Sunday 25 December 2011

Merry Xmas and Happy Hanukkah 2011

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah


It is Christmas today according to Western calender. As a Muslim, I do not celebrate Christmas like Christian friends. However, I wish Christian friends Merry Christmas. In conjunction to this celebration there is also the memorial festival of Jew friends known as Hanukkah so I wish those who celebrate it Hag Hanukkah Smeah.

Hanukkah is a festival to celebrate the victory of Yahuda bin Mattatai in a rebellion toward colonizers. He ordered candles to be lit up again in the temple of Jerusalem after the profanity made by Antiochus IV Epiphanes inside their house of worship. The Greek king had placed idols and defecated it with pig which is illegal in their religious jurisprudence. It happened during the period of Seleucid empire hold control on the land of Judah.

Half an hour before the mass began

As for Christmas, I suppose that everyone knows about it and that the date is not exactly the date of prophet Jesus a.s birthday. I went to Assumption Catholic Church in Campbell Street to see how Catholics conducting their prayers for Holy Mass during their Christmas celebration. It began at 10 am and went on for about an hour and half with opening prayer, sermon and closing prayer, bread and holy water and hymns. I didn't take the bread and the blessed water anyway. I am not familiar with Roman Catholic rites though I memorized few Arabic Psalters. They had provided prayer books to parishioners. It is useless for me anyway because I don't know which part to refer when the cantor telling parishioners to open up sections but thanks to the uncle who provides me with the new order prayer books. I just mentally recited Quranic verses and dzikrs while the prayers went on in the place of worship.


I saw few Caucasian families perhaps tourists. Some of them seem at lost too so I guess they perhaps are not church goers as compared to local Christians whom are of Chinese, Indian, and Eurasian descents. Locals seem more polite as they bend down before sitting at the pew. A Caucasian who sat at the front pew perhaps is not a Christian but only following his girlfriend. The hymns and prayers followed by music from the music keyboard. I thought they would use the old pipe organ but there was no such thing in the hall. I could see people especially ladies chanting something with rosaries. 


After the mass session finished, they greet each other with the greetings of the festival. I went out after being an audience and just return home because I feel quite tired walking around before reaching the area. I also saw the Old Anglican Church known as Saint George Church is in function with many Caucasian devotees perhaps British and those from Commonwealth countries who happened to be tourists here. I thought that it is just a monument.

Assumption Catholic Church, Campbell Street

I arrived at Sungai Dua around 12:40 and having my lunch there before a junior, Charlie messaged me asking me whether I am free to company him having lunch but Dzuhr prayer service was almost there. I just politely tell him that I just had my meal. I just regret I didn't prepare another cloth because it is not really suitable to enter the Masjid with the cloth worn during others occasion and I could not perform the ghusl. I bought toothbrush and toothpaste at Maju Jaya department store to clean my mouth because we need clean mouth to recite holy verses. Next time I would bring hygiene stuffs with me for ritual purposes.

Before we perform salat service to the God, we need to make sure that we are physically and spiritually clean. After Dzuhr prayer service, I went to see Charlie at Khalil restaurant and having some talk with him before returning to my room. As it is, this is my experience today. I need to rush finishing the thesis, it makes me suffocating. I hate this worldly stuffs :'(  

Allahumma salli 'alaa Muhammad wa 'alaa aali Muhammad... Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Two Weeks Before Final Exam

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah


I just returned home and coming back to the institution. Now, I think that it is silly because I just went back to settle down my printer matter since my younger sister had offered me the printer she used. She had already finished with her classes so I can use the printer. I refused to take third sister car too because I am not comfortable using others' belongings. I know third sister would not mind but it is good for me to learn to live in difficulties. It teaches me humility and makes me understand or sensitive to people conditions, difficulties and pains experienced by others. Gautama Buddha left his luxurious palace life to understand what is the life and what is the samsar (torture). Prince Vardhaman also left his palace life and being a Jina.

To be frank, I don't know how to use technological stuffs and I hate technology, hahaha. I prefer to live like a primitive man. Maybe people could take a picture of a Taoist priest or a Yogi and try to decipher how I look like but I don't have keshav (matted hair) here. I just wear normal cloth like others and maybe I take cloth that people do not want anymore because I am not used to expensive clothes. I don't like to take my own photo too nor I like people to take my photos.

At least I could relax my mind at home. The musalla at our neighborhood is now functioning. As to say I am so happy because I don't have to walk to musalla in others' neighborhood. But I heard that the musalla was broken by thieves and few valuable things are missing from the musalla so they have to lock the door of the prayer hall. Few Tabligh Jamaat members sometimes spending their nights there and I think it is also good as they could also help the neighborhood to watch what happen during the night. If they need anything of course I would be glad to help them but I would never join them anymore. Just feeling that I am not suitable to be the member of the movement but I encourage those who are interested to join the movement : )   

Still have another five days to send my supervisor the thesis. They said that the due date for the thesis is on the 23rd April 2012. I actually wanted to send it earlier because I am afraid that I might have to do some amendments but the first part of my thesis has to be repaired so I think it would be a start from the scratch.

These two weeks I would have to read journals provided by lecturer and thanks to the God, I have the printer with me so I could print them out without having to spend my time looking at the monitor. It is so torturing looking at the monitor. I also do not have to get down to print stuffs and saving time. I wish that the printer do not give me any problem until I finish this thesis and final exam. 

Little sister is still in the process of getting some experience of getting a job. She went to interviews. I had also received a news from my friend, Azren that he's going to be at an interview for a post in a private college. Poor he is as his own brother does not encourage him but questioning why he does not using his master degree while applying instead using his bachelor degree. Again, this is about critical and 'non-critical' course in the university. We do not have any specification in job sphere like those who are secured in the job market. We are not protected by anyone except by the God and the knowledge or experience that we get in the master degree level is more than the money 'wasted'. Anyway, I wish him good luck and hope that he could get a fine job for himself soon. I also wish my little sister luck. My future is yet undetermined, and I better worry more about my thesis and the present. 

List on What to Do?

Need to sleep around 23:00 and get up at the time around 3-4 in the morning. I recall what I did during the first year degree regarding to clean the soul from filth of the world in the list of what we need to do every morning according to rites and situation:

1. Raise up at 3:45 and recite the name of the God
2. Wash the mouth and clean the teeth
3. Shower
4. Recite His 99 Glorious Names
5. Recite Quran and pick a surah to memorize
6. Walk for mosque 
7. Fajr prayer service

Most important thing, no wasting of time..... It is not good for health. 

Current Issue about Suicide

I had heard the news about a student who commit suicide in UNISEL and I think students need to think on how to strengthen their faith to Him. Anyway the student is a Hindu and not a Muslim but still he is a human-being. What I feel as sad is that he might face depression because I understand how it feels when we are alone and we have no one to at least talking about the problem. I heard that he might have problem regarding love or something related to studies and he is only a 19 years old student. Just wishing his family a deep condolence. Satan will easily attack a person if a person is spiritually weak because the soul is the generator of the physical body. 

As far as I know in Buddhism and Hinduism, a person who kill himself or herself will not be immediately incarnated in the hell or in the paradise. Their spirit will keep repeating the act of suicide until their supposed age being fulfilled. Later, they will be tortured in the hell as the consequence of the karmma (act). And then being incarnated again in the earthly realm. I guess this is how Malays in our country got their folklore about the place will be haunted because the spirit which is not incarnated will be roaming around the place where the person commit suicide. This is the belief of a Buddhist. 

The death which is considered as suicide in Hindu-Buddhism are the death because of carelessness such as accident, maternity death, death because of abortion where the unborn baby will be tormented in the hell and being a ghost known as kumara thongkham (golden prince) or toyol but it is not golden instead looking like being burned and etc. In Malay based on Buddhist belief, this kind of death is called as mampui or taai hung in rough Thai. So, these kind of death made the spirit of the deceased roaming around and I can hear many Malay friends where 100% of Malays are Muslim talking about this without realizing that they are mentioning the belief of their ancestors, hehehe. But in Islam, the explanation is different.

Sealed with prayers for mercy, love, and peace, amin!     

Sunday 11 December 2011

Sunday Evening: Check Sis Friend's Thesis

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Movie: Beck Mongolian Chop Squad

Ughhh, I don't really like doing proof reading or checking others' grammar especially when I have to read others' thesis and dissertation which is not related to my field of study but I've got no choice. It's apart of sustenance given by the Lord but the way needs me to work hard a bit and increasing the power of my spectacles.

Yesterday, younger sister called me and ask me whether I would like to receive the task helping her friend from Mara University. I actually do not really feel like checking it though she is willing to pay me because I am still busy researching for my own thesis. But the friend had also texts me saying that she's desperate for her grammar to be checked so I just agreed. Just taking minimum payment though I actually could charge more because I check her thesis the whole day and sending it before the dateline. Feel like vomiting reading the thesis for management in accountancy. Last time I helped third sister to write her nursing management when she cried to me. Now, when I am crying everyone is leaving me except Him. I understood now how grandpa feels when he was facing the state of sakarat al-mawt (before death). Poor grandpa, I will pray for you to be forgiven and blessed everyday, inshaallah. I always wish for your happiness there hoping that you are also forgiving me.

I had wrongly sent messages and calling to wrong numbers yesterday during the moon eclipse. Urghh, this is so annoying. I mean sometimes in few months I might have some nervous break down and I feel like dreaming while I am not sleeping. I hope people are not annoyed too. I didn't manage to go for the masjid for maghrib prayer service. I don't know, right now I feel that I don't want people around to see me because I think I wanted to disappear just like our mother, Maryam the mother of the Christ expressed her feelings during she was in pregnancy carrying the Christ after the Anunciation (surah Maryam verse 23). 

Managed to go for the masjid only after maghrib service prayer and waiting for ishaa' service. Feel more tranquil there rather than praying in musalla because I can hide behind pillars and Quran racks so nobody would notice my pathetic face. I love the musalla at the hostel but I feel it sometimes too packed and people perhaps might need more spaces for them to also pray. It is actually a good thing to see the congregation grows in the musalla so sometimes I must give up some space for others to come. I also feel I can't see people face because I am afraid I might make people feel annoyed. While waiting for ishaa' I felt thirsty and thought of buying some water outside because I don't take masjid's property. I only use masjid's property for ritual and not for myself. Then I went to a restaurant and ended up trying some ginger dumpling soup, hahahahaha. I think its quite spicy because of the effect from ginger with some longan. I thought that they put seafood in the dumpling so I was terrified. I haven't joined the prayer service in masjid yet at that time and I would have to perform ghusl if I take seafood to be free from impurity. Luckily that it was only sesame paste fillings in glutinous white dumpling ball.

I watched few Japanese movies and other movies of other languages too while I feel bored looking at thesis. For example, BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad and I think my life is just the same like those boring people in the movies. That BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad is adapted from anime about a boring retarded 16 years old Japanese boy called Koyuki in Upper Secondary School who feels that his life is all the same and being bullied in his school by a group of pathetic punks until he meets a singer and he learned how to be a performer on stage. It reminds me of myself but I was not a retarded guy. I technically become a retard just now after I have to read these unnecessary policies stuffs and I think it makes my head retarded than ever, lol. It also reminds me at the time where I learned about Heavy Metal, Death Metal, Guns 'n' Roses, and others during my first year freshman in the university from my colleague and the first person to talk with me, Amir.

I won't let myself being bullied so easily like that Koyuki guy in the movie. I was a very hostile young boy who never follow trends or people around. Perhaps Hadrami blood in me makes me quite volatile sometimes. I might be tiny but I don't care about what will happen if I am pissed off. I don't know what our noble prophet, Muhammad s.a.w feels when he had also to isolate himself in the Hiraa' cave during Meccan period. Whenever I remember about him I will also recite salawat and birkat to him and his family and companions though never in person meet him. It teaches me to be patient and reminds me to morality teachings of the God transmitted by him.

Need to have some walk down there getting some fresh air before some sleep. Waaa, my waist feels like broken sitting in lotus position for long-checking this sister's thesis.

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!

Friday 9 December 2011

We Eat Nasik

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I had saved this video since our last Independence Day that all of the states in Malaysian Federation get from the glorious British Empire. We can't deny the fact that Britain was a Great Britain who is full of tricks to conquer the lands abroad with their East Indies Company. I might be called as an ingrate by British if talking about their "tricks" or "wickedness" but they should also acknowledge that people from Asian continent had also fought their enemies for them during the World War that began in Europe. 

Products were taken back to Britain for their industrial usage. That makes their pound sterling heavier so they do not have to beg to be apart of Eurozone and they are not the God for us to be thankful for including us into their empire. 

Source: Matluthfi90

Urm, let us enjoy the video about ethnic relation in Malaysia. It is not mine but the guy who produced the video is from the same state as mine who studied abroad in Australia. Another British colony in South Pacific sea. He looks like one of my little nephew, haha. It's good for a short break too and I guess this khieat guy could also get A for his assignment if he takes ethnic relation course in our university here, hahaaha. Comments about the video can be directed right away to the owner of the video. His name appears below the video.

*khieat - hardworking and active

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!

Thursday 8 December 2011

Problem with APEX University

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah


I've just heard about the news that our course for master degree perhaps will be closed. We only have two juniors in European studies where one of them is a MITI staff which makes him few years older than me. I don't really care about the course but I am afraid that I would have no time to finish up what ever that I had begin. I don't know what will happen to these students too whether they would have to transfer to other university or else.

The problem that they encountered regarding the course is that there is a lack of lecturers and our lecturers have also to handle more than two classes. They work hard for researches, co-curriculum activities for university staffs, and etc but they've only gain few points of merits with the burden that they have. The dean of Social Science department is also moving to Malaysian National University (UKM) and he has few students under his supervision too. Our previous International Political Economy has also moved to the ministry because he had applied to upgrade his post but those in human resource did nothing. We have very bad human resource here. 

This university is a university which has no campus in Kuala Lumpur and only have campuses in Penang Island, Kelantan and Trans Kerian. Technically they are in states administrated by opposition parties. The principle here is that if we do not support national side, we receive no assistance as it is to teach people not to vote wrong side. It also means that people have to embrace their "political religion". When the university has no campus in Kuala Lumpur, it would be difficult to apply help from Federal government institutions.

The fund for the courses for example Asian and European Studies under International and Diplomatic Relation courses? We do not know where does the money for APEX goes. Perhaps only those in Critical Science courses like Physics, Chemistry, Engineering and etc are receiving it but those in Humanities and Social Science are not receiving it. Our education system since long is for profit making and for human capital. But human capital which has no human spiritual values such as morality and we still could see problems in developed society because of the lack of morality.  If it benefits politicians and the chronies, then everything can moves smoothly. If not, then let it sunk down. Religion is also being tied to filthy politics. Because this is what Western world taught everyone that religion is something which would threaten them and their wipers though they had introduced the term of Secularism to explain the concept of what happened in their nation-state while it does not apply to every place. Not all of the people are with black heart like them.

I am not talking about our courses in Social Science only but this is representing all of the people in our institutions in the country. We are not protected since long even politicians care nothing but only doing things for their "own" benefits. Those slogans that they made are just baby talks. I wish some day He shows them Who He is according to His Will to these people because we are vulnerable here and we could do nothing except talking to ourselves and among ourselves. This 10th of Muharram really reflects what happens now and human are repeating the same history.

Our brothers in Humanities department such as in Hadith Sciences? I do not know what happen to them and we never actually notice their existence here in USM. I tried to apply for Hadith studies in Saudi Arabia too but the procedures are so tight and we were threatened with international laws which is prejudice with no reason like we care about the Western world and trying to Islamisize them. Stop being full of yourselves lar Western World, please lar! We are sick of your old same n lame dramas. We don't care about what you want to do with yourselves or wanted to be. 

Our job is only telling the people about Him and His message through prophethood. We do not force people and have no right or strength to force people. The job to provide Guidance, Wisdom and Enlightening are His job. Not ours... I guess if people here are not using Islam as their so-called Malay identity from being Sinified or whatever racist-nationalism teachings (false religion), perhaps the Islamic Center would be scrapped down too because it is a waste and makes no profit in term of technology and industrial-material development and causing them "sad" pocket. Those people above only looks at the physical sciences as the benchmark for civilization and not at spiritual sciences where in the end we will only have empty vessels with no soul and shameless society. Education policy, economic policy, employment policy and policies are all cross-cutting. For us people of "art" which is not apart of "science," we are not protected by the Constitution.

Sometimes, I wonder... Don't they feel ashamed of themselves calling themselves as people who believe in the God and Muhammad s.a.w prophethood and message when they are looking down at the spiritual sciences or people who observe the society and those involved in it? Muhammad s.a.w was not an engineer, not a politician who studied in Harvard like them, nor a professor who sought for phd certificates or professorship or studying chemistry, physics, biology, or doing researches in laboratories. He was just an orphan who received Enlightment from the God through the emissary of Archangel Gabriel a.s after he was sick looking at the situation of his city.

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Introduction: Mahmudah Characteristics

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

 Jordan River Source Pic: Deborah Hannah

We had already learned about Madzmumah characteristics. Why not we learn about Mahmudah characteristics? What does Mahmudah means? Mahmudah is not a kind of cookie anyway. Mahmudah means the praised characteristics which is recommended for a civilized human-being in morality of Shariah Islamiah. These characteristics are also outlined in the book called Arba'een fee Usuluddeen which means the Forty in the Origin of Path.

What are they?  We can also learn some Arabic adjectives from here... lol

Tawbah - Repentance
Khawf - Fear to Him in term of fear to commit sins as the consequence is unpleasant
Zuhud - Modesty
Sabr - Patience
Shukr - Thankful
Ikhlas - Sincerity
Tawakkal - Dependence to Him
Mahabbah - Love to Him which reflects in every acts that we do in our daily affairs
Redha - Pleased with whatever decreed and this is the most difficult thing for us
Dzikr Mawt - Remembering death, this is also an anti-climax where we enjoy our life until we forget that we are immortal who live in a short span of time

Urmm, last time, our companies in Malaysia had also adopted Bushido values but I wonder why not companies, organizations and institutions with Muslim employers and employees adopt these morality values proposed by our own scholars and using Quran and Sunnah as our bench mark for everything? It is in our own country and not somewhere in Europe or in some other countries with majority of non-Muslim population or administrators. I think the Quran and Sunnah should be the main sources in our life if we call ourselves as Muslims. If we don't feel the need for Quran and Sunnah, would we be hypocrites and only calling ourselves with something which is not representing ourselves??? No matter what culture that we hold or what nationality we are, Quran and Sunnah should be the main sources including in moral code and working values.   

It's not that Bushido values or what not are not good but I am just wondering. Are we having inferiority complex or what? Why do we have to go far to others' values while we have these values everyday around us and the sources of these values are waiting for us to be opened up? Why we have to leave Him behind while He is the One who Sustain every creature and the One who Manage the universe? People never take our values nor even acknowledge us our values even if they use them. 

Just finished my final assignment and had already sent it at lecturer's room around 22:11. The assignment is due to Monday the next week but feel like vomiting looking at these policies stuff. I would have more time to focus on my thesis and final examination. I have to bear with these and be patient though feeling like my "soul" being pulled and rejected back into this "cage".    

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Tips on Memorizing Quran: Brother's Experience I

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah


Urmm, just a motivation for myself, haha. I also encourage brothers and sisters to memorize Quran. I regret my sisters are 'quite' stubborn. I cry for them every night and it's not easy to be only brother among sisters. I give supplication books not only to my friends but also to people at home pleading everyone to help me (actually help themselves). Dad is already an old man. It's not easy for an old man to memorize stuffs so we should benefit our time while we still have the opportunity. I just advise dad to recite whatever surah that he is able to recite and I praise the God because dad listens to me. Since he was attacked by strokes I always feel worried about him. Mum is also reciting the Quran and she would follow me if she saw me doing certain things but I advise her to also consult teachers and tell me whether I performed anything correctly. We could get along well only with Quran. Other than Quran, it is volatile kabooom... LOL. 

Well, at least mum tries to recite the Quran. I want everyone to receive Salvation from the God. Not only for myself since I am also not sure whether I could save my self or else. So, that's why when I see anyone that I see having the potential, I will expound whatever that I have in myself to them. Maybe some of them feel weird but I don't care if they don't understand it. It's not for me, but for my brothers and sisters which pragmatically refers to them, haha. I am not an easy friend and I don't talk with people easily as to say because it could be 'harmful'.

This brother has a good advise too regarding the Glorious Quran. His way to memorize is almost the same with mine. I use the method of listening and writing as well. I prefer listening to medium speed recitation. I am trying to save other videos from sisters and sheikhs as well as to see how they manage to memorize the Glorious Quran. Anyone passing by who are interested can also contact them by clicking their name as I put the link for their video in it. The video is not mine and I claim no right but credits to video maker. 

I purposely do this as to make sure everyone being connected from East to the West and North to South beside I can watch these in bus while returning home or going anywhere, hehe. May His sakinah (tranquility) descends upon all of the creatures. I don't know this is wrong or not. I envy those who fully memorized the Glorious Quran and practicing with it. I don't wish anything bad to them because I "love" them and I will kick those who hurt them if I see it as the effect that I "love" them. I feel bad for my self. It takes me long because I have to understand the verses that I memorize. I wish Quran to be my companion even after I return to Him. If I have nothing in this world, just let me have the hope for hereafter :'(

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!

Monday 5 December 2011

Translation of Chinese Verb into Malay

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah


I had been googling here and there and I found other thing which is not related to current studies but the previous studies. The journal was written by my first degree lecturer which was Mr. Goh. Well, first of all I would like to thank him for giving me and my group of presentation during the second year an A and we appreciate it so much. 

Many students said Mr. Goh is a garang (fierce) lecturer but I think that it is silly to assume that because we were first degree students and degree students around 20-23 years old were kids but not all of those kids are "kids" in thinking and mind. And I had not telling the truth that I am interested in translating and interpreting field when I was scolded by Dr. Lee and Tuk Din Uban for not attending the model's seminar. I feel bored listening to British educated old man talking about his granddaughter in Washington D.C and transcribing records of old English song. I don't like all of those songs and perhaps they didn't expect that an Islamic Center oriented student is in their classes, hehehe.

Maybe I should keep this for the next step of translating stuffs like Islamic Morality and Shariah books into Chinese to prevent crimes and sins. Because languages could be very dangerous as what I had learned in our principles during our introduction courses by Dr. Haslina and Dr. Hasuria.


I hope those lecturers who scolded me and received my protest letter have no bitter feeling anymore. Who told them to scold me out of nothing because I could be a monstrous guy if people show injustice to me or anyone. I was not the one who influenced other students to avoid their seminars and I was only an individual. Other students who didn't agree but still goes and not showing up their protests are cowards because the seminar was not apart of the program in course outline, that's all. I have to change my areas of studies and now is struggling to find political issues in European continent which is not my continent to read for my dissertation.

I had sent my apology to them and also cards before I graduated but I didn't receive the same thing from teachers for example Tuk Din Uban. Actually our education system is quite monotonous where teachers expect students to respect them but they show no respect to students. We treat people like we wish people to treat us - Lord Buddha Gautama Siddarth. Urmm, all of these materials are for Chinese to Malay. Where should I find the guide for Malay to Chinese or Arabic to Chinese?

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love!

Happy Ashura 1433 H

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

 Please recite salawat for prophet Muhammad s.a.w, the messenger of the God and for his family and companions, thank you.

Tomorrow will be Ashura observation for our Shi'ite brothers who commemorate the death of our beloved Imam Hussein r.a. I don't know how they would observe it but I had been told that matam or flagellation with knives and chain is haram by the Shi'ite scholars like the honorable Sayyid Ali Khamenei and Sayyid Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah.

As for me as an individual, I would observe it to commemorate our brethren of the past, the Children of Israel who were saved by the God from the tyranny of Pharaoh in Egypt through His miracle where He commands the sea to split open for His messenger and prophet, Moses a.s and His people to walk through. I had begin the fast since today, because today is Monday which is also a normal fasting service day for Him. 

I actually do not recommend this fast to friends or brothers and sisters unless if everyone is free and has no work to do so everyone can fast. I had wrongly told a respective brother about the day and fasting as I am not sure the term they use for sunnah and wajib. Just to tell him that it is a voluntary deed not an obligatory one and it is one of a prophetic tradition. I think it is better for brethren who are busy to recite the Quran or listening to Quran during the gap time that they have. Don't burden ourselves because this is only a sunnah. I observe fasts to ask His forgiveness on me and wishing to be released from being harmed by the duniya (worldly matters and affairs). Just a humble sacrifice for Him from a lowly servant.

How do I get the source for this? First, I check it in the Bukhari Hadith that I keep with me because I still have no time to memorize hadiths despite of my ambition after I finished my degree to be a Quran and Sunnah scholar at least for my self T T

The hadiths came from our mother Aishah r.a report which says: "the Quraish Arabs used to fast on the day of Ashura in the days of ignorance and the messenger of the God, Muhammad s.a.w too used to observe fast on that day. When prophet Muhammad s.a.w came to Medina al-Munawwara, he also observed the fast during the 10th of Muharram and ordered others to observe the fast. Later, when the command from the God was revealed about the fast of Ramadan, prophet Muhammad s.a.w gave up the fasting of 10th Muharram. It became optional for ones to fast or to leave it." (Book of Fasting, Chapter 43; pg. 457) 

Second hadith came from Ibnu Abbas r.a: "Prophet Muhammad s.a.w came to the Medina and he saw the Jews were fasting on the 10th of Muharram (according to lunar calender). He asked them. They replied to him: "This is an auspicious day where the God rescued the Children of Israel from His enemy. Prophet Moses a.s observed the fast on this day. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w replied: "We have more claim on Moses a.s. than you. So prophet Muhammad s.a.w observed fast on the day and ordered others to also fast on the day." (Book of Fasting, Chapter 44; pg. 457)  

As far as we know, prophet Muhammad s.a.w is a descent of prophet Abraham and the Quraish are also the descents of prophet Abraham a.s as well. Some of Abrahamic traditions had actually being practiced by the Quraish Arabs despite of being idolaters during the age of ignorance because they were not totally ignorant. They were deflected from the prophetic path because of foreign influence. The trace of patriarchs' teachings could still be traced in their life. We learned this during i'dadi (beginner) level in madrasah. I still remember the teachings where my sirah (Islamic history) teacher from Egypt had forced me to memorize the whole pages of the narration about prophet Abraham a.s and prophet Ismael a.s in Arabic. 

Second source that I get is from other Islamic bodies regarding the validity of acts of worship performed, other scholar sources or from other brethren blogs who provide information regarding Quran and Sunnah. So, brothers and sisters, we are actually helping each other. I thank you for your help though some of you write in Malay. I will try to write in other languages that I know as well and make sure to spread His Mercy to others too.

Al-'Izz bin Abd al-Salam r.a mentioned that: "Times and places may be given preferred status in two ways, either temporal or spiritual (religious). With regard to the latter, this is because the God bestows His generosity on His servants at those times or in those places, by giving greater rewards for deeds done, such as giving a greater reward for fasting in Ramadan than for fasting at all other times, and also on the day of Ashura, the virtue of which is due to the God's Generosity and Kindness towards His servants on that day..." (Qawaa'id al-Ahkaam, chapter 1 page 38). 

A hadith reported by Muslim When the messenger of the God fasted on the 10th of Muharram and commanded our brethren of the past to fast as well. They said: "O messenger of the God! It is a day that the Jews and Christians honor." Prophet Muhammad s.a.w said: "If I live to see the next year, His Will, we will fast on the ninth day of Muharram too." But it so happened that prophet Muhammad s.a.w returns to His Mercy before the next year to come."  

Al-Shaafa'i and his companions, Ahmad, Ishaaq and others said: "It is mustahabb (recommended) to fast in both of the ninth and the tenth of Muharram since prophet Muhammad s.a.w intended to fast in the ninth of Muharram. The intention of fasting in the ninth is to make it different from the Jews and Christians who limit their fast only in the 10th day of Muharram. This report was reported again by Ibnu Abbas. And as to say, the fast of 10th Muharram is voluntary and not obligatory as Ramadan. Everyone who intends to fast may fast on Monday (9th) and Tuesday (10th), or Tuesday (10th) and Wednesday (11th). It helps to clean minor sins, this is according of Fatawa al-Kubra in the fifth part by Ibnu Taimiyyah

My Yemeni-Hadrami Jew brother in Israel is also fasting but I am not sure how many days they are fasting. I had checked with the Jewish religious authority site and it shows that their passover had already happened. I guess he perhaps is following the lunar calender like we do and event in lunar calender may change every year. 

My Tanakh (Old Testament) in the book of Sifr Khuruj (Exodus) mentioned in chapter 14th about the event on how prophet Moses a.s and Children of Israel went out from Egypt from verses 1-31. My Quran mentions this event in Surah Ta-Ha verse 1-98. I always recite this surah during the 10th of Muharram. I heard some Christians or perhaps Christians by ancestry or name talking whether Muslim are celebrating Passover or respecting Moses the prophet? My answer to you people, yes! We celebrate and honor Moses a.s just like we honor Jesus the Christ and others who are mentioned in our scripture (the Quran). That's why we do not call names to these people like people in the West do because we have Faith. Just because we don't call it as Passover in English does not mean that we do not celebrate it or performing thanksgiving to Him.

I read Bible everyday here though other Muslim brethren or perhaps Christians (by name) do not do this because Quran alone is a boundless source of knowledge for Muslim or perhaps Bible is a heavy and boring book for Christians (by name) or perhaps some people might use scriptures as a pretext for their worldly goals. We human have limited time and space to cover everything so begin now little by little no matter if you are a Muslim or of any faith. Stop baseless hatred and check where does this come from? Try to open up the heart with prayers and the light of ruhul qudus (holy spirit). Check out what happened to Pharaoh in Surah Ta-Ha verse 1-98 and Exodus 14:1-31 during and after his discourse with prophet Moses a.s? What happened to his heart?
   
Urmm, my advise to myself and others who coincidentally passing by... Sins and crimes of this month is counted as serious sins and crimes so we must try to avoid evil. There are four sacred months which are sanctified by the God and they are Dzulqa'idah, Dzulhijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. These four sacred months are different from Ramadan in term of acts of worship like fasting because fasting is obligatory during Ramadan. The four months are mentioned in Surah al-Tawbah verse 36. In Muharram, we avoid quarreling or anything which leads us to fighting and enmity. In all of the months lies the commandment for us to do charity (worship) and to avoid evil and crime (sins). 

I wish that this benefit everyone if not covering all of the things but at least little things. Express our love to prophet Muhammad s.a.w with salawat begging the Lord to be in contact with him and his family and his companions. Pray for brothers and sisters to always be in love and linked with His Love and Mercy. Happy Ashura and Happy Passover (Moses and Children of Israel passing the Red Sea) to those who follow lunar calender. 

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!

Saturday 3 December 2011

Importance to Share the Quran with Others

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Just sharing around. Mr. Yee's background is almost the same with most of us here (Buddhism) and important is that he's of the same nationality with me.  

 
Video source: ameloona85

 Video source: ameloona85

The second video talks about previous scriptures. Regarding Torah and Injeel (Old and New Testaments), I read them here together with Quran. I memorize some parts of Zabur Dawud (Psalters) in Arabic and also trying to study Quranic suras again. I recite prayers and supplications everywhere and when I feel lonely I also recite verses to talk with the Friend. Last semester I bought a book of supplications based from Quran and Sunnah at Islamic Center and memorize them for my personal supplications.

I go to churches alone during certain days but I don't join sacraments. Only being an audience at the last pew if sacraments are going on. Sometimes I just sit in church if there is no sacrament until private prayer service finish. Some pictures of churches that I went were also posted here. I know not really what normal Muslims (Malays) do. I began to read many things during early times of my childhood life especially about Buddhism. Now I am quite busy so I have no time to take the bus and go to the town for the church. I only visit Orthodox and Catholic Church is an alternative but not Protestant ones. There is no Orthodox Church in Penang.

We were open in term of getting education and dad was actually encouraging his children to study anything that they feel important. Some books on Buddhism that I read actually came from him where he received them from Thai consulate. He didn't read them but I read them since I was 12-13 years old. It influenced my life today. My elder sisters were also sent to Hong Kong based Catholic Church in Kedah for their early education until they were shifted after being advised by some people.

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!

Friday 2 December 2011

How Policies are Made in EU II

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Policy Making: Differences between Policy and Decision


Decision

Decision is choice or solution that ends some uncertainty or reduce contention (Peterson & Bonberg, 1999). Choice made is a decision. Decisions are building blocks of policies. Decision answers questions on what to do regarding something, when to do something, who are involved, and where it is applicable. 

Policy

Policy refers to action or inaction by public authorities who are facing choices between alternative courses of public action (Peterson & Bonberg, 1999; Colebatch, 1998). In some circumstance, official policy could also has overt and covert policies. Overt policies means policies which could be founded in papers while covert refers to policies of major implementation.

Pillars of European Union (EU)

1. First Pillar is of supranational in nature, European Commission (EC).
2. Second Pillar is intergovernmental in nature, Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
3. Third Pillar also intergovernmental, for example Justice and Home Affairs for policy such as immigration.

Each of them has specific decision making procedures and methods of cooperation between states and the EU. If we compare this to ASEAN, ASEAN is more haphazard but now it also has few pillars. We are ASEAN member countries' citizens but we know nothing about the organization right? The same goes to European citizens. 

First Pillar

It comprises of common policy areas governed by the EU as a supranational system of governance. Decisions and policies are made by acting through EU institutions which are the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament (EP). Policy areas affected are such as Europe Monetary Union, citizenship, movement of people, and single market. They tend to be legalistic and binding under EU law. Co-decision procedure is usually used for policies in first pillar.

Second Pillar

It deals with CFSP. EU wide defense policy and capability at dealing with conflicts within the EU and surrounding areas. It deals with disasters, peace keeping duties, humanitarian aids and relief operations. The cooperation between member states in the EU in this regard is intergovernmental in nature. Decisions are political than legalistic. The decisions are non-binding under the EU law. Decisions are made using consultation procedure.

Third Pillar

It is under the Justice and Home Affairs where it includes the asylum and immigration policies. There are cooperation between police forces and courts to prevent cross crimes. It apply common rules on common external problems. Although purely intergovernmental, but under the Treaty of Amsterdam (TEA) some areas have been transferred into the first pillar. Consultation procedure is commonly used for decision making while the member states drive the process.

Refer to part I

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin! 

Thursday 1 December 2011

How Policies are Made in EU I

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

State House, Malacca

Try to compare everything with Shariah Islamiah which is our Way of Life. Compare with our own countries and look at how those politicians behave no matter at the coalition or alternative side. As an ex-religious studies student, I urge that the Qadis (Jurists), Muftis and fellow pure religious studies students to begin looking at these matters seriously! The end is very close but we are not certain when, only He knows. We are currently in Economy Crisis and check what happened in the Europe which also dragged the World into a series of world wars. His Mercy must be exercised dear beloved brothers and sisters

Don't just wait, act now and the initial step is to understand what are those Westerners think through their own framework! It does not mean that we abandon our Lord when we study them. It is a precaution to avoid from disasters from human faults. Establish the study for these in your institutions. I am actually begging brothers and sisters on my knees. I don't care if people are listening or not. I do this because I love my brethren, may everyone be blessed!

We also have decision-making process which is divinely and naturally revealed by the God while the ones that we are holding and practicing right now are from human being who have to think hard and boasting around (they are spiritually and morally empty). We had already learned that human could also receive inspiration from the God if not the Revelation like prophets or messengers of the God. But inspiration is not as equal as Revelation.

For Muslims, we have the Quran and Sunnah which should be the basis of our constitutions as they are natural but we refused them for man-made ideologies. We create terms which is not natural to explain certain theories and matters that happened. Choice is with us, not on others. I will be lying to say that I don't care. I am disappointed and sad with people who call themselves Muslim but they are skeptical with the Revelation which is the basis of our faith to Him. Changes does not come in a day, but it comes gradually. Its principles are the same with the principles of exercising the Guidance of the Lord which is His Mercy. I wish this benefit my beloved brothers and sisters, it's not easy to jot down all these notes from the source. I'm just performing a qurbana (sacrifice) for brethren of nations, may everyone receive His Love.

Introduction

Complexity in Policy-Making Process

Policy making process is the most complicated process in the European Union (EU). There are several reasons on why it is complicated: 

1. EU is both a supranational and intergovernmental body.

2. It has to use different ways in policy-making.

3. There are sets of factors involved in policy-making (Nugent, 2006)
    
a. those involved in EU institutions.
b. those involved in the policy-making are governments and EU member states.
c. those involved with Euro currency and national interests. 

4. Considerations on the levels of actors' motivations for participation:
    
a. circumstances and possession of legal or political power. 
b. different set of actors have different level of power.
c. these different actors at different level of power has overlapping influence and crosses between tiers.
d. level of priority given to particular issue and consequences of involvement.
e. level of power resources at disposal of actor.

5. Channels of participation also contribute to complexity in decision-making:

a. channels for decisions vary in the levels of their complexity and exhaustiveness.
b. some channels are easy and straightforward, others have multiple actors competing to determine outcomes.
c. multilevel governance - differences in relative importance of EU, member states, sub-national levels and between linkages between different levels, this could also be linked to immigration policy.
d. level of security involved, it depends on level of forums they've conducted e.g at ministerial level, heads of states, council, COREPER, committees, or working groups.
e. level of formality and structure involved whether the process takes place within the Council, European plenary sessions or joint European Parliament (EP) and European Council delegation meetings.   

Part I done... Try also read materials in Europa about Decision-Making Procedures.

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!
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