Tools for Da'awa Part I

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

This is in relation to previous posts about the importance of da'awa. I have no affiliation or interests in any movement. Sometimes they provides me inspiration for example those elders in South East Asia from various mission orders. I read those of South Asia and Middle East but in South East Asia we also have our own history of da'awa missions. For us who had been dipped into religious studies since our childhood, we are aware about local ulamas, their orders and their madrasas because we had been exposed to them first through the history of local ulamas. Local ulamas also were involved in the movements during colonialism period but because other who were a bit modern had been educated in Egypt so they were exposed more to the foreign Muslim reformers of diverse school of thought for example Rashid Ridha or Muhammad Abduh. So, those local ulamas were not really being given attention by youngsters. I believe that local ulamas and their works need to be documented. So far, we could see many blogs and sites talking about them. There are also efforts from local publishers. So, it is a good move itself.  

My father had also collected the list of ulamas in South East Asia under the classification which is known as Nusantara. I do not agree with him for the term since Nusantara actually denotes the area of Majapahit Hindu Kingdom of Eastern Java Island tributary states and they were actually scattered around the archipelago of South East Asia. Those states which were included into the Nusantara realm remained tributaries for a short period around 13th to 15th century. Not in a unified form and federalized. The problem happened in identification when it was bumped with the history link of the earlier Buddhist Srivijaya Empire as this ancient empire has few capitals in Sumatera, Malayan Peninsula, Southern Thailand and Java Island where few royal members being sent to administrate along with the locals.

We from Northern Malayan Peninsula were closer to Siamese Empire and the Burmese Empire. Our illustrious Sultanate never submit itself to any colonial power be they from South East Asia nor from Europe. Even when British trying to impose their rule, our Sultanate had already established its own modern administration system with officials wearing government servant uniform. British residence had not played significant function in our state capital because they find no reason to "fully" control our people. However, from my father written books I roughly get the idea about local religious teacher figures in Malayan Peninsula. I think rather than looking far outside of our region why not we pay our homage to those around us and looking at what are their approaches in term of da'awa? What are the tools that they proposed us to have when performing the responsibility of da'awa be it alone or be it in groups? I made some highlights here so brothers and sisters could look at what we need to equip in our selves and how we could cooperate with each other:

1. Intention and the Goal of Da'awa

A person who perform da'awa need to know what is the goal of his da'awa. Where would it lead the people who receive it? This has to do with the intention dear brothers and sisters. We should be acknowledged on what is our intention when performing da'awa. The purest form of intention is only for the sake of Allah pleasure. We are not performing da'awa to strengthen our political alliance, to strengthen our economy or to satisfy our nationalism or ethnocentrism courses. We are not performing da'awa to show off that we can dominate the mind of other people. The reason why we perform da'awa is to spread charity, to highlight the beauty of noble morality and promoting chastity around the universe. We are not in the position to act in Allah position because He does not need us to be His representative to put labels or calling other people names if they do not listen to the call and invitation. For the intention, the basic one is from the compilation of Imam Nawawi rahimahullah which states that every act we perform is with intention. This is also what those in secular legislation field learned about criminal law in the saying of: "mens rea or guilty mind when followed with actus rea or guilty act forms a crime". In the Divine Way of Islam, it is also the same. Our act is based on our intention and intention is within heart (mental and soul). Make sure to be specific in the intention before doing something.

2. Knowledge about Quran and Sunnah

When performing da'awa, we need to equip ourselves with the knowledge about al-Quran and the scripture. Before prophet Muhammad s.a.w era begins, there was the era of prophet Jesus a.s. He has disciples and he also assigned disciples who were known as his apostles to spread the mission of his gospel to others such as in the land of the Greeks, the land of the Assyrians and others. They brought with them scrolls and the notes of his teachings. People of this era could also do the same and we even have technologies such as iphones, blackberries, and other which could also access information from the database. However, I personally think that it would be better if we keep the Quran within our "heart". So, we could recite it out when we need them in our daily life or when we need to help others with the revelation.

Besides, we need to also know and familiar with the sunnah of Muhammad s.a.w. Sunnah here refers to the traditions inherited from prophets and sages. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w is the inheritor of prophetic traditions of ancient prophet and messenger of Allah's lineages. He transmits them again through the light of Quran and revelations. What is the source of sunnah? Actually many sources ranging from the hadith of Muhammad s.a.w discourses with his companions, his family members to the life of Muhammad s.a.w framed in the sīrah. It would be even better if we could also get to know his four closest companions whom are Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman and 'Ali. For us, we were also taught with the life of these companions closest family members.

3. Knowledge about Jurisdiction and Our Legislation System

When we talk about Islam, it is our way of life and it is divine. Why it is divine? It is flowing from Allah to His servant which is Muhammad s.a.w and transmitted to other servants through revelations. Revelations here is compiled as the Quran and also in the form of Sunnah. The basis reference for our legislation system is firstly the Quran and secondly the Sunnah which also includes the hadiths. When we talk about performing da'awa, we need to have sound knowledge about the opinions of the Salaf Imams and the Ahl Bayt Imams. We need to also know about these imams and their life. Because da'awa is also known as explanation. The Quran and the Sunnah needs explanation especially for jurisprudence and those imams provided explanations to them.

Who are those imams? Basically they are Imam Zaydi bin Ali, Imam Ja'afar bin Muhammad, Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik bin Anas, Imam Idris al-Shafi'ī and Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal. These people had started six well-known schools of jurisprudence which are the Zaydi, the Ja'afari, the Hanafi, the Maliki, the Shafi'ī and the Hanbali. The Zaydi is followed mainly by those in Northern Yemen and the Ja'afari jurisprudence is followed by the Usūli Twelver Shi'a, the Akhbari Twelver Shi'a and most of the Isma'ili Sevener Shi'a (Fatimid) of both lineages the Nezari and the Sulaymani. It is because Imam Ja'afar al-Baqir is the sixth imam of the Musawwi Shi'a Muslim and the fifth imam for the Ismaili Shi'a Muslim.

Before we act on something, we would first have to take into the note that the Quran functions as the guidance, comparison for worship and as an interesting source of lessons. The same thing also goes to "the life of Muhammad s.a.w" where we need to get it from reliable sources of those who have faith in the prophethood of Muhammad s.a.w and not from those who do not believe in the prophethood.

4. Knowledge in Ethnology

To perform da'awa, we need to know the condition and the situation of nations which we are going to perform the da'awa. We need to check the current issues in the region. Other things to be taken into consideration such as their educational standard, the experience of the people, the climate and the way they behave or what is considered as social norms by the receiver society. These are framed in the ethnology.

After the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w passed away in the state of Medina, there were reports about companions of Muhammad s.a.w were quarreling over who is the most suitable candidate to be appointed as a caliph. After two days of discussion and meeting, they made up their mind to appoint Abu Bakr as the first caliph after the prophet s.a.w passed away. In the beginning, there were also those who disagree over the decision but later everyone accepts it. The reason why they accept it because Abu Bakr r.a was well-acquainted with the knowledge about the norms of Arabian tribes.

Knowing about ethnicity of the target society of da'awa is not by just memorizing the ethnic or a nation name such as German, French or Gallician as for example. One needs to know their common norms and mannerism. He has to know what is the difference in term of mannerism between a British and an American. What is the ethic of British or American in their daily life? I actually learned a lot from my discussion with non-Muslim friends because I could get to know their opinion without revealing my faith status. So, I could check on what is the most suitable way to perform da'awa according to situation and the type of society or individuals, haha.

5. Knowledge About General History

To perform da'awa, we need to know what are the factors of social depravity and from where did the customs that hinders society to think discernibly. It could be done through general history knowledge. Through this way, a person may perform da'awa without having to fear that his acts of combating customary inventions in a society would be rejected because he knows the factors of the inventions and their origin. His words with sound background knowledge would be taken into consideration by people after they learned the facts from the words spoken. So, people could transfer their selves from a condition to another condition.       

6. Knowledge in Geography

When a person moves to other region, he needs to first being acknowledged about the geography of the region. Say, if he is performing da'awa in the jungle say in Amazon, he needs to know the climate or important natural resources such as the location of river and equipped with orienteering equipments. It is also important in order to provide fatawa guidelines because the geography of regions would be different. For example, Imam Idris al-Shafi'ī had provided different fatawa guidelines in different locations in Iraq and in Egypt. It happened because of the difference in geographical grid and the difference of the regions makes the norms of people different. The fatawa in the Lisbon might be different to the fatawa in Manila because they are in different regions. So, in Shafi'ī school of jurisprudence as far as I know, they have the Qawl Qadīm and Qawl Jadīd. Qawl Qadīm means the Older Sayings and Qawl Jadīd means the Newer Sayings. It is because of the difference in regions.

So, those of other schools of jurisprudence need to respect each other and not trying to impose the opinions of their schools on others. No laymen who just sat in the circle of few lessons listening to reading of books for example by Sheikh Muhammad b. Abdul Wahhab or other individual Sheikhs could issue rulings on others. Shari'a is something which you have to start from the very beginning! Not from the above where you listened in the thesis of those ulamas and being influenced by the whisper of satan that you are all-knowledgeable because you are attached to a "popular" movement until you can label other with inventions in here and there. If you wanted to follow Hanbali madhab and the movements predominantly consisted by the Hanbalis, then find the ulamas who are knowledgeable in jurisprudence and learn under their supervision. Check all the kitabs by the Hanbali ulamas and not selectively.

There are many ulamas writing the kitabs according to Hanbali method of jurisprudence not only Ibnu Taymiyyah and Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab. Example of them are Taqiyuddin Ahmad bin Abdul 'Aziz (Ibnu Najjar), Imam Muwaffiquddin al-Moqaddasi, Muhammad bin Muflih bin Muhammad bin Mofrij al-Moqaddasi and many others. What I could say, just be yourselves. You do not have to conform to other groups whom you look as popular because they look greater in their eloquence of speech or anything. You can always study their materials while being yourselves. 

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

Zuhud and Modesty in Life

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Attachment to the worldly matters is the root of evil

What is Zuhud? It is a terminology used by Muslim to show modesty. Speaking about tasawwuf, there are boasting Orientalists who trying to talk like they know about everything. As an individual who profess the faith to only the God as the Most Highest, the King of worlds and universe, I don't buy anything from them either their opinion or suggestion suits well with my thought or in the opposite because they have no authority to judge others when they do not have any faith to the six pillars of faith and the five pillars of the nature. I hate this shallow notion about certain matter is influencing others just to downgrade others. This earth is shared and human come from the same source unless if those human who turned to be human from apes, that is different thing since they were not human by origin but animal. 

In Islam we have ihsan which is a concept where we believe that He is watching over us even when nobody is looking at us since He is the One who Supervise. Ihsan is mentioned by prophet Muhammad s.a.w during the discourse with archangel Gabriel a.s who actually was sent by the God to teach companions of prophet Muhammad s.a.w and to be taught to generations in to come in disguise of questions and answers about the basis of the nature of human-being and other creatures. Our devotion to the God is based from prophetic tradition and we reject Orientalists ideas. They are not the authority for us, their opinions whether supporting us or opposing us has no significance to us. Their standard is not in compliance with our standard.

Concerning things exported from Christianity? Jesus a.s who is the "Lord" of Christians and the originator of the "religion" which is known as Christianity is one of the prophet of Islam. Islam is not a "new religion" but it is "a nature" which originated from the God the Highest who possesses the Most Glorious Names. It does not originated from Muhammad s.a.w because he was a medium chosen by the God to transmit the teaching to other non-chosen human-being just like other prophets and messengers of the God since Adam a.s. Jesus a.s is the brother of Moses a.s and Muhammad s.a.w by souls and by the same first ancestor which is Adam a.s. They are not from apes offspring and those who believe that they are descended from apes are not wrong. They are indeed what they believe. Another thing that we need to bear in mind, we do not submit ourselves to Church Fathers but only to the God the Most Highest. Jesus Christ need not Church Fathers to decide anything for him if he is the Lord. So, if Christians wanted to devote themselves to whatever "Theophany" they wanted to devote, go on. Just avoid from evil morality which does not reflect the morality taught by Jesus Christ and they would be fine. I don't simply call people as infidel because it is not me who decide but the God to decide over His creatures. If anything being mentioned in the scripture, then it is His word and not my word. It will remain as it is.

Those Christian monasticism influencing others is not an issue for us. Those influencing matters are nonsense and those "scholars" I believe are not people who practice any religion instead they worship themselves under their so-called "scholarly" statements or "suggestions." They are human and not the God to be worshiped on their opinions and they have flaws just like other human-being. Those Christian evangelists mostly do not portray the moral of Jesus Christ but they showed the negative side of human-being to me as a lay person because I had encountered such experience with them. I didn't even choose to be baptized last time but considering Buddhism because I detest the way they talk to others, bajet suci gitu. I would also demand to stop calling us Muslims as Mohammedan. We are not worshipers of Muhammad either when he perform "divine" miracle or when he was in human characteristic because we don't need such a philosophy to explain his characteristics and developing a dogma. Everything is clear in basic suras in the glorious Quran, the Word of the God. We are Muslims. We submit ourselves to the One who posses the Peace, the One who protects everyone with Peace. In al-Fatihah surah it is already mentioned that we follow only Him. Not Church Fathers' philosophies nor Orientalists teachings : )

A person who is devoted to the God actually has no time to look to other places or thinking to rival with others in term of worldly matters but feeling afraid that he would be dipped into torments and being far from the God with misconducts. A person who is devoted to the God does not actually talk much because much of talking would only bring negative impact toward the environment and nature. So, my Muslim brothers and sisters who perform da'awa especially to other community, always keep in mind to adhere to morality conduct revealed by the God in Quran and Sunnah. We perform everything through the Light of the God, the knowledge, wisdom, practices, and sincerity only for His sake. Not because we wanted to gain anything, to gain glory in others' eyes, gaining fund for example from organization, and etc. Guidance and Mercy is His work and not our work. Our responsibility is only to deliver to fellow creatures. This is also an advise for myself : )

Now this article is actually an article published by Islamic Center of USM which I had kept for long and reading it over and over but due to that it is in Malay, I think it should also be translated into other languages may everyone receive the Mercy of the God. I would like to share it with anyone passing here whatever faith that they have. Anything good should be shared and this has nothing to harm anyone Creed toward any doctrine because it is noble morality. 

Zuhud means a characteristic of heart which is not attached to the world or worldly matters. It does not mean that we are wearing dirty clothes, torn everywhere or looking poor like a beggar in front of other. Even when we are poor, we do not show it to others but maintaining the look of normal people. In Islam, we are taught to look the same like others. Even if we learn scriptural studies, we do not necessarily wearing clothes which show us as a cleric or a minister. It is enough to look like other civilians and live like others. Zuhud only means that the condition of heart which is not attached toward worldly matters, does not depend to anything in the world but only depends to the God.

The tranquility of life in this world is what everyone desires. But we still see that many people are living in anxiety, fear, worrying about something which is uncertain, hatred to others (I also have this evil thing in mind) and many unnecessary things. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w through the Revelation taught us a practice which will makes the God love us. 

His teaching is recorded in a hadith narrated by Abu Abbas Sahal bin Sa'ad Sa'idi r.a where he mentioned again that when a man walking passed prophet Muhammad s.a.w, he asked prophet Muhammad s.a.w: "Dear messenger of the God, show me a practice in which I will be loved by the God and everyone around me will also love me. Said prophet Muhammad s.a.w: "Be modest in the worldly matter, as the God will love you. Be modest on anything which is possessed by human, and human will love you."    

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w teaches everyone to be like a person who is traveling. He said: "be like a foreigner in the world." A person who travels never being attached to anything or feeling that they should have any possession since they are just temporarily staying at a certain place. Just take a look at travelers, how do they look like? Do they bring anything like valuable stuffs with them while traveling or doing sightseeing? They just bring things that they need right? For example few clothes, few hygienic stuffs, passport, identity card, some money to use while staying in a certain place, some notebooks, or books to read while waiting for passport control. Another example that we could see are migrant workers. Look at how they live. Are they living a comfortable life or just enough for them to live in a foreign country where they are earning the money to be sent home? A modest person has no greed toward worldly matters.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w further said: "Indeed a modest person in the world will feel relieved in the world and hereafter. A person who is attached to the world will feel suffocated and exhausted in the world and hereafter." (reported by Thabrani, Baihaqi from Abu Hurayrah r.a)

Imam al-Ghazali divided zuhud or modesty into three stages:

1. Lowest modesty where ones avoiding attachment toward worldly matters to avoid evil consequences in the hereafter.

2. Middle modesty where ones avoiding attachment toward worldly matters to get rewards in hereafter.

3. Highest modesty where ones avoiding attachment toward worldly matters because of the devotion and dependence only to the God. 

People at lowest level of zuhud still are attached to worldly matters but at least they are striving hard to refrain from submission toward evil desires. The better zuhud appears when the heart of person actually had left the world and has no interest in worldly matters anymore. Highest zuhud is a stage where a person knows Who is his Creator and Lord. For these people, the world and its content actually have no significance anymore but their whole heart, thought and soul is only directed toward hereafter and the God.

Human have choice and rights to choose. The God had also grants us with mind to think what suits us better. So, it actually depends on us where should we go. Even the devil could also choose and he also has freedom to choose to be what he wants. He had chosen to be a boast. So do, Western Orientalists. They had chosen to make people around the world fight among each other with their attachment to worldly matters. Where are they now? Are they still living or resurrected as a cyborg by machines and technology? LOL   

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

Da'awa: Darul Arqam Singapore

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

I spontaneously typed this out after watching TV al-Hijrah in a segment called Sinar Baru. It talks about Darul Arqam and it is a charitable organization. It is for my personal record and I hope to visit the center if I went down to Singapore, may Allah permits it. What I found interesting is that, it uses English as the medium for propagation as it is widely understood. Sometimes this small matter could also help to boost people understanding toward the path of the God.

I am glad to see that although Singapore has no 'Muslim' leaders but they still could run their organization to help reverts of Islam. I actually detest to call reverts as Muallaf. I believe that their faith is more strong than those who were born as 'Muslim' or identified as 'Muslim' in their ID. They have to face great tests.

The center also has a unique concept which is called as befriender whom are the volunteers to be friends and approaching the reverts for activities together. It seems almost the same like some karkons had done to me when they approached me but they had left me due to some constraints or many other factors like maybe shy. I had called some of them to read some books in private in my room not because I wanted to debate but I wanted to pay respect to their sages beside inviting angels and for Allah to bless my room and others around my room. I don't know what those karkons had to shy off from me because I was the one who feels shy to them. My iman is so weak that I always had struggles in my self and 'aqidah. I also have a very low-self esteem, well if I compare myself to them because I am not good in many things. I also believe Allah is placing hell on me because of my sins was so great toward Him. I know He is all Merciful, but maybe because I am just a lowly creature that made me feel unworthy.

Even now, I am also having struggles and I believe it will continue until I face the biggest test in this Universe which is the death. Everyday I am waiting for death and the resurrection but I am still not ready with my hideous self and poor practices in offerings to Allah. I actually don't blame those karkons. Instead I understand them. I am proud of them but I just feel bad when saying farewell as I had already expected but I keep mingling with people around instead of avoiding crowd. I am afraid of straying from silaturrahim after its establishment. I also prays for them to be in their jama'at that they had chosen to be may they not walk far from what they had said to me as I am witnessing everything under His holy view and always supporting whatever is good for the nations and humanity.

Sometimes I might be using some analogies or metaphors that might hurt others because they might be very hard to be understood. I will always apologize to everyone because Allah would never forgive me if everyone do not forgive me on my sins on them. That is normal, we are weak human. Allah is always perfect. That is why we adore Him, the Highest above all. Currently I am learning how to shout adzan because my voice would scare people away rather than calling people to pay homage to Him. I feel it is a must when we learned basic things regarding our worship to Allah.  

Today is Friday, the first of the holiest day in a week. Not all of the people are celebrating twice holy days but today is the beginning of holiest days for those who seek knowledge for practices and heart purification. Please recite salawat for prophet, his noble companions and his family and help me and other brethren in faith with your precious supplications if you happened to step in this humble site. I don't know how many people visiting here. I don't want to know because it is not a necessity. I assume that I am talking to my mind recording events around, lessons and expressing love to Lord. That's why I never put any detector.

This evening about 18 minutes before maghrib is actually a good time for supplications to Allah. You may supplicate in your heart and mentally even while walking or driving home. Please pray for everyone's iman to be strengthened by Allah through His guidance and ruhul quddus. We need brethren love and mercy in term of prayers. Many thanks for support. Sealed with prayers for peace, mercy and love. 

Kinnaree: Mytholgical Bird

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

This is apart of varieties of cultural traits shared by people in Southern Thailand, Northern and Eastern Coast States of Malaysia like Kedah, Perlis and Kelantan. Since not all of the people visiting Buddhists area, they might also want to know about these. 

So, don't worry we have videos and many things nowadays unlike those days back then. Although we do not practice it, some of our people in northern area especially of Buddhism background are still practicing it.

This is actually from my past experience as a kid who was 'dumped' to the state bordering Thailand. I encountered these cultural traits like Lung Norah or Menorah dance which is a dance originated from Southern Thailand when I wandered around like a strayed wild goose. 

Southern Thailand and Northern Malaysian states were previously an integral part of legendary Langkasukan empire. This performance is only prominent in Southern Thailand and also shared in Northern Malaysia predates the Siamese empire of Sukhothai (12th C) and Sri Ayutthaya (13th C). 

Sometimes, this performance also being part of ritual in commemorating the dead. Also performed during thambun festival at temples like in Pendang district in Kedah. Never been to Pendang temples but I heard from people there. I am just familiar with those in Perlis and Kubang Pasu. Usually, this dance portrays story about kinnaree sacrifice for love in fire. It sounds like the name of a bird in malay too. According to mythologies, it is a kind of angelic half human bird in buddhists' mythology. You may see this half human bird statues at Thai temples everywhere in those states mentioned or in Thailand. 

The word menora is actually derived from Sanskrit word, manohara which means pretty and it is referring to the main character of the dance. This character was derived from phra phrannyasa jatoq or jataka tales. What I heard about Hindus'... I mean Indians' mythology, this kind of creature is associated with half human horse or centaur. I guess mentioned somewhere in mahabharata.

Performers would perform dances that they are good at like mentioned in the video. Sometimes they have po' phrant which acts as pak lawak or joker if the performance has the dialogue or simply without dialogue one. They also have musicians. You can hear the sound from the video. Before the performance took place, performers might also paying homage to sages or phra phor statues and peforming rituals like Kaliya Natarat. You spell it as Kaliya Nataraja. It is for them to get blessings from their teachers. They may also seeking protection from Hindu god whom role in buddhism is as the protector of the three gems or buddhist principles like viganet, write it as viganeswara. Viganet is the elephant head god where you could also see in Malaysia at Indians' premises like shops and others. They believe that it is to banish obstacles during performance and making it flows well. 

This puja session applies to wayang kulit and other performances as well. That's why Kelantan state government had banned wayang kulit among Muslim practitioners when it was associated with these rituals. It is not easy to change people thinking as to say da'awa is not performed in one day. The ulamas in Patani and other parts of South Thai were having hard times too. It still goes on because the result is not showing up only in one day or in a blink of an eyes. It takes every sacrifice including these people tears and time to change people thoughts. These people have to monitor the environment and people around too.

I used to bring friend who mingles with me like Azren to see these kinds of performance just for fun and to introduce to friend different things that exist in this world. We also had USM cultural nights in Dewan Budaya. Last time during first degree, I went for Thai Cultural Nights and they were sponsored by Thai Consulate of Penang. Sometimes I was there to support my Thai seniors who took part in cultural performances. They served luxurious Thai cuisine as well after the performances and movies screening for two nights. 

Most of my Thai seniors are actually Buddhists and I wasn't really talking to Muslim Thais whom ethnically are Malays of Southern provinces neighboring our states. Those Buddhist seniors or mine are also of Malay descents and natives of Southern Thai provinces. A Thai Buddhist senior had also wonders, why I know many things about Thai Buddhism including Jaya Mangala Gatha despite that I am a Muslim. We had long discussions until late night regarding a prophesied event in Abhidhamma Pitaka and other Buddhist texts that we commonly read because that friend is quite religious, heheheheheehe... She suspects that I am a Buddhist. I was just lazy to explain. My mouth as always, feels heavy to open up.

This is just an additional knowledge for share among friends, brothers, and sisters. I watched these too last time whether at temple festivals or at the university these recent. Just sharing around for others to see how it works if others have no experience.  

Sealed with prayers for peace, mercy, and love for brothers and sisters in faith and for humanity, amin!

People Around's Experience: When Friends are Behind You

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

Please forgive me Azren, I'm going to talk about your experience today as an example in our observation toward our society and environment around. I hope you forgive me but your experience also reflects the reality in the society. As what I always talked about and we know since the beginning we explore these studies, society is among the most complex subject matter and environment around keep evolving and is not static.

Your message about being back-stabbed by close friends, being used like a balai raya when friends wanted to talk about their problems and backbitten by friends you were hanging out actually happens to many people. I have few experience since I was a young kid but as always. I never assume myself as important or significant in anyone's life. Currently, I am just honoring people around according to their piety to Allah and the compassionate love for those people will come itself.  But I don't want anyone to know me, never.

People will always trying to find someone to pour down what is in their heart when they are stressed out, finding solution for problem faced in their life, depressed, or at least sharing the burden to ease it. It is normal for us, we are human-being and not angels. But most of the time we are also listeners and comforting others since it is our task and responsibility as the believers to help strengthen the faith of brothers and sisters in faith if not with physical help, might be with the prayers. 

I encountered the same thing where I just wanted to talk to someone because each time I try to talk to my family members and people around, it will turn to be that I am the one who is listening and hearing rantings. Sometimes I tried to talk to others but later I would feel ashamed of myself. I think staying silent is good sometimes, and talking more with the God is better. Unless if you can talk with others who you really could trust. It is not easy to find this kind of people, we sure know that.

I went to Buddhist temples talking with phra phor (buddhist fathers) and pinong (buddhist brothers) watching them practicing muaythai before I decided myself to learn about Buddhism and its practices during the time I was 'dumped' by parents to Perlis for almost the same issue. I have no one to talk to. Nobody in the hostel at the school accept me as myself. It turns me to be more rebellious and shaped me as myself today. A guy with low-self esteem, who can't even showing my face to others and feeling down with myself. 

I just don't know why I knelt at the teachers' statues or gods posters of bodhisatvas during secondary school studentship while when I was a little kid like seven to eleven years old, I used to dump idols into thrash can especially after I heard the qisaasul anbiyaa' (stories of prophets) about our patriarch Abraham, peace be upon him. I had also being chased by those fellow infidels themselves with fierce dogs because of my little kid naughty acts, hehehehhehehehe...

I understand how you feel, friend. You won't easily find a caring friend who will sensitively responds to what happened to his or her friend. When I first learned Central Thai dialect which is the formal Thai, there was a diction lesson with the title friendship. We call friendship as mittraphap. It says that good friends are few, while evil friends are many. Those who are good will lead you toward charity while those who are bad will drag you toward evil and bap/papa (sins). Malay philosophical phrase also says, kawan semasa senang tertawa memang ada sahaja disekeliling mung. Kawan semasa susah menangis mung, jarang lah ditemui. 

I don't believe in friendship as what we see today anymore as I am a loner although I watch many movies with friendship themes. I don't have any childhood friends, university friends, friends in difficulties or in pleasure time. I solely have my trust in Allah 'Azza wa Jalla as the sole Noblest Wali (guardian and companion) because I am meaningless in people's life. I can move easily without anyone know me. I may go to churches and temples and reciting holy verses there for the 'infidels' to be blessed by Allah 'Azza wa Jalla with His Mercy. I may also talk with hounds at the streets, those whom people never appreciate their existence.

Be patient friend. As long as we breath, Allah 'Azza wa Jalla will always giving tests to us. He knows that we can pass it through even though we sometimes think that we would better quickly die and see Him without having to wait. He tests us because He cares about us. Compared to worldly friends. 

We may have thousands of friends, but it is difficult for people to remember us even in their du'as (supplications). Or contacting us just to ask how are you? Are you ok? How is your imaan (faith)? Is it ok? Are you alive or dead? Or perhaps it would be too late like the poem that I had read in the last posting. It is just for silaturrahim and it doesn't need to be in form of wasting our credits with messages, phone calling, but it may also be through the usage of other technologies like wifi, messengers and email. Maybe through cards or primitive way which is letter... I did that with my lecturers even those who are non-Muslims receive cards or emails as long as I still keep their contacts. Maybe in term of supplications too when we remember our friends or brethren. It's not like we have to do that everyday. But at least for few years gap once if we are so busy with our life. For brethren in faith, it is more important to keep silaturrahim as everyone are a family in a faith to Him and His messenger s.a.w. I hate to be close to everyone because I will feel sinful after I have to break off silaturrahim when everyone goes separate ways :'( 

In my Aman desa memory, I tried to contact few friends too. Those who I mingled most of the time at the hostel. I love the hostel because I get to know them. But after our graduation, like a year after... I tried to contact them to establish silaturrahim. From their question like, sapa dia nih? And the answer that I received after having to re-introduce myself brings me to conclusion that they do not really remember who I am although I talked with them almost everyday in front of the TV and we have each other numbers. It shows that they do not really care or having any thought about people around. For people like these, I would just quit and deleting their contact because I know it would be a waste for my limited cellphone space. I don't know whether it is right according to the rites of community but it is somehow disappointing. As to say, different head thinks differently. Each time we are among people, we would just assume that we are musafirs (travelers) who will leave everything. Easy right? 

I have few pieces of advice from another friend who is also a loner to share among us. He called it as pieces of sheet, haha. This is the kind of friends that I have to always mingle with and still maintaining the contact but I have to turn every 'negativity' that they possess into positivity and to Him. His opinion might be a bit harsh but I can say quite useful. This friend said that it maybe is not in line with my principle. As for me, I always ponder on people's opinion regarding life and surrounding. It doesn't necessarily to be the same with my thoughts or principles. So, I don't think that it is a problem if he talks based from his experience or observation. 

He says that sometimes when we do physical (which we can see with our mortal eyes) charity to people, we need to also limit it or better be selfish in term of let people see us as selfish. Whatever charity that we perform does not always physically comes to us as good thing in our eyes. I am aware about this... It is better for us to just forget everything because when we remember unfortunate episodes in our life, it would be a heavy burden you'll piss off yourself. The damage is already done and to forgive is to forget. Whining like a bitch would be useless as nothing that we can do about the past. We could only take it as an important lesson for future.... 

His advice to me is actually filled with more profanities but I would celebrate his opinion. I had just filtered it to respect His Noblest Name and I can understand what he means through tasawwuf and purification of soul lenses although the usage of words aren't really suitable. I am performing jihad and da'awa to him too. We have to be patient and the result of jihad is not in one day : )

May the God forgives us our dirty words. May He strengthen us with His wisdom and patience to face our uncertain future. He knows about the future, and we give our vessel and soul to Him for protection. Laa takhaf, wa laa tahzan innallaaha ma'anaa. No need to be afraid, and no need to be sad as the God is with us. Sealed with prayers for peace, mercy, and love for brothers and sisters in faith, amin!

Optional Fastings

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

In conjunction to optional fasting days in haram (respected) months, we fast in days according to sunnah such as Monday or Thursday. We may also fast like Daud (David). I would like to share some personal practices. It might varies according to interpretations, traditions and customs. 

I don't know if some people would accuse this as bida'ah but this is what I believe and I learned from pious creatures of Allah which is His prophets and messengers with the help of teachers, Quran, and Hadiths. If it does not in accordance to sunnah, I seek refuge to Allah from deviating may Allah forgive me and please pray for me to be saved from torments in the hereafter. I am still repenting on my sins for being an infidel and had heard many upsetting things like threatens from people around that I would be send to hell, anyway.  

When we fast we should try to avoid from being detected by others that we are fasting. It has moral values hidden behind. This is regarding optional fasting and cleanliness. The practice that we usually do is that we would apply some olive oil on our exposed skin, hair, and beard. This is the common practice when entering masjid, in celebration and performing salat too. Comb the hair, don't let it messy while fasting! Also use siwak (twig stick) or brushing the teeth while fasting is OK but don't swallow the toothpaste or drink the water while fasting! 

We should not show that we are exhausted or feeling hungry and act normal as long as we are able to perform the fast. If people invite us to eat while fasting before mid-day, then just fulfill the invitation because this is just optional fast. We can fast again on other days to come in the week. Refrain telling people that we are fasting if we are able to do that, and smile always. While fasting we must be extremely patient.

Regarding cleanliness while performing fast from left, those three twigs that we call as miswak or natural toothbrush and the bottle consists of olive oil. Now we have many brands of olive oil for hair, skin, or for cooking. The twigs was initially a single twig but I cut it to three for convenience.

When fasting we would wake up early before the adzan (calling for prayer) of dawn prayer for sahur. Sahur means pre-dawn meal. It is a good time to make supplications and asking Allah's mercy or forgiveness. As for myself, I had practiced since my repentance to Allah and return to the path of His messengers. I would never talk about this if I am not practicing it. Breaking fast would be simple like tamr (dates), plain water, or simple bread maybe two or three slices would be sufficient for my size. The same thing for sahur. Just to survive for eight hours before breaking the fast after sunset prayer calling according to local time. 

Don't forget to recite His holiest Name as it is our responsibility to remember Him. Say: "bismillahirrahmaanirraaheem" - with the Name of Allah the Most Merciful, the Most Beneficent when taking sahur and also when breaking the fast. Also pray and supplicate to Allah before sipping drink when breaking the fast. Allah always listen to His servants.

Basic things for penance from left tasbeeh (dzikr beads), ma'athurat kitaab, and glorious Quran. I know tisbeeh is not sunnah because it is tied with thread and it is preferable with fingers. Then use fingers if possible, not a big problem. I usually use fingers to count remembrance to Allah but when memorizing something like Quranic verses, I would use tasbeeh. The ma'athurat, we can get them from religious departments according to states. I have with me various ma'athurats and I memorized few. This blue ones is the possession of my late maternal grandfather issued by Perlis religious department and they are not wahhabi just Muslims! I'm using it for my late maternal grandfather hoping Allah would bless his soul with the knowledge that I get from the ma'athurat.

During fasting time, basically... what should we avoid?

1. No eating, smoking and drinking during fasting period beginning from sunrise to sunset.

2. No vanity acts, it includes in oral and thinking. For examples, no obscenity, no false words, no arguments, not to look at people around to avoid evil-thinking, no slandering, no backbiting, not to listen to vain things, and other evil acts according to common senses.

3. No sexual-intercourse or anything related to sexual desire while fasting.

4. Don't take pre-dawn meal too early. Maybe 18 minutes before dawn prayer would be OK.

5. No delaying breaking the fast, as soon as we hear the sunset adzan we could break our fast just drink some water at least if you are trying to catch congregational maghrib prayer service while performing optional fast because not all of people fast if it is not Ramadhan.

I don't know whether we have non-Muslim guests. They might want to learn about some Muslims practices from Muslim themselves. This is what some of us are practicing and not from the report by non-believers. I share it according to my own practices and my faith as far as I could recall. My service to tell everyone is done. I am out of the responsibility and non-Muslim don't have to be a Muslim to understand others.

I don't think that this is a must. I use to wear this when performing prayer services. It is called as skull-cap or thaaqiyyah. When I finished performed Hajj manasik (rituals), and performed tahallul in Holy Mecca. Mum asked me to put on this cap but I refused. Then she said that just you wait until bird poops on your head! And what she said happened without a minute to come. I am still stubborn when I return home after the holy season because I thought that I was still young. Now I'm growing older and older. I just can't believe that I am not 19 teenage boy anymore but a 25 years old man. How fast the time consuming us, ya Allahhhhhh!!! :( I gradually put this on while praying in the sacred places like masjid or when reciting Quran to respect Allah 'Azza wa Jalla. Mum said, wearing this cap is to remind us that we had already repent to Him and never try to repeat the same mistakes. 

Respectable Salafi and Tablighi brothers who happen to drop by might also help those who are not apart of their organizations, jama'at or divisions in enlightening about the sunnah practices. I don't like to call myself according to division but only a Muslim and a lowly servant of Allah who seek His mercy but I would be honored to receive help from brothers and sisters in order to see Him. 

Refrain from division if possible, but love each other. Remind every brother and sister in faith with care. Refrain from hurting their feeling and be polite to everyone. Let everyone receives salvation, blessings and mercy from Allah!

So, this is my sharing. How about brothers and sisters in faith? What do you prefer to observe during optional fasting? Share with me. Maybe I could also practice them in turn if it is according to sunnah as a form of penance and charity to Allah. May everyone receives His blessings for sharing. Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love for brothers and sisters.

Sunday Sightseeing 12th June Part IV

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

continuation...

Nagore Darga Syarif. I heard Tabligh kids said that this building is erected by the Barelvis to their teacher. These people are the opponents of the Deobandis and Tablighi Jama'at are an off-shoot of the Deobandi. The Barelvis are said to be those who prayed on the grave or venerating saints. I don't know how true is that, so many slanders around. But the practice of venerating saints is common in Indian sub-continent. It's also common in China.

When I heard some Middle Easterner Syeikhs talked in the videos about Tabligh Jama'at, they also said Tabligh Jama'at are the worshipers of their saint's tomb. Some who claimed themselves as salafis too commenting on people who chant dzikrs in majlis (ceremonies) as bida'ah (new invention). I read about tasawwuf or sufism, chanting dzikr after prayer services and everywhere I am but I never did those khurafat (superstitious) things like sitting on grave seeking inspiration or etc moreover after my repentance to Allah and now I'm seeking penance. I just hope to see Allah, I don't want anything anymore. Sometimes these people who condemn others are scary. They scare people away from Allah and His holy messengers.

We just chant dzikrs to please Allah, we also pray to Allah and never to His creatures. What is wrong and why those accusations always generalizing others? Is chanting dzikr remembering Allah after salaat and while we sit alone, stand alone, and everywhere we are, considered as bida'ah too? I read in Parah 16th of Quran that we must remember Allah morning and evening. Some of us are making the religion jumud (narrow) and leading to disunity. They are so ta'assub (extreme) toward their syeikhs' opinions. If something is wrong, then check the root. After that we could slowly and politely turn it down with Allah's help. Avoid condemning others but enlight the ignorance with manner. No need to be hostile unless if it is needed or when we are threatened. Spread His mercy and love to every creatures!  

The Ba-Junid store. We may get perfumes, 'oud, and other fragrances for majlis from the store. It is a Ba'alawi store. I would just get my myrhh and frankincense supplies from here next time. I suggest those who are interested in natural scents to get them here.

Already inside the bus at the main station. I took the bus from the jetty because I walked to find train ticket at the KTMB counter. I bought a train ticket to KL in the evening at three on 19th of June. 

It costs me about RM34. It is expensive but takes me longer time in the transport and I regret that. Next time I would just take express bus besides making sure to bring important stuffs like certificates and notes for research home. I hope my supervisor do not contact me but I would just make the review for research until next month.

This is how we finished half of our day today. I arrived at USM masjid near Sungai Dua around 14:00 and just performed Dzuhr prayer service in the mosque. Thank You Allah for the safe journey and I wish that it is not a waste of time. I just don't get the spirit if I stayed in the room, dear Lord. I pray that Allah make this walk and sightseeing as a jihad for myself, brothers, and sisters. Sealed with prayers for peace, mercy and love for brothers and sisters.

Sunday Sightseeing 12th June Part III

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

continuation...

  
This is a Memorial Chinese Temple in opposite to Nagore Darga Syarif. I have no time to properly snap the picture and I can't properly read the characters up there. I just could read it means "River Home Temple..." Perhaps, being read as Han Jiang Jia Miao which means Han River Family Temple. The last character is hidden behind the pillar. We read it from right to left just like in Arabic.

Let us see, what is inside? Just a square and at the door we can see door post gods. I thought that no one in the temple because I looked around for a guide. But then I saw an ah sook (uncle) sitting at the entrance of the memorial hall. 

He thought that I'm a Chinese because a Malay would not normally entering the temple. He just asked me in teochew slang: "naa dee laiii?" (where are you coming from?). I just answered him simple and avoid talking further because my Chinese would sound foreign. Some people would think that I tried to lie when I answered that I am a local and not even a Chinese national. Even to the extend they wanted to check my ID.

I would try to avoid standard mandarin accent next time. Now, I'm learning to speak like normal Malaysian Chinese. I don't think that I speak with Northern Chinese tongue twister accent. I myself hate that sound and it sounds ugly. I thought that only Chinese speaking person could tell the difference. However, last time brother Firdaus the Tabligh kid also noticed that. I don't know how did he hear me speaking when I talked with brother Yunus or brother Idris in the Tabligh center or in musalla at our hostel. 

Since those brothers are fellow Muslims, I might also use Arabic and Persian terms while speaking in the common speech. That's normal, just like when we speak in Malay or English. I don't speak any foreign chinese dialect, the closest dialect that I speak is the standard Taiwanese Mandarin one or might be the same with those in Ha'erbin because I can understand them well and they do understand me. 

I feel uncomfortable when people listening to me speaking in Chinese especially Malay kids because I had bad experience being treated badly by some racist officers in the airport while working after my STPM. I don't even look like a Chinese anyway and they are just envious because of contract workers get more pay than them who had secured the job and received allowances and other benefits from the government. Such an ugly behavior. They might also need glasses with high concentration power like myself just in case if they were blind or dim at young age.

This is the interior of the memorial hall. If you watch HK movies, you would also see almost the same feature where there are hundreds of ancestors' name plaques in the hall. I just read some of the names and later I remembered a "prohibition" that we should not read deceased people name while memorizing Quran so I went out of the hall. Although it is not carved at the grave stone but the principle might be the same. Just signed the guest-book and say thanks to the friendly ah sook for entertaining me.

to be continued...

Sunday Sightseeing 12th June Part II

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

continuation...

This is the Pulau Pinang Museum that I talked about in previous post. Not so many things to be seen but just enough to understand Pulau Pinang or Penang Island in the past. A section at the first floor is in renovation. I made few notes for things that I had seen in the museum. The entrance fee is just RM1 for an adult. I saw two Japanese tourists with a local Japanese translator which is a Chinese explaining things to the tourists. 

What I could recall is that there are Chinese and Indian section at the ground floor. The Chinese floor displayed things like cultural traits of Strait Chinese who had been born overseas in Malayan Peninsula and Penang since 15th C. Besides they speak in local Malay dialect called loghat Tanjung and in the same time maintaining their Daoism folk beliefs. 

Later in late 19th C, there are new immigrants from China who thought that they would only be here temporarily but later have to settle down and now being apart of Malaysia. I had jot down some of their burial customs but I can not snap pictures. Anyway, I was kind of lazy too. 

I would just put the notes in another site for Chinese learning regarding cultural traits for those who are interested to know about Chinese community in Malaysia but still yet establishing close contact with them. Local Chinese have their own cultural remarks too. May Allah permits it.

Indian community in Penang is quite diverse too since British colonial administration had brought them from various states in India. There are Malayalis from Kerala, Telugus from Andhra Pradesh, Gujaratis from Gujarat, and Tamilians from Tamil Nadu. They represent various religious groups mainly Muslims and Hindus.

This is the stairs to the first floor of the museum. The first floor displays native Malays cultural traits and how they live during British administration and Japanese occupation. I had also seen postcards showing the pictures of Penang Island during British administration. They also had tram in Ayer Hitam.

This is an Anglican Church called St. George Church just beside Penang State Museum. I can't go inside the church to take a look because they would close the door if there is no occasion or specific prayers.

Anglican Church is different from Catholic Church displayed in the previous post because it is independent from Papal supervision in Vatican and it is English but their sacraments are almost the same to Old Catholics. I don't know how to explain it because I just observe it from the occasions while doing some readings about their sectarian and religious division. European and Eastern Churches have their own development too. 

Just additional sharing anyway since I saw some kids here were eager to perform da'awa to others. As to say, we must also know about others, tak banyak pun sedikit-sedikit lah. I have bunch of notes in both Arabic and English regarding Christianity and their churches beside some notes about their gospels and testaments. Some had already gone since I moved around a lot. I also tried to make notes in Chinese for Islamic studies materials, in case if I need them.

The bus stand beside St. George Church. We can have a ride in a shuttle bus for sight-seeing but I choose to walk. It would be easier to see around while walking compared to be in a transport and Georgetown isn't so big.

to be continued...

Sunday Sightseeing 12th June Part I

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

Just after Dhuha optional salaat, I went down to Khaleel restaurant to have some breakfast around nine in the morning. Tomorrow would be optional fasting service for Allah. I felt that I couldn't just stay in the room, nobody could stand that unless if the person has something wrong in his mind. Because of this, I could sense that I am still normal.

I intended to apply for a visa to Thailand as I planned to take train for Central part. Just wanted to visit few historical mosques there but I also need to take some safety precautions because Thais could be quite crazy, well not all but still we have to be careful. We are going to be outside of the boundaries that protect our rights as a citizen. Disappointed I was but I still go for Georgetown. Ain't got no money, but we have feet to walk. 

I took Rapid Penang from Gelugor to the Jetty and it costs me RM2. I can see Tun Sardon area where I had some breakfast with Tabligh kids at the market early this passing semester while I was in the bus. I felt sad when the memory comes out of my mind. Nevermind... I would just follow my feet where it brought me to walk today since nobody could imagine how boring it is here. I believe some stranded USM students also feel the same. They wanted to go somewhere to relax their mind but stranded because of commitment toward their certificates. 

I had been to Georgetown alone during Chinese New Year festival but because I don't know where to go so I just go there again for sight-seeing. Whatever that we have right now, we just be thankful to Allah and we say, alhamdulillah!!! May Allah helps us with bountiful of His givings in the future...

    
This is the first place I decided to begin my walk before roaming to other areas, old style buildings are everywhere in Georgetown. This street is called as Chinese Ghaut Street.  Walk straight, and you will see British Council and Quay Street. Off the road is the pier.

Back street of the Quay Street. We walk forward and we would see the next picture. The building is quite nice. It looks like we are somewhere in the Europe. British influence could we say.

This is when we come out from Church Ghaut street. From the plaque sign at the building, I get to know that the street was named after a Catholic Church which was first build in Penang Island by the Portuguese around 17th C. I could see the remnant of the church at the left side of the street.

Cantonese Association when we walk straight from Church Ghaut Street. I always thought that Penang Island only has Hokkien community and might be some Teochew, but now I am sure there is also Cantonese inhabitants in the town. No wonder I could hear some Cantonese spoken in a settlement near Batu Feringghi when I walked around during CNY.

We are already in Little India. I can hear Bhajans. For fellow brothers and sisters in faith information if you by accident come across this section. Bhajan is Hindu religious hymns sung at their religious ceremonies. I could listen to Soolamangalam sisters, they are famous amongst Tamil Hindus and I know few of their bhajans for Hindu god pantheon's figure like Skandha (Murugan) for Shaiva cult. I could also listen to Krishna Bhajannam sung at Indians videos store by the Vaishnava cult religious singer. 

I went through the lane and walked in front of the Satya Sai Baba center. He currently passed away. Just greet an Indian auntie with a nod and smile in front of the center. She doesn't join the ceremony, I guess she must be from other cult. I recall my memory while I was in Metro Bus early in the morning to private classes for STPM in KL. I learned all of these from the time I was stranded as a STPM student who didn't go to formal school. Even my classmate, Prema said that I know about them better than them when I asked her about shivanavarathri and mahapurnnami festival (nine nights of god siva) before she went to their temple, lol. 

Didn't get to check calender on what occasion is today because I saw many people. Indians and Chinese roaming around with their religious activities in temples and those bhajan stuffs signify something for them. Some Chinese also lighting joss-sticks at the idol of ganesha. Some Thai Buddhist also revering ganesha but they call that god as viganet before performing art and performance like wayang kulit (traditional shadow play) to avoid obstacles or being victims to others' jealousy while performing. Maybe those Chinese hawkers are asking for good business flow from the Hindu deity.

This street looks familiar. Oh, yeah!!! I remember I used to follow Tabligh kids to Bengal Mosque for their Thursday evening activity and bayans.

At the left of this Muntri Street, we could see Bengal Mosque. It is the center for Tabligh Jama'at in Penang. Along the street are budget hotels and they also offer helps to deal with Thai visas and accommodation in Thai Southern provinces tourism spots.

Ok, this is the street where we walk straight and we could see the Bengal Mosque. I didn't perform any salaat to respect the mosque because I feel like I am crying in my heart. I learned a lot from there but in the same time, hati banyak sakit juga lah... Ada parut sikit-sikit kawan-kawan kita tinggalkan kita terkapai-kapai at the center while they tried to recruit me to be one of them :'(

This is Bengal Mosque where we could take a look at it clearly in day light. Last time I was there in the night. So, this is the day scene of the mosque. Any brother interested to learn about Tabligh system of da'awa and sunnah may come to the mosque and perform salaat respecting the Lord of the House and listen to their bayaan.

This is Leith Street. In front of shop lots there is a catholic church called St. Francis Xavier. Francis Xavier is a Franciscan figure and he is ethnically a Basque from Spain. They also made efforts evangelizing people in Asia into Latin rites including the Eastern Christians in India. 

I read few books about Dominican and Franciscan orders' mission not to forget their reports. They also made few books for missionaries like learning the languages of natives and few researches about natives or cultural traits in South East Asia. 

It reminds me of Abdullah Munsyi or Abdullah Paderi when I am in churches. He is a figure in Malacca old days who translated St. Matthew Gospel into Classical Malay. I had visited the center during CNY but didn't get to pay a visit inside due to time constraint. I intend to only visiting the building when there are occasions but no occasion so far. They had a mass on Sunday morning and few other daily mass according to time. 

I'm so sorry not to offend anyone. I don't know how to erase the sleeba (cross) at the building to respect respective Muslim brothers and sisters eyes. I would try to find photoshop software and install it after this. I'm sorry for being a bit slow, I really am ignorant in computer thingies. This is just how the church looks like because it is hidden inside and for my personal record. 

I also watched Imam Muda program in Astro Oasis and they visited a Buddhist temple in Kelantan. If I am not mistaken it is called as wat Bodhiviharn. They said in the beginning they were also afraid and shivering but that was an exposure for them as da'is (people who call others to Allah), hehe. I had been to wat Macchammaram and wat Phikunthong, and few other wats (buddhist monasteries) in Tumpat when I was a bachelor student. 

Nothing would happen if Allah wants our faith to be in its place, insyaalah! We pray for His guidance every time and do not stop for that because His guidance and the ability to perform the guidance are the greatest grace amongst all. Each time I began my journey no matter into pasar (market), in shopping complex, to work and other places I would recite ma'athurat to remind me on who I am and my responsibility as His servant and humble slave. The basic things that we should understand is our iman (faith). Then comes 'ilmu (knowledge), ikhlas (sincerity), and 'amal (practices).

This is the interior side. I couldn't put all of the pics because there are also other pics to be recorded for today's sight-seeing. It is just a typical Roman Catholic Church with pews, sleeba (cross), statues of their saintly figures. Some colorful mosaics at the window and the corpus christi (body of christ) at the table representing the church where they perform rituals for khubz hu lahmi, damm wa khamr (bread is my body, blood and wine) according to their rites for mass.  Sorry for the mix with Arabic, I learn about Christianity through Middle East sources.

I was there only for about 20 minutes just observing around and sitting on the pew before an uncle came in to lock the door as the personal prayer time had finished. I just went out and nod my head to the uncle respecting him. He seems like surprised to see a young man in the church sitting alone on the pew and he seems like wanted to ask that maybe I need something. I just walked out to give him way to lock the door. 

Then I walked along the street from the church to a mamak stall and had some teh ais (iced milk tea). Standard price, RM1.20 for a glass of iced milk tea even at a stall in an alley but the uncles there are nice and greet me with salam. Now, I love those who greet me with the prayer although my mouth feels hard to greet others. I would try to make it as a habit. That's why I begin every post with salam prayers.  

Komtar, the landmark of Penang. In Penangites telefilm such as Anak Mamak Menantu Mami, they would show this as apart of their pride. I can't stand Azad Jazmin's voice when he made that suara kepit. Anyhow, I love the movie. Immigration department is there and my cousin sister also works in Komtar. Just feel shy to contact my maternal aunt here which is her mum. She and her husband are generous enough offering me to help buying tickets to return home if I am in shortage or stuck in Penang. But just feel bad to burden them, I would try to rely on Allah and work it myself if I have the ability.

The street is known as Lim Chui Long street. Last time during the first semester, I went out with brother Kurnia of Indonesia and brother Idris of China to Penang Botanical Garden and we stopped by at a mosque at the street just beside the road in our way home for dzuhr prayer service. Brother Kurnia will be home and I would never see him anymore in the next semester because he had done with his thesis : (

This is a banglo of Qiu Tianbao, the father in-law of Syed Ahmad al-Attas who married his daughter. The architecture is according to colonial style. This place became a school which was founded by followers of Sun Yat Sen, a nationalist figure of China. He is not a communist but a member of Guomindang party.  

Lebuh Farquhar, I walked here too but my previous pictures were lost swiped by the person who repaired my computer. I had also took pictures at Chayamanggalaram and Dharmmikaram temples but it is OK. I have my mind as a record too.

Around Lebuh Farquhar. There is a Catholic Cathedral there called the Assumption and also a museum. I didn't visit the cathedral because I had once been there. I wanted to see something like museum more. Besides there just about two buildings gap, I could see Pulau Pinang Museum. In front of the museum is a school. I can't remember its name but the school buildings look nice.

to be continued....