (XPM).
I was caught by surprise when a cake was put up for the XPM staff that celebrate birthdays in May, more so because we already have one earlier...rumours has it that one satisfied customer (read boss) has used his own money to show his appreciation.. Alhamdulillah..
You can see that a small part of the cake has been consumed by one hungry birthday boy even before a picture can be taken. Burpps! I am getting older.
Have a nice day..

Am I a collaborator?

I only worked two days for the week of 30 April to 4th May.. On the 1st May my son came back with not so good news that our toyota's air conditioner has gone kaput..

2nd May saw me taking unrecorded leave ( by virtue that I worked during the weekend 21 and 22 of April ;)). I went to my foreman Ah Lai (of Ampang under the big tree fame) who recommended a friend about 200 meters from his workshop..

The compressor was found to be broken ( due to one filter that has been overlooked.. Thus putting much strain on the compressor) and need to be replaced.. Chemical cleaning agent has to be used to clean the whole system so as to avoid further complication apart from replacing all air conditioner filters.. That made me poorer by some RM 2400..

We have Friday, 4th May as an off day, a replacement for Wesak day that falls on Saturday. I went to service my mini .. and the whole thing cost me some RM 450.. I was told that the car airconditioner need to be serviced at least once every two years.. I have the feeling that the mini parts might be a lil bit more expensive than that of the toyota, hence the reason for back to back visit to car air conditioner workshop.

I took a bus trip home that Friday as there were at least nine cars waiting to be serviced at the workshop and the work on the mini was expected to be completed at 5 p.m. that day.

picture from lfslessonsasia.com

I gave the fare of one ringgit requested by the bus conductor, he took it off my hand without giving me the ticket.. I thought of doing some light reading on the bus but the incident of not getting the ticket was too heavy on my mind.. Am I considered a collaborator to a bad deed?.. due to the fact that I know the conductor is taking my money for his own good rather than giving the money to the bus company.. How do I handle it without creating a commotion?.. The conductor can always say that I did not pay up and get me kicked off the bus.

So I called the conductor and asked him to give me a ticket for my journey and I will gladly give him a ringgit for him to keep.. He was not very pleased but he gave me the ticket without taking the extra ringgit offered.

Alhamdulillah..

Have a nice day.

Today I taught my child

I am in the middle of completing reports on the three exploration wells drilled recently coupled with monitoring an ongoing seismic survey program. I am also grappling with Early Production System and development planning for the recent oil and gas discoveries apart from the normal hectic struggle of producing more well proposals to fulfill country's insatiable thirst for new oil and gas resource replacement.
Have to resort to the similar trick for this entry, again thanks to Zubia Kiran. I had been pressured to spank my children for quite sometime now, the only thing that hold me is the thought that I might be directly responsible for their behaviour.. the raisson d'etre for this entry. A post that I would like to dedicate to all mothers, aunties, fathers, uncles, teachers, kindhearted & tireless volunteers and those who are fortunate enough to have direct contact with children.

When I got mad today and hit my child
"For his own good, " I reconciled,
and then I realized my plight...
Today, I taught my child to fight.

When interrupted by the phone,
I said, "tell them I'm not home."
And then I thought, and had to sigh...
Today I taught my child to lie.

I told the tax man what I made,
forgetting cash that was paid,
And then I blushed at this sad feat...
Today I taught my child to cheat.

I smugly copied a cassette,
To keep me from one more debt,
But now the bells of shame must peal...
Today I taught my child to steal.

Today I cursed another race,
Oh God, protect what I debase,
for now, I fear it is too late...
Today I taught my child to hate.

By my example, children learn
That I must lead in life's sojourn
In such a way they are led
By what is done and not what is said.

Today I gave my child his due
Praise for him instead of rue.
And now I have begun my guide;
Today I gave my child his pride.

I now have reconciled and paid
to IRS all that I have made.
And now I know that this dear youth,
Today has learned from me the truth.

The alms I give are not for show,
And yet, this child must surely know
That charity is worth the price:
Today he saw my sacrifice.

I clasp within a warm embrace
My neighbour of another race.
The great commandment from the above.
Today I taught my child to love.

Someday my child must face alone
This fearsome undertone,
But I have blazed a sure pathway:
Today I taught my child to pray.

It is Friday.. have a great weekend my friends.