Retirement?!

I do not know what came over me when I made a promise to my respected blogger friend, that I will write something on topic of retirement this time around. Maybe I was envious of his predicament(?).. Maybe my friend knew that I have a deep seated wish to have my own place where poor and needy children can improve themselves. Come to think of it I did talk to him the raison d'etre of my involvement with food production thingy that has more or less put me in a lot of heartaches.. to get a few acres of land for tahfiz and agricultural activities to co-exist in a symbiotic manner.

A few years before my 55th birthday (the day most of Petronas staff retires) two of my colleagues came to me( at different times and locations) to talk about retirement.

The younger one, albeit some seven years my junior, came up and talked to me on his retirement plan.. to retire from Petronas and become an unpaid mosque or surau caretaker and as always, Q & A session ensued:-

Me: " So you think you will have enough for you to retire gracefully then?".

Him: " If you want to talk about enough.. It will never be enough!"

Me: " Have you ever tried to stay in the mosque from dawn prayer to midnoon prayer?"

Him: " No, I have not but it would not be too difficult, would it?"

Me: " I have tried and failed miserably and I have yet to see someone who has successfully do that in this modern time, maybe those students in Tahfiz can easily succeed.. But try it first before rejecting an offer to work when your retirement time comes".

Him: "May be I should try to do that one of these days".

Me: " No harm checking to see whether you like the task you set for yourselves first before you embark on it full time, I heard it is easy to loose money when we retire and go into business doing something we are not familiar with.."

Him: " That is what I heard also and that why I want to quit and stay out of trouble.. Stay in kampung's mosque".

Me: " I heard a story that one successful businessment in KL who built a 200,000 ringgit bungalow in a remote fishing town.. And leave his business to his two capable and qualified children( after mentoring them for more than 2 years) just after his bungalow get completed and furnished.

Him: "Don't tell me he came back to KL again after that!".

Me: " After exactly two weeks of being a Tok Siak (caretaker) of the biggest mosque in the town ( a walking distance from his bungalow).

Him: "what happened exactly.. The kampung folks ostracised him?."

Me: " Nothing of that sort, he was treated like a big man.. A tan sri of sort treatment.. but the fishermen talk about weather, who catch most fish for the day, who was not able to go to the sea.. Those small talks, laissez faire life .. He can take it for a few days, but after a week, he started to miss his business friends, his mosque friends in KL, Those talks that he was used to.. challenging talks, technical talks, KLSE etc etc talks.."

Him: " Now what do you proposed..? " He sounded a bit exasperated....

Me: " It looks like you do not need so much money.. Come back and work as a geoscientist that you have always been.. Take half of your salary and you probably can hire more than 10 Tok Siak to do the work that you have set to do yourselves .. That way Petronas get to keep its experienced geoscientist.. You get the reward of getting more than 10 Tok Siak in more than 10 mosques.. Tok Siak job would then be a well paid job in the kampung etceteras.. And you get enough money to pay most of your bills"

Him: " hm.. Sound good but I am not sure that I will sacrifice half of my salary to get more than 10 Tok Siak.. Even if I want to"

Me : " That is a good problem to have.. non?,".

As for the older colleague, three years my senior.. He wanted to buy a taxi and be a taxi driver whenever he do not have golf games on..
He do not really need more money as he have been working oversea for quite a long time where he has been highly paid. As always, a Q & A followed:-

Me: " Don't you think being a taxi driver is a rather taxing job for a geoscientist that is used to work in an air- conditioned room looking at the desktop computer screens (geoscientists used high end computer with at least two monitor screens) all day long?".

Him: " Maybe tiring lah but that one is only a front.. to while away time waiting for my friends to finish their daily tasks and join me at the golf clubs".

Me: " Careful .. our mutual friend Encik A said that he get one invitation to join golf games a month when he retired from working as compared to more than ten invitations a month while he was working in Petronas ".

Him : " Oh what happened exactly?".

Me: " Nothing much.. But then people tend to forget you when you are not around or they thought you are enjoying retirement and do not feel good asking you out for a game of golf .. ".

Him: " Oh oh! then I might as well continue working if my service is needed".

Me : " I think I am also going to do the same..when my time comes".


I did advise them not to get involved in business sometime during the interactions.. and in contradiction I do get involved in one that is not my expertise... thinking that it is for the good of my country and my religion etcetera..

Ah by the way, I started the day with the good old ketupat palas goreng ( wrapped in Kelantanese style) and rendang ayam.. Daun palas was bought from Kuala Dungun wet market last week and our Chinese neighbour who is nearest to our kitchen get to sample about nine ketupat.. Mokwang thought that the smell might be too tempting for the family and the recipient later confirmed her thought.. Luckily our two Chinese neighbours, living on the right and left sides of our house, are out working;)

Have a fantastic and fabulous weekend / days ahead to all!

On Friday Prayer

Picture is courtesy of penacindaipelangi.blogspot.com

I was at Masjid Pakistan, in Chow Kit area, KL, one Friday umpteen years ago.. there was an Ustaz who gave tazkirah in Urdu and a man translating all that was said to Bahasa Malaysia and I still remembered clearly the story that was being translated.

Moses (pbuh), in his tour to propagate Allah's religion, came to a group of people praying, remembering Allah and reading Torah etceteras.

He asked someone in the group “who are you ?”

“Oh..we are people of Moses” came the reply.

“How long have you all been here doing these good deeds in this place”

“We have been here for about seventy years”

Moses was very pleased to know those people has been following his teaching and has been performing good deeds for seventy years.

Then Allah (In His mercy) sent down an angel to tell Moses that there will be an Ummah, they will perform one deed and will be rewarded equivalent to what his people performed in seventy years.

Moses asked the angle who is the Ummah and what is the deed that is so amply rewarded.

On hearing that the Ummah is people (follower)of Muhammad and that one deed is Friday Prayer.. Moses asks the Angle to seek Allah’s permission to allow him to be a follower of Muhammad for 2 Fridays (8 days ?!).

The Angle came back and informed Moses that his wish/request was not granted as he was supposed to lead a group of people himself and Moses will be the first among his people to enter the Paradise…

Allah knows best (Wallahua'lam).

I relate this story to a friend who seldom go for Friday prayer.

His immediate respond was“Oh good !.. Now all I have to do .. is to go to Friday prayer twice.. then I will be receiving a reward equivalent to 140 years …”

The Trengganu phrase “Doh nok wat guane? (what can I/we do ?) ” immediately came to my mind then.

Have a good day.

SilaturRahim(Familial relationship) Part 3

I am still in mood to write about keeping good familial relationship and also maintaining relationship with Muslims in particular and with human being in general. I am also not sure whether this will be my last posting on this rather important topic. Recorded here is my notes at one of the tazkirah conducted in the mosque near my place of stay.

Picture from Googles "ibnismail.wordpress.com.jpg"

For your easy reading :written in blue is related to saying of Allah’s Apostle and in green is ABDULLAH.YUSUF ALI translation of Al-Quran verse/s.

Volume 8, Book 73, Number 12:
Narrated Abu Aiyub Al-Ansari:
A man said, "O Allah's Apostle! Inform me of a deed which will make me enter Paradise." The people said, "What is the matter with him? What is the matter with him?" Allah's Apostle said, "He has something to ask (what he needs greatly)." The Prophet said (to him), (In order to enter Paradise) you should worship Allah and join none in worship with Him: You should offer prayers perfectly, give obligatory charity (Zakat), and keep good relations with your Kith and kin." He then said, "Leave it!" (The sub-narrator said, "It seems that the Prophet was riding his she camel." )

Allah’s Apostle has listed 4 deeds, the first three is similar to the first 3 of 5 pillars of Islam and the fourth being silaturrahim (familial relationship) , thus underlined the importance keeping good relations with our Kith and kin.

The clear evidence on the obligatory nature of keeping good relations with his Kith and kin is stated in the following Al-Quran verse (using ABDULLAH.YUSUF ALI translation) of Ali Imran verse 103:

And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear to you: That ye may be guided. 003.103

Furthermore, relationship with other Muslim (others as well I supposed) has been somewhat detailed out in Al-Quran Chapter Al Hujurat(49) Verses 12-13(using ABDULLAH.YUSUF ALI translation)

O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong. 049.011

O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it…But fear Allah: For Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. 049.012

May I say that it was commanded that the following 7 ways have to be observed to maintain good relationship :-
1. Do not look down upon others
2. Do not defame or be sarcastic to others
3. Do not used bad nickname
4. Avoid suspicions
5. Do not try to find others’ mistakes or wrong-doing.
6. Do not slander others
7. Fear Allah (bertakwa kepada Allah)

It is important to note that Muslims are supposed to be related to each other and at times neighbors and close friend are treated as Kith and kin as hinted by the following.

Volume 8, Book 73, Number 40:
Narrated An-Nu'man bin Bashir:
Allah's Apostle said, "You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it."

The importance of maintaining good relationship with Kith and kin has been further enhanced by the following 3 hadiths.
Volume 8, Book 73, Number 13:
Narrated Jubair bin Mut'im:
That he heard the Prophet saying, "The person who severs the bond of kinship will not enter Paradise."

Volume 8, Book 73, Number 14:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "Who ever is pleased that he be granted more wealth and that his lease of life be pro longed, then he should keep good relations with his Kith and kin."

Volume 8, Book 73, Number 15:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Allah 's Apostle said, "Whoever loves that he be granted more wealth and that his lease of life be prolonged then he should keep good relations with his Kith and kin."

May Allah have mercy on us.

SilaturRahim(Familial relationship) Part 2

Abul Laits Assamarqandi narrated by sanad of Abu Ayyub r.a. said: "A Bedouin stopped the Prophet Muhammad and has the control of his camel in his hand and said:" O Messenger of Allah, tell me what can get me closer to Paradise and keep me from the fire? "where upon the Messenger of Allah answered:" worship God and do not associate him with anything and perform your daily prayer and give zakat, and nurture or establish familial relationship/ties of kinship."

Rasulullah s.a.w. said: "There is no act that can gain the rewards more quickly than that of improving family ties and no sin worthy of his wrath as well as hasten his doom in the world and in the hereafter as that who broke the family relationships and committed injustices.’

Ibn Umar r.a. said: "One who the fear of God and established contact with one’s families will have one’s age be added to and one’s assets multiplied and will be loved by his family."

Abul Laits said: "If a person is close to his relatives, the familial relationship is in the form of guidance and visitations, should financial assistance be impossible then it suffice to provide physical assistance; Correspondence through mail although sufficient should distance be an issue, personal contact is more encouraged.

Anas said: "Three kinds of people who will lie under the shade of Allah on the Day of Judgement:
· Those who nurtured ties of kinship will have a blessed life, spacious grave and gainful sustenance.
· One who took care of woman with orphans left behind by her dead husband.
· People who prepared food and invited the orphans and the needy.

Al-Hasan said: "Rasulullah said:" The two strides of men loved by Allah : Footsteps towards the obligatory prayers and Footsteps towards silaturrahim with people you cannot marry.

The Five people who multiply their good deed and have gainful sustenance are:
1. People who always charity (a little or a lot)
2. People who nurture/maintain familial relationship.
3. People who are always pursue the Cause of Allah.
4. People who always performs ablution and not wasteful on water
5. People who are obedient to his parents.

When I was in financial distress through activities or events that were totally beyond my control, I normally called my parent to ask them whether I have done anything that was not too pleasant to their feelings. After a few times doing that, they came to notice my enquiries and asked my reason for it. I told them that my sustenance has been without much ‘barakah’ and many untoward events keep on happening to make me loose whatever little saving I have made.
I asked them for their forgiveness inspite of their insistence that I have not done anything wrong to both of them.
Only lately do I realize that someone close to my family has not been too kind to me when discussing my activities to my parents.

Here is a story that I treasured as the main characters are rather closely related to yours truly..

Once there were three siblings led by an eldest sister and two brothers. The two brothers have not been on good term and the elder brother has forbidden the younger brother from coming to his house. The elder brother has been a good man, well respected and well loved by all in the community unlike his younger brother.
When the elder brother was on his deathbed, the younger brother came to visit him daily but did not enter the house much to the indignant of his nieces and nephews. The sister did not come to visit as she was upset about the fact that the two brothers were not on speaking term.

Photo is from Mr Google

The elder brother suffering prolonged for a few days and his children came to see their aunt thrice daily to persuade her to visit their father and forgive whatever mistakes he has committed to her. It was only at the insistence/persuasion of her own daughters that the elder sister changed her mind and visited her sick brother.
She has, however, insisted that the elder brother forgive his brother and that he be allowed to visit him on his deathbed prior to him speaking to her. When her condition was fulfilled, it came to note that she was not happy with the sick brother for he has not visit her for quite a long time even though the distance between their houses was less than 200 meters and she was quite unhappy with him over a lot of other small things and events.

She then told the crowd that she was not keen to forgive her brother even after a few hours of persuasion from the children of her brother.

On seeing that her uncle was having a lot of difficulties, the daughter of the eldest sister persuaded her mother to give her forgiveness to her dying brother. After about an hour of much crying and grieving, the sister relented and forgave her brother. Few minutes later, the brother has breathed his last much to the relief of everyone that were present.

I am of the opinion there are two things of note between the three main characters:
1. Silaturrahim has not been fostered/ nurtured/ established.
2. Eldest sister replaced the mother that has passed away and her pleasure can amount to as much as that of the mother.

Wallahua’lam..

May you have many nice and rewarding days ahead.

10 wills and 10 principles of Hassan Al-Banna

Imam Hasan al-Banna: the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood

Due to lack of appropriate time I am posting this material from the internet.. just in case you do not have them in your file or memory.. If you do, please forgive me..

10 Wills of Hassan Al-Banna

1. Upon hearing the azan prayers rose up immediately for prayer, whatever is the circumstances.

2. Read the Quran, scrutinize science books, go to the councils of science, and practice Dhikirullah and do not waste time in things that have no benefit.

3. Try to speak in Arabic Fushah because the right Arabic language is symbol of Islam.

4. Do not argue in any matter whatsoever for the argument is empty and of any benefit.

5. Do not laugh so much since heart that is in constant contact with God is always quiet yet peaceful.

6. Do not joke too much for people who are in struggle will understand not but serious commitment at all times.

7. Do not talk louder than the levels required by the listener because of a loud conversation that was a pointless act and even hurt people feeling.

8. Stay away from gossips, personal snub at people, condemnation of the organizations, and do not speak except for good...

9. Get to know each Muslim encountered because the missionary movement is the basic networking and brotherhood love.

10. Our obligations requires more time than that is available to us, so use time well and simplify its implementation .

The Ten Principles of Hassan al-Banna

1.) The Unity of the Ummah. He considered it in itself a primary and important goal that we must strive for. "Do no disagree, then you fail and lose the wind (in your tail."

2.) The Agreement on Principal Matters. Such that we start by considering everyone who declares shahadah - La ilah illaAllah, Muhammadar RasulAllah - as our companion and part of the Muslim group.

3.) Assume First that You, Not Your Muslim Brother, May be Wrong. And see how you find the truth impartially.

4.) The Manners for Disagreement. That you should be as keen about listening to your brother's evidence and argument as you are about giving your evidence and argument, and be pleasant and smiling whether the result is for you or against you.

5.) Avoiding Arguing, Self-Righteousness, and Belittling of Others. Al Banna said: "No nation went astray after being guided, except after it fell to cursing and arguing." And: "He will have a place in Heaven that leaves arguing when he is wrong, and a higher place in Heaven if he leaves arguing when he is right."

6.) The Possibility of Multiple Correct Answers. He referred to the Prophet telling the sahabah to pray Asr in Bani Quraiza, how some of them prayed Asr when it's time came, while others prayed it when they reached Bani Quraiza after sundown, and how the Prophet praised both parties.

7.) The Group Participation in Agreed Upon Matters and to Excuse One Another in What is Disagreed Upon. He emphasized, "We all agree on prohibiting alcohol, adultery and gambling: and we agree on the duty to govern according to Quran so let us invite governments to implement it; we agree that honor and respect are due to Muslims, so let us impart these ideals to Muslims, we agree that jihad is the means to accomplish honor so let us train the individual, and to raise children with the necessary spiritual and physical training."

8.) Thinking of the Danger of the Common Adversary. He reminded Muslims of the present external enemies who do not differentiate between Muslims or different views or different national origin. The enemy considers Muslims enemies of his religion, and their homelands a prize to be dominated for its resources. He emphasized the need for unity to deter aggression.

9.) Opening the Avenues for Work and Productivity. He recognized the duel purpose of working hard, to produce more and to stay free from the evil of idleness. He encouraged members to excel in schools and jobs, and to seek earning from lawful sources and to shun laziness and dependence on others. He encouraged them to fill in duties that others have not even identified, such as visiting brothers far and near, volunteerism, and to allow time each day for examining how they have done for the sake of Allah.

10.) Sympathy for Those Who Do Not See the Light. Rather than being angry with them or exposing their shortcomings. He never attacked his accusers or distracters on personal matter, but rather sought Allah's help in making His message clearer to those who were listening.

Have a good weekend.

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.

A morning in Kuala Dungun

On the weekend before CNY, I went back to Kuala Dungun.. to proceed with visits to my mother and sister in Seberang Baroh, Kuala Trengganu. We reached Kg Sungai Udang late Friday night and have a disturbed sleep (albeit a welcomed disturbance – the arrival of the two Sisters IL and their families).

On my way to buy breakfast the morning after.. it was rather apparent to one that Dungun have lots of buildings with new or good fences.

“It look like Dungun town can be called Bando Pago Lawo (town with nice fences) “ one made a passing remark.

“It can also be called Bandar ‘jalan dok siak siak’ (a town of unfinished road)” came a rather sarcastic response.

“Maybe our.... ‘panda wat jalang dang bangunang je’ (only knows how to make road and government buildings)” came another equally caustic rejoinder.

Then came a sort of historical reminder that led to those remarks.. When BN was in control, the Adun was Former school teacher who was keen to develop the Sura area to the extent of neglecting Kuala Dungun. Pasar (wet market) Dungun, in the vicinity of Complex Lembaga Ikan, used to be opened till late afternoon. The Dungun wet market that was then moved to the present location some 200m away.. was only opened till about 1 p.m. (no longer sustainable as the atmosphere are not that conducive.. not too popular a location ?!)

Dungun Bridge taken ( permission is being sought) from terengganuhebat.blogspot.com.

When PAS took over Dungun.. the focus was shifted back to Kuala Dungun.. with the building of the bridge that connect Kampong Seberang Pintasan (Teluk Bidara) to Kuala Dungun town being in progress.. When BN won Kuala Dungun seat, the town has seen more encouraging development.. The renovation of roads.. mostly to include monsoon drains can be seen throughout the years (at least some 8 years for Jalan Tambun/ Jalan Yahya Ahmad, if my memory did not fail me)..

That week the said road was still under some other form of renovation (widening and putting up drain system), a few unused buildings of past were now being made use of (refurbished?) – a museum and 'balai bomba dan penyelamat' are two examples. Few old two-storey wooden shop-houses facing the Komplek Lembaga Ikan have been renovated, while some have been pulled down to be replaced by new brick shop-house.. my better half has remarked that it seems like the owners (mostly Chinese) are very confident about the development of Bandar Kuala Dungun.. a good sign I supposed… but the wooden shop house do have some esthetic historical/ nostalgic value, non!?.

I did managed to patronize the new Sungai Udang mosque at dawn that morning. The ustaz (teacher) there gave a short 30 minutes tazkirah. There were many hadiths that has been said and poor yours truly remembered only one hadith..

Narrated Abu Dhar: That he heard the Prophet saying, "If somebody accuses another of Fusuq (by calling him 'Fasiq' i.e. a wicked person) or accuses him of kufr, such an accusation will revert to him (i.e. the accuser) if his companion (the accused) is innocent." (Book #73, Hadith #71)

The teacher did mention that we muslim should be careful not to accuse people of zina (fornification) because if the accuser cannot find four just witnesses who saw the action… “similar to that of a sword entering its sheath”… then the accusation will revert to us… How to find four "just witnesses" is a rather mind boggling exercise, at least to my mind..

Well I supposed it applies to any other accusations as well, there is a need for us to bring our witnesses to support our accusation on that day at least...

Now that scares me no ends.. for I have read many a “berbau politik” blog across both divide that use strong accusing words such as aljuburi (sodomiser?), pemabuk (drunkard), penzina ( people who commit fornication), pembohong (liars) etcetera.. By reading.. am I also a party to …

May Allah bless us all with his AlMagfirah and ArRahmah sokmo sokmo (always)