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Friday, October 20, 2006

Kepulangan Yang Dinanti (The Long Awaited Arrival)

Raya Eid and Deepavali are coming nearer. With a gap of one day between the latter festival and the former for three years in a row now, Malaysians enjoy the spirit of togetherness and unity, plus the extended holidays...... thereby causing the jam on our roads to become so much worse, hehee..

For the Muslims (and maybe some others), they start to play the tunes of Raya, echoing in houses, cars, shops and malls, while for those who just can't get the tunes out of their heads - they start to whistle and hum the songs (if not singing loudly and errr... passionately?).

Some may like songs which are more upbeat, while some enjoy sentimental ones. Examples of popular Raya songs: Selamat Hari Raya (Saloma), Suasana di Hari Raya (Anuar & Elina), Balik Kampung (Sudirman), Dendang Perantau (P Ramlee), Bila Takbir Bergema (Rafeah Buang) and Pulang Di Hari Raya (Noorkumalasari).

As for me, this year, I find this particular song so 'clicking' with me... I play it over and over again in the car, to the extent that my wife can hardly hear her own favourites :) It's called Kepulangan Yang Dinanti (The Long Awaited Arrival) by Aman Shah. Here's the lyrics (in Malay) and also in English (my own translation, therefore, they may not rhyme)...

Bergema suara di angkasa,
Selembut bayu meresap ke dalam jiwa
Betapa hatimu terharu
Menyambut anakmu kembali

Terbayang senyuman di wajah nan sepi
Pulangnya anakmu di pagi yang murni
Kasihmu seharum kasturi
Melambai anakmu kembali

Dalam dakapan keheningan maya
Pertemuan yang menyentuh di jiwa
Sekian lamanya terpisah
Harapan kini jadi nyata

Kiranya perpisahan terjadi lagi
Anakmu pergi mencurahkan bakti
Doamu teriring selalu
Semoga bertemu kembali

Pulanglah di hari raya
Begitulah harapan ayahnda...


********************************

'Takbir' echoes in the air
So soothing, it penetrates your soul
And touches your heart
As you welcome your child home

Smile lightens up your lonely face
With your child's return that pure morning
Your love is undivided
As you wave your child to come

In the warmth comfort of a hug
The reunion saddens you
After a long separation
Your hope becomes a reality

Should you be separated again
Your child leaves you for the nation
Your prayers will guide them
Till you meet them again

Go visit them this Hari Raya
That is what your father wishes for....


Meantime, here's a touchy 'muchy' Raya ad by Petronas. Enjoy....

P/S: Ramadhan is still not over yet, my fellow Muslim guys and girls. Don't neglect or cut down (drastically) ibadah, kay! Just a reminder to all of us including myself.

PP/S: Be safe, stay safe to all during these festive seasons! Remember to lock properly when you leave homes plus drive cautiously and safely. At the end of the day, money can be earned, but life is irreplaceable...

On a lighter note, in the above cartoon - why do you think the chicken cries? Feeling overwhelmed by the drama that unfolds in front of her or.......? :))

What's the Fuss?

Recently, the Head of Syari'ah Dept. of Takaful (an Islamic based insurance company) issued an email to his staff, stating that they should not extend their Deepavali greetings to Hindus, for fear of being syirik. Such a matter has somehow leaked to the general Malaysian public and caused an uproar to some people (including those who are not directly affected....d'uh!). I have then sent a letter to The Sun newspaper expressing my views on the so-called big issue. As of yesterday, the letter has not been published (I have not checked today's). But I'd like to post it here too (and I hope the paper won't mind since this is more like a free publicity for them... err, I think). Anyway, here's the letter (edited):

"Referring to the recent news that broke out over the directive to Takaful's Muslim employees not to greet the Hindus, Happy Deepavali. First of all, let me ask this question - what's with all the fuss? It seems to me that some Malaysians these days are quick to jump and react over the slightest matter. I fear that our harmony may be easily shaken or disrupted in the future, just because we tend to drag on an issue that is so trivial.

Second of all, I'm not a Takaful staff but I would like to clarify a few things on behalf of Takaful people especially, and the whole Muslim community, generally.

Muslims can greet and wish fellow non-Muslims during their festivals, provided that the festivals are cultural and not religous ones. With regard to the latter, we are strictly forbidden to celebrate, participate or attend festivals which contain religous ceremonies/rituals.

The same goes with attending funerals. We can show our respect to the deceased and their families, but not participate in the ceremonies involved.

I believe the same goes with those of other religions. I never see them pray together or 'amin' our prayers too.

In our case, the reason for God to forbid us from attending such religous ceremonies is to safeguard our aqidah. In our daily prayers, we have pledged in our syahadah that there is no God but Allah and that prophet Muhammad is Allah's messenger. Therefore, by participating in ceremonies which worship other than Allah, will contradict with our pledge. After all, to lie in our court of law, we will be held in contempt. Therefore, our pledge with Allah should not be any difference or be taken lightly. In fact, it should be taken far more seriously.

However, as a show of respect and to preserve peace, there is no harm to simply greet or wish our fellow non-Muslims. I've extended my wish to my non-Muslim friends before, countless other people have done it too. There is no need to condemn the person who wrote the email. The author is simply thinking differently of what Muslims can and cannot do.

There is also no need for the person to lose his job. We've seen people who exploit and abuse their powers to much worse extent, like using vetos indiscriminately and making evil decisions that have caused the loss of innocent lives. Look at where they are now, still in their seats right?

Meantime, in one feedback by Malethy, she assumed that Takaful has sidelined the feelings of non-Malays working there. Do you know that for some high-rise buildings out there (malls, offices and hotels), they can't even allocate a room (surau) for us Muslims to pray or their suraus are in a very sorry state?

The companies who run those buildings may brag about the classes they belong in, with floors marbled and walls/ceilings furnished with expensive items, but to go to their surau (if there is any), we have to go through smelly kitchen and moldy/smelly underground pathways. Obviously, the management of those buildings have sidelined the feelings of their Muslims staff and guests too, for 365 days, all year round."


With regard to buildings with no prayer rooms, I have since avoided/boycotted them. I think their management is not so much of disrespecting Muslims. It's just that they are arrogant and/or ignorant. Having said that, I am deeply grateful that the Malaysian government is still run by Muslims majority and that Agong is the Head of Religion.....

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Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Wasiat (Will)

I went to prepare my 'wasiat' (will) last Monday,
Prior to that, me and wife did some shopping,
It was quite tiring, as it was a scorching hot day,
That night, my wife was sore and aching.

Some things need to be prepared in advanced,
Whether it's for Raya or preparing for the worse,
Should Allah calls me home, by any chance,
Once departed, my loved ones should come first.

Though I don't have millions,
Or fancy cars and expensive mansions,
But I'd prefer to avoid any confusion,
And so much hassle to those concerned.

Apart from leaving some properties behind,
It would be great to be remembered by,
How great a person I was, and how kind,
And how they had the chance to bid me goodbye.....


P/S: Although we can't decide how to die, or when, but we CAN pray that we die with Iman for Allah in our Hearts and for that to happen, we CAN decide how we're going to live - now!!

© Copyright Abdun N.A. - Malaysia 2006; No part of this poem can be reproduced in whatever forms. Thank you.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Days are numbering...

About 10 more days to go till we depart from the holy month of Ramadhan. How do we feel about it? How was the quality of our ibadah the past 20 days? Will it improve the next coming days, especially there's Night of Lailatul Qadar to look forward to?

Of course, how we 'perform' is a matter between us and Allah only, and not for us to brag about OR to say out loud how we have neglected or 'under performed'.

At the end of the day, every year, we should treat Ramadhan as though it was the last 'coz we never know whether we will see it again next year.

P/S: Will be on leave next Monday, pile of work doesn't seem to deteriorate much and with the long holidays coming....Arrghhhhh!!!!

Friday, October 06, 2006

Timely




Surah Al-Asr (verse 1-3)

Bismillaahirrahmaanirrahiim....

By (the Token of) TIME (through the ages),
Verily Man is in loss,
Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.

As the above Surah Al Qur'an reads, TIME is a precious thing. However, no matter how productive we are, we are still at loss unless we have Faith, and do righteous deeds, etc..... (I somehow feel that the impact is more, when reading the verse translation in Malay instead.... "Demi masa, sesungguhnya manusia itu dalam kerugian....").

TIME has different meanings to different people and at different TIMES (pun intended).


For some, they are cashing in on the word TIME as their company’s name or company’s tagline.

For others, they are cashing in on the TIME theme in creating the biggest hit songs, movies and TV shows.
Examples are (to name a few): -

1) Songs - Time After Time by Cindy Lauper and Yesterday by The Beatles.
2) Movies - Titanic (a couple met the first TIME on the ship and raced against TIME before the doomed liner sunk)
and Nick of TIME (a loving father is threatened of his daughter’s life if he fails to assassinate a senator).
3) TV shows – Without A Trace (an FBI team battles with TIME as they search for missing persons), 24 (each season tells events that unfold within a 24-HOUR period, err, how dull is that? hehe)
and Lost (a group of survivors stranded on a deserted island, counting DAYS while they wait to be rescued and remembering the DAYS that took place before their airplane crashed).

For those whose work involve with tight deadlines or those who are running late to catch a flight, they may curse at the TIME for not trying to slow down a little bit.

For those who are bed-ridden with terminal diseases, they are counting the TIMES they have left on earth.

For those who like to loaf at shopping complexes, or frequently visit their neighbours spreading gossips, fail to realise there are people out there who would kill for those precious TIMES they have wasted.

For couples who are madly in love, they treasure their TIMES together, every minute, every second and never want those TIMES to end.

For those who dearly miss their loved ones who are no longer present, whether due to deaths or them being far away or simply missing, TIME can be an instrument of torture and unbearable.

For those who are expecting a child, they eagerly await for the TIME where they can play with those little fingers, hear those ‘little’ laughter and witness those first little steps.

For those whose children have all grown up, they wonder how fast TIME flies, as they feel like it was only yesterday, they saw their children in the playground.

For those who fast during the month of Ramadhan with much humility, they learn to be patient with TIME.

For those who have met their soul mates, they will always reminisce the TIME when they first met.

For those who are late for a date for the 101st TIME, they have a lot of explaining (or begging) to do with their partners.

For those who escape death at the final TIME just before tragedies strike, or those who shoot the winning score just in TIME before the final whistle is blown, they have a lot to be grateful for.

… and finally, when the TIME has come for Mailakatul Maut (Angel of Death) to approach us, we can either have a lot to feel regret about OR have a lot to look forward to. Wallahua’lam.

**************************
To my dear (future) child(ren), remember and appreciate these TIMES before TIMES of contrary nature arrive:


1. while you are still young before you are old,
2. while you are healthy before you are in sickness,
3. while you are rich before you get poor,
4. while you have all the spaces you need before all walls closing in on you, and
5. while you are still alive before you die.

Also, remember to cover your aurat before you are covered and pray before you are prayed. (Meaning: When you die, other people will cover your body in kain kafan and people will perform prayers for you before you are buried. When that time comes, it will be already too late for you to even wish you had covered your aurat and perform your prayers, let alone do other good deeds). Wallahua’lam.

P/S: Talk about TIME, it's actually that TIME of year again. Our fellow Malaysians who are fifteen year olds (including a brother in law) are sitting for an important Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) exam throughout this week, which ends today.

In my above cartoon strips, one student confidently writes down his answers. His friend (let's call him Snooze) on the other hand, falls asleep within 5 minutes after the question paper is passed to him.

In his dream, the clock in the exam hall suddenly springs to life, grabs his question paper and flees, while Snooze desperately tries to chase after the clock which is slowly but surely leaving him behind. What does the dream mean? Well, I leave it to your own perception and interpretation.

Indeed, TIME waits for no man especially those who linger or do nothing. TIME lost is irreplaceable. Even if Snooze is allowed to re-sit his exam, he has wasted much TIME. When other people are moving forward, Snooze is still stuck at his present TIME, if not moving backward.

MeanTIME, talk about exams, I remember a dream I had, about how I studied at the very very last minute before a major exam began. I remember how intense the feeling was, how scared I got the night before the exam, fearing that I would fail. If memory serves me right, I had similar dreams more than twice. Each time, even after I woke up, the reality fact that I had already left formal education and had entered a working life, failed to calm me down. Like I said, the dream was pretty intense; it was almost real. And surprisingly, a couple other people also mentioned they had a similar dream before (and how the dream affected them when they woke up), at least once after they left school/college. Have you?