Writing Ideas

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

These few months, I am actually trying to figure out on how to do some creative writings and developing them into novels. I cannot really judge the novels written in our country especially those written in Malay as I am not really reading them. Some that I had read was borrowed from my little sister who loves to live in fantasy and dream. Immature girl... What can we expect... Even sometimes I have to be her mother and cooking for her though I'm not a mother since she cannot do those chores herself.

I have got some idea on writing the story but I find that it is hard to bring everything in detail. Other than that, I do everything based on life experience and not about day-dreaming since I had forgotten how to dream or having a nice pretty fantasy. Most of the Malay novels that I had seen in my little sisters basket (which some of them are actually borrowed from her close friend) talks about love and most of them are for females written by females. Maybe like one or two out of dozens of the novels are with thriller theme like the one that I read titled Tandaruo something in Dusun or perhaps Kadazan language, which is the language of a state in our Borneo side. I read the book until I finished it, khatammm... 

I also have few immigrant friends from India. Some of them are from Himachal Pradesh and some from Punjab but I never befriend Pakistani anymore since I had an incident with an anonymous Pakistani guy near the musalla of my third point last year. I never make any visitation to the musalla anymore. I always have this weird encounter where people from Northern India would suddenly talk to me in their language but I can only reply to them in English, hahaha... I am not fluent in Hindustani language but I can still understand the language.

Another concern is that, I do not know whether to publish them or just writing as a charity. I made many translations as well as rewriting lectures for religious studies be they of Islamic or non-Islamic sources. I read many kinds of books from religious books, history, anthropology, politics, sociology, law, and others. I still remember I had read many Old Malay novels or perhaps books like Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijk and Di Bawah Lindungan Kaabah written by Abdul Karim Amrullah from Sumatera, Indonesia. I read almost everything written by this figure... 

Other than that I read Putera Gunung Tahan by Pak Sako from Pahang state, Salina written by A. Samad Said most that still can remember some glimpse of the stories. Other than that, the book that I read or lessons in form of stories that I'd heard have religious connotations for e.g the Hikayat Seri Rama which is a 15th century Malay translation of the Javanese Hindu poem or Kawiyam adapted from the Vaalmiki Ramayana from ancient India. Some Serat Bharatayuddha which is a part of Mahabharata translated into Indonesian language from ancient Indo-Javanese language. From Hindu Javanese sources, I read their Serat Jaya Ing Bhaya which means the Gospel of Countering Dangers written by Ranggawarsatita. I suspect that this figure was a Vaishnava Javanese Hindu or at least influenced by his Hindu teacher in Bali Island rather than a "Muslim" though his grandfather had also sent him to study under a Muslim religious teacher. 

Of course I am familiar with Jataka tales and the previous life of lord Buddha before he receives his final blast. I also had read few versions of Ramayana from the Bengal version, Hindi version by Tulasidas and the Tamil's Kamban Ramayana. I bought myself a pocket Bhagavadgita in Sanskrit with English translation while I worked in the airport as a Chinese interpreter for a government agency. When I stay alone, I would read them and checking what lord Krishna had said to Arjuna. I had lost the pocket Bhagavadgita but I still remember some details about it. 

Owh, yeah!!!! I had read two translations of Tamil classics written during their Golden Age of Poetry or the Sangam era. Two books which I had read with great enthusiastic were the Silappadikaram by Ilango Adigal translated by Alain Danielou and Manimegalai written by Sithalai Sathanar who was a Buddhist. I borrowed books from the Hamza Sendut I Library and read the translation of Manusmriti which is the source of Hindu customary law while I was in the first and second year undergraduate while I did not mix with people but secluding myself from the crowd and only reciting litanies while not talking or thinking. The Manimegalai book was written by the writer who conducts interview with people before he wrote his masterpiece.... I enjoyed reading his book the most though the second book, Manimegalai which is a sequel shows some magical things like magic pots and stuffs in order to highlight the conversion of the latter character and the title of the latter book into Buddhism.  

Islamic books that I had read of course about our noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w. From his birth, his childhood time upward to his struggles in the spiritually ignorant society in his lifetime. Then I read about his companions life namely Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and Ali r.a. I read few Christian gospels whether the Canonical ones or Apocalyptic ones when I was sixteen years old. I just read them to find some traces about our noble prophet Jesus a.s which is not really a little figure but among important figures in our Path. I was not even interested nor excited to be a Christian anyway, lol. I could say now after "some" turbulence in my life and faith that I personally love Islam without actually being "indoctrinated" as one, I would never let myself losing this blessing and I would love prophet Muhammad s.a.w to be my attorney in the hereafter. Yeah, I read the Qisas al-Anbiyaa or the Life of Prophets and other Arabian Chronicles that I had stated in some posts here.

Urmmm, I can't recall... there were so many books that I had read in different languages too for e.g in Chinese or even their translations for the classics into modern languages like English, modern Chinese or Malay. There were many themes that I had read from the formally tedious ones like law and textbooks to academic writings... I am interested in fiction books too for e.g the City of the Beast by Isabel Allende, the Last Vampire written by Christopher Pikes where I finished all of the series and missed the recent series, the Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan and the Eaters of the Dead written by Michael Crichton which I think a bit done with strict researches... I read that a historical fiction could be twisted a little to entertain readers but maybe it would raise polemics among the boring traditionalists... haha...   

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

More than 1000 Sunans

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I thought that I would have to change my camera's reader card. Thankful to Allah, it does not have to be changed so I saved my money. However, I bought three books in the form of little treatise where two of them are intended for offerings to my brother in faith in the hostel. Friday sermon today mentioned that we must be thankful to brothers and sisters who help us. So, thank you brother. I burdened you after Friday prayer services for few weeks. I am grateful to you for giving me a ride though you were busy with evening classes. It is actually a great help. I will remember it always and regard it as an honor to receive your assistance : )

1. More than 1000 Daily Sunans, Sheikh Khalid al-Husaynan

2. Cure for the Heart, Muhammad Afif bin Yahya of Perlis

3. The Majestic 99 Beautiful Names of Allah, Shafiq Trading

The third book is intended for brother to receive blessings from Allah because helping me. I feel that I am filthy and not qualified to pray for others so I wish that brother who will receive it could pray and recite it for his own well-being and success in both world and hereafter. Just thinking on how to offer these to the brother without being noticed nor being known. If I could offer gold, I would also present it with gold but I am just a poor guy. I think I am interested in the More than 1000 Daily Sunans. Unfortunately, I only found a copy there because it is a bestselling treatise. I wanted to keep one for myself as a personal reference for practices. Anyone know whether it is sold in KL or Penang's MPH or other bookstores? Please help telling me where could I get it from nearest outlet if anyone passing by may Allah bless, thank you...

p.s: long time do not drive, I drive like a drunk man hahahahaha

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

Lectures at Mosque in the End of September

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah!

I. Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Qasidin

In this note, I would like to keep this reminder about the lecture on the Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Qasidin. It is the summary of the Ihyaa' Ulumuddin by honorable Imam al-Ghazali may Allah be Merciful to him. Basically I can get this kitaab without going to the mosque but just keeping this as a record if I wanted to get information about books regarding particular topic. It is damn boring staying without properly spending our time. We could either go crazy or fallen into evil. So, if I have nothing to do, I better go to mosque and get some benefit from the lectures or at least memorize Quran and checking my horrible Tajweed.

Lecture of Kitab Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Qasidin

(Summary of Ihyaa' 'Ulumuddin)

Series 7th

By

Sheikh Rosli Othman

(Committee Member of State Fatawa)

29th September 2011, Thursday

15:00

USM Mosque

The book called Mukhtasar is edited by honorable Imam al-Maqdisi for the Minhaj al-Qasidin which was edited by al-Hafiz Ibnu Jawzi. It is a summary of the Ihyaa' Ulumuddin, a magnum opus by honorable Imam al-Ghazali may Allah be Merciful to him. Imam al-Ghazali was a scholar who adheres to Syafi'ie jurisprudence of Ash'ari school of theology.  

During Ramadan, I talked to a Jordanian while we walked to the mosque. I just call him racist Jordanian when he spit out curse to the Jews when I said to him that we don't have any synagogue here. We talked about Chinese people as that is the first time the guy living in different environment, and he just arrived to Penang for few days. I can't remember his name and I don't really pay attention to people unless a particular person has significance, important to me, or involved in my everyday life. I think most people are like me so I guess it is normal. As for my personal opinion, I am sorry if this is harsh but we have nothing to do with political or boundary problem between Jordan and Israel so don't bring hatred to us if you people in middle east are butt-hurted among each other. I see most of people in Middle East, South Asia and Europe as the same, no difference in term of barbarity and narrow-mindedness though not in general. These people chop each other heads for difference as it is their right to kill each other. Those Arab speakers easily curse people with mal'unah (cursing) word, I know this because I mingle with them. Spirit and soul (morality) is not important that make people become insolent. 

That guy said that people here in Malaysia, most of them are following something which is invented like the chant during the Taraweekh salaat service although they are very polite. I don't know what is his school of jurisprudence, but he seems more inclined to Hanbaliah as he praised the Medinah Imam which I posted some of his reminders here. I am a Hanbaliah myself in which he didn't expect me to be one and most of all I don't do what Syafi'iah Malay compatriots are doing. But, as to say, I would never talk like that to people before I check anything to the root. 

I personally think that these kind of people don't have to talk like they know everything although they speak Arabic because I know not all people are well-versed in their own religion though they speak Arabic in their daily life. They don't even memorize the Nahwu and Sarf of Arabic Grammar, the hadiths and even Quran except for few parts maybe more than native Muslims here. They are just the same like people they curse, ta'assub (fanatic) without any knowledge. 

Last time when I was a degree student, I was molested by a Jordanian guy who pretend to teach me religion while he don't realize that we are not converted 'muallaf' here. He has bad intention and I can sense that, he thought that I was a Kelantanese Malay or perhaps he thought that I was a Chinese. He has preference for Chinese boy face. What a crazy Old Jordanian Arab. Am I looking like a Chinese? Urr, sorry sikit I think I look more Indian-Nepalese than a Chinese though some of my sisters do look Chinese as what I use to call my sisters as Mongol face when we make jokes of each other, haha... But as to say, we Eastern people are quite polite and we avoid from humiliating people in front of others. I heard from my Thai counterparts and Malay friends too about that old Jordanian molesting them before they threatened him to kick his ass with their Muaythai and Taekwando. I hate people who use religion for their worldly desire and that always make me cautious with people around. I am not a total ignorant though I don't really look Arab. Our paternal ancestors from Yemen had previously came here to transmit the path of Allah to natives by royal decree. We just didn't know that since we do not live in comfort without any proper identity because of mixed background and nomadic family circumstances. Our elders never emphasize nor telling anything about lineages after few generations and some had lose out their title as it is not important. Is it so difficult to humble down ourselves before Allah?   

Ibnu Jawzi says regarding his book: "I wrote a book clean from errors which happened in the Ihyaa' by retaining its special sense. I depend on the proves from the most valid and famous hadiths of all with their concrete and accurate meanings."

 II. Kitab al-Hikam Ibn 'Athaillah

Lecture on Kitab al-Hikam Ibn 'Athaillah 

(Series 1)

Ustad Wan Hizam 'Abdullah

(Lecturer in Penang Radio)

30th September 2011, Friday

20:00

USM Mosque

Al-Hikam is the plural of hikmah. It means "every word in which beneficial knowledge lies in it" or "beneficial knowledge materials" such as the science of Fiqh, Tawheed or Tasawwuf. Al-Hikam consists the compact essence of Tawheed and Tasawwuf sciences. I would translate it into English as wisdom but that is what scholars mean by the word wisdom. 

Tasawwuf is a science which exposes on how to purify one self from hideous characteristics which is called as mazmumah characteristics and how to guard worship and acts from diseases in the heart such as arrogance, showing off, and feeling wondrous about one self when performing worship.  

It is just a branch of science and human need combinations of sciences. Science or knowledge is boundless. It is not narrow like what we understood here in Malaysia when we talk about science. Because in Malaysia, when I was in form three, I understood science as biology, physics, and chemistry and those things were important in my view to determine us good life in the future. I think many people also think like that, and still I can see people who talk like that at me but I just smile and lazy to elaborate further, hehe... This country education system, what can I say, ahahaha.... Further more, we are no intelligent compared to those above and religious knowledge wouldn't bring us no where though we claim ourselves as a person with a religion... A person can be a lorry driver but science of life (religious knowledge) must be acquired by everyone, it is a common thing for everyone because we are going to need it in the life after this life : )

While Tawheed is closely related to the Islamic Creed. I would translate it as monotheism as to make it easier but don't look at it as equivalent in sense and meaning. Words have their own context and other sub-branches of knowledge in it to get the definition as they are also terminological according to the path. Other word for it is Oneness of the God in term of concept. I had read something from Nilam Puri material regarding the concept of divinity.

Tawheed is a branch of knowledge which introduce a servant to his or her Creator and making the servant closer to Him. There are 99 wisdom which cover the content of the book. Those wisdom talk about roots and the fact of science of Tawheed in which it leads people to the God the Most Highest.  

As far as I know this book is popular amongst people in some pondok or madrasah. It was translated into classical Malay in Arabic script too and the writer was an Egyptian. Pondok or madrasah is traditional kind of school for people in South East Asia getting education. In northern part of Malayan Peninsula, we call it as melele or menadsoh. Melele means temple school. It's not a Thai influenced word but northern Malay native word while menadsoh is Arabic corruption for madrasah. 

However, I would like to advise myself and respective brethren that before we learn all of these, the basic thing we must have is the knowledge about Allah and His messenger, Muhammad s.a.w, Quran and later valid sunnah or prophetic traditions. Avoid from accusing each other, advise with manner. We are no holier than others, it is not-favorable to break the unity of the nation. We must try to bring everyone closer and bridge the gap through knowledge, not to divide everyone according to organizations and sects.

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