The Reader

Everyone knows where Siberia is..

Sunday November 8, 2009

Siberian winds set to bring more bad weather

The ice cap is melting in Siberia, and that could spell more bad weather for Kelantan and Terengganu in a few days. An anticipated violent movement of Siberian winds across the South China Sea any time between mid-November and early December will trigger off another wave of thunderstorms leading to massive floods in the east-coast states, weather experts said.[From The Star]

As the saying goes,everyone knows where Siberia is, but no one wants to go there.Reaso:The reason-extreme weather conditions!

In a globalised world today,whatever happens(as mentioned),our folks in Kelantan and Terengganu will have to bear the consequences of bad weather.Some years back,when the enivironmentalists were talking about Global Warming,how many of us cared to even think about it.The common thinking among us,it is the First World issues.Similarly, when my friend told me about HIV in USA in 1980,my eyes did not even blink!Now, a few of my kampung folks in Kelantan had died due to HIV related diseases.

Sometimes,I wonder...how come bad things spread very fast, but good things need a lot of efforts to spread even to my next door neighbour!

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Kehendak dan Iradat Allah

Surah At-Takwir,ayat 29:

"Dan kamu tidak dapat menentukan kemahuan kamu(mengenai sesuatu pun) ,kecuali dengan cara yang diatur oleh Allah,Tuhan yang memelihara dan mentadbirkan seluruh alam."

Semasa menyusun kembali buku-buku rujukan saya kelmarin,saya terjumpa satu naskah terjemahan Fizallil Qur'an(versi jawi,terbitan tahun 1985) yang dihadiahkan oleh penterjemahnya sendiri (Allahyarham Dato' Ustaz Yusof Zaky Yaakub) kepada saya diakhir dekad 80'an.Naskah ini mengandungi semua ayat Qur'an dalan Juz 'Amma.

Berikut saya salin balik/ringkaskan tafsir ayat tersebut sapertimana tercatit dalam kitab tersebut diatas untuk bacaan dan renungan bersama di pagi Jumaat ini:-

Tujuannya supaya mereka jangan faham kehendak dan kemahuan mereka adalah terpisah dari kehendak  dan iradat Allah yang maha agong yang menjadi pokok pangkal kepada segala perkara.Pengertian kebebasan memilih dan kemudahan mencari jalan hidayah adalah berpokokpangkal dari kehendak dan iradat Allah yang meliputi segala sesuatu yang telah dan akan berlaku.

.......Hakikat agung bahawa segala sesuatu didalam alam wujud ini adalah berpokok pangkal dari kehendak dan iradat Aallah.Dan apa yang di izinkan Allah kepada manusia saperti kebolehan memilih salah satu dari dua jalan yang telah di terangkan kepada mereka merupakan kehendak dan iradatNya sama saperti taqdir dan tadbirNya yang lain...

Hakikat agung ini perlu dijelaskan kepada pemikiran orang2 mukmin supaya dapat memahami hakikat yang sebenar dan supaya mereka mencari perlindungan pada kehendak dan iradat Allah untuk memohon pertulongan dan taufik serta berpegang denganNya dalam segala tindak tanduk mereka dijalan hidup mereka.

May I invite you to read these two blogs about Madinah and Makkah to see the latest there..

Love is in the air...

As my wife and me were doing our morning walk in the public garden next to our house,I saw this expression of love on the concrete steps.The alphabets are from the fallen dried flowers..My best wishes to the couple!

Good planning and building designs..

Yesterday was my first visit to Mydin Bazaar at Prescint 14,Putrajaya.While waiting for my wife doing her shopping at Mydin Bazaar,I walked the streets and explored the area.The only regret was I did not take my camera and forgot my sketch book.However,I managed to snap this photo using built in camera in my old Nokia 6600(locally known as sabun).

As I walked I smiled from ear to ear....

The streets are not the same old boring straight roads and the buildings were constructed using the existing undulating terrain.In front, I saw ample car park and at the back, I saw beautiful landscaped garden.The roads are wide and there ample space for senior citizens to walk without being hit by the motorist!

That reminds me to take my bike and roam this Diplomatic prescint area!

As I walked,I felt that I am not in a typical Malaysian town.The planning and building design reminded me of my visits to a few  countries in Europe-nice and people friendly! Now, I am thinking of riding my MTB bike this weekend.Anyone wish to join me there?By the way, there are few nice restaurants...

Smoky mountains

This photo was taken along the PLUS highway E2 on my way back from JB yesterday morning.As a child I was fascinated by this 'white smoke' hovering over the hills after a heavy rainfall.I was wondering how the white clouds had gone down? By the way, it was a nice view..

I lost another friend..

Yesterday,I cancelled all my appointments to visit my dear friend who was suffering from cancer(stage 4).I had learnt my lessons previously not to delay visiting a sick friend or relative.I left my house at 9am and managed to reach his house in Skudai,Johor at 12.45pm.On the way,my heart was asking whether I still have the time to meet him, but that is not for me to decide.The most important thing is I was already on the way.

At 12.15pm,I called his son and he told me nothing changed.When I arrived,I immediately went to his bedside  to touch him and gave my salam.His wife briefed me his condition and I accepted that I am going to lose another friend.As a muslim,I started to read Surah Yaasin and before I completed the first page,he passed away peacefully at 1.10pm.Al-Fatihah to Allahyarham Syed Idrus Alshahab.( I called him Habib)

After I finished reading the Surah Yaasin,my thoughts flew back when I first time met him.It was on the plane from KL to Tokyo way back in mid-80's when we were on business trip to Japan.Later,we became friends and travelled a few places together-on business and pleasure.To my dear friend Habib,thank you for you companionship for the last 25 years and the helps you have given to me and to my family members.May Allah swt forgive all your sins and reward you with His Jannah.

Habib, good bye for now.InsyaAllah we shall meet again in the Hereafter.

To my Lord,Allah,Al Rahman Al Rahim,may I humbly record my great gratitude for giving me the chance to be with my friend during his last 25 minutes...

Note: The photo of my friend and me taken two years ago.

Ingat sebelum terlambat..

Kelmarin saya mendapat panggilan talipon dari anak sahabat saya dari JB.Beliau memaklumkan yang ayahnya sakit tenat dan doktor tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa lagi (tahap 4)kerana buah pinggang ayahnya diserang kanser!Saya terduduk....mengucap Syukor Alhamdulilah saya masih sihat dan terus berdu'a untuk sahabat saya.Peristiwa ini memberi ingatan kepada saya agar tidak mensia-siakan masa sihat sebelum tibanya masa sakit untuk menyegerakan ibadah kepada Allah swt.

Berikut adalah ayat2 yang petik dari bacaan saya beberapa hari yang lalu amat sesuai untuk renungan bersama.

Dari  Surah Al-Qiyama

Sedarlah wahai orang-orang yang lalai. (Sebenarnya kamu tidak ingatkan kesudahan kamu) bahkan kamu sentiasa mencintai (Kesenangan dan kemewahan dunia) yang cepat habisnya. (20) Dan kamu tidak menghiraukan (bekalan untuk) hari akhirat (yang kekal abadi kehidupannya). (21) Pada hari akhirat itu, muka (orang-orang yang beriman) berseri-seri; (22) Melihat kepada Tuhannya. (23) Dan pada hari itu, muka (orang-orang kafir) muram hodoh, (24) Sambil percaya dengan yakin bahawa mereka akan ditimpa malapetaka (azab seksa) yang membinasakan. (25) Sedarlah (janganlah mengutamakan dunia dan melupakan akhirat. Ingatlah akan hal orang yang hendak mati) apabila rohnya sampai ke pangkal kerongkong, (26) Dan (orang-orang yang hadir di sisinya heboh) berkata: Siapakah yang dapat menawar jampi (dan mengubatnya)? (27) Dan dia sendiri yakin, bahawa sesungguhnya saat itu saat perpisahan; (28) Serta kedahsyatan mati pun bertindih-tindih. (29) (Maka) kepada Tuhanmulah pada waktu itu engkau dibawa (untuk menerima balasan).

A closer look..

Some time ago I took the photo of this place from a distance.I saw a few nice yellow flowers.A few weeks ago,I went to this place again to take a closer look.To my lovely suprise,I exclaimed,"Oh My God! These yellow flowers are just beautiful.Alhamdulilah, my hobby of taking photos of flowers not only gave me great pleasure in taking photos but it also makes appreciate more the beauty of Allah's creations.All praises belongs to Him,Allahu Rabbul 'Alamin.

In our usual busy daily life,many just pass by these beautiful flowers or any other flowers.We are always in a hurry to go some where.As they say,we don't have time to smell the flowers.In a book entitled The Pilgrimage written by Paulo Coelho,he suggested that we should walk half of our normal speed.I did that and I saw many things I had missed before.

The choice is yours...

Due attention..

Yes, it is indeed!It really heart breaking to see public facilities and infrastructures not well taken care.I hope to see all the major stakeholders in the industry will improve their competence to play their respective roles as owners,regulators and supervisors,consultants,contractors,suppliers and users.Below is a cut/paste news from Bernama.

 October 27, 2009 21:11 PM

Government Aims To Upgrade Asset Management And Facility Industry To Sustainable Level - Shaziman

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- The Government aims to upgrade Asset Management and Facility Industry to sustainable level to provide risk-thrust high-value returns covering the entire lifespan of the infrastructures built.

Of the RM694 billion allocated for development expenditure from the First Malaysia Plan to the Ninth Malaysia Plan, sixty per cent or RM416 billion were allotted to physical infrastructure development.

Part of the infrastructures were Government assets, said Works Ministry Secretary-General Datuk George Thomas when reading out the text of speech of the Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor when closing the inaugural 2009 National Asset and Facility Management Conference here Tuesday.

Shaziman said: " All of us are aware that currently management and maintenance of public assets and facilities are not being given due attention.

Photography:The art of framing..

How do you frame the your photo shot?The amount of possibilities are too many.As someone who had just discovered DSLR and still rough around the edges(know very little about this subject matter),I honestly not sure which one will come out the best for the photo I have in mind.So,being an amateur,I shot a few and later have tough time to select the best for the photo.Sometimes,I do ask my fellow Flickr friends for their opinions.This way,by asking people whom I believe knows better than me,I can learn faster.Thank you guys and gals for your feedback.

Yesterday,I took this shot below using my Nokia E71 built in camera when I saw a 'frame' formed by the window from this masjid.This is my experiment in using in-situ 'frame' to shot a photo.May I ask your views on methods and tips to improve framing a shot.Thank you.

 

Ummatan wasatan

 A few days ago I attended a majlis ilmu tasawuf and the teacher was talking about Ummatan Wasatan-"The Community of the middle path."(Surah al-Baqarah,ayat 143).He reminded the jemaah not to go on the extreme-either ways.We must live this life on this dunya according to shariat and not to neglect our life in the akhirah.

Let me quote a few paragraphs from Vol 2,Liberating The Soul by Shaykh Nazim:

"Allah Almighty wanted to give His Message through His Last Prophet,to be the most perfect for the Children of Adam.There,there came the shari'ah with one foot for the dunya,one foot for the akhirah".(page 276)

"Even only because of that word,'ummatan wasatan'.you must try to live in that line.That is the line of perfect life,and it is an honour for mankind to live according to that line,Allah is saying.We are ummatan wasatan.You have been seen to be a perfect example for every nation.How are you losing that?"(page 277).

Let us be reminded that Allah created both dunya and akhirah,and He wants us to live our lives according His revealed guidance Al-Qur'an and As-Sunnah.Let's keep it to His ways,not not our ways.

In the words of Ustaz Lokman from Terengganu to me:Cari dunya,kejor akhirat.

Out of the box

Yesterday,my son bought a plastic wardrobe.He tried to assemble the parts and after one hour of meddling with the aluminium hollow sections and the plastic cover,he came to me and confessed that he can't do it.I purposely did not offer any helps to let him experience the process of assembling things.By the way, he is in the final semester to get a diploma in civil engineering.

While helping my son to assemble those loose parts later,we discovered that the frame that he assembled could not get into the plastic skin of the wardrobe.My son said that we got the wrong set!Then suddenly he said he knew why we can't get it right.The bottom part of the wardrobe should be outside the plastic skin!He started with the base(as usual), and built it up.(typical building construction method)The sequence he used was wrong and there was no detailed guide supplied by the manufacturer.How did he discover that the base should be outside?He noticed four holes at the bottom of the plastic covers to allow four aluminium tubes to pass through. So,yesterday my son got a good lesson in literally thinking outside the box.

NB: During the discussion later,I told him many engineers can design,but only a few can write good method statements.Now,my son is on one month semester break.I am trying to get him to work at a construction site to gain experience.

QoTD from Typepad

Question of the Day: Who would you most like to be stuck in an elevator with? Least like?

The expected answer is to be stuck in an elevator with a beautiful actress/celebrity.Given the choice,I prefer an elevator mechanic to be with me.

From my experience,I hated it and I got really scared when my lift got stuck especially  when I pressed the door to open and it did not.I was alone and luckily the light was on.What did I do?Instead of pressing the emergency button,I kept on pressing the button to go down.I must be panicky! Suddenly,The lift started to move downwards and I felt so relieved.When the door opened,I just ran out as if I was chased by a ghost.Luckily,no one was around to see how scared I was.

By the way,if you have a real experience getting stuck in the lift,please share with me.

Believing souls..

Let me share this note from Nasiha.It touches me deeply...

At our masjid,the Imam will recite surah Sejadah during Friday subuh solat (prayers).The regular masjid attendees will try not to miss it because they want to do sujud sejadah.

Living The Quran
Getting Up for Worship
Al-Sajdah (The Prostration) Sura 32: Verse 15-17

"Only they believe in Our revelations who, whenever they are reminded of them, fall down prostrating themselves in adoration, and extol their Lord's limitless glory and praise; and who are never arrogant; who drag themselves out of their beds at night to pray to their Lord in fear and hope; and who are charitable with what We provide for them. No one can imagine what blissful delights have been kept in store for them as a reward for what they used to do."

This is a pleasant image of believing souls which are so gentle and sensitive. They are sincere in the devotion they address to God alone. No arrogance or pride creeps into their hearts. They receive God's revelation with interest and acceptance, eager to understand and act on them. When these believers are reminded of God's revelations, they "fall down prostrating themselves in adoration." They are keenly influenced by what they are told, glorify God and feel His majesty. Hence, their first reaction is to fall down prostrating themselves. This is the best expression of their feelings, putting their foreheads on the ground in adoration. With this physical gesture, they "extol their Lord's limitless glory and praise." They are never arrogant. Their response is genuine, expressing their true feelings in God's glory.

The surah then describes their physical attitude and inner feelings in a vivid expression that brings the movement and the feeling before our eyes. They stand up for night prayer, which is the obligatory Isha prayer and the Witr prayer that follows it, and they add voluntary night prayer and supplication. This is described here, however, as dragging themselves out of beds. Thus we see the beds and their attraction, inviting people to take rest and sleep. Yet those believers do not respond, and make every effort to resist such attraction, because they have something else that preoccupies them. They want to stand before their Lord, in adoration, with feelings of fear and hope present in their minds. They dread disobeying God and long for His help. They fear God's anger and punishment and hope for His mercy and acceptance. With such sensitivity and devoted, earnest prayer, they do their duty towards their community, in obedience to God: "And who are charitable with what We provide for them."

This splendid, glorious image is accompanied by another one showing the marvellous and special reward which reflects the special care, honour and generosity God bestows on them. God Himself welcomes these people, and He takes it upon Himself to prepare the reward He has in store for them. Furthermore, it is He who will give them a warm reception and and honourable position which will delight them. All this though is known to God alone, no one else has any idea of it. It remains with Him until it is shown to those who will be given it when they meet Him. What a splendid meeting with the Lord of the universe!

Compiled From:
"In the Shade of the Quran" - Sayyid Qutb, Vol. 13, pp. 467, 468

Larangan minum arak..

2:219 Mereka bertanya kepadamu (Wahai Muhammad) mengenai arak dan judi. Katakanlah: Pada keduanya ada dosa besar dan ada pula beberapa manfaat bagi manusia tetapi dosa keduanya lebih besar daripada manfaatnya. Dan mereka bertanya pula kepadamu: Apakah yang mereka akan belanjakan (dermakan)? Katakanlah: (Dermakanlah apa-apa) yang berlebihan dari keperluan (kamu). Demikianlah Allah menerangkan kepada kamu ayat-ayatNya (keterangan-keterangan hukumNya) supaya kamu berfikir.

5:90 Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Bahawa sesungguhnya arak dan judi dan pemujaan berhala dan mengundi nasib dengan batang-batang anak panah, adalah (semuanya) kotor (keji) dari perbuatan Syaitan. Oleh itu hendaklah kamu menjauhinya supaya kamu berjaya.

5:91 Sesungguhnya Syaitan itu hanyalah bermaksud mahu menimbulkan permusuhan dan kebencian di antara kamu dengan sebab arak dan judi dan mahu memalingkan kamu daripada mengingati Allah dan daripada mengerjakan sembahyang. Oleh itu, mahukah kamu berhenti (daripada melakukan perkara-perkara yang keji dan kotor itu atau kamu masih berdegil)?

Merujuk kepada ayat-ayat tersebut diatas,jelas dan nyata bahawa perbuatan meminum arak adalah amat dilarang didalam Islam dan ianya termasuk dosa besar.Semasa saya hendak pergi belajar ke UK dalam bulan September tahun 1973,ayah saya berpesan supaya jangan sekali-kali minum arak.

Dalam satu kuliah subuh minggu lepas,ustaz yang mengajar membangkitkan hukuman meminum arak di Malaysia dan jumlah pengeluaran dan jualan arak di Malaysia.Mengikut beliau,hukuman minum arak adalah termasuk dalam hukum hudud dan bukan sebagaimana yang diamalkan didalam mahkamah syariat di Malaysia dan jumlah pengeluaran arak melebihi dari keperluan masyarakat bukan Islam Islam di Malaysia.Mengikut beliau,faktor tersebut adalah salah satu punca masyarakt Islam di Malaysia masih ramai yang mengamalkan budaya minum arak samada terang atau tersembunyi.

Pada hemat saya, kita perlu meningkat kempen anti arak bagi orang Islam sehebat kempen anti dadah.Hampir setiap malam minggu,jiran saya balik dalam keadaan mabuk pada jam 3 atau 4 pagi.Pintu rumahnya di tendang dan pertengkaran selalu berlaku.Kesian sungguh kepada ibunya yang sabar melayan kerenah anaknya.Jiran-jiran termasuk saya jadi mangsa bisingnya.

An encounter with Dato Lim Ah Lek

As I was going out from a bikeshop at Ampang,an immaculate and courteous gentleman greeted me,"Shopping for a bicycle?".Immediately,I recognised him as ex-cabinet minister and ex-MCA strongman."No Dato',just window shopping for my son."Then,I asked him,"Getting a bike for yourself Dato?".He replied,"No, I am buying a new bike for my grandson's birthday gift"."Oh, that is a nice bike,Dato! By the way, can I be your grandson?",I asked in a jest.Both of us laughed and I left him alone as I was walking out of the shop.

For your information,we don't know each other,except me recognised him from his photo in the newspapers.That was how a seasoned and people friendly ex-politician treated people.The thought crossed my mind about asking him about MCA,but on second thought,I better keep my mouth shut.It is none of my business.

Old trishaws

I saw this old trishaw at Kopitiam Bangi.Personally,I have never taken a ride on such a nice trishaw.My experiece with trishaws was only in the 60's in Kota Bharu when my parents took me shopping.In those days,only one person had a car in my village.He used it as an unlicensed taxi for kampung folks like my family members to go to Kota Bharu. In Kelantan ,local folks call trishaws as 'teksi' and not 'beca' like the rest of the country.Kelantan 'teksi' looks like Malacca's 'beca'.

 

Fatal accidents at construction sites

News from NST:

Construction worker falls to his death

2009/10/13

By Kristina George

PUTRAJAYA: A 22-year old construction worker fell 16 storeys to his death here today.

The police said the Indian national, who was supposed to be installing windows at the Persiaran Perdana building that is under construction at Precinct 3, also had his right leg torn out on impact with the pavement after the lethal fall in the 5pm incident. 

Police spokesman said that the body would be sent to the Putrajaya Hospital for a post mortem.

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Referring to the above news:What is new?Who cares?

From my years of experience at construction sites, there are two main reasons for the above:

1.Inadequate safety measures at sites.

2.Workers attitude and behaviours.

Is there a national initiative to set up a KPI to reduce the fatal accidents at construction sites?

Let me tell you what my friend at a GLC told me today.Two of his workers died because of the delay in purchasing the right safety gears for his workers.I rest my case!

A chat with my 12 years old niece..

Today,I went to KLIA to send off my mother and her grand daughter.She is about 12 years old and an avid reader.While we were having our breakfast,she kept reading an English novel.When I asked her whether she understands all the words she was reading,she smiled at me.Like a father talking to his own child,I gave her some tips to benefit more from her reading.First thing,I told her to take note of any words that she may not know the meaning and check them back later using a dictionary.Thence,one can improve faster one's vocabulary.I also told her to write down nice phrases where she could refer later when she is writing her school essays.I took out a 3X5 card from my notebook and asked her to write.She replied she did not have a pen.At the same time,I told her to write what she has learnt from the story she was reading and write down what she is going to do  about it.

She looked up to me and asked me to take her to a bookshop.She wanted to buy a notebook and a ballpen.After she had chosen her little notebook and a ballpen,she went up to the cashier to pay for it.Immediately,I took my wallet and paid for it.I was so proud and happy about her immediate action to do what is good for her reading.Now, she has a notebook and a ballpen whenever she is reading-just like her uncle.

As we went out of the bookshop at KLIA,she told me that one fine day, she will be writing a best selling novel!I look forward to it,my dear niece!

New media in propagating Islamic knowledge

 While attending Anugerah Media Islam Negara(AMIN) at PICC on 7th Oct.,2009,it crossed my mind about the need of new approaches to reach the young muslims and muslimahs.During the days of my wife's uncle Allahyarham Ustaz Dato' Yusof Zaky Yaakub,(who received the Anugerah Perdana at AMIN), he contributed his life time to promote Islamic knowledge using printed media(Majalah Dian,Pengasuh and books) and the government efforts were via TV and Radio channels.With the current popular usage of Internet/web and mobile communications(mobile phones),the content providers(ulama,religious teachers and dai'i),should take a serious look of using web,sms,twitters,youtubes etc in getting the Islamic messages to the young ummah.

At the moment, the above mentioned  communications channels have already being used by the our local individuals and and may be some NGO's.However,I suggest a study be carried out on how best the individuals,NGO's and government organisations should deploy the new communication channels-efficiently and effectively to reach the young ummah.