Ahmad Hasanuddin

Yes, that's the name of our new edition of "orang baru" to the family of NY (Normah & Yacop). Congratulations to my youngest beloved sister Noor Deena & hubby Mohd Nazri - a proud young parents they are. And what become me? of course a proud "young" uncle..hehe. And this is the second year in a row we were "bestowed" a baby - last year was my other sister, she got a sweet baby girl Aina Shifaq. My mak & bapa will be the proudest granny in the whole wide world adding to the joyous Hari Raya we gonna celebrate in October. And that will also mean the available space for us to sleep at night in the hall will shrink another few centimeters. No prob...we'll bring our tent and sleep outside..especially the nephews.

See photo of Ahmad Hasanuddin, don't you think he's adorable...mmmuahh!!

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Syarak Mengata , Adat Menurut: JOM SOLAT

EMPAYAR ISLAM BENUA SIAM KEDAH: BE-RUAS BERMAKSUD, PUAK-KAYA

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PAY LESS BOOKS Latest Events

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Siti's Folks Art

Siti's passion for water color painting and arts was put on hold for many-many years due to her domestic requirements as a wife and mother (well, what more can you say when she is the best wife and the best mother for my kids). When the kids are now slightly "independent" and the husband is "less demanding" (hehehe..am I?) she started to practice her long lost rusty skills in painting & brushing. She decided to re-acquire the skills by attending weekend homeclass while I do the babysit (ok not really). Well, see by yourself her by-products from the slideshow I attached on the page. Hmm...she definitely got the talent and skills....cayalah!

Emotionalism Has No Place in Religion

by Haron Yahya

It is true that Allah (God) may test a person in this world with certain difficulties and worries. However, the believer does not give in to melancholy and pessimism when he is faced with such anxieties; he does not react emotionally. He knows that Allah is trying him to see how he will behave in difficulty, and that the solution is not to turn to weeping or sorrowful regret. The solution lies in seeking help from Allah, "Who responds to the oppressed when they call on Him and removes their distress" (Qur'an, 27:62), relying only on Him, and in being certain that Allah will hear his prayers and grant his requests. This is the promise of Allah to His servants:

Yes, the friends of Allah will feel no fear and will know no sorrow: those who believe and have done their duty, there is good news for them in the life of the world and in the hereafter. There is no changing the words of Allah. That is the great victory! (Surah Yunus: 62-64)

Moreover, Allah creates such trying moments of anxiety and difficulty for a very special reason. When someone looks with the eyes of faith, and sees the reasons behind all the beauty that Allah has created, he will be moved to compassion, and his contentment will increase. Therefore, submission to Allah brings a sense of calm to the spirit, and allows one to live with peace of mind.
Emotionalism, on the other hand, completely alienates people from the awareness of being in Allah's hands, and leads them to react to situations with excessive pleasure, or exaggerated pain and sorrow. Allah explains in the Qu'ran the wavering of such people between hopelessness and arrogance, and the difference between them and believers:

If We let man taste mercy from Us, and then take it away from him, he is despairing, ungrateful; but if We let him taste blessings after hardship has afflicted him, he says, "My troubles have gone away," and he is overjoyed, boastful except for those who are steadfast and do right actions. They will receive forgiveness and a large reward. (Surah Hud: 9-11)

Emotionalism shows itself most often in women as sadness, pessimism, weeping and whinniness, while in men it appears generally as anger, irascibility, and aggression. For example, when an emotional man sees that his place in a parking garage has been taken by someone else, he will shout and kick the intruding car. Or, if someone bumps into him on the sidewalk by mistake, he will easily lose his temper. Or, if his son or daughter left the house and forgot the key inside, if a waiter is late bringing the bill, if a secretary makes him wait on telephone, or if he is irritated by traffic, he will say the first thing that comes to his mind. Confronted with problems that a rational person could deal with easily, even without occupying his mind with the hundreds of details involved, an emotional person would react in an unnecessarily exaggerated manner. And, most of the time, he merely harms himself and ends up humiliated.

Emotionalism in men takes the form of anger and irascibility, and is often regarded as the quality of a "tough-guy" or "macho." This psychology is merely an amalgam of anger and romanticism, while most of those affected by it are unbalanced, and have a tendency to lose their temper, or "go off the handle." As a result of a moment of rashness, they may hurt or injure someone, or even kill; their victim could easily be a total stranger. Pages of newspapers are often filled with the crimes and offences committed by this type of personality. An evening that might have begun pleasantly could suddenly come to an end when an emotional man becomes irritated and hits a friend or someone near him. Walking in the street he may pull out a knife and stab some unknown person who "looked at him sideways." For that one minute, he may give in to his passions, and then end up spending the rest of his life in prison. More importantly, if he kills, or otherwise harms someone, without just cause, he will have committed a grave sin in the sight of Allah.

Irascible emotionalism in a person is a potential danger that can erupt out at any time, and have very serious repercussions. An emotional person may become angry if someone makes a wrong move in traffic, or if someone he does not know looks at him in such a way as to make him uncomfortable, or because of some simple misunderstanding, then act in such a way as to only bring upon himself all sorts of trouble and pain.

A clear example of the unreasonableness that emotionalism gives rise to can be seen in the brutish behaviour of some fans after a football match. They assault people they do not know, and nearly kill them with meat cleavers, knives and clubs. Their minds and consciences are blinded by the satanic weapon of emotionalism, truly a grave plague on society. But, Allah commands human beings to avoid Satan, to establish peace and security, not anger and conflict.

You who believe! Enter absolutely into peace (Islam). Do not follow in the footsteps of Satan. He is an outright enemy to you. (Surat al-Baqara: 208)

The Prophet Mohammed also preached serenity among the believers, saying "The strong is not the one who overcomes the people with his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger."

Here, it is necessary to distinguish between sentimentality and rationality. Anger and hate felt in response to acts of cruelty and evil make a person more sensitive to and aware of justice, peace and goodness, and motivate him to strive for the eradication of that cruelty and evil, for its prevention, and for the protection of the rights of the weak and the innocent. If the sense of justice that Allah gave to humanity is not controlled by the will and wisdom, it can be diverted from its true purpose, and flare up against the fans of an opposing sports club. People who do not have a strong will and wisdom cannot restrain their emotions, and can be led from the true path into whatever direction satan may desire. In another verse, Allah warns humanity against Satan:

You who believe! Do not follow in the footsteps of satan. Anyone who follows in Satan's footsteps should know that he commands indecency and wrongdoing. Were it not for Allah's favour to you and His mercy, not one of you would ever have been purified. But Allah purifies whoever He wills. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Surat an-Nur:21)

(For further reading, see Romanticism: A Weapon of Satan by Harun Yahya)

3D2N in Genting

We were not sure what to do during last school holidays and
we thought it would be fun to make an excursion to nearby tourist spot or holiday destination and come back on the same day. Siti's favorite has always been a hill resort and her hill resort is synonymous with Cameron Highland. Genting Highland? Nay.....never in her dictionary & mine too. The kids love to explore new places regardless where the place is. The next best alternative to Cameron Highland is Bukit Tinggi, but due to the recent tremor experienced, we think it wasn't a good choice. I told Siti & kids lets take on the wheels and see where they'll bring us. So we pack enough for one night and off we go.













Guess what? We end up staying in Genting for 3 Days & 2 Nights, not for the Theme Park but for the cool weather we had.

It has been laborious....until the Labour Day

We agreed to allow significant gap in-between when we want to have baby for health and emotional reasons. I believe woman should be allowed to recover from the trauma of giving birth (my first experience in labor room to receive Irfan tells all). In addition, we want our babies to grow with sufficient love as a baby (like get to breast feed, cuddle, sleep in the baby cot, play with food etc etc) for a significant amount of time. And we manage it very well where Irfan came in 1995, Sarah in 1999 and Muneerah in 2003, until we planned for the fourth baby. Our target is for the 4th. to come in 2007 and we thought we planned it very well. It was such dramatic and we thought we can do it again for the 4th. time without much challenge. We were all wrong, especially when age is catching up. We are definitely in a hurry because Siti will turn 40 in 2008. I don't want to resort to any medication or expert advise as yet, although Siti insist. She has been asking for Allah's blessing in her prayer without fail. She has been implicitly trying to make herself more "fertile"?! But with expert advise from the internet and doctor friends of course.

And it was the morning on the 1st. May that she showed me the pregnacy test she bought from the Guardian that shows positive result! I was like "betul ke ni...??!!". Later in a day she did another test...and now I "jump" in jubilation and "yelled" on top of my lung....MY WIFE IS PREGNANT!!!!

Alhamdullillah to All Mighty Allah swt.

PRU12...Aku berkongsi sejarah dengan Negara ku Malaysia

I turned 21 while I was studying in the US and at that time I care less about my constitutional right as a voter. And I didn't even care if my IC/name was used for "phantom voter" - if so exist? I came back in Oct 1990 right after the 8th. General Election, if I'm not mistaken, and with much anticipated result that BN won without much hassle. Came 1995 General Election, I was again don't see BN can be troubled by weak opposition. And you know what, I was again failed to fulfill my constitutional right as a voter. As we all know BN won hands down - ok they failed to capture the so-called "Serambi Mekah" state, so what? they still continue to rule the nation. Came 1998 - the historic Anwar saga that lead to Reformasi Movement storm into political landscape. The 10th. General Election in 1999 see the toughest hurdle the National Front had to overcome after the infamous sacking of Anwar by Tun Dr. Mahathir. It was also claimed to be as the "dirtiest" election ever in the new era that saw revelations of unfair practices in conducting the election. Much hope was given to the opposition after the Barisan Alternative was formed to fight one-on-one with the National Front. Kelantan & Terengganu fall to the opposition which saw votes for BN had deteriorated. However, learning from 1999 election nightmare, BN came back in the 11th General Election in 2004 to have a landslide victory, re-capture Terengganu and although they can't form the state government in Kelantan, they manage to deny the opposition (PAS) the 2/3 majority. All passed GE I failed to vote, although I almost did in 1999 & 2004.

PRU12 saya telah berazam untuk pergi mengundi dan dengan isu-isu semasa yang saya nampak begitu sarat dn tenat, buat pertama kalinya saya telah berjaya membuang undi untuk kali pertamanya seumur hidup saya dan saya berasa amat lega. Saya juga berasa amat bangga sebagai seorang rakyat Malaysia!

For details of Malaysian GE, see link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Malaysia

50th. Merdeka Celebration that hardly come by

It was held last year in September 2007 to commomerate our 50th Merdeka Celebration and it was done very successfully.....I am very proud of it not because its my brainchild, but the esprit de corp that we gained from organizing such event as a community. Yes, I got praises for initiating such a big event and for leading such a well-organized event, but again I must stressed that the people with whom I worked with to make this event successful is what matters. Till today people speak highly of the event and often become point of reference to organize any subsequent event.

But whether this year similar event can be held....mmmm I doubt it! Last month I called few people to discuss the matter and no one doesn't seem want to commit and take the lead. I was so dissappointed. I thought I have laid the foundation for them to move on..sadly its all my wishful thinking. Seems that I have to do it all over again...do I want to? Well, in Allah we trust.

BERUAS, the lost Kingdom

By FOONG THIM LENG

A photograph at the museum of a tombstone which indicates a Muslim kingdom once existed in Beruas.UNKNOWN to most visitors, the quiet town of Beruas, Perak, has an interesting history.
There are claims that it could possibly be the site of the lost Hindu kingdom of Gangga Negara and also that of the Malay kingdom of Beruas.
Research on the Beruas kingdom was first conducted by Colonel James Low in 1840 and a century later by H.G. Quaritch-Wales.
According to the Museum and Anti-quities Department, both researchers agreed that the Beruas kingdom existed but could not ascertain the exact site.
For years, villagers had unearthed artefacts, including tombstones with inscriptions, that indicated that Beruas could have been the starting point for the spread of Islam in Peninsular Malaysia.
Most of the artefacts, believed to be from the ancient kingdoms, are today displayed at the Beruas Museum.
Artefacts on display include a 128kg cannon, swords, kris, coins, tin ingots, pottery from the Ming Dynasty and various eras and large jars.
Based on museum information, a brief account of the kingdom was given in the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals).
It told of a kingdom called Gangga Negara under the rule of Raja Gangga Shah Johan.
The kingdom was said to be on a hill with its rear side facing a valley.

The exhibition hall in the Beruas Museum where artefacts from the lost kingdom are on display.The account strongly suggested that the kingdom could possibly be situated in the Dinding district (now Manjung), between the south of Gunong Bubu and east of Segari hills somewhere in Beruas.
However, researchers believed that the Perak River had changed its course several times due to extensive flooding and it is possible that the capital of Gangga Negara had also shifted several times along the river to Pengkalan, Tanjung Rambutan, Bidor and Sungai Siput, where bronze Hindu and Buddhist idols from the sixth to 10th century had been found.
Many researchers also believed that the Gangga Negara kingdom collapsed after an attack by King Rajendra Chola of Coromandel, South India, between 1025 and 1026.
It was renamed Beruas after Islam was established there.
Beruas is the name of a wild mangosteen and according to local oral history, the town was originally located at Pengkalan Baru where the trees grew in abundance.
Another historical source mentioned that Beruas was established by a prince from Aceh, Sumatra, named Malik al-Mansur, who was driven out of his country due to his unbecoming behaviour.
His entourage sailed from Aceh and landed in Perak. Malik was told that the tree he was resting on was named beruas and he named the area after the tree.
A number of royal Acehnese gravestones in the area lay testimony to the claim that the area is first ruled by them.
However, the beruas trees, which is now extinct in Beruas, can still be found in the nearby villages of Pengkalan Baru and Batang Kubu.

Antique Chinese ceramic ware pieces are displayed at the Beruas Museum.Historical records also showed that a Malay kingdom existed in Beruas before the 16th century.
It is believed that this kingdom was located at Kampung Kota where a number of royal tombs, tools and numerous 16th century Chinese ceramic shards had been found. The Malay Annals recorded that the Kingdom of Beruas paid tribute to Sultan Mahmud Shah of Malacca (1488 to 1511) and was conferred the title of Tun Aria Bija DiRaja.
Another important source came from Tom Pires, a Portuguese official who wrote in 1512 that Beruas was an active trading port.
At that time, ships were able to navigate up to 90km inland on the Beruas River.
According to Pires, a large number of ocean-sailing ships sailed to Beruas to trade.
The people of Beruas were said to have been very much involved in the maritime trade and had “travelled as far as Pasai, India, Thailand, Kedah and Benggala.”
According to Pires’ account, the people cultivated padi. The ruler was then Tuan Acem, a Chinese from Malacca, and Beruas was said to have sent 6,000 pieces of timas (tin ingots) as a tribute to Malacca.
During the 17th century, the Beruas River was badly silted and lost its role as an important trading centre.
Beruas, once a kingdom of splendour, regressed into a small settlement.

Originally published in The Star on Saturday February 19, 2005
© 1995-2003 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

Bermulanya Satu Pengorbanan....

Hari ini telah menjadi satu lagi mercu tanda buat hidupku sebagai seorang suami, bapa dan ketua rumahtangga dalam membentuk satu insan yang dinamakan "cahayamata" - anugerah buatku dari Ilahi. Cahayamata ini yang penuh bermakna, tiada harta dapat dinilai, tidak dapat dicari ganti. Muhammad Irfan nama diberi, "bijaksana" maksud diberi. 1 Januari 2008 merupakan tarikh beliau menjejakkan kaki ke Maahad Tahfiz Al-Quran di Taman TTDI Jaya Shah Alam, memulakan kehidupan berasrama yang pernah ku kecapi.

Mulanya ku sangka mudah untuk membuat keputusan untuk menghantar Irfan pergi; tatkala isteri tersayang memberi cadangan untuk menghantar anak sulong kami tinggal di asrama dalam usia sebegini, aku tanpa berfikir panjang bersetuju dengan cadangan bernas tersebut. Mungkin isteriku juga selama ini peka dengan kekuatan anak sulong ini yang kecenderungannya begitu ketara dalam bidang ukrawi. Allah telah membuka ruang untuk Irfan menceburi bidang ini, yang mana beliau bersetuju apabila cadangan diberi. Alhmadullillah ku tadah kan sepuluh jari, berkat sokongan dan pengorbanan isteri, Irfan telah diterima masuk ke Maahad Tahfiz tersebut bermula bulan Januari.

Sejak dua minggu yang lepas Irfan telah mula membilang hari. Acapkali ku tanya beliau yakin akan hasrat ini. Dalam renungan matamu Irfan dapat ku lihat akan pengorbanan yang cuba engkau beri buat abah dan ummi, awal dalam usia mu sebegini. Abah dan ummi amat bangga, walaupun pengorbanan mu mungkin tak sehebat Saidina Ali.

Ibuku juga bertanya sama ada keputusan ini ku buat bersendiri, beliau risau sekiranya Irfan dipaksa pergi. Hanya satu pinta ku agar ibu turut berdoa dan meredhai hasrat murni kami.

1 Januari 2008, dapat ku lihat isteriku sudah mula sayu walaupun beliau cuba menyimpannya jauh didalam hati. Aku bangun agak lewat pagi kerana malam tadi asyik melayan blog ini. Irfan dikenakan dengan kurta berwarna hijau muda, tanpak segak dan bergaya. Maisarah dan muneerah seperti biasa "happy" dan mungkin kurang mengerti akan perjalanan yang bakal abah, ummi dan Along bakal tempuhi. Pukul 10 pagi adalah waktu melapur diri. Kami sampai di Maahad Tahfiz agak awal sedikit untuk mengambil sarapan pagi. Kami tiba di Tahfiz disambut oleh Ustaz Fahmy Al-Yamani, seorang pentadbir di Maahad tersebut, nampak bersinar dan berseri-seri, agaknya itulah salah satu kelebihan seorang penghafaz al-Quran yang suci. Setelah selesai membuat urusan pejabat, kami dibawa ke asrama. Sebelum itu lagi, Ustaz Fahmy telah memberi amaran supaya saya dan isteri jangan terkejut apabila melihat keadaan asrama yang serba rengkas. Saya memberi keyakinan kepada Ustaz Fahmy bahawa kami redha dan bersedia menerima seadanya kerana kami sedar dalam mendalami ilmu mukjizat ini, pengorbanan sebegini harus ditempuhi. Cuma saya berdoa agar Irfan dapat diberikan kekuatan oleh Allah swt untuk menempuhi semua ini.

Memang benar tekaan kami bahawa keadaannya tidaklah seburuk yang disangka. Irfan diberi "locker" untuk menyimpan barang-barang peribadi. Kemudian kami berlegar-legar disekitar kawasan asrama dan sempat melihat gelagat-gelagat pelajar yang sama seperti anak-anak lain yang pernah kami temui. Cuma istimewanya mereka mempunyai wajah yang bersinar dan berseri-seri. Allahuakbar!

12.00pm tiba masanya untuk aku dan isteri untuk mengundur diri. Segala amanat buat Irfan telah diberi. Riak wajahnya dapat ku lihat dengan seribu erti dan ku tahu kami sedang berkomunikasi dari hati ke hati. Linagan airmata perpisahan dapat ditahani, itulah kekuatan yang harus ada pada kami demi pengorbanan yang Allah redhai.