Family of Abu Mukhtaar

Cameron Highlands Trip 2010

2010-11-10T07:35:00.015+08:00

DAY 01

As what my wife has said to me, this trip is a budget trip. We have cut down our cost as much as possible for our transport and accomodation. We divert our money to the attractions in Cameron Highlands instead.

We reach there after Subuh and have a grand breakfast at the Strawberry Park Hotel (SBH). The wide variety of food there tasted good and the scenery simply refreshing to our tired city souls. I only wish that we could have stayed here, but the cost is almost twice for the Chua Ghin rooms we have booked earlier. SBH still has not lost its charm, grandness and overall coolness. Our kids played at the Playground and I have a good time capturing the different views seen at the SBH.

Image 1: A faraway bungalow seen from SBH

Image 2: A not so common flower nearby the playground

Image 3: My wife and Abdullah enjoying the breakfast by balcony ambience

Image 4: Another bungalow on the top of a hill

Image 5: Ahmad and Zainah playing on the swinging wheel

After breakfast, we headed down to Chua Ghin Hotel located in Brinchang to check the availability of our rooms. The SBH Van transport charged us for RM40! Only later we find out that this is too much. We were told that our rooms will only be available at 1300. As there is still three hour to go, we decided to go Tanah Rata to book a guide from Kang Travels for the next day itenary. After much discussion we settled for the following itenary:

1. Visit to the BOH tea Plantation
2. Climb to top of Brinchang Mountain
3. Simple Mountain Trekking by the side of Brinchang Mountain
4. Tea Plantation View Point
5. Raju's Strawberry Garden (A substitute to Orang Asli "Village")

Image 6: An Indian Muslim Man doing the chicken at a Tanah Rata Restaurant

The "Orang Asli" or natives has progressed a lot lately and hence their way of living has become modernized. There's hardly anything special to see - according to the Kang Travel people.

We then make our way to the Tanah Rata Park, where our tired kids played the playground there. From here, I decided to trek our way to The Parit Falls.

Image 7: The Tanah Rata Park and playgrounds. Located at the riverside of Sungei Bertam?

The trek make us walk along a pathway by the side of the river. THe pathway is made up partially of slippery bricks, mud, low branches, scrubs and other stuff that could make it unsafe. People can just slip and fell into river far below. Ater much struggling we managed to get to the Parit Falls. I am pleased to see that the amount of litter have reduced significantly. However the water is still considered to be unsafe for drinking and swimming. The whole place showed signs of neglect. The bridges cannot be used and the playgrounds are rusted and broken. Despite all this Parit Falls remain a cool secluded good resting place.

Image 8: The Parit Falls

Image 9: The pathway to the bridge suffered a landslide making it unsafe for the kids.

Image 10: The bridge over Parit Falls. Damaged and unsafe to cross.

The kids are plainly tired and worned out after reaching the Parit Falls. They easily slip and fell. Mukhtaar and Zainah had a traumatic experience with bees hovering over them. The bees are attracted to yellow and orange colours of their sweaters. We managed to get away from the bees and calm the kids down. A van from Kang travels picked us up and we returned back to Chua Ghin at a mere cost of RM15 only! We are lucky to have the rooms available before 1 pm!

After lunch at a nearby food center, the kids are knocked out...

Image 11: The Sleeping Whiny Princess

DAY 02

The second day is the most eventful and memorable of the three days. The Kang guys picked us up at the Hotel's Lobby. This is the first time me and my family get a ride in a four-wheel drive Land Rover. Seeing the Landrover itself is already thrilling.

Image 12: The kids and women get the back seat of the LandRover

By the way a typical heavily used Landrover would look like this:

Image 13: Worned out but still useable

Anyway, our first stop is the Boh Tea Plantations. The view here is simply breathtaking. Very very good ambience and climate. I wish I can stay here!

Image 14: Slopes of Green: Images of tranquility

Image 15: Ditto

Image 16: Ditto

We also visited the factory that processes the tea leaves immediately after the leaves are plucked from the fields. The guide speaks fast. Cant really catch what he says... In the old factory we see step by step how the tea is processed, graded and packed. Tea have grades. Lower grades are blended together into finer leaves found in tea bags. By the way, BOH stands for Best of Highlands and it is owned by a Scottish family. The one we visited is the Sungei Palas plantation.

Image 17: Ye old Boh Factory

Image 18: Houses owned by the big boss?

Image 19: Ye Old Smoke Shed by the factory

After completing the factory visit we climbed the Brinchang Mountain nearby using the LandRover. We went all the way to the top. At the top there is an old watch tower that overlooks the surrounding Titiwangsa range. Camreron highlands is just a dot in the Titiwangsa mountain ranges. The view up the tower is just spectacular. As the tower stairs are steep and slippery the children and women folk stayed on the ground. According to the guide we are lucky to have clear weather, most of the time its too cold and misty to see.

Image 20: The Watch Tower

Image 21: View from the top

Image 22: Ditto

Image 23: Ditto

Its a sad thing that my wife could not go up... But anyway we have a nice shot here...

Image 24: Me Family at the top of Gunung Brinchang!!!

Image 25: Abd Matin and Family

From the Top of Gunung Brinchang we climbed back down the slopes using the landrover and stopped at a spot to go for a short muddy trekking into the Mossy Forest. The trekking is really muddy. Too muddy for the children and women folk which do not wear boots. However me, my daughter Zainah and Abd Matin managed to get in and experience the mossy forest trek.

Image 26: The muddy trek

Image 27: The pitcher plant (Periuk Kera)

Image 28: Zainah, the explorer, the youngest person to go up the muddy slopes!!!

Image 29: View from the borders of Pahang and Perak

Yep, I cross to and fro Pahang and Perak territories several times in a minute. Amazing!

Image 30: Mosses are everywhere clinging to both dead and alive branches and stems.

After going through the muddy misty mossy forest trek we went down to the Tea Plantation Viewpoint. While the guide, Muhd Fazli explains, I am busy good pictures of the plantation. We can walk up and down the plantation slopes. The tea plants can stay alive for 200 years! Even the older leaves can be made into tea. The tea seeds originates from Assam, India. Cameron tea is rarely exported out. As the Malaysian consumed everything and still they have to import the rest. Like what the guide say Malaysians shower themselves in tea....

Image 31: My wife and friends at the plantation viewpoint.

After the viewpoint we visited the Raju Strawberry Garden. No pictures there coz I busy munching down the strawberry float and the strawberry cheese cake.

DAY 03
The blog stops now. In day 03 we went back. I'm too tired of writing....hehehe

Wassalam

Mahathir

The upcoming family trip to Cameron Highlands

2010-11-04T09:05:00.003+08:00

I am really looking forward to the trip to Cameron Highlands. The last time I've been there is five years ago. Mukhtaar, my first child is only nine months old at that time. This time around I'm taking all three of my children along including the little one, Abdullah.

I hope the place is not much affected by the global climate change; i really enjoyed the cool temperature there. I expect the polluted rivers and waterfalls have gotten cleaned up this past five years. The government needs to take firm steps in ensuring the environment there gets preserved and not suffer further damages.

Mankind, regardless of race and religion depends on its living environment for sustenance. The environment is a gift from Allah swt. Allah has all rights to withdraw the gifts if mankind abuse it. Allah swt Himself desires no Gifts from any of His creations.

By right those who submit to Allah swt completely, will not abuse the gifts bestowed upon them. They will manage the Allah's gifts as best as they can to show thanks or shukur to Allah swt. If there is damage to the environment, for example cameron highlands, this can only show that that the people in charge are still lacking in their

a. sincere dedication to Allah swt as His servant
b. responsibility to manage the Allah's Gift
c. knowledge to manage Allah's Gift
d. overall attitude in the relationship between mankind and the environment

There is no separation between Allah's religion, the management of resources, governance and its overall effects to the environment.

I can safely say the damages done to the environment anywhere is the result of mankind not doing what Allah wants them to do. Or perhaps the most powerful among humans are just doing what their Nafsu and Syaitan wants them to do. And hence destruction is inevitable.

I am no geologist, climatologist or any big time environmentalist. But it is not hard to see all this happening.

Sincerely,

Abdullah Ibni Abdellatiff

Habib Umar Al-Hafidz lecture on bringing up children in current times.

2010-10-19T09:04:00.002+08:00

A'kum wr wb,

Alhamdulillah, Allah has allowed me and my entire family to attend a lecture by the eminent Al-Allamah Habib Umar Al Hafidz at Masjid Alkaff Kampung Melayu. Due to family and work commitment I missed the Haul conducted at Shah Alam earlier last Saturday. Without further ado I will touch one the five main points that he emphasized. He gave plenty of examples that is quite hard for me to remember in detail. The five points are:

1. Guard the sense of hearing
2. Guard the sense of seeing
3. Guard the child against bad company
4. Encourage the child to work hard in seeking knowledge
5. Get the child to be close / sitting down among the Ulama

InsyaAllah, I will post the video later.

Wassalam

Reminder for the reminders

2010-09-21T09:50:00.002+08:00

i was told many years ago that a good part of religion is reminders "naseha". and so i remind myself to accept reminders as sincerely and as openly as possible. i told myself that reminders can be very harsh at times. but it is the message and not the method of delivery is the utmost importance. i remind myself to remain humble while accepting reminders. i remind myself when reminders are given it came from a good intention of the reminder.

a reminder can be only be beneficial if it is accepted. sometimes the reminder did not even be accepted to be useful. the reminder may activate a process of thoughts that gives alternative perspectives or solutions or deeper knowledge and understanding.

a reminder may not necessary come from a higher ranking person / a more learned person to be useful and important. For Allah has many ways to enlighten a person.

I remind myself to be patient. I remind myself to persevere in adverse conditions. I remind myself to be kind to others. and i remind myself that a good part of religion is reminders...

By Mid Year 2010

2010-06-29T08:14:00.004+08:00

I'm a father of 3 children.
Waliyullah Habib Ali Bin Habib Jaafa Al-Idrus has returned to Allah swt.
One of my favourite Aunties in Malaysia, Mak Dah has returned to Allah swt.
Abuya or Ustadz Ash'ari of the Al-Arqam movement returned to Allah swt.
I will try to delay for the next cupping/bekam session with Kiai Asmawi.
Visited Habib Ali's and Habib Ahmad Semaits graves/maqams at Batu Pahat.
Discovered Banafee Village in Johore and sampled the food there.
Discovered location of Masjid Wadi Hassan and Kampung Wadi Hassan.
Purchased the EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens that cost $2513.
Discovered many uncommon bird species in Pasir Ris Park.
Initiated a young photographer.
Won the NYP-MicroSoft Photo360 Competition, My Heartland! My Home! Category.
Decided to take up Birding seriously as a hobby.

Signing out... Wassalam

Family Updates

2010-06-06T17:51:00.006+08:00

Hmm I guess I can now update this blog twice a year from now onwards. I try my best to post whenever I can. No promises... There are many tasks at home even after my work is done. I'm now a father of THREE. My youngest child is named Abdullah. This name, to me is a great Doa, a great expectation and a lifelong mission to be fulfilled by not only my son but every Muslim. He is now roughly two months old. He is now very close to his Ummi more than anyone else in the world. I have to help my wife so that Abdullah gets what he needed most now, his mother's love and time.

Mukhtaar and Zainah is slowly learning to be elder siblings. Zainah becomes more emo lately. I'm the last resort if everything else fails to calm her storms.

This Sunday morning, we went to the Singapore Indoor Stadium to attend a first concert in the history our Family. Our children, Mukhtaar and Zainah enjoyed The Wiggles CDs tremendously. They sing, they dance and they laugh with the Wiggles. Hence, we let them see the show. If my guess is correct The Wiggles come to singapore once a year. Special thanks to Cik Tapa/Cik Hanim and family for letting us 'dump' little Abdullah for awhile so that we can spend more time for Mukhtaar and Zainah

Mukhtaar and Zainah enjoyed the Concert/Show in a unique way. They observe everything rather than just joining in the fun by jumping around like other kids, Alhamdulillah. And after everything is done, they said they liked it.

New year resolutions

2010-01-02T07:21:00.002+08:00

1. be organized
2. be motivated
3. be on task
4. be patient
5. be humble
6. be healthy
7. be happy
8. be pious
9. be fearful to Allah swt
10. be closer to Rasulullah saw
11. be loving
12. be humane
13. be kind
14. be thoughtful
15. be faithful

May Allah give me the correct attributes and guide me and my family to everlasting happiness in Jannah, Ameen.

Pesanan dari Habib Ali Bin Jaafar Al-aydrus (Batu Pahat)

2009-12-25T07:55:00.005+08:00

Isteri saya menggalakkan saya untuk menulis di lelaman blog ini tentang beberapa nasihat yang diberikan kepada saya, Abu Ahmad Zulfaruk dan yang lain2 oleh Habib Ali. Inilah yang dapat saya ingat dari pertemuan kelmarin.

Nasihat pertama:

Bacalah Al-Quran. Ikutilah Al-Quran. Al-Quran itu adalah karangan Pencipta kita. Hidup kita pasti selamat jika kita berpandukan Al-Quran.

Nasihat kedua:

Jangan bergaduh antara satu sama lain. Yakni antara adik beradik, ahli keluarga, sahabat2, saudara-mara dan sebagainya. Jika ada pergaduhan, cepat2lah berbaik2 antara satu sama lain.

Nesihat ketiga:

Bertaubatlah kamu sebelum pintu taubat tertutup untukmu. Di sini boleh bermakna ajal ataupun munculnya tanda2 besar Kiamat.

Nasihat keempat:

Allah swt itu adalah Khalik iaitu sang Pencipta. Manusia hanyalah Makhluk iaiatu yang dicipta. Maka manusia itu patut mematuhi apa sahaja perintah2 Pencipta bukan Pencipta mematuhi perintah manusia. Takutlah pada Allah swt dengan bertaqwa pada Allah swt. Jika manusia tidak taku pada Allah siapa yang dia takutkan? Akibat tidak takut pada Allah swt, banyak masalah telah ditimpa pada manusia itu sendiri. Turutilah semua perintah2 Allah swt dan juga Nabi Muhammad s.a.w yakni Rasul dan Nabi yang terakhir. Ingatlah tiada Nabi selepas Rasulullah solollah alahi wassalam.

Nasihat kelima:

Solat lima waktu mesti di laksanakan di mana jua, tanpa mengenal masa. Allah swt telah meringankan solat dari lima puluh waktu kepada hanya lima waktu sahaja maka itu jangan sekali2 tinggalkan Solat2 fardhu.

Nasihat keenam:

Anak2 kita mesti dilatih berpuasa apabila menjangkau usia 10 tahun selambat2nya.

Buat masa ini, ini sahaja yang saya dapat ingat. Saya akan tambah apabila saya dapat ingat yang selebihnya.

Wallahu'alam

Wassalam.

Its been a long while...

2009-12-25T07:45:00.001+08:00

Its been a long while... Today I will start back updating this blog. If no one reads its perfectly fine. I just need to type out and record the happenings in my life. Censored and moderated by myself of course. May Allah swt prevent me from trangressing His boundaries, Ameen.

What is Syukur?

2009-07-27T07:39:00.002+08:00

1. Syukur is recognizing everything that we have now is from Allah s.w.t
2. Syukur is saying thanks to Allah s.w.t for everything that we have now.
3. Syukur is making the correct use of everything that is given to us by Allah s.w.t
4. The opposite of Syukur is Kufur.
5. A muslim will Syukur when a gift is given by Allah s.w.t. And he will Sabar when the gifts are withheld by Allah s.w.t.
6. The higher standard i.e. held by Ahlul-bayt descendants of the Prophet s.a.w. should be : "to have shukur (being grateful) when gifts/bestowals are withheld from them by Allah; but when given gifts/bestowals by Allah, they place other people's interest regarding it before their own."
7. Remember for all the gifts that has been given by Allah will be accounted for in the day of Judgement.

O Allah! Please make me, my family members and my friends among those who Syukur towards you. And make us among those who loves you for all the Nikmats that is given to us, Ameen.

Thank you Ust Zul. May Allah reward you handsomely for your Naseehah.

Wassalam.

Parenting - Breaking The Chain of Wanting

2009-06-03T08:54:00.006+08:00

Assalamu'alaikum wr. wb.,

This morning it came across my mind about our 'lil Ibn's behaviour (on Monday)at the place where I learn to recite the Quran. First of all, my intention of bringing him is to expose the atmosphere of Quran learning. Secondly, he is having his June school holidays. Thirdly, I want to carry out my role as a mother and less burdening my Dearie Hubby.

About his behaviour on Monday - very persistent about wanting to bring home the pink Iqra' book belonging to Ustazah, despite telling him that I have one that is the same. I ignored and let him cry on the way home. After 2 days, he still can remember about the book the moment I told him that I am going for my Quran class the next day. Hmmm... Ibn has to learn that he cannot bring home anything from outside all the time we are out of the house.

After further thinking about this matter, I manage to 'search' the root of the problem. At least one week once, Ibn goes to my parents place, which is just next door away from my Aunt's place. My aunt has 4 kids. Ibn will go there to play with my youngest cousin, Dina and Syahin, and at times Filza and Hakim when they come by. Each time he came back to my parents' place, there must be something he brings back especially a toy/toys. Not that I know of then that this has been a habit.

At this point of time, it is to break the chain of this 'bad' habit. A project hubby and I need to carry out ASAP. Insya Allah.

Ummu Mukhtaar

A morning at Bedok Reservoir

2009-05-18T18:29:00.005+08:00

On a Sunday morning, my wife suggested going to Bedok Reservoir Park. Its a hot humid morning, and I began to feel dizzy and yawn incessantly. We have to rush back as there is an "emergency".

1. My kids enjoyed a lot playing at the playground. Zainah seen here exploring in and out the tunnel.

2. Mukhtaar teachers Zainah how to slide properly. He then proceeded with his truck play, making tracks on the sand.

3. The white collared kingfisher perching from branch to branch.

My camera died after only about 8 shots.. Oh well better luck next time.

My 1000D and the dreaded Err99.

2009-01-28T16:24:00.003+08:00

As my close friends already know, I'm terribly sick with DSLR fever for over three months now. The photos I've taken with my own first DSLR (the Canon EOS 1000D) amounts to over 4500 shots. I'm mad about night and nature photography. And every photo tells a different unique story behind it.

At the peak of my fever, my 1000D suffers from the dreaded the ERROR 99 or in short, Err99. When the Err99 message pops out at my LCD screen, the camera freezes and no photos can be taken. I've read about the Err99. Err99 happens when the camera don't know what went wrong and decided to 'hang' itself. The following might be the causes behind Err99.

a. the lens refuse to communicate with the camera body.
b. the pins on the lens mount are damaged or dirty or rusted.
c. camera software corruption.
d. incompatible or damaged SDHC memory card.
e. damaged lenses (if this is true than all my four lenses are damaged).
f. the shutter has finally expired.
g. aperture blades are stucked and cannot get adjusted accordingly.
h. cable connecting sensors to cpu (DIGIC III processor) damaged.
i. Damaged circuitry in the mainboard of the camera.
j. Damaged mirror flipping mechanism
k. Damaged shutter release mechanism
l. And many others that I might not know of....

There are many attempts to revive my camera on my own. They are...

a. Resetting all the settings to default.
b. Reformatting the SDHC card.
c. Making sure the contacts (lens and body) are cleaned.
d. Using only original battery, LPE5 without the battery grip

All the efforts have failed. Alas I have to drag myself to Canon service center at Harbour Front.

After much reflection, I was thinking that all this happens because Allah swt is kind towards me. He wants me to get closer to Him even more rather than the camera. Subhanallah. I must redha and not complain...

Kenapa Yahudi bijak sekali?

2009-01-28T14:37:00.001+08:00

Mengapa Yahudi Bijak? (as received by a recent e-mail from a friend. Have an open mind and learn from the enemy)

Setelah berada 3 tahun di Israel kerana menjalani housemanship dibeberapa hospital disana, ada beberapa perkara yang menarik dapat saya perhatikan untuk dijadikan tesis ini, iaitu “Mengapa Yahudi Bijak?”.
Memang tidak dapat dinafikan ramai cendikiawan berbangsa Yahudi, dari segala bidang, Engineering, musik, saintis dan yang paling hebat ialah bidang perniagaan, dimana ia memang paling tersohor. Hampir 70% perniagaan di dunia dikuasai oleh kaum Yahudi, dari kosmetik, pakaian, pemakanan, senjata, perhotelan, perfileman diHollywood dan sebagainya.

Ketika tahun kedua, akhir bulan December 1980 dan sedang saya menghitung hari untuk pulang ke California saya terfikir apakah sebab nya kaum Yahudi begitu pintar? Kenapa tuhan memberi kelebihan kepada mereka? Apakah ini suatu kebetulan? Atau olah manusia sendiri? Adakah bijak boleh dijana? Seperti kilang pengeluaran?

Maka saya pon tergerak membuat tesis untuk Phd saya, disamping kebaikan untuk umat sejagat dan dapat hidup secara harmoni. Untuk pengetahuan anda tesis yang saya lakukan ini mengambil masa hampir lapan tahun, ini kerana untuk mengumpulkan data-data yang setepat mungkin.

Antara data-data yang saya kumpulkan ialah pemakanan, adat resam, ugama, persiapan awal untuk melahirkan zuriat dan sebagainya dan data data tadi saya cuba bandingkan dengan bangsa dan kaum kaum lain.

Marilah kita mulakan dengan persiapan awal melahirkan zuriat. Di Israel, setelah mengetahui yang sang ibu sedang mengandung, pertama kali saya perhatikan
ialah, sang ibu akan sering menyanyi dan bermain piano dan si ibu dan bapa akan membeli buku metamatik dan menyelesaikan masalah metamatik bersama suami, saya sungguh hairan kerana teman saya yang mengandung sering membawa buku
metamatik dan bertanya kepada saya beberapa soalan yang beliau tak dapat menyelesaikanya, oleh kerana saya memang minat tentang metamatik, tentu saja dengan senang saya bantu beliau. Saya bertanya kepada beliau, adakah ini untuk anak kamu? Beliau menjawab, “ia, ini untuk anak saya yang masih didalam kandungan, saya sedang melatih otak beliau, semuga ia menjadi genius apabila dewasa kelak” Perkara ini membuat saya tertarik untuk mengikut perkembangan beliau seterusnya.
Berbalik kepada metamatik tadi, tanpa merasa jenoh beliau membuat latihan metamatik sehingga beliau melahirkan anak.

Seperkara lagi yang saya perhatikan ialah pemakanan beliau, sejak awal mengandung beliau gemar sekali memakan kacang badam dan korma bersama susu , dan untuk tengah hari makan utama beliau ialah roti dan ikan tanpa kepala bersama salad yang digaul dengan badam dan berbagai jenis kekacang, menurut beliau daging ikan sungguh baik untuk perkembangan otak dan kepala ikan mengandungi kimia yang tidak baik yang dapat merosakkan pengembangan dan penumbuhan otak anak didalam kandungan. menurut beliau ini adalah adat orang orang yahudi ketika mengandung dan ianya menjadi semacam kewajipan untuk ibu ibu yang sedang mengandung mengambil pil minyak ikan.

Ketika saya diundang untuk makan malam bersama orang orang Yahudi, perkara pertama yang saya perhatikan ialah menu mereka. Setiap undangan yg saya perhatikan ialah mereka gemar sekali memakan ikan (hanya isi atau fillet) dan biasanya daging tidak akan ada bersama dimeja jika ada ikan, menurut mereka, campuran daging dan ikan tak elok dimakan bersama. Salad dan kacang adalah suatu kemestian, terutama badam.

Seperkara yang pelik ialah mereka akan memakan buah buahan dahulu sebelum memakan hidangan utama. Jangan terperanjat jika anda diundang kerumah Yahudi anda akan dihidangkan buah buahan dahulu. Menurut mereka, dengan memakan hidangan kabohidrat (nasi atau roti) dahulu kemudian buah buahan, ini akan menyebabkan kita merasa ngantuk dan lemah dan payah untuk memahami pelajaran disekolah.

Di Israel, merokok adalah taboo, apabila anda diundang makan dirumah Yahudi, jangan sekali kali merokok, dan tanpa malu mereka akan menyuruh anda keluar dari rumah mereka dam merokok diluar rumah mereka. Menurut saintis di Universiti Israel, siasatan menunjukkan nikotin dapat merosakkan sel utama pada otak manusia dan akan melekat pada genes, ini bermakna keturunan perokok bakal membawa generasi yg cacat otak ( bodoh atau lembab). Suatu penemuan yg dahsyat ditemui oleh saintis yg mendalami bidang genes dan DNA. Para perokok harap ambil perhatian. (Ironinya, pemilik pengeluar rokok terbesar adalah …… tekalah sendiri..!)

Perhatian saya selanjutnya ialah melawati tadika mereka, Pemakanan anak anak tadi cukup dikawal, makanan awal ialah buah buahan bersama kacang badam, diikuti dengan menelan pil minyak ikan (code oil lever) Didalam pengamatan saya, kanak Yahudi sungguh bijak dan rata rata mereka memahami 3 bahasa iaitu Hebrew, Arab dan Inggeris dan sedari awal lagi mereka telah dilatih bermain piano dan violin, ini adalah suatu kewajipan.Menurut mereka bermain musik dan memahami nota notanya dapat meningkatkan lagi IQ kanak kanak dan sudah tentu bakal menjadikan budak itu bijak.

Ini menurut saintis Yahudi, gegaran musik dapat stimulate (semacam senaman untuk otak) maka itu terdapat ramai sekali genius musik terdiri dari kaum Yahudi.

Seterusnya ke darjah 1 hingga 6, anak anak Yahudi akan diajar metamatik berkonsepkan perniagaan dan pelajaran sains amatlah diberi keutamaan. Di dalam perhatian peribadi saya, perbandingan dengan anak anak di California, ianya jauh berbeza tentang IQ dan boleh saya katakan 6 tahun kebelakang!!!. Segala pelajaran akan dengan mudah di tangkap oleh anak Yahudi. Selain dari pelajaran tadi sukan juga menjadi kewajipan bagi mereka dan sukan yg diberi keutamaan ialah memanah, menembak dan berlari, menurut teman saya ini, memanah dan menembak dapat melatih otak mem fokus sesuatu perkara disamping mempermudahkan persiapan untuk perhidmatan negara.

Selanjutnya pemerhatian saya menuju ke sekolah tinggi (menengah) disini murid murid ditekan dengan pelajaran mata sains dan mereka digalakkan mencipta produk,segala projek mereka walaupon kadangkala kelihatannya lucu dan mengarut, tetap diteliti dengan serius apatah lagi ianya berupa senjata, perubatan dan engineering, idea itu akan dibawa ke institute tinggi di Politeknik dan Universiti.
Satu lagi yg di beri keutamaan ialah fakulti perniagaan. Saya sungguh terperanjat melihat mereka begitu agresif dan seriusnya mereka tentang perniagaan. Diakhir tahun diuniversiti, para penuntut dibidang niaga dikehendaki melakukan projek dan memperaktik kanya dan anda hanya akan lulus jika kumpulan anda(10 pelajar setiap kumpulan) dapat keuntungan sebanyak $US1juta! Anda terperanjat? Itulah kenyataan, dengan rangkaian seluruh dunia dan ditaja sepenuhnya oleh syarikat milik Yahudi, maka tidak hairanlah mereka dapat menguasai ½ perniagaan didunia! Siapakah yg mencipta design Levis yg terkini? Ianya dicipta di Universiti Israel oleh fakulti bisnes dan fesyen.

Pernahkah anda melihat cara orang Yahudi melakukan ibadah mereka? Salah satu caranya ialah dengan menggoyangkan kepala mereka, menurut mereka ini dapat mengaktifkan otak mereka dan menambahkan oksijan dikepala, banyak ugama lain di Timur Tengah, seperti Islam juga ada menyuruh umatnya menunduk atau menggoyangkan kepala, ini guna dapat mensimulasikan otak kita supaya bertambah aktif.
Lihat orang orang Jepun, mereka sering menunduk nundukkan kepala dan ianya sebagai adat. Ramai orang orang Jepun yg pandai? Adakah ianya sebagai kebetulan? Kegemaran mereka ialah sushi (ikan mentah). Adakah ini kebetulan?
Fikirkanlah!

Berpusat di New York, Dewan perniagaan Yahudi bersedia membantu mereka yg berminat untuk melakukan bisnes (sudah tentu untuk Yahudi sahaja) jika mereka ada idea yg bernas, jawatan kuasa akan memberi pinjaman tanpa faedah dan pentadbir dari jawatan kuasa tadi akan bekerjasama dengan anda untuk memastikan yg perniagaan mereka menurut landasan yg betul. Maka itu lahirlah Starbuck, Dell comptr, Cocacola, DKNY, Oracle, Perfileman di Hollywood, Levis, Dunkin Donut dan ada beratus kedai ternama dibawah naungan dewan perniagaan Yahudi di New York. Graduan Yahudi dari fakulti perubatan New York akan disarankan untuk mendaftar dipersatuan ini dan digalakkan memulakan klinik mereka sendiri dengan bantuan wang tanpa faedah, barulah saya tahu mengapa hospital di New York dan California sentiasa kekurangan doktor pakar.

Kesimpulanya, pada teori saya, melahirkan anak dan keturunan yg bijak boleh dilaksanakan dan tentunya bukan semalaman, ianya memerlukan masa,beberapa jenerasi mungkin? Persiapan awal adalah ketika sang ibu mengandung, galakkanlah siibu melakukan latihan metamatik yg mudah tetapi konsisten disamping mendengar musik klasik. Seterusnya ubahlah cara pemakanan, makanlah makanan yg elok dan berhasiat yg baik untuk otak, menghayati musik sejak kecil adalah baik sekali untuk penumbuhan otak kanak kanak, dengan bermain piano dan violin sudah tentu dapat melatih anak anak mencerdaskan otak mereka demikian juga sukan yg memerlukan konsetrasi yg tinggi, seperti memanah, bola keranjang, dart dan menembak.

Merokok menjanjikan jenerasi yg moron (goblok) dan sudah tentu genes bodoh akan mengikut ke jenerasi siperokok. Lawatan saya ke Singapore pada tahun 2005 amat memeranjatkan sekali, disini perokok seperti dianak tirikan dan begitu susah sekali untuk perokok dan anda tahu berapa harga sekotak rokok? US$ 7 !!! ini bersamaan perbelanjaan sehari untuk makan anda!! Saya puji sekali sikap pemerintah Singapore dan menkjubkan sekali!!! dan seperti Israel ianya begitu taboo dan cara pentadbiran dan segi pembelajaran mereka hampir serupa dengan Israel, maka itu saya lihat banyak institusi pelajaran mereka bertaraf dunia walaupon hakikat nya negeri Singapore hanyalah sebuah pulau sebesar Manhattan!!

Anda mungkin muskil, benarkah merokok dapat melahirkan jenerasi goblok, saya telah menemui beberapa bukti menyokong teori ini. Lihat saja Indonesia, jika anda ke Jakarta, dimana saja anda berada, dari restoran, teater, kebun bunga hingga kemusium hidung anda akan segera terbau asak rokok! Dan harga rokok? Cuma US$ .70cts !!! dan hasilnya? Dengan penduduknya berjumlah jutaan orang berapa banyak kah universiti terdapat disana?

Hasil apakah yg dapat dibanggakan? Teknologi? Jauh sekali. Adakah mereka dapat berbahasa selain dari bahasa mereka sendiri? Mengapa mereka begitu sukar sekali menguasai bahasa Inggeris? Ditangga berapakah kedudukan mereka di pertandingan metamatik sedunia? Adakah ini bukan akibat merokok? Anda fikirlah sendiri.

Di tesis saya ini, saya tidak akan menimbulkan soal ugama atau bangsa, adakah Yahudi itu zalim sehingga diusir dari semenjak zaman Paraoh hingga ke Hitler, bagi saya itu isu politik dan survival, yg ingin saya ketengahkan ialah, mampu kah kita dapat melahirkan jenerasi yg bijak seperti Yahudi? Jawabanya ialah mungkin dan tidak mustahil dan ianya memerlukan perubahan, dari segi pemakanan dan cara mendididik anak dan saya kira hanya memerlukan 3 jenerasi sahaja. Ini dapat saya lihat sendiri tentang cucu saya, ini setelah saya mengajar anak saya melalui program yg telah saya nyatakan diatas tadi, pada umur 9 tahun (cucu saya) dia dapat menulis esay sepanjang 5 mukasurat penuh. Esay nya hanyalah mengenai Mengapa saya gemarkan tomato!

Selamat sejahtera dan semuga kita dapat melahirkan manusia yg bijak dan bersifat mulia untuk kebaikan manusia sejagat tanpa mengenal batasan bangsa.

Dr. Stephen Carr Leon

Mutiara2 dari Majlis Alim di Baitul Aman 20-21 Disember 08

2008-12-25T08:15:00.005+08:00

Isteriku menggalakkan aku untuk menulis sedikit sebanyak tentang apa yang disampaikan oleh Ustaz2 yang mengajar pada malam Ahad dan malam Ithnin yang lalu di Baitul Aman. Majlis2 Ilmu ini hanya diadakan sebulan sekali untuk menghayati pengajaran2 serta nasihat2 yang penuh manfaat dari Al-Habib Abdullah Al-Haddad. Majlis2 ini adalah salah satu peninggalan Al-Marhum Ust Syed Ahmad Semait.

Aku berasa sedih kerana telah lupa sebahagian ilmu yang disampaikan. Ini mungkin kesan dari kelalaian aku sendiri. Tetapi aku akan tetap cuba dan maafkanlah aku jika apa yang aku tulis kurang sempurna.

Bahagian 1: Hari Sabtu, Malam Ahad, Kitab: Nasihat Agama dan Wasiat Iman

Ustadz Syed Al-Jufri mengajar menggunakan kitab asal yang berbahasa Arab, manakala jemaah menggunakan kitab terjemahan oleh Al-Marhum Ust Syed Ahmad Semait. Inilah sedikit daripada apa yang dapat saya fahamkam.

1. Allah s.w.t meninggikan darjat seorang manusia itu dengan Al-Quran yang ada tertanam didalam jiwanya. Bukan sahaja setakat hafalan sahaja tetapi juga kesan dari penghayatan terhadap Al-Quran itu sendiri.

2. Darjat orang yang memahami dan mengamalkan Al-Quran serta mengajarkannya adalah sangat mulia disisi Allah s.w.t.

3. Celakalah orang2 yang zalim (yakni melakukan maksiat dan kemungkaran) tetapi ia tetap membaca Al-Quran serta memahaminya kandungannya pula. Al-Quran itu akan menjadi saksi atas orang yang zalim itu.

4. Dilarang Ahli Al-Quran untuk mengajarkan kitab Al-Quran semata2 untuk mencari rezki. Kelak nanti di akhir zaman, orang yang mengajarkan Al-Quran meminta2 dari manusia dan bukannya dari Allah s.w.t.

Bahagian 2: Hari Ahad, Malam Ithnin, Kitab: Dakwah yang sempurna, Peringatan yang Utama.

Al-Ustadz mengajar menggunakan kitab yang telah diterjemahkan kepada bahasa melayu oleh Al-Marhum Ustadz Syed Ahmad Semait.

1. Tauhid (Iman) yang lurus itu adalah nikmat yang paling besar yang telah dikuniakan oleh Allah s.w.t keatas manusia.

2. Kepada mereka yang telah diberikan keimanan, ketahuilah yang Iman ini adakalanya tidak tetap. Kadangkala ia berkurangan dan kadangkala ia meningkat. Maksiat yang kita lakukan melemahkan keimanan dan ibadah yang kita lakukan menguatkannya.

3. Ibadah yang dapat menguatkan keimanan adalah ibadah yang seratus peratus ikhlas hanya untuk Allah s.w.t. Ibadah yand dilakukan dengan riak, ujub atau takabbur tidak sesekali diterima oleh Allah s.w.t. dan akan merendahkan lagi Iman seseorang itu.

4. Untuk memeriksa jika amalan itu ikhlas atau tidak, bandingkanlah amalan itu ketika kita lakukan di khalayak ramai dan ketika kita bersendirian. Jika kita lakukan ibadah itu lebih bersungguh2 dan bersemangat ketika dikhalayak ramai maka keikhlasan kita kurang atau tiada sama sekali.

5. Iman yang kuat hasil dari pemeliharaan diri (dari dosa maksiat zahir dan batin) yang cukup rapi dan hati2 akan membuahkan Taat pada Allah s.w.t.

Semoga Allah swt memberikan Para2 Guru yang mengajar kami kesihatan, kemurahan dan keberkatan rezki dan ditingkatkan lagi darjat mereka disisi Allah s.w.t. Ameen.

Segala kekurangan and kesilapan tulisan saya ini, harap maaf. Sekian, wassalam.

Abu Mukhtaar

Re-Opening of Masjid Al-Abdul Razak

2008-12-06T14:10:00.002+08:00

At last after many months of waiting, the mosque has been reopened. I feel genuinely happy and satisfied with the changes that have taken place. For it's first of many Friday prayers (insyaAllah) many old friends turned up.

Changes includes:

1. A simpler and yet elegant Mihrab.
2. New soft green carpets.
3. Saff lines on new tiles.
4. More accessible Wudhu areas.
5. A more discreet Muslimah section.
6. Gone are the curtains, now there are collapsible panels.
7. No more windows at the front walls.
8. Air-conditioners are available at the main prayer hall.
9. New Admin office at the back of the mosque.
10. Well placed male/female toilets.
11. Prayer areas are significantly expanded.
12. Neater looking shelving units built into the wall.
13. A new overall colour scheme for the mosque exterior.
14. An attractive glass panel for the Tower.
15. New ceilings and roofings.
16. New gates and new walls.
17. A compact carpeted multi-purpose hall.

Overall, the mosque has got all that is needed and even more. May Allah swt rewards those who have worked hard and make contributions - big or small to uplift this old mosque. Ameen.

After so much time, money and effort is poured in to upgrade the mosque, lets not forget to...

1. Try to be part of the Jemaah for the Fardhu Solat and not only on Fridays.
2. Do lots of Zikr in the mosque.
3. Feel free to iktikaf in it as long as it benefits you.
4. Try organize beneficial activities that make people get closer to Allah swt.
5. Continuously and generously donate to the mosque.
6. Seek Allah swt's pleasure in any permissible way while in the mosque.
7. Attend any one of the lectures that is conducted in the mosque.

May Allah swt will continuously shower those who loves to be in the mosque. When the Jemaah of the mosque increases, I am sure, the Ulamas that were once attached to the mosque will smile in their resting places. InsyaAllah, Ameen.

About Yoga

2008-11-30T12:41:00.005+08:00

Yoga

I am amazed at the fierce discussion between those who are against it and those who are for it. Its in the papers, religious classes and not forgetting many blogs. Among those who defended Yoga, some of them defended it so passionately until it seems that it is Wajib for them to continue to practice Yoga. They live and swear by it. hehehe...

Ok enough, this is my opinion.

Yoga is ok IF...

1. Your Aqidah (creed), Belief system, Value system is strong and unshakable.

2. If while practising Yoga, your Aurat is covered by loose garments that does not reveal the shape of your body to non-mahrams (ajnabi). And hopefully the participants don't get any funny ideas while staring at the instructor.

3. No prayers or mantras are spoken that suggest things that clashes with Aqidah.

4. The instructor is not a strong Hindu mystic.

5. You Solat is done in the best way daily without any gaps, possibly not missing any Sunnah and Zikr.

6. Spend your time to get close to Allah swt as much as you spend your time in Yoga. e.g your Zikr, reading Quran, seeking Ilmu.

7. You can anytime desert Yoga for the sake of Islam and Iman...

Personally, I don't want to practice Yoga. And I would discourage anyone that I care and love to practise it. Simply because it has roots in Hinduism. There are so many other ways to get fit. The classic way is to exercise... Even Rasul s.a.w jogs and even races with his own wife, Siti Aisyah r.a.

Reflections on the best Gadgets

2008-11-29T23:23:00.003+08:00

Best Camera and camera lens = eye
Best machine = arms and legs
Best filtration system = kidneys
Best pumping system = heart
Best storage system = liver
Best energy reactor / Engine = digestive system/respiratory system
Best transport system = The blood circulatory system
Best defence system = Human immune system
Best odour detector = nose
Best sound system = our vocal cords
Best CPU = Brain
Best structure = Bones
.
.
.
.
Best creation = Humans
Best Path = Islam
Best Prophet = Nabi Muhammad s.a.w

Feel free to add on...

Reflection on the four weeks worth of Khutbahs at Ghufran

2008-11-29T22:49:00.004+08:00

Recently our PM has said that the majority of our Malay-Muslim families that have problems is due to the Head of the family not functioning up to expectations. I don't want to confirm what he say neither do I want to deny it. Whatever I wrote will be useful if its true and it will be useful if its not true.

One of the MUIS earliest initiatives to address the PM's concern is to have four weeks of Friday sermons hinting to the Muslim males that they have to shape themselves up. The Khatibs of Mjd Ghufran reminded me that to function as Head of the family I must have the following attributes.

1. Amanah (trustworthy)
2. Benar (true)
3. Bijaksana (intelligent)
4. Menyampaikan (deliver)

These attributes are the attributes of the Mursalin (the Prophets) and if a Muslim models himself with these, it is hoped that he will fulfill an effective role as the Head of the Family.

The other night, I was reading a Kitab concerning Solat. This is what I further understood.

1. Solat is a direct connection between the servant (human) and his Creator (Allah swt).

2. Without Solat, there will be no help and guidance given to a person by Allah swt.

3. A person that denies that Solat is Wajib can be considered a Murtad.

Then it occured to me...

1. How many Muslim males actually Solat five times a day without fail?

2. How come despite help from various organizations, the malay-muslim family unit is still weak and full of problems?

3. How many of our Muslim males today consider that Solat is optional and not compulsory?

The answer became very clear then... In order for all problems facing our community to be solved, every single one of us must Solat. The community can only go forward with Allah swt help and guidance. And this can only be achieved if everyone submits to Allah.

Instead of trying to ask the male Muslims to model the Prophets (of course which is not entirely wrong), the MUIS should embark a massive campaign to encourage people to go back to Allah by practising regular Solat. This campaign must be equally or more massive than the Zakat and Fast in Ramadhan campaign.

However, I believe this not MUIS task alone. Everyone who prays 5 times a day must try to think of ways to reach out and encourage others to Solat, this maybe family members, friends, relatives or anyone on the street.

This is of course a great difficult task. And it may look like I'm being idealistic. But if we all do this, then I'm sure Allah will be with our community and make us the best among all other Singaporeans, insyaAllah.

PARENTING TIP - WHAT HAPPEN DURING YOUR CHILD VOMIT STINT

2008-11-10T01:35:00.007+08:00

Assalamu'alaikum wr. wb.,

With the recent vomitting and diarrhoea stint of our dear 2 kids, following are 7 tips to avoid from doing 'more' work:

1. Any feeding, be it medicine or food/drink to be done strictly in the kitchen. Any emergency can be rushed to the toilet or sink.
2. For small kids feeding, I will recommend removing their clothes first, especially the top.
3. Get ready tissues, plastic bag and wet cloth in case your child vomits.
4. Place a canvas sheet under the bedsheet. So any affected area will be only the bedsheet. As for the canvas, give it a wipe with disinfectant.
5. Should any vomit takes place on fabric (clothes or cover sheets), remove the food stuffs or wipe it FIRST, before washing.
6. Prepare separate water bottles for your kids to drink from. Make sure they look about the same especially when there are siblings of 1-3 years apart.

***7. TAG TEAM is the best source of moral support between husband and wife during this kind of situation. For example, one to clean the mess, the other care for the kids.

I hope the above tips will be useful to readers.

Wassalam.
Ummu Mukhtaar

Change in my Flickr Website Address

2008-10-30T08:02:00.006+08:00

A'kum people.

From now onwards my Flickr website Address is

www.flickr.com/photos/abu_mukhtaar

Wassalam.

On Hari Raya Open House 2008

2008-10-20T11:35:00.012+08:00

The Family of Abu Mukhtaar, Alhamdullilah, once again held our humble open house yesterday. Estimated about over 60 people turn up. We invite only our close relatives, close friends (old and new) and neighbours yesterday. There's so many types of food that Allah gave us yesterday, subhanallah.

I would like to congratulate my beloved Ummu Mukhtaar for on her wonderful job on preparing Spaghetti Tuna, Spaghetti Bolognaise, Coleslaw, Excellent Dam Briyani, excellent Dalca and excellent Chutney. I would like also to thank my mum-in-law for the Nasi Minyak, Rendang, Laksa and many more... And of course not forgetting my aunties in-law and Ummu Yasirr which bring to us many other types excellent food/desert/salad/ice.

I would like to say thanks to the following people who came and contributed to our open house in one way or other... (not in any order) They are...

1. Family of Hijaz
2. Nurul Maulidah
3. Family of Cik Didi
4. Family of Cik Mon
5. Family of Cik Husain (Yayah/Ibu)
6. Family of Ishairi (coming all the way from Woodlands)
7. Family of Cik Yamin
6. Family Mak Gayah
7. Mak Itah and Mak Ha
8. Family of Pak Sapri
9. Family of Pak Ngah Salih
10. Family of Cik Nazirin + Grandma of Ummu Mukhtaar
11. Family of Cik Peah
12. Family of Mak Peah
13. Family of Cikgu Shafiee
14. Family of Cik Tapa
15. Family of Cik Saerah
16. Family of Cik Ogy
17. Family of Cik Said
18. Family of Cik Kemat
19. Family of Aidil
20. Family of Fazrihan - came the next day ;)

May Allah reward you for your kind attendance and contribution in any way...
May we see each other again next year...insyaAllah.
The pictures will be up loaded later in due time. Stay tuned...
Hari Raya photos are in flickr website:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30572889@N05/

On my first Reservist cycle

2008-10-16T06:24:00.002+08:00

After nine years of going through intensive belly enlargement after my NS, I was called by our beloved country to serve as a Reservist. These are the few things I have learnt and felt from the 'grueling' 2-days.

1. SGT is a pretty big rank.
2. SGTs have to take charge of at least 11-15 men
3. 2 Officers per 100 men.
4. Encik elects which NCO to take charge of who.
5. I kena volunteered by the Encik to lead 59 men.
6. Some men (LCP, PTE) too cooperative...
7. No matter what just say YESSS!
8. Enthusiasm is contagious...
9. Learning comes naturally with full motivation....
10. Met the old company consisting of....

a. Mats who like to 'kahwin' many times but not nikah. (this includes married Mats)
b. Some Ah Bengs who cannot fill in and read forms...
c. Horny men...
d. The XXX jokers....
e. The foul mouths (1 to 5 vulgarity(ies)/min)
f. Golden Chain Mats (Invest in Pure Gold)
g. Golden Hair Mats (half Caucasian perhaps)
h. Fit squad people (Gold and Silver IPPT medalists)
i. Condemned squad people (Drugsters, some former DB Alumni)
j. Medical Appointment people (I cannot take IPPT lah SGT!)
k. Tattoed Mats and Bengs (tigers, dragons, naked girls, chinese calligraphy... mickey mouse)
l. kind and polite people (They exist!!!)
m. Melayu...melayu.. and more .........Melayu for good and bad
n. amazing collapsing people (Soft-hearted people)

Strangely I feel....

a. Nice
b. Motivated
c. Important
d. Relaxed
e. Chill
f. Lucky
g. Relief
h. at home

......and all this can classify me as a weirdo, crazy and lunatic to certain people.

On this Hari Raya season...

2008-10-09T13:25:00.002+08:00

1. I come across people who openly declare they are tired of Hari Raya and prefer just to stay at home.

2. My home is finally alight with the blinking lights (7 to 10pm only).

3. My bedroom is free of dust mites, bed bugs and their waste products. For a terrible fee of course...

4. I wish i can replace all my light bulbs in the house with candles. They are definirely cheaper.

5. I still see some Malays wearing baju kurung with golden hair and tatooes on their skin.

6. I hit a good record of 8 houses/day despite having two small kids.

7. I ate a maximum of 10 meals/day.

8. I miss getting monetary rewards. Though I still feel good giving them.

9. My son Mukhtaar gets a bag full of die-cast metal cars (almost 2 kg worth).

10. My wife got a blue chair. "Now its complete!"... she says.

11. My wife didnt get what she dont need and what she dont want for her birthday.

12. I crave for salad on the second day of Hari Raya.

13. I enjoyed using a DSLR, even if its not mine...

14. Zainah and Mukhtaar gets sick with runny nose and cough.

15. I missed Ust Salleh and the late Ust Syed Ahmad Semait.

16. I signed up a flickr account.

17. I went to peoples houses with my portable hard disk containing digital hari raya pictures.

18. I lost interest in Malaysian politics.

19. I look for a Kaki to share my newly found photography passion.

20. I wish I can bring air-con with me wherever i go...

21. Enough! Go back to work!!!

On my interests...

2008-10-09T11:30:00.006+08:00

As I go through my short passge of life on this old Earth, I was amazed at how my hobbies and interests changed all these years.

As a child, I had no real hobbies except playing catching and Hantam Bola (literal translation: ball-beating).

As a teenager in secondary school, I still have no real hobbies. I tried to like soccer and jamming just like my peers. However, all this could not stick with me. I want to go into photography. No encouragement, not enough funds - I was forced to abandon this after buying a lousy camera.

As a poly student my hobby is listening to classic mystical rock, glam metal, thrash metal, grunge, Indie, alternative rock and many more... But upon entering NS all this slowly left me. My second hobby is computers - assembling, fixing, troubleshooting, hacking, exploring programs and of course gaming. This continues till the end of NS, when I have the urge to look for a wife...

In NUS, I seeked God and His Prophet s.a.w. Many interesting paths I discovered but not all lead into the same destination. I've found my second father during this time. Only marriage can bring peace to my heart that is in pure turmoil.

After working, getting married and having two children, I'm more settled no matter how harsh living can be. All my previous hobbies are replaced by the good time I spend with my family... Until I'm reunited with photography... It took me a total of four digital cameras to turn my photography passion into an obsession. Now I yearn for a DSLR.

Happy Birthday my dear....

2008-10-08T11:50:00.000+08:00

Happy birthday my dear...

May Allah swt grant you good health and Barakah to your life. You are part of my past, a significant part of my present and I will be most thankful if you remain by my side as we grow older together...

Sorry my dear, for not getting what you dont want and what you dont need... I'll make it up to you some day...

Sincerely,

Your ever irritating husband.

Abu Mukhtaar

On Currency and GOLD...

2008-10-08T10:26:00.003+08:00

Rising inflation, rising food prices, rising debt, rising workload, rising fuel prices, rising temperature, rising sea water levels, rising blood pressure (darah naik seh!!) , but one thing not rising.....

Currencies are falling. Just as predicted by Mawlana Imran N. Hosein some years back when he visited Singapore. He advised back then to save our money in GOLD. I will not go into technicalities cause I believe you can read it in the newspapers almost everyday now. When economies become shaky and value of money starts falling, people will realise that only GOLD has real value. That is why our Nisab for our Zakat is based on GOLD.

However there are many types of gold nowadays. I even saw one that comes in the form of Dinar coins minted somewhere in Malaysia. There is however one advice that I can give to myself and my kakis (you can chose not to follow). Go buy GOLD bars or Gold coins that is 99.9% pure gold (24k). Credit Suisse produces these.

However, don't rush madly to convert all your savings to Gold. Leave some money to spend and prepare for emergencies. Say... Shall we pull out of Takaful??? Anyone has any knowledge....?

On Hari Raya Aidil Fitri....

2008-10-08T10:07:00.003+08:00

I wish to to wish all my friends, relatives and fellow Muslims Eid Mubarak! May Allah accept all our good deeds, our worship (in any forms) and Taubah in this year's Ramadhan. May Allah grant us all happiness in this world and most importantly in the hereafter. May Allah lengthen our life to meet the next Ramadhan and Lailatul Qadr. I believe alas, only Allah knows when exactly is the Lailatul Qadr. This year some say it fell on 19th, some say 25th,some say 27th and some even say it fell on the 29th.

We Singapore Muslims are fortunate to celebrate both Ramadhan and Eid in peace. Many of our brethrens are caught in times of turmoil, hunger and suffering. May Allah grant peace to all Muslims and victory to those who struggle for Allah's Religion.

I'm very happy to see that many Muslim youngsters still regard the Eid as not just a holiday but a special day. And of course, there are still many who didn't fast or didn't know how to celebrate this Eid properly. May Allah grant all of us His Guidance and His Mercy, Ameen.

MaulidurRasul Clips taken between Feb to May 2008.

2008-05-11T21:52:00.004+08:00

Maulid Nabi at Mjd Istighfar with Habib Umar Bin Hafiz (8th February 2008)

Maulid Nabi at Ustadz Salleh's place with Habaibs (27th April 2008)

Maulid Nabi at Mjd Alkaff Kg Melayu with Sheikh Zakaria Bagharib (3rd May 2008)

Maulid Nabi at Mjd Khalid + Haul Sheikh Umar Al-Khatib with Habaibs (4th May 2008)

Jadual Ratib (daerah timur) / Schedule of Ratib (eastern side)

2008-05-04T19:50:00.004+08:00

Ratib Al-Haddad

Mjd Istighfar, Rabu, Selepas Maghrib, oleh Ust Suhaimi Fauzi
Mjd Kg Siglap, Khamis, Selepas Maghrib, oleh Ust Suhaimi Hassan.
Mjd Khalid, Khamis, Selepas Maghrib, oleh Ust Jalaluddin Hassan.

Ratib Al-Attas

Mjd Mydin, Jumaat, Selepas Maghrib oleh Imam Masjid.
Mjd Sultan, Jumaat, Selepas Maghrib oleh Ust Abu Zaki.
Mjd Hj Md Salleh, Selasa, Selepas Maghrib oleh Ust Abu Zaki.

Zikir itu adalah makanan roh. Jangan kita biarkan roh itu lemah akibat kurang zikir.

- Ustaz Hj Ali (1 May 2008, Mjd Kassim)

Men, knowledge and...

2008-04-20T09:24:00.007+08:00

I attended the Friday prayers at Ghufran last Friday. The main topic of the sermon circles around KNOWLEDGE.

The Khatib reminds us that knowledge must be seeked by all Muslims. From the time they are born till the last day of their lives. He further explains the advantages of knowledge includes:

1. Gaining a higher status in the view of Allah swt.
2. Staying relevant in all ages (ensuring the survivability of the Muslims).
3. Contribute to the society or community-at-large
4. Give benefit to the world by discovery of new knowledge and advancement in technology. Etc...
5. Returns Islam to its Golden Age.
6. Get us from the darkness to Light.
7. and many others...

I was going through these points in my mind way after the Khutbah ends and this is what my imperfect mind tells me.

1. In the past, people before us have made huge strides in the field of knowledge. For example: the building of pyramids (both egytians and aztecs), astronomy (aztecs) the preservation of the human body (eyptians), ability to fly and translocate through help of Jinn (proto-malays), created democracy (Romans), the making of homes and living spaces on steep mountains (People of Ad). But looked what happened to all of them. All the glory of these people were destroyed by the Wrath of Allah swt.

2. At present, the people who have the greatest amount of knowledge damages the Earth through global warming, affects world-wide politics, create and fuel wars that never end, raises oil prices, raises prices of food and tries to gain control of the fate of mankind. Some even become enemies of Allah swt.

What then is KNOWLEDGE that Allah s.w.t wants? Is knowledge corrupted? Are the people of knowledge corrupted? Is the overall system where knowledge is transfered corrupted?

Some people may argue that Muslims must increase in knowledge. However, without the proper total submission to Allah s.w.t and His Prophet s.a.w, we will end up just like the people of the past and the people who brings damage in the present.

I remind myself not to feel satisfied with a degree and just let my spiritual-self having only a PSLE level. I remind myself that Allah s.w.t looks at a persons Heart and not at the string of Certificates he has. Knowledge that brings benefit is knowledge that brings a person closer to Allah swt and His Prophet saw.

May Allah s.w.t shields us from knowledge of no benefit and May Allah s.w.t gave us the protection from Dajjal and his minions. Ameen.

What Is Milk to Breastfed Babies?

2008-04-17T07:25:00.007+08:00

Breastfed babies get the best form of milk from their mothers - a gift from Allah to mothers to bond with the babies. Hence, I deduce a conclusion that to continue with the bond, most nursing mothers face challenges in weaning their babies to formula milk. Babies miss that very intimate bond with their mothers during their breastfeeding moments. Milk time is bonding time. We can only guess the hikmah, but Allah Ya 'AAlim, Ya Khabeer is the Knower to All Hikmah behind this.

The following are some pointers that I will remind myself and to share with nursing mothers based on my experience with 32month(2 years 8 month) Mukhtaar since he started to wean from breastmilk at 1 year 3 months, with the help of Zauji and lots of brainstorming.

MILK VARIATIONS
Most of the time, the b/f babies dislike formula milk. Why? Allah knows.

But it pays to try all types of milk that the b/f babies will take from fresh milk to flavoured milk like soy, strawberry and chocolate. Do lots of substitiutions. For example, if your baby can drink milo, do substitute it with chocolate milk. If your baby drinks bandung, give him strawberry milk instead. Why the need to? The answer is the baby will get the necessary nutrients from drinking milk that is flavoured when compared to other sweet drinks especially CALCIUM. The amount of milk that Mukhtaar needs to take from Friso 3 is about 8 scoops per day, in addition to other meals.

Others that I can recommend based on the input given by dieticians - yoghurt and cheese. Do look out for the content to give the proper amount of food. For example, although a slice of cheese is equivalent to a cup of milk, the calcium content is much lesser. To get about 180mg of calcium, a person/child needs to take 3 slices. Thus we also need to watch how much our child can take at a time.

In addition, instead of giving the same milk for the day, do feed/serve milk of variations, for example

Morning - soy milk
Afternoon - strawberry milk
Night - plain milk.

Oh yes! Yesterday, I came across a calcium supplement in gummy chewable form sold in a pharmacy. Yet to look at the content. You may want to purchase that to increase the calcium intake in your child. Or even skip one milk feeding!

According to dietician, a preschool child requires about 350mg of calcium intake per day.

MILK FEEDING METHODOLOGIES
The following are mainly trials and errors during my time with Mukhtaar in his milk drinking sessions. Again, a reminder that the final methodologies that I applied are partly what Mukhtaar might want - bonding time! Each new method is tried after I faced the most stress moment in feeding Mukhtaar. Only recently that I see the pattern when a friend's son having difficulties to drink his milk too. Thank you for that, that it makes me reflects all the challenges that I face/d during milk drinking sessions with Mukhtaar.

***Take note that the amount ranges from 60 ml when Mukhtaar began to take formula milk to about 200ml per feeding.

Since Mukhtaar did not drink from bottle, I use cup instead until today. There were times when I tried to get him drink by himself, but they did not work, even to the extend of forcing. Only when he was about 30 months, then negotiations play a great part and he is willing to cooperate.

The first time when Mukhtaar took in formula milk was by spoon on his high chair, I faced him, and he faced me. It worked so well that he could finish all.

Second, include cereals with milk. This method is also the feeding method.

Third, I fed him using cup until the last sip. This is also time consuming. Ever, Mukhtaar took about an hour to finish it.

- There were times when straw was used, but I noticed Mukhtaar knew how to control the milk flow. This was not very successful at the early stage as he sucked only about 2.5ml each time. Imagine 150ml / 2.5ml = ..... number of sucks.

Fourth method was just implemented when Mukhtaar was about 31 months. This method is requires turn takings. The milk portion is divided into 2 cups. I feed him from a cup, then his turn. This is done sip by sip. At times this method does not work when Mukhtaar refuses to hold his cup. So I came up with the fifth method.

Fifth method is having 2 portions and having 2 persons to feed in turn taking manner.

Sixth method is just implemented about 2 weeks ago. Thanks to Zauji's input when Mukhtaar wants Abi to feed him instead. Again the milk portion is divided into 2 cups, but this time, the feedings are at random. The most effective for me at the moment. (Still in used till today)

Seventh method is also implemented alongside with the fifth one. Again the milk portion is divided into 2 cups. Mukhtaar will feed him first before I do the feeding. At times, it is vice versa. The challenge that I face in using this method is that I have to prompt him to drink. (Still in used till today)

Eighth method is a relief to mothers. The child drinks the milk all by himself. (Yet to implement and anxiously waiting...)

Its the effort, dear mums and the time that our child wants to spend time with us.

Last but not least, the child may choose the person that he wants to sit with and feed him during milk drinking. As for Mukhtaar, he will choose his grandparents (when they are present), Zauji or myself.

- Final pointer, watching the child's favourite show/cartoon during the feeding sessions be it food or drinks works wonders. Worth a try!

Alhamdulillah. Allah has given me the opportunity to pen this experience down.

Ummu Mukhtaar

Short trip to Kuala Lumpur

2008-03-19T19:38:00.007+08:00

Last Friday, 14th of March 2008, me and my family make a lightning dash to Kuala Lumpur for a much needed break from Singapore hectic life. My dear children were all amazingly very excited. Ibn kept on dashing here and there. Bint were all smiles and giggles. They really appreciated the long trip away from home and we had good quality time. We took the Transnasional express (economy) bus (from Lavender to Pudu Raya - 8:30am) which is surprisingly cheap and comfortable enough. We arrived at about 3:30pm due to jams and a strangely very cautious driver. We hopped into a cab at Pudu and got to our Sucasa Apartment in no time. (Warning: (1)Do not pay in Singapore Dollars - it costs much more! (2)Always get into a cab with a meter.)

We settled in and after a short rest, we headed to Pak Ngah Ali's house at Bangsar. His bungalow is the last few remaining Malay-owned bungalow in the Bangsar estate. Pak Ngah Ali still look healthy and his mind is still very sharp after all this years. We discussed mainly on Malaysian Politics and the womenfolk update each other oh what was happening in Singapore and KL. Through him, I got to know all the unsettling things about Anwar, Abdullah, Najib and Khairi. Politics is never clean these days. The future of the Malaysians are in great jeopardy. Ibn oblivious to all this, plays the piano full of passion and concentration. Bint was busy exploring the carpet, however she was often interrupted when she gets lifted by her aunties. Mak Dah could actually sense that we were coming and had made preparations. Kak Zal also mentioned that if we informed them earlier they could bring us around KL. I regret not staying at their place. We had a good dinner and on the way home, they showed us the Kampung Bharu area where cheap and good food can be found.

Next day on Saturday, after Subuh and breakfast, I made a trip to KLCC using the public bus (Metro No. 28 = 1RM per trip - Ampang to KLCC). I had to line up to get tickets to go up the KLCC twin tower bridge - managed to get the 11:30am slot. Ibn showed a slight discomfort due to being claustrophobic. Before we go up the tower, we were lead into a 3D-screening showing background information on the Twin Towers. The twin Towers is built on foundations that represents Islamic principles and the aspiration of the Malaysians. The external part of the building is covered all with Stainless Steel and that is why it is shiny. It can withstand winds up to 290km/h. We took the high speed lift (6-8m/s) to the 47th floor. Except for the slight sensation in our ears, we couldnt feel the lift moving up. The bridge has two levels - one for visitors and one for staff). From up here we can seen mountains of Pahang (I think....) and almost all of the city. Impressive view! My children's need prevented us from going to our second destination. We went back to Sucasa and have restful afternoon.

On Sat night we managed to catch a glimpse of Sheikh Afifuddin Al-Jilani teaching Tasawwuf - Bab Taubat at Masjid Baitul Aman. I noticed there are quite a few Iraqians around. Ishak prayers only commence after the class. Meals are provided after his class. The next morning we quickly pack up and leave as our bus would depart at 8:45am. The journey home is surprisingly much faster. I wished I could stay there longer...

Mukhtaar's Hopitalization

2008-02-20T19:55:00.002+08:00

My dear son, Mukhtaar was admitted to KKH last Monday and Alhamdulillah was discharged by the next day. He was diagnosed with Bronchitis due to the RSV virus. His temperature climbed up to 39.5degC. I managed to get two days of childcare leave and took turns with my wife to take care of him. Alhamdulillah by Tuesday evening we were back as one family unit. The night spend with Mukhtaar was simply energy-draining. He misses his mum, his home, his bed and he refuses to sleep in the given cot. Instead he prefers to sleep in the crammed pram.

Some of the things that goes through my mind:-

1. Allah swt will surely test the believers.
2. The function of the husband is more than just giving Nafkah.
3. Good Muslims must always sabar during trials and syukur when given nikmahs.
4. Rezki like all things that Allah created in this world has its purpose. It is then our challenge to use this Rezki in its proper way.
5. Our children came from Allah swt. And of course through them we are tested.

Memoirs of Al-Abdul Razak

2008-02-17T08:56:00.009+08:00

I love this old Masjid. Too many good memories here. I'm going to miss this old mosque dearly when it starts to have its much needed repairs and renovation. Stepping into the mosque is like being teleported into a different country. The feeling inside this mosque is very different and the calmness just simply settled into my heart. I still remembered the first encounter with the Roha. I remembered where Ust Syed Abdillah used to sit for the Roha. I remembered the first Haul Sheikh Umar Al-Khatib I attended. I remembered my first few lessons with Al-Marhum Ust Syed Ahmad Semait, using the book "Taubat dan liku2nya" followed by the nights of "Ihya". I know exactly where he used to sit and teach during his Friday and Wednesday classes and where he likes to conduct his Sunnah prayers.

I remembered my first ever Ratib sessions in Ramadhan. The wonderful spirit-uplifting Qasidahs and heart-shaking doas read by Al-marhum Syed Ahmad Semait in Ramadhan. I remembered the times me and my friends read Quran with Iman Abdullah, the Old Imam at that time. The old muezzin whose azan pierces through the thickness of my heart. I remembered the time, me and some of my friends read Kitab late into the night. After one overnight session, my good friend Khairul Amilin became the Imam for Subuh replacing the aging and ailing Haji Juma'at. I remembered the old Pakistani-Indian man that quietly arrives very late in the nigh to perform his Isya'. Not forgetting the vigourous and ever-present Tabligh brothers whom I get some pearls from... And of course last but not least, the excellent Briyani Dam served during special occasions. May Allah swt showers His Rahmah to all that has come to this mosque. Ameen.

P.S. Please donate generously for this mosque and may Allah repay your kindness.

Mutiara2 dari Majlis Ilmu petang Sabtu bersama Ust. Syed Hussein Alkaff

2008-02-17T00:07:00.005+08:00

Tentang bertaubat dari dosa2:

Syaitan tidak dapat mengapa2kan anak2 Adam kecuali jika mereka lalai dari berzikir, yakni mengingati Allah swt. Orang2 yang selalu mengingati Allah swt dan meminta perlindungan Allah swt dari godaan dan bisikan Syaitan akan dapat mengatasi segala tipu-daya Syaitan. Tetapi sebagai manusia biasa kita tidak akan lepas dari berbuat dosa. Mohonlah pengampunan daripada Allah swt. Jangan biarkan dosa-dosa yang kita lakukan begitu sahaja. Kembalilah mengingati Allah swt dan betaubatlah kepadanya. Janganlah kita berbangga2 dengan dosa2 yang telah kita lakukan. Gantikanlah dosa-maksiat yang telah dilakukan dengan amalan2 soleh. Contohnya: Orang yang mengajak orang lain untuk berjudi, dia mestilah bersedeqah untuk menutup perbuatan buruknya itu. Ramai orang2 dimerdekakan oleh Allah swt dari api-neraka ketika Wuquf di Arafah. Rahmat Allah swt begitu besar pada hari Arafah. Jangan sekali2 berputus asa dari bertaubat kepada Allah swt.

Rukun2 Taubat ada tiga atau empat perkara:

Rukun 1. Berhenti serta merta.
Rukun 2. Menyesali perbuatannya.
Rukun 3. Azam yang kuat untuk tidak akan ulangi maksiat itu.
Kalau dosa itu pada manusia maka ada pula rukun yang keempat iaitu,
Rukun 4. Minta maaf atau kembalikan hak pada orang yang dizalimi itu.

Tentang generasi muda yang sering berbicara tentang agama:

Awas jangan cakap sesuka hati tentang agama. Jika kita tidak ada ilmunya, dalilnya dan tidak ada kitabnya. Jangan membuat agama ini seolah2 kita punya. Jangan menafsirkan hadith2 untuk kepentingan sendiri dan mengikuti hawa nafsu. Contohnya: Ahli2 masjid yang melarang orang2 Islam dari tidur didalam Masjid.

Perihal tokoh ahli-sufi Bisr Al-Hafi:

Beliau tinggal di Baghdad dan wafat di dalam abad ke-2, 272 Hijrah. Bisr pernah menemui Rasulullah saw dalam mimpinya. Lalu Rasulullah saw menerangkan padanya mengapa dia dimuliakan oleh Allah swt diantara sahabat2nya yang lain. Inilah penerangan Rasulullah saw:

• Amalkan segala sunnah Rasul saw.
• Berkhidmat kepada para solehin.
• Memberi nasihat2 pada sahabat2 lain.
• Mencintai sahabat2 dan keluarga Nabi saw.

Beliau suka melawan kehendak nafsunya, contohnya ia tidak mahu memakan daging. Atas sebab sifat zuhudnya Allah swt meletakkan kemuliaan Bisr alHafi didalam hati2 manusia. Salah satu mutiara kata dari Bisr AlHafi - Doa pada Allah swt itu sama seperti meninggalkan perbuatan yang mendatangkan Dosa. Yang bermaksud, meninggalkan dosa itu lebih baik dari berdoa pada Allah swt.

Nasihat tentang bermujahadah dalam meningkatkan amal-ibadah:

Berkhalwat (bersendiri) didalam bilik mengelakkan kekacauan (dari ahli keluarga atau lain2 perkara) dalam menghadap dan berzikir kepada Allah swt. Lakukan ibadah itu berterusan selama 40 hari, untuk mendapatkan kebiasaan dalam melakukan sesuatu ibadah.

Habib Umar Bin Hafiz @ Al-Wehdah

2008-02-10T12:07:00.000+08:00

Alhamdulillah, me and my family and some friends of mine managed to attend the last Majlis Ilm of Habib Umar Bin Hafiz before he make his way to Batu Pahat, Malaysia to visit Habib Ali. I'm going to miss him dearly. This few days, I felt that I am in a different place altogether each time I attended his Majlis Ilm. My heart felt so light, as if all burdens are lifted when I looked upon the Habaibs and Alims accompanying Habib Umar Bin Hafiz. May Allay swt give strength to all of us to follow whatever advices and reminders that has been delivered by Habib Umar. May Allah swt gave us a chance to meet him again in the future.

Again I would apologize for any errors and shortcomings on the summary I have written below. feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Title: Attributes of a believer

Our religion is the most valuable posession a person can have. The many achievements and progress of mankind is all due to Allah swt permission. The world is full of changes. The changes that lead to evil and wrongdoings are due to deeds of some men. These negative changes in return affect the majority of men, whether they are believers or non-believers.

In the past, Islam does spread in a world full of idol worshippers. However, the small number of Muslims (9 of them) had a great effect to the non-believers due to their excellent character. The number of Muslims then increases many folds. The role model for these Muslims is none other than Rasulullah saw. Rasulullah saw is a perfect model to follow in all ages. Follow him and our sins will be forgiven and Allah will love us. Learn the methodology of da’wah from Rasulullah saw. With his examples, his rahmah and love, Islam spreads successfully.

The person who hurt most Rasulullah saw is Abu Jahal. However, that does not stop Rasulullah saw from showing rahmat to him. Rasul saw saved Abu Jahal from the hole-trap that is meant for him. If we look at how Rasulullah saw handle Abu Jahal, we would found many ways how to deal with our enemy in proper ways.

At one time Rasulullah saw fell asleep under a tree, an enemy gets a sword and is about to strike him when Rasulullah saw wakes up. The kafirun then ask, “Who protects you?” “Allah”, answered Rasulullah saw. The kafirun trembles and drops the sword. “Who then protects you?” Rasulullah saw further asked. “No one.”, replied the Kafirun. Rasulullah saw then forgives him and asked him to return to his tribe. The Kafirun then returns to his tribe and convinces his tribe to convert to Islam. Rasulullah saw’s rahmah is the reason behind taufiq and hidayah reaching the tribe.

In the past, there is this battle-unbeatable tribe. When asked by Rasulullah saw what their secret is. They answered the following. They don't commit injustice. They will restore rights to the weak and oppressed. They consult one another on many matters. And lastly they are loyal to their leader. Rasulullah saw then agrees to these answers.

There is nothing stronger than unity based on the Religion of Allah swt. The early Arab Muslims learned that strength is in the unity of the Ummah. In unity, there is compassion between one another. Allah swt help is with the righteous united Jemaah. Allah swt says in a Hadith Qudsi which roughly means, “My love is a certainty for those who love one another (in many ways) and in no way we be divided”.

Two examples how Rasul saw benefits those who are far or near.

An example how Rasulullah saw benefits those who are far from him: A leader of a fierce tribe is captured and detained. Given food and drink, he observed Rasulullah saw and his Sahabats goes through their daily ibadah in the mosque. He was released and he embraces Islam. He then went Makkah for Umrah. Abu Jahal drives him away but then this sahabah stopped food from reaching Makkah (an embargo). It is through Rasulullah saw, that this Sahabat lifted the embargo. Hence the people of Makkah manage to eat comfortably again by the decision influenced by the Prophet saw.

An example how Rasulullah saw benefits those who are near to him: One day Rasulullah saw went out to buy clothing and took 8 dirhams with him. He gave 4 dirhams to a crying slave woman who have lost her money to buy groceries that her master asked her to buy. 2 dirhams were given to a poor man who much needed the money. He then proceeded to buy clothing. But the clothing itself was given to another person in need. While Rasulullah saw was walking, he saw the same slave woman crying again. The slave woman, when asked, told Rasulullah saw that she fears that her master will scold her because of her lateness in delivering the groceries. Rasulullah saw then followed her home. On reaching the house, Rasulullah saw gave three salams. Two of the salams are answered in silence while the thids was answered loud enough for Rasulullah saw to hear. When asked by Rasulullah saw why the two salams were answered silently, the house-owner replied that they wanted Rasulullah saw to doa three times in total. The house owner at the same time frees the slave woman from slavery in honour of Rasulullah saw visiting them.

How the light of Islam and Rasulullah saw can be seen by the non-believers if we don't have it in ourselves?

Practice Islam and spread Islamic teachings to those who are not here tonight. Never forget to educate our family members. Do not ever have negative thoughts on Allah swt’s actions and taqdir. Seek help from Allah swt in all tasks as Allah is most Great, most High and most Powerful.

Habib Umar bin Hafiz @ Masjid Istighfar

2008-02-09T10:45:00.000+08:00

The following notes are not 100% of what Habib said that night, they are just points that I could scratched on my PDA. Any mistakes and shortcomings, please forgive me and feel free to correct me. Apologies again, its in Malay.

Tajuk syarahan: Kecemerlangan Ummah Melalui Apa?

Habib mulai dengan bersyukur kepada Allah swt kerana dapat solat berjemaah Isya' dan dapat hadir dalam majlis yang memperingati nasib kita di dunia dan di Akhirat. Semoga Allah swt merahmati kita semua.

Allah swt banyak menerangkan dalam Al-Quran bagaimana kita dapat kejayaan dan pertolongan dalam kehidupan kita. Yang paling penting ialah Iman untuk mendapatkan pertolongan, keredhaan dan petunjuk Allah swt.

Untuk kejayaan dunia seorang perlukan haqiqah Iman. Salah satu haqiqah Iman ialah mengagungkan Allah swt, hanya dengan mengagungkan Allah swt kita akan hidup dalam keselamatan dan kebahagiaan di dunia dan di akhirat. Siapa yang tidak memiliki Iman, mereka tidak selamat kerana mereka akan menggunakan akalnya, segala daya usahanya dan masanya untuk memenuhi kehendak nafsunya semata2. Ada sehinggakan, menyembah selain dari Allah swt. Siapa yang menyembah selain dari Allah swt diibarat membuat rumah yang selemah sarang labah-labah. Ketahuilah teknologi dan kemajuan yang dikejar2 tidak meningkatkan martabat manusia, tetapi mereka hanyalah ciptaan Allah swt. Adakalanya kemajuan ini menyusahkan mereka pula tanpa tidak disedari. Orang2 yang tidak beriman terus mengagungkan kemajuan mereka. Darjat manusia itu lalu jatuh, kemajuan itu adalah fatamorgana. Lalu orang2 kafir itu hidup dalam kegelapan sebenarnya, akibat kelalaian mereka sendiri.

Ketahuilah dunia itu sempit, dan akhirat itu seluas2nya. Orang2 yang beriman mesti terus berhubungan dengan Allah swt untuk mengecapi keluasan akhirat. Hanya dengan kekuatan Iman, kita dapat mencintai Allah swt dan RasulNya - Lebih dari seisi dunia ini (isteri, anak, ibubapanya)- Tidak sempurna iman seseorang jika tidak dapat keadaan ini.

Orang2 yang terdahulu sangat mencintai Rasul saw. Sehinggakan ada sahabat tidak selera makan dan tidak dapat tidur akibat merindui Rasul saw. Taatilah Rasul saw dan Allah swt untuk bersama mereka di akhirat (syurga) kelak.

Bagaimana untuk mengagungkan Allah swt? Kita mesti mengagungkan apa yang dimuliakan oleh Allah swt. Perkara2 yang Allah swt muliakan seperti Rasulullah saw, Sahabat2nya, ahli-keluarganya yang berpegang teguh pada agama, para soleh, para syuhadah, para siddiqin dan para2 Ulama. Ikutilah cara hidup mereka. Laksanakan fardhu2 dengan sebaik2nya, penuh khusyu, tawadhu dan ihsan. Orang yang imannya kuat, tidak mudah berfikir seperti orang2 yang tidak beriman. Tidak pula mereka gentar atau terkesan dengan celaan2 orang yang tidak beriman.

Janganlag kita lihat keindahan dan nikmat alam ini sehinggakan kita lupa tujuan hidup kita dan Pencipta kita. Gunakan nikmat2 alam ini dan manfaatkannya untuk mendekati Allah swt dan melakukan kerja da'wah. Tidak ada paksaan dalam Islam. Berda'wahlah dengan Akhlak yang mulia, penuh adab dan penuh hikmah. Maka berda'wahlah pada orang yang diluar Islam.

Kita mesti mencontohi Rasul saw. Bersihkanlah hati kita dari sifat keji. Usahalah laksanakanlah segala fardhu2 dengan sebaik2nya. Fikirkanlah bagaimana kita memberi manfaat kepada orang2 lain. Siapa yang makmurkan rumah Allah swt, akan Allah swt memakmurkan keluarga dan kuburnya. Bilakah kita akan bangun malam dan menangis dihadapan Allah swt. Kerana inilah amalan orang2 soleh yang terdahulu. Allah swt akan menolong kita apabila kita meniru amalan tingkah-laku orang soleh yang telahpun diredhaiNya. Jangan salah anggap bahawa harta kekayaan, pangkat atau darjat yang tinggi adalah pertolongan atau keredhaan Allah swt pada kita. Kita benar2 mendapat pertolongan dan keredhaan Allah swt jika kita dapat beramal soleh dengan banyak dan mudah serta lebih mendekati diri kepada Allah swt dan RasulNya.

Khutbah Juma'at - Habib Umar @ Mjd Al-Abdul Razak

2008-02-09T10:16:00.000+08:00

The main praying area is filled about 40-50 minutes before Azan. After the Khutbah, a Habib translates the Khutbah in Arab into Malay. After the interpretation there is a Majlis Nikah. This is followed by a delicious briyani dam lunch.

Again I would like to apologize for any mistakes, shortcomings in the notes below. feel free to correct me. The notes are by no means complete.

Syarahan sebelum Azan Zuhur

Tingkatan Ihsan itu adalah yang tertinggi selepas Iman dan Islam.

Dalam kehidupan kita sehari2 ada undang2 dan aturan2. Orang yang pintar, akan berusaha untuk menjalankan undang2 ini. Ada orang berdisiplin mengikuti undang2 dan peraturan2 ini kerana ada tujuan atau dalam ketakutan atau ada kepentingan tertentu. Tetapi orang yang beriman akan lebih taat pada aturan2 undang2 Allah swt. Pasti manusia yang beriman itu akan menjadi teratur hidupnya dan selamat dari azab yang Allah swt yang pedih hasil dari mematuhi segala undang2 aturan2 Allah swt. Orang beriman akan yakin yang undang2 Allah swt adalah yang paling sempurna dan yang paling tinggi. Mereka akan paling disiplin untuk mentaati segala peraturan Allah swt.

Kita wajib melakukan apa2 yang fardhu untuk mendapatkan keredhaan Allah swt. Fardhu mesti dilakukan dengan penuh kecintaan, kerana kita kenal kebesaran dan kehebatan Allah swt dalam mengatur alam ini. Janganlah kita merasakan kita terpaksa melakukan ibadah kepada Allah swt. Apabila Fardhu itu dilakukan dengan penuh kecintaan, dengan semula jadi orang itu akan melakukan yang sunnah dan bertambahlah cintanya pada Allah swt. Lalu Allah serta malaikat2nya menyintai orang itu. Lalu orang itu dicintai oleh penghuni langit dan bumi.

Kondisi orang yang beriman yang di cintai oleh Allah swt. Lakukan ibadah penuh perasaan cinta dan rindu pada Allah swt. Dengan disiplin dan sifat ehsan pada Ibadah, seseorang akan lebih teratur menjalani kehidupan sehari2an.

Terjemahan Khutbah Juma'at

Dimulakan dengan pujian pada Allah swt. Selawat pada Rasulullah saw dan ahli keluarganya dan sahabat2nya dan pengikutnya. Kita diperintahkan supaya terus bertaqwa. Tanda cinta Allah pada hambanya, Allah swt memesan kita untuk bertaqwa supaya selamat dunia akhirat. Rasulullah saw adalah rahmat yang sempurna. Larangan2 dan aturan2 dari Allah swt adalah tanda rahmat atau sayang Allah pada hambanya. Dengan melaksanakan peraturan Islam, semua hak2 akan teperlihara - hak manusia, hak haiwan dan hak lain2. Kebebasan dalam agama adalah kebebasan untuk lakukan hal2 yang mubah, yakni perkara yang tidak merosakkan hal2 dunia, manusia dan akhirat. Kebebasan itu mesti dugunakan untuk manfaat Ummah. Kasih sayang Allah swt lebih besar dari segala sesuatu, lalu ia mengirimkan Rasul saw sebagai tanda. Ikutilah akhlak dan sunnah Rasul saw agar kita mendapat rahmat Allah swt.

Abu Jahal mengorek lubang untuk menjebak Rasulullah saw. Lalu ia sendiri terjatuh kedalam lubangnya. Rasulullah saw menolonq Abu Jahal - begitulah sifat rahmatnya Rasulullah saw. Sirah Nabi saw adalah sirah yang termulia untuk dicontohi. Rasulullah saw menadah darahnya dari menyentuhi bumi ketika peperangangan Uhud. Ini adalah supaya musuh2nya tidak dilaknat Allah swt kerana menyakiti Rasulullah saw sehingga menitis darah Nabi ke bumi. Sungguh Rasulullah saw itu sungguh bersifat rahmat terhadap Ummatnya.

Hendaklah kamu yang hadir, berkasih sayang antara satu sama lain dan juga kepda kesemua makhluk Allah swt. Salah satu tujuannya agar dijauhi bala bencana. Bala bencana itu sendiri adalah rahmat dari Allah swt. Bala bencana di dunia itu lebih baik dari azab di akhirat. Kasih dan sayanglah diri kita sendiri dan kemudian ahli keluarga kita. Kita mesti didik diri kita dan kemudian kepada mereka dengan agama sebagai tanda kasih sayang kita pada mereka. Dosa yanq paling besar selepas syirik adalah dosa membiarkan mereka (ahli-keluarga) dalam kejahilan dan menbiarkan mereka rosak akhlak dan iman. Kekayaan yang lebih afdal ialah berjayanya kita menarik orang kepada hidayah dan taufik dari Allah swt. Semoga Allah swt merahmati kami semua, Ameen.

Nota2 dari syarahan Habib Umar Bin Hafiz di Mjd Mukminin

2008-02-08T11:02:00.001+08:00

Alhamdulillah, saya dapat lagi catatkan sebahagian dari mutiara2 ilmu yang disampaikan oleh Syeikh al-Habib Umar Bin Hafiz. Sekali saya minta maaf jika ada yang terlebih dan terkurang. Habib Umar tiba di masjid ketika Azan Asar. Doa qunut dibaca pada rakaat ke-empat Asar. Pada akhir2 syarahannya, al-Habib memberi ijazah pada zikir2 yang diajarnya.

Tajuk syarahan: Renungan dan mengingati Allah swt

Segala puji2an pada Allah swt. Allah s.w.t menerangi langit dan bumi denqan Nur. Sesungguhnya masjid itu penuh dengan Nur. Dan di dalam masjid itu ada sekumpulan orang2 yang tidak dapat ditipu dengan sebab kukuhnya agama mereka.

Dengan izin Allah swt sahaja kita boleh berdzikir dan beramal pada Allah swt. Amalan kita adalah hasil dari berapa besar kita membesarkan Allah s.w.t di dalam hati kita. Allah swt menilik hati hamba2nya. Janganlah kita beramal ibadah dengan hati yang kotor dan lalai dari mengingati Allah swt.

Allah swt mengizinkan hambanya berzikir dan menyebut2 nama Allah swt berkali2 hingga orang ingat kamu gila. Berzikirlah di rumah2 (masjid2) Allah swt. Kelebihan zikir, ialah ia dibenarkan zikir disetiap masa walaupun tanpa wudhu atau didalam hadas besar. Dosa besar orang yang melarang orang2 yang mahu berzikir. Orang2 yang berzikir dianggap mulia di slsi Allah swt.

Rahsia pada orang2 yang berzikir, hatinya bercahaya, menambah imannya, bertambah pahalanya berlipat kali-ganda. Orang yang banyak mengingati Allah swt ketika beramal ibadah, ketika puasa, zakat, haji atau sunnah seperti bersedekah: akan mendapat pahala yang lebih besar dari mereka yang tidak berzikir. Orang yang berzikir itu dapat kebaikan dunia dan akhirat. Mudah2an kita tergolong dalam golongan orang2 yang berzikir. Ameen.

Kisah sahabat yang agak panjang. Ia ahli-zikir yang kuat sekali, meluahkan cintanya pada Allah swt dan Rasul saw. Ia meninggalkan tempat tinggalnya, segala hartanya dan kaumnya hanya untuk bersama Rasul saw (sehinggakan pada badannya hanya dua helai pakaian). Kuat suaranya berzikir di dalam Masjid sehingga kedengaran oleh orang yang melintas disisi Masjid. Beliau mati ketika pulang dari Khaibar. Ia dikuburkan oleh Rasul saw. Rasulullah redha padanya dan medoakan keredhaan Allah ke atasnya. Roh sahab ini diberi nikmat dikubur berkali2 ganda hingga ke saat ini. Barangsiapa yang meninggalkan sesuatu yang dia cintai kerana Allah swt dan RasulNya, maka Allah swt akan menggantikannya dengan yang lebih baik.

Subhanallah Walhamdulillah walailahaillallah wallahuakbar adalah biji pohon-pohon buah2an di syurga, tak terkira dan terbayang sedapnya dan indahnya. Ia adalah diantara kalimah2 yang dicintai oleh Allah swt. Zikir yang banyak, menyenangkan kita berdakwah dan mendidik ahli-keluarga dan ahli-masyarakat kita. Zikir itu dapat menjayakan usaha kita untuk berdakwah, Allah swt menyenangkan tugas dakwah itu.

Zikir itu benteng dari godaan2 syaitan, musibah2 dan apa2 masalah yang kita hadapi. Zikirlah dalam apa2 keadaan sekalipun. Beristiqamah dalam zikir dan doa.

Nota2 dari syarahan Habib Umar Bin Hafiz di Mjd Hj Md Salleh

2008-02-06T18:00:00.000+08:00

Nota2 yang saya coretkan disini bukanlah 100% apa yang dibicarakan oleh Tuan Habib. Ia hanyalah nota2 ringkas yang dapat saya catatkan dan fahamkan ketika syarahannya. Terlebih atau terkurang... Maafkanlah saya...

Tajuk syarahan: Hikmah disebalik musibah

Keadaan orang2 yang beriman - Sabar ketika musibah dan bersyukur atas nikmat. Sungguh beruntung kerana kedua2 hal itu akan meningkatkan pahala dan darjat orang2 yang beriman itu disisi Allah swt. Ada juga khabar yang seorang itu rela terima bala untuk bersabar dan mencapai darjat yang lebih tinggi disisi Allah swt di Akhirat kelak.

Apabila Allah swt menurunkan bala bencana keatas orang Islam - Yakinlah itulah yang paling terbaik bagi orang2 Islam. Adakalanya bala didunia itu lebih baik dari bala di akhirat. Musibah2 itu tidak pula hanya pada orang umum sahaja, tetapi berlaku juga pada orang2 soleh. Contohnya, hamba2 Allah swt yang soleh dan para Rasul ada diuji dengan kelaparan dan kesusahan2 lain.

Rasulullah saw adakalanya tidak makan hingga tiga hari. Apabila datang harta yang banyak, Rasulullah saw membahagi2kan harta itu hingga isteri2nya tidak ada apa2 pun kecuali air dan makanan yang sedikit di dalam rumah mereka. Memberikan apa yang kita perlukan sekali kepada orang lain akan mendapatkan pahala dan ganjaran yang besar disisi Allah swt.

Rasulullah saw tidak takut pada bencana kefakiran dan kemiskinan kepada Ummatnya. Tetapi Rasulullah saw sungguh takut akan bencana harta kekayaan yang banyak. Ditakuti Ummatnya akan lalai dari mengingati Allah swt. Mereka akan mengejar dunia, bermusuh2an antara satu sama lain dan akan dihancurkan Allah swt seperti Ummat2 yang terdahulu.

Cahaya pada orang yang beriman yang bermaksiat cukup untuk menerangi dunia ini. Apatah lagi orang beriman yang bebas dari maksiat.

Pengumuman Kursus Faraidh

2007-12-18T00:04:00.000+08:00

Bolehkah anda soalan2 berikut dengan penuh yakin...

1. Apakah perkara2 yang mesti dilakukan terhadap harta peninggalan apabila seorang Muslim itu mati?
2. Apakah it waris Asabah? Apakah itu hajib?
3. Bolehkah seorang cucu mewarisi harta datuknya?

Dan lain2 lagi... Jika anda tidak boleh menjawabnya dengan yakin...

Yang saya hormati, Ust Md Salleh Bin Hamid akan mengadakan kursus Faraidh tidak lama lagi. Kursus ini akan bermula pada hari Ahad, 6hb Januari 2008 di Masjid Mujahidin. Bayaran hanya $50 sahaja (tidak termasuk harga buku). Kursus akan dijalankan selama dua bulan setiap Ahad dari jam 5:30pth hingga 7:00mlm. Sesiapa yang berniat sila hubungi Abu Mukhtaar ditalian 97102217. Moga Allah mengizinkan mereka yang berniat untuk hadir insyaAllah, Ameen.

Ust Md Salleh mewarisi Ilmu Faraidh ini dari guru beliau, Al-Allamah Sheikh Umar Al-Khatib. Pernah saya mendengar Ilmu Faraidh ini adalah diantara ilmu yang terawal dicabut oleh Allah s.w.t pada akhir zaman, Wallahu alam.

Sabr upon Sabr

2007-12-16T00:54:00.000+08:00

Something for me to remind myself lately - CHALLENGES IN LIFE.

For every phase of our life, shorter or longer, there are challenges. This, of course won't happen without the willingness of Allah Almighty, the Most Knowledgeable. Some new phases that we go through...

Marriage - all married couples have to go through. During this phase we experience...
- "New" responsibilities as spouse
- "New" set of belief system for the family
- "New" parents (the in-laws)
- "New" siblings
- "New" relatives
- "New" culture etc, etc, etc.

Having offspring - couples are promoted to be parents called Father and Mother. This phase brought us to experience...
- "New" role as mother and father
- "New" additional routine in life having child/ren around
- "New" hope for the future, etc, etc, etc.
- "New" expectations. Expect the unexpected. Let it be the tool for us to mature and be wiser.

For the above phases and more coming up, we have to be patience. Yes! PATIENCE is the key word here.

May Allah make us amongst those who are Patience
As Patience is half of Imaan.
Ameen.

Ibn's Development Follow-up

2007-12-16T00:41:00.000+08:00

Alhamdulillah, @27 month, Ibn has his various follow-up check-ups mainly with the Dietician and Speech and Language Therapist.

With the Senior Dietician on Ibn's growth development...
- He is doing well and his weight and height are in the 25th percentile
- Not very much encouraged to continue the Nutricomp Caloric as SD expected him to get the calories from the food that he eats (naturally)
- Expected to gain another 800g in 3 months' time

With the SLT on his Speech Development...
According to the SLT,
- Ibn is talking (based on the mimick on his face, the expression showed)
- Ibn is picking up on words (though it is not shown much during the session)
- Ibn will be Teacher's Pet (not sure how true, but we will see when he enters school in March 2008)

After a month in school(April), it is expected that the Teacher arranges a Parent-Teacher Meet to review on Ibn's development/progress in school, in which it will be used as a report to the SLT during Ibn's next appointment in end April 2008.

LESSONS LEARNT DURING THE SESSION...
1. Introduce a type of toys at a time.
Rationale: The child will have time and focus to manipulate the toys to its fullest and the child's optimum capability.

2. Put aside(hide a type of toys that have been played) in an opaque container/s
Rationale: the child can focus on the newly introduced toys.

3. Rotate the batch of toys fortnightly or once a month
Rationale: this is to ensure that the child does not get bored with the toys he has and also to excite him as each month/fortnightly there. To a child, "Hey, I have new toys" though they are the same toys played months ago.

We just can hope the Best for him and may Allah makes him a better person day by day as he grows. Ameen.

Ibn Food Intake

2007-12-10T00:27:00.000+08:00

Alhamdulillah, with regards to food intake, ibn is getting used to eat rice - NO MORE soft, gooey porridge. In addition, he is yet to develop his other taste buds to dishes with spices and those of strong flavour, cold foodstuffs like ice-cream, and juices.

Bint's Development

2007-12-06T22:33:00.000+08:00

@ 4 month, Bint shows the following traits...

Physical Development
- Growth is visible
- Today it was her 1st time turning on her tum from lying on her back position
- Moves to various places on the mattress when lying down

Emotional Development
- Cries/Pouts at unfamiliar face
- Excites upon hearing from Ummuha/Abuha
- Develops various kinds of cries (including needs and demand)

Ummu Zainah

Ibn's Development

2007-12-06T22:13:00.000+08:00

@ 26month, Ibn is showing the following traits... (updated)

Speech Development
- More syllables of "words" produced
- Usage of No, No, No
- Recalls of events/people he is familiar with e.g. Mentioned 'ok, ok', referring to Tok Sab who visited us at the chalet

Physical Development
- Stable in running with arms swinging
- Climbs up and goes down staircases (with less help)
- Climbs the slide (barefooted), slides down steep slide
- Looks taller (commented by others)

Self-help
- Plays on his own without any of us(parents) with him
- Seeks help if required
- Requests from us what he wants (either verbally, pointing or bringing us to the place where the item is)
- Eats finger foods and snacks himself - without prompting. e.g. cut cucumbers and tomatoes, potato chips.

Emotional Development
- Enjoys rough play with Abuka
- Enjoys storytelling
- Mimicks when stories are told
- Shows love towards younger sibling and other family member voluntarily(kisses, hugs)
- Egocentrism for things belonging to him except food that is not of his favourites

Social Development
- Goes out with relatives(the familiar ones) without us with him e.g. to the playground with little uncles and aunts

Others
- Able to choose his favourite page for each book
- Able to initiate games/activities e.g. hide/seek with us
- Able to involve in imaginary play (based on knowledge acquired)

Ummu Mukhtaar

Ziarah kubur2 orang2 tua yang telah pergi...

2007-12-02T11:58:00.000+08:00

Alhamdulillah, dengan izin Allah s.w.t, saya dapat menziarahi arwah2 orang2 tua saya pada tanggal 30hb November 2007. Kawasan Block 1 dan 2 telah dipilih oleh pihak berkuasa untuk dipindahkan ke kawasan baru.

Peta2 kawasan Perkuburan Melayu Islam di Lim Chu Kang.

Peta Kubur2 Lama

Peta Kubur2 Baru

1. Al-Marhum Tok Othman Bin Ahmad: Block 3, Plot 693

2. Al-Marhumah Nenek Hajjah Maimunah Bte Kassim: Block 8, Plot 187

3. Al-Marhumah Nek Mimi Bte Jamaludin: Block 8, Plot 353

4. Al-Marhum Tok Haji Urif Bin Ahmad: Block 19, Plot 111

5. Al-Marhumah Mak Sa'adiah Bte Haji Urif: Block 25, Plot 1467

6. Al-Marhumah Nenek Hajjah Noor'Ain Bte Maideen: Block 429, Plot 1938

Semoga Allah s.w.t merahmati roh-roh mereka, Ameen.

Ibn's Speech Development

2007-11-29T05:05:00.000+08:00

Currently, there is a Marigold/Magnolia advertisement on the television that features a cow and her calf - an echo game.
Cow : Mi, mi, mi, Moooo
Calf : Smi, smi,smi, smoooo.

One day, I incidentally blurted out the tone of the phrase, my way, "Mi, mi, mi, " To my surprise, Ibn continued the line and said, "Miiii". Alhamdulillah. Immediately, I used this method to stimulate Ibn's "sound production" using other sounds mainly from the hijaiyyah letters with strokes (Aa, ii, uu) and also from the alphabet. It works! He too enjoyed this game that I have been playing. An indication of a success implementation. Yes, yes, yes! Zauji too is picking up the lines.

In addition, since a week ago, Ibn is trying to say out words, an average of a syllable per word. For example, Apple is mentioned as "Ap", Aeroplane as "Arr", Zainah as "Nnnah". More words to be heard coming out of his precious mouth.

Great development, Ibn! Keep it up!

The extent of erosion at East Coast.

2007-11-28T17:18:00.000+08:00

The beach at East Coast is definitely affected by changes in the global climate. Just look at the photo below... Notice the state of the coconut tree. I urge all Muslims to make Doa to Allah s.w.t for the safety of our little Island-Country. May Allah save us from any calamities, Ameen.

A visit to the East Coast Beach

2007-11-28T16:45:00.000+08:00

It has been raining for many days. Today, there is a brief break from the continuous rain. It lasted from morning to mid-afternoon. We don't waste the opportunity and make a mad dash to the East Coast beach. My wife earlier wanted to go to Pasir Ris. But I use my Veto Power and override her opinions. Thank you my dear...

We had a quick brunch at McDonalds and head out to the beach. Mukhtaar is scared of the water (or is it the beach?) until he refuses to be unbuckled from his pram. He grabbed his pram straps tightly. My wife told me to visit the beach more often in order to let him overcome his fear.

Zainah gets excited, distracted and refused to have a smooth breastfeeding. She also perspire a lot despite the cool sea breeze in the super-shady afternoon. Not to mention, she appears to be very happy!

I took over looking after Zainah and my wife went to the beach and started to dig into the sand with her feet (don't ask me why...I dunno). He asked Mukhtaar to follow. Mukhtaar just stand nearby to me and started to complain about his Mum's behaviour... By this time, Mukhtaar's fear of the water has subsided a bit but he still refuses to go near the water with his Mum.

I had a chance to cycle with Mukhtaar and then later by myself. After an hour of cycling, I had a hunch that a huge rainfall is coming and we quickly headed home. Despite appearing tired and missing some breastfeeding, Zainah can still smile in the Cab...

Some Grave Matters...

2007-11-25T10:02:00.000+08:00

My wife asked me why Habib Ahmad's grave looked small and very simple. To answer this question just look at this Noticeboard that is put up at the Cemetary (seen below). Some of the points are relevant in Singapore's context. (Click on the picture to enlarge it in order to read the contents.)

Ziarah Habib Ahmad Bin Semait

2007-11-25T07:44:00.000+08:00

Alhamdulillah, Allah s.w.t has finally permit me and Fazrihan to pay a visit to our beloved and dearly missed teacher, Syed Ahmad Bin Muhammad Bin Semait. It has been slightly more than a year since his return to Allah s.w.t.

It is long trip there and we have difficulties in locating the correct Cemetary along Jalan Pontian Lama. But once we found the correct Cemetary, it is easy to find Habib Ahmad's resting place. We felt a great sense of peace and tranquility while we we there. May Allah s.w.t shower His Rahmat to our teacher, Habib Ahmad, and may he be with Rasulullah s.a.w upon entering the Jannah, Ameen.

To those who wants to ziarah him, these are the directions.

1. Get yourself to Bandar Batu Pahat (Batu Pahat City Centre)
2. Get to the one and only roundabout at the City Centre.
3. Exit the roundabout to a road that leads to Pontian (very important).
4. Travel along the road (about 10km down the road)
5. You will come across a Christian Cemetary on your right followed by an old Muslim cemetary on the left.
6. Further down there will be a relatively new School and just after the school is the new Muslim Cemetary on the right. In the foreground you can see Gunung Banang, a mountain in the Batu Pahat district.
7. His grave can be easily located among those who are buried in the same year. About 45 degrees from the Shelter (in the photos).

Habib Ahmad Bin Semait's address:

Tanah Perkuburan Islam
Batu 5, Batu Pahat, Johore
Plot 07-03 or 0703
Death date: 15th July 2006

Some pictures...

Me and Fazrihan were sharing our thoughts on the Hikmah why Habib Ahmad passed away and is buried far from his homeland. Here is what we can think of...

1. Habib Ahmad's students can be located far up north in Malaysia and also in Singapore. And so he is buried somewhere in between of North Malaysia and Singapore. It is then fair for his students that came from these two countries to visit him. (excellent thought from Fazrihan)

2. Habib Ahmad's grave is on permanent Wakaf land and insyaAllah will remain there till Kiamat comes. Unlike in Sngapore, where even graves can change places.

A good email from a good Friend Rizhan

2007-11-23T10:45:00.000+08:00

This is a good post concerning an advice of Imam Syafiee's teacher to him. In the second part, the post shifted to a reminder for all the Murids sitting for examinations. -Abu Mukhtaar Read on...

Once , Imam As-Syafi’i complained to his teacher about his poor memory.
This incident was being recorded by Imam As-Syafi’i himself in one of his poems.
This is how the poem goes (translation):

I complained to Wakii’(Imam Syafi’i ‘s teacher) about my poor memory
He advised me to abstain from sinful acts
And he told me that knowledge is light
And the light of Allah will not be a guidance for a sinner

5 months ago..in June..when I was in the examination hall in the Islamic University of Madinah..one of the invigilators said something to us before the commencement of the examination.

This was roughly what he said (translation) :

“ Wahai anak-anak ku ! Kamu semua telah bersusah-payah mempersiapkan diri untuk menghadapi ujian ini. Ketahuilah…bahawasan ya di sana ada ujian yg jauh lebih besar dan lebih sukar daripada ujian ini…Kamu semua bakal dihadapkan di depan makhamah Allah kelak…yg mana kamu semua akan dipersoalkan tentang apa yg kamu semua telah lakukan di dunia ini..Ketahuilah bahawasanya perjalanan akhirat itu amat jauh.Sebagaimana kamu semua telah bersusah payah untuk menghadapi ujian ini maka saya menasihati kamu semua agar lebih gigih dan siapkan bekal yg secukupnya untuk menghadapi ujian akhirat.”

Ya Allah, kami pohon keredhaanMu dan syurgaMu

Dan kami berlindung kepadaMu dari kemurkaanMu dan api neraka

Wassalam
Rizhan
Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah

Bint's Devt

2007-11-23T04:28:00.000+08:00

Alhamdulillah, Bint just turned 4 months yesterday. On this day, we applied a Singapore Passport for her. Upon looking at the photograph taken for the passport, both she and Ibn has similar face outline, but Ibn's face is longer and his head is more oval. Mukhtaar (right) Zainah (left)

Then she went for her immunisation in the afternoon. Alhamdulillah, she is about 6.3kg. Following are the noticeable development in her -

1. Lifting up her legs and swivel right and left. In no time she will be able to turn to either side.
2. Having a firm grip of things like shakers and clothings.
3. Standing with support for quite a period of time.
4. Distracted by sounds during feeding.
5. Beginning to complain when she is not attended to.
6. Responding well upon interacting with her. She will chuckle at times. Tongue manipulating producing sounds.
7. Aware when she is left in the cot.
8. Very alert and cautious of surrounding. Bint will turn her head and search for people in the background.
9. Cuddling time after maghrib. So this means quality time for her with family members.
10. Most baby clothes already look small on her. Time to have her current set of clothes replaced with a larger ones.
11. Moving 360 deg. upon putting her on her tummy.

More to find out in the upcoming months.

Ummu Zainah

Ibn's Physical Devt

2007-11-23T03:51:00.000+08:00

Alhamdulillah,it is good to hear that Ibn has gained to 11.2kg, whereby it is indeed an accomplishment for him to meet the 11kg weight.

Despite the increment of his weight, both Zauji and me are still worried sick (at times) about his eating patterns. As I am the primary caregiver of him, I have noticed certain eating habits in him -

1. He will drink milk only when I feed him, either by cup, spoon or straw.
2. He eats better for lunch than dinner.
3. He will keep food in his mouth and refuse to chew and swallow till we show and force him how to. Recently I notice that this is an indicator of "Ummi/Abi, I have enough of this."
4. He will sit throughout his meals if we sit with him. Upon either Zauji or me getting up from our seats, Ibn too will do likewise during meals. Well, kids model, don't they?

I find that it is quite amusing, mind boggling and at the most time testing our patience. Lessons to learn -

1. Give what Ibn likes more in terms of proper food/dish and not crackers or any unhealthy snacks.
2. Always prepare a cup of water to help with teh flow of food
3. Small children's diet is unknown to us. We need to be adventurous in this matter and play the guessing game, the TRIAL AND ERROR game. There may be times
- when they will just drink milk, prefer eating biscuits the whole day
- when they will want different taste for lunch and dinner. So 2 different dishes.
- when they will eat lesser than expected. They too have mood.
- when they will eat more/better with distractions.
- when they will enjoy their food when it is interesting and vice versa.
- when they will finish up what they like during the meal e.g. fish, brocolli.
- when they will eat a type of ingredient e.g. spaghetti, noodles, cheese.
- etc, etc, etc. Many to expect the unexpected/unknown.

In addition to the above, Zauji was in deep thought about this eating matter. The why questions why Ibn refuse to eat. Following points are to be included and has become MAIN REMINDERS to me -

1. Rezqi is in the hands of Allah. So there is a certain portion of intake that fits Ibn during each meal.
2. Baraqah is important. (This helps me a lot during the process of feeding Ibn)
3. His name is given by Almarhum Habib Ahmad Semait, who is an 'aalim and one of the ulama'. Zauji mentioned before, upon seeing Ibn eats, "Budak ni cara dia makan, cara orang sufi - sikit." Maybe it reflects the person who gave Ibn his name. Wallahu a'lam bissawab.

With all the reminders, I too have to respect Ibn as an individual child and not compare with other children who have better weight and appetite. Another reminder for me,
"AN INDIVIDUAL CHILD/PERSON IS A UNIQUE BEING.
THERE IS SOME SPECIALITY IN THAT BEING."

Ummu Mukhtaar

Reflection on the Qana'ah attribute

2007-11-22T20:43:00.000+08:00

I was told many examples of people who had lived with attribute of Qana'ah. What is Qana'ah? Qana'ah means to live simply by what Allah s.w.t had given us, do not sulk, demanded more and complain. Nowadays many Muslims (including myself) is far from Qana'ah. For example, although three pieces of plain bread and a glass of plain water is enough to fill up my stomach, I want mutton dam briyani with a cool bandung. Qana'ah however does not apply to pursue of knowledge and the time spent for Amal to get closer to Allah s.w.t.

Qana'ah : Which one would you choose when you are really hungry? This...

or this...

In the past, Habib Ahmad Bin Semait mentioned to me of a Sufi who lived only on bread. When the Sufi is given some meat by a person, he doubles his Amal Ibadah and traded his sleeping with even longer night Solats. The Sufi mentioned that Allah s.w.t has given him what is necessary for him to live on and so far he could not even Syukur (thank) enough. Hence anything that is extra deserves even more Amal to show more Syukur to Allah s.w.t.

People who are not in tune with Tasawwuf might think that this is a stupid thing to do. They also might think that this is not a good example to Muslims. It can be seen as an idea that can make the Muslim society go backwards and lags behind in progress. However, if humans throughout the whole world were to behave like this. Then there will be no wars, no stress, no hunger, no greed and there might be even no boundaries... The Earth resources may last even longer than what Scientists have predicted. Modernization (that resulted in a lot of destruction) may took a different direction altogether.

Haul Al-Imam Habib Abdullah Al-Haddad (r.a) di Baitul Aman

2007-11-19T09:31:00.000+08:00

Prelude (Perjalanan ke Baitul Aman):

Kami berkumpul di stesen Mrt Eunos dari pukul 7.30pg. Bas kami mula bergerak ke Tuas pukul 8 pagi. Kita sampai di luar Tuas Checkpoint dalam pukul 9:15 pagi. Pemandu bas tidak dapat memasuki checkpoint Tuas kerana dia tidak membawa paspot. Pihak kastam pula tidak membenarkan kami memasuki kawasan imigresen tanpa kenderaan seperti bas. Kami terpaksa menaiki bas SBS ke Stesen MRT Boon Lay. Disitu kami menaiki MRT pula menuju Stesen MRT Jurong East. Di sana kita menaiki bas 'Handal Indah' untuk menyeberangi Jejatas Tuas ke wilayah Johore. Di pusat kastam Malaysia (Link 2) kita menaiki bas yang membawa kita ke kawasan Baitul Aman, KL. Oleh kerana lewat, kita makan tengahari di perhentian pertama di lebuh raya Selatan-Utara. Kita sampai jam 4+ ptg lalu solat jemaah Jama'-Qasr Zuhur-Asar bersama2 imam kita saudara Ramadhan. Kita dapat makan dan rehat seketika di Sucasa Appartments sebelum majlis Haul bermula kira2 jam 6 ptg.

Tema Haul: Syukur

Bacaan Al-Quran
Surah Ibrahim Ayat 1-7.

Khatam Al-Quran oleh Habib Zain bin Husain al-Habsyi

Habib Mustapha bin Othman Al-Haddad. (Imam Masjid)
Syed Abdul Rahman Al-Haddad (Tuan Majlis)

Syarahan pertama dari al-Fadhil Al-Ustadz (Namanya terlepas dari pendengaran saya – dalam bahasa melayu)

Orang yang boleh bercerita tentang perihal Al-Habib Abdullah Al-Haddad hanyalah para Alim Ulama ataupun Wali Allah. Kenapa makam Alim-Ulama boleh dibesarkan? Kerana Syiar Islam harus dibesarkan. Contohnya Imam Abdullah yang menjadi salah satu syiar Islam. Imam senantiasa mengawasi murid2nya hingga sekarang.

Imam Habib Abdullah Al-Haddad adalah:

Syeikh fatih – yakni syeikh pembuka hati.
Syeikh mursyid – syeikh yang memimpin murid2 menuju ke Allah swt.

5 sifat yang ada pada majlis Imam Habib Abdullah Al-Haddad yang dikatakan Rasulullah s.a.w.

Para hadirin akan mengalami perubahan seperti:

Daripada sifat sangsi - kepada keyakinan
Darpada permusuhan - kepada pendamaian
Daripada Lalai- kepada Mengingati Allah swt.
Dripada cinta dunia - kepada benci dunia
Panjang cerita dan cita-cita - kepada takut mati

Habib Abdullah Al-Haddad - mengsyorkan baca ratib beramai2. Baca tiap2 malam - jangan baca masa haul sahaja. Wirdul Latiff pun patut diamalkan pada waktu selepas solat Asar dan selepas solat subuh. Ilmu Imam Habib Abdullah terkandung dalam Ratibnya. Dapat juga Ratib melindungi pengamal2nya dari akidah2 yang salah. Imam Habib harus dikenang dan dicontohi. Kerana ia syiar Islam.

Syarahan Habib Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah Ba'bad (Ulama dari Yemen dalam bahasa Arab)

Pujian bagi Allah swt,

Tempat (majlis ilmu) kunjungan Malaikat2. Allah swt mengampunkan dosa para hadirin dan digantikan dengan hasanah. Beliau diantara sebaik2 cucu2 Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. Banyak manfaat daripada Imam Abdullah daripada ratibnya dan kitab2 karangannya. Beliau diibaratkan salah satu bintang2 yang dijadikan petunjuk2 untuk orang2 yang bermusafir (menuju Allah s.w.t dan RasulNya). Ahli mengenal Allah swt. (Ahlillah) Habib Abdullah Al-Haddad, rendah hatinya, terima pisau untuk ditajam atas pesanan dari anak yang kecil. Cukup menentang hawa-nafsunya, cukup membelakangkan dunia (pangkat & harta). Siapa yang gilakan dunia hingga masuk ke hatinya maka putuslah harapannya pada Akhirat. Pesanan Imam Syafiee, biarlah sesuatu yang indah daripada dunia itu hanya tinggal pada tangan sahaja jangan sampai ke hati.

Lecture by Syeikh As-Syed Afeefuddin Al-Jilani (in Lughatul Ingrisiyah)

Many people wanteœ to become famous. They became rich and continuously chase for power, recognition. However, Imam Abdullah Al-Haddad have got something that no one can have through these means. His heart is rich with Imam, great akhlak, ikhlas for Allah swt. And hence he became famous for his closeness to Allah s.w.t. We however did not follow him close enough. Many people did not accept the words and advises of the Alim-Ulama. They totally forgotten what the doa and prayed for while in the mosque. Those who are truly taqwa, Allah s.w.t will lead them the way. We have to copy this example that Habib Imam Abdullah Al-haddad has shown. Our heart must belong to Allah. Anything else must just stay in our hands. No further than that. We must copy the akhlak (zuhud) of Imam Abdullah al-haddad. Allah swt love those who loves to be with the ones He loves (the Ulama) such as Imam Abdullah Al-Haddad. To be close with Al-Imam, read his books.

Syarahan dari As-Sheikh Al-Ulama Hadith Dr. Saad bin Gawish Al-Hasani.

Masalah Sunnah & bida'ah. Dr Saad mendoakan masalah ini tidak terkena negeri ini. Ada orang menganggap selawat itu bida'ah. Maka mereka itu tidak langsung membida'ahkan perintah Allah s.w.t untuk bersalawat atas Nabi s.a.w.

Perbezaan bahasa (Melayu, Arab dan Inggeris) dalam majlis itu satu tanda kecintaan kita pada Al-Imam. Buku2 Al-Imam itu cenderung pada pendidikan ruh dan juga pengubatan hati dan ruh. Orang yang lalai dalam ibadahnya, tidak hadir (khusyu') tidak dapat apa2 dari ibadahnya. Sentiasalah teruskan zikir dalam segala keadaan. Zikirlah yang dapat menghidupkan hati, memperkuatkan khusyu' dalam amal ibadah kita. Lakukan selepas asar dan subuh zikir2 yang khusus (e.g. Wirdul-latiff). Tafakkur ada tiga bahagian. Jangan tafakkur pada zat Allah kelak sesat. Tafakkurlah atas:-

1. Kekuasaan Allah swt. Mengenal sifat2 Allah serta menguatkan Iman.

2. Nikmat daripada Allah swt. Dapat sifat syukur pada Allah swt.

3. Keadaan Dunia dan Akhirat. Dapat elak dari cinta Dunia.

Syukurlah pada Allah swt dalam semua keadaan. Senantiasalah husnul-zan (sangka baik) terhadap Allah swt. Berusahalah untuk mendapatkan rezki yang halal. Ingatlah rezki itu bukan atas asbab tetapi ia datang dari Allah s.w.t. Jangan menjadi seperti Qarun yang lupa diri lalu diazab. Jangan putus asa dari rahmat Allah swt. Tawakallah dan bertasbih pada Allah swt. Jangan berhajat pada makhluk2 yang lain.

Di dalam majlis pada hari pertama syarahan oleh Ulama2 yang tertulis di atas deselang seli oleh bacaan Qasidah oleh para Alim-Ulama dari Indonesia, Jeddah dan Yemen. Majlis ditutup oleh doa dari Habib Abdullah bin Ali Al-Attas.

Ketika Kuliah Subuh (Haul Hari kedua)

Ceramah oleh seorang anak murid Habib Ahmad Bin Semait dari Malaysia.

Habib Ahmad Semait senantiasa bangun bertahajjud. Dia yang paling akhir tidur di rumahnya, dan dia yang paling awal bangun di rumahnya. Ia juga seringkali berjalan2 didalam rumahnya pada waktu malam untuk memperbetulkan terjemahan atau penulisannya. Telah di mulakan oleh beliau, kuliah subuh selepas Majlis Haul Imam Habib Abdullah al-Haddad pada tiap2 tahun.

Solat Tahajjud itu lebih afdhal di-sepertiga malam. Doa dan permintaan pada Allah swt tidak di tolak (masa mustajab). Untuk mudahkan bangun malam, isikan waktu diantara maghrib dan isyak (dgn zikr, baca al-quran). Jangan mengisi lepas isyak dengan perkara sia2 kecuali perkara yang dharurat. Kurangkan minum dan makan waktu malam. Susah mahu tidur, susah mahu bangkit, berat hatinya (malas) untuk menunaikan solat malam. Jangan berkata2 sia2 hal dunia pada waktu malam. Jangan lakukan perkara2 yang berat2 pada waktu siang. Jangan sekali2 tidur waktu selepas subuh, jangan putuskan rezki kita. Zikr sewaktu perjalanan ke tempat kerja. Niat dan berazam penuh ke-ikhlasan hanya untuk Allah swt. Pasanglah niat untuk bangun bertahajjud sebelum tidur. Setelah niat dan usaha, walaupun tidak terbangun dapat pahalanya. Sampaikan apa yang telah dituntut pada kaum keluarga.

Ceramah oleh Habib Zain bin Husain al-habsyi (dari Johore)

Habib Abdullah buta matanya, tetapi terang mata hatinya. Apabila dia terkena cacar, dia tidak boleh mencium benda2 wangi. Tetapi datuk saudaranya yang majdub melumurknya dengan minyak2 wangi. Lalu dikatakan oleh datuk saudaranya bahawa orang2 akan dibawah pandangannya (basirah) walaupun dia buta matanya.

Hendaklah kita bertaqwa dimana2 sahaja (didepan dan dibelakang orang), jangan sekali2 bertaqwa hanya dimata orang sahaja. Hendaklah kita berusaha untuk memasuki syurga. Buat kawan dengan orang yang berilmu dan bertaqwa. Manusia itu seringkali mengikut fe'il kawannya. Siapa yang redha dengan Allah swt maka hatinya pasti tenang. Siapa yang tidak redha maka tidak puas akan dunia. Jangan leka dari mengingati mati. Perbanyakkan solat dan amalan2 yang lain. Jangan dilalaikan dengan isteri2 dan anak2. Malaikat Israel tidak akan tangguh kerjanya. Dunia ini tidak akan kekal. Dunia ini adalah syurga untuk orang neraka. Neraka itu diselebungi oleh perkara2 yang lazat dan indah sekali.

Majlis diakhiri dengan doa, al-fateha kepada Rasullulah s.a.w, para2 Imam Ba’alawi, Imam Habib Abdullah al-Haddad dan Habib Ahmad Bin Semait. Selepas itu kita dianjurkan solat sunnah isyrak secara bersendirian.

Ketika sedang makan pagi selepas Kuliah kami bertemu dengan salah satu anak Murid Habib Ahmad dari Kuantan. Beliau serta temannya sudahpun menziarahi kubur Habib Ahmad Bin Semait. Alamatnya seperti berikut:

Makam Habib Ahmad Bin Semait
Jalan Pontian, Batu 5.

Inilah pertama kali saya menulis blog ini dalam bahasa Melayu. Nota2 yang saya tulis menggunakan bahasa Melayu kerana terjemahan dari kebanyakan syarahan adalah dalam tersebut. Harap maaf jika ada banyak kesilapan dalam penulisan saya.

Wassalam

Early childhood quote

2007-11-16T00:38:00.000+08:00

"Children model from what others in their environment do and say. Be your child 1st role model and instill positive values in him."

- Ummu Mukhtaar/Zainah

A visit by Mesir Ulama As Sheikh Dr Sa'ad

2007-11-13T18:33:00.000+08:00

My family activated ourselves and penetrated deep into the heart of Telok Kurau to be with Sheikh Dr Sa'ad at the AASM. We don't even know what is the title of his Syarahan in the first place. The Sheikh is expected to come after Maghrib but instead only arrived after Isyak. To fill up the time we recite Salawat till Isyak. According to my wife, the womenfolk became bored during this period. Hijaz had a nice time trying to get two young boys to stay still and keep quiet. Heheh... and maybe some people thought those are his sons. The attendance is not as great as the previous Syeikh Hisham's visit. I wonder why...

Anyway I can feel the sincerity and warmness of this aged Mesir Syeikh that currently lectures in the Al-Azhar University. His words are trnslated by a translator. Some of his words brought back memories of some of the Asatizahs that have taught us. It is a pity that my family had to hastily retreat back to our Tampines Base as Zainah can't stop crying that night. Later when we picked up Zainah, she was all smiles again. She had a good night as she was tired crying for more than an hour in her mother's absence.

Some of the things that I take back home from his Syarahan is listed below:

1. Never mention our Prophet's name without his title or appointment or status with reference to Allah s.w.t or his Ummah. E.g. Rasulullah saw. Habibullah saw. Sayidina Rasulullah saw. His name is already in the gates of heaven before the creation of Nabi Adam a.s. His name is part of the key to Jannah.

2. Rasulullah s.a.w ancestors had been protected by Allah s.w.t and all of them are righteous and honorable people. Rasulullah's ancestor, Adnan, can be traced back to Nabi Ibrahim a.s.

3. There are some evidence that some of Rasulullah s.a.w ancestors knew the coming of the Prophet long before he was born.

4. Nabi Muhammad s.a.w is the first person to be re-born after the second blow the Horn in the day of Masyhar. Rasulullah s.a.w is also the first person who gives the syafaat and the first person whose syafaat is accepted.

5. Rasulullah s.a.w is the Leader of all Messengers. He is the Leader of all of Bani Adam. He is the Leader of all Creatures seen and unseen. He is our Leader in Dunia and Akhirat. And yet he is the most humble in all his dealings as he does not have any ujub, riak or takabbur. And he is the person who is the most worried about his Ummah's condition.

By the way this is part of the long salawat recited between maghrib and isyak while we wait for the arrival of the Syeikh.

Fatherhood - Reminders for the Khalifah

2007-11-06T06:57:00.000+08:00

When I say Khalifah, I mean the husbands and fathers of muslim families. The job of a khalifah started as soon as the solemnisation process is valid. Many responsibilities seen and unseen is transfered from the father of the bride to the person who says "I accept". Being a khalifah our main duties are

1. Make sure you save yourself and your family out of hell-fire by striving to get the Rahmah of Allah s.w.t

2. Educate and guide family members to perform what is good and abstain from anything that is bad and forbidden.

3. Bring comfort, love and relief to our spouse and children.

4. Work for Halal Rezki and give Nafkah in the best way possible. "My money is their money.."

Before marriage I'm heavily influenced by the gentle but heavy words of Al-Marhum Ust Syed Ahmad and Ust Salleh. After spending time with them, I believe that one has to live simply and moderately and fulfill his duties (to Allah as a Khalifah) to the very best of his ability. One must not indulge so much on the demand of his Nafs (desire) and spent wisely what Allah s.w.t has given (time and money).

I believe the Khalifah has to work to get Rezki. I strongly believe that the woman folk is best suited at home. They are made and specially designed by Allah s.w.t to love, care, educate, nurture and comfort our children. The demands of Singapore Living is tremendous - in short, it is expensive to live in Singapore. However, with tasawuf, one can easily identify the basic needs of a family and avoid spending a lot on the luxuries of the world. I believe the rezki can be made sufficient if one does not indulge so much on his Nafs (desires) and only concentrate on his needs.

As as educator, I have seen so many muslim and non-muslim kids go hay-wire and wayward as a result of both parents working and not spending enough quality time with their children. Some families, I admit have no choice but to have both parents working. But other families simply wanted to get extra income just to live luxuriously at the expense of bringing up their children properly.

As Khalifahs, we should ask ourselves what do we want... An expensive car, an expensive handphone, cable TV, expensive furniture, a beautiful renovated house, expensive clothes, broadband, luxurious delicious food or gave it all up and ensure that there is a full-time mother taking care of our children. The choice is then very clear again. Our wife must be allowed or at least given a choice to fulfill their role as mothers to our children. The maid, grandparents, student care centre teachers and other forms of caretakers could not replace the invaluable mother.

I believe the Khalifahs must then make a great sacrifice. Painful and discomforting but necessary. It is clear then, the future generation of muslims - their Iman, Akhlak and even their Amal is shaped by the hands of the Khalifah and his second-in-command i.e. his Wife. Lets not sacrifice the future generation of Muslims by neglecting our children. Having children is easy, raising one up is a great challenge.

Abu Mukhtaar Ibni Abdullatiff

Motherhood - First Experience

2007-11-06T05:43:00.000+08:00

The following is written specially for a friend, a newbie mom and other mothers who read it too.

Just like you, friend, way before ibn's birth, way before I got married, this natural, maternal feeling has always been with me - to raise my own kids, with very minimal interference of other parties. This too has been made clear to Zauji, my parents and in-laws too. Alhamdulillah, Zauji has the same thought too, though people think that it is a waste of my degree in Early Childhood Education for me to stay at home and care for the household, particularly kids. Reason being, we both have seen the way we and our siblings were brought up, trying to apply the positive values of both sides of our families. We would also like the BEST for our kids ukhrawi and duniawi, with the focus of the latter one. Education indeed begin at home and parents are the first teachers to educate their child/ren, even before they were born into this world. Indeed the 1st 3 years is the MOST crucial stage in a development of a child. It is when the kids learn values, morals and many other things that you can think of, the stage where their "sponge" brain absorb almost anything that they see, hear and do. This is also the stage when TRUST, ATTACHMENT and CARE is developed between a child and his/her main caregiver.

The birth of ibn
Although there were complications during conceiving ibn till the day he was born, I told myself not to bother so much my parents as well as in-laws. I would feel awkward having them to come over during my confinement and help out. Zauji suggested to have my mum sleep over at our place till my confinement over. Knowing my mum and her commitments (household, mengaji and religious classes), I try my best not to tire her so much by coming over to our house daily. Hence, this is the minimal that I asked for during my 1st confinement - she comes over with the meals, shower ibn and helped out in feeding ibn (that time tengah jahil, I gave milk to ibn during his 1st month by bottle and partly formula. Of course, we gave her some monies for her help. Alhamdulillah, Allah provided me with more breastmilk later. Other household like laundry, and cleaning up were done by me with little help from Zauji (ehm, I nagged in order for things to get done by him. I'm so so so sorry, but somehow some things are shared responsibilities). Only during the 1st month that I had the help of my mum. Subsequently it was all on my own, managing the household and ibn.

Having 1 child, ibn then was already a challenge. Nights of crying and tears rolling down my cheeks almost everyday. Zauji only spotted them once in a while. I picked up skills along the way, coping with myself, physically and emotionally, trying to carry out my responsibilities. Zauji gave words of encouragement to me, but at times during that confinement period when the post natal hormones were yet to stabilize, I did go bonkers and a little depression. His words were ignored and I wanted my own ways. Things were hard at that time and our marital relationship got tense a bit. This statement was made truth by my mum during 1 of my visits to my parents' - pasal anak, kita bergaduh dengan suami.

The sore nipples experience was indeed a discouragement for me to continue breastfeed ibn, plus the comments of family members who discouraged me to continue breastfeeding. The kept saying that "Susu badan mana cukup. Tak puas budak tu minum." No wonder, supply is little - it is due to psychologically, I felt stress. It took me about 3 months psychoing myself to continue breastfeeding ibn as I know, in my knowledge BREASTMILK IS THE BEST GIFT FROM A MOTHER TO HER CHILD GIVEN FROM ALLAH. Who is going to give the breastmilk if not Allah, through HIS creation?!!! Alhamdulillah, I talked to some mothers who were experienced breastfeeders (mainly Kak Mariamah Latiff and wife to Cikgu Ridhuan). I even self learn the skills of breastfeeding sitting down, lying down and to the extent of breastfeeding in public. It is totally hands-on and self-learned though the knowledge I gained was through reading.

I hope that with Allah's willing, this post will somehow give you, my friend the confidence and strength in your discovery being a new mother.

Ummu Mukhtaar

Parenthood - Ibn's Confirmed Playgroup Programme

2007-10-29T23:51:00.000+08:00

Alhamdulillah, from the list of playgroup programmes that both Zauji and I have looked into, we decided to put Ibn in the PCF Littlesteps Programme. Today we went down to one of the nearest branches from our house and it seemed that it is the likable choice of ibn. He adapted to the environment easily and was very independent - taking the toys and started playing on his own and not clinging onto either one of us.

Indeed READERS, child's comfort with the school environment and the people is one of the outmost importance aspect in selecting a programme. I was reminded when I saw him being so so comfortable in the centre. Alhamdulillah, I relearn from my dear ibn.

Following are some other aspects in selecting this programme:
2. We can use bint's CDA for payment of ibn's fees later

3. As mentioned in the earlier blog, ibn's SLT recommended us to enrol him in a programme so to hope that he will open up(speech) especially among the peers. In addition, I would like to look into his social emotional development having ibn to mingle with the other kids in the group. So at this point of time, it is more as a transition before we put him into the choice of Muslim-English programme for his preschool years. So no Islamic teachings at school involved, just at home.

4. The time that I have chosen is the slot when there are the least number of children. Reason being the smaller the group of children to the teachers, the better attention each child receives from the teachers. Thus the needs of the child is most probably met. It also measures the quality of the programme. Again I was reminded to put the BEST INTEREST of my children's 1st though there is another favourable slot, but the number of children is more. Well, sacrifice upon sacrifice READERS! Give the BEST that we can when they are small.

5. Parents involvement is expected from the programme e.g. when there is a field trip, parent/s must tag along with the child. Homework and materials requiring parents' contribution are also included. With parental involvement, parents will be able to know what their child has learnt in school, thus allowing parents to reinforce any concepts or learning aspect learnt with the child at home.

6. Distance is near although it requires us to walk for about 10 minutes to and fro home and centre. So no unnecessary transportation monies need to fork out.

7. Affordable - neither expensive nor cheap, due to the age group. The younger the group of children that the teachers have to handle the more you have to pay.

The above aspects are not placed in order of importance, except the 1st one.

Something about Baby Bonus and CDA...
Alhamdulillah with the birth of bint(2nd child), we can make use of her CDA for payment of fees for all our kids education up to 6 years of their age. CDA is applicable from 2nd child to 4th child. The government will match dollar to dollar for any programme from a list of approved association/school. Can you imagine if bint is not born? We would have to pay fully for ibn's education.

Ummu Mukhtaar

"CDA" stands for Child Development Account

Hari Raya Gathering last Saturday

2007-10-24T06:09:00.000+08:00

A'kum people...

Me and my wife and my two small kids would like to thank the following people for their attendance last Saturday (20th October 2007).

Our parents...
Mak and Ayah (Thanks for bring Mukhtaar for a short jalan2)
Yayah and Ibu (Thanks for the wonderful Bamiah and Salad)

1. Hijaz - Shehnaz - Yassir (thanks for your help :) in the kitchen)
2. Khairul Amilin - Dr Ahmad Hassan
3. Ikram - Norziehan - Nurin - Shauki
4. Wati - Jusri - Khairan - Maya
5. Kak Pah - Cikgu Rahim
6. Cik Ogy - Uncle Iqbaal - Danial
7. Kak Nisa - Kak Nadia (thanks for helping my wife in the kitchen)
8. Hidayat - Reri (thanks for the otak2)
9. Cik Pe'ah - Cik Amy - Hilman - Hadi
10. Shah - Yayah - Zulfiqar - Shafie

hehe 23 adults 9 children.. Alhamdulillah.. Dont shy2 come again next year, insyaAllah. This weekend,I hope to makan for free... Got two open houses yeay!!

Wassalam

Abu Mukhtaar

Fever Remedy

2007-10-17T23:34:00.000+08:00

A friend smsed me seeking for remedies for high fever in adults and babies/kids. Having free time and some contacts, I forward to another friend who seems to know a lot about remedies to some illnesses/conditions. Good to have this knowledge shared.

REMEDIES FOR FEVER

Deer's horn bought from sin seh - powder it and mix with water (yet to know whether this method is halal or not)

in babies/kids:
1. A mixture of crushed shallots with any oil and panadol/malaria pill to be applied at the joints like armpits, behind the knees, behind the elbows, neck and feet.

2.A mixture of rice flour and water till lumpy to be applied to baby's body till it loses its coolness. Insya Allah, the rice flour will absorb the heat from the body.

in adults:
1. Drink Olendia water mix with salt (good for sore throat too)

(added by me)
2. Air badak

3. Take garlic capsule/s 4 hourly. This can be consumed daily as a prevention to our body against cold, fever or flu. Also very effective against fungal infection (proves in zauji's feet condition)

Dear readers, it is worth giving them a try as I noticed that there are no dangerous chemical/s involved in the preparation process and consumption.

Parenthood - Factors in Selection of A Playgroup Programme

2007-10-17T12:03:00.000+08:00

In order to enrol a child in a playgroup programme, it is not as simple as ABC - go to the school, register and sending and fetching the child from school. First and foremost, we as parents need to consider the following factors:

1. The reason for putting a child in a programme

2. The importance of enrolling the child in the programme

3. The type of programme that match the reason and importance

4. The location

5. The fees

6. The budget

7. Choice of programme/s that fits in the budget, location and reason.

With the above factors, let us look into what we intend to enrol ibn in:

1. Reason - Ibn verbal limitation and with some peers around him can expedite his limitation/s. According to the SLT, we are looking out for more sounds from him as a first steps to talking. In addition, it will help him develop social skills with others besides the family members. The output will show a vast difference from programme to programme.

2. Programme - Tumble Tots, Apple Tree, LittleSteps Playgroup Programmes. Out of these 3, Tumble Tots has a high rank for quality based on their success rate as mentioned by the principal.

3. Location - From nearest to furthest (LittleSteps, Tumble Tots, Apple Tree. We intend to either choose LittleSteps or Tumble Tots)

4. Fees - The most expensive to the affordable (Tumble Tots, Apple Tree, LittleSteps)

5. Budget - As long as the amount of Child Development Bonus of bint can cover the preschool education of both our children

6. I chose Tumble Tots due to its quality and so much matches the reason for putting ibn in school - allowing him to make more sounds as they adopts Letterland, a UK programme that emphasizes on the sounds of alphabet using characters rather than being able to recognise the letters in the alphabet. In addition, the location is neither far nor near, allowing me to so some physical walk daily. Despite the preference, we cannot use Child Development Account (CDA) for payment of fees :(. If we were to put ibn at Tumble Tots, it will be out of budget. Insya Allah the money from the CDA will be used for a quality early learning centre when ibn and bint turn 4 years which covers both ukhrawi and duniawi.

I am positive that ibn will eventually talk like other kids, now that he has produced more sounds and trying to say words and I really mean complicated, bombastic ones like "delivery van" and "big rig". Hence I decide that even if we were to put him in any other programme besides Tumble Tots, he will still be exposed to social skills, thus developing his verbal skills and at the same time overcoming stranger anxiety. Just the difference in quality output.

Ultimate decision will be in 2 weeks time - before November comes.

Dear readers, do put in your opinion if you are in our shoes. Thank you.

Ummu Mukhtaar

Ibn's 1st Trial Class

2007-10-11T14:34:00.000+08:00

Next Monday, 15 October 2007 will be a breakthrough for ibn. He is going for a view of a playgroup class at Tumble Tots @ Tampines Sports Hall. I am very excited as what his response will be looking at other kids engaging in activities. We are looking into a 2-3classes/week for him, as recommended by the SLT. When I racqueed for 2-3 day class per week, it seemed impossible now. Even Apple Tree that started up with 2-3 days/week are now running as daily programme.

In the class
The class that we viewed with Ibn was meant for his age. The youngest is an 18month African-Chinese boy who is still adjusting in his separation anxiety. His maid was there to accompany him for about 15-30minutes before class starts.

However, some of the older children(born in 2005) will be "with him" if he is enrolled there in the daily programme.

Ibn's response - Well, well, well. Though ibn is more responsive to us at home, it seemed that he is yet to overcome the stranger anxiety feeling. Throughout the time that we were there, he kept clinging to Abi although there were few occasions in which we attempted and pushed him to join the class. However, there were some actions that he imitated from the class at home. This indeed has an positive impact on him.

What to anticipate when he is enrolled in a playgroup programme? Mainly separation anxiety which will be followed up with nightmares. I hope he will be fine and I will be fine too if we decided to enrol him in any programme(required mental preparation as a mother being separated from a crying and struggling child). It is a matter of time that ibn will get adjusted to any new environment.

Ibn's 1st Pasting Activity

2007-09-28T06:11:00.000+08:00

For the past few days, ibn has been taking out a bottle of glue from one of the drawers. Hence, yesterday, I let him know what the "bottle" is. He had his first pasting activity. I cut the pictures from a magazine and let him paste them onto a piece of A4 paper.

Texture
In order to know what is in the bottle, I poured some glue onto a plastic container cover and let ibn used his finger/s to apply onto the back of the pictures.

Language
Words like sticky, glue, paste are introduced in the process. Ibn is quite fast enough to be able to understand the meaning of "paste/pasting" by the end of the day. In addition, he was also introduced to the names of the pictures.

Physical Development
Through his fine-motor skills, this activity enhances on his eye-hand coordination. Ibn used his fingers to apply the glue and taking the pictures to have them pasted. At the same time it enforces on his spatial awareness. I observed that he is able to gauge the space where a picture is to be pasted onto the paper after few have been pasted.

Kids learn through play. Indeed, his masterpiece is a play to him. He had each picture torn and placed them into his folder. What amazes me is that when Abi came back from work, ibn is able to show Abi what he did by just the mention of "Show abi how you pasted the pictures." - the torn pieces and the piece of A4 paper that he used to paste them.

The raw materials

Ibn's Masterpiece..

The Aftermath...

Ibn's Speech Development

2007-09-28T05:58:00.001+08:00

In a matter of 2 weeks, ibn will turn 25 months. Hamdan Lillah.

At this point of time, there is great improvement in his speech. He seems to be communicating with the sounds that he can produce now, and that is more and more sounds. About half of his speech can be understood by us most of the times, during play and unexpected times. It is true that when we request or "force" him to say a certain word, we hardly get it. This happens in most boys, according to researches done. So, we just let him communicate or produce more sounds and mimicking and enforce on what is being said/mentioned so to create meaning in our communication.

Motherhood - Breastfeeding Bint

2007-09-27T00:22:00.000+08:00

Breast milk is the best gift that Allah gives to a child through his mother.

According to guide, once a child sucks intervals of 2-3 times towards the end of a feeding, it is an indication of the child is full. Well, well, well. It is true when I breastfed ibn, but NOT Bint. She can continue drinking her milk I think nearly 200ml if non-stop. This leads to her regurgitate like "FOUNTAIN" (according to zauji) due to too full. Many a time, I have to wash and change the bedsheet, pillow cases, quilt cases and the quilt. In addition, the laundry of clothes increases too! It is when our clothes get stained too (luahan seorang ibu).

Well, well, well. What's the solution?
This is one - for every 5 minutes of feeding, burp the child, in this case Binti. If there is a sound of liquid in her burp, that is an indication that she is nearly full. So I stop feeding her for the moment.

So mothers out there, do keep the above pointers in mind.

Ummu Zainah

Parenthood - Sahur: A New Experience

2007-09-27T00:03:00.000+08:00

This is something that I would like to share being a new mother of 2 kids. This is not found in any auide books that you may find out there...

In one of the early mornings, i.e. preparing for sahur, my dear son woke up at 4am. Here I was wanting to prepare for sahur, dear son wanted to be with me. Well, something rang on my head - give him milk with quaker oats. Bravo! It works. But still, after that he refused to go back to bed. So in order for him to be able to literally see me, I had him lie down in the living room with his pillow while I prepared sahur.

Then came the sound of the little one, dear daughter, "It's feeding time!" Ummi and Abi were about to have our sahur. So as Ummi had her sahur, dear daughter was also having her milk. Dear son eventually sat with us at the small dining table in the kitchen. After sahur and subuh, Ummi, Abi, Ibn, and Bint went back to the room and they went back to sleep. Zzzzzzzzz.......

The above is something that was unexpected. Being parents of 2, there are a lot of unexpected incidents that happen. What to do if any unexpected incident is to happen again? Following are some pointers for me to remind myself and a guide to new parents:

1. Mentally prepare for any unexpected accident/incident to happen.
2. Do not sigh.
3. Console yourself by saying, "This is a new experience. It's part and parcel of our lives.By hook or by crook, I have to face this."
4. Think of possible solutions wisely.
5. Act upon the incident/accident.

Indeed a sahur experience that I will never forget.

Ummu Mukhtaar/Zainah

12 Sept - Ibn's 1st Speech Therapy

2007-09-27T00:02:00.001+08:00

After being assessed at the Feeding Clinic by SLT Theresa and carried out the recommended activities, I noticed there are some improvements in Ibn's speech, more sounds coming out from him and lately been trying to say out words like iuck(truck), aa-i(abi).

1st Speech Therapy with Geraldine Choy
Based on her observations, Ibn is "coming along" and producing "many sounds". After I have given some information about Ibn background, she said that he will start to talk when there are peers of his age with him. At the moment, there is a slight tendency of him to baby talk due to the arrival of Bint. Following are the tasks that are recommended during this 1st visit:

1. Mouth exercise on vowels a, e, i, o, u
consonants /b/, /p/, /m/
(using 2 of my fingers to gently pull ibn's lips)

2.Continue with mouth exercise recommended in Feeding Clinic'

3.Turntaking games

4.Requesting

5.Label common object

6.Enrolment in playgroup 2008. According to the SLT, most kids upon enrolled in school, they will start to verbalize within the 1st 6 months.

I hope there's more coming out from Ibn's verbally.

Ummu Mukhtaar

Ramadhan Mubarak!

2007-09-12T15:39:00.000+08:00

Here comes the month of Ramadhan
The month of the Islam ummah
The month full of forgiveness (maghfirah)
The month full of blessings (rahmah)

To all Muslims and Muslimahs....

What's In the Name

2007-09-11T06:19:00.000+08:00

What's in giving our kids name? We want the barakah of Allah and of course, our kids to turn out well as what is in each name given.

Alhamdulillah, for both ibn and bint, their names were given by Almarhum Habib Ahmad Semait and Ustaz Syed Isa Alkaff respectively upon request from zauji and myself. Insya Allah, we would also like to get berkah from the 'ulama.
What I have learnt from my experience in seeking names from the 'ulama:
1.Cooperate with them - they may ask the names of your family members.
2.Redha with the choice of name/s selected for the child.
3.Insya Allah, the name brings ease and not a burden to the child nor the parents. In addition may our children are as 'alim as the person who gave their names.

Dear ibn, your name means the Chosen One. Your other name is Mahmud. Your names were given after Habib Ahmad got to know both Abi's and Ummi's names. May Allah choose you to be one of His greatest Khalifah.

Dear bint, your name means Beauty, Nice. Your other name is Zubaidah(after your maternal) grandmother. Your names were given after Ustaz Syed Hussin Alkaff got to know the names of your both grandmothers(Zubaidah and Ainon) and also paternal great grandmother(Maimunah). May Allah make you beautiful in everything especially imaan, taqwa, akhlaq and amalan.

Finally, may both of you be the best of the ummah. Ameen.

Ummu Mukhtaar and Zainah

Parenthood - The Awakenings II!

2007-09-11T05:52:00.000+08:00

Bint just turned 7 weeks old. As her digestion process develops, her bowel movements changes too. For 3 days, her passing motion is during daytime now. Does that mean Ummi can get her sleep back at night? The answer is NOOOOO! Now Ummi is wondering why bint is still keeping awake till 4am?! Diaper check, no passing motion. Diaper check, diaper not heavy. Diaper change, hmmm... still crying. Feeding check, still wants to breastfeed despite regurgitating.

Puzzled Ummi..... Upon carrying, yes, bint quietens, but only for awhile. Let's walk,
M A R V E L O U S! but, Ummi is very sleepy, sayang. What now? You have woken your dear akhi in crankiness. Ya Allah, please give me the extra strength and patience in bringing up these 2 dear kids of mine. Ameen.

Answer: Bint is yet to have her body clock regulates normally - day is day, night is night. Please understand this (Ummi is reminding herself)- she has been in total darkness in Ummi for about 9 months!

Solution: Do all the above steps, and finally let bint cries till the peak, feed her and alas, she's asleep after nearly 3 hours of awake. AHA! Apalagi, Ummi pun tidurlah.

Zauji, ibn and bint, it is because of you that I gain confidence and strength (with Allah's will, of course) to continue with this tireless journey into motherhood and being the Minister of Home Affairs. Alhamdulillah.

Ummu Zainah

Videos of Mukhtaar and Zainah at YouTube

2007-09-08T15:49:00.000+08:00

I have just learnt how to upload and share videos at YouTube. Feel free to drop by and view some videos of my lovely children.

My YouTube address is www.youtube.com/abumukhtaar

Zainah attacks Mukhtaar!

2007-09-08T13:36:00.000+08:00

Zainah pounces at Mukhtaar. Mukhtaar just look at her and let her carry on. So cute!!! More pictures at abumukhtaar.fotopages.com.

Ibn's Social-Emotional Development

2007-09-08T08:19:00.000+08:00

Since the day I gave birth to bint, I have been wearing slippers in the house. There are times when I do not put them on. One day, I saw ibn carrying the slippers and following wherever I went in the house. Only when I got seated, he passed to me. I realized that he was reminding me to put the slippers on in the house (very sweet of him, isn't it?). On this note, ibn knows the owner of a certain belongings just by observing. May Allah makes him a kind soul. Ameen.

Ibn has a pair of Spongebob Squarepants slippers. He will at times wear them in the house. Yesterday, we noticed that he removed them before getting on the carpet. I was wondering why he did that. Actually, he has been modelling me, as I will remove my slippers before stepping onto the carpet.

Kids are kids. They model and observe what others do and act based on the knowledge that they gain.

Ummu Mukhtaar

The passing of a fellow Murid.

2007-09-07T21:20:00.000+08:00

A fellow murid (student) of Ust Md Salleh Hamid, Razak Bin Hussein, 44 years old, passed away sometime this morning. Solat Jenazah was performed at An-Naeem mosque at Hougang after Friday Prayers. Among those who attended are Ust Md Salleh, me and some other students. He has been described by Ustadz as a very regular student at Saleem Chisty since the early days. He is very quiet but always consistent in his attendance for the Majlis Ilm.

According to Ust, he passed away in a very good day (Jumaat) and in a very good month (Sya'ban). Ust added that these are signs of husnul khatimah, a reward for those who are righteous.

Let us recite Al-Fateha for him. May Allah swt give His Rahmat to the Ruh of Razak Bin Hussein and may Allah swt reward him with nothing but Jannah, Ameen.

Sheikh Hisham Kabbani visited Abdul Aleem Siddique Mosque

2007-09-07T10:52:00.000+08:00

Last Wedneday (Thursday night) we took a trip down to Masjid Abdul Aleem Siddique to see Sheikh Hisham Kabbani. He is a greatly respected Sufi Syeikh of the Naqshahbandi Order. He gave a short talk on Ramadhan. He told us not to miss the opportunity to earn Allah swt's Rahmat (Pardon from Sins) that came down aplenty during Ramadhan. He mentioned that Ramadhan is the month that cleanses our sins and yet for some Muslims they completely waste it. According to him some Sheikhs in the past managed to get their sins cleansed until they are deemed to passed away before the age of baligh.

Just looking at Sheikh Hisham brings makes my heart feel happy and light. Many people took Bai'ah from him that night. Thanks to Hijaz again for fetching us home that night.

The following are some pics of Sheikh Hisham Kabbani.

The Burial places of some of Singapore's past Alim-Ulama

2007-09-07T10:29:00.000+08:00

Some of us might have a niat (intention) of visiting the past Alim-Ulamas of Singapore before Ramadhan comes. Here are some them that are located in the Pusara Aman / Pusara Abadi.

Habib Salim Bin Muhammad Al-Attas
Blk 1 beside 2386

Habib Abdillah Bin Ahmad Al-Jufri
Blk 24, 185

Al-Allamah Syeikh Omar Bin Abdullah Al-Khatib
Blk 18, 1244

Syeikh Taha As-Suhaimi
Blk 20, 824

Habib A'wad Bin Hamid Ba'Alawi
Blk 23, 355

Habib Abdul Rahman Al-Kaff
Blk 17, 1779

Syeikh Md Fadhlullah As-Suhaimi
Blk 427, 2265

Al Habib Al Wali Al Syed Abdullah Bin Idrus Baroom Al Alawi
Blk 427, 2266

Habib Maliki
Blk 427, 2264

Just a reminder, we don't ask directly to them as Allah swt is the one that has the power over all things seen and unseen. However, we (non-Wahabbis of course) can still tawassul. Example of tawassul when visiting a grave of an Ulama:

Ya Allah, with the Barakah of Fulan Bin Fulan, please grant me and my family good health and strong Iman. Etc... Ameen.

Dont forget to make Doa for the Ulama's that we visited as well. May Allah swt make us closer to the ones He loves, Ameen.

Wassalam

This signboard points to Sheikh Omar Al-Khatib's grave.

Sharing photos the easy way.

2007-09-05T07:22:00.001+08:00

I have tried out and considered friendster and blogspot to upload photos of Mukhtaar and Zainah. However both lacked certain features I deemed crucial. Finally I have decided to use www.fotopages.com. They offer unlimited picture uploads, allows blogging, allows editing entry dates and most important of all, it's all FREE!

Singaporeans (noticeably the Malays) overtake many other countries in terms of number of users in the Fotopages.com. Don't believe me? Try to browse by country. There is a direct link to our fotopage, its abumukhtaar.fotopages.com. Currently, I've just finished uploading some photos taken during a Visit to the Pusara Aman / Pusara Abadi Ulama graves about three months ago. Check it out! Wassalam.

This how it look like. The Pics are arranged nicely in Thumbnails that are nicely resized. Clickable of course to see the full picture.

Motherhood - Fulfilling the Amanah

2007-09-04T16:28:00.000+08:00

Let this be a reminder to us parents especially those who are going to be or just become parents...

One ever said to me, "Having 2 kids is quite a handful."

I agreed with the above statement, initially. After thinking through, I told myself wasn't is a "handful" having more than 1 kids during our grandparents' era. And to share with whoever read this, Professor Kamsiah's parents had 17 kids in which 2 were given to others. Her mother is the solely caregiver for the other 15 and her father mainly sustained the family.

Children are gifts from Allah and each child's rezq is determined by him. So not us parents sigh and think that having more than 1 children is a burden. Mainly, we as parents are the trustees(amanah) who have to carry out our duties as parents.

So, in order to fulfill the amanah, I discovered that time management is very very very important. Seems that after a month of experiencing being a mother of 2, I notice that the rituals and routines of each child and other chores come one after another naturally, if we are prepared mentally and physically.

In whatever matter that we experience in our daily lives, somehow sacrifice comes into place. Hence less sleep and personal time for me. Not also forgetting the time for us to seek religious knowledge. May Allah s.w.t. bring barakah to our time and lives in this world. Ameen. Ameen. Ameen. Yaa Rabbal 'aalameen.

Ummu Mukhtaar and Zainah

Ibn's physical development - self help

2007-09-04T14:59:00.000+08:00

Today, I'm delighted to see a new development in ibn's self-help skill, which I have been waiting for nearly about a year for it to happen. We had beef spaghetti for lunch. Seated in his high chair, ibn stretched out his right hand to the green spoon and brought it to his mouth. All this while his self-feed is only on snacks like cheese rings, peas and peeled corn kernels. Alhamdulillah!

Ummu Mukhtaar

Parenthood - The Awakenings!

2007-08-31T15:37:00.000+08:00

Bint just turned 5 weeks, and it seems that her body clock tells her to keep awake at night despite my effort trying to let her keep awake during the day.

12midnight, right to latest 3 in the morning is the time that she will be awake. With her cries each time she has her bowel movement, just keep the silent night like daytime. As a result, ibn will wake up at times and he is as fresh as daytime too! With both awake in the night, I as a mother, have to play along with their "music".

This morning, ibn wanted me to put bint on his tummy. Bint will stop crying when I put her lying on her tummy despite the very very little faeces on her diaper (waiting for more to come out before having to change it). In a month, about 250 diapers have been used and disposed by bint!

I hope with the late nights ordeals, Allah gives me enough strength to sustain for the following day.

Ummu Mukhtaar and Zainah

An effort by the Christians to preach to the Muslim Youths

2007-08-30T19:49:00.000+08:00

I walked past a Jamming Shop located at Tampines - Block 144, Tampines Street 12. The shop is distributing a booklet entitled 'Santapan Rohani'. The literal translation is 'Feast for the Soul'. I was attracted to it and pick it up as it is free. Lo and behold it is a booklet meant for the reader to be introduced and attracted to Christianity. For those who possess weak Islamic faith (Iman), they may easily be confused by the content. They address the God the Christians are worshipping to as Allah. They quoted verses from the bible and make it look like a translation from the Quran. The whole book is written in simple Bahasa Indonesia. The Christians will never be accepted by Allah s.w.t as long as they believe in the Holy Trinity and did not accept or Prophet Muhammad s.a.w as the Last Messenger of Allah s.w.t. May Allah protect us all from the Fitnah of those who has went astray, Ameen.

Beware of the presence of this booklet. The cover page of the book is shown below.

NIsfu Sya'ban

2007-08-28T11:48:00.000+08:00

I am jealous of those who managed to fully Amal during Nisfu Sya'ban. Congratulations to them who bring the daytime and night time of Nisfu Sya'ban to life. With their Zikr, their Doa, their Taubah, their reading of Quran, their fasting and other forms of Amal.

Yet I saw many who thinks celebrating Nisfu Sya'ban that way is wrong. Allah swt will never get tired of His servant's sincere Amal Soleh towards Him in any day of the year. It is a pity that this people missed a tradition that has been practiced by many Ulamas in the past. I'm very sure if something is bad, majority of the Ulama would have not practiced it in the first place.

A short encounter with Nolan

2007-08-28T08:45:00.000+08:00

A devout Catholic man, Nolan, sat with me during my late lunch on Monday. He talks to me about the Signs of Akhir Zaman.

This is what he said:

1. Allah is the God prayed by the Jews, Christians and Muslims.

2. The end of days are coming. Signs are appearing rapidly one after another. He quotes the example of the acceptance and legalization of homosexualism.

3. Jesus Christ is coming as the Judge to determine who are the believers and who are the non-believers.

4. Non-believers will join the Anti-Christ (Dajjal) and believers will be persecuted.

5. Anti-Christ will perish in the hands of Jesus Christ and the non-believers will be sent to hell-fire.

Of course our Tauhid will NEVER accept the Creed of Christians and Jews. We Muslims strongly believe that Allah swt has no son, no father and He does not resemble any of His creations. Those who also don't believe in His Last Messenger, Prophet Muhammad saw will also never be accepted by Allah swt. But what amazes me is that the Signs of Akhir Zaman is so clear and pressing until it deeply affects the Christians. How many of us are willing to talk about the signs of Akhir Zaman to a perfect stranger? May Allah swt give this Nolan Hidayah and Taufik to revert to Islam. Ameen.

What is more saddening is that some Muslims continue to embrace the New Age (of Fitan) and totally forgotten and ignore the signs of the Akhir Zaman. Some of us even become the Signs of Akhir Zaman themselves. I shiver with these thoughts. May Allah swt stregthen our Iman and shield us all from the Fitnahs of Dajjal. Ameen.

Ibn's 1st Speech Therapy at Feeding Clinic

2007-08-28T06:54:00.000+08:00

In 3 weeks time, dear ibn is exactly 2 years old. Still he has not produced any clear verbal output or even any syllable. From his follow-up checkup at KKH in May, he was referred to the Speech Therapist at the Feeding Clinic@Rehabilitation Centre. I agreed to it as it has also been one of the main concerns besides his weight and height matters.

Yesterday, we went for the 1st appointment. Initially, I asked myself what speech development got to do with the feeding clinic (my understanding of feeding is literally related to food)?! While waiting for our turn, there were several observations that I notice about ibn with regards to his sense of security.

1. There are 2 3-D manipulative rollercoasters at the waiting area. When I introduced one of them to ibn, he smiled to me. He refused to go to a seat without me around. I supposed he was not very familiar with the place and yet to feel secure there. So I have him sat on my lap to allow him explore with it. Opposite him was a small boy about his age playing with it. I played along with ibn before he had his hands on the beads moving to the curves of the metals.

2. At another rollercoaster table, ibn was playing with it without me around.

3. Then came a parent with her kids who then played with the rollercoaster. Ibn stopped playing and came to me. Again he did not feel secure with strangers around.

4. When he left the table, the parent took the chair and sat next to her son on the opposite side. Upon the parent getting out of the chair, ibn took the chair back to its original place. (I thought he wanted to sit and continue playing). Actually he was doing some housekeeping. :)

5. In the feeding clinic, when the dietician wanted to take his height and weight, ibn cried. So I had to carry him on the weighing scale for the weight minus mine.

6. During the initial mingling with the SLT, ibn was taken aback to hold any material she gave. After awhile, with her approachable touch, ibn went to her and to a certain extent carry out some instructions without feeling fear/insecure.

After the therapy, he was on his own going to this rollercoaster toys and walking within the waiting room on his own. In order to feel secure, ibn thus needs to familiarise with a new environment by observing before exploring the environment on his own. This is what is called transition.

At the feeding clinic...

WITH DIETICIAN SIEW CHOO
Based on her calculations, Ibn's weight gain is 92%(August) when compared to 94%(in May) from his 1st last 2 visit (9.75kg). He is now about 10.3kg. Still in the 10th percentile. Expected normal weight gain per month is to be 150-240g. He achieved the expected weight gain, but still at the lower area.

I was asked about his one day diet in general. I was then told that ibn needs to take in more calcium food like cheese as in cheese crackers and yoghurt like the "petite mian" brand. I suppose it was due to him taking expressed breast milk. Looks like he has to drink his Friso 3 back (advisable alternate with EBM) - this time more diluted portion, that is 2 scoops : 120ml water at least 3 times a day.

Then I was advised on the amount of Nutricomp Caloric to be put in his food.
That is to start with 1/2 of 5ml spoon : 60ml fluid. Then gradually after 3 days to increase to 1 of 5ml spoon : 60ml fluid.

WITH SPEECH THERAPIST THERESA TO
What did the SLT do to do her initial assessment...

1.Ibn was asked to open the fridge demonstrated by the SLT. He in turned closed it when she opened it, asking him to take what he wanted from the fridge. (Observe whether he can follow instructions)

2. Ibn was given Baby Bites. THe SLT asked him to give the pack to me to have it open. He did that.

3. After being ecncouraged, he took a piece of the baby bite and ate it, being observed by the SLT. She too try feeding him from the sides and the front teeth. According to her, he has very strong front teeth.

4. She then held a hammer shape made of foam to let ibn bite the handle repeated times. This confirmed that he has difficulties to bite using his sides teeth especially the left ones. Instead he turned his head to the left and used his front teeth. Not so much happen for the right side.

5. She then took out a toothpick having foam of star shape at the end. It was used to brush his both sides of his gums and internal cheeks. This is one of the activities to stimulate his oral cavity.

Based on my input, ibn currently produces mainly vowel sounds.

After doing the necessary initial assessment, the SLT informed me that there is not much problem with ibn's eating habits, but need to come for another appointment to further confirm his eating habits. Just that he does not bite from the sides of his mouth and at one point of time, stuffed the biscuit. It is recommended by her for him to see the SLT rather than to the feeding clinic.

My homework to assist ibn in his speech development...
1. Stimulate oral cavity (brushing his gums and internal cheeks)
2. Feed biscuits and nuggets with side teeth
3. Make funny faces with tongue and lips in front of mirror
4. Copy the sounds of /b/, /m/, /p/

Next visits are to see the SLT in about 2 weeks time; dietician in 3 months and feeding clinic in 6 months. I hope ibn develops like a normal kid, but at his own pace, despite his delayed speech development.

by Ummu Zainah (thats why its very long heheheh....)

Mukhtaar going to KK today for speech therapy -feeding clinic

2007-08-27T09:41:00.000+08:00

Up till now, Mukhtaar do not want to talk so much. Previously when he turned one, theres many words that he said. But now he prefers to imitate sounds from vehicles instead. I'm looking forward to what the speech therapist will do. I'm not really worried about Mukhtaar's refusal to talk. Rather I'm concerned about his overall development.

Mukhtaar looks good when he goes for Tahlil yesterday. But he still fear Pak Bob and burst into tears when hearing his voice.

5th Week Zainah

2007-08-26T15:33:00.000+08:00

My second chlid, Zainah. Just turned 5 weeks. Even with her bald head she looks cute and feminine. She has a very loud voice. When she cries, the whole house can hear (and maybe even our neighbours). Zaujatii copes very well even when I turn unconscious for the rest of the night.

Tahlil for al-Marhum Habib Ahmad Bin Semait

2007-08-26T14:54:00.001+08:00

One of my most treasured teacher, Habib Ahmad Bin Semait. He taught me Tasawwuf by using Ihya Ulumiddin and permanently sealed me off from Wahabbism. A great Ulama who is very tawadhu. He conducts da'wah in both Malaysia and Indonesia regularly. I terribly missed the Ramadhan nights i spend with him as a ma'mum for terawih.

A tahlil was conducted at Masjid Abdul Razak on Sat 26 August. I couldn't attend his Tahlih as my parents are at my house at that time. I feel sad. He will always be dearly missed by me and my wife. I still regret not attending his class as regularly as possible. According to Habib Abbas, people like Habib Abdillah and Habib Ahmad can no longer be found in Singapore. No replacements. I must treasure the remaining asatizahs that are still available such as Ust Md Salleh.

Al-Marhum Habib Ahmad is seen here beside Habib Umar Al-Hafidh in 2006.

Maulid Nabi at Habib Abbas place

2007-08-26T14:39:00.000+08:00

Alhamdulillah. It has been many months since I attended a Maulid attended by Habaibs and Solehins. Although I am not one of them, I feel so happy to be with them. Even if it is only for a while. Me, my wife, Mukhtaar and the Family of Hijaz all attended the Maulid conducted at Habib Abbas House at Marshall road (near tanjong katong). I love the voice of Habib Hud reading the Maulid. Mukhtaar behaves very well. Zainah couldnt attend and was taken care by my parents. And I feel comfortable with the presence of Habib Abbas. One of the last few remaining Habibs in Singapore. He's 83 and may Allah gave him excellent health always. Ameen.

Habib Abbas is seen seated in the middle of this photo.

First Day of Blog

2007-08-26T14:31:00.000+08:00

I have just open a new blog. This blog just centres around me and my family. Sometimes I post. Sometimes my wife post.