Reflection Corruption 09

From Malaysiakini.com


I have recently returned to Kuala Lumpur after six years of studying and working in Vancouver, Canada. While I was there, I constantly battled with my internal struggles on deciding whether to stay on in a foreign country and make it my new home or to return to the place where I was born and raised. Even though I have adapted to Canadian culture and lifestyle fairly well to a point that even local Canadians think that I am Canadian-born, somewhere deep within me still felt like a stranger looking in from the outside.

Several factors influenced my decision to come home: 1. My aging parents, 2. My best friend who had returned to Malaysia a year ago after four years of living in the States, and 3. The March 8, 2008 general election, which presented me with a boost of optimism on the future of Malaysia.

For months, I was ecstatic at the thought of coming home and when I finally did, it did not fall short of my high expectations. It was great to be home again, to be with my family, to be around my friends, to be on familiar territory (although much has changed as I later realised), to be exposed to a vast range of local cuisine which I used to take for granted – it was ultimately one of the happiest times that I had experienced in a long time.

It was only after several months that I realised that things were different – that my friends had changed, that everything around me had changed, or rather, that I had changed. Before I was exposed to life in Canada, I cared little for the issues that were prevalent in our Malaysian society. Maybe it was because I was young and ignorant then. Maybe I had simply chosen to turn a blind eye to the rising concerns that smothered our country as long as it didn't directly affect me.

Now I mentioned earlier that my best friend was one of the reasons why I returned. While she was living in the States, she was one of the avid readers of political blogs and sites that were sprouting like mushrooms on the Internet. She followed closely the Malaysian political scene, blogging about it herself, and had shown tremendous passion and a sound belief that change was possible for the future of Malaysia. A year ago, she returned to Kuala Lumpur and had been pleading for me to return as well, telling me how great her life has been since her return.
And she was right – everything was undeniably great, until recently, when I had asked her and another friend (who had just returned from Sydney nine months ago) what they thought of the Malaysian political scene. I had noticed that my best friend rarely blogged now, claiming that she was too busy with work, family and her boyfriend to blog frequently.

Much to my utter disappointment, my best friend's tone on the political scene has completely changed. No longer radical in her thinking, she now accepts corruption as a way of life in our society, and even endorses the indulgence of certain forms of corruption. My other friend believes that corruption allows businesses to be competitive, thus enabling them to survive in our cut-throat society.

'If you were stopped by a cop and was caught for not wearing a seat belt, what would you do – bribe, pay RM30 and move on with your life, or get a ticket, go through the hassle of appealing and pay a penalty of RM300? Obviously if you were smart, you'd bribe'.

'Everyone else is doing it. If you don't do it, you are the one who will suffer. Anybody who refuses to engage in corruption in our society is backward in thinking, and they will never succeed'.

And that was just the tip of the iceberg of our debate, which had left the three of us parting unhappily that night, an invisible yet apparent line drawn between myself and the both of them. It disappointed me to know that just a mere year had transformed my best friend from a self- professed political activist to her teenage self – someone who couldn't care less about what was going on in our country. It frustrated me to know that of all people, my two friends – educated, informed and cultured – would assume this sort of egocentric mentality.

It frightened me even more to think that with time, I could also be as ignorant about our societal problems, pretending that everything was okay when it truly wasn't. As I related the night's events to another close friend of mine, she advised that I was too idealistic and should probably accept Malaysia and the people for what they were – that if there would be change, it would probably not happen during our generation or the next few generations for that matter.

I told her that I accepted Malaysia for who she was, but that did not mean that we should not recognise that there were issues prevalent in our country. How could corruption be 'good'? I admit that there may be corruption on some level in even the most developed countries, but not to the extent of what our society is exposed to. That night, my friends had actually defended corruption, stating that, and I quote, 'corruption helped boost the economy'. Corruption does not boost the economy, my friends, it only makes the rich richer, and the poor poorer.

And yes, I admit that change is hard to come by. That it will probably take a long time for change in our country to happen. But what distressed me the most were the younger generation like myself, who are supposedly more educated than our forefathers and well-informed to the extent of being able to distinguish right from wrong, and who were radical – radical enough to believe and work towards change. If even the younger generation is not willing to change their mentality and actions, how will change ever happen?

'If you hate Malaysia so much," my friend had said that night, "Then maybe you should go back to Canada.'

And to be honest, for awhile, I had actually considered going back to Canada and escaping the ugly light that my friends had shed on our Malaysian society. I didn't like the possibility that the same words my friends had said that night could potentially come out from my own lips a year later. I didn't want my kids, if I ever had any, to grow up to become like me – conflicted and torn between 'a better life' or home, sweet home.

But one doesn't run away from her motherland when things seem to be going on a downward spiral. Your fate is not destined; you make your own destiny. Engaging in corruption even on a small scale is a conscious choice, not a fundamental of life. Change is only possible if the people of Malaysia believe in change, feels strongly about making it happen, and begin acting on it to make it happen.

Even the littlest and most insignificant basic act can contribute towards the change that we all hope for, such as refusing to bribe, maintaining a good driving etiquette or even setting a good example for your child by simply not littering.

An extremely idealistic thought but definitely not impossible. As preposterous as it sounds, for the future of Malaysia and the younger generations to come, Malaysia needs all the help she can get. Try and imagine yourself in a situation when you are frustrated over the issues in our country, then maybe, it might motivate you to start changing your actions.

And here I am – one more idealistic, hopeful soul who believes that change is possible. I refuse to sit back and hope that change will happen. I will not succumb to peer pressure and indulge in immoral and illegal activities. I will do all I can to work towards a better Malaysia – because at the end of the day, I can say I tried. And I will start by sharing my story, in hopes that I have inspired you.

Corruption destroys everything..

Im an Anti - Corruption

make change!

Improve Your Relationship With Al-Quran

“O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Qur’an as a thing (abandoned)”.[Surah 25: 30]

Are you one of those people who rarely touch the Qur’an? Or do you read daily, but don’t find it is having the impact on you that it should? Whatever the case may be, these are some simple tips that can help you connect with the Qur’an.

1. Before you touch it, check your heart.
The key to really benefiting from the Qur’an is to check your heart first, before you even touch Allah’s Book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it. Is it to just get some information and to let it drift away from you later? Remember that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was described by his wife as a “walking Qur’an”: in other words, he didn’t just read and recite the Qur’an, he lived it.

2. Do your Wudu' (ablution).
Doing your Wudu is good physical and mental preparation to remind you that you’re not reading just another book. You are about to interact with God, so being clean should be a priority when communicating with Him.

3. Read at least 5 minutes everyday.
Too often, we think we should read Qur’an for at least one whole hour. If you aren’t in the habit of reading regularly, this is too much. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha Allah (God willing), you will notice that those five minutes will become 10, then half an hour, then an hour, and maybe even more!

4. Make sure you understand what you’ve read.
Five minutes of reading the Qur’an in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you’re reading. Make sure you have a good translation of the Qur’an in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you’ve read that day.

5. Remember, the Qur’an is more interactive than a CD.
In an age of “interactive” CD-Roms and computer programs, a number of people think books are passive and boring. But the Qur’an is not like that. Remember that when you read the Qur’an, you are interacting with Allah. He is talking to you, so pay attention.

6. Don’t just read; listen too.
There are now many audio cassettes and CDs of the Qur’an, a number of them with translations as well. This is great to put on your walkman or your car’s CD or stereo as you drive to and from work. Use this in addition to your daily Qur’an reading, not as a replacement for it.

7. Make Dua (supplication).
Ask Allah to guide you when you read the Qur’an. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Dua to Allah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this.

Weird Things We Do In Prayer

If you ever find yourself not joining congregational prayer, take a moment to at least observe the people participating. You will find many unusual, unfortunate oddities consistently happening, regardless of where the prayer is taking place. Observe and learn, because you might be doing one of the following things yourself:

The politely-cloaked "You go ahead please":

Even though the prayer has already started and the Imam is well into the second Surah, there is a standoff taking place somewhere in the back. This is between the people who don't want to move forward to a line closer to the front, but because there is a gap in the line ahead that needs to be filled, they offer other people the spot. They tell each other to go ahead as if they are giving the other a privilege, when they both know that neither of them really wants to move.
These people need to understand that moving ahead in the congregational rows will not cause one any physical pain or abnormal feelings. Having the motivation to move up as far as possible even increases the rewards of praying. People should just move up and quit causing distractions for others.

The Wave – Congregational Prayer Edition:

In some quarters there is a misconception that one can only start their prayers once the person in the row in front of him or to his/her right or left side has begun. This ends up causing a lengthy, time consuming chain. People who are ready to pray are simply standing there waiting for their turn to start, even if the Imam is almost done with Surah Fatiha. FYI, as long as the rows are properly set, and the follower has heard the Imam start the prayer, (s)he can to start his/her prayer even if those in the front or on the side have not begun.

The Reckless Lane-Changer:

A Reckless Lane-Changer is a person who was unable to join at the start of the prayer, but still wants to participate. When entering a highway, there are specific guidelines as to where, when, and how you are to merge onto it; you cannot simply swerve over when you wish! Likewise, when joining the congregational prayer which is underway, a person cannot join during Sujood, Tashahud, or just any other time that one sees fit.
If you are joining during the first rak'at, you can join anytime from Takbiratul Ehram up to the end of Ruku. If you join in the second or later rak'at, remember that you cannot finish your prayer with the congregation, as you will not have the sufficient number of rak'ats – a characteristic of...

...The Short-Changer:

In this case you will have to carry on with your own prayer to complete the required number of rak'ats, after the congregational prayer has finished.
The Speeder: This is the guy who will attempt to complete certain actions quicker than everybody else. He will reach the position of Sujood faster than everyone else, or he will stand up for the Qiyam of the next rak'at faster than everyone else, regardless of the fact that they will finish the prayer at the same time as the congregation anyway. Reciting dhikr faster than the prayer leader is permissible. However, performing physical actions before the Imam does will invalidate your congregational prayer!

The Multi-tasker:

This worshipper is interested in doing more than only offering prayers. Be it buttoning shirt sleeves, seeing if he have enough change in their pockets for a coffee, taking off a leather belt, strapping on the watch, or putting the cell phone on silent mode, Multi-tasker has a hard time focusing on what is only slightly most important – his prayer!
But these are also the ones who do not put their phones on silent mode, and then the ringing disturbs everyone. Although most will quickly shut the noise off, there seems to be the rare one here and there who will actually answer the call in the middle of prayer!
Hilarious to see, one more multi-tasking technique is to use the time during Qiyam to exercise the jaws. Because only the Imam is to recite the two surahs, some people think it's a good time to chew gum.

Gum chewers: you can't eat food, drink drinks, or chew gum during prayer!

The Overly-Enthusiastic Reciter:

Then there is that guy who enjoys reciting surahs out loud along with the Imam. Please note that the followers are not allowed to recite the surahs in the congregational prayer, either loudly or silently. Yes, if you can't hear the Imam at all, then you can recite the dhikr, but that also should be done silently.

The Tall Grass in the Wind:

You might notice during Qiyam that some people constantly sway and swerve back and forth. If enough people are doing this, it forms a group known as Tall Grass in the Wind, which is basically what it looks like from afar.

The Physical Checkup:

Oh yeah...remember the Multi-tasker? Another trait of his is to perform a physical checkup during prayer. During Qunoot, he finds it urgently pressing to check on the condition of the skin of his hands, and to see if his fingernails are clean or maybe in need of a good trim. During Ruku, he curls his toes and rolls his feet sideways to ensure a proper inspection of their soles or socks. During Tashahud, while the hands are conveniently placed on the thighs, some find this an opportune moment to brush away any small specks of lint or crumbs that may have gathered during prayer directly onto the person next to them.

So next time you do join a congregational prayer, remember that all of these things are wrong and should not be done. Extra movement should be kept to a minimum, as it distracts the person praying, as well as others around them. And most importantly, excessive non-prayer-oriented movement will invalidate a person's prayer. And none of us want that.

Malu Ibn Abdus

Hari ini daku menyaksikan,
Petunjuk tuhan,
Satu kejadian,
Berlatarkan sekolah di sebuah pekan,
Ketika sesi muzika berjalan,
Di kala si guru mengajar tarian,
Sebagai sesi pemanas badan,
Buat murid yang masih tak keruan,
Di hari pertama sesi persekolahan,
Di satu sudut jelas kelihatan,
Ibn Abdus putera kenalan,
Putera teman sepengajian.

Ibn abdus...si kecil itu,
Menangis tersendu-sendu,
Dirinya dihampiri guru,
Tubuh kecilnya diranduk, dipujuk, dirayu,
Mengapa kau menangis wahai anakku,
Mengalir air mata syahdu,
Di waktu teman lain bersuka ria menari rambu?
Takut, begitulah ucapnya,
Bila guru memintanya,
Memegang tangan pasang tarinya,
Yang jelas bukanlah mahramnya,
Umi kata, lagak itu haram hukumnya,
Abi kata, Allah jua menjadi murka,
Tika yang sama jua,
Titis permata mengalir dari kelopak sepetnya,
Takutnya dia!
Takut pada larangan yang Maha Esa,
Pada dosa,
Pada sengsara,
Balasan di akhirat sana.

Ibn Abdus itu,
Usianya baru darjah satu,
Muslim juga sepertiku,
Punya Allah...tuhannya dan tuhanku,
Tapi sungguhpun begitu,
Dia dan daku,
Ibarat bumi menghijau dan langit membiru,
Berbeda darjat di sisi Tuhan yang Satu.

Daku bukan muslim yang soleh,
Daku lebih liberal, lebih terbuka, lebih ‘orang putih’,
Bukan mahramku, dikala terang mahupun soreh,
Berpegang tangan,
berlaga pipi menjadi pilih,
Kononnya lebih rapat dan lebih berkasih,
Bukan deen ini yang aku tak faqih,
Tapi ‘trend’ sekarang tak boleh didalih,
Kalau tak, kelak jadi tersisih,
Takutkan tuhan menjadi pipih,
Bila ditegur orang yang muslih,
Bibirku menjuih, “Relakslah, rambutku belum putih!”
Masih ada masa untuk dosa dibersih.

Istighfarlah wahai diri,
Malu daku dengan si kecil tadi,
Lebih besar maluku pada Ilahi,
Selama hidup, syariatNya ada yang kutaati, Ada yang kuingkari,
Istighfarlah diri!
Deen ini bukan acuan sendiri,
Tapi panduan Tuhan untuk manusiawi,
Memimpin kita ke jalan abadi,
Menyelamat kita dari binasa hakiki.
Sungguh!

Aku malu,Pada tuhanku, Juga pada si kecil itu.Ku sedar khilaf ini perlu kubetulkan, Wajar kembali ke pangkal jalan, Kerna hidup ini sekadar hiburan, Seharusnya kugigih mengumpul bekalan, Untuk dikendong ke hari kemudian,Menjadi jaminan ke syurga impian. Buat umi dan abi si kecil itu, Didikanmu membina jitu, Peribadi si kecil itu, Ku ucapkan doa setulus kalbu, Keberkatan dan keselamatan untuk kamu, Semoga Allah menjaga dirimu, Diri puteramu, Dan diri setiap muslim yang menegak syariatMu.

ARAK

Wahai orang-orang Yang beriman! Bahawa Sesungguhnya arak, dan judi, dan pemujaan berhala, dan mengundi nasib Dengan batang-batang anak panah, adalah (Semuanya) kotor (keji) dari perbuatan syaitan. oleh itu hendaklah kamu menjauhinya supaya kamu berjaya
(Al-Maidah : 90)

Tahukah anda bahawa Malaysia merupakan Negara ke-10 terbesar dalam pengambilan arak di dunia. Malah, pada tahun 1996 (iaitu lebih sepuluh tahun yang lalu) , cukai penjualan arak sahaja mencecah sekurang-kurangnya RM 817 million. Menurut majalah The Globe Magazine, Syarikat Carlsberg AS of Denmark telah memahkotakan Malaysia sebagai “very important and attractive market” dengan melabur sebanyak US$ 20 million bagi menghasilkan sekurang-kurangnya 125 million liter arak setahun.

To Late For Tears

Death knocked on the bedroom door..

“Who is there?” The sleeping one cried.

“I’m angel Izrael, let me inside”.

At once, the man began to shiver as one sweating in deadly fever. He shouted to his wife, “Don’t let the Angel take my life. Oh Angel of Death, I’m not ready yet. My family,depend on me. Give me a chance to go back and mend”

The Angel knocked again.. “ Oh man, It’s your soul that I required, I come not with my own desire.” Bewildered, the man began to cry. “Oh Angel, I’m so afraid to die, Let me remain here as your slave, Don’t send me to the grave.” “Let me in, Oh man” the Angel said.“Open the door, Get up from your bed. You can’t stop me from coming in, Angels can go through objects, thick and thin.”

The man held a gun in his right hand and ready to defy the Angel’s stand. “I’ll will gun towards your head. If you dare to come in, I’ll shoot you dead.” By now, the Angle was in the room, Saying, “Oh man,prepare for your doom, Foolish man – Angels never die. Put your gun and do not sigh. Why are you afraid? Tell me Oh man. To die according to Allah’s plan?”

“Oh Angel, I bow my head in shame, I had no time to remember Allah’s name. From dawn till dusk, I made my wealth, Not even caring for my spiritual health. Allah’s commands I never obeyed, Nor five times a day I ever prayed. A Ramadhan came and A Ramadhan went, But no time had I repent. The Hajj was already obligatory upon me, But I would not part with my money. All charities I did ignore taking usury more and more. Sometimes I sipped my favourite wine, With flirting women I sat to dine.

Oh Angel I appeal to you, Spare my life for a year or two. The laws of The Qur’an, I will obey, I’ll began Salat- this very day. My fast and Hajj I will complete, And keep away from self-conceit. I will refrain from usury, And give all my wealth to charity. Wine and unlawful women, I will detest, Allah’s oneness I will attest.”

“We Angels do what Allah demands, We cannot go against His commands Death is ordained for everyone- father,mother,daughter and son. I’m afraid, this moment is your last, Now be reminded of your past. I do understand your fears But it is now too late for tears. You lived in this world, Two score or more, Your parents you did not obey, Hungry beggars, you turned away. Your two ill-mannered, female offspring In nightclubs, for livehood they sing. Instead of making more Muslims, You made your children non-Muslims. You ignored the Azan (call to prayer) Nor did you recite The Holy Qur’an. Breaking promises all your life, Backbiting friends and causing strife. From hoarded goods, Great profits you made, And your poor workers- You underpaid. Horses and cards were your leisure, Money-making was your pleasure You ate and ate, And grew more fat, With the very sick, you never sat. A little donation, you never gave That could a little baby save. You thought you’re clever and strong, But Oh man, You’ve done so many wrong. Paradise for you? I cannot tell The disbeliever will dwell in hell. There is no time for you to repent, I’ll take your soul for which I am sent.”

Untukmu Teman

Untukmu yang bernama teman,
Ingin aku hadiahkan sebaik-baik kalungan,
Seindah-seindah anyaman,
Dari seharum-harum bunga,
Kerana hati yang terpahat ini,
Saban hari semakin menyayangi,
Nilaian yang sama-sama kita kecapi,
Kenangan yang tak sudah-sudah kita lakari,
Kerana aku perantau,
Yang kerap menapak dan menjajah,
Walau dalam makna yang sementara,
Walau secebis semangat didada.
Contohku adalah kamu,
Kerana tamsilanmu adalah Rasulku,
Manusia agung karya Ilahi,
Pembimbing umat ke jalan abadi
Aku ingin melihat,
Rencana yang sama-sama kita bentangkan,
Bersemadi dalam hati-hati manusia,
Bersemi dalam peradaban ummah,
Tidak akan pernah cukup,
Apa yang kita lemparkan,
Kerna apa yang bakal dituntut,
Itulah yang kita khuatirkan.
Teman Bangkitkan kembali nostalgia itu,
Bersama ukhwah kita adun kembali,
Demi saat yang bakal kita miliki.
Teman, Jangan mudah kita menafsir,
Mimpi indah kini,
Yang bukan untuk dirai,
Tetapi lihatlah ia,
Sebagai penterjemah diri,
Dikala kita beruzlah sunyi
Menghadap Ilahi.

Coretan Seorang Hamba

Di dalam sujudku
Kau dengar tangisanku
Di dalam doakuKau dengar rintihku
Sepanjang hayatku
Kau lihat segala perbuatanku
Setiap perbuatanku
Kau catat segala dosa pahalaku
Di dalam khayalku
Kau datang mengingatiku
Di dalam kegagalanku
Kau datang memberi pertolongan-Mu
Di dalam kesedihanku
Ayat-Mu melantun ke halwa telingaku
Meleraikan lara jiwaku
Di dalam usahakuKau beri kejayaan-Mu
Di dalam kegembiraankuKau kurniakan nilai tawa padaku
Di dalam buntuku
Kau datang memberi Hidayah-Mu
Jika aku bukan Islam
Pasti tiada coretan ini di dalam hidupku
Kerana nikmat seorang Islam amat sukar dicoretkan oleh seorang kafir
Aku tadah tanganku
Ku bersyukur pada-Mu Ya Allah,
Hindarilah aku dari terpesong dari jalan-Mu
Kerana Kau Yang Maha Mengetahui
Kau lah sebaik-baik perancang
Maka tetapkanlah yang sebaik-baiknya buatku
Supaya dapat ku teruskan hayatku dengan penuh ketakwaan pada-Mu

Installing Love

A step by step guide to installing love on the human machine.

Customer: I can do that. I'm not very technical, but I think I am ready to install now. What do I do first?

Tech Support: The first step is to open your HEART. Have you located your HEART ma'am?

Customer: Yes I have, but there are several programs running right now. Is it okay to install while they are running?

Tech Support: What programs are running ma'am?

Customer: Let me see... I have PASTHURT.EXE, LOWESTEEM.EXE, GRUDGE.EXE, and RESENTMENT.COM running right now.

Tech Support: No problem. LOVE will automatically erase PASTHURT.EXE from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt other programs. LOVE will eventually overwrite LOWESTEEM.EXE with a module of its own called HIGHESTEEM.EXE However,you have to completely turn off GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM. Those programs prevent LOVE from being properly installed. Can you turn those off ma'am?

Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?

Tech Support: My pleasure. Go to your Start menu and invoke FORGIVENESS.EXE. Do this as many times as necessary until GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM have been completely erased.

Customer: Okay, I'm done. LOVE has started installing itself automatically. Is that normal?

Tech Support: Yes it is. You should receive a message that says it will reinstall for the life of your HEART. Do you see that message?

Customer: Yes I do. Is it completely installed?

Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other HEARTS in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops...I have an error message already. What should I do?

Tech Support: What does the message say?

Customer: It says "ERROR 412 - PROGRAM NOT RUN ON INTERNAL COMPONENTS". What does that mean?

Tech Support: Don't worry ma'am, that's a common problem.It means that the LOVE program is set up to run on external HEARTS but has not yet been run on your HEART. It is one of those complicated programming things, but in non-technical terms it means - "you have to 'LOVE' your own machine before it can "LOVE" others."

Customer: So what should I do?

Tech Support: Can you find the directory called "SELF-ACCEPTANCE"?

Customer: Yes, I have it.

Tech Support: Excellent, you are getting good at this.

Customer: Thank you.

Tech Support : You're welcome. Click on the following files and then copy them to the "MYHEART" directory: FORGIVESELF.DOC, SELFESTEEM.TXT, REALIZEWORTH.TXT, and GOODNESS.DOC. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching any faulty programming. Also, you need to delete SELFCRITIC.EXE from all directories, and then empty your recycle bin afterwards to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.

Customer: Got it. Hey! My HEART is filling up with really neat files. SMILE.MPG is playing on
my monitor right now and it shows that WARMTH.COM, PEACE.EXE, and CONTENTMENT.COM are copying themselves all over my HEART!

Tech Support: Then LOVE is installed and running. You should be able to handle it from here. One more thing before I go

Customer: Yes?

Tech Support: LOVE is freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everybody you meet.They will in turn share it with other people and they will return some really neat modules back to you.

Customer: I will. Thank you for your help

Love

Love is within us.

It cannot be destroyed.

It cannot be ignored.

To the extent that we abandon love we will feel it has abandoned us.

Denying love is our only problem, and embracing it is the only answer.

Through the power of love,

we can let go of past history and begin again.

Love heals,

forgives,

And makes whole.

Misteri Presiden US

J. F. Kennedy

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln masuk kongres tahun 1846.
John F. Kennedy masuk kongres tahun 1946.

Abraham Lincoln terpilih jadi presiden tahun 1860.
John F. Kennedy terpilih jadi presiden tahun 1960.

Kedua presiden ditembak hari Jumaat.
Kedua presiden ditembak di kepala.

Sekretaris Lincoln bernama Kennedy .
Sekretaris Kennedy bernama Lincoln .

Keduanya dibunuh oleh orang dari daerah selatan.
Keduanya digantikan oleh orang selatan yg bernama Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, yg menggantikan Lincoln , lahir tahun 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, yg menggantikan Kennedy, lahir tahun 1908.

John Wilkes Booth, yg membunuh Lincoln , lahir thn 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, yg membunuh Kennedy, lahir thn 1939.

Kedua pembunuh terkenal dengan tiga namanya.
Nama keduanya terdiri dari 15 huruf.

Lincoln tertembak di teater dan pembunuhnya bersembunyi di gudang.
Kennedy tertembak dari sebuah gudang dan pembunuhnya bersembunyi di teater.

Booth dan Oswald terbunuh sebelum diadili.

Seminggu sebelum Lincoln tertembak, dia berada di Monroe , Maryland
Seminggu sebelum Kennedy tertembak, dia bersama Marilyn Monroe.

Kezaliman ISA

1. Henry Ford – tuan pengasas Ford Motor Company – pernah berkata: “Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black,” – setiap pembeli bebas memilih apa pun warna yang mereka inginkan selagi mana ia adalah hitam. Dengan kata lain, Ford sebenarnya tidak memberikan sebarang pilihan kepada pembelinya. Tentu sekali hal ini lebih mudah buat Ford, kerana cat hitam lebih cepat kering berbanding warna-wana lain. Tetapi dalam masa yang sama ia sebenarnya ‘memangsai’ pilihan warna para pembeli.

2. Dalam hal yang lain pula, adalah tidak boleh dinafikan oleh sesiapa pun bahawa hak kebebasan individu ada dilindungi dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Perkara 5 misalnya memperuntukkan bahawa setiap orang adalah bebas dan tidak boleh dinafikan hak kebebasan itu – seperti ditahan atau ditangkap – kecuali melalui proses perundangan. Pun begitu, dalam masa yang sama, Perlembagaan Persekutuan juga memperuntukkan bahawa perlindungan dalam Perkara 5 tidak akan terpakai dalam beberapa keadaan. Keadaan yang dimaksudkan itu termasuklah, antara lain, hal-hal yang berkaitan dengan keselamatan dalam negeri (Sila rujuk Perkara 149 dan 151 Perlembagaan Persekutuan).

3. Justeru, seperti juga kenyataan Henry Ford yang memberikan kebebasan pilihan tetapi dalam masa yang sama menskopkannya hanya kepada warna hitam, begitu jugalah perlindungan hak kebebasan dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan – anda memiliki hak tersebut tetapi dalam masa yang sama anda juga boleh ditahan bila-bila masa tanpa perlu melalui proses pengadilan. Satu peruntukan memberikan kebebasan tetapi kemudian peruntukan yang lain pula menegatifkan peruntukan kebebasan tersebut.

4. Contoh undang-undang yang menegatifkan hak kebebasan dalam Perkara 5 adalah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri – atau ISA – yang memberi kuasa kepada menteri untuk memberi arahan menahan sesiapa sahaja buat tempoh masa yang boleh mencapai sehingga dua tahun tanpa memberi peluang kepada tahanan membela diri. Dengan kata lain, menurut akta ini, seseorang itu sudah boleh ‘dihukum’ tanpa perlu terlebih dahulu dibuktikan bersalah. Akta ini pernah terbukti berkesan suatu ketika dahulu bagi memerangi keganasan komunis. Tetapi sesuatu yang terbukti berkesan tak semestinya benar. Dan sesuatu yang terbukti berkesan juga tidak semestinya adalah satu-satunya cara yang berkesan. Mungkin sahaja ada cara-cara lain yang lebih berkesan dan dalam masa yang sama tidak menafikan hak keadilan.

5. Sebenarnya kita mempunyai perundangan yang cukup untuk menangani isu-isu keselamatan dalam negeri – dalam konteks Malaysia yang sekarang – tanpa perlu menggunakan ISA. Ancaman-ancaman yang bersifat rasis misalnya, boleh ditangani dengan menggunakan Akta Hasutan atau Akta Mesin Cetak dan Penerbitan. Mereka yang dituduh bersalah di bawah dua akta ini bolehlah dibawa ke mahkamah, dibicarakan secara adil, dan setelah dibuktikan kebersalahannya, barulah dihukum. Tak perlu bertindak mengikut undang-undang tak bertamadun dengan membuat penahanan tanpa perbicaraan.

6. Tentu sekali, bagi pihak kerajaan, adalah lebih mudah mengawal kestabilan dan keselamatan negara dengan menggunakan ISA, kerana tak perlu susah-susah membuktikan apa-apa sebelum boleh menahan seseorang suspek. Tetapi kemudahan di pihak kerajaan tersebut akan memangsai peruntukan kebebasan individu, seperti juga pilihan warna hitam Henry Ford bagi memudahkan proses pengecatan memangsai pilihan para pembeli.

7. Keadilan dalam sistem perundangan Islam boleh ditemui dalam sebuah hadis riwayat Tarmizi

yang menyebutkan bahawa: “…kesilapan pemerintah dalam memberi kemaafan adalah lebih baik daripada kesilapannya dalam memberikan hukuman.” Maksudnya seseorang itu hanya boleh dihukum setelah dibuktikan benar-benar bersalah tanpa sekutil pun keraguan di muka pengadilan. Nah, kalau begitu, nilailah sendiri di manakah adilnya serta di manakah relevannya ISA menurut sudut pandang keadilan dalam Islam?

8. Ataukah sebenarnya masih lagi wujud golongan yang mengaku Islam tetapi dalam masa yang sama menganggap Islam sudah tidak lagi relevan lantas mahu terus berdegil berkeras kepala mengatakan ISA perlu dikekalkan?

My Beloved Quran

When I saw you,

I feel calm,

When I read you,

I feel peace,

When I heard you,

I feel comfort,

When I applied you,

I feel good,

You are very important for me,

Without you,

I feel messy,

Because of you,

I am organised,

Without you,

I was blind to this nasty world,

Because of you,

my life is shining,

You are the words from God,

that will guide me,

You are the speech from God,

that will accompany me,

And, somebody ask, “who is the ‘you’ that I mean it?”

And, I answered, “ ‘you’ is my beloved holy Qur’an”

What Type of People Are We?

All Praise be to the one who Created us;
There are some who make His existence a fuss;
Those who disbelieve in Him, they are in Loss;
In this life we have a test;
The question: whose fear of Allah is the best?
To worship him is our quest.

Time and Time again we are faced with situations;
In which we must make tough decisions;
Fools are we, we think we're so smart;
shaytan attacks us with many ideas like darts;
According to him, we plan and chart;
Not knowing that he is poisoning our hearts;
The time comes when we realize the mistake in our Parts;
One last chance!, for some the tauba starts;

Even still,some don't ask of His Forgiveness;
They don't realize that they're in a big mess;
Never do they ask of Allah's Mercy;
They have eyes, but can they really see?;
There are also the righteous however;
Forget to ask Allah?, NEVER!;
They ask Allah in every endeavor;
To help them as part of His Favor;
Then, even if they are affected by Shaytans call;
They are not hurt by the hard fall;
They quickly get back up, standing tall;
Racing to gain forgiveness from The Merciful;
Allah promised to answer the caller's call;

Take a lesson from the fitra of the child;
With the lesson of walking they are trialed;
Yes, they do fall, but they are not beguiled;
They get back up and take a step;
Maybe again they accidentally trip;
But they stand up again and get a grip;
More and more steps take place;
Before you realize it, they are walking with so much grace;
An example for us, as we grow in our age and Deen;
Like the baby, hard challenges we have seen;
As the baby walks with so much grace;
We should also pick up our pace;
We are travelers, there is no question;
To Allah is our ultimate destination!

May the Prayers and blessings of Allah be on His beloved;
and on the companions who prayed and strived;
That the Deen of Allah might be carried on to those who came later;
On high thrones will they be raised in the hereafter.

Invinsible Man

Liu Boilin. a Chinese artist paint himself.......

no photography trick here....

Pen Drives! will drive you crazy...

Creative Design 4 Breads...

Poco-Poco

Wallahualam....

I received this e-mel rom my friend about poco poco..

Alhamdulillah kerana kita semua masih bernafas lagi dgn keizinanNya. Saya ingin berkongsi dgn rakan-rakan semua tentang tarian poco-poco yang sedang hangat ditarikan oleh semua lapisan masyarakat,umumnya masyarakat kita yang beragama Islam terutama suri-suri rumah dan badan-badan kerajaan ketika manghadiri kursus.

Sebenarnya tarian poco-poco ini berasal dari Filipina bukannya dari Indonesia. Ia ditarikan oleh masyarakat yg beragama Kristian ketika mereka menghadiri upacara sembahyang mingguan mereka. Lihatlah sahaja bagaimana pergerakannya, yang jelas membentuk salib.

Mungkin kita tidak perasan kerana kita suka mengikut sesuatu yang baru tanpa usul periksa. Inilah cara musuh-musuh Islam mengenakan kita sedangkan kita tahu apabila kita melakukan sesuatu yang menyerupai sesuatu agama, maka kita dikira merestui agama itu seperti amalan yoga yang telah difatwakan haram kerana menyerupai agama Hindu. Cuma tarian poco-poco ini belum difatwakan haram lagi. Marilah sama-sama kita fikirkan."

Masya Allah...penulis pernah terfikir dulu, kenapa tarian itu dimulakan dari kiri? Dan apa jenis senaman ini? Relevankah tarian ini,yang kelihatan seperti tidak siuman? Dengan emel ini 'terungkailah' persoalan itu semua. Jadi, penulis menyeru kepada diri penulis dan anda semua supaya mengambil inisiatif untuk tidak lagi 'menarikan' lagi tarian ini yang ternyata mensyirikkan Allah tanpa kita sedar.

Dan paling utama memohon keampunan daripada Allah S.W.T atas kejahilan kita tentang perkara ini sebelum ini.

Semoga mendapat perhatian pihak berkenaan agar mengkaji secara terperinci tentang kesahihan perkara ini,asal usul dan kesannya kepada akidah Umat Islam dan mengeluarkan fatwa tentang tarian ini, agar Umat Islam tidak berterusan di dalam kelalaian dan 'keasyikkan' menarikan tarian ini.

WALLAHUALAM

Salam Kemerdekaan ke 53!

100Articles of togetherweunite.blogspot

Lets not forget our brothers and sisters in

Palestine during this Merdeka day...

Lets not forget bout them..

pray4them

Cara Minum Rasulallah

Rasulullah Salawatu Alai Wasalam amat menyukai minum madu yang dicampur dengan air sejuk. Amalan ini untuk tujuan amalan kesihatan. Rasulullah Salawatu Alai Wasalam juga suka minum air sejuk dan mencicip madu sebelum makan apa-apa diwaktu pagi.

Antara khasiat amalan-amalan ini ialah:
1. Menghilangkan balqham (kahak/lendir)
2. Mencuci perut
3. Membuang sisa-sisa makanan yang tertinggal di dalam perut yang tidak dicernakan dengan sempurna dan menolaknya ke usus besar
4. Menghapuskan sukatan dalam usus, menghilangkan senak perut dan sedu
5. Memperbaiki fungsi buah pinggang, limpa dan hati. Rasulullah Salawatu Alai Wasalam suka minum air yang telah disimpan semalaman di dalam suatu bekas.

Minuman Manis dan Sejuk
Aisyah (ranha) meriwayatkan bahawa: "Diantara banyak-banyak jenis minuman, Rasulullah Salawatu Alai Wasalam suka minuman manis dan sejuk" Hadis bermaksud, baginda mengemari minuman manis dan sejuk, campuran madu atau nabiz (rendaman buah tamar). Di dalam suatu doa Rasullah ada menyebut " Ya Allah kurniakanlah aku dengan cintaMu yang lebih besar dari cintaku kepada nyawa, harta, anak dan cintaku kepada air sejuk"Ini memberi isyarat bahawa sudah tentu minuman air sejuk itu mempunyai khasiat yang lebih besar. Adapun minuman jika terkumpul didalamnya kemanisan dan kesejukan akan menjadi asbab yang paling bermanfaat untuk penjagaan kesihatan tubuh badan. Ini sekali gus berperanan bahan pemakanan dan mencernakan makanaan yang masuk ke dalam tubuh lalu menyalurkannya ke seluruh anggota badan.

Ringkasan adab minum
1. Gelas atau cawan hendaklah dipegang dengan tangan kanan
2. Bacalah " Bismillah"
3. Minum dengan tiga nafas
4. Minum dalam keadaan duduk
5. Jangan bernafas kedalam air. Setiap kali berhenti minum arahkan pernafasan ketempat lain.
6. Setiap kali berhenti minum (pada setiap penafasan) bacalah Alhamdullilah
7. Jika tidak ada tempat untuk duduk adalah diharuskan minumsambil berdiri
8. Minum dari baki air yang telah diminum oleh orang lain.Hadis menyatakan bahawa saki baki air minuman seseorang Islam adalah ubat untuk penyakit
9. Jangan terus minum selapas dari melakukan persetubuhan ataupun setelah selesai mengerjakan kerja-kerja berat.

TAWARAN ISTIMEWA

Jika ada sebuah pasaraya membuat tawaran istimewa, beli satu dapat 10,
jalanraya dilapangkan menuju pasaraya itu, lampu isyarat semua dihijaukan,
kenderaan lain semua dilencongkan, agar segala kemudahan diberi untuk kita pergi mendapatkan tawaran itu, tetapi kita tidak peduli dan tidak teringin langsung kepadanya,
maka sesungguhnya kita memang tidak berminat sungguh dengan apa yang ditawarkan oleh pasaraya tersebut.

Demikianlah juga halnya dengan Ramadhan.Seandainya pintu Syurga sudah dibuka, pintu Neraka ditutup kunci, malah Syaitan dirantai agar lemah potensinya dalam mengganggu manusia, segala gandaan pahala diberi dan segala galakan kebaikan ditawarkan, tiba-tiba kita langsung tidak tertarik untuk mendapatkannya, ia menandakan bahawa kita memang tidak berminat dengan Allah, tidak berminat dengan tawaran-Nya, tidak berminat dengan Syurga dan tidak pernah kisah dengan Neraka. Maka sesungguhnya orang ini benar-benar tidak mendapat sebarang rahmat daripada Allah.

Semoga Allah melindungi kita daripada kedegilan dan kesombongan yang membinasakan itu.

How To Use The Al Fatihah

1. To make someone (YOUR Husband, your children) think of you all the time :
Read the Al-Fatihah 14 times before going to sleep.

2. For terminal diseases:
Read the Al-Fatihah 41 times and blow it in the water. Drink and take a bath with that water.

3. For the mentally ill:
Read the Al-Fatihah 7 times while rubbing the person's head once in the morning and once at night, everyday without fail.

4. When in extreme pain:
Read the Al-Fatihah 3 times and blow it in a glass of water and drink it. Then, read the Al-Fatihah while rubbing the area that is in pain.

5. For babies who cry at night or at any time:
Read the Al-Fatihah 7 times while rubbing the baby's head.

6. For injury : ex: Cut, Bee sting, Bleeding, Finger got slammed by the door :
Read the Al-Fatihah 3 or 7 times, using your thumb, take your saliva from the "langit-langit" of your mouth and rub it onto the injured area.

All of the above INSYAALLAH will work with several conditions:
i) Believe that the Al-Fatihah is the best "penawar" for everything
ii) Read it with full "khusyuk" Tawakal to Allah
iii) Use it with GOOD "niat" /intentions.

Memburu Malam Kemuliaan Lailatul Qadar

Ramadan adalah bulan impian bagi semua insan Muslim. Di bulan mulia ini terdapat pelbagai keistimewaan luar biasa yang tidak pernah kita temui di bulan-bulan lainnya. Sepuluh hari pertama bulan ini dipenuhi dengan `rahmat' (keberkatan), sepuluh hari pertengahan dihiasi dengan `maghfirah' (keampunan) dan di sepuluh hari terakhir diberkati dengan `itqun min an-nar' (kebebasan dari api neraka).

Bulan ini pula telah dimuliakan Allah s.w.t. dengan menurunkan al-Quran sebagai panduan hidup bagi manusia (Surah al-Baqarah, ayat 185), iaitu pada malam Nuzul al-Quran, 17 Ramadan pada tahun Kenabian Muhammad s.a.w. atau bertepatan dengan 6 Ogos 610 Masihi. Tatkala bulan ini menjelma, semua pintu syurga dibukakan, semua pintu neraka dikuncikan, dan diikatkan semua syaitan, (Hadis riwayat Muttafaqun `Alaih).
Bulan ini pula dikenal dengan `bulan bonus' bagi umat Islam di mana dalam bulan inilah Allah s.w.t. melimpahkan pahala berlipat ganda dan menghapuskan dosa-dosa masa silam bagi sesiapa sahaja yang melaksanakan ibadah puasa dengan penuh keikhlasan dan ketakwaan.

Puncak keistimewaan luar biasa bulan ini adalah apabila diturunkan satu malam, Lailatul Qadar (malam kemuliaan) sebagai Malam kemuliaan yang lebih baik daripada seribu bulan (Surah al-Qadr, ayat 3). Sesiapa sahaja yang berpuasa pasti amat berhasrat untuk menjumpainya. Bila Lailatulqadar itu muncul?
Lailatulqadar ini diyakini akan muncul pada sepuluh hari terakhir bulan Ramadan, terutamanya di malam-malam yang ganjil. Perkara ini dapat kita semak dari sebuah kisah Siti Aisyah r.a: Bila telah masuk sepuluh terakhir dari bulan Ramadan, Rasulullah s.a.w. mengikat kuat kainnya (menambah kesungguhan ibadatnya), menghidupkan malam (dengan banyak berzikir dan bermunajat), membangunkan keluarganya (untuk ikut bertaqarrub kepada Allah) (Hadis riwayat Bukhari dan Muslim).

Kesungguhan Rasulullah melakukan ibadat pada malam sepuluh terakhir bulan Ramadan dapat kita semak dari hadis berikut, seperti diceritakan Siti Aisyah r.a.: Beliau (Rasulullah s.a.w.) beribadat hingga menjelang subuh (Hadis riwayat Muslim).

Apa sebenarnya terdapat pada sepuluh hari terakhir bulan Ramadan itu sehingga Rasulullah begitu tekun meningkatkan kuantiti (bilangan rakaat) dan kualiti (kekhusyukan dan tawaduk) ibadatnya di malam-malam tersebut?

Tekun dan khusyuknya Rasulullah beribadat pada malam sepuluh terakhir bulan Ramadan tidak terlepas daripada keinginan baginda untuk menemui malam Lailatulqadar, iaitu malam yang lebih baik daripada seribu bulan. Perkara ini amat jelas terakam dalam ayat berikut: Sesungguhnya Kami turunkan ia (al-Quran) pada malam kemuliaan (Lailatulqadar). Tahukah kamu apakah malam kemuliaan itu? Ketahuilah bahawa malam kemuliaan itu adalah lebih baik dari seribu bulan (83 tahun 4 bulan). (Surah al-Qadr, ayat 1-3).

Lailatulqadar adalah malam kemuliaan yang memiliki nilai lebih baik daripada 1,000 bulan. Sesiapa sahaja yang beribadat di malam itu adalah lebih baik nilainya dengan beribadat selama 83 tahun empat bulan. Usia purata manusia yang hidup di akhir zaman ini sangat jarang yang mencecah angka 70 tahun, apatah lagi 80 tahun dan seterusnya. Bahkan usia Nabi Muhammad adalah 63 tahun sahaja. Berapa lamakah usia kita?

Pernahkah kita terfikir untuk mampu beribadat kepada Allah selama 83 tahun? Mungkinkah ia berjaya dicapai? Rasanya sangat sukar untuk melakukan perkara itu, mengingat keadaan dalaman kita (iman yang turun naik) dan pengaruh luaran (kecenderungan berbuat maksiat dari pelbagai aspek kehidupan yang kita hadapi setiap masa). Pendek kata, Lailatulqadar adalah malam yang bernilai lebih baik daripada 1,000 bulan. Ia sentiasa datang di setiap sepuluh terakhir dari bulan Ramadan. Kesempatan emas ini janganlah kita biarkan berlalu begitu sahaja.

Puasa Yang Berkesan Untuk Kesihatan

Gejala-gejala yang berlaku semasa berpuasa:

Beberapa perkara akan berlaku disebabkan oleh pembuangan toksin dan bahan buangan ketika kita berpuasa seperti nafas berbau, peluh juga berbau, kulit kering bersisik dan gatal, air kencing pekat dan berbau dan mungkin juga kerap kencing, buang air besar selepas beberapa hari berpuasa, sakit kepala, lenguh badan dan demam (kesan toksin keluar dari lemak ke darah, sebelum keluar dari badan), dan mungkin juga berlaku selsema dan kahak serta lendir dan keputihan.

Pesanan: Jika gejala ini tidak serius, jangan cuba ubatkan kerana ia akan berhenti dengan sendirinya.

Cara berbuka dan bersahur yang berkesan:

(i) Berbuka dengan buah dan air bertapis yang tidak dimasak (guna water-filter).
(ii) Solat Maghrib terlebih dahulu bagi memberi peluang perut mencerna makanan
(iii) Makan makanan yang senang hadam dan kurangkan masakan berminyak, berempah dan pedas. Seelok-eloknya makan sayur, tahu dan kekacang.
(iv) Kurangkan kadar makanan dari biasa
(v) JANGAN minum air sambil makan. Insya-Allah jika makan secara perlahan-lahan, masalah tercekik tidak akan berlaku.
(vi) Minum air putih atau teh herba atau minuman yang mengandungi getah anggur, buah kembang semangkuk dan biji selasih sebanyak yang terminum.

Waktu sahur elok makan buah dan susu atau sebarang makanan cecair.

Cara berpuasa yang tidak berkesan:

(i) Makan terlalu banyak (waktu sahur dan berbuka)
(ii) Makan makanan yang pedas dan berempah serta payah hadam
(iii) Makan terlalu banyak daging binatang terutama bagi pengidap batu karang, gout dan alahan.
(iv) Mengulangi makan sepanjang malam.
(v) Kurang minum air pada malam hari atau lebih minum air semasa makan
(vi) Tidur selepas kenyang makan

Makanan yang menjejaskan khasiat puasa kerana mengandungi bahan kimia:

(i) Kopi dan teh.
(ii) Air paip masak yang tidak ditapis.
(iii) Makanan yang ada bahan pengawet, pewarna, perasa tiruan seperti burger, sosej, mee segera, air tin & kotak, air squash, nugget dan seumpamanya.
(iv) Makanan masin perlu dielakkan semasa berpuasa kerana ia menyebabkan air bertakung dalam badan (water retention)
(v) Merokok

Fasa-fasa puasa yang berjaya:

Fasa pertama (2-3hari):
Perut akan terasa lapar, badan cepat letih, cepat marah kerana kadar glukosa dalam darah rendah

Fasa kedua (3-14 hari):
Kurang selera makan, senang gelap mata, nafas berbau, lidah menjadi putih atau berdaki manakala badan menjadi lesu.

Fasa ketiga(14-akhir puasa):
Lidah menjadi bersih, nafas hilang bau, selera makan baik, tenaga mula pulih dan kadar glukosa menjadi normal kembali. Di fasa ini juga mental, emosi dan badan semakin optimum dan diri menjadi orang baru. Keadaan puasa begini hanya dicapai oleh mereka yang benar-benar mengawal makan dan minum supaya proses asidosis dan ketosis di dalam badan berjalan lancar.

Amalan hari raya yang merosakkan manfaat puasa:

(i) Makan banyak (terutamanya daging, berempah, berlemak dan berminyak)
(ii) Makan kerap
(iii) Kuih-muih yang payah dihadam
(iv) Air yang mengandungi pewarna, perasa tiruan

Manfaat puasa yang berkekalan:

(i) Kurang makan kerana perut dah kecut
(ii) Kesihatan bertambah baik

Sabda Rasulullah S.A.W. yang bermaksud:"Ada banyak orang yang berpuasa tetapi ia tiada memperolehi dari
puasanya itu, selain dari lapar dan dahaga (yakni tiada mendapat pahala)."

Salam Ramadhan Al Mubarak..

Did we get a bill from Allah (SWT)?

A man reached 70 years of age and was affected by a disease which made him unable to urinate. The doctors told him that he needs an operation to cure the disease. He agreed to do the operation as the problem was giving him severe pain for days.

When the operation was completed the doctor gave him a bill which covered all the costs. After looking at the bill, the man started crying. Upon seeing this, the doctor said, "If the cost is too high then we could make some other arrangements for you."

The old man replied, "I am not crying because of the money but I am crying because Allah (SWT) let me urinate for 70 years and HE never sent me a bill!" SubhanAllah!

The Lion

This is a very touching video....

An Nawawi 40 Hadiths (9)

On the authority of Abu Hurairah, who said : I heard the Messenger of Allah(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) say :

"What I have forbidden to you, avoid; what I have ordered you [to do], do as much of it as you can. It was only their excessive questioning and their disagreeing with their prophets that destroyed those who were before you."

Related by Bukhari and Muslim

An Nawawi 40 Hadiths (8)

On the authority of the son of Omar[1] narrated that the Messenger of Allah(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

"I have been ordered to fight[2] against people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah and until they perform the prayers and pay the Zakat[3], and if they do so they will have gained protection from me for their lives[4] and property, unless [they do acts that are punishable] in accordance with Islam, and their reckoning will be with Allah the Almighty."

Related by Bukhari and Muslim.
[1] See note [1] to Hadith 2. / [2] Islam advocates that conversion be by conviction. The Holy Qur'an says: "No compulsion in religion", and in another passage the Almigty says: "Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way". The waging of war is enjoined against certain categories of persons such as those who attack a Muslim country, those who prevent the preaching and spread of Islam by peaceful means, and apostates. / [3] See note [2] to Hadith 2. / [4] Lit. "their blood".

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* KECINTAAN merupakan elemen yang paling penting sekali dalam sesebuah persahabatan. Ikatan sesebuah persahabatan akan mudah rapuh jika tiadanya kecintaan antara dua insan yang disandarkan kepada Si Pemilik cinta itu sendiri. Sebab itu, kadang-kadang perlunya kita meluahkan rasa cinta kita terhadap sahabat kita dengan mengungkap, "uhibbuka/i fillah" (bagi sahabat-sahabat yang sama jantina sahaja) agar mereka tahu betapa cintanya kita terhadap mereka, kerana Allah (insyaAllah).

* KASIH SAYANG lebih kurang sama sahaja maksudnya dengan kecintaan. Namun, setelah kita mencintai sahabat kita, perlunya kita curahkan segala kasih sayang kita terhadap mereka. Tetapi, kadangkala kasih sayang tidak perlu dipamerkan secara luaran. Cukuplah sekadar kita mendoakan untuk sahabat-sahabat kita, insyaAllah, itu sudah cukup membuktikan betapa sayangnya kita terhadap mereka.

* KEIKHLASAN dapat menjamin sesebuah persahabatan mendapat keberkatan dan rahmat daripada Illahi. Tidak ikhlas ketika bersahabat dengan seseorang akan mengundang permusuhan antara sahabat. Bersahabatlah dengan seseorang kerana keluhuran hati budinya, bukan kerana rupa, pangkat atau harta yang dimilikinya.

* KESETIAAN terhadap seseorang sahabat mampu memanjangkan tali persahabatan walaupun

jarang bertemu. Apabila kita setia terhadap kita, kita akan diingati oleh mereka sehingga akhir hayat mereka, kerana tidak kira susah atau senang, kita setia berada di sisinya memberi sokongan, insyaAllah.

* KEBERANIAN dalam berkata benar. Dalam persahabatan juga, kita hendaklah berani apabila ingin mengatakan sesuatu. Lebih-lebih lagi jika kita telah melakukan sesuatu yang menyakiti hatinya, kita kena berani mengaku padanya atas kesilapan yang dilakukan. Selain itu, berani juga dalam menasihati sahabat kita. kerana sebagai sahabat, kita mesti mahukan yang terbaik untuk mereka kan?

* KEJUJURAN juga perlu dalam persahabatan. Jangan sesekali menipu atau menyembunyikan apa-apa daripada pengetahuan sahabat kita. Mereka juga perlu tahu apa yang kita lalui dalam kehidupan kita. Jangan berahsia, melainkan pada perkara yang benar-benar perlu dirahsiakan

* KEMAAFAN. Sekiranya sahabat kita pernah melakukan sebarang kesilapan, bersedialah untuk memaafkannya, tidak kira sebesar manapun kesalahan mereka terhadap kita kerana sahabat yang baik adalah sahabat yang bersedia untuk memaafkan sahabatnya. Jika kita yang bersalah, janganlah malu untuk meminta maaf daripada mereka kerana orang yang dahulu meminta maaf adalah orang yang hebat.

* KESEDIHAN. Apabila kita sedar bahawa sahabat kita sedang bersedih, maka, ikutlah sedih bersama-sama dengan mereka. Tawarkanlah bahu kita untuk dijadikan tadahan air mata mereka. Kerana tiada siapa yang akan mereka cari selain kita sahabat mereka.

* KEGEMBIRAAN. Begitu juga dengan kegembiraan. Jika kita gembira, maka marilah berkongsi kegembiraan itu bersama sahabat-sahabat tercinta. Tidak mahukah kita bergelak tawa dengan mereka? Tidak mahukah kita melihat ukiran-ukiran senyuman indah di raut wajah mereka? Kegembiraan kita, kegembiraan mereka jua.

* KESERASIAN di sini bukanlah bermaksud, "Kau cantik, aku mesti cantik," "Kau kaya, aku pun kena kaya". Tidak sama sekali. Sememangnya manusia dijadikan oleh Allah berbeza-beza, namun, dalam persahabatan keserasian dapat diwujudkan apabila terbinanya persefahaman antara dua pihak. Apabila ada persefahaman, barulah hubungan kita dengan sahabat kita akan menjadi lebih baik dan akan berkurangnya pergaduhan disebabkan salah faham

Object of Despair

Emma is a lawyer and so is Aisha too. Those colleagues going into court at circa half past two. Its 1 O'clock right now. They grab a bite before the trial.They chat about this and that. Conversing with a smile. Aisha is in full hijab with a loose all over suit. Emma's in her business wear with accessories taboot.

Emma's really quite bemused at Aisha's godly ways. She looks Aisha in the eyes and very firmly says, ''You're a smart girl Aisha Why do you wear that across your hair? Subjugated by "man"- kind of like an object of despair! Take it off, my sister... Let your banner be unfurled. Don't blindly follow all around. DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM TO THE WORLD."

Aisha is amazed. But not the least bit shy. She bravely puts her milk shake down and gives Emma the reply,"My dear sister Emma, Why do you dress the way you do? The skirt you're wearing round your waist, is it really you? Now that we've sat down, I see you tug it across your thighs, don't you feel ashamed? Aware of prying eyes? I see the way you're sitting, Both legs joined at the knees, who forces you to sit like that? Do you feel at ease? I'll tell you who obliges you to dress the way you do. They are Gucci, Klein and St. Laurent, etc... All have designs on you! In the main, its men my friend who dictate the whims of fashion, generating all the garb to incite the basest passion. It is "Sex Sells" and there is no doubt, But who buys with such great haste? The answer is the likes of you, because they want to be embraced. They want to be accepted.

On a level playing field, sure with brain and intellect but with body parts revealed.Intelligence and reason are useful by and by but if you want to make a mark, stay appealing to the eye, you claim your skirt is office like a business dress of sorts. Would we not laugh at Tony Blair if he turned up in shorts? His could be the poshest pants Pinstripe from Saville Rowe but walking round like that my friend. He'd really have to go. Why do you douse yourself with creams to make your skin so milky? Why do rip off all your hair to keep your body silky? A simple shower's all you need to stay respectable and clean.The time and money that you spend is really quite obscene. Why do you wake up at dawn to apply a firm foundation, topped with make up and the like in one chaotic combination? And if you should have to leave the house, devoid of this routine! Why do you feel so insecure? That you should not be seen? Be free my sister Emma. Escape from your deep mire.

Do hijab today, my friend and all Islam's attire. Avoid all those sickly stares or whistles from afar. Walk down the street with dignity. Take pride in who you are. Strength lies in anonymity. Be a shadow in the crowd until you speak and interact when your voice will carry loud. You're a smart girl, Emma. Wear this across your hair. Don't be subjugated by "man"- kind of an object of despair to use your very words my friend."

Let your banner be unfurled. Don't blindly follow all around.

DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM TO THE WORLD!

7 Sebab Kenapa Melayu Tak Boleh Jadi James Bond :)

1. Melayu suka berahsia tetapi tidak pandai menyimpan rahsia.Industri perisikan seluruh dunia berasaskan satu konsep, iaitu keupayaan menyimpan, menghantar, menjual maklumat rahsia dan sensitif. Tapi lihatlah Harian Metro dan Kosmo, ianya penuh dengan berita peribadi yang mengaibkan, terutama gosip murahan dan berita picisan yang orang tak nak ambil tahu pun. Dan kebanyakkan editor dan wartawan akhbar ini Melayu, jadi tak hairanlah kalau Melayu jadi James Bond, yang pasti setiap hari akhbar akan penuh dengan rahsia rasmi dan sensitif Kerajaan Malaysia yang boleh mengancam keselamatan negara.

2. Martini shaken, not stirred (Martini digoncang, bukan dikacau).
Haram la bagi kita. Takkan James Bond Melayu nak pergi bar di luar negara lepas itu minta “Abang, minta air tebu satu”. Yang pastinya pada ketika dan saat itu identiti kamu sebagai perisik Malaysia akan terbongkar dan kamu pastinya akan dibunuh ataupun diseksa dengan cara dipaksa menonton 7 musim Akademi Fantasia terus-menerus.

3. Kasino dan perjudian adalah haram.
Kalau dirujuk semula filem Casino Royale, James Bond membelanjakan wang kerajaan untuk berjudi dan dipantau oleh pegawai dari Kementerian Kewangan yang 'seksa(i)' sangat. Kalau James Bond Melayu, mesti dia kena fikir dua-tiga puluh kali sebelum melangkah ke kasino. Takkan nak masuk kasino dekat Genting Highland atau diluar negara sambil pakai baju batik UiTM. Kalau ada pegawai dari Kementerian Kewangan pun orangnya ialah seorang makcik bertudung, memakai tag nama kementerian berwarna hitam dan sangat cerewet dalam meluluskan peruntukan untuk berjudi. Silap haribulan tak dapat satu sen pun. Habis la misi terjejas dan rahsia akan terbongkar.

4. Kereta…jeng jeng jeng(sound effect)…Proton dan Perodua!!.
Sedangkan kereta pengguna biasa pun kualiti masih lagi ditahap yang membimbangkan, inikan pula nak buat kereta rasmi untuk ejen rahsia kita. Confirm takkan ada badan dan cermin kereta kalis peluru, senjata canggih yang tersembunyi, dan pelbagai lagi gajet yang kita dapat lihat dalam kereta James Bond. Dan takkan ada kereta rasmi ejen rahsia kita yang boleh terbang, menyelam, dan jadi glider, sebab kerajaan takkan bayar (maintainance tinggi!). Dan yang pasti kita takkan beli kereta import.

5. Identiti palsu yang teramat terhad.
Dengan rupa kita ditambah kulit warna sawo matang, memang susah nak jadi low-profile. Bila turun kapal terbang dekat airport overseas, masalah dah timbul sebab perkataan ‘bin’ itu akan menyebabkan kita dituduh pengganas dan ditahan. Nak guna nama Michael Suparman tak boleh pula nanti orang kampong tuduh kita murtad! Kalau guna nama 100% Mat Salleh confirm habis. Ingat Mat Salleh nak percaya ada lelaki rupa Melayu pakai nama macam John Holmes atau Robert Jeremy? Tentu tidak.

6. Tiada peralatan khas.
James Bond yang sebenar akan dibantu oleh ‘Q’ yang akan memberikan peralatan-peralatan khas yang canggih habis, seperti kamera satelit, senjata, dan bom kecil. Kita ada apa? Setakat hari hujan pun tak boleh dapat signal Astro! Ditambah lagi dengan bilangan satelit komunikasi yang terhad (4 buah). Kalau dimushkan musuh, habis terkandas ejen rahsia kita tak dapat nak call for help sebab line Maxis, DiGi dan Celcom tak boleh guna (tiada satelit!). So, takkan nak minta tolong guna Pos Malaysia pula?

7. Satu Malaysia akan tahu identiti Ejen Rahsia kita.
Ialah dah jadi ejen yang pertama dalam Malaysia yang famous, mestilah jadi ikon Negara. Bangga anak jati kita jadi ejen rahsia! Dah tentu stesen dan program tv (Nona, TV9, astro awani, RTM, Majalah Tiga dll.) berebut nak buat feature story pasal kehidupan dan sesi latihan ejen rahsia kita ni. Itu tak kira lagi yang ejen rahsia kita ni akan jadi kaya-raya sebab jadi duta produk itu dan produk ini.

dipetik dari myxcapeworld.blogspot.com (Thanks to Najib for this post)

School Bus

SCHOOL BUS IN JAPAN

SCHOOL BUS IN PAKISTAN

CONCLUSION: BE GRATEFUL

The law of Seed

Take a look at an apple tree. There might be five hundred apples on the tree, but each apple has just ten seeds. That's a lot of seeds! We might ask, "Why would you need so many seeds to grow just a few more apple trees?" Nature has something to teach us here. It's telling us: "Not all seeds grow. In life, most seeds never grow. So if you really want to make something happen, you had better try more than once."

This might mean: You'll attend twenty interviews to get one scholarship. You'll interview forty people to find one good employee. You'll talk to fifty people to sell one book, one car, one vacuum cleaner, or a business idea. And you might meet a hundred acquaintances just to find one special friend. When we understand the "Law of the Seed", we don't get so disappointed. We stop feeling like victims. We learn how to deal with things that happen to us. Laws of nature are not things to take personally. We just need to understand them, and work with them.

Successful people fail more often. But they plant more seeds. When things are beyond your control, here's something that you must NOT DO so as to avoid misery in your life:

- You must not decide how you think the world SHOULD be.

- You must not make rules for how everyone SHOULD behave.

- Then, when the world doesn't obey your rules, you get angry!

- That's what miserable people do!

On the other hand, let's say you expect that:

- Friends SHOULD return favours.

- People SHOULD appreciate you.

- Planes SHOULD arrive on time.

- Everyone SHOULD be honest.

- Your husband or best friend SHOULD remember your birthday.

These expectations may sound reasonable. But often, these things won't happen!

- So you end up frustrated and disappointed.

- There's a better strategy.

Demand less, and instead, have preferences!

- For things that are beyond your control, tell yourself: "I WOULD PREFER "A", BUT IF "B" HAPPENS, IT'S OK TOO!"

This is really a change in mindset. It is a shift in attitude, and it gives you more peace of mind. You prefer that people are polite... but when they are rude, it doesn't ruin your day. You prefer sunshine... but if it rains, it is ok too!

To become happier, we either need to

a) Change the world, or

b) Change our thinking.

It is easier to change our Thinking! It is not the problem that is the issue, but rather it is your attitude attending to the problem that is the problem. It's not what happens to you that determine your happiness. It's how you think about what happens to you!