Eid Mubarak!

Alhamdulillah! Tahun ni sekali lagi Allah memberikan nikmat menyambut eidul fitri bersama seluruh ahli keluarga tercinta. 

When my arms can't reach people close to my heart, 

I always hug them with my prayers,

May Allah peace be with you.

An Eid Morning

Bismillah

Assalamua'laikum wbt..

In the blessed morning, Alhamdulillah! Praise to Allah SWT for this nice day of Syawal.

May all our good deeds during in fasting month (Ramadan Mubarak) within 29 days ago will be accepted by Allah SWT. Taqabbalallahu minna waminkum!

Keep practicing our reciting Quran (tadabbur the meaning), giving charity to help the needed person, optional prayer, eating the healthy food (sunnah food- dates, milk and so on), covering our aurah, behaving in our daily social interaction ( especially during celebrate the eid ) and more.

Actually, it's hard for me to let go of Ramadan Mubarak. I feel, I have learned many things during this holy month. I can think that this Ramadan is the best compared to the passed. For this time I feel so plaintive when I realized that Ramadan comes to the end so soon. Oh Allah, thank you for giving me a chance to spent the time in this Ramadan with my family, having no problem to find for foods and health to worship YOU. Thank you Allah, I love this Ramadan.

In this meaningful morning, I woke up early to do some preparation, then do Solat Sunat Hari Raya Aidilfitri followed by proclaiming the Greatness of Allah.

We make takbeer from the night of Eid until the Eid prayer by saying:

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar                           Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

La ilaaha il Allah,                                                There is no deity worthy of worship except
                                                                             for Allah

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar                           Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

wa Lillahil Hamd                                                  and for Allah Alone is All Praise

We repeat this throughout the night and day, reminding ourselves that Allah (swt) is Greater than everything else and we declare His Praise for having guided us to finish Ramadan. ( Taken from Suhaibwebb.com on article entitled: How do we end our Ramadan )

After that, I visited my grandparents's grave.  Then, come to visit the other relatives and friends. How sweet the meaning of ' Ukhuwah'. We need one another to find for the change to a better life. Gradually, be moderate in celebrating the eid ul fitri. There is no problem to wear the new cloths, but try to avoid ourselves away from become 'tabarruj'. Minal aidil wa faizin.

Nak kata sibuk, taklah 'busy', nak bagi kad raya, takut ramai yang menanti, hanya di blog pengganti diri =)

Ouch, please don't be like this. =(

How the nuts become biscuits?

Bismillah

Assalamua'laikum wbt...

Situation: Dina and Dini are planning to make some biscuits to celebrate the coming eid mubarak. Dina suggest to make some nut biscuits. Look the following dialogued to get the recipes and the method how to work on it!

Nuts cake

Dina: " What? Are you nut?"

Dini : " No. I am not a nut, neither bean nor peanut. What are you trying to say?" ( in innocent face)

Dina: " No, it's not you. I mean, are you going crazy to make the biscuit from the nuts?"

Dini : " Ahah! Don't worry! It's possible. I'm going to show you how to make it right now. It so easy with simple ingredients and method.

Dina : Ouch, really? Okay, I'm eager to know it!

Dini : First, you must have 1 bowl of ground nuts, 1 bowl of wheat flour, 1 bowl of icing sugar ( which can be prepared by blending the sugar), corn oil, salty peanuts and 2 eggs ( only its yolk is needed).

Dina : Okay, all the stuffs are available at any groceries market, so, it is easy for me to buy them.

Dini : right? So, now, let we start our project! That 1 bowl of ground nuts will be oil-fried or roasted in the flat pot. But, I prefer to do the oil-fried the nuts, so that we do not have to sift the nutshells. After that, we have to dry-blended the fried nuts just now till they become crushed completely.

Dina : Hmm, quite hard, but fun! Next ?

Dini : Next, we just mix all the ingredients well ( icing sugar, crushed nuts and wheat flour and corn oil adequately ). After that, is shaping process. We can use our own fingers or using the framer tools which come out with various type of shapes. If you want to make them more tasty, put the dough into a plastic bag and put it into the refrigerator for a night, before you do the shaping.

Dina : Is that so? I see!

Dini : yeahh! Okay, lastly, we apply the egg yolk onto the biscuits and attach a salty peanuts each. Then, they are ready to be baked within 20 minutes with 145 degree Celsius. Then, serve to eat! So, now, are you clear with that?

Dina : Sure! So, I can have my own after this. Thanks Dina for sharing with me, how to make our handmade foods.

Dini : Welcome. No prob! Just a small matter.

The story behind the cake.

Salamun a'laik...

 CAKE?

First trial with my mom = blueberry pearl cake

what is the special thing about it,

nothing so special, just a common food eats by the people

hmm, it is also can be considered as a dessert.

all in my life, this is the first time, I ate a delicious sponge cake,

which is made by my aunt's friend..she was making a blueberry cake for me!! yummy!!

It was so nice, with a marvelous taste plus crunchy cake..( alhamdulillah!!)

thanks a lot, sis!

One day I thought wanna made ​​the cake by myself...

So, I contact that sis ( my aunt's friend) and asked her for the recipes.

Then,  I follow all the instruction aka the recipes as given :

500g of sponge mixed flour ( which is already packed and can be found in two flavor - vanilla and chocolate)

eight eggs

250g of corn oil or mazola oil

250g of water

1 box of Fresh milk cream

1 small container of blueberry jam...

The instruction given as following but, I do make some difference on it,

there're some effort on  how to make the cake as my own wish....luckily, it's worked!okay, let me tell you, dear readers, how to work with all the stuffs that have been mentioned above.

first, put the 500g of sponge mixed flavor into the mixer.Then, put the all eight eggs, one by one and start the mixing process slowly,

then add the 250g of water and continue with the same process n make sure they 're all mixed well. After 15 minutes of mixing procses, add 250g of corn oil, and rotate again for five minutes more.

okay, the mixed dough  is ready to be baked in the oven for 40 minutes ( since I used the microwave oven, so the temperature is set up automatically), but for the other one, set up the temperature of 190 degree and 20 minutes.

Next, is how to provide the topping.

Here, I hv got some info. One day, I went to a cake house, I found that, there' re so many cakes with different prices. Then I asked the lady, what the thing that makes them to have different price each other?

The lady said: other then the flavor and any basic elements, we are considered about the substances contained in the cake's topping. There' re different quality of butter based topping cream, and fresh milk cream based.

Oh, now I know!. Why a cake with fresh milk cream is more expensive than the butter one.

I prefer to use fresh milk cream, because it is free from cholesterol, non-oily n more tasty, most important easy to provide the topping, no need to add blended sugar anymore.

First, in making the cake topping, we must ensure that the fresh milk cream is in the frozen state and directly put in the mixed, then rotate it immediately until the texture become  not shiny, smooth and soft

Noticed that, if the fresh milk cream is melting already, then no way to provide the topping cream  =(

after the cake is cooked, then, cut it transversely. Put some topping cream on the middle part and add all the blueberry jam as well. After that, merge the both parts together and complete the topping process throughout the cake. Ohh yeah, if you want the crunchy taste, you may put some crushed almonds after putting the blueberry jam just now.

The last trial b4 fasting month= blueberry choco-chips

Finally, dear readers, lets try it! Enjoy ur handmade food! =D

Matematik

Matematik merupakan koleksi ilmu yang luas di bawah keluarga falsafah. Aritmetik dan geometri hanyalah dua komponen popular matematik. Cabang matematik yang lain termasuklah mantik, astronomi, muzik, trigonometri, dan analisis. Pelbagai takrifan diberikan untuk matematik, namun dalam perkembangan kemudian, muncul cabang matematik yang lain yang tidak termasuk dalam takrifan. 

Masyarakat awam memahami matematik sebagai ilmu pengiraan, sedangkan pengiraan hanyalah melibatkan aritmetik sahaja yang merupakan komponen kecil matematik. Penghujahan dan penakulan mantik atau analisis dan abstraksi merupakan unsur asas matematik tetapi bukan berbentuk pengiraan. Bahkan matematik melibatkan irama dan kesenian seperti muzik. Penulis Islam ada yang menulis matematik dalam bentuk syair seperti al-Urjuzah al-Yasaminiyyah karya masyhur ahli aljabar Moroko Ibn Yasamin.

Kecelaruan tentang taktrif matematik berkait pula dengan sistem nilai pentakrifnya yang melihat matematik menerusi sudut pandangnya. Barat menganggap matematik sebagai ilmu abstrak yang menganalisis proposisi kuantitatif menerusi pengoperasi mantik, sedangkan matematik di sisi ilmuwan silam dilihat sebagai perantaraan sains dan metafizik yang sarat nilai, sama ada dari segi kualitatif, kuantitatif atau gabungan antara kedua-duanya. Perhatikan komponen falsafah mengikut ilmuwan silam:

Sains tabii: sains hayat, fizik, kimia, kosmologi, geologi, geografi, perubatan, farmakologi, botani, zoologi, optik, kaji cuaca, kejuruteraan dan seumpamanya.

Matematik: aritmetik, geometri, mantik, astronomi, aljabar, trigonometri, muzik, mekanik, dinamik, dan seumpamanya.

Metafizik: ketuhanan, kalam, roh, jiwa, akal, takdir, akhirat, kebangkitan, malaikat, akhlak, tatasusila, sistem nilai, psikologi, kebahagiaan dan seumpamanya.

Kesukaran pentakrifan matematik berkait rapat dengan kesukaran pentakrifan falsafah yang menjadi induk matematik. The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy (suntingan Robert Audi, 1995) misalnya, tidak memuatkan masukan falsafah untuk ditakrifkan sedangkan buku ini mentakrifkan semua istilah dalam ilmu falsafah. Oleh yang demikian, ramai pula yang berpendapat, bahawa yang ditakrifkan komponen falsafah termasuk matematik adalah sudut-sudut keutamaan yang diminati oleh pentakrifnya sahaja. 

Metafizik, epistemologi, penaakulan mantik, dan etika serta sistem nilai adalah antara perkara asas dalam falsafah. Oleh kerana sistem nilai dan etika menjadi perkara penting dalam bidang berkenaan, maka takrifan falsafah berubah dan berbeza di kalangan masyarakat dan peradaban yang berlainan berdasarkan budaya pemikiran yang dianuti. Akan tetapi ada sudut takrifan falsafah mempunyai pengertian yang sejagat seperti kecintaan ilmu, kebenaran, akhlak, dan sistem metafizik menerusi kewarasan akal yang jitu. 

Dengan perbezaan aspek sistem nilai, lahirlah takrifan yang berlainan mengikut kebudayaan ilmu masing-masing. Dengan ini sebagai komponen falsafah, matematik perlulah mempunyai unsur kuantitatif, kualitatif, abstraksi, analisis dan sistem nilai. Barat aliran formalisme, logikisme dan positifisme secara jelas menafikan sistem nilai dalam matematik. Takrifan matematik bagi Barat tentulah berbeza dengan takrifan kita, walaupun ada domain sepunya yang berbentuk sejagat. Saya tidak dapat mentakrifkan ilmu ini. Apakah pula takrifan anda?

Via ummahonline.wordpress.com. By:  Prof Madya Dr Mat Rofa Ismail, Lecturer of Mathematical Research Institute, UPM.

dia online! dia online!

Ayamstein (bukan nama sebenar) telah meng'add' dan ingin berkenalan dengan seorang perempuan di bukumuka. Boleh dikatakan selalu jugaklah Ayamstein tu menghantar 'chat' ala2 Romeo kepada Si Pulanah A. Malang sekali, tak sekali pun Si Pulanah A itu memberikan respon, kerana dia tak suka melayan chat dari sesiapa yang tak dikenalinya.

Tiba-tiba, pada suatu hari, diruangan chat box Ayamstein, ada chat baru masuk dari Si Pulanah A.

Si Pulanah A : "Hi, how are you?"

Ayamstein : "Hi too!! I'm fine, thank you." ( ceh, berbunga-bunga hati Ayamstein sambil tersenyum sorang2 depan laptopnya) dalam hatinya, 'buang tabiat ke minah ni?'

Si Pulanah A : " Wanna laugh? :)"

Ayamstein : "If it is you, ohh,of course, why not!" (giler excited betul Si Ayamstein ni)

Si Pulanah A : " It is you in the video?)) want to see?)"

Ayamstein : dalam hatinya, 'pulak dah,'. Lantas dia pun dengan yakinnya, meng'klik' link yang diberi oleh Si Pulanah A.

Tiba-tiba, plopppp!! Skrin terpadam. Laptop malfunction. Ayamstein menggelabah dan dibawa laptopnya gi 'repair' kat kedai PC. 

Tiga hari kemudian, Ayamstein pun mengunjungi lagi laman bukumuka Si Pulanah A. Di situ dia melihat statusnya tertera, " kepada sesiapa yang ada menerima 'chat' yg bermula dengan "how are you?" n bla2 dari saya, itu bukan saya sebenarnya. Itulah virus yang terhantar secara auto tanpa pengetahuan saya. "

Ayamstein menepuk dahi, 'Wa kena beb!' Selepas itu langsung dia meng 'offline'kan chat boxnya....

Kekasihmu kekasihku

Pada suatu petang, dua sahabat bernama Si Pulanah Z dan Si Pulanah X meluangkan masa untuk berjogging sambil makan angin di sebuah kawasan rekreasi...Masing-masing pun berceritalah tentang kehebatan kekasih mereka..

Si Pulanah Z : weh kau nak tahu tak?

Si Pulanah X : tak nak, tak nak..(sambil menutup telinga dan gelak kecil)

Si Pulanah Z : eee,,bencilah cakap ngan kau ni, suke main-main ( sambil memuncungkan mulutnya sehingga  boleh dibuat penyangkut hanger)

Si Pulanah X : okay-okay. aku memain je lah. saja nak sakat kau petang-petang gini. Bila lagi nak usik2 kau, asyik sibuk memanjang je dengan orang tu kan..

S Pulanah Z : I know, kau memang sengaja. Kau nak taw tak, orang yang kau cakap tu kan is love of my life. Care gila dia ngan aku. ( sambil buat muka angau).

Si Pulanah X : Care? camne tu sampai buat kau jadi gila?

Si Pulanah Z : Ish kau ni, maksud aku boyfriend aku tu call sampai tiga kali sehari. Kau, ade ke? 

Si Pulanah X : oh really? Gila betul 'care'nye tu..

Si Pulanah Z : Hah yelah. Takkan aku nak reka2 story kot.

Si Pulanah X : Hmmm, tak heran lah weh, kekasih aku call aku lima kali sehari. (ceh muka bangga giler) 

Si Pulanah Z : Huyooo.Bestnya,byk credit kekasih kau? 

S Pulanah X : tak lah, bukan cmtu. Ni connection wireless la. Kau, ade ke? 

Si Pulanah Z : (mka x puas hati). Hmm.pukul berapa dia selalu call? 

Si Pulanah X : Subuh, Zohor, Asar, Maghrib and Isyak'. Nak romantik lagi kan aku pulak call DIA pukul 2-3 pagi macam tu. Masa Dhuha pun ada gak...

♥ Sebar-sebarkan Semoga Bermanfaat ♥

Yang Terpuji

Yang Terpuji ,,

Yang Terpuji,,

Namanya Muhammad indah sekali,,

Yang Terpuji,,

Yang Terpuji,,

Namanya Muhammad, penghulu nabi,,

Nabi dilontar batu di Toif,,

Oleh mereka2 yang jahil,,

Darahnya mengalir, membasahi bumi,,

Namun, nabi tetap tabahkan hati....

Kasihan nabi,,

Kasihan nabi,,

Tiada siapa peduli.....

Susah payah,,penat lelah,,

Nabi Muhammad menyampaikan dakwah,,

Mengorbankan jiwa dan raga,,

Demi untuk agama yang tercinta...

Diburu dikejar,,semuanya diusir,,

Pengikut diseksa deraan yang zalim,,

Bahang mentari yang panas terik,,

Namun nabi tetap sabarkan hati,,

Kasihan nabi,,

Kasihan nabi,,

Menangis seorang diri,,

Dia lapar, dia dahaga,,

Menahan duka segala derita,,

Jatuh bangun, jatuh bangun,,

Namun nabi tetap teruskan jua...

Kerana sayang, kerana cinta,,

Kepada ummatnya tidak terkira,,

Tika akhir hayat baginda,,

Tak lupa menyebut cinta ummatnya,,

Kasihan nabi,,

Kasihan nabi,,

Ummatnya tidak mengerti..

Yang Terpuji.............................................

Kisah Seorang Guru & Seorang Murid Tadika....

Guru tadika : Anak-anak, nampak tak pen ini?

Murid-murid : Nampak cikgu. 

Guru tadika : Pen ada kan ? 

Murid-murid : Ada cikgu.  

Kemudian guru tadika tadi memasukkan pen itu ke dalam poket dia dan kemudian bertanya lagi..   

Guru tadika : Anak-anak,nampak tak pen? 

Murid-murid : tak nampak cikgu. 

Guru tadika : pen ada tak? 

Murid-murid : tak ada cikgu. 

Guru tadika : Anak-anak nampak Tuhan tak? 

Murid-murid : tak nampak cikgu. 

Guru tadika : Tuhan ada tak? 

Murid-murid : tak ada cikgu.   

Guru tadika itu sangat gembira kerana tujuannya untuk mempengaruhi kanak-kanak itu berjaya. Tetapi.. dalam kumpulan kanak-kanak itu ada seorang budak yang pintar yang bernama Amin lalu dia pun mengangkat tangan...   

Amin : Cikgu, boleh saya cakap sesuatu?

Guru tadika : Boleh,mari ke depan. 

Amin : Kawan-kawan nampak cikgu tak? 

Murid-murid : nampak. 

Amin : cikgu ada kan ? 

Murid-murid : ada. 

Amin : Kawan-kawan nampak otak cikgu tak? 

Murid-murid : tak nampak. 

Amin : cikgu ada otak tak? 

Murid-murid : tak ada. 

p/s: kanak-kanak tadika ibarat saintis, yang mana setiap hujah perlu disertakan dengan bukti empirikal. Namun, sebagai saintis Islam, ada perkara yg tak dapat dibuktikan secara saintifik, (especially perkara metafizik/ghaib) namun ianya tetap wujud.. maka percayalah dan berpegang teguh kepada tauhid dan akidah Islam semasa mendalami ilmu Sains..=D

Wang Biasiswa Diguna Untuk Kahwin

Wang Biasiswa Diguna Untuk Kahwin

What is loss after Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)- part 2

Continuing =>

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself was someone who often suffered from loss. His father passed away even before he was born. When he was toddler, he was orphaned by his mother, who left him with his father's family. Before long, his legal guardian soon returned to Allah, leaving him entrusted with his uncle, Abi Talib. Even though he enjoyed a somewhat fruitful life with his uncle and his household full of children, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) still grew up in a state of humbleness.

Right aftr the advent of Islam, the Prophet (SAW) began to battle with even more hardships; those that involved losing his good reputation to nasty and belittling appellations, including madman and sorcerer. On top of that, his goodwill began to perish. He and his wife, who already had forsaken their earnings for the sake of Allah by providing for the poor, were boycotted at the worse level of ostracization by their kinsmen-those who refused to accept Islam as their new way of life. The ostracization marked the darkest moments of Islamic history, when his uncle Abi Talib passed away, followed by Prophet's SAW beloved wife, Lady Khadijah binti Khuwalid. A lot of death surrounded the Prophet SAW, yet he continued to persevere with whatever dignity he had left, even being embattled to the ground in some of his political entourages, causing him to shed blood and tears for the sake of Islam.

Yes, no human being has ever suffered from loss like the Prophet SAW. He lived without wealth; became  a father to 3 sons, ll of whom he had to bury; and he was constantly surrounded by death of he loved ones; and his dignity and reputation was always at stake. At many times his life was also at stake, a resounding warning that the trust and love between human beings can also go astray. But this never deterred him from worshipping Allah or questioning the loss that he had endure over the course of his life time.

Even on his death bed, he accepted his transition into the next life with patience, ushering his young wife and consultant, Aishah binti Abu Bakr, to give away whatever materialistic wealth he had left in his possession to charity, without doubting the credence of his own fate. In fact, it saddened him even more that after so many of his wive's passing, that Aishah would remain after him. She had asked him why he would think that, Why would he suddenly wish for her to die before him? And he had answered that it would give him the chance for him to clear her, shroud her and lead a congregational funeral prayer over her body. 

That was the level of tawakal that Prophet (SAW) had over his own obstacles in life. One of the worst enemies of Islam was Abu Lahab, who condemned Prophet SAW to the ground, ensuring that the people around him recognised him as a menacing traitor and one who had never been blessed with sons. Such degradation prompted the revelation of Suratul Masad, a staunch reminder to those who ever belittled a person's loss, especially in light of Islam would certainly be punished for their obsessions with their own assets, rather than teh realising that in those same assets are also blessings and trials..

It may seem that in Ramadan, there are so many sacrifices a believer has to make. Some are gigger than others; some just minor things that can be ignored with sheer will power. However one looks at it, they r blessing with every trial. Yahh,,a loss during Ramadan can translate into an opportunity to become a better person after which.

Lastly, there is no loss as compared to the loss of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It just would not b able to measure up to not having the most formidable man shape the entire civilisation of Muslims. And Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is an exemplary role model for those who suffer from loss, since no one in history would b able to measure up to the adversities surrounding him, and how he coped with them, leading up to his life there Hereafter.....

So, this is a little story of Rasullullah (SAW),,let's get the lesson on how patient he was and how 'reda' and 'tawakal' he was in accepting the loss and trial in his life....=))

What is loss after Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

RAMADAN is the month of reflection. While many Muslims reflect on the blessings they receive from Allah, one can't stop thinking of the loss. One way to look at the blessings is to consider their loss.

Losing the freedom to eat and drink helps appreciate the blessings of meals.

Losing the motivation to engage in physical sporting activities, reminds Muslims of their blessings in the form of day-light energy beyond Ramadan.

Reducing worldly entertainment, increases closeness to Allah and this allows Muslims to streamlines the activities that they enjoy.

The loss of sleep plays a prominent role during Ramadan, encouraging Muslims to reflect on how precious sleep really is, but it is also something negligible in the holy month of Ramadan.

Then there are other forms of loss when in deep reflection. Loved ones who have passed on, opportunities that have slipped through the fingers, all come to light during Ramadan. Some accept these losses with wisdom, though for others, the challenges may be difficult for fathom.

A wise scholar once said: " What is loss after the loss of the Apostle of Allah (SAW)?"

Not many Muslims would ponder the gravity of such a statement. Definitely all Muslims go through some form of loss during the temporary life in the dunya, and surely some are more severe that others. But what is the weightage of any loss as compared to the passing of the greatest human being who ever graced the earth? How can one place an amount on the death of the final Messenger (SAW) of Allah SWT, through whom the entire religion of Islam was modelled and perfected just before he passed away?

In reflecting on such insights, Muslims need to redefine what loss really means to them. A loss in the world, whether it is temporary loss during Ramadan, or one that extends beyond the 30 days of the Holy Month, is nothing as compared to not getting know Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Imagine the loss one would suffer from if one were not born and raised a Muslim. Imagine the loss of a person who only gets to know the faith through misconception and malice. That surely is a loss.

Nothing goes uncompensated though, as far as believers are concerned and that is a promise from Allah to those who persevere with steadfastness and patience. In fact, with hardship come ease, and for those who are patient the rewards are double. Similarly, Allah SWT promises that no believer is burdened with a loss that he or she is unable to bear. And in all justice and fairness of Allah, whatever loss a Muslim endures is compensated with something better, extending further than any wisdom that a human being can fathom.

Muslims can see this in their everyday lives. Some things just don't turn out the way they want to, and Allah compensates with a better alternative. The perfect du'a in wanting something, is wanting to be blessed by Allah and for Allah to provide what is the best in that course of action. This is divine  enlightenment for believers. Even in the worst possible cases of loss, like the loss of a baby in the mother's womb, Allah promises a shield from hell-fire by virtue of the umbilical cord lifting the child's mother to Jannah (Paradise). Subhanallah!!

Even if a loss may seem to not be compensated, this is when the virtue of tawakal (acceptance) plays an important role. That somewhere, some time, in the world that is beyond what believers can see, Allah will compensated with a blessing that has no worldly value.....

To be continue..........( bcs of the article is so long, then I decide to split it into two parts)

This article I was rewrite because the origin one I 'm not capable to find it from 'Uncle G'. This article is actually written by Maria Zain, a great writer about Islamic articles and I found this from a news paper. So,, let share wif others =)

Science and Sunnah: The Genetic Code

By Dr. Ibrahim B. Syed  The Hadith Precedes Science Before the scientific discovery of the genetic code and the awarding of Nobel Prizes to its three discoverers in 1968, it was impossible to understand this hadith scientifically. In the 1990s, we were able to unravel the genetic code with regard to a person’s inheritance of certain disease-carrying genes. This information may tell us about an individual’s probable life span and whether he or she will be happy or unhappy. Science is yet to discover the genes responsible for a person’s rizq (food habits, dietetic profile, etc.) and actions or behaviors, such as type A, B, or C personality. In the present article, the writer is attempting to show the current knowledge concerning the ability to perform genetic screening in order to understand a person’s inheritance of, or susceptibility to developing, a certain disease through the study of that person’s genes. Our knowledge is still incomplete and we are very far away in attaining the knowledge about the four matters mentioned in this hadith. Inside the nucleus of a living cell, there are 46 chromosomes which are visible only when the cell divides. These chromosomes are made of deoxyribonucleic acid (commonly known as DNA). A certain length of DNA is called a gene, and the length of DNA that codes for complete synthesis of a protein is also called a gene. Along the 46 chromosomes of every human cell, there are some 100,000 genes. The US government is funding a $3 billion, 15-year Human Genome Project (HGP), under the joint leadership of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Energy (DOE). That project will allow scientists to know exactly where on our chromosomes each of the 100,000 genes resides. Among these 100,000 genes, there are a few lethal ones. Every person has a unique set of seven or eight deadly genes. They are usually hidden, but in the wrong environment or in combination with certain other genes, they can express themselves in dangerous ways. Some families carry genetic diseases for generations and they know what type of lethal genes they carry. Most people do not know if they carry any genetically defective genes or not. A Genetic Blueprint: Is It Possible? In the near future, it will be possible to get a blueprint of our genetic inheritance realizing the most likely cause of our own death. This test can be performed by walking into a physician’s office and giving a blood sample with a finger prick. The result of the test will reveal if a person has any defective genes that will cause a certain disease or not. Most of the adult-onset diseases involve several genes. For example, there are at least 17 genes responsible for just one aspect of coronary heart disease (CHD), and these genes express themselves only under certain conditions. For most of the genetic diseases, it is impossible to predict with certainty. Geneticists now say that diabetes, hypertension and cancer run in families. In other words, these diseases are genetically inherited. Unanswered Questions There are two important questions, which have not been answered so far: There are two types of tests: But do we really want to know? Are we willing to learn the details of our genetic destiny — especially when it involves diseases for which there is no cure? Are we capable of understanding the uncertainties inherent in this high-tech fortune-telling? Adult polycystic kidney disease (APKD) comes late in age and causes a degenerative condition of the kidneys, resulting in the gradual loss of kidney function. It is carried on a single, dominant gene. If a man has this disease, then his son has a 50 percent chance of having that gene, and if he has two daughters, their chance of having the disease is also 50 percent.  The genetic test only tells whether a person has the gene that causes the disease, but it does not tell whether that person will get the disease in his UOs or in his late 60s. No treatment exists to prevent kidney failure in polycystic kidney patients. There is a certain amount of unwillingness on the part of humans to know their future. However, there are individuals who have taken the tests for the occurrence of Huntington’s disease — a neurological disease involving a progressive and untreatable brain and muscle degeneration with symptoms that usually show themselves in the 40s. The chances of inheriting this disease-causing gene are also 50 percent. Nancy Wexler of the Hereditary Disease Foundation (HDF) says, Wexler devoted her professional life to the search for the gene responsible for Huntington’s disease, which killed her mother and of which she and her sister are at risk. Scientists stress that the results of genetic testing are ambiguous; genes alone do not determine a disease’s prognosis. One can say whether or not an individual appears to have the gene, and those who have the gene have gone on to develop the disease. But one cannot say anything about when the disease will start and what the course of the disease or the relevant aspects of the illness will be. The danger comes when imprecise tests are used in order to predict the future and when institutions actually use them to construct the future. For example, this applies when: There is also the danger of using the genetic tests for purposes of eugenics. Eugenics means the deliberate manipulation of the gene pool with the idea of creating a master race. Under this approach, defective people walking around may not be allowed to reproduce for the betterment of society. Many of the conditions that will be uncovered through genetic studies are not life-threatening, but might not fit into some societal scheme (e.g., genetic dyslexia, genetic shyness, genetic arrogance, and genetic left-handedness). Some Muslim thinkers do not advocate the interpretation of the Qur’an or the Sunnah in terms of scientific terminology. However, the writer believes there is nothing wrong in attempting to understand or interpret Islam in the light of modern knowledge. Through this article, the writer wants to encourage freethinking and stimulate research ideas among Muslim scholars, scientists, and students so that Muslims’ understanding of the Qur’an and the Sunnah can be furthered.`Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Verily, the creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother’s belly for forty days in the form of seed, then he is a clot of blood for a like period, then he is a morsel of flesh for a like period, then there is sent to him the angel who blows the breath of life into him and who is commanded about four matters: to write down his means of livelihood, his life span, his actions and whether happy or unhappy. By Allah, other than Whom there is no God, verily one of you behaves like the people of Paradise until there is but an arm’s length between him and it. And that which has been written overtakes him and so he behaves like the people of Hellfire and thus he enters it. And one of you behaves like the people of Hellfire until there is but an arm’s length between him and it. And that which has been written overtakes him and so he behaves like the people of Paradise and thus he enters it.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)  This hadith deals with the creation of human beings, which is mentioned in great detail in the Qur’an. However, the astounding matter in this hadith is the angel who blows the breath of life into the embryo and writes down four matters regarding the would-be person:  1. Means of livelihood 2. Life span 3. Actions 4. Whether happy or unhappy 1. Is knowledge of the genetic information itself potentially hazardous to the individual? 2. Will institutions misuse that knowledge to promote their own dominance and control? 1. Prenatal tests that inform future parents of a child’s chances of inheriting a condition that is carried by one of the parents or has caused the death of a family member. 2. Genetic screening tests that tell the adults about their own genetic destiny. “If the information is limiting, enervating, depressing, if it tears at your self-esteem, if it gives you nothing to do, it might be better not to know.” • employers refuse to hire or train individuals at high risk of dying in their prime, • health insurance companies insist on knowing the genetic profiles of their potential subscribers before paying for preexisting genetic conditions, • schools require a permanent genetic record to anticipate which children will exhibit behavioral problems or learning disabilities.

Dr. Ibrahim B. Syed is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Louisville, School of Medicine. He is president of the Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc. (IRFI), Louisville, Kentucky, USA.  Courtesy: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1262372266929&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah/LSELayout

Gaza, Somalia: Humanity lives on by Ramzy Baroud on August 11, 2011

Salamuna'laik to all readers out there...Here an article I wanna to share to show of our awareness to what happen outside the country..Sharing d feeling of what the human of both country feels..

I remember how exhilarated I felt when I was told I was old enough to fast for the month of Ramadan. My feelings had little to do with abstention from food and drink between dawn and sunset each day. For a child, there is little joy in that. The meaning and implications for me were much greater. I believed that the occasion signaled I had now become a man. I wanted to share this news with all my brothers, friends and neighbors.

Three days into the fast, lethargy set it. The end seemed near. Although I fared well in my first attempt at fasting for an entire month, I had my weak and reprehensible moments. I hid in dark corners with my favorite snacks: a cucumber, a tomato, a loaf of pita bread. To be caught would be shameful and degrading, a regression back into childhood, a terrible example to my younger siblings, and a ripe topic of ridicule from my older brothers.

Ramadan in a Gaza refugee camp is an entirely different experience from Ramadan anywhere else. A malnourished population of impoverished refugees abstains from food and gives endless thanks for life’s fortunes. The irony didn’t escape me then, as it doesn’t escape me now. The Imam of our refugee camp’s Great Mosque would spend much time thanking Allah for his numerous gifts. Hands extended to the sky, and faces lowered to the ground, the faithful would repeat in impressive unison: ‘Amen’. Even as Israeli helicopters buzzed above their heads and military vehicles speed nearby, the faithful kept their faces lowered. Even as the smell of gunpowder and teargas poisoned the atmosphere, their hands stayed extended.

“Alhamdulilah,” said the Imam. Thanks to God. And the crowd repeated, “Amen.”

I tried to make sense of all this as I struggled with my hunger pains. I questioned the wisdom of the whole endeavor. At times, I even challenged my mother. Fasting herself, she had no room for a self-indulgent, sacrilegious eight-year-old. “We fast to feel the pain of others,” she said simply. Any child in a refugee camp could understand the meaning behind her words. Our refugee camp was rife with ‘others’ in pain. One of them was Umm Ali, a mother forced to take her children out of school and send them to work as cheap laborers in Israel. Another was Abu Musa, a construction worker in Tel Aviv who just about managed to feed his own children, but never managed to repair his decaying house.

Since my family was also a member of the ‘others’ club, I fasted. And like all the ‘others’, I thanked God with a lowered gaze and extended arms.

Years later, in 1999, I joined a group of journalists and peace activists on a trip to Iraq. The aim was to stand in solidarity with all those devastated by the US-led siege. According to modest UN estimates, hundreds of thousands of people - the majority of whom were children under the age of five – were killed as a result of the decades-long sanctions.

For this trip, we flew in from different countries and congregated in Jordan. I myself had flown in from the US. One delegation member arrived from Gaza with nearly $10,000 dollars, which he had collected from schools, mosques and the street. The Israelis didn’t allow him to haul boxes of medicine donated by Gaza hospitals, and the Iraqis didn’t allow him entry because his passport had been stamped in Hebrew letters. The young man left the money in trusted hands, asking them to purchase medicine for Iraqi children from Amman. As he turned back at the Jordan-Iraq border on the way back to Gaza, he asked me to convey the solidarity of Palestine and Gaza to the people of Iraq.

In this way, Gaza speaks. Gaza Feels. Gaza takes stances and Gaza conveys regards.

Expectedly, the Horn of Africa famine is now generating quite a stir in Gaza. Starving Somalis are also now the ‘others’ whose pain we are urged to feel. 11 million people are reeling under the encroaching famine, and tens of thousands have already died. Somalia is the epic center of the disaster. The hunger of its people shames humanity to its core. Stories from the region tell of the absolute horror experienced by whole generations. Yet scenes of mothers tenderly comforting their dying children also tell a different story. It is a story of love, one that no statistic can capture, no politician can override.

Gaza, itself under a harsh Israeli siege imposed since Hamas was elected to power in 2006, has been one of the first places to respond to calls for help.

During a recent Al Jazeera interview, the head of a Somalia-based charity mission decried the lack of support his people were receiving. He lambasted the world, particularly Arabs and Muslims. He seemed puzzled by the fact that little support is reaching the victims even during the holiest of Muslim periods. Then he spoke of the aid arriving from Gaza. The news anchor cut him off quickly at this point, and moved on to a ‘related topic’: aid sent by the Qatari government.

I wondered about it myself. Could Israel-besieged Gaza really be sending aid to famine-besieged Somalia?

Indeed.

One of multiple Gaza-led charity campaigns to aid Somalia is called "From Gaza: hand in hand to save the children of Somalia". According to Ma’an News Agency, this latest effort is led by the Arab Medical Union. "The campaign aimed to demonstrate the extent of physical cohesion between besieged Gaza and Somalia and that the Palestinian people are capable to support and stand with the Somali people," Ma'an reported on August 2. Palestinians in the West Bank are also mobilizing around help for Somalia. The doctor’ union has opened several bank accounts to accommodate donations.

My mother’s generation must be immensely proud. Their endless sermons about the ‘pain of others’ has registered well in the minds and hearts of their children. Somalis, too, I am certain, can fully appreciate the pain of Gaza.

Gaza. Somalia. Even in its darkest moment, humanity somehow lives on.

Ramzy Baroud (www.ramzybaroud.net) is an internationally-syndicated columnist and the editor of PalestineChronicle.com. His latest book is My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gaza's Untold Story (Pluto Press, London), available on Amazon.com.

The ‘unrewarded’ ‘good deeds’

Salamun a'laik...hye there,,brothers and sisters!! Alhamdulillah,, Allah still give me a chance to breathe well today and doing my work as usual...Yahhh,,while I read some articles from selective blogs,,I do met with this an amazing writing again by Mr. Roslan Hamid in his blog Lanh14...so,,do read it and practice make perfect everyone!!=D

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet 

Muhammad s.a.w.

Reflection

The Declining Day (Al-'Asr)

1. By the declining day,

2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss,

3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort 

one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.

***

* Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: “Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness.” - Darimi

I took leave to observe the first day of Ramadan at home in Melaka. Fasting was ‘easy’ at home. Even though I was ‘off’ on that day, I did my routine daily office job via the internet, I was so occupied with my work, I only realized it was ‘iftar’ time (breaking of the fast) after my youngest daughter who was 9 reminded me about it.

On the second day of Ramadan I had to go back to office, to attend my company’s important meeting in Kuala Lumpur. That journey was a real test for me. After alighting from the express bus at the ‘Terminal Bersepadu Selatan’/ Southern Integrated Terminal (TBS) in Bandar Tasik Selatan, I walked on the ‘sky bridge’ to fetch the LRT (light rail transit) at the farthest end of the station.

The walk was more than half a kilometer. While walking, I remembered what was said about Ramadan by an ‘ustaz’ (religious teacher) in his ‘tazkirah’ (short preaching) in the masjid near my house before the fasting month. A friend who is also an ‘ustaz’ told me the word ‘fasting month’ is not accurate to describe ‘Ramadan’ because the holy month is not about fasting only but about one's determination to get closer to Allah SWT and to secure His blessing and forgiveness including freedom from hellfire.

 

"Fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drinks," said the ‘ustaz’ during ‘tazkirah’ at the masjid. "We are also requested to 'fast' our tongues, eyes, ears and minds.

"If we only refrain ourselves from taking food and drinks, but 'free' our sights, hearings and tongues, then at the end of the day, we will be rewarded only with hunger, thirst and tiredness," said the ‘ustaz’.

He also said we had to 'fast' our stomach. It was true, during Ramadan, we had to refrain from eating and drinking during the day, but it would be of no value if during breaking of the fast, we took food that was forbidden (haram).

He said all the food that was laid on the desk had to be ‘halal’, and there were regulations when eating. For example fill only one third of the stomach with food, the next one third with drink and leave the rest empty for easier breathing as said by the Prophet.

A Muslim is ordered to eat and drink, making sure he takes care of the following: First, not to waste or exceed the right limit. Allah SWT says; "…and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance,…"(Quran 7:31).

Second, not to eat or drink what is harmful, especially if it is forbidden. Third, to eat and drink moderately. The Messenger of Allah SWT said; "Man has not filled a container worse than his stomach; he should be satisfied with a few bites to survive. However, if his appetite beats him, let it be a third (of his stomach space) for his food and a third for his drink and a third for his breath." (Ahmad).

Fourth, to try not to be fat, for the Prophet of Allah SWT described the people who would come after three blessed centuries, that fatness appears in them. Fatness appears when the human body takes more calories that it needs, that is, food entering the body is much greater than what is needed and excreted. (Rules For The Muslim Home, Sa'eed Muhammad Al-Deeb, IIPH).

Having the ‘words’ of the ‘ustaz’ on my mind, I walked with my head looking at the ground. I was afraid my eyes would catch sight of Kuala Lumpur girls. Yes it is Ramadan, but activities in Kuala Lumpur don't stop. The girls as usual, are in their 'best' when going out to work or shop.

When the train reached the station, I quickly entered it and had a seat near a Chinese girl. She was wearing a skirt. I tried hard not to notice her; my eyes fixed to the ground but when she pulled up her legs and crossed it, her legs ‘entered’ my vision. ‘Subhanallah’. Oooh God, I hope my reward for fasting would not be decreased by that incident! 

I looked up; in front of me there were three girls busily chatting; they must be Muslims I guessed based on their attires including the ‘tudungs’ (headcovers) they were wearing. Sadly, even they were putting on their ‘tudungs’, all were in short sleeved T-shirt and body clad jeans.

Their appearance and attires did not comply with the Islamic code of dressing even they were putting on ‘tudungs’; it was against the words of Allah, the Almighty: “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as such) so as not to be molested.” (Qur’an 33:59)

Perhaps they were fasting and I too was fasting. They were hoping that Allah the Almighty would reward them for their fasting; but something had gone wrong; perhaps they were unaware of the Prophet warning: “Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst.”

My eyes too had seen ‘that haram things’; I was afraid that I would also fell into that group of men and women who would not be rewarded for their ‘good deeds’.

During Ramadan, one may abstain from food and drinks but one's eyes and ears are not spared from seeing and listening to 'haram' things. 

In reality many Muslims, me included, on so many occasions think we are doing ‘good deeds’ but in fact they contradict the teaching of Islam. For example many women think that by wearing the ‘tudung’ they were adhering to Islamic way of covering up but they do not realize when they purposely expose other parts of the bodies such as arms, legs and necks, they are acting or doing things that are against religious obligations.

Nowadays it is a familiar thing to see women especially youth to appear in tight fitting attires such as jeans and short sleeve T-shirts or even ‘baju kebaya’ with slits on their ‘sarung’ even though they are wearing ‘tudungs’. It is Ramadan, the holiest month of the year; but the girls still ‘dress to kill’.

Yes, they think they do ‘good deeds’ by wearing their ‘tudungs’, but don’t they realize they are actually ‘making fun’ of Islam? Am I harsh in saying that they were actually insulting Islam; a not so knowledgeable Muslim what’s more a non Muslim would have ideas that what they portray are dresses that comply in accordance to the Islamic teaching.

From KL I took the express bus back and by 5.00 pm that day, I had reached Melaka Sentral and while waiting at a roadside of the main road in front of Taman Cempaka for my son to fetch me, I had a good view of the busy and crowded bazaar Ramadan across the road.

There as sat on a railing, I saw many young girls in tight fitting attires rushing across the road after buying their requirements at the bazaar even though there was a pedestrian bridge not far away. Many were exposing their arms as they were wearing short sleeves T-shirts; some of the attires too tight and short; the irony of it almost all of the girls were putting on their ‘tudungs’!

On several occasions, when the girls crossed the roads, cars drivers honked their vehicles while youth on motorcycles went ‘wild’ with ‘wolf whistles’ and ‘lewd’ remarks.

It was Ramadan, the best time of year to get closer to Allah SWT, yet I was seeing ‘unbelieving things’ that could ‘jeopardize’ Allah SWT’s reward on my ‘puasa’.

Perhaps it is better for one to stay at home in order to observe Ramadan with a peaceful mind and do not fall into the category of “many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst!”

A critical thought as we enter Ramadan

The best article I ever read about Ramadhan written by the blogger of LANH 14. I am touched when read it..Let;s Brothers and Sisters we spend at least 10 minutes to digest this article for our Muhasabah togather...

In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessing and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w

Reflection

Every self will taste death. You would be paid your wages in full on the Day of Rising. Anyone who is distanced from the Fire and admitted to the Garden has triumphed. The life of this world is just the enjoyment of delusion. - Qur'an, 3:185

***

PERHAPS as you are reading this article, you may already fasting. Almost everyone including non-Muslims knows that Ramadan is the month when Muslims abstain from taking food and drinks during the day. 

So Ramadan is about taking less food (because you can only eat after sunset ) but the irony of it, Ramadan is the month where some Malaysian Muslims spend so much money on it and it is the time of the year when one could have 'exotic food ' including ‘kuih’ (cakes) never found on any other time such as 'badak berendam', 'tahi itik' and 'tepung pelita'.

Ramadan teaches Muslims to be trift on their spending. But it is normal for a Malaysian Muslim family; me included, to spend more during Ramadan especially on food, clothing and decoration of the house.

A few days ago while driving my car, I heard an ‘ustaz’ (religious teacher) say in a radio programme, that one’s ‘puasa’ (fasting) in term of spiritual enhancement of the soul was considered a failure if one’s budget overshot the normal monthly expenditure.

He also jokingly said that if one’s weight dropped a lot at the end of Ramadan, he or she had succeeded in his/her ‘puasa’ but what would be said if one’s weight increased at the end of the holy month?

In recent days during my journey to work, I noticed tents were being erected on not so busy roads such as in front of shops lots; these premises were to be used by traders to sell their goods and products during Ramadan.

At some places, they called it ‘Bazar (Bazaar) Ramadan,’ others were kown as ‘Pasar (Market) Ramadan’, 'Karnival Ramafan' and ‘Gerai (Stall) Ramadan’. In these places, one could find almost all of ones needs including perhaps those ‘exotic food’ mentioned above.

What does the presence of this ‘Ramadan phenomenon’ suggest? Am I wrong in saying that Muslims are encouraged to spend more time and money in this ‘fiesta’ like a monthly occassion; unfortunately it is Ramadan, the best time of the year for Muslims to double or triple his good deeds as required by Islam?

In this holy month, one ‘sunat’ (optional) deed done would be rewarded like a ‘wajib’ or ‘fardu’ (obligatory) deed, and a ‘fardu’ deed would be rewarded 70 times or more than in other months.

Ramadan teaches us to feel the pangs of hunger of the poor people of the world. It has been reported that one person in the world dies every three seconds because of hunger. So wasting of food is criminal. But how is the situation in our country and other rich Muslim nations where the word ‘hunger’ seemed ‘quite unfamiliar’ to us, and seemingly  is happening in far faraway lands. In United Arab Emirates (UAE) it was reported that 500 tons of food are thrown away each year in the holy month of Ramadan!

The lavish meal of breaking fast or ‘iftar’, many say dishonor the spirit of the Muslim holy month - and create an immense a mount of waste. Muslims should be reminded to be moderate with food, and this call could be made by ‘imams’ during ‘tazkirah’ (short religious talk) while doing the optional mass ‘tarawih’ prayers in masjids (special night prayers perform only during Ramadan) or when giving ‘khutbah’ (sermons) on the first Friday prayer of Ramadan.

Then on the eve of Ramadan, some of our people go for projects that are not beneficial for the 'ummah' what's more in line with the teaching of Islam such as making the largest 'ketupat' (rice cook inside wrappings made from coconut leaves) in the world. It was reported that the Melaka State Constituency (Dun) of Sungai Rambai had craved that its name be in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) for cooking that giant 'ketupat' which weighed 1,800 kilogramme and was 1.2 meters tall.

Imagine the wastage of time and resources just to project one's name - 630 kilogrammes of rice was cooked in 21 large pots from 3.00 p.m to 4.00 a.m. The projects was undertaken by 12 people and it took two days to prepare for the neccessary items and ground work. It was reported, the 'ketupat' was distributed to the people in that state constituency but tell me frankly who would want to comsume it?

Muslims should not be involved in such a wastage project, they should be reminded that they are accountable for five things before the coming of five. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Take benefit of five before five - your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free-time before your preoccupation,and your life before your death." (Hakim)

So to Muslims brothers and sisters, do not indulge in such empty, hollow and unbeneficial deeds, for Allah SWT says in Surah Al-Asr: "Verily! Man is in loss, Except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth (i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden), and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allah's cause)."

Regarding the wastage of food and gluttony during Ramadan, President of Consumer Association of Penang (CAP), SM Mohamed Idris, commented on the lavish spending of Muslims at Ramadan bazaars and the ‘merry iftars’ at restaurants and hotels. 

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to eat nutritious food during breaking fast and sahur (predawn meal) and prohibited from wasting. Unfortunately many tend to prepare many dishes or the easiest way is to buy food and drinks that are sold in abundance in Ramadan bazaars and markets that mushroom during the fasting month.

Mohamed Idris said there is too much of food being served, much of it is not eaten and wasted. This kind of wastage is forbidden in Islam and contradicts the concept of Ramadan.

Then each year during Ramadan, hotel and restaurant is flooded with Ramadan buffet advertisements inviting Muslims to break fast in their hotels. From a rate of as low as RM38++ to RM135++, an individual can eat and drink as much as they like, with a variety of selection, at times offering more than 120 appetizing buffet dishes and desserts.

The Ramadan buffets are also accompanied with live music and keroncong whilst customers enjoy their meal. This indirectly shifts their attention and deviates them from piety of fasting in this holy month.

Those enjoying the buffet style fast breaking will be attracted to the delicious smell and scrumptious looking food.

In fact their activated senses will induce them to take more than necessary.

Although gluttony is forbidden in Islam, there is nothing to prohibit Muslims from surrendering to their desire for food during breaking fast. Some would feel that it is necessary to eat a lot for their money’s worth.

As there is too much food put on their plate, many would not be able to finish it and finally the food is thrown

away.

Don’t Muslims realise that food is Allah SWT greatest gift for humans and that we will be questioned on Judgement Day, akhirat, on our wasting nature? asked Mohamed Idris.

Remember Allah SWT decree in Surah Al A’raaf, sentence 3, "Eat and drink, but not in excess. Allah does not like people who are superfluous". Whereas Surah Al Israa’, sentences 26 and 27 states, "And do not waste, as those who waste are the devil’s friends".

If we consider the amount of food wasted during Ramadan mainly at buffets in hotels, we will realise that the present followers have lost their love to each other. Whilst many can enjoy the best food for themselves and their families, they forget that there are still people of the same faith who suffer from poverty and hunger.

Besides wasting food, much time is wasted when breaking fast in hotels as they tend to eat a lot until they are too full and making it difficult for them to perform solat, especially solat tarawih in the masjid.

The atmosphere and practice of breaking fast in hotels as mentioned above does not reflect the effectiveness and

sacredness of the fasting that among others demands followers not to overeat, resulting in wastage.

Remember Nabi Muhamad SAW’s commandment, "Fight the yearning for food and withstand hunger and thirst as the reward is equivalent as jihad to Allah’s path. There is nothing greater to offer God than resisting hunger and thirst."

In relation to this and in the occasion of this good month, let us all return to true Islamic teachings and practices and not be influenced by wastefulness and guile.

Let it be known that Ramadan is a sacred month among all other months and Allah SWT wants all his followers to fulfil the month with obedience and taqarrub to Allah SWT. The continuous satiety of an individual’s life will fulfil and enhance the soul with obstinacy and extremity. We hope that Ramadan will help develop loving and caring Muslims.

In conclusion, please think about thorough consumption of food of your daily diet either in Ramadan or normal days. Proper cosumption including give to poor or needy people is the best amongst any sadqa (charity).