Harap Maklum

Salam terhormat. As I am in the phase of setting up my own website, I will start to downsize this blog space in order to shift the whole thing and revetting certain posts to be transferred to my website.

As such, I won't be blogging here much. Reconstruction will commence after 1st week of May.

Thanks! :)

Time Lapse Videography of the Universe

The Mountain from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.

It is interesting to ponder how feeble all of us are when we look at the sky.

I used to have this weird habit of placing my feet on the sky, only to feel scared afterwards. The thought of the sheer amount of space left on the balls of my feet would shake the living 24-year-old lights out of me.

Looking at the Milky Way, and the way the clouds swim like the waves crashing on rocks clearly signifies the realm that we live in are truly spectacular for those who think and reflect on how small we are- minuscule compared to the Universe. A tiny explosion of supernova near our solar system would probably sent us all to Level 7 Chernobyl disaster part 3.

If I were to smoke pipe and stare at the Milky Way, would I see strawberry fields?

Super Moon

Me and Yoko saw this magnificent red 'hunting' moon at woodlands en route to woodlands interchange.

Yoko kept commenting on how big and how beautiful it was.

I merely smiled and replied, "Who knows? There might be superman behind that moon pushing it towards us. And speaking of which, did you know that the speculators of Illuminati mentioned about their Grand Plan of sending UFOs and Aliens to attack Mother Earth in hopes of the world uniting against a common enemy?"

Talk about being smooth. :p

Today Yoko wore this red maroon headscarf, which kinda reminds me of the girl in my Coach frame on my work desk.

Talk about dejavu. :p

Needless to say, Yoko is my super red moon. Simply because, she wears red.

And she is super. :)

Man of the World

Al-Kindi mentioned about the harmony of music, the arrangement of mathematical cosmology that influences the human mind, soul and heart.

"It is not possible to enter the human heart without passing by the antechamber of the ears. The musical, measured subjects, emphasize what there is in the heart and reveal their beauties and defects."- Al-Ghazali, in Ihya ulum Ad-Din.

And the 'you' here is, well, me. :)

Disappointments

How do you define disappointment in laymen's terms? In my point of view, its simply whereby my expectations isn't met. Well, so how do you measure the level of credibility and justifiable an expectation can potentially be?

Well, it is perhaps a mixture of ethics, justice, and adab. Putting things in its proper place. Like putting appreciation in its place when you feel someone has helped you in major situations, or like putting a cup of coffee on the table and not on the floor. A human brain is located at the top not on my ass. So yeah, thats adab for ya.

It is disappointing if someone whom you expect to have understood your worldview did not meet that expectation. It is as if, you expect the person to run fast, knowing that the person can run fast, but due to some amount of emotional lag that dampen ones ability to perform aptly, the person, well, I would say didn't plausibly make it to my expectation list.

Im not an ardent admirer for perfection. Perfection does not belong to a creation. But we must however, try our best to make do with the things we have. That is adab. To rightfully accept our role as steward of this world, and though we may lack in many different ways, we try our best to make this world a better place to live in.

It all boils down to trust. When a person trust that the other could perform, it sort of create a self-prophecy cycle that enables one to do something for the sack of that trust. It is the ability to appreciate trust as an existence that manifest as beauty not in the eyes of the beholder, but beauty in the mind's eye of the beholder. Clearly there is a significant difference between the eye, and the mind's eye. The mind's eye is your worldview. The lens encompassing your perspective over REALITY.

Reality is a large word. If you ask Prof Naquib the definition of reality, he'd whallop your butt raw for asking the wrong questions. In fact, how can you define reality, when reality defines definition? Its like an apple defining life, when life itself defines and shapes our perspective of the apple, like how sunlight influences the colour of the apple to be red or green. So what exactly is reality in this context??

Well, for beginners, it starts with the people around you. Yes, these people around you are real, although some scientist might beg to differ as the people around you, so they claim, is a reflection of the electric signals running thru your brain, and thus, if they could distort the electric signal, the eye sees a different picture.

But surely we must look at a person beyond his appearance. What im trying to say, is to see a person beyond the eye. Using the mind's eye. To appreciate the living of that particular person, and do what you can to make the best out of it. In what way then?

Learn to be thankful. Accept the imbalances of the self and take it in your stride, and appreciate the realities around you. It is exceptionally important for one to be appreciative. Because if a person is not, well, that reality can simply be undone. I mean, God creates us for a reason right? That He alone is all-sustainable, everlasting, whereas we are short-lived, and weak.

It is best for you to reflect my friend. Before that particular reality ceased to exist.

Only God is the true reality that does not perish!

A Happy bird

Sometimes I wonder, when I dwell in the labyrinths of adab, and I see my buddies who have understood that concept but failed to reinforce it after the month of ramadhan left us, it saddens my heart.

It is ok to express certain things. But we must remember that there are certain things that are best left aside, and if there is a need, to not pursue it. It is like, you express that you like the apple on the NTUC shelve, but knowing that you have a lot of apples at home, you don't pursue the offer of buying it, less eating it of course.

Each individual is liable of his/her actions. But nevertheless, when it comes to the level where it involves other beings of life, and their feelings and certain emotional attachments, it is best to not discuss the hidden desire, to quell the forbidden desires of pursuing more than what you have. If two is not enough, it is best to contemplate on yourself and not do anything. Because every action you take, it'll lead to consequences that may sadden others. Perhaps we all should reconsider our thought-provoking statements, and that is a reminder for me too. :)

Selamat Hari Raya to my Family and friends, especially my flysunday who has been with me for more than a year, the child, the rose and the angel, the strawberries in the fields, the house that was meant for us to stay atop the rainbow peels, etc.

You make me feel happy. A happy bird. Happily tweeting its way to soar among the clouds, knowing, understanding, and most of all, BELIEVING in me that I will always go back, perched upon the petals of my lovely white rose, singing songs of songbirds and dust, and back again to my home in the sky.

The sky is where I truly belong. And my heart is where you truly belong. :) That is, my sincerity at its best.

And to this world, stop the Burn the Quran crap. You're not burning anything my friend. If you really want to burn, you gotta burn our hearts. Because what we memorise in our minds doesnt make our minds holding the holy book, but it is actually the heart that memorises them in its totality. Because the heart is knowledge-based. And the Quran is knowledge. So burning the book is like burning water. No matter how much fire you have, we always come down as rain.

Or worst, as happy birds.

The missing jigsaw piece

Its been ice ages since I blog. I find it abit of a chore to keep updating about myself, and having the sole objective of blogging lost among the updates. I mean, blogging is supposed to be a medium to express what I feel right? Hmm..

I can't sleep, so was in deep thoughts over some uncertain issues. Was rolling around listening to some music until it played a familiar piano piece that was long lost. It was farzanna's piano piece. So I decided to look back at my blog posts in hopes that I could find some answers in what I opined as 'contemplating on past actions'.

Saw this post dated way back in August 2007. It read, "Dont let him get hurt, if it has to be, i'd rather u lemme take his place.."

Suddenly I realised the missing jigsaw puzzle. I believe each and every one of us have different interpretations on sacrifices. But what astounded me was that this insan could pray to God and asked that I were to be safe, and if I werent, she'd rather be in my place. I mean, what the heck. I wouldn't do such a thing. Its painful. Why would someone share another's tragedy?

Such blind love. Thats the missing jigsaw puzzle.

bla bla

sometimes it is kinda scary to gulp in the truth that you are one of the kind, possibly one out of a million. I am very sure I can meet the rest of the 10 from the other ten million.

sometimes I just feel like the people around me couldn't careless of the realities that are happening, but perhaps they really mean it when they say 'ignorance is a bliss.'

sometimes I feel as though I am not giving enough, but to them, it is too much, but to me, it is never enough.

so whose fault is it?

My guess?

Only immatures would initiate the pointing-finger approach.

The Reduction of Faith to define 'Underclass'

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim mentioned in the news recently about the emergence of underclass Malay/Muslim group from the main community, citing "This is not Malay culture, this is a subculture". (CNA,04 January 2010, Analysis: National approach needed for underclass issue).

The question is: Is it true that the emergence of such underclass from the mainstream community a recent introduction, or a cause of accrual exploitation of the media, or is it a cause factor of the social paradigm shift in a post modern era?

During the CLF/TMSN meeting with various Malay Muslim undergraduates recently, many of us argued and brought across factors after factors that maybe the social indicators to redefine the terminology 'underclass' in our context. However, much to my dismay, few would bring across a much simpler tool to find the pin among the hay.

There were many factors most sociologists would use to redefine such a heavy term as 'underclass'. Some say it is the result of the lack of the social, cultural and economical capital of the self. Others used the term 'pathological demoralization' of the mind, or also known as the 'last mile barrier'- the psychological resistance that puts in an absence of any effect if given empowerment, resources, capitals, benefits etc. Some might be given as much as a thousand dollars, but still fail to bring itself out of the problem due to internal resistance to all forms of given welfare.

Some also might argue that 'underclass' can be seen as an Alternative Value System. It is whereby the mind chooses its state of comfort, in a way that even success might be seen as 'drinking a dozen of Heineken bottles at one go' as compared to earning large sums of money. The yardstick of success is hence viewed differently.

In addition, some introduced the 'deconstruction of empowerment'' whereby the environment, social pressures and fast-paced modernization left them socially immobile- unable to keep up with the upper segment of the society, they tend to accept their fate and not having the determination to achieve. Others say they lack help from the MMOs (Malay Muslim Organisations) due to certain policy fine prints and the lack of information with regards to social welfare.

However, in my opinion, it is a mere loss of adab in the society. Referring to the transcripts of Prof Syed Naquib Al-Attas, "I said of that it is the loss of adab. Adab is a reflection of wisdom, because this comes from the knowledge of the Prophets. It is not something that you receive from universities or even from knowledge. Because sometimes people have knowledge but no adab. Adab, the way i understood it, it is acting in conformity with justice. Justice is THE final virtue, justice is the culmination of all virtues."

He further elaborated:

As said in the Qur'an:

"Verily Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those whom they are due (amanah); and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice..."

(Surah An-Nisa': 58)

There are 4 terms in this verse that is important.

1) That the verse is a command ('amr). And when you talk about command you talk about law. Law can only take place when people realise the commands and prohibitions and submit to it.

2) The people of authority are not leaders in legitimate power, but people that are mentioned in the Qur'an as Ulul 'Ilm (those with knowledge), Ulul Absar (those with vision), Ulul Albab (those who are in thinking). This can also mean just governments too.

3) Wisdom, which is the knowledge that tells you of the proper places of everything. Those who are given wisdom include the Prophets and the philosophers. Unfortunately some of the philosophers do not realize that wisdom comes from Allah s.w.t, thinking that wisdom comes from their own minds.

Everything has its own proper place. Things are established in its proper places in accordance to haqq which is reality and truth. Wisdom is therefore the methods of how to deal with these things, to put them into their proper places.

4) Adab is conformity with the knowledge of the proper places of things. And when this is carried out, the condition that results from this is justice. Therefore justice is the condition in which things are in their proper places.

It is in such truth that I must mentioned that the loss of adab of our society itself has degraded our society from the light of Allah SWT. It is the reduction of faith, clearly seen in the meeting, that I would boldly comment that the term 'underclass' can also mean:

"People who has experience a loss of adab in conformity with the knowledge of the proper places of things, in which the reduction of faith, the disenchantment of nature and the lack of knowledge with wisdom in dealing with issues creates a stagnant, or perhaps, a dedevelopmentation of social excellance."

Sadly, it also means it includes me, and the many people who deemed themselves as intellects, for they show 'tendencies to reduce faith and spiritual aspects' in our efforts to study this issue.

The community must realise that the Malay community is built upon the transcended revelation of Islam. Stretching from the historical revivalism of the Islamisation of the Malay Archipelago from Hinduism and animalism, and the integration of Arabic language in Malay Language (as seen from words dunia, akhirat, ruh, doa, taqwa etc); it is steadfast, deep rooted, firm and strong, in our Malay culture and language. Thus, Islam is the way of life of the Malay World. It remains as our worldview.

In the Quran, I believe many would find verses that shows how Allah SWT torture those who do mungkar (bad actions) and rewards those who do makruf (good actions). It is perhaps, in this 'amar makruf, nahi mungkar' that could be included in the redefinition of the underclass. Hence, according to Islam, it is simply, 'those who do bad deeds, and do not do good deeds' (amar mungkar, nahi makruf).

Do we include spiritual perspectives to solve this issue, or do we use spiritual aspects as our magnum opus in our spectacle to study the issue, or we simply shrug the 'religious connotations' to do favours to the sociological aspects of research? Or we simply dwell in the pool of secularism and act as though we are Gods- in control of our own actions and thoughts?

I shall end this note with a quote from Rene Descartes, French Philosopher- "Cogito Ergo Sum" or ‘I think therefore I am’.

Wallahualam bisawwab.

Suffah Study Circle 1

Dated on the 19.12.2009

Studying text pg 1 to 5, Islam and Secularism,

Prof Naquib Al-Attas

Prepared by Md Hazlami Bin Zawawi

Brief Introduction to the birth of Secularization

Secularization was viewed by Christian theologians in the early 19^th Century as a crisis. Islam in the 9^th Century brought about significant influences on the Western Culture and civilization, channeling the age of Reason as it leads to the European Enlightenment that stretches from the 17^th Century till the 19^th Century. It is in the dualism between Reason and Religion that spurred the birth of secularization. [1]

Before the introduction of Islam, the Europe world was shrouded by the darkness of the Church. Christian doctrines and theologies were determined by the Church, and thinkers that showed deviant behavior towards the established creed were decreed blasphemous which in turn usually resulting in their deaths. The coming of Islam, also known as Pax Islamica[2], paying particular attention to the city of Andalusia, gave rise to the exchange and the introduction of knowledge of science, philosophy, theology and more.

Western philosophers have anticipated the coming of reason where an age of ‘no God’ and ‘no religion’ is emancipated with such force. [3] When the European scholars were opened to the knowledge brought by Islam, the introduction of reason and advances in science caused the European scholars to reanalyze Christianity, trying in desperate to link reason with Christian doctrines and creed. Unfortunately, what they see was a religion that was flawed in many aspects, which is why Christianity is still unable to establish itself with science. They were baffled when they used reason to explain Christian theologies, and got confused over unexplained mysticism where orthodox Christians would simply rely on the ‘It is God’s will’- referring to God’s ultimate plan[4]. It is in these unexplained tragedies of events that created confusion among Christian philosophers, and thus, they were ascertained that secularization would take place very soon.

Henceforth, in the midst of such confusion and chaos of theology, epistemology and the uncertainty towards the reliability of the Bible as a Christian fundamental pillar of faith, the conflict between reason and Christianity gave rise to Secularism, or also known at present, as the Western Civilization.

Age Of Reason

The participation of Science of Reason- the epistemological process of thought through analytical observation and rationalism is known to stretch way back into ancient Greek, where Greek philosophy was introduced by Aristotle. Upon discovering that the relevance of Christianity is no longer felt amongst the people due to the advent of Secularism, and with the echoes of the Nietzschean cry that “God is Dead”- a direct interpretation that “Christianity is Dead”[5] spearheading secularism, Christianity reaches a breaking point. With that, Pope Paul VI (1963-1978) reformed Christianity, and therefore, Christianity as an entity begins to align itself with Secularism.[6] The Gospel was reinterpreted radically, and the image of Christianity is seen to be logical, appearing naturally into the picture of contemporary Western man. They began to include Christianity in Science, Medication, Governance etc, only emerging as a religion of mere belief[7]. Thus, Christianity becomes an impartial element to secularization and contemporary man, but also separated when it comes to governance and science etc.[8]

In view of such integration, Christian theologians accept the ‘ever-changing’ and ‘evolutionary’ grounds of thought. They visualize with regards to the tragedy they have experienced during the process of inducing rationalism with Christian doctrines back from the 17^th century till 19^th century a life that is consistently ever-changing. The process of change and constantly evolving became part of the evolutionary process of human history.[9] This idea of ‘change’ can be related to the story of Sisyphus.[10] With that, they reinterpret religion as ‘constantly changing’, imposing on Christian doctrines to ‘update and change’ in accordance to contemporary event, which is why we see the Bible constantly changing, having different versions of every era and event, to mark the reformation of Christianity as a religion aligned to the spirit of the times.[11]

Let us then study the components of the Western concept of Existence. As discussed in the Suffah circle, we have identified a few concepts that represents Western contemporary thought of existence. The concepts are:

Concept of God in the mind

They view themselves as an observer in this reality that is constantly changing. Being an observer, they view themselves, as individuals, as an existence too. When they observe a divine entity known as God, they describe God as a questionable existence. Thus, God becomes an imaginative belief[12]. Therefore, the term, ‘Cogito Ergo Sum’ used by Rene Descartes, a French philosopher (1596-1650) which is translated as ‘I think therefore I am’ is a reflection of man being their own Gods where the disenchantments of nature[13] frees man from its religious overtones, enabling man to act upon as it pleases in accordance to his needs and plans.

In conclusion, we learned in an intensive perspective, the historical process of Christianity, from a divine revelation brought by Jesus (Nabi Isa A.S), to the alteration of the divine revelation that made Jesus divine in the Congregation of Nicaea led by Roman Emperor Constantine, to the Dark age of Europe, and the introduction of the light of Islam that spurred the European Renaissance in the 12^th century, the rise of the Age of Reason that created uncertainty among the Christians which led to Secularization, to the reformed Christianity to align themselves with secularism stretching from the 17^th century till 19^th century, and how Christianity evolves itself to be the universal religion in contemporary times. May Allah guide us in our quest for siratul mustaqim. Amin.

---

[1] Refer to footnote 4 of Islam and Secularism

[2] Also known as Astro-Asiatic Age of Discovery, whereby explorers such as Ibn Sina gave rise to the earliest global trading network that spreads from the East of Europe all the way to the Southeast Asia. See John M. Hobson (2004), The Eastern Origins of Western Civilisation, p. 29-30.

[3] Islam and Secularism p.2

[4] An example of such confusion would be explaining Jesus as a man and a manifestation of God. While some Christian intellectuals may argue that God has the power to manifest as a man as an interpretation for mankind to understand God’s religion so that mankind can connect themselves to something that they can observe and commune, it is also God’s attributes to not do so, for God has the attributes as written in “Prolegomena to the Metaphysics of Islam” by Prof Naquib ‘To acknowledge God as Lord (rabb) means to acknowledge Him as Absolute King (malik), Possessor and Owner (sahib), Ruler, Governer, Master, Creator, Cherisher, Sustainer” (p.63) In view of this, how can God be represented by a living man when God is the Creator? How can Jesus be Divine when Jesus is a form of creation (makhluk) whereas God is the Creator?

[5] Refer to Islam and Secularism p.2

[6] Referring to Islam and Secularism p.3 “They went so far as to assert events in the West, that secularization has its roots in biblical faith and is the fruit of the Gospel and, therefore, rather than oppose the secularizing process, Christianity must realistically welcome it as a process congenial to its true nature and purpose”

[7] A representation of love, tranquil, freedom, peace, fairness and equality.

[8] To be more detailed, it is also known that while Christians preserve religion as an entity of peace and virtue, technology and governance is also carried out based on contemporary events. Meaning to say, Christianity is seen as just a belief and not a way of life (concept of Ad-Din) which differs with Islam, where governance, science and technology are based on the divine revelations of the Quran and Hadith, and the knowledge of the ulamas. When it comes to beliefs and virtue, they refer to the Church. But when it comes to science and governance, they refer to contemporary ideas. It is in this synchronization of two absolutely conflicting ideas that greatly attributes to the confusion in liberal Muslims.

[9] Islam and Secularism, p.4 states “...as part of the irreversible process of ‘coming of age’, of ‘growing up’ to ‘maturity’ when they will have to ‘put away childish things’ and learn to have ‘the courage to be’”.

[10] Greek mythology, son of Aeolus and founder and king of Corinth. Renowned for his cunning, he was said to have outwitted even Death. For his disrespect to Zeus, he was condemned to eternal punishment in Tartarus. There he eternally pushed a heavy rock to the top of a steep hill, where it would always roll down again. The process of ‘pushing the rock up the hill and the rock falls, and pushing it back up’ depicts the ever constant changes that a man must face. Hence, a man sees ‘change’ as an act of nature.

[11] Refer to written assignments of Dr Wan Azhar Wan Ahmad, IKIM, under the subject ‘Islam and the Challenges of Secularism and Westernisation’ p4-6

[12] It is like describing a pink ponytail as a ‘horse that has wings, pink in colour and has a horn.’ But the question is, is it real? Is it in existence?

[13] Refer to Prolegomena to the Metaphysics of Islam, p.25. This term is used by German Sociologist Max Weber and is described as Prof Naquib as ‘one of the components of secularisation’.

Parting friend

I was in a grief mood.

Finally my track shoe who has served me very well for almost 5 years drew its last breath as I was preparing for yet another solitude journey to the darkness.

It was a heartbreaking moment for me.

I mean, it was like how the Strawhat Pirates had to part with Going Merry by burning the ship as it sailed silently after much adventures together due to a unforgiving damage sustained.

So I took the sole of the shoe, carved out the names that I myself etched upon its rubber surface, put it inside my pocket, and I ran.

Went past Teck Whye, bypass the SCDF building, onwards towards my old school at Hong Kah Primary School, stood there at the fence and ponder for a bit, before running at the whole stretch to Jurong, make a right turn to Chinese Garden and stop over to the lake.

It doesn't feel nice running with my army shoe- its kinda abit too tight and my feet feels like it is in some Nazi gas chamber or something.

It was nice to feel free again. And I know, my beloved shoe had to pass. I mean, all creations have 'fanaq' characteristics right? What is created is destroyed.

Thank you, my trusted friend, for that awesome mental 5 years of running. You made me realise that freedom is entrusted upon self, as long as you have the guts to wear them, and take off.

You taught me how to fly, when I feel desperately low.

See you in strawberry fields man. Love ya holmes.

Oasis- Im Outta Time

If I have to go..

In my heart you grow..

And that's where you belong.

Absolutely mental, 5 years. Im gonna run with you, just you and me, like old times, on the strawberry fields, past the Halloween bush, through the rainbow peels, and off to the Gate. :)

folding the pages of destiny

In life, one must always remember the moments he has been through, gone through, and live through, despite the ups and downs.

I was being mental these couple of weeks, having rough memory glitches that reverberated in my strawberry brain. And it was the pre, present and post affairs of my ugly birthday that made a paradigm shift in my life.

I decided to be loving.

Exactly on the 5th October relatively 8.26am in the morn

ing, I was awakened by the thoughts of the meaning of love. And all it took was the nudging of this shrewd man with no hair.

Love is a circle.

It goes up and down, and all around.

Infinite in distance

Everlasting in time

No size can hold it

Even a tiny dot

Or a sphere the size of the sun

All orbiting in a circular blot

It is for everyone

be it the boat trees of summer

a day to remember

that love is for all

that is for all to recall

And for that, the monster in me murmured to salvation. And I felt so free.

I was flying, gliding, teleporting to a world beyond doubt, magical..

People are angry because the love. They work because they love. They cry because they love. They shake hands because they love. They fly because they love. Fishes swim because they love.

And thus, it is not the attributes of Akbar (Mighty) nor Ghafur (Forgiving) or Malik (All Powerful) but..

It is the Ar-Rahman nur Rahim (In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate) that starts the clock of actions of all mankind and matter.

It is then translated to me, as Love.

And as I pushed the 6 boats that symbolises our love, it bobbed up and down against the ripples of the river, some upturned, others went on and on, the candle light burning within that paper boat became a beam of what we define love. However, a particular boat, which hold on to the dreams we share, went through the water drops. At first I thought that the boat will sink.

It went through, and still stayed a float.

Love is a circle.

It is meant to be that way.

mountains or any hurdle

it is for us to make it stay. :)

Enjoy my rendition of what I feel.

Deras hati ku berdetar
Di langit aku terlihat kamu
Terang malam teman kita
Dengan angin meniup sayu..oh..

Ku petir gitar akustik ini
Dengan harapan dia mendengar
Melodi indah yang ku cipta
Hanya untuk luahkan rinduku padanya


Dan aku terus menyanyikan lagu ini untukmu
Walau berjuta mendengar
Lagu ini hanyalah untuk mu
Arah hidup kita
Tergapai bintang di angkasa
Berkelip melukis cinta
Terciptalah lagu kita..

Melodi indah yang ku cipta
Hanya untuk luahkan rinduku padanya?

Dan aku terus menyanyikan lagu ini untukmu
Walau berjuta mendengar
Lagu ini hanyalah untuk mu
Arah hidup kita
Tergapai bintang di angkasa
Berkelip melukis cinta
Terciptalah lagu kita..

Terciptalah lagu..kita..

Truth and Deceit

Fasting month is indeed tough.

I tried restraining myself from every argument I faced, be it on facebook about metaphysical aspects of Islam, be it on the forum pages in yahoo, or anywhere.

But yesterday alhamdulilah, the outcome is a good one.

It is always a good outcome if you refer it all to the Omnipotent One, start it out with the right adab, so that the fires of the heart is not expelled. And even if it does, it is expelled out on the pretense of restraining khianah and angst in the heart, which according to our Mualim, like 'a poison dagger stab through the heart.'

It has always been islamising the process of our thinking. And carry it out with full of akhlak, adab, iman and ikhsan.

Only then can our love be amplified towards the betterment of the ummah, insya'allah.

Other than that, I hope in 4 years time Yoko churns out to be like Lady Gaga. She is absolutely hot!!!!! :p

swimming in the juice

ARSENAL WON!! WOHOOOO~

I should be guilty for saying so much about Diaby. But hey, seriously, we are heading to a good start this season. Although I still insist on them bucking up on defensive, like perhaps getting a good strong midfielder, or still get a strong striker that can hold up the ball at frontline, or perhaps, just a stroke of individual brilliance.

Of course, im talking about getting:

1) Lionel Messi
2) Vandervart
3) Xavi

These players can make it happen. :D


I can't sleep. I had too much weird dreams at the moment. And I have this sudden random feeling of flying to yoko's house and take her for a flight to the moon.

~~~

As I stared and look at the stars, I asked the Angel. "What is it that is empty between the stars?"

The Angel answered, with such strength and wisdom, she said, "It is the ignorance of those who ignore the stars and beyond."

The flower pot stood still like a sullen shadow, casting a grim smile as it drop a few petals on the strawberry grass.

The boy stood aghast at such words. Words that shall haunt him for the rest of his life.

To shave! pussy cat!

Camp was a blast I guess.. but seriously I think without the likes of Harold and Kumar there won't be much of a fun! HAHA!

And to think that Harold even went to my grand dad's house to read tahlil with my family. Although I must say it seems a bit odd to bring a friend, but his my best friend, so I guess that will do.

I came across an opportunity when Mr Faizal of Mendaki came to give us a talk on Mendaki. Although it is not the first time im listening to Mendaki's programme, nor its the first time im hearing people enquiring about Mendaki's loan programmes and even *ahem ahem* its rather edgy criterias. But rather, im interested on the fact that it gave me just the idea to initiate something.

I was hoping I could work out two major initiatives that I deemed to be my long term projects:

1) Create a platform where passionate Malay volunteering leaders are trained to be good volunteer leaders to carry out and spread the knowledge of volunteerism to the community. I envisioned myself as the forerunners who brought the understanding of the purpose of knowledge as a holistic approach to solve the problems in our Malay community. Henceforth, in order to do so, we must create a breed of volunteers trained to inspire, develop, and nurture more leaders. Thus, a focused project that focuses primarily on the development of volunteer leaders would certainly inject 'quality' rather than 'quantity'.

2) Create a blueprint in which Muslims can manifest upon the 'RAHMATIL LIL ALAMIN' fund that was created recently by MUIS. Perhaps there could exist a linking bridge between the donated funds of RLA and the zakat recipients of FISABILILLAH and RIQAB. Insya'allah, further research would be carried out to identify the availability of such linkage. This is definitely helpful, as with increase of funds on these platform, perhaps there could exist a common platform for a 'Knowledge Fund' which is for every Muslim who wishes to pursue knowledge. It is important on my personal note, to have such a commodity for the Muslims in Singapore, to achieve the objectives of an ummah of excellance.

What I am basically referring to, is yes, the understanding or perhaps, the foundations of knowledge itself. The importance of knowledge in a community can be heard almost everywhere in the Muslim Worldview -from the first Surah that mentions, 'Read', through various biblical sources both quranic or hadith, to the enormity of philosophical theologies of education. However, much to our dismay, it is from that lack of understanding of the importance of knowledge that has brought about calamatic droughts to our already broken ummah. It was saddening to see many Malay/Muslin families still suffering with debts, broken societal bonds, and many other detailed rapture that has created an aura of negativity around the Malay/Muslim community here. It is upon this stereotype, or should I clearly define it as, a common stigma, that I see imperative to be discussed on an intellectual level, and act upon as such.

The importance of the understanding of knowledge can be broken down into a few major parts:

1) the influencing power of knowledge and its effects on the community
2) akhlak as a tool to master the powers of knowledge
3) the differentiation of knowledge (Western Ideas v/s Islamic Worldview) and how it is already influencing us and how it can influence
4) the relevance in understanding the importance of knowledge

It is only then, can I justify a story that was shared to me by someone.



THE LION AND THE PIG

The pig, having given birth to many piglings, decided to approach the lion who was taking a nap under a tree. The pig awakened the lion with an arrogant snort, "What are you doing Lion? Look at me, I have a lot of children! So one day I can rule this Island with it."

The Lion, truly oblivious with the pig's presence, merely murmured, "Look at my two sons. They are warriors."


Moral of the story?

Quality v/s Quantity. You give it a thought. :)


PS: Im still laughing at how Harold threw those balloons at him. Goodness, what pure brute and anger. HAHAHAHAHAHA! marah nampak? marah nampak? :p

and aku tak nak tgk G.I Joe. Merepek jer. Maner ade pompuan HOT masok army. Tengok dia pegang pistol jer cam seram, takot2 tertembak diri sendiri HAHAHA!

Now for some rock n' roll..

An Individual for the society

I cannot sleep. I am still thinking about the many questions in my brain.

How can I be possible to help others when I alone am not good enough for it?

Many would say that it is my selfish attempt, perhaps an excuse, to explain my lack of societal responsibilities.

Actually, I dun care what people would say.

Somebody wise told me, you would be judge by God as an individual and not as a collective group of individuals. Needless to say, it is my own actions, my actions alone, that will determine the outcome of my ambiguous life.

So im now asking myself again. What is my purpose in this life?

And I need to stick to it. No point influencing others, sharing them what are my thoughts, when they themselves do not understand. No point blabbering about socio politics and islamic perspectives in a society when I myself am wronged and imperfect. No point trying to convince others to see the dual-partner of an angle in order to achieve some sort of understanding. No point.

Simply because, Im not good enough. And I am deviating, and keep deviating, from my purpose in this world.

I am but a small dirt in the eyes of God. :(


Hati hiba mengenangkan dosa2 yg ku lakukan,
Oh Tuhan Maha Kuasa,
Terima taubat hamba berdosa...

Ku akui kelemahan diri,
Ku insafi kekurangan ini,
Ku kesali kejahilan ini,
Terimalah 3x.....
Taubatku ini.....

Telah aku merasakan derita jiwa dan perasaan,
Kerana hilang dari jalan menuju redhaMu ya Tuhan.

Ku akui kelemahan ini,
Ku insafi kekurangan ini,
Ku kesali kejahilan ini,
Terimalah 3x...
Taubatku ini...

ignorance lies in blindness

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

I feel crap. Sometimes I just want to be among the ignorant.

Today I choose to be ignorant. Only today.

And I pity those people who do not appreciate others, especially to those who put their heart and soul to it. I pity them for being blinded by their selfish greeds and incomprehensible methodology of thinking. I pity them for not having the zest, spirit, industriously-gaining, forward-looking and the will to see more than just a form of matter.

I pity you. I pray that Allah open your heart and let you see what I see, hear what I hear, feel what I feel.. And in time.

You'll understand what is truly hidden, what is truly forbidden, and what is truly real.

Now for some good ol' rock and roll to shove away the blues...

TURN UP THE SUN

I carry a madness
Everywhere I go
Over the border
and back to the snow

So if you see me
and I look right through
You shouldn't take it
as a reflection on you

Come on, turn up the sun
Turn it up for everyone

Love one another
Love one another

The boys in the bubble
They wanna be free
They got so blind
That they cannot see

But I'm not your keeper
I don't have a key
I got a piano
I can't find the 'C'
Come one, turn up the sun
Turn it up for everyone

Love one another
Love one another

Come on, turn up the sun,
Turn it up, for everyone

Love one another,
Love one another.

So much for "LOVE ONE ANOTHER".. bullshit.

O Heedless Soul

Taken from Nash's blog (http://benash69.blogspot.com), it struck me very very deep.

Enjoy. :)

O Heedless Soul,how fooled are You?
You came into this World with Having Nothing
Yet You claim to be Superior
Shame on You

Arrogance and Pride defines You
In Your Pocket,filled with Money
None is spend wisely in the Way of God
You foolishly claim that You're Rich

You came from Clay and end up with Clay
You thought all Along,You were Clean
Not Knowing That You are just filled with Filth
You still want to have Claims about Yourself?

God asked that You praised His Beloved s.a.w
But You idolize All the Others except Him s.a.w
You shouted Out Names of Artists
But when comes to Saluting Him,Your Mouth Freeze

You furnishes Your Outer Self with Materialism
Yet Your Inner Soul still continue to Darken with Time
Your Thoughts are filled with Worldly Desires
Of the Hereafter,You care Not

You boasts of Your Wealth and Ranking
So Dumbed that You failed to Realize that

You are just of No Worth

You give No Credits to the Almighty

Who Gives You Sufficient Provisions to make You Sustainable

A Strawberry Poem For Yoko

Imagine a world without fear

where all of the realms of the roses collide

in clouds of alchemy and dust

and strawberry drops pitter pattering down on our necks

and strawberry puddles to ponder

Imagine a world without love

where all the darkness shudder

in clouds of alchemy and dust

and strawberry drops battering down on our necks

and strawberry puddles to wonder

Imagine a world without you

I cannot bear such a strawberry delight...