A split second

How do you cope in panic situation? I mean how well do you handle panic moment? Are you able to function well in panic moment? How fast your reaction is?

I have this questions because I just realized how I almost always stumble upon panic moments. I thought I'm just clumsy but no, it's like fate has decided that my middle name is panic. The weird thing is, when you're supposed to feel terrified and full of terror, but there is this one second when you're in panic, it's like the world stand still and you feel like you're in a vacuum zone where everything is senseless. No sound heard and you don't even feel the air blowing. Numb.

Like last saturday I was driving and trying to cross a busy two way road. It was a bit of a hill and I wasn't driving my own car. You know how foreign driving someone else's car is. As soon as there's a chance I could pass, I stepped hard on the gas. The car lurched forward but fate made it that my left feet slipped of the clutch. Thus the engine died. And I was in the middle of a two way road. With an oncoming lorry from the right side and parade of cars from the left side. Time suddenly stood still and I could feel my eyes going wide. It was just for a split second, but I snapped out of it and the next second I was frantically starting the engine back. Pushed hard the gear to reverse and reversing the car. Then hitting the brake, I sat still watching the lorry and cars pass by.

And I still remember as clear as crystal, when I was little and I was sitting on the woodbench in front of my babysitter's house with my older sister. She was sitting on the bench opposite of me, her feet dangling not reaching the floor. A black snake appear out of nowhere behind her, its upper half body already erect aiming at her feet. I remember the panic rising in me and I remember the split second that the world stood still. I didn't move a muscle and I just told my sister "Sist, don't move your feet." Luckily she stop swaying her foot and as soon as the snake seems to retreat I yelled "Quick, lift up your feet!". Then the pakcik at the next house heard me yelling and came to our rescue. He killed the snake.

Over the years there are a few other occasions as well that force me to look back and be extra careful. But I know that my hands are quicker than my brain. In such situation I won't scream, instead I flail around, grab what I should grab and propel to safety or make the situation as safe as could be. I guess, I could handle panic well. Until now at least.

But nothing could match the panic moment of the Japanese last friday when the tsunami slammed over the whole city, housing area and villages of north-east Japan. How gripping the terror must be. When the wall of water is suddenly 10m high above you, where could you run? I mean, could you even run? Terrifying, isn't it. Let's pray for the people in Japan as they face this sudden terrible disaster. And let's pray for ourselves too that death wouldn't knock so suddenly without the chance for us to say His name and repent.

That's NOT Hijab!

Check it out. Interesting. Kind of sum up what I feel too about this issue. Kudos to this brother for his concern and effort.

"O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy" (2:168)

"O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship" (2:172)

The subject of halal food served in kopitiam has been a concern for so long to many muslim here. It's a serious issue considering most are owned and run by non muslim. While many choose to believe the license displayed (which sometimes is so suspicious looking and definitely not by JAKIM), I prefer to differ. Because I still feel doubtful whether the food served is really halal. I know for fact that most non muslim (read: chinese) think that halal for muslim means no pork and no alcohol drink only. But they're not aware that it also means no alcohol in cooking food (e.g: chinese wine, rice wine), all meat must be from halal source, no mixing utensils with non halal food, clean preparation area and others. I think the most questionable will be the ingredients used. Obviously pork is a no. But what about the various sauces (soy sauce, vinegar), oil, ketchup, tomyam paste, wantan, or even the noodles. Are they using the halal ones? Maybe you'll query, hey what's wrong with noodles? But do you know that there are noodles (read: ramen) soaked in pork stock as they're made.

For me it's simple. I totally avoided kopitiam. I'm not comfortable at the thought of eating there. Why would I risk going when there are many other option available. To be honest, it's not only kopitiam. Mamak restaurant, sushi king, johny's and there's more in my list of doubt. I hope that every muslim should be really particular when it comes to food. We are what we eat after all. What we eat will be our flesh and blood. One of the reason our prayer is not heard is also if we didn't make sure the source of what we eat is halal.

I have to admit that I have been to a friend's meeting once or twice at a kopitiam which is in my list of doubt. As they've arrived and make orders, I couldn't find a way to suggest why not we go to another place. So I just sat there with a glass of plain water or ice lemon. Now, I feel guilty because I just watch and let them eat. I should have at least raise the query without worrying I'll sound ridiculous in a premise full with muslim customers.

That's why I'm so grateful that JAKIM has looked into this matter seriously and announce in a local newspaper recently which of the kopitiam in Malaysia actually obtained the certified halal license from them. I'll put the list here since some of us may not be aware.

Pensijilan Halal Kopitiam (JAKIM)

• Secret Recipe Cakes
• Bee's
• West 57th St Cafe
• Roti Delights
• Delifrance
• Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Those still in process of obtaining HALAL from JAKIM

• Strudel's
• Oldtown White Coffee
• Bangi Kopitiam
• Pakli Kopitiam
• Pacific Coffee

Source: Berita Harian Wednesday 11th August 2010, page 8

What about the rest of kopitiam in Malaysia? Well, while it is not compulsary for them to apply for the license, but it is our choice and our decision of where and what we eat.

There's also a website where we can check the restaurant and food premise with halal license from JAKIM.

http://www.halal.gov.my/

Music for the soul

It's the first week of August and indeed time fly by so fast. We're only few days behind Ramadhan. I just want to share this great album of Maher Zain with all of you. I've mentioned him before in a post when I first heard of him. But now I've found out where to buy his album here in Malaysia. That's why I'm very excited because now more of us can enjoy his great music and enlighten ourselves with the awesome awakening message he delivered through his music. So in the spirit of the coming holy month, why not we push aside the wordly entertainment and indulge in the Islamic music instead. InsyaAllah we would gain more than just entertainment =)

Go on. Get his album here

http://inteammobile.com/shop//index.php

The guidance has always been there

My usual sunday morning is with the 'nasi lemak' or 'roti canai' plus the morning papers. There is this very good article in Berita Minggu which I sincerely believe everybody should read. Considering now there's the launch of Baby Hatch at Kampung Tunku, PJ which is supposed to be the temporary shelter for unwanted babies. Or better say the safer 'dumpster' for the innocence babies instead of being buried alive. This hatch will never be needed if only we truely commit to the guidance He has already given to us.

Do read.
Berita Minggu 30 Mei 2010

Love, Trust, Honesty

What happens when love stands but with no trust and honesty? What happens when love gets betrayed? I believe it's a question that cannot be answered easily.

Recently, a friend of mine got married again. Yes, again. It's just a coincidence that we found out. His wife happens to be a friend of mine too. He divorced her (for the second time!) which he married only 2 or 3 years ago to get married to the new one. The thing is, before this we have been hearing about this guy flirting and cheating around behind his wife at his workplace. Not only ordinary flirting as some of his act are unacceptable as a muslim. We were quite shocked since he doesn't look like that kind of person way back in UKM. Then they got divorced but make amends soon after only a few months. I know she loves him very much. I guess this time she just couldn't take it anymore.

His new wife is my junior. Oh my, have the world gone smaller? I'm really confuse as to why she accept him as they work in the same company and she should have known about his philandering behaviour. I don't believe in the statement 'love is blind'. In this world now, love cannot be blind. Well, people make choices in their life and we may not understand it. I just wish she would understand the feeling of another woman before she got involved with the man.

A woman must value her dignity and never be the third person. Even if you like a person so very much, be it someone's husband, fiance or even just boyfriend. Please respect the fact that the person is already in a relationship. Stop right there. Because if you didn't, it just shows how desperate you are and how selfish you are. A selfish person who didn't care about other person as long as she gets what she wants. Yes, jodoh di tangan tuhan (the simplest excuse). But, that's where akal and iman takes place. You're not forced, it's you yourself who makes the choice with your own brain. And you have Iman, to reason your feelings. Don't you feel guilty with the other woman? I myself have liked someone before but I never go beyond when I know he's already seeing someone. Besides, what goes around may comes around.

To the man, I simply wish he will honestly love his new wife and be a good husband. It's enough that you've destroyed a good woman's heart. Please stop breaking others.

Love, trust, honesty. They stand strong and well together. I just hope everybody would see it like this.

:: Picture googled

Salam 1 Malaysia!

Hehe. Tajuk poyo. Alhamdulillah, telah selamat kembali ke Malaysia hari khamis lepas. Tak sangka sangat rindu pada Malaysia, terutamanya makanan. Ahaha.

Saya pergi ke New Zealand atas ajakan seseorang dari tahun lepas lagi untuk sama-sama bercuti sambil menghadiri konvokesyen adiknya di Universiti of Otago. Kembara 2 minggu kami di New Zealand dan kemudiannya transit di Melbourne, Australia adalah sangat seronok dan suka untuk saya kongsi di sini. Sepanjang perjalanan juga saya menulis travel log untuk membantu memori. InsyaAllah bila berkesempatan akan dikongsi, banyak juga pengalaman menarik berjalan di negara yang majoriti bukan muslim. Apatah lagi kembara kami secara 'roadtrip' iaitu kami memandu kereta sewa dari satu hujung NZ ke satu hujung lagi. Cara paling mudah untuk truly absorb the places and scenery=)

Tapi mula-mula saya nak kongsi penemuan terbaru saya di sana. Adik encik boyfriend telah berkongsi sebuah album nasyid yang sungguh indah. Penyanyinya Maher Zain, berasal dari Lubnan tetapi menetap di Sweden dari kecil. Saya jatuh cinta dengan musik beliau. Nasyid moden dengan irama segar tetapi mesejnya sampai terus di hati. Sepanjang roadtrip kami, cd itulah yang dipasang berulang kali tetapi tak jemu mendengar beliau memuji Allah, berselawat ke atas Rasulullah S.A.W serta menyampaikan mesej-mesej Islam yang lain. Suara beliau memang lazat lah.

Ini yang paling saya suka. Selawat ke atas Rasul kita, Nabi Muhammad S.A.W. Subhanallah, sayu mendengarnya.

Yang ini juga sangat indah. Mendengarnya sambil mata menatap keindahan bumi NZ dalam perjalanan panjang melalui gunung ganang, tasik dan pokok-pokok hijau yang sememangnya sangat indah Subhanallah menerbitkan rasa syukur dan keinsafan pada kebesaran Allah. Alhamdulillah.

Saya berusaha mencari di YouTube kerana rugi rasanya kalau tidak berkongsi dengan muslim yang lain. Oleh itu, anda boleh la meneruskan mendengar lagu-lagu beliau yang lain. Semuanya ada di YouTube dan semuanya sangat indah dengan makna yang baik dan memberi keinsafan.

InsyaAllah =)

Luasnya Neraka

Dua hari yang lalu, saya terima satu emel yang di'forward' oleh rakan saya. Isi kandungannya sangat menarik. Membacanya seakan satu 'reminder' kepada saya kerana sudah tahu tapi manusia biasa memang mudah lupa. Jadi hanya mahu berkongsi di sini bagi kebaikan kita semua.

Yazid Arraqqasyi dari Anas bin Malik ra. berkata: Jibrail datang kepada Nabi saw pada waktu yang ia tidak biasa datang dalam keadaan berubah mukanya.

Maka ditanya oleh Nabi saw: "Mengapa aku melihat kau berubah muka?"

Jawabnya: "Ya Muhammad, aku datang kepadamu di saat Allah menyuruh supaya dikobarkan penyalaan api neraka, maka tidak layak bagi orang yang mengetahui bahawa neraka Jahannam itu benar, dan siksa kubur itu benar, dan siksa Allah itu terbesar untuk bersuka-suka sebelum ia merasa aman daripadanya.."

Lalu Nabi saw bersabda: "Ya Jibrail, jelaskan padaku sifat Jahannam"

Jawabnya: "Ya. Ketika Allah menjadikan Jahannam, maka dinyalakan selama seribu tahun sehingga merah. Kemudian dilanjutkan seribu tahun sehingga putih. Kemudian seribu tahun sehingga hitam, maka ia hitam gelap, tidak pernah padam nyala dan baranya. Demi Allah yang mengutus engkau dengan hak, andaikan terbuka sebesar lubang jarum nescaya akan dapat membakar penduduk dunia semuanya kerana panasnya.

Demi Allah yang mengutus engkau dengan hak, andaikan satu baju ahli neraka itu digantung di antara langit dan bumi nescaya akan mati penduduk bumi kerana panas dan basinya.

Demi Allah yang mengutus engkau dengan hak, andaikan satu pergelangan dari rantai yang disebut dalam Al-Quran itu diletakkan di atas bukit, nescaya akan cair sampai ke bawah bumi yang ketujuh.

Demi Allah yang mengutus engkau dengan hak, andaikan seorang di hujung barat tersiksa, nescaya akan terbakar orang-orang yang di hujung timur kerana sangat panasnya, Jahannam itu sangat dalam dan perhiasannya besi dan minumannya air panas bercampur nanah dan pakaiannya potongan-potongan api.

Api neraka itu ada tujuh pintu, tiap-tiap pintu ada bahagiannya yang tertentu dari orang lelaki dan perempuan"

Nabi saw bertanya: "Apakah pintu-pintunya bagaikan pintu-pintu rumah kami?"

Jawabnya: "Tidak, tetapi selalu terbuka, setengahnya di bawah dari lainnya, dari pintu ke pintu jarak perjalanan 70,000 tahun, tiap pintu lebih panas dari yang lain 70 kali ganda" (nota: maksudnya lebih bawah lebih panas)

Tanya Rasulullah saw: "Siapakah penduduk masing-masing pintu?"

Jawab Jibrail: "Pintu yang terbawah untuk orang-orang munafik, dan orang-orang yang kafir setelah diturunkan hidangan mukjizat Nabi Isa as serta keluarga Fir'aun sedang namanya Al-Hawiyah.

Pintu kedua tempat orang-orang musyrikin bernama Jahim.

Pintu ketiga tempat orang shobi'in bernama Saqar.

Pintu keempat tempat Iblis dan pengikutnya dari kaum majusi bernama Ladha.

Pintu kelima orang Yahudi bernama Huthomah.

Pintu keenam tempat orang nasara bernama Sa'eir."

Kemudian Jibrail diam segan pada Rasulullah saw sehingga ditanya: "Mengapa tidak kau terangkan penduduk pintu ketujuh?"

Jawabnya: "Di dalamnya orang-orang yang berdosa besar dari ummatmu yang sampai mati belum sempat bertaubat."

Maka Nabi saw jatuh pengsan ketika mendengar keterangan itu, sehingga Jibrail meletakkan kepala Nabi saw di pangkuannya sehingga sedar kembali dan sesudah sedar Nabi saw bersabda: "Ya Jibrail, sungguh besar kerisauanku dan sangat sedihku. Apakah ada seorang dari umatku yang akan masuk ke dalam neraka?"

Jawabnya: "Ya, iaitu orang yang berdosa besar dari ummatmu."

Kemudian Nabi saw menangis, Jibrail juga menangis, kemudian Nabi saw masuk ke dalam rumahnya dan tidak keluar kecuali untuk sembahyang kemudian kembali dan tidak berbicara dengan orang dan bila sembahyang selalu menangis dan meminta kepada Allah.

(dipetik dari kitab 'Peringatan Bagi yang Lalai')

MasyaAllah, tak dapat dibayangkan betapa luasnya neraka. Di dunia pula terkena api sedikit sudah cukup merasa sakit. Huu..

Dari Hadith Qudsi:

Bagaimana kamu masih boleh melakukan maksiat sedangkan kamu tak dapat bertahan dengan panasnya terik matahariku..

Tahukah kamu bahawa neraka jahanamKu itu:

1. Neraka jahanam itu mempunyai 7 tingkat.

2. Setiap tingkat mempunyai 70,000 daerah.

3. Setiap daerah mempunyai 70,000 kampung.

4. Setiap kampung mempunyai 70,000 rumah.

5. Setiap rumah mempunyai 70,000 bilik.

6. Setiap bilik mempunyai 70,000 kotak.

7. Setiap kotak mempunyai 70,000 batang pokok zarqum.

8. Di bawah setiap pokok zarqum mempunyai 70,000 ekor ular.

9. Di dalam mulut setiap ular yang panjang 70 hasta mengandungi lautan racun yang hitam pekat.

10. Juga di bawah setiap pokok zarqum mempunyai 70,000 rantai.

11. Setiap rantai diseret oleh 70,000 malaikat.

Subhanallah. Mengigil saya membacanya. Mudah-mudahan ini dapat menimbulkan keinsafan kepada kita semua. Wallahualam.