A Beautiful Story From Quran (Shared)

A special thanks to my friend Azweed Alam Malik, who's kind-hearted to share this piece of story for me and my friends to read about...
may Allah bless him...

Why do we read Quran, even if we can't understand a single Arabic word???? This is a beautiful story.

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran.  His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, 'Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur'an do?'

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, 'Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.'

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, 'You'll have to move a little faster next time,' and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, 'I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water You're just not trying hard enough,' and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when   he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, 'See Grandpa, it's useless!'

'So you think it is useless?' The old man said, 'Look at the basket.'
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

'Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out.  That is the work of Allah in our lives.'

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Jack of All Trade and A Master of One Part 1

Every time when I hear this topic, an old moment of me, one of my Kusess friend, Mahhe debates about this issue during the 2008 Piala Perdana Menteri English Debate came in a flash. It was the first time Kusess made to the finals against RMC (Maktab Tentera Diraja) and eventual champions on that day too, phenomenal. GO KUSESS, haha.

I'm myself not good at elaborating my points though, unlike my friend Chai Boon here in INTI. LOL

Based on the definition itself shows the jack of all trade is like he owns many skills, but unfortunately a master to none of them. On the other hand, master of one is in command of one skill only. A debate arise from here, which is better? Lets make this a discussion.

Well, to start off, jack of all trade can be take into an example, let say a sportsman, who really knows how to play a lot of games like football, basketball, rugby, and etc. However, he's a master of none of those sports.

I'll say, I too, salute this kind of person, able to know many kinds of sport. Maybe he could be not just a fringe player in those games and get to feature in many kinds of sports and won many certificates and trophies. On the dark side of it, imagine does he will be able to have time for everything?
It is considered to be quite tiresome when you get involved in too much.

Maybe the example given might not be enough, how about this, imagine a worker in the economy is entitled to many tasks. Will he be able to do them all?
Let start small, a sole trader perhaps, entitled to many tasks to ensure his firm to be sound. Will he be able to work it off alone? Of course he need some workers to help him, no human in this world is unable to feel tired.

So now, it goes to the number of workers he employs. Is it enough, to make his life easier? Maybe a small shop is unable to provide a significance.

Lets move to bigger entity, a company have been set up and currently try to employ workers. Not that I know how many sectors in the company itself that needs to be taken care of, but let say there's 4 sectors of administration, sales, creative team, and finance. But, only two workers were employed, thus 2 sectors are to be entitled to one person.
There's always a possibility of them unable to do both tasks at the same time. May result into them feel stressed out too you know.

Therefore, this promotes inefficiency in the economy and the company will be hard to achieve economies of scale, which helps reduce the company's production costs. If every company in the country is doing the same thing, this could slows the Gross Domestic Product(GDP) increase.

Some would say workers with many skills is good to be employed and more preferable thus makes a benefit again to the jack of all trade person. So this may also means that less skilled are to be left aside, making the unemployment rate increase.

To be continued...

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For the open mind...

Do not be proud of what we wear, 
as our final clothing is the shroud;


Do not be proud of what we drive, 
as our final vehicle is the coffin;


Do not be proud of where we live in, 
as our final rest place is the grave;


Do not be proud of how beautiful or handsome we are, 
as at the end, we are to be consumed by the earthworms.

Always remember that everything that live today will surely die one day,
Be grateful with what you earn, always strive to be better, 
but not to be too proud of what we achieved.

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Australian Bulletin FM - Episode 13 [Aussie man Jay Sloot has tongue record licked]

Another Guinness record I would like to share, an astonishing one as I call it, this time 'the widest'. Now now, without specific definition, I'm sure it is  going to be guessed by readers as the most fat person, instead it is the widest tongue ever owned by a man named Jay Sloot, 25. Labeled by his colleagues as 'tongue boy' the West Australian's tongue was measured 7.9, not in mm but cm, amazing. Moreover, he's able to lift entire 375ml cans of soft drink.

Well, I would say he may be able to swallow a big chunk of food with that tongue and maybe I'm honored if I too owned that length of tongue. haha. As saying goes, a man can dream. I wonder what more human wonders shall be discovered in the next few years.

Original Article CLICK HERE

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Australian Bulletin FM - Episode 12 [Coleen Rooney willing to take cheating husband back]

Well, another episode of footballer's life saw Wayne Rooney this time to cheat his own wife, luckily Coleen Rooney is still willing to take him back after his disgraceful act. It was reported that Rooney spend $2000-a-night for 21 year old prostitute Jenny Thompson. Another prostitute he slept with was Helen Wood, 24.

At first, she really can't cooperate with the fact that Rooney said he loves her so much, then he paid a hooker for sex. She instantly told Wayne that there's no going back and she would never forgive him. Coleen, comes from a strong catholic family, believes in the fidelity can still keep a marriage stronger. She admitted although she was still angry, she said that at the end of the day, she still loves him and believe he is the right man to be with. Nevertheless, she mentions about taking Rooney back on trial and restrain him under 'house arrest' and put both their sex life on hold.

She also mentions about their son, Kai, missing his father and also knows how much Wayne misses him too and states that Kai will be one of the crux in deciding their future. This incident also noticed by Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager and decided to not play him for the Everton vs Manchester United game that saw both teams end in a stalemate of 3 all draw.

In my point of view, this a view of when guys can only marry one women rule in the west. In other words, they restricts polygamy. So now cases like these happens. Recently before, Ashley Cole divorced his wife Cheryl Cole. Ashley was caught cheating twice already, no wonder Cheryl was unwilling to tolerate no longer.
So, the rule implemented was to give women their so called rights. But, at the end of the day, who suffers?
Imagine if the woman was divorced during pregnancy. Think about it. Moreover, as Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney sets a 'great' example for the kids around the world, the message is to be grateful with what you have and spend it wisely. Do not engage in such a disgraceful act like them. You can have your entertainment, but have it in a good way. In conclusion, do not cheat your wife. hahaha

Original Article CLICK HERE

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Food For Thoughts

Well pictures for thoughts actually...have a look

                                           

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Selamat Hari Raya

Happy Eidulfitr to all muslims who are celebrating.
May you have a bless in the month of Syawal and continue to devote towards Allah The Almighty.
Happy holidays to all my friends too...

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Australia Bulletin FM - Episode 11 [World's shortest man is just 70cm tall]

Yet another astounding record goes into the Guinness World Records as Colombian, Edward Nino Hernandez, 24, measuring 70 cm and weigh 10 kg has been officially recognised as the shortest living man in the world. "He hasn't grown since he was two years old, said his mother Noemi Hernandez. The previous record holder was China's He Pingping, who was 4 cm taller than the Colombian died on March 13. He also mentions that he's bothered when people touch him n pick him up frequently. His mother also states that even the doctors couldn't explain the reason behind her son's growth as no diagnosis were given. 

Well, another interesting information is that he has a girlfriend. Fanny is her name, only 18 years old and measure less than 5 feet tall. However, Mr. Nino suffers from a blur vision as he endure cataracts in both of his eyes. A recent history that Nino had to repeat several years of school before dropping out. Also, he manage to make money on his own by acting in a film which he plays a pint-sized drug thug and dancing at department stores. Well, every man has a dream of his own as Nino himself dreams of having his own car and exploring the world. 

 For more informations Click Here and Here

 

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Attempted translation...

Greetings, peace be upon you, as Allamah Hasan Armuli said, "Verily it is indeed that ablutions is like a light that enlightens the heart. Always be in good(wudhu) condition  because it acts as a wall to fight against your desiring passion. Establish a 2 rakaats of prayers (solah) as soon as you perfect your ablutions (wudhu) as it is like a 'mikraj' that takes you up, explore the pure world, Quds (spiritual) world. These are the general rules, which are taught by our holy religion. Done thou pray, bow down (sujud) and read this prayer as when you are down in prostration:

O Allah, give me the sweetness of muttering Your holy name, it is such divine meeting You and such courtesy existent in  Your lap. Ya Karim Ya Rabb"
May you have a good blessing in life.

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Fasting? Part 3

SELF CONTROL

If someone does not take his lunch because there is nothing to eat, then it causes him tiredness and anger.

But a believer who chooses not to eat while he has everything to do so, for the sake of obeying his Lord, then he is exercising his ability to control himself against some of his desire.

You can eat, but you don't eat. You can drink, but you learn not to drink, so that you can tell yourself that you are a proactive person. Not a reactive one.

A reactive person will get mad when something stimulates him to anger. He will be sad and out of control when something causes him sadness. He has no 'pause' button. He has no ability to control himself tochoose a better reaction. His actions are determined by things around him. He is not the one who controls himself. He is occupied by others.He is under the real occupation of others.

A Muslim is not an effective Muslim if he does not have a control over his own actions. He must be a proactive Muslim.

Return back you self control... you are the strongest!

Fasting makes us stronger, if we correct the way we view it.
THE END...

ORIGINAL ARTICLE CLICK HERE

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Fasting? Part 2

TAQWA

Taqwa can be defined in many ways. But the conversation between Ubaybin Kaab and Umar al-Khattab was a good summary about the essence ofTaqwa. Once, Umar asked Ubay what he knows about Taqwa. Ubay replied byasking him, "Have you walked through thorny path?"

Umar answered, "Yes, indeed"

Ubay then asked him, "What did you do?"

Umar replied, "I tucked up (my garment) and did my best (to avoid thorns)"

Thereupon Ubay said, "That is Taqwa!"

Our life is a journey. Like someone who is driving from a place toanother. Throughout the journey, he will meet many road signs thatmight instruct him to do against his will. He wants to drive at fullspeed, but a sign says, "No, the limit is only 80km/h".

He wants to arrive as early as possible but suddenly a red light instructs him to stop and let others move first.

Someone who is wise and on top of his rational thinking, would neverever see all the road signs as challenge to his right exercising hisfreedom. The truth is, the road signs are there to help him achievesafety throughout the journey until he reaches the destination.

The same thing applied to our big picture of this life. Do's and don'ts of Islam are not the obstruction and challenge to the access ofhis freedom of choice. They come from the Creator who knows better whatis good and what is bad in this life. They are there for our safety,peace and harmony.

Someone who has the quality of Taqwa will take his journey like someone who walks through thorny path. He is a person with a full of consciousness about what is good and what is bad around him. He mustalso have a good self control, like a person who is good in controllinghis car steering.

This is the essence of fasting. You learn to exercise your self control.


To Be Continued..

ORIGINAL ARTICLE CLICK HERE

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Fasting? Part 1

"You neither eat nor drink the whole day?" Tan asked me.

"Yes. The whole day. But not at night. Only from dawn to sunset", I replied.

"How can you survive? Can you survive?", Tan asked again.

I smiled.

"Well, it's not just you. Even Habib Bourguiba, the late President of Tunisia who was also a 'Muslim', convinced that fasting is against productivity. You know the history?", I took my turn asking Tan my question.

Habib Bourguiba

"How should I know? Tell me!", he said.

In 1961, Habib Bourguiba made a controversial statement claiming that fasting should not be observed for it reduces productivity. Hethen appeared on television with his cabinet, eating and drinking during Ramadhan.

"Why so harsh?", Tan was shocked.

"I don't know. Was it out of ignorance or arrogance? Perhaps a combination of both", I replied.

Even though fasting is there in the name of Lent among Christians,it is always the Muslim's version that cultivates questions and debates.

In order to understand about the real meaning of fasting, one should agree that it has something to do with our own paradigm and world view.The way we view things; like I always quote, "what you see is what you get".

VIEWING FASTING IN MANY WAYS

If you see fasting as a way for better diet, you will benefit that from fasting. But fasting will only be a mechanism of improving your diet.

If you see fasting as a way to save your daily expense by breaking your fast daily in the mosque, then you will be able to achieve that. But that's it. No more than that.

If you see fasting as a way for you to gain reward or 'pahala' from Him, then it is a good motive and sound intention. But reward and pahala is something that you can hardly measure in this physical and worldly life. You don't see someone obese out of pahala. It is something else!

And strangely, the last 10 days of Ramadhan are the most rewarded and full of pahala, but then you'll see the mosques are empty.

So, what Ramadhan and fasting are all about?

If you see fasting as abstaining one from eating, drinking, having sexual intercourse during the daytime, and reducing the wrong doings of backbiting what so ever... that is the definition of fasting. But it only explains the mechanism of fasting as ritual.

Let us take a look at the origin of Muslims's version of fasting. Al-Quran says:

"O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become the people with the quality of Taqwa" (Al-Baqarah 2: 183)

Fasting is a mechanism to achieve Taqwa. You abstain yourself from eating and drinking, in order to achieve Taqwa. How is that?


To Be Continued...


ORIGINAL ARTICLE CLICK HERE

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Australian Bulletin FM - Episode 10 [Naked UK car owner thwarts stunned thief]

for displaying purpose only

A little something to laugh or getting weird about, as reported from UK's The Daily Telegraph, Mr. Russell Stuart, 51, immediately react when he heard his Peugeot car being revved up on his driveway, first thing in the morning. Indeed, knowing that his car was about to be stole, he woke up and run outside, opened the passenger door, and sat next to the thief. Why was the thief was stunned? Well it's because Mr.Stuart was completely naked. He forgot to wear any garments just to save his car. “I said to him, 'all right mate, where are we going then?' (Stuart 2010), The thief, completely shocked, quickly skedaddled and left the naked Mr. Stuart and his beloved car.  Afterwards, still naked, Mr. Stuart drove around the town searching for the thief, but gave up, in order to avoid getting pulled over for indecent conduct.

Briefly, I never anticipated that a man would do such a thing just for the sake of his car. But, I do agree, it was a good spontaneous move, and quite an fascinating idea to scare off burglars. *laugh. Luckily, it was Mr. Stuart, if Miss Stuart have gone there, naked, who knows what might happen. But at least, sleep with your clothes on. So that when another immediate incident might occur, you can run at least with your clothes on. So, wear your clothes on at any time, you can make a difference. he he

Original Article CLICK HERE

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