Eidil Adha Again

Eidil Adha has come around again as millions of Muslims move to Arfah to perform the Ukuf. Muslims at home and around the world were advised by Prophet Mohammada SAW to fast from the first of Zulhijjah until Ukuf (Sunday 11/9) to honour the Haj  pilgrimage and perform the Qurban ( sacrifice) on  the day Eidil Adha is celebrated (Monday 12/9). The single day of fasting would delete a year of sin both before and after that day ( with other terms and conditions, of course.)

Islam indeed is a religion with well-defined do's and don't's, based on four or five categories of restrictions and flexibilities. "Wajib" is a must, prescribed by Allah in the Quran. " Sunat" is something that is preferred and strongly recommended. It is what the Prophet (PBUH) had done and, therefore, praiseworthy to emulate. "Haram" is what is categorically prohibited and a sin to violate the restriction. "Mubah" is what is an obvious necessity like eating and drinking, also known in Malay as "Harus" ( a must). Finally there's the uncertain or controversial category called "                   ". You are advised to keep away from such things such as when you are in doubt as to whether certain action is permitted or not.

But Islam has one other category of flexibility that is most practical and human. It is called "dharuri" or "dharurat" as the Malays put it. It allows you to eat and drink what is otherwise "Haram" in times of emergency and a person has no choice if he or she were to survive. The Muslim is even allowed to do do things that would otherwise be strictly prohibited, when life and limbs are endangered. A Muslim is strictly prohibited from putting his life in danger intentionally, such as trying to or committing suicide.

So, it's most surprising that some people think of Islam as a very strict and restrictive religion. Yes, some of the responsibilities imposed look severe such as praying five time in a day and night ( a good Muslim  performs more than five times (Subuh, Zuhur, Asar, Maghrib dan Isyak) with all the "Sunat" prayers as performed by the Prophet (PHUB). You've to fast in the month of Ramadhan, pay Zakat (in addition to income tax), perform the Haj, keep away from illicit love (zina), women (and men too) must cover their "aurat" ( attractive body parts), etc. etc. Yes, women's rights are not the same as in the west.

But, Allah imposed all the restrictions for certain reason which modern science is just beginning to appreciate. The Islamic Banking system for example is just beginning to be appreciated after the weaknesses of the capitalist and profit-centered western system begins to show its ugly face.

No, we Muslims don't like to nor criticise other faiths and religion. They all originate from some sacred revelation from the Creator, tempered or not by men. What you believe in is your right. But Eidil Adha is here and people of other faiths are welcome to celebrate with us. Were are firstly all human beings, but   the degree of humaneness and humanity inherited from our forebears differ. Some can kill and destroy other human beings like they are animals. Let them face their Creator in the after life and the Day of Judgement. However high their position and status in society now, before the Creator they will only be powerless souls at His disposal.

Happy Hari Raya Haji to all.

The Olympians, salute.

The 2016 Olympics is over and it proved that in the field of sports all nations in the world,big and small, can produce champions. We salute you all champions of the world. You are better heroes than those who fought in wars and killed people to prove their prowess. While you are decorated with Olympic Gold, Silver and Bronze, they should be awarded "The Reapers"
medal of horror and deaths.can you pierce the heart of an enemy at the Game?

Who will God punish on Judgement Day? The killers or those who order them to destroy and kill?

While the Olympic Games were going on the Reaper Warriors continue to do their killing in many of the war-torn countries,
directed by the warlords from WITHIN the country or from OUTSIDE.Women and children are killed and tortured without mercy or any sign of remorse by people who consider themselves well-educated and cultured.They seemed to forget that one day they are going to face the Reaper too, like those whose order they are complying with.how strong is your kick?

Please Mr. Reaper. Cut them to pieces bit by bit like they tortured their victim and let the world hear their cries for mercy.

If all the so-called soldiers and mercenaries, including the self-styled "jihadies" and suicide bombers, ever stop to think of God, and stop killing people for whatever reason and only capture the law-breakers to face proper justice at a fair trial, the bloodshed in the world will certainly cease. Just refuse to kill and the war will end. For as long as they are willing to pull the trigger or push the button of doom as ordered by their masters like unthinking dogs, the wars in the world will continue. Indeed the excuse for waging a war on others is endless for human beings are never satisfied with what the Lord gives them.see whose head is stronger

We should indeed have more Olympic Games or Mini Olympics at national, regional and world level, where champions in all fields of sports, including war-games that don't kill people, and individual prowess at using all kinds of weapons can be contested. The old ways of settling dispute by having your champion fight for you to decide the winner in the dispute is a good way of stopping all wars.

Wars should be banned and all warlords put on trial by a world court of justice- yes, the International Court of Justice is acceptable with representatives from all independent nations. Have we really learnt enough from the Olympics and the Olympians?

Malaysia achieves fame…..

Who doesn't know Malaysia today. It's already world famous for having a PM who's most controversial and yet most loveable and good-looking. His reputation varies from being a magnanimous giver of cash hand-outs to low-income people with his BRIM packages, to a kleptomaniac
on a national scale.We're talking billions of ringgit here, not stealing tinned food from a supermarket or a towel from a hotel.

Malaysia is famous for a PM who had no reason to steal from the nation's wealth for he comes from a wealthy family, born with the so-called 'golden spoon in his mouth', a man who would return
a RM2.6 billion donation to the donor, less only a few million ringgit. That's honesty and moral uprihgtness as uprightness can ever be.
luxury jet for official use
or pleasure

But, as they say, wealth is never enough. The more you have the more you want. Especially if you've a consort not used to unlimited wealth and glory, and a collector of priceless items in fashionable wears, gold and diamonds. Jet-setting around the world in luxury is also an unquenchable pleasure.
a luxury yacht
and a luxury smile
But hey, we're all human with the human weakness for glory, luxury, pomp and ceremony urging us on and hard to overcome.If the world is at your feet - at least a country- and you can call any shot you want for you've enough subservients and servants to execute your wishes, surely you don't want to become a recluse, live in a palace and let the world go by.

Malaysia is famous and will soon become a developed nation by 2020. People seem to be living in luxury too, at least those who count. There are still many poor people but all of them hidden behind the array of wealthy politicians, not businessmen.If the country owes a lot of money in national debts,we've a lot of assets to pay for them. Let's live up to our fame, like our political leaders.Of course, some feel that the fame is a shame for no PM in the world has been called by so many names - from a Chief to a you-know-what.

Post Aidil Fitri Reflection

I spent a whole week in my kampung this Hariraya, spending a few days before and a few days after the eid mubarak. My house is near the mosque and with a good PA system in use all the time I heard almost everything that happened in the house of Allah, even when busy in the bathroom.I did, however, attend most of the prayers, quran recitals lectures by various ustazs and tahlil (other recitals and homage to Allah).


But I must admit that I could not follow all the ibadah (prayers, recitals,lectures, tahlil etc) performed by the villagers. I've ghouts and other joint problems that prevented me from walking to and from the mosques effortlessly. Nonetheless, I was amazed at how the villagers could accommodate all the religious activities to fill the nights and mornings of the last 10 days of fasting, as taught by the Prophet PBUH. Even the Suraus and Mosques in my residential area do not do as much, They break their fast with a light refreshment, perform the Maghrib prayer, followed by a lecture, then perform the Tarawih followed by a quran reading session. They finished at about 10.30 pm.,starting the morning sessions at 4 am and ending it at 7.30.thus leaving about 4 to 5 hours for sleep.

And the mosque was almost always full. There were of course more elderly and old people than the young ones. But the dedication shown is just amazing.If all villagers in the country were as dedicated to their work and responsibilities in the daytime as they were at night during the fasting month, I think the productivity of the nation will double in no time at all.

What bothers me is whether the villagers can absorb the cermahs and khutbahs that seem to be endless. Certainly not many really understand the prayers and lengthy do'a delivered in Arabic by the various Ustazs invited to lead the ibadah sessions.I could see that some villagers actually dozed off during the talks. It was clear to me that the formality of the sessions was more reverred than the content.But they stayed in the mosque till late night and late morning very patiently.

It's a real experience which I had missed living in KL and balk kampung only two or three three days for the most. I wonder if some of the older citizens of KL had tried staying a longer period in the village especially in the month of Ramadhan. It could be very enlightening.

upcoming by-election in Sg Besar and Kuala Kangsar

Everyone says the disunity among the opposition will give victory to BN. That's logical thinking. But I'm not too sure that people will vote logically. BN's logic has shown too many illogical decisions and unethical manoeuvring. Money politics is in full swing under the nose of the authorities concerned with stamping out corruption.
a village in Sg Besar
When money is king, the subjects are all money-hungry. Feed them and they follow your "telunjuk".But, as the saying goes: you can take the horse to the water but you can't make it drink.
Especially when there are three of four pitchers to drink from and no one can see you making your choice.
voters' family
The wise voters know that they can take and enjoy all the goodies that are handed to them before the election or even at the election site, butthey can still chose the candidate they they trust the most, not to give out goodies just before an election but to promote their interest over a period of time."Sorong papan tarik papan bush keranji dalam perahu, suruh makan says makan suruh undi itu hak auk." Apa yang diberi itu pun bukan dari pocket Pakcik tapi pocket rakyat.
a village in Kuala Kangsar
Yes, we all want a free and democratic election, without money politics thrusted at our back like a sharp knife.The politics we see today will go on and and on if no radical change takes place.Question is: are we brave enough and ready to make that change? Give new hands a try. if it doesn't work we can switch back to the old hands.