The Reader

Do you do R.A.K?

I read about this article on Random Acts of Kindness and I felt ashamed of myself.You can read it here.Out of 29 on the list ,mine was less than 5.I failed miserably...How about you?

On the other hand,I received a few but more than what I have given away.

Below is a list of RAK from strangers to me:

1.On the way back from KL Sentral,I took Putra train to KLCC.A young man gave away his seat for me.

2.As I was looking for a place to park my car in Ipoh,  a man came to me and told me that he was leaving and pointing to his parked car.so I waited for him to drive away and I got the parking lot.

3.I emailed an online acquantance online about the accommodation for my friend's daughter .A few days later, he came back with an answer after he drove a few miles to check the hostel.

4.I came into a crowded Pos Malaysia office to send a parcel.Before I cout get my Q number,a lady came to me and gave her Q slip.She decided to go some where else.I saved half an hour of waiting.

Lalai serta leka..

Beberapa hari yang lepas seorang kawan and ahli keluarga meninggal dunia.Umurnya sebaya dengan saya-50'an.Beliau seorang ahli perniagaan dibidang hartanah yang berjaya.Kali terakhir saya berjumpa dan sempat bersembang dengannya ialah dua bulan yang lalu semasa kami menghadiri satu majlis perkahwinan.Perbincangan kami berlekar kepada pendidikan agama untuk anak-anak kami yang amat terdedah kepada pelbagai ancaman fikrah kufur dan budaya kuning yang mengasyikkan dan melalaikan.Kesannya membuat mereka leka dari mematuhi perintah Allah dan memandang ringan larangan Allah swt.Beliau seorang peniaga yang baik dan sentiasa berdamping dengan guru agama.Banyak saya ambil iktibar darinya yang bergiat didalam mempelajari Al-Qur'an dan menghayati Al-Qur'an.Apabila saya mendapat berita yang beliau meninggal dunia secara tiba-tiba,saya terus teringat bicara kami sebagaimana saya tuliskan diatas.Amat terasa kehampiran maut...Al-Fatihah Ya akhi.

Setiap dua minggu, guru kami mengingati kami yang masih hidup untuk bersyukur kerana masih berada diatas bumi dan tidak dibawah bumi.Masa untuk beribadat sentiasa berkurangan  setiap detik berlalu dan ramai diantara kami yang masih lalai dan leka...Kita semua masih sibuk dengan harta orang yang akan kita tinggalkan dan kurang usaha bersungguh-sungguh untuk membawa sebanyak mungkin bekal untuk kehidupan kita yang kekal abadi di akhirat nanti.

Kerja mencari rezeki sama ada sebagai peniaga atau makan gaji amat melekakan dan melalaikan jika tidak kita kawal.Sudah pasti persiapan untuk hari-hari akhirat akan terbiar dan tertinggal.Oleh hal yang demikian,pengurusan masa perlu mengambil kira kerja persiapan untuk kehidupan di akhirat tanpa mengabaikan hak kita didunia.Masa untuk ibadah perlu dimasukkan didalam diari harian kita.

Berikut saya sertakan beberapa ayat Qur'an yang berkaiatan dengan tajuk diatas:

[24:37] (Ibadat itu dikerjakan oleh) orang-orang yang kuat imannya yang tidak dilalaikan oleh perniagaan atau berjual beli daripada menyebut serta mengingati Allah dan mendirikan sembahyang serta memberi zakat; mereka takutkan hari (kiamat) yang padanya berbalik-balik hati dan pandangan.
[28:77] Dan tuntutlah dengan harta kekayaan yang telah dikurniakan Allah kepadamu akan pahala dan kebahagiaan hari akhirat dan janganlah engkau melupakan bahagianmu (keperluan dan bekalanmu) dari dunia dan berbuat baiklah (kepada hamba-hamba Allah) sebagaimana Allah berbuat baik kepadamu (dengan pemberian nikmatNya yang melimpah-limpah) dan janganlah engkau melakukan kerosakan di muka bumi; sesungguhnya Allah tidak suka kepada orang-orang yang berbuat kerosakan.
[29:64] Dan (ingatlah bahawa) kehidupan dunia ini (meliputi segala kesenangan dan kemewahannya, jika dinilaikan dengan kehidupan akhirat) tidak lain hanyalah ibarat hiburan dan permainan dan sesungguhnya negeri akhirat itu ialah kehidupan yang sebenar-benarnya; kalaulah mereka mengetahui (hakikat ini tentulah mereka tidak akan melupakan hari akhirat).

[18;28] Dan jadikanlah dirimu sentiasa berdamping rapat dengan orang-orang yang beribadat kepada Tuhan mereka pada waktu pagi dan petang, yang mengharapkan keredaan Allah semata-mata dan janganlah engkau memalingkan pandanganmu daripada mereka hanya kerana engkau mahukan kesenangan hidup di dunia dan janganlah engkau mematuhi orang yang Kami ketahui hatinya lalai daripada mengingati dan mematuhi pengajaran Kami di dalam Al-Quran, serta dia menurut hawa nafsunya dan tingkah-lakunya pula adalah melampaui kebenaran.

Let me qoute an excerpt from the book "Don't Be Sad".

It is incumbent upon everyone to realise that death is hovering above us.At any moment,day or night,death can come.Caliph Ali bin Abu Taalib expressed in lucid terms the reality of our life:

" The Hereafter is travelling towards us and this life is travelling away from us; so be among the children of the Hereafter and not the children of this world.For today is action without reckoning(judgement), and tomorrow is reckoning without action".

From this saying,we can learn how imperative it is for us to improve ourselves,to renew our repentance.and to know that we are dealing with The Lord,Who is Generous,Powerful,Great and Kind.

Death does not seek permission prior to arrival,nor does it gives early warning that it is on the way. The Qur'an informs us:

{[No person knows what he will earn tomorrow,and no person knows in what land he will die]}-Qur'an 31:34

{[The Appointment to you is for a Day,which you cannot put back for an hour(or a moment) nor put forward]}-Qur'an 34:30

Playground:dirty and dangerous!

When was the last time you went to the playground in your neighbourhood? I just did this morning after my morning cycling.To my horrors, there is a manhole without any covers.If your kids happen to be running around, he or she will fall and surely suffers serious injuries if not dies in the hole!The grass appreared to look like  not been cut for the last three months and rubbishes are over the places.

Our roads are cleaned by DBKL cleaners most of the time.I just donot know why the playground are left behind.By the way, this playground is located next to Jalan Wirawati Market.(about 5km from KLCC).

A few weeks ago, one of neighbour's wife was robbed(snatch thief) at another playground next to Esso Station near Jalan Pria,about half a kilometer from my house during her morning jog!

Now,DBKL has invited the members of the public to see and give comments on their new masterplan.I would rather go to mamak shop for teh tarik and roti canai.

A note on my table..

Below is a short note written by my schoolmate and posted at our alumni mailinglist.When I read this note, I cried for his 8-year old daughter who lost her mother a few years ago.

There's a note purposely put on the table by my daughter (8 years-old) that i read last night when i reach home from work...

  "Mama,Zizi tahu mama dah tak ada tapi Zizi sangat sayang dekat mama.Zizi rindu sangat dekat mama sebab mama baik,cantik,

putih,macam awan.Mama...Zizi nak sangat peluk mama.Zizi sangat sayang mama".

Cuma airmata yang mengalir dipipi saya selepas membaca nota itu.Dan memandang kewajahnya yang sedang tidur...saya hanya mampu mengucup dahinya dan membelai rambutnya...

  Selamat hari ibu.

The above was reproduced verbatim with written consent from my schoolmate to share with you.My apologies for not being able to translate the above in English.

Let's be grateful to Allah that many of us still have our mothers,especially me who can still talk and hug my mother(who is 73 years old and my grandmother who is 90+ years old).
       

   

Replacing old Lamy

Two years ago I bought a Lamy Safari.You can see it here.After being used and misused by me, the nib is a bit disoriented.Yesterday,I had the opportunity to enter The Pen Galley at The Weld,Kuala Lumpur.A few months ago,I visited the shop during weekend but it was closed.When I entered the shop yesterday afternoon, I was greeted with a friendly smile by Mr Jamal.The wallet in my pocket was literally shaking in my pants.My eyes began a fast horizontal scan just like the eyes of my wife when she enters Southern Pottery Shop!From the wallet's previous experience, a few blue pieces will fly away because the man has zero resistance to prevent him from buying a good pen if he likes it.By the way,the pen cost me about RM75.It is a really good buy.

Let me give a free advertisement to this shop.If you are looking to buy Nakimi Capless fountain pens, you can get 20% of list prices.I can assure you that these are much cheaper than when I bought  one Pilot Fermo in Singapore recently.By the way,this shop also sells pens that cost thousands of ringgit.I dare not look at them even though they were staring at me.These Lamys are good enough for my level of penmanship in my moleskine notebook and the values of cheques I sign.

Lower toll rates for our highways

I am one of those who could only afford to make noises in the Kedai Kopi or Kopitiam about the high cost of toll.Every time I visit my son in JB,I have to cough out at least RM41 just for the toll,not to mention about the same amount for the  petrol for my MyVi.At least now, there is evidence that the new Minister of Work is doing something good for the rakyat and I also know that he is  also instrumental for  getting rid of ceiling price for the steel effective today.I hope this  is a good beginning for a few more things.I look forward to hear or read more rakyat friendly good news from all ministers,especially those that affect the daily lives of ordinary folks like me. By the way,please donot ask us to eat less rice because the price is higher.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- The proposal to reduce toll rates will be brought to the Cabinet meeting for a decision, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today. "It is a suggestion from Datuk Zin Mohamad (Works Minister) who has expressed that his choice is to reduce toll rates. But the suggestion must be brought to the Cabinet for a decision to be made," he told reporters after officiating the opening of the Fifth Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) here today. Abdullah said this when asked to comment on Works Minister Datuk Ir Mohd Zin Mohamad's statement yesterday that highway toll rates could be reduced but it was subjected to the findings of a concession study currently being carried out by his ministry. The study is expected to be ready in another three months and will be the basis for the renegotiation of agreement between the government and the highway toll concessionaires in the country. Mohd Zain said the main issue up during renegotiation will be the clause on the toll rate review mechanism which does not allow the concession company to increase toll rates as it wishes but would have to depend on the number of vehicles using the highway. -- BERNAMA

I am one of those who could only afford to make noises in the Kedai Kopi or Kopitiam about the high cost of toll.Every time I visit my son in JB,I have to cough out at least RM41 just for the toll,not to mention about the same amount for the  petrol for my MyVi.At least now, there is evidence that the new Minister of Work is doing something good for the rakyat and I also know that he is  also instrumental for  getting rid of ceiling price for the steel effective today.I hope this  is a good beginning for a few more things.I look forward to hear or read more rakyat friendly good news from all ministers,especially those that affect the daily lives of ordinary folks like me. By the way,please donot ask us to eat less rice because the price is higher.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- The proposal to reduce toll rates will be brought to the Cabinet meeting for a decision, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today. "It is a suggestion from Datuk Zin Mohamad (Works Minister) who has expressed that his choice is to reduce toll rates. But the suggestion must be brought to the Cabinet for a decision to be made," he told reporters after officiating the opening of the Fifth Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) here today. Abdullah said this when asked to comment on Works Minister Datuk Ir Mohd Zin Mohamad's statement yesterday that highway toll rates could be reduced but it was subjected to the findings of a concession study currently being carried out by his ministry. The study is expected to be ready in another three months and will be the basis for the renegotiation of agreement between the government and the highway toll concessionaires in the country. Mohd Zain said the main issue up during renegotiation will be the clause on the toll rate review mechanism which does not allow the concession company to increase toll rates as it wishes but would have to depend on the number of vehicles using the highway. -- BERNAMA

Happy Mothers Day

First,let me thank Allah swt,The Lord of All The Worlds,Seen and Unseen,Known and Unknown for giving me the best mother and also for my wife ,the mother of my three boys.Thank you and I am forever grateful,My Rabb for your mercy and kindness.

I offer my apologies to my mother and my wife for my failings and weaknesses for not not being able to convey in full my gratitudes to both of you for your unconditional love and tireless sacrifices for me and my three children.Only my hugs and kisses to both of you as always...

Below is my cut/paste reference in the Qur'an and Hadith relating to mothers:

The Quran

1. "We have enjoined on man   kindness to his parents; in pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she   give him birth" (46:15).

2. "Thy Lord hath decreed that   ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both   of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor   repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And out of kindness, lower to   them the wing of humility, and say: ‘My Lord! bestow on them Thy Mercy   even as they cherished me in childhood' "(17:23-24).

3. "We have enjoined on man   and woman kindness to parents; but if they (either of them) strive (to force)   thee to join with Me anything of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not'"   (29:8).

4. "We have enjoined on man   and woman (to be good) to his/her parents; show gratitude to Me and to thy parents;   to Me is (thy final) Goal. If they (parents) strive to make thee join in worship   with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them   company in this life with justice (and consideration) and follow the way of   those who turn to Me (in love)" (31:14-15).

The Hadith

1. The Prophet Muhammad said, may Allah's   peace and blessings be upon him: Your Heaven lies under the feet of your mother   (Ahmad, Nasai).

2. A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O   Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?   The Prophet said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said:   Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said:   Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then   your father. (Bukhari, Muslim).

3. Abu Usaid Saidi said: We were once sitting   with Rasulullah when a man from the tribe of Salmah came and said to him: O   Messenger of Allah! do my parents have rights over me even after they have died?   And Rasulullah said: Yes. You must pray to Allah to bless them with His Forgiveness   and Mercy, fulfill the promises they made to anyone, and respect their relations   and their friends (Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah).

4. Abdullah ibn Amr related that the Messenger   of Allah said: The major sins are to believe that Allah has partners, to disobey   one's parents, to commit murder, and to bear false witness (Bukhari, Muslim).  

5. It is narrated by Asma bint Abu Bakr   that during the treaty of Hudaibiyah, her mother, who was then pagan, came to   see her from Makkah. Asma informed the Messenger of Allah of her arrival and   also that she needed help. He said: Be good to your mother (Bukhari, Muslim).
 

One Saturday morning...

It is a must-go-place whenever I am in London.The road is about one mile long-full of activities with sounds, sights and smells of its own.I usually bought a cup of cuppucino and walk the street.Then I will visit a few antiques shops and come home with a few old books.I cannot remember who took this photo, but I wish to thank him.

The Sunnah..

Two weeks ago, our guru gave us two ayats as our homework.Below is one of them for us to study.

From Surah al-Ahzaab:

[21] Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah.
[21] Demi sesungguhnya, adalah bagi kamu pada diri Rasulullah itu contoh ikutan yang baik, iaitu bagi orang yang sentiasa mengharapkan (keredaan) Allah dan (balasan baik) hari akhirat, serta dia pula menyebut dan mengingati Allah banyak-banyak (dalam masa susah dan senang).

Most of us muslims/muslimahs have heard or read the stories of the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.The question I am asking myself,how many of his good deeds/examples have I incorporated into my daily life??? When I started to think in order to list down, then I know immediately that I have done very little of his sunnah.I have my TODO list for my projects (and business and my family) but what seems to be missing is the list of the sunnah I should do on yearly,monthly,weekly and daily basis.To inculcate good behaviours, we must begin the change with the easier ones first, then we move up the ladder to collect higher fruits.

On his death bed, our dear beloved Prophet Muhammad still mentioning his ummah.The least we could show our love for him is by following his sunnah.Let's not waste any more time and begin today to upgrade our effort in following the Sunnah of Rasullulah.

Noisy Putra Trains

A few days ago I embarked on a Putra train from Pasar Seni to Taman Jaya. The noise generated when the train took a curve and when it was stopping was unbearable!Something was grossly wrong some where.I hope the RapidKL would do something before anything untowards happens .Over to you guys.By the way,the engineer in me is worried.

Snatch thieves hit my street!

Previously,I only heard  about snatch thefts.Now,it hit home to my neighbours along my street.Nowadays, our ladies are gripped with fear every time they leave home or arrive at their homes.All the victims were ladies.

Over the years, we have seen and read reports on the increasing street thefts and violences.The police said they donot have enough manpower and the government now is taking steps to improve the public security. In the mean time,what do we do to protect our family members?

Who are these thieves? Most people blame the foreigners, but the statistics showed that the locals to foreigners is 2 to 1.IMHO,policing is not good enough and only a short term measure.We must get to the roots of this evils.Just look at the dadah[drug] menace in this country.Have we succeeded to contain it  or is it getting worse?

Writing this note reminds me of the latest incident in Perlis where a man was hit because he was accused of being Peeping Tom.Later, the man died.Is it possible that the people cannot take this nonsense any more that they have to resort to street justice?

Battle in Malaysian skies

Free for All!
That is the main news on The Star first page today.Even though I am not a regular traveller,I welcome a good competition between between MAS and AirAsia. Whatever is the offer,the consumers will benefit, one way or  the other[the pun is intended].On reading the news,I was disappointed to get free ticket for my planned trip to 'balik  kampung 'during this coming school holidays.The offer is only from  10th June onwards. Both are  smart enough  to charge us full fares during the peak seasons.After all, both are business entities  to make money  and not to give  poor souls free tickets.

From my experience,I will choose MAS even though both of them give me free one way ticket.It is the level of service rendered at the airports and on the plane.I heard that Airasia is offering roti canai in flight.That is cool;but I prefer my roti canai at mamak shop better.

For small time businessman like me,it is the total cost that matters.It is not just the cost from one airport to another. That is how I will make a decision.

@the KLAB

  Book autograph 
  Originally uploaded by Adibi

Yesterday was a really busy Sunday for me.I attended three events-jogging at KLCC(plus books browsing at Kino) from 8am to 10:30am.Then at 12noon,I left to Pasar Seni Annex to drop a few books to give away at our Malaysia Bookcrossing table in conjunction with KLAB.From here,I took LRT to Amcorp Mall to meet my schoolmates who are interested to meet/talk about photography.Later,I arrived home at 6:30pm dead flat out:-)

Note on the photo:
Ms Animah Kosai signing on my copy of Kaki Script and looking on is Ms Tan Kheng Khooi who gave away her book David Copperfield(1964) to me.Thanks to both of you! Chet is shown giving away a book.

Book: The Last Lecture

It took me less than a week to finish this book.Honestly,I hate reading sad story but somehow I did buy the book.It is story of how a university professor lives his life after he was diagnosed suffering from a pancreatic cancer with a few months to live.On a few pages,I was choked.Here is the link to his blog.

While I was reading the last section The Final Remarks of The Last Lecture last Friday,I got the sad news that the executive chairman of Naza Group passed away due to cancer of the lung.Al-Fatihah to Allahyarham Tan Sri Nassimuddin and my condolence to the family.It also reminds me of Azura,Pak Zawi's daughter who is undergoing treatment of cancer in Kelantan now.I wish and du'a for her speedy recovery,insyaAllah.

Reading the book reminded me of my late friend and my neighbour Azhar who passed away due to lymph cancer many years ago.I remember writing a blog about him entitled: I lost a friend...Every two weeks,I visited him and we had teh tarik together.This is my real first encounter with a cancer patient.

As a muslim, the most precious spiritual gift is the iman-The Belief in Allah swt and His Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.And the greatest physical gift from Allah swt is the health that most of us took for granted until we get sick.I am one of those who often forget to be grateful to our Lord for failing to give enough thanks and gratitude for His Rahmah on many of us.Ya Allah,please forgive your humble servant for my ungratefulness and forgetfulness.

One of the lessons learnt from the book and my personal conversations with my late friend who died of cancer is that the path of our lives are all pre-determined by All Mighty God.Our choice is only about how to walk along that path....[or play the given cards as mentioned in the book]

This reminds me of British comedian Woody Allen said: If you want to make God laughs,tell Him your plan.But plan we must do and we also must pray for Allah's mercy on us.

Riding a bicycle..

First,let me thank Dr Idlan Zakaria for her permission to allow me to blog  using her nice  photo taken in Amsterdam. This shot reminds me of my family trip to Holland in 1997.It was a trip to remember for me and my entire family.We had great time in Amsterdam and the only thing that I regret was not making an effort to ride a bicycle in the Land of Bicycles-The Netherland.

Just look at the photo on the right.The road has a bicycle lane!I have been living in Kuala Lumpur for  more than 30 years now and I have yet to see a bicycle lane in my neighbourhood Kampung Pandan,located about 3km away from the city centre.I am not wrong to say that KL is not friendly to cyclists.When I ride my mountain bike for my exercise/leisure,I am taking a great risk to use the main roads.Most of the time,I ride using side roads and only on weekends.Some time ago,I blogged about bicycle lanes but not in KL.It was along a main road from Alor Setar to Kangar! If my memory is still in tact,I observed that more bicycles were used in Oxford and Cambridge,England.With increasing fuel price,I think more people will be willing to ride bicycles if there are enough bicycle lanes provided.

Every time I see a kid riding a bike,it reminds me of my childhood days-way back in the 60's.During that period,there were not many small bicycles like BMX nowadays.I learnt how to ride using my late uncle bicycle and when I ziarah his grave two months ago, the memory flashed back.I remember he took me around in our kampung...(gendong at the back)

My parents could not afford to buy me a bicycle then.I always dream of having one of my own.When I got by first salary from being a temporary teacher in 1973,I bought myself a bicycle.I used it to travel from my house and  the school to teach maths while waiting to get a place to go to UK to study engineering.(September 1973)

My kids were luckier than me.My second son is a fan of BMX bike.He loved to do all those dare-devil tricks.During one of my trips to England,I took him to White Chapel and ended up buying a morales bike for him.It cost me almost RM1000!Lucky boy...

In mid-90,I joined my schoolmate Nadim to enjoy riding mountain bike.My first bike is a Haro.It is still working until today after a few repairs.A few months ago, I bought another mountain bike-The Trek to replace my old shaky Haro.Now, I ride it about twice weekly.I know some of my peers who are sick and they can't walk properly.Here,I am riding a bike around the neighbourhood.My great thanks to Allah swt for His rahmah on me.Alhamdulilah.

Here are the link to my bike set and LTDL set of photos at my Flickr.

Worshiping our own nafs!

After our solat subuh yesterday,our Imam Haji Abu Zar led the congregation to read Ayat 23 until ayat 36 of Surah AlJaathiyah.After each ayat,the bilal read the translations for all of us to understand.From the reading,let me quote these two ayats for us to ponder ...Let me quote my personal notes to share with my fellow muslim readers:

[23] Then seest thou such a one as takes as his god his own vain desire? Allah has, knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart (and understanding), and put a cover on his sight: Who, then, will guide him after Allah (has withdrawn guidance)? Will ye not then receive admonition?
[23] Dengan yang demikian, bagaimana fikiranmu (wahai Muhammad) terhadap orang yang menjadikan hawa nafsunya: Tuhan yang dipatuhinya dan dia pula disesatkan oleh Allah kerana diketahuiNya (bahawa dia tetap kufur ingkar) dan dimeteraikan pula atas pendengarannya dan hatinya serta diadakan lapisan penutup atas penglihatannya? Maka siapakah lagi yang dapat memberi hidayat petunjuk kepadanya sesudah Allah (menjadikan dia berkeadaan demikian)? Oleh itu, mengapa kamu (wahai orang-orang yang ingkar) tidak ingat dan insaf?

Referring to the above ayat, nowadays we muslims may be not be worshiping idols but without knowing we may be worshiping our nafs.Obedience is an act of worship.

[35] "This, because ye used to take the Signs of Allah in jest, and the life of the world deceived you;" (from) that Day, therefore, they shall not be taken out thence, nor shall they be received into Grace.
[35] (Balasan buruk) yang demikian ini ialah kerana kamu telah menjadikan ayat-ayat keterangan Allah sebagai ejek-ejekan dan kerana kamu telah membiarkan diri kamu diperdayakan oleh kehidupan dunia. Maka pada hari itu mereka tidak akan dikeluarkan dari Neraka dan mereka tidak diberi peluang untuk bertaubat (memperbaiki kesalahannya).

Most of us think that we are the obedient sevants  of  Allah swt all the time, but  some of our actions  may fall under the category of mocking the ayats of Allah swt. We may disobey the Commands of Allah, but we cannot run away from the Wills of Allah.

Labour Day

Let's all take a rest today.To all fellow Malaysians,Selamat Bercuti Hari Buruh.

Blogging & Twittering on The Bus

On 29th April,2008 insyaAllah I will going to Singapore by Odyssey bus.The bus will leave KL at 1pm from its office next to Mont Kiara.It is scheduled to arrive at Orchid Hotel,Singapore at about 5pm.It is a business trip for me to attend a seminar related to my profession at BCA,Braddell Road,Singapore.After the one day seminar on 30 th April,2008,I will be taking the bus at 7pm to return home to KL.

On both journeys,I plan to blog here and to twitter.If you wish to chat with me,I shall be online all the way(subjected to wifi availability provided by the bus company) at Yahoo Messenger.My nickname is berisman.

All are welcome to chat or read my musings while I am on the bus...

On 29th April,2008 insyaAllah I will going to Singapore by Odyssey bus.The bus will leave KL at 1pm from its office next to Mont Kiara.It is scheduled to arrive at Orchid Hotel,Singapore at about 5pm.It is a business trip for me to attend a seminar related to my profession at BCA,Braddell Road,Singapore.After the one day seminar on 30 th April,2008,I will be taking the bus at 7pm to return home to KL.

On both journeys,I plan to blog here and to twitter.If you wish to chat with me,I shall be online all the way(subjected to wifi availability provided by the bus company) at Yahoo Messenger.My nickname is berisman.

All are welcome to chat or read my musings while I am on the bus...

World Book Day

As a booklover,I was aware of it and was reminded by other biblio-bloggers.Why didn't I blog about it? To be honest,I am disappointed at the efforts taken by authorities to promote reading.So  this frustrated old fellow let it passed by...

But today, this old fellow got energised  a bit by the news below.IMHO, there was NOT enough EFFECTIVE  efforts taken.I call upon the National Library to present to the nation the performance review of their programme for the last three years and to come up with  a revised strategy and action plan for the next three years.

Personally, I have attended a few launchings of Bulan Membaca, but looking back, they were more ceremonial than anything else.

What did I do to promote reading? I persuade my relatives and friends to read books and sometimes I gave away my books to them.Last year, I bought 20 books and lent them to my schoolmates.They were supposed to read them and exchange them at the next monthly 'teh tarik' gathering.I hope they do....

Reading in silence for World Book Day

 
2008/04/27

KUALA LUMPUR: Five hundred children between the ages of 4 and 6 read storybooks in silence for five minutes yesterday to mark World Book Day. They were joined by more than 1,000 people at the National Library and thousands of others in public libraries in Malacca, Terengganu, Perlis and Sabah in conjunction with the "Let's Read Together" programme.

   The event, aimed at instilling a life-long reading culture, was held concurrently at the four state public libraries.

   National Library director-general Raslin Abu Bakar said the children were picked  from 19 kindergartens here.

He added that a survey on the reading habits of Malaysians would be conducted soon and he was confident that the results would show that they were reading more than they did three years ago.

   A survey in 2005 found that Malaysians read only two books a year.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation declared April 23 as World Book Day to further strengthen the love for reading.

Colouring and public speaking contests were also held at the compound of the National Library. There was also a fair selling books, clothes and snacks.

   The event was opened by the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry secretary-general Dr Muzahet Masruri.

---

© Copyright 2008 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.

No 'democracy' in knowledge

The article below reminds me of what my guru taught me about knowledge.It is either you know or do not know of a particular subject matter.Little knowledge is very dangerous;what more if there is no knowledge at all.There is no 'democracy' when it comes to knowledge.As an example when the structures of a portion of MRR2 suffered some cracks,I must listen to a learned structural engineer of his view and not anyone else.Similarly when it comes to religious matters.We need subject matter experts to explain to us so that the public will not be confused.

Lately,I observed that many issues are commented by people who have no knowledge at all.This ,according to my guru, is a form of takwil al-jahilun i.e the discourse of the ignorants.Some people are so eager to give their views even though they have no knowledge of the issues or subject matter.To ordinary folks like me, we must be wary of these people so that we are not being misled by them ,no matter what is their positions in the society.On the other hand,the scholars must speak up so that ordinary mortals like me can understand.

Below is the article taken from Nasiha website:

Strength in Silence

Someone once asked the Prophet, peace be upon him: "Which land is most beloved to Allah, and which land is most despised by Him?"

The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: "I do not know  until I ask the angel Gabriel."

Thereafter, Gabriel informed him that the most beloved places are the mosques and the most disliked are the marketplaces. [Musnad Ahmad, Musnad Abî Ya`la, and Mustadrak al-Hâkim]

In stark contrast to the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the Companions, and the eminent Islamic scholars throughout the ages, we find many laymen who are quite willing to speak with authority on every matter, great and small, regardless of how well informed they are. Many people speak hastily before giving the matter sufficient study. Had they only done their research, they would easily have seen how wrong they are. Alas, some people are just not prepared, mentally or emotionally, to deal with difficult issues and to research them with the required degree of thoroughness and rigour.

The media has emboldened the general public even further. Many people now regard it as a weakness when a scholar remains silent on an issue or admits he does not know the answer. They feel ashamed themselves not to have an opinion about everything, even if it is a singularly difficult question of Islamic Law or a tenet of religious belief. Every topic has become the same – politics, economics, ancient and modern history – and it makes no difference how much specialization is required to do justice to the matter.

Source:
                        "Allah Knows Best – The Value of Being Impartial" -  Salman al-Oadah

                                                                                                                 

Continuous upgrade..

During last Saturday Kuliyyah Subuh,our teacher Dr Ali Saripan reminded us to continuously upgrade ourselves from being just muslims to the next higher level.He quoted Ayat 35 Surah AlAhzab.Donot remain where we are since we become mukalaf.In a way, it is similar to our career development and income level.No one of the right mind would like to remain stagnant in their positions and be satisfied with the same income level when we first started working.But, in all honesty, do we make an effort to upgrade ourselves from being a muslim to be a mukmin ? How about being a solehin next?and next?

To upgrade ourselves in the eyes of Allah swt, we need ilmu(knowledge) and we need to do amal ibadah.All of us muslims du'a for al-Jannah for us, but many of us,including your truly, have done very little indeed!Aren't  we ashamed of ourselves that what we ask does not commensurate with what we have done to deserve it?We do know that no matter what we do, we cannot claim the right to be admitted to Allah's Al-Jannah but still we have to do as much as we could and beg His Mercy to be admitted to Allah's Al-Jannah.

Our du'a : Ya Allah,kami tidak layak menduduki syurga Mu ,tetapi kami tidak tahan menanggung azab neraka Mu.Olih yang demikian,izinkanlah kami di tempatkan di syurga Mu ,Ya Allah,Ya Rahman  dan Ya Rahim.

[33:35] Sesungguhnya orang-orang lelaki yang Islam serta orang-orang perempuan yang Islam dan orang-orang lelaki yang beriman serta orang-orang perempuan yang beriman dan orang-orang lelaki yang taat serta orang-orang perempuan yang taat dan orang-orang lelaki yang benar serta orang-orang perempuan yang benar, dan orang-orang lelaki yang sabar serta orang-orang perempuan yang sabar dan orang-orang lelaki yang merendah diri (kepada Allah) serta orang-orang perempuan yang merendah diri (kepada Allah) dan orang-orang lelaki yang bersedekah serta orang-orang perempuan yang bersedekah dan orang-orang lelaki yang berpuasa serta orang-orang perempuan yang berpuasa dan orang-orang lelaki yang memelihara kehormatannya serta orang-orang perempuan yang memelihara kehormatannya dan orang-orang lelaki yang menyebut nama Allah banyak-banyak serta orang-orang perempuan yang menyebut nama Allah banyak-banyak, Allah telah menyediakan bagi mereka semuanya keampunan dan pahala yang besar.
[33:35] For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.

Pen maintenance

  Pen maintenance 
  Originally uploaded by Adibi

My old Parker Frontier is having problem.The ink does not flow anymore.So, I took it my friend Nazley,who is a pen collector and he knows how to do some 'mechanic' work.He helped me to clean up my Parker using ultrasonic device and now my old parker is okay.Thanks Nazley.

I share his enthusiasm in collecting good looking and well engineered fountain pen.Today,he showed me the mechanic of how the ink flows properly in the right quantity and explained  a few pen terminologies like GP,CT,GT etc.

After using fountain pen for more than 40 years,I discovered that there is a ball bearing in the fountain pen and its function!

Istana Kampung Gelam

Last Sunday was the second time I visited this Istana.The first was about 30 years ago.I was so happy and pleased to see that the Istana has been turned into Malay Heritage Centre and here I could 'walk' back to 17th  Century and learn something about Malay diaspora.

I was specially fascinated by the old maps,the beautiful hand written letters in jawi,old photos of Singapura as well as the history of Malay films.

While reading the jawi letters on the wall,it reminds me of Awang Goneng's write up.I was pleasantly suprised that in those days,receiving letter was done in a big ceremony with special adat isti'adat of the royal household.The art is missing in today's letters,especially via email;-)

When was the last time I wrote letter on a writing pad and posted it to someone?If my memory does not cheat on me, it must be in June,1976 when I wrote a hand written letter to my mother from Sheffield,England to inform her that I have passed my exam and will be coming home in July,1976.For the information to younger generation,there was no sms and telephone service in my kampung at that time.The only form of communication is by letter writing.Nowadays,my niece who was studying in India could 'chat' via sms with her mother EVERYDAY.And when my son went overseas,I can chat online with him in real time.

At Wardah Bookshop,Singapura

  At Wardah Bookshop,Singapura 
  Originally uploaded by Adibi

Honestly,I was very reluctant to get out from this bookshop!
{Macam tikus jatuh ke dalam tempayan beras!}

Last weekend,I went to Temasik(aka Singapore) to be with my kids -one is working in JB and the youngerone is on training in Singapore.We decided to have our morning coffee(plus martabak,of course) break at Zam Zam restaurant-just opposite the road to Masjid Sultan. While waiting for my wife going window shopping,I discovered The Faridah Of Islamic bookshop called Wardah Books and it reminds me of the Specialist Bookshop once located at KLCC.It has a great treasure of high quality Islamic books,especially on sufism.The ambience is also great and after I bought a book entitled Liberating The soul Vol1(A guide for Spiritual Growth) written by Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani,I don't feel like going any where else.

My great syukur to Allah Rabbula'lamin for His Guidance to lead me to this treasure of knowledge.Alhamdulilah.

My du'a: Ya Allah,please don't leave me alone to myself and please guide me all the way and all the time until I arrive to be with You ,Allahu Rabbul'alamin.

Double posting using BLOG IT

I am posting this note using BLOG IT  via my FACEBOOK  to check whether it gets uploaded to both of my blogs.

Using my NUVI 200W,here are some statistic for my travel yesterday 19th April,2008

From KL to Larkin,Johore Bahru      331.2km
Overall average speed                      83.8km/hr
Moving average speed                      92.7kkm/hr
Total travel time                                   3 hrs 57 min
Moving time                                          3 hrs 34min
max speed                                       129km/hr

PS:
This post script is written without using BLOGIT apps.
After my posting,I found that it worked well with this blog but I saw 5 repeated postings at my  vox blog. Btw, this is my first time using my new NUVI200W to travel from KL to JB and around the City at night.The GPS managed to lead me right to Nasi Lemak Senibong restaurant without any trouble.IMHO, Nuvi 200W is a good investment in satnav.
 

 

The Choice

Life is a journey where the road we travel has a few junctions along the way.Some are minor junctions but a few are major ones (like Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham) that can greatly affect what is coming before we are going to meet another junction or a flyover.At each junction or intersection, we are faced with choice to select only one route.Once the decision is made, we continue our journey and we all shall own the consequences of that decision.

My first major choice to study at my kampung (village)or to go to a boarding school after my std 6.Then, I have to make a choice to change school when I was in form 3(LCE)-to remain in SDAR or to move to TIKL.After my MCE(O Level), most of my friends went to Technical College and I chose to do my HSC(A Level).Later I chose to study at Sheffield University and not at other university.Upon graduation,I have to choose to work in JKR or DID.And later,I had to choose my bride...

And the list go on....until I die. Life is full of choices and a few times, we may not make the right choices.Even after we made a choice, we don't even  know whether we made the right choice.The element of uncertainty is inherent in all decision makings.

Last night, I saw this book The Choice written by my favourite author Mr Nicholas Sparks at MPH Bookshop and immediately I bought it for my wife.The title prompted me to write the short note above about choice.It is not similar to solving linear algebraic equations where there are uniques solution to each problem.Every decision is a risk.
My first encounter with Nicholas Sparks when I bought his book called The Notebook.When I finished reading it, my wife took  a little longer time to read it because she had to stop a few times when she needed some extra time to wipe the tears that keep flowing down her cheeks.To cut the long story short, both of us are fans of Nicholas Sparks.

This book is a present for my wife.Currently,I am still reading The Last lecture .Have a good weekend everyone.

TADABBUR and TAZAKKAUR

كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الألْبَابِ

[38:29] (Al-Quran ini) sebuah Kitab yang Kami turunkan kepadamu (dan umatmu wahai Muhammad), Kitab yang banyak faedah-faedah dan manfaatnya, untuk mereka memahami dengan teliti kandungan ayat-ayatnya dan untuk orang-orang yang berakal sempurna beringat mengambil iktibar.

In 38:29, Allah says, that the very purpose of the Book is TADABBUR and TAZAKKAUR, i.e. to ponder upon it and stay mindful of it.

[10:57] Wahai umat manusia! Sesungguhnya telah datang kepada kamu Al-Quran yang menjadi nasihat pengajaran dari Tuhan kamu dan yang menjadi penawar bagi penyakit-penyakit batin yang ada di dalam dada kamu .dan juga menjadi hidayat petunjuk untuk keselamatan, serta membawa rahmat bagi orang-orang yang beriman.
O mankind! there hath come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts, and for those who believe, a Guidance and a Mercy.


[43:44] Dan sesungguhnya Al-Quran itu memberikan kemuliaan dan peringatan kepadamu (wahai Muhammad) dan kepada kaummu dan kamu akan ditanya kelak (tentang isi kandungannya yang kamu telah amalkan).
The (Qur-an) is indeed the Message, for thee and for thy people; and soon shall ye (all) be brought to account.

Referring to the above ayats,I was reminded by my teacher to engage myself in the 'TADABUR OF AL-QUR'AN'. The teacher reminds me to understand the meanings of the ayats and to obey and live (hayati) by the ayats.This is a monumental task even the mountain will crumble to pieces in humility.

[59:21] Had We sent down this Qur-an on a mountain, verily, thou wouldst have seen it humble itself and cleave asunder for fear of Allah. Such are the similitudes which We propound to men, that they may reflect.

Sekiranya Kami turunkan Al-Quran ini ke atas sebuah gunung, nescaya engkau melihat gunung itu khusyuk serta pecah belah kerana takut kepada Allah dan (ingatlah), misal-misal perbandingan ini Kami kemukakan kepada umat manusia, supaya mereka memikirkannya.

This is a reminder to all,especially yours truly, to take extra efforts and time to STUDY AL-QUR'AN and to practise(amal) immediately whatever I have learnt.Time and tide wait for no man.

BLOG IT from Facebook

THIS IS A TEST POST FROM FACEBOOK.

Cars crazy

It is mind boggling to read that a few Malaysians has 700 cars each.Below is the excerpt from The Star.Some 78,000 drivers possess five cars each while another 1,589 drivers own 10 cars each.

One car is more than enough for me and my wife.Two cars are normal if husband and wife are still working.On the lighter side, I suggest a list of Malaysians who have more than 5 and 10 mobile phones.Or people who have more than 5 or 10 blogs?By  the way,I have only two mobile phones-one for business and the other for family communication.Below is a collage of the photos of cars I took(I can only afford to take photos ):

From The Star

Wednesday April 16, 2008

Some own 700 cars each

ABOUT 30 rich men in the country own between 100 and 700 cars each, reported China Press.

Quoting sources from the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the daily reported that these men registered the vehicles under their names for collection purposes.

One of the sources believes the owners had bought the cars to avoid paying income tax. Most of these cars were not used as some owners did not even renew their road tax.

He also questioned the roadworthiness of such cars since most of them seldom appeared on the road.

Of the 10 million registered car owners in the country, one-third of them owned more than one car, based on JPJ statistics for the first quarter of the year.

Some 78,000 drivers possess five cars each while another 1,589 drivers own 10 cars each.