MENGUCAP SALAM KETIKA MASUK RUMAH

Mengucap salam (Assalamu Alaikum), merupakan doa kepada Allah. Kalimat Assalam termasuk salah satu nama Allah yang diletakkan di atas bumi, maka sebarkanlah ucapan salam di antara kamu. Jika seseorang mengucapkan salam kepada kelompok lainnya dan mereka menjawab salamnya, maka dia mendapat keutamaan lebih dari yang menjawab salamnya, kerana dia telah memperingatkan terlebih dahalu. Semulia-mulia manusia di sisi Allah adalah seseorang yang mendahalului mengucapkan salam dan yang menyebarkannya di kalangan manusia.

Abu Umamah menuturkan bahawa Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda:

Sesungguhnya semulia-mulia manusia di sisi Allah adalah yang mendahalului mengucapkan salam.

Maka masuklah engkau ke dalam rumahmu dengan mengucapkan salam kerana keluargamu telah menunggumu agar engkau membawa mereka kepada perdamaian.

Pembuka segala barakah dan kebaikan adalah ketika engkau memberi salam kepada keluargamu ketika engkau hendak masuk atau keluar dari rumahmu, agar Allah menyebarkan kedamaian dan keselamatan kepada kita semua.

ISOLATION AND ITS POSITIVE EFFECT

If applied with a correct understanding, isolation can be most beneficial.

Ibn Taymiyah said:

"At times, it is necessary for the worshipper to be isolated from others in order to pray, remember Allah, recite the Qur'an and evaluate himself and his deeds. Also, isolation allows one to supplicate, and seek forgiveness, stay away from evil, and so on."




Ibn al-Jawzi said:

"I have not seen or heard of anything that brings repose, honor, and dignity as much as seclusion does. It helps one to stay away from evil, it protect one's honor, and it saves time. It keeps one away from the jealous minded and those who take pleasure in your affliction. It promotes the remembrance of the Hereafter, and it allows one to reflect on the meeting with Allah. In times of seclusion, one's thoughts may roam in that which is beneficial, in that which contains wisdom."

Only Allah knows the full benefits of seclusion, for in seclusion, one's mind develops, views are ripened, the heart finds repose, and one finds himself to be in an ideal atmosphere for worship. By remaining isolated at times, one distances himself from trials, from flattering the person who deserves no praise, and from the eyes of jealous and envious persons. One is saved from the haughtiness of the proud and the follies of the idiot. In isolation, one's faults, deeds, and sayings are all secluded behind a veil.

During periods of isolation, one is able to delve deep into a sea of ideas and concepts. In such a state, the mind is free to form its opinions. Isolated from the company of others, the soul is free to achieve a state of rapture and to hunt for the stimulating thought.

When alone, one does nothing for show or ostentation, since none but Allah sees him, and since none but Allah hears him.

Every person who was a genius, a mental giant, or a great contributor to the human race watered the seeds of his greatness from the well of isolation, until the seed became a plant, and then finally, a formidable tree."

Another said:

"I found company in my solitude and I remained fervently in my home.

So felicity was perpetual for me and my happiness grew, I have severed human relation and I couldn't care, whether the army has gone forth or the president has given us a visit!"

NASIHAT KEHIDUPAN

1. KETIKA MENCARI CALON

Janganlah mencari isteri, tapi carilah ibu bagi anak-anak kita

Janganlah mencari suami, tapi carilah ayah bagi anak-anak kita

2. KETIKA MELAMAR

Anda bukan sedang meminta kepada orang tua/wali si gadis, tetapi meminta kepada Allah melalui orang tua/wali si gadis

3. KETIKA AKAD NIKAH

Anda berdua bukan menikah di hadapan penghulu, tetapi menikah di hadapan Allah

4. KETIKA RESEPSI PERNIKAHAN

Catat dan hitung semua tamu yang datang untuk mendoa'kan anda, kerana anda harus berfikir untuk mengundang mereka semua dan meminta maaf apabila anda berfikir untuk BERCERAI kerana menyia-nyiakan do'a mereka.

5. KETIKA MALAM PERTAMA

Bersyukur dan bersabarlah. Anda adalah sepasang anak manusia dan bukan sepasang malaikat.

6. SELAMA MENEMPUH HIDUP BERKELUARGA

Sedarilah bahawa jalan yang akan dilalui tidak melalui jalan bertabur bunga, tapi juga semak belukar yang penuh onak dan duri.

7. KETIKA BIDUK RUMAH TANGGA GOYANG

Jangan saling berlepas tangan tapi sebaliknya justeru semakin erat berpegang tangan

8. KETIKA BELUM MEMILIKI ANAK

Cintailah isteri atau suami anda 100%

9. KETIKA TELAH MEMILIKI ANAK

Jangan bagi cinta anda kepada (suami) isteri dan anak anda, tetapi cintailah isteri atau suami anda 100% dan cintai anak-anak anda masing-masing 100%.

10. KETIKA EKONOMI KELUARGA MERUDUM

Yakinlah bahawa pintu rezeki akan terbuka lebar berbanding lurus dengan tingkat ketaatan suami dan isteri.

11. KETIKA EKONOMI BERKEMBANG

Jangan lupa akan jasa pasangan hidup yang setia mendampingi kita semasa menderita

12. KETIKA ANDA ADALAH SUAMI

Boleh bermanja-manja kepada isteri tetapi jangan lupa untuk bangkit secara bertanggung jawab apabila isteri memerlukan pertolongan anda.

13. KETIKA ANDA ADALAH ISTERI

Tetaplah berjalan dengan gemalai dan lemah lembut, tetapi selalu berhasil menyelesaikan semua pekerjaan.

14. KETIKA MENDIDIK ANAK

Jangan pernah berfikir bahawa orang tua yang baik adalah orang tua yang tidak pernah marah kepada anak, kerana orang tua yang baik adalah orang tua yang jujur kepada anak.

15. KETIKA ANAK BERMASALAH

Yakinlah bahawa tidak ada seorang anakpun yang tidak mahu bekerjasama dengan orang tua, yang ada adalah anak yang merasa tidak didengar oleh orang tuanya.

16. KETIKA ADA PIL

Jangan diminum, cukuplah suami, isteri sebagai ubat.

17. KETIKA INGIN AMAN DAN HARMONIS

Gunakanlah formula 7 K

1. Ketaqwaan

2. Kasih sayang

3. Kesetiaan

4. Komunikasi dialogis

5. Keterbukaan

6. Kejujuran

7. Kesabaran

BAGAIMANA KITA SOLAT ....

Seorang ahli ibadah bernama Isam Bin Yusuf, sangat warak dan khusyuk solatnya. Namun, dia selalu khuatir kalau-kalau ibadahnya kurang khusyuk dan selalu bertanya kepada orang yang dianggapnya lebih ibadahnya, demi untuk memperbaiki dirinya yang selalu dirasainya kurang khusyuk.

Pada suatu hari, Isam menghadiri majlis seorang abid bernama Hatim Al-Assam dan bertanya, "Wahai Aba Abdurrahman, bagaimanakah caranya tuan solat?"

Hatim berkata, "Apabila masuk waktu solat, aku berwudhu' zahir dan batin."

Isam bertanya, "Bagaimana wudhu' zahir dan batin itu?"

Hatim berkata, "Wudhu' zahir sebagaimana biasa iaitu membasuh semua anggota wudhu' dengan air".

Sementara wudhu' batin ialah membasuh anggota dengan tujuh perkara:-

*Bertaubat

*Menyesali dosa yang telah dilakukan

*Tidak tergila-gilakan dunia

*Tidak mencari/mengharap pujian orang (riya')

*Tinggalkan sifat berbangga

*Tinggalkan sifat khianat dan menipu

*Meninggalkan sifat dengki.

Seterusnya Hatim berkata, "Kemudian aku pergi ke masjid, aku kemaskan semua anggotaku dan menghadap kiblat.

Aku berdiri dengan penuh kewaspadaan dan aku rasakan:

1. Aku sedang berhadapan dengan Allah

2. Syurga di sebelah kananku

3. Neraka di sebelah kiriku

4. Malaikat Maut berada di belakangku, dan

5. Aku bayangkan pula aku seolah-olah berdiri di atas titian "Siratal Mustaqim" dan menganggap bahawa solatku kali ini adalah solat terakhir bagiku, kemudian aku berniat dan bertakbir dengan baik."

"Setiap bacaan dan doa didalam solat, aku faham maknanya kemudian aku rukuk dan sujud dengan tawadhuk, aku bertasyahud dengan penuh pengharapan dan aku memberi salam dengan ikhlas. Beginilah aku bersolat selama 30 tahun."

Apabila Isam mendengar, menangislah dia kerana membayangkan ibadahnya yang kurang baik bila dibandingkan dengan Hatim.

AL-BASIT - THE EXPANDER

"Allah enriches and make poor, and to Him you shall return." (2:245, Al-Quran)

Allah gives abundantly to whoever He will. "Allah extends His bounty and reduces His provision to whoever He will." (13:26, Al-Quran)

"The Jews have said, 'Allah's hand is fettered.' May their own hands be.... fettered, and may they be cursed for what they have said. Nay, but His hands are both outspread; He bestows as He will ." (5:64, Al-Quran)

Allah extends His forgiveness to people all the time; all we have to do is ask for it. Prophet (SAW) said, "Allah, Most High, stretches out His hands at night for the day sinner to repent, and

He stretches out His hands in the day for the night sinner to repent, until the sun rises from the west." (Muslim)

A Muslim gives to charity, never fearing poverty. "Who will grant Allah a good loan? He will repay him many times over. Allah enriches and makes poor." (2:245, Al-Quran)

It is a sign from Allah for people to reflect upon, that He spread the earth, though spherical in form, like a carpet. "And Allah has laid the earth for you as a carpet." (17:19, Al-Quran)

Another fact which is scientifically significant is the way Allah, Most High, spreads clouds in the sky: "Allah is He that looses the winds, that stir up clouds, and He spreads them in heaven how He will, and scatters them; then thou seest the rain issuing from the midst of them." (30:48, Al-Quran)

CROP ART

STUNNING CROP ART HAS SPRUNG UP ACROSS RICE FIELDS IN JAPAN. FARMERS CREATING THE HUGE DISPLAYS USE NO INK OR DYE. INSTEAD DIFFERENT COLOUR RICE PLANTS HAVE BEEN PRECISELY AND STRATEGICALLY ARRANGED AND GROWN IN THE PADDY FIELDS.

AS SUMMER PROGRESSES AND THE PLANTS SHOOT UP, THE DETAILED ART WORK BEGINS TO EMERGE - AMAZING!

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE.....

MY FUN DAYS WITH LAT!

Laughing moderately can act as a cure or as therapy for depression and sadness. It has a strong influence on keeping the soul light and the heart clear.

Laughing is an efficacious way to achieve comfort and light-heartedness, but keep in mind that, as in other things, you should not be immoderate.

And when you laugh, you should not do so in a mocking or jeering fashion.

The Arabs would hold in high esteem a person who was known for his smile and laughter. They believed this to be a sign of a generous personality and a of a person who has a noble disposition and a clear mind.

The truth is that the principles of Islam are based on moderation and on good measure, whether it is in matters of belief, worship, manners, of conduct. Islam does not condone a rigid, frowning expression, nor does it condone a constant playful giddiness; rather what it does promote is seriousness when it is called for, and a reasonable level of light-heartedness when it is called for.

HEALTH TIPS

CORRECT METHOD

1. BOIL THE NOODLE IN A POT WITH WATER

2. ONCE THE NOODLE IS COOKED, TAKE OUT THE NOODLE, AND THROW AWAY THE WATER WHICH CONTAINS WAX

3. BOIL ANOTHER POT OF WATER, WHEN WATER IS BOILED, PUT THE NOODLE INTO THE HOT BOILING WATER AND THEN SHUT THE FIRE.

4. ONLY AT THIS STAGE WHEN THE FIRE IS OFF, AND WHILE THE WATER IS VERY HOT, PUT THE INGREDIENTS WITH THE POWDER INTO THE WATER, TO MAKE NOODLE SOUP.

5. HOWEVER, IF YOU NEED DRY NOODLE, TAKE OUT THE NOODLE AND ADD THE INGREDIENTS WITH THE POWDER AND TOSS IT TO GET DRY NOODLE

Correct timing to take water, will maximise its effectiveness to human body

Two (02) glasses of water - After waking up - Helps activate internal organs

One (01) glass of water - 30 minutes before meal - Help digestion

One (01) glass of water - Before taking a bath - Helps lower blood pressure

One (01) glass of water -Before sleep - To avoid stroke or heart attack

Green = vegetable - Good right?

Not when it comes to potatoes

Here's an important piece of information that few these days know about.

Green in potatoes indicates the presence of a rather harmful toxin. When you see patches of green in your potatoes as you peel them, cut out the green parts entirely and discard them.

What is the green? Actually it's chlorophyll. Not bad for you at all. But the chlorophyll indicates that the potato has been exposed to sunlight.

And when the potato has been exposed to light is where a natural toxin in the potato (solanine) becomes concentrated at harmful levels.

So, never store your potatoes on the counter. Always keep them in a cool, complete dark place. According to the Wikipedia, deep-frying potatoes at a high temperature (306 degreesF) effectively lowers the level of toxins. But boiling them (212 degreesF) has no effect. Best to stay on the safe side and just cut away the green parts.

The NIH website mentions that the potato sprout can also have concentrated solanine, so those too should never be eaten.

CLEAN YOUR KIDNEYS WITH LESS THAN $1.00

Years pass by and our kidneys are filtering the blood by removing salt, poison and any unwanted entering our body. With time, the salt accumulates and this needs to undergo cleaning treatments.

How are we going to do this?

It is very easy, first take a bunch of parsley and wash it clean. Then cut it in small pieces and put in a pot and pour clean water and boil it for ten minutes and let it cool down and then filter it and pour in a clean bottle and keep it inside refrigerator to cool.

Drink one glass daily and you will notice all salt and other accumulated poison coming out of your kidney by urination. Also you will be able to notice the difference which you never felt before.

Parsley is known as best cleaning treatment for kidneys and it is natural.

CLEARING THE AIR ... USAGE OF THE WORD "ALLAH" BY NON-MUSLIMS

THIS IS A FORWARDED ARTICLE

SUBJECT: Professor Al-Attas answered regarding usage of the word Allah by non-Muslims

On December 13, 2009, during the Worldview of Islam Seminar organised by the Assembly of Muslim Intellectuals or Himpunan Keilmuan Muda (HAKIM), there was a question being posted to Professor Al-Attas regarding the polemical usage of the word 'Allah' by the non-Muslims.

Below is the transcript of his brief-but-yet-concise enlightening remarks. As a word of caution, though, one must not only rely on this brief transcript alone to understand the whole spectrum of Professor Al-Attas' view about this theological matter. Further thorough elucidation of his thought can be found in numerous works of this great Muslim scholar of this age, such a Prolegomena to the Metaphysics of Islam, Islam and Secularism, Islam dalam Sejarah dan Kebudayaan Melayu and A Commentary on Hujjat al-Siddiq of Nur al-Din al-Raniri.

Question: The using of kalimah 'Allah' by other people in this country

Answer by Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas:

Well I have been talking about this long time ago. I remember about this in ISTAC, when we first established ourselves (late 80's and early 90's), I think the Archbishop of Penang was asking this question. And I have answered that.

And then we had a meeting with the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and about the all the representatives of Christianity, including the ministers, we had a meeting at ISTAC. And I said, "Why you want to use the word 'Allah' for yourself?"

They said "we going to pray in Bahasa Malaysia".

That's the way they put it. So my anwers to them, "Why you have to change praying into Bahasa Malaysia. You have been praying in English all the time. Why suddenly change in Bahasa Malaysia?

Ok, so they said they want to change so that it is more patriotic. Then in that case I'm saying that "why don't you use Tuhan while praying in Bahasa Malaysia? Because you are talking about God isn't it?...God is not just a name....."Allah" is a name of this Being whom you called God... and in fact a Being whom even higher than what you called to be God".

And then I said. "... and "Allah" is not from Bahasa Malaysia. It is not a national language. It belongs to the language of Muslim all over the world. Therefore your argument using this for the word "Allah" does not fit into your idea of God. Because "Allah" does not have a son, It is not one of three (Trinity), that is why out of respect to Allah we can't allow you to use this."

But when we Muslim, when we write in English we say God, or when we talk to people we say God but we mean "Allah".... but they cannot say when they speak about God it means "Allah" as they don't mean it.

So in this particular respect, we have to be clear about this, not was-was (hesitate)....whomever responsible in our governing, they have to be clear about this and to explain to others.

We agree you want to use God, then use Tuhan as we also use that.... but we understand in the Malay language that Tuhan is not a translation of Allah.... that is why we say "tiada Tuhan melainkan Allah" not "tiada Tuhan melainkan Tuhan"

We don't say "there is no God but God"... at least the Ulama' among the Muslim Malays we understand what is the meaning of that (word "Allah").

So "Allah" cannot be translated, as no language has translated Allah. The Arabs themselves they only use that after Islam... although the word existed (before). The Christian Arab they also did not use Allah (in theological, epitemological and ontological sense in the same manner as the Muslim) ... if they say that it is just a language ....they talking about language... because they say "Allah" like the Muslim when they (melatah)....

So it appears they want to do that in order to confuse the Muslim into thinking that all the same ... that is why I say one of the problems about religion is the nature of God ... about who Allah is.. that is why in Arkanul Iman (The Pillars of Faith), the first thing is "amana billah".

"Who is this Allah?" and that need to be explained at higher institution in a proper way ... So we have answered the question. It is not proper to allow them using this, since they asking us and there is no point bringing this to court since this is not a matter of court to decide it whether they have the freedom to use it or not. It is up to the Muslims.

But then if they used it and said "in Indonesia they have use it, why can't we?"... but it is because of the Muslims... If Muslims don't care they will go on and use it ... and in Indonesia they ar using not only that, other things they even call it "choir" as "selawat. Choir is not a "selawat", as "selawat" is for Prophet...it's not singing hymn..

And they also talk about... in Indonesia they are also confuse....Muslims... that is why this happen. Sometimes the language when you come across English words like "Prophet of Doom" is ..even the Prophet in English does not mean "Nabi" only ... it means "yang meramalkam malapetaka"... that what it means.... so the "Prophet of Doom" means "yang meramalkan malapetaka", not "Nabi celaka".

They (the Muslims in Indonesia) seem not to bother about this. What we can say is that ultimately well they say "God is not Allah"... well if you want to use the word God, we are saying we also use the word God, we refer to Allah as we know and we are not saying that your God ultimately will not refer to Allah. You can't run away from Allah.

Waves of Hawaii - Beauty - Water Drops: Photographed by Clark Little: with a high shutter speed he caught the brilliant fanned effect of two waves intersecting each other and throwing out this beautiful fan of water

WORDS of WISDOM

WORDS - Words are the counters of wise men, and the money of fools

- Hobbes

SMILE - "People who are always smiling not only make their own lives more joyful, but what is more, they are more productive people in their work and have a greater ability to live up to their responsibilities. They are more prepared to face difficulties and to find expedient solutions for them. They are prolific workers who benefit themselves and others."

Much that in appearance is harmful is in fact a blessing

William James said: "Our handicaps help us to an extent that we never expected. So being an orphan, blind, poor, or away from home and comfort are all conditions that may lead you to accomplishment and distinction, to advancement and contribution."

A poet said:

"Allah can bestow His blessings through trials that are small or large,

And He puts some to trial by giving them of His blessings."

Strive to help others

Aristotle said: "The ideal person is he who takes pleasure in serving others, and who is ashamed when others do things for him, since showing compassion is a sign of superiority, while receiving it is a sign of failure."

More concise and to the point is the following hadith:

"The Upper Hand is better than the Lower Hand."

The upper hand refers to the giving hand, and the lower one refers to the receiving hand.

Blessings in disguise

Dr. Samuel Johnson said:

"The habit of looking on the bright side in every circumstance is more valuable than having a large income."

One of our pious predecessors said to someone:

"Verily, I see upon you the signs of blessings, and my advice to you is to lock your blessings up and keep them safe by being thankful."

You are created unique

Angelo Battero wrote thirteen books and thousands of articles related to the topic of child education. He once wrote:

"There is none more miserable than the one who grows up not being himself, who grows up imitating others in appearance and thought."

Every person has his own idiosyncrasies, talents, and abilities, so no one should fuse his personality into that of another

TAXI - A TOUCHING STORY.....

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID - BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL

So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knick-knacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her, "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated".

"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said. When we go in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"

"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.

"Oh, I don't mind, " she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city.

She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighbourhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now".

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.

"Nothing," I said.

"You have to make a living," she answered.

"There are other passengers," I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said.

"Thank you."

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?

What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have anything more important in my life

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us aware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

TIPS UNTUK MENJADI WANITA SYURGAWI

Allah menjadikan setiap amalan, baik berupa zikir, tawakkal, solat dan zakat sebagai iman

Berkat ilmu Allah yang Azali, wanita akan mendapatkan dua hal yang boleh dijadikan sebagai jalan keselamatan. Maka Nabi sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam, berkata "Bersedekahlah kamu dan perbanyakanlah istighfar."

Perhatikanlah perkataan beliau berikut ini:

"Sesungguhnya ada seorang wanita pelacur yang melihat seekor anjing sedang menjulur-julurkan lidahnya kerana kehausan pada suatu hari yang panas, berputar-putar di sekitar perigi. Lalu wanita itu menanggalkan kasutnya (dan memberi minum kepada) anjing itu, maka dosanyapun diampuni."

Perhatikanlah bagaimana sedekah yang rameh dan sedikit dapat mendatangkan rahmat Allah dan maghfirah-Nya. Begitulah bahagian yang diterima oleh wanita tersebut.

Bahkan Nabi sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam, menjelaskan kepada kita, seraya berkata:

"Hendaklah salah seorang di antara kamu menjaga wajahnya dari api neraka walau hanya dengan (sedekah) separuh kurma."

Bahkan kata-kata yang baik dan manis yang keluar dari mulutmu, engkau katakan kepada suamimu atau kepada anakmu, sudah ditulis sebagai sedekah di sisi Allah, sebagaimana perkataan beliau sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam.

"Takutlah akan api neraka walau hanya dengan (sedekah) separuh kurma. Lalu apabila kamu tidak mendapatkannya, maka dengan kata-kata yang baik.

Wajah berseri yang menghias wajah wanita-wanita muslimah juga, sudah dicatat sebagai sedekah, sebagaimana perkataan Nabi sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam:

"Janganlah engkau meremehkan sedikitpun dari yang makruf, meskipun engkau menemui saudaramu dengan wajah yang berseri."

Selagi engkau membantu tetanggamu dengan menyuruhnya kepada yang makruf dan mencegahnya dari perbuatan mungkar, lalu tetangga itu menurutinya, maka ditetapkan bagimu banyak kebaikan di sisi Allah.

PAUSE TO REFLECT - PRAYER

As for the prayer, its significance - or rather part of its significance - is that it empties the heart from bad feelings and fills it with strength and pleasure. During prayer, one's heart and soul are in communication with Allah. Closeness to Him, the comfort realised from asking of Him, and the spirituality felt from standing in front of Him - these are all realised during the prayer. Every limb is used in the prayer, but what is more important is that the heart must be wakeful as well. When one prays, tranquility and peace are achieved, as one travels away, at least spiritually, from enemies and troubles. Thus the prayer is one of the most potent of remedies for the diseases of the heart. Yet only the worthy heart benefits from prayer; the weak heart, on the other hand, is like the body, in that it seeks its sustenance from material matter.

Therefore prayer is the greatest way to help us achieve the blessings of both this world and the Hereafter. The prayer precludes one from sins, defends against diseases, illuminates both heart and face, makes one active, and in general, brings good upon the person who performs it sincerely.

TRANQUILITY AND PEACE

In a 1994 issue of the magazine Ahlan was-Sahlan, an article by Dr. Hassan Shamsi Basha was printed, entitled, Twenty ways to avoid anxiety. The following points are summarised from the article:

1. The length of your life has already been decided upon, for everything takes place according to preordainment and decree. so there is no need to feel anxious in that regard.

2. The decision of how much sustenance any one of us receives is with Allah alone: no one else owns that sustenance or has the power to take it from you.

3. The past is gone and has taken with it its woes and miseries. It cannot return even if the whole of mankind worked as one unit to bring it back.

4. The future is from the unseen world and has not yet arrived. It brings with it matters, showing no regard to your permission or feelings, so do not call it forth until it actually arrives.

5. Doing good to others brings happiness to both the heart and the soul. A good deed provides greater benefits to the benefactor - in terms of blessing and recompense and peace - than it does to the receiver.

6. Among the noble qualities of the believer is that he doesn't concern himself with spurious criticism. No one has been saved from curses and criticism, not even Allah, the Lord of all that exists, Who is Perfect and Exalted.

THE ART OF HAPPINESS

HAPPINESS IS A BUTTERFLY, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

One of my works - my favourite cushion cover

Among the greatest of blessings is to have a calm, stable, and happy heart. For in happiness the mind is clear, enabling one to be a productive person. It has been said that happiness is an art that needs to be learned. And if you learn it, you will be blessed in this life . But how does one learn it? A basic principle of achieving happiness is having an ability to endure and to cope with any situation. Therefore you should neither be swayed nor governed by difficult circumstances, nor should you be annoyed by insignificant trifles. Based on the purity of the heart and its ability to endure, a person will shine. When you train yourself to be patient and forbearing, then hardship and calamity will be easy for you to bear.

ACCEPT LIFE AS IT IS

ENDURANCE - There is nothing in the world so much admired as a man who knows how to bear unhappiness with courage - Seneca

The pleasures of life is short-lived, and more often than not, they are followed by sorrow. Life means responsibility, a journey wherein change is constant and difficulties are relentless in their onslaught.

You will not find a father, a wife, or a friend who is free from problems. Allah has willed for this world to be filled with two opposites: good and evil, righteousness and corruption, happiness and misery. Thus goodness, uprightness, and happiness are for Paradise; evil, corruption, and misery are for the Fire.

So live according to your reality without always envisioning the ideal life, one that is free from worry and toil. Accept life as it is and adapt accordingly to all circumstances. You will not find in this world such things as the flawless companion or the perfect situation, because flawlessness and perfection are qualities that are foreign to this life. It is necessary for us to make amends; to take what is easy and leave what is difficult; and very frequently, to overlook the faults and mistakes of others.

THREE PLAQUES

A wise person hung up three plaques in his office that he would read daily.

Written on the first was, "Your today, your today!" Meaning, live within the boundaries of today, working and striving.

The second said, "Reflect and be thankful." Meaning, contemplate Allah's blessings upon you and then be grateful.

And "Don't be angry," was written on the third.

THREE WISHES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT

There is very instructive incident involving the life of Alexander, the Great Greek king. Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed.

With death staring him in his face, Alexander realised how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence. He now longed to reach home to see his mother's face and bid her his last adieu.

But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit him to reach his distant homeland. So, the mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to breathe his last.

He called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon, I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail. "With tears flowing down their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last wishes.

"My first desire is that," said Alexander, "My physicians alone must carry my coffin."

After a pause, he continued, "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury."

The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest and continued. "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin."

The people who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange wishes. But no one dare bring the question to their lips.

Alexander's favourite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. "O king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?"

At this Alexander took a deep breath and said: "I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt.

I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realise that no doctor can really cure any body. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted.

The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell people that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realise that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.

And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world." With these words, the king closd his eyes. Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

When someone, tells you that you can't do something .....

Do not doubt yourself!

Instead, stretch yourself!

You have to stick your neck out, go for your best!

Use all your will power and positive attitude!

Never, never give up!

In the end, you will succeed and prove them wrong.

FIRST TO BATA THEN TO SCHOOL.....

EDUCATION

Education is the apprenticeship of life - Willmott

The school should always have as its aim that the young man leave it as a harmonious personality, not as a specialist. This in my opinion is true in a certain sense even for technical schools....The development of general ability for independent thinking and judgement should always be placed foremost, not the acquisition of special knowledge - Albert Einstein

My schoolgirl handwriting

Text from Romeo and Juliet

Manuscript handwriting - needed a steady hand with nib, holder dipped in Indian ink

My SCHOOL DAYS TREASURE

What is this 'taugeh' handwriting (subtly), asked a cousin. (bluntly) What is this 'cacing' (wormy) handwriting.

Pitman Shorthand: Mastering Shorthand skill one needs to understand the theory. With a "photographic" memory helps a lot to a student.

Transcription: My family, my home

Handsome Daddy, beautiful Mommy, playful Janice naughty Dennis noisy baby Diana and me. I love my family. My family loves me. I like our home in Sembawang because every morning I can see the sun rise over the mountain.

Knowledge does not comprise all which is contained in the large term of education. The feelings are to be disciplined; the passions are to be restrained; true and worthy motives are to be inspired; a profound religious feeling is to be instilled, and pure morality inculcated under all circumstances. All this is comprised in education. - Daniel Webster