Salam Lebaran, 0-0 ok?

So many things to be done, not enough time to tell, but still have to post this :)

Forgive me for all my wrongdoing and words that may have hurt you while reading this blog. May we cherish the celebration with our loved ones.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!!

Yang tertangguhkan...

Alhamdulillah, dah selamat sampai ke SP pagi semalam. Hajat hati macam-macam nak buat. Balik ngan Ayang (my 3rd adik) so dah susun plan beria dah ni...Tapikan....

Its been raining cats and dog from the moment that we got here. These things may not see the light of day:

• Paint the bottom half of the living room and stick the wall border that I just bought last week. 
• Buy that kawah kenduri with the intention to kacau dodol. Bukan takat hujan, xleh kacau dodol, we couldn't even find kayu api yang kering.

Regardless, I am still buying the paint, just in case we get one sunny day before raya, :f

TLC - Travel Home Safely

From: Management & TLC Team
To: All Employees
Date: 24 August 2011

Subject EI : TLC - Travel Home Safely

Dear Colleagues,

As the holiday season is around the corner, many of you will be travelling long distances to celebrate the festivities and holidays with your friends and families.
Whilst we wish everyone a safe journey, we are making an extra effort to make your drive home a little bit safer!

Tomorrow 25th August from 3pm to 5.30pm, 8 Teams will be working to apply a rain repellant “Rain Slide” on cars (owned by staff) parked at the main office, near the canteen and outside the Main Gate. This rain repellant will be applied per the instructions and is intended to increase visibility during heavy rain. We hope that this small gesture will help towards better journey management.

For those who prefer to take their own precautions in improving visibility in rain, pls raise both your wipers to indicate your preference. We will therefore NOT “treat” the windshields where wipers are raised.

If weather doesn’t permit this exercise tomorrow, we will do so Friday morning.

Please note that we will cover as many cars as possible as this is on a best endeavour basis, being limited by resource.

Additionally, we will inform you if we see issues with Road Tax validity.

Regards,
Management and the TLC team.

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Its a good thing the company is doing to ensure we are driving back safely. I left my wiper down. I will be driving back at 4.30pm (Despite having a presentation at 3.30pm!!). I don't know whether they will be able to make it to my car. Am still working on the kad raya, so stay tuned... ;)

TLC-Tender Loving Care. The committe was set up to take care of the general well being of the workers.

Wordless Wednesday

Ramadhan Program @ Work

Kisah 1:
Sebatang pen digunakan untuk menggantung frame gambar. Pen itu dipaksa masuk ke dinding oleh tukul, setelah beberapa kali tukul, pen itu pecah, dan dibuang ke dalam tong sampah. Pen tadi mungkin jenama 'Parker' atau jenama "Kilometrico' , tapi hakikatnya bila tidak digunakan mengikut tujuan asal, pen itu berakhir sebagai sampah.

Begitu juga manusia, hidup tidak mengikut tujuan akhirnya kita akan menjadi sampah. Apa tujuan kita? Bagaimana kita nak tahu tujuan satu kamera yang baru kita beli, rujuk pada manual, lagi baik rujuk pada pencipta. Samalah kita, pencipta kita Allah, manual kita Al-Quran dan Hadith, apa tidak cukup lagi tujuan kita di bumi ini? Being a Muslim is not about staying in masjid 24/7. Islam calls for Muslim to work hard, so that we can help other people. Islam is a religion that demands the people to be the best that they can be, but have we?

Kisah 2:
Satu program motivasi diadakan di satu sekolah.

Ustaz: Sekarang ustaz nak kamu senaraikan 10 kegunaan pokok kelapa

Laju tangan murid-murid menulis satu persatu kegunaan pokok kelapa. Apabila semua selesai, ustaz menyuruh salah seorang membacakan kegunaan pokok kelapa. Semuanya disebut dengan betul oleh murid tadi, kawan-kawannya juga begitu.

Ustaz: OK, sekarang, kamu terbalikkan kertas, tulis kat belakang kertas tu, 10 kegunaan saya (murid itu)

Masing-masing mulai bingung..berfikir, diam, termenung..tak tahu nak tulis apa.....?

Murid A: Entahla ustaz, menghabiskan beras agaknya...?

Setelah agak lama, tak ada seorang pon murid yang boleh menyenaraikan 10 kegunaan diri sendiri.

Ustaz: Baiklah cikgu-cikgu, lepas ni saya minta cikgu-cikgu menulis surat kepada ibu bapa murid-murid ini, 'kehadapan ibu-bapa peserta program, adalah baik jika tuan/puan membela pokok kelapa yang sudah tentu kegunaannya yang ada lebih daripada 10, daripada tuan-tuan dan puan-puan membela anak masing-masing yang tidak tahu apa kegunaan mereka ini.....'

Murid-murid hanya tunduk membisu....

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These are two of the stories told by Ustaz Hasrizal in his ceramah yesterday in our office. He touched the very basic fundamental of the existence of us as khalifah on this earth. This story came about when he was telling us the encounter that he has with somebody that questions the need to perform five daily prayers, to cover the aurat, to live the way Islam is. Actually there is more than this two stories, I wish I can tape it, but I couldn't. His way of delivering the points were so eloquent and everything falls smoothly and right into their own places.

He makes a comparison on the things that we should do and put it in the simplistic manner.

Katalah, satu hari anda dapat surat dari istana negara, 'anda bernama sekian sekian, akan dikurniakan darjah kebesaran dengan pangkat sekian sekian....sila hadir ke istana negara dengan mematuhi kod pakaian di bawah.....baju melayu hitam, kain songket, songkok hitam, kasut hitam berkilat...' 

Anda tidak punya baju melayu hitam, tapi adakah anda akan melepaskan peluang menghadap ke bawah duli dan menolak darjah kebesaran yang akan dikurniakan? Hatta apa pon syaratnya, dek kerana nak mendapatkan pangkat yang dijanjikan, anda akan berusaha untuk mematuhi kod pakaian agar dapat hadir dan masuk ke istana negara. Akankah anda bangkang kod pakaian itu? Mungkin tidak..

Begitulah juga dengan tuntutan menutup aurat..

There are many more, but some I forgot already (shows what my attention span level for now). But I highly recommend the ustaz if you are in the midst of planning a motivational program or anything of that sorts. He delivers the ceramah in mix language, both BM and English, and his vast travelling experience does add flavour to his content. Highly recommended. ;)

An Epic Journey part 3

Assalamualaikum w.b,t, thousand apologies, for I have delayed this installment for quite some time. Struggling hard to find time to arrange this properly. Nonetheless, hope we can all learn a thing or two this Ramadhan, insyaAllah...

 

 

Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book. Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand. We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur'an although you were, before it, among the unaware.

The translation:

 Tilka :   This is demonstrative noun is used to point to something far away from the speaker, emphasizing the Qur’an is being revealed from the Protected Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz). 

Al-mubin : Here Allah describes the Qur’an as ‘clear’

Inna : This is an analogous to what in English us called the ‘royal we’. It does not mean that Allah is more than one. It is a feature of literary style in Arabic that a person may refer to himself by the pronoun nahnu (we) for respect and glorification. He also may use the word ana (I), indicating one person, or the third person huwa (he). All three styles are used in the Qur’an. [see Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Da’imah, 4/143]

Anzalnaahu : Something comes from above to below (Qur’an). Explain the divine nature of Al-Qur’an, not from the Prophet.

Allah scolded the Prophet in the Qur’an (e.g: Surah al-‘Abasa), that shows that it is not possible for Prophet to write the Qur’an.

In Surah Yunus - ......Al-hakim (wise) means the differentiation between haq and batil.

3. We never do tafseer based on sole understanding, we have to refer to various ulama', then only we can deliberate

4. Those who interpreted Al-Quran by guess is sinful though it is correct (I am guilty as charged!!)

Qur anan 'arabiyyan : Allah affirms and explains to us here that the language of the Qur’an is in Arabic. From this the following points can be inferred:

•  Translation of the Qur'an into another than the Arabic language, are not termed as ‘al-Qur’an’
• And the explanation of the Qur’an in the Arabic language is not termed as ‘al-Quran’
• The Islamic legislative rulings that are specific to the Qur’an do not apply to translations and explanations of the Qur’an
• The Arabic language deserve to be revered as it is the chosen medium of preservation for the revelation of Allah 
• Surat al-Ra’d 13:37 
• Surah Ta Ha 20:113 
• Surah al-Zumar 39:28 
• Surah Zukhruf 43:3 
• Surah al-Ahqaf 46:12

5. Allah SWT needs a language strong enough to hold the law of Allah until the day of Qiamat

Islamic legislative ruling could not be derived from another translation of Qur’an/ al-Hadith. It has to be from the Arabic Qur’an

The argument about whether the Qur’an is only Arabic has been a cause of controversy among the scholars of Islam. 

Unanimous agreement

1. That there are no non-Arabic sentences in the Qur’an;
2. That there are non-Arabic proper nouns in the Qur’an: e.g: ‘Isa, Jibrail, Musa, Nuh 

Disagreement (ikhtilaf)

Scholars differed with regards to the presence of single foreign words in the Qur’an, the three famous opinions are:

1. There are no foreign words in the Qur'an
2. There are foreign words in the Qur'an
3. The middle view states that the origins of some Arabic words are foreign; however these words have been assimilated into Arabic and ‘Arabicised’, their original letters being replaced with Arabic letters, and made part of the Arabic language. Moreover, they were being used in Arabic poetry and speech, even before the Qur’an was revealed. This is the strongest view, and Allah knows best

La'allakum ta'khilun : Allah further exlain that the Qur’an was revealed in Arabic so that they may be understood

The Qur’an was not revealed merely to be recited; or simple to take enjoyment from it; or for mere memorization. In many ayat Allah warns against those who do not try to understand the Qur’an.

Allah says in:

• Surah al-A’raf 7:179
• Surah al-Furqan 25:73
• Surah al-Baqarah 2:88

 Ahsanal khasas :

The Qur’an consists of the best stories, and among them is the story of Yusuf

Why is Surah Yusuf described as the best of all stories?

1. Its an entire education on its own, many themes are covered
2. The entire chapter only have one story, about Yusuf A.S
3. Its not a fiction, its a story that makes a difference to Arabs at that time

The best stories:

Characteristic of the best stories:	Surah Yusuf
A strong theme	Checked
A fascinating plot conflict and resolution The plot is most often about a conflict or struggle that the main character goes through. Most often, the characters learn or grow as they try to solve their problems. What the characters learn is the theme of the story.	Checked
A coherent structure: the beginning of the story should jump right into the action. The ending of the story should wind up quickly.	Checked
Unforgettable characters	Checked
A well chosen setting	Checked
An appealing style	Checked
A good story is one that: -builds resonance with its audience, i.e touches people in some way by working on their sympathies; -Creates vivid images; -is a story that one loves and loves to tell or hear	Checked

Lessons from ayat

6. The value of learning history while heeding its numerous lessons. Many ayat in the Qur’an reiterate this concept; Allah says; there was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding…. Surah Yusuf 12:111 

7. Many names of the surahs in the Qur’an are actually reminders of events of the past that can teach us the importance of historical events and the lessons present in them. There are 30 surahs in the Qur’an with historically related names; it is required of us that we ponder and deliberate upon these stories.

8. This surah [12:3] clearly affirms the nabuwwah (prophethood) of Allah’s Messenger

9. This ayat illustrates the importance of explaining and translating the Qur’an based on the intended and clear, unambiguous Arabic meanings

Till we meet again, wallahu'alam....

p/s: I'll reply to previous comments sometime later, soorrrryyy...... :(

Kuih dan Maknanyer

This is what happened when a bunch of sugar and caffeine deprived ladies start shooting email to each other ;) 

FULL VERSION:

Kuih paling gangster= Lompat Tikam
Kuih paling sexy= Puteri Mandi
Kuih paling busuk= Taik Itik
Kuih bajet cute= Cek Mek Molek
Kuih untuk awet muda= Seri Muka
Kuih paling alim= Kuih Ketayap
Kuih penyakit lelaki kronik= Batang Buruk
Kuih suka pukul= Kuih Lompang
Kuih dalam zoo= Badak Berendam
Kuih untuk Sam Polis Trafik= Kuih Sampreeeeettttt
Kuih yg bangun sendiri= Kuih Bangkit
Kuih org x mandi= Kuih Bau-lu
Kuih paling tenteram= Kuih Makmur
Kuih paling lembap= Kuih Siput

Kuih dangdut inul = kuih goyang @ kuih rose

Kuih pengacara majlis = kuih Cara

Kuih paling ganas = kuih BoooMM..!!

Kuih xbulih makan tp org suka makan = kuih sarang semut

Kuih pengacara majlis yg baju dia comot = Kuih Cara berlauk

Kueh yang lama tertinggal orang tak makan = kueh abuk-abuk

Kuih yg banyak buat dosa = kuih talam dua muka

Kuih confuse = quaker oat (kuih ke oat?)

Amacam? ada kuih lain? :P 


gambar hiasan, ihsan pakcik google ~ kuih paling gangster!!



Getting the Basics Right

Today as usual while driving back to KL, I tuned in to IKIM just to keep me company and prevent me from falling asleep behind the wheels. Occasionally there will always be one or two new things that I can get out of the ~2 hours listening.

And it was no difference today. The topic of discussion was ‘Puasa Ramadhan dan Hikmahnya’. Quite a few times I was shaking my head in slight disbelief when I listened to the question asked and also the answer given. 

Issue 1:

A caller asked how to deal with foreign (I assumed non-Muslim) colleague that eats and drinks in front of him in this Holy month of Ramadhan. To me this question is in a way insulting the mentality and aqidah of a Muslim. I would understand if that question came from a kid who just started to fast, a 7 year old maybe. But the caller definitely sounds more matured than that, not less than 40, if I heard correctly. Living in Malaysia, we Muslims especially Malays always expected to be understood all the time. Remember, there is not even 70% of Muslim in Malaysia. We should have learnt how to deal with this issues right from young. Maybe because I grew up in KL, hence I faced this challenge way when I was in primary school. We learn to adapt, and refrain ourselves from being tempted to eat/drinks despite having your classmates occasionally sipping plain water in the class.

And even if you were not exposed to non-Muslim in school (say you come from all Malay school), surely at some point in your life you have encountered these challenges, at work, just walking on the road, everywhere..and by right it should not be an issue. I guess it’s important to get this value right, why we fast, why others don’t and how do we face them comes Ramadhan. It is not supposed to be an issue anymore for an adult. The challenge to curb smoking habit sounds way more reasonable for an adult here.

Issue 2:

A caller asked on what the hukum for a Muslim to be working in a restaurant during a fasting month and serve food to the non-Muslim customers in daytime during Ramadhan. The question is valid, but the answers that gets me shaking my head again. According to the Mursyid, there is no specific ‘hukum’ be it haram or makhruh. He addresses the issue by advising if at all, avoid doing so. According to him, others should understand the Muslim are fasting and should not be put in that position that is so ‘low’ –  to serve the non-Muslim during the fasting months. To me this is total bollocks.  I used to wait tables in Pizza Hut for 6 months after SPM, and I happened to work during the fasting months as well. I never felt low at all.

A person chose to work in the restaurant should know and understand well that the job scope is to serve food, regardless to whom, and at the stipulated working hours. To me, that is no issue at all, and what more that the Mursyid himself say there is no specific hukum for that conduct. The question of putting the Muslim’s position so low because he is serving the non-Muslim customer during fasting months is not as issue at all!! Its his job, and he gets paid for it. He earns his income fair and square, the customer should get the service that he paid for. There is not even an issue of undermining a Muslim’s faith during the transaction. To me, the Mursyid’s statement is not correct, and may cause understanding if a non-Muslim were to hear it.   

We live in multi religion society and we should stop to expect people to understand us more just because this is a Muslim country. Get our faith right, our basics aligned and most of the misconception can be corrected. Seek to understand, then to be understood (says Stephen Covey.. hehehe..)

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Selingan

My sis who teaches at a SJKC in Sungkai holds this conversation in her class last month (not exactly, but somehow like this…)

Sis: Siapa tahu bulan depan bulan apa?

Student A: Bulan 8 cikgu

Student B: bulan kemerdekaan cikgu

Sis: Betul, lagi bulan apa?

Student C: Saya tau, bulan puasa

Sis: betul…kamu tahu apa itu bulan puasa? (and she starts explaining that we cannot eat at daytime and only eats at night time)

Student X: Ooo.. kalau macam tu saya belanja cikgu babi panggang…

Sis: (*^&^%R$%#^*&*&^%R^%$@$ (she just laughed)

p/s: you could not blame the kids, they honestly don’t know that Muslim don’t eat pork, somebody has to tell them.

Sucikan.....

3rd day and counting.......

Image from Masjid Sultan, Singapore, women ablution area.