Makan Babi haram, ambik duit orang tak haram ke?

There have been a lot of tensions going on over the recent news of two Cadbury chocolate products that were found containing pig DNA in it.

Some of the Muslim NGOs have expressed their disappointments with making irrelevant and ridiculous comments and feedback over the matter.

1. One suggested that Cadbury factory to be burned down for their reckless mistakes.
2. A lady from one of the organizations hosted a press conference saying that the Muslim consumers have to change their blood due to the consumption. Ini paling bodoh pernah di dengar
3. One suggested that the Muslim consumers need to wash their mouth with sand (Samak).

For a person who have a very little knowledge on Islam, I have to admit that I do not have the rights to comment on it. Takut apa yang dikatakan akan mengudang kekeliruan. But I do believe that Islam is not a complicated religion. It teaches its followers to live a simple life and the rules and regulations that we, Muslims have to follow, generally are very simple and easy to adapt to ones daily life. 

It is so embarrassing to hear bad comments coming from my non-Muslims friends over the ridiculous video that went viral over the "change of blood" statement made by one of the NGO people. It really gives a bad impression to Islam. The non-Muslims will think that Islam is nothing but full of restrictions. Hence, they will never want to learn or understand the beauty of Islam.

What Dr. Asri mentioned on his Facebook is very much true. Taken from Malaysian Insider portal, he made it very clear in what's haram and what's forgiven in Islam. Click here for the article or read it.

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Former Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Asri Zainul Abidin expressed disappointment with Muslims in the country who were more concerned over the consumption of pork, but kept silent over bigger crimes such as corruption.
 He said it is as though the Muslim community does not realise the sin and harm in matters that are clearly illegal, such as interest-taking and corruption, both far greater sins compared to consuming pork.
 "Unfortunately, we are not making enough noise over things that are clearly haram.
 "This is the understanding of Islam, which only regards consuming pork as unlawful, but do not view gambling, interest-taking and corruption in the same way when clearly they are much bigger sins and cause greater harm," he wrote on his Facebook page today.
 He added that it was not a sin when followers of Islam accidentally consumed pork, and that Allah would not punish anyone if it was done unknowingly.
 Asri was commenting on the pig DNA that was found in Cadbury chocolates and lashed out at the reaction of some quarters, which he deemed as an overreaction.
 He added that Islam did not require such reactions which brings about difficulty.
 "Objecting on consumer rights is a good thing so that the purchasing public is not deceived.
 "But excessiveness, such as asking to wash the mouth with sand (samak mulut) or change the blood is considered overreacting in Islam, he said.
 According to recent reports, tests conducted by the Health Ministry on two chocolate products, Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut, with batch number 200813M01H I2 that expires on November 13, 2014, and Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond, with batch number 221013N01R I1, that expires on January 15, 2015, found they had pig DNA in them.
 Following this, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) immediately suspended the products' halal certification, while Cadbury said it would recall the chocolates from stores.
 Malay group Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) said it planned to sue Cadbury Confectionery Malaysia following the reports on traces of pig DNA.
 JMM president Azwanddin Hamzah had accused Cadbury of misleading Muslims by producing products with porcine DNA.
 Cadbury's biggest consumer, he said, were Muslims and Malays. – May 28, 2014.

Source: Malaysian Insider 

Wahai umat Islam. Cubalah belajar untuk lebih bertenang dalam menerima sesuatu perkara. Tak semuanya buruk dan tidak semuanya indah. Islam tidak mengajar kita untuk membenci. Analisa dahulu sesuatu perkara dan jangan cepat malatah, waAllah hualam.

Soon, Insya Allah

To a whole new beginning. Hoping for a brighter future, Insya Allah.

There are two things that I learned throughout this whole "chasing for a brighter future":-

1. Hikmah
2. The power of do'a

Why hikmah? I was seriously down by rejection; disappointed much! But through this rejection led me to a new opportunity. Never to give up. Allah SWT closes one door for me but He opens thousands of opportunities for me to look forward to. I have to believe in it and have faith in what ever that I'm working on, insya Allah dibukankan jalan.

Secondly, the power of do'a, MasyaAllah! I am truly humbled by it. Never to under estimate the power of do'a. And one have to believe in it in order to witness its miracle, MasyaAllah - usaha, berdoa and tawakal adalah yang sebaik-baiknya.

It's still too early for me to announce but I hope this will be "it", Insya Allah. Tapi, kalau bukan ini ketentuanNya, saya redha kerana ini adalah usaha saya.

Allah SWT: Tidak menyekutu & tidak dimenyekutui

There has been a lot of tension going on about the usage of ALLAH in the bible. This was brought up by the irresponsible politicians over the issue of the East Malaysian Christians having the ALLAH name in their BM copy of the bible. And with the recent incident of JAIS raiding the headquarters of the Bible Society of Malaysia has made the issue grew bigger which created hatred among the extremist society of Islam with the Christians in Malaysia.

As a concerned citizen of Malaysia, I am honestly worried about this. This may leads to the same incident we had in 1969 which was caused due to the differences in religions and beliefs. We are in the 22nd century, issues like this were not supposed to be raised anymore.

I believe in unity and Islam has taught us so well to respect each other despite their religions and beliefs. If your base is strong, you shouldn't be threaten if someone were to say the other things about your religion. You should stand strong with what you believe in.

Islam has taught us that Allah itu Satu and tiada yang lain selain Allah. Allah tidak menyekutu dan tidak dimenyekutui. And if someone says that Jesus is the son of God and the God is Allah because their religion has taught them that, why must you be threaten or confused because you already know that it is wrong? This shows that you have a very weak base. One should be polishing their faith and build their base as strong as possible so that with a simple statement like that won't confuse you. This also shows that your learning and faith in Islam is not strong at all. Nauzubillah.

I believe in Islam. And to be honest, this whole ALLAH issue was brought up for political reasons. And to who ever who raised this should be burned in hell, I'm no kidding! How could you do this.

I found a very interesting and logic explanation on the usage of ALLAH and I hope this clears the air.

This is based on my personal point of view. Kalau silap tolong ajarkan. Saya budak masih belajar. Walla'hualam.

Innalillah Wainnalillahirajiun

Allah yang maha besar lagi maha mengetahui. KepadaNya kita datang dan kepadaNya kita kembali.

I was introduced to a new friend at one of the classes during my matriculation year - a nice friendly looking-utagha-speaking girl. We went to a same Practicum (or was it called something else, I don't remember) and became friends since then. We were not that close of a friend, tapi cukuplah sekadar boleh bersembang gelak-gelak bergossip bersama. She was indeed a very nice and friendly girl.

Little that I know that she was a daughter to a very influenced man. She's not like any other rich girl who likes to show-off of their richness but indeed a very humble girl hence that explain why she loves to belanja most of her friends for a night stay at any of the 5 stars hotel in Penang - Batu Feringhi to be precised! Generous is her middle name. Memang tak lokek especially when it comes to money which also explain why most boys like to be her friends. But then I guess, she really doesn't care!

With the so-so kind of friendship I have with her, surprisingly, the friendship last still till today. We still communicate with each other through social network to update each other on our lives. Pernahlah sekali dua lepak bersama which was long time ago lepas tu just a normal hi! hi! bye! bye! via FB/Instagram.

What a small world we live in, I have friends who are also people within her circle of friends. So in a way, we still do keep in touch with each other through friends connection and lebih interestingly, she married to my husband's kawan sekampung which was also our friends back in Matriculation. 

Last week, a friend posted her wedding photo on Instagram with a comment of her condolence message to this friend of mine on the passing of her father. A shocking news for all of us as she has just hosted a grand Raya open house a week earlier and her father looked perfectly healthy. 

According to a friend, her father was on his trip to Jakarta when suddenly facing difficulty in breathing. He passed away in the ambulance while on his way to the hospital. 

Her father was known for his kindness, generous to most people and a father to most of her children's friends and for that, I believe, he will be missed by most people to knows him personally.

Her father's passing was really a shock to most people. Her father has no history of sickness and living a very healthy lifestyle. With the sudden demise, it is going to be tough to the family.

And it got me thinking.......

Ajal dan maut semuanya ketentuanNya and we never know when is our time. It could be now, it could be when we are old and weak to even move around, it could be when we are sleeping - semuanya rahsia tuhan. Muhasabah diri sangat bila kejadian yang serupa ini berlaku disekeliling kita.

To you my friend, anggaplah ini sebagai satu ujian untuk kita teruskan kehidupan. Please know that your father was a good man. Semoga rohnya dirahmati dan tergolong dalam golongan orang-orang yang beriman, Insya Allah. Al-fatihah.

The beauty of Islam

I found this very interesting article while browsing through Maria Elena's blog. Termuhasabah diri sebentar. MasyaAllah.

With a lot of things happening (on the halal and non-halal issue; the use of Allah and whatnot), it is good that we remind ourselves the goodness of Islam and not to compare with what being practice by the "Malay Muslim". The "Malay Muslim" lebih banyak membudayakan ajaran Islam and make others confuse of what Islam really is. Islam itu indah dan Islam itu mudah. We, human makes it difficult dengan mencapur-adukan benda yang salah kepadanya.

So here you go:-

My name is Cassie, I am 23 years old. I graduated as a qualified nurse this year and was given my first position as a home nurse.

My patient was an English gentleman in his early 80s who suffered from Alzheimer’s. In the first meeting, the patient was given his record and from it I could see that he was a convert to the religion of Islam, therefore he was a Muslim.

I knew from this that I would need to take into account some modes of treatment that may go against his faith, and therefore try to adapt my care to meet his needs. I brought in some ‘halal’ meat to cook for him and ensured that there was no pork or alcohol in the premises as I did some research which showed that these were forbidden in Islam.

My patient was in a very advanced stage of his condition so a lot of my colleagues could not understand why I was going through so much effort for him. But I understood that a person who commits to a faith deserves that commitment to be respected, even if they are not in a position to understand.

Anyway after a few weeks with my patient I began to notice some patterns of movement.

At first I thought it was some copied motions he’s seen someone doing, but I saw him repeat the movement at particular time; morning, afternoon, evening.

The movements were to raise his hands, bow and then put his head to the ground. I could not understand it. He was also repeating sentences in another language, I couldn’t figure out what language it was as his speech was slurred but I know the same verses were repeated daily.

Also there was something strange, he didnt allow me to feed him with my left hand (I am left-handed).

Somehow I knew this linked to his religion but didn’t know how.

One of my colleagues told me about paltalk as a place for debates and discussions and as I did not know any Muslims except for my patient I thought it would be good to speak to someone live and ask questions. I went on the Islam section and entered the room ‘True Message’.

Here I asked questions regarding the repeated movements and was told that these were the actions of prayer. I did not really believe it until someone posted a link of the Islamic prayer on youtube.

I was shocked.

A man who has lost all memory of his children, of his occupation, and could barely eat and drink was able to remember not only actions of prayer but verses that were in another language.

This was nothing short of incredible and I knew that this man was devout in his faith, which made me want to learn more in order to care for him the best I could.

I came into the paltalk room as often as I could and was given a link to read the translation of the Quran and listen to it.

The chapter of the ‘Bee’ gave me chills and I repeated it several times a day.

I saved a recording of the Quran on my iPod and gave it to my patient to listen to, he was smiling and crying, and in reading the translation I could see why.

I applied what I gained from paltalk to care for my patient but gradually found myself coming to the room to find answers for myself.

I never really took the time to look at my life; I never knew my father, my mother died when I was 3, me and my brother were raised by our grandparents who died 4 years ago, so now its just the two of us.

But despite all this loss, I always thought I was happy, content.

It was only after spending time with my patient that felt like I was missing something. I was missing that sense of peace and tranquility my patient, even through suffering felt.

I wanted that sense of belonging and a part of something that he felt, even with no one around him.

I was given a list of mosques in my area by a lady on paltalk and went down to visit one. I watched the prayer and could not hold back my tears.

I felt drawn to the mosque every day and the imam and his wife would give me books and tapes and welcome any questions I had.

Every question I asked at the mosque and on paltalk was answered with such clarity and depth that could do nothing but accept them.

I have never practiced a faith but always believed that there was a God; I just did not know how to worship Him.

One evening I came on paltalk and one of the speakers on the mic addressed me. He asked me if I have any questions, I said no. He asked if I was happy with the answers I was given, I said yes.

He asked then what was stopping me accepting Islam, I could not answer.

I went to the mosque to watch the dawn prayer. The imam asked me the same question, I could not answer.

I then went to tend to my patient, I was feeding him and as I looked in his eyes I just realized, he was brought to me for a reason and the only thing stopping me from accepting was fear…. not fear in the sense of something bad, but fear of accepting something good, and thinking that I was not worthy like this man.

That afternoon I went to the mosque and asked the imam if I could say my declaration of faith, the Shahadah.

لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله (lā ʾilāha ʾillà l-Lāh, Muḥammadun rasūlu l-Lāh)

There is no god except Allah, Muhammad is Allah’s messenger.

He helped me through it and guided me through what I would need to do next.

I cannot explain the feeling I felt when I said it.

It was like someone woke me up from sleep and sees everything more clearly.

The feeling was overwhelming joy, clarity and most of all…. peace.

The first person I told was not my brother but my patient.

I went to him, and before I even opened my mouth he cried and smiled at me.

I broke down in front of him, I owed him so much.

I came home logged on to paltalk and repeated the shahadah for the room.

They all helped me so much and even though I had never seen a single one of them, they felt closer to me than my own brother.

I did eventually call my brother to tell him and although he wasn’t happy, he supported me and said he would be there, I couldn’t ask for any more.

After my first week as a Muslim my patient passed away in his sleep while I was caring for him. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon.

He died a peaceful death and I was the only person with him.

He was like the father I never had and he was my doorway to Islam.

From the day of my Shahadah to this very day and for every day for as long as I live, I will pray that Allah shows mercy on him and grant him every good deed I perform in the tenfold.

I loved him for the sake of Allah and I pray each night to become an atoms weight of the Muslim he was.

Islam is a religion with an open door; it is there for those who want to enter it…. Verily Allah is the Most Merciful, Most Kind.

* note * Our sister Cassie passed away October 2010 Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon, after she gave da’o to her brother, who had accepted Islam Alhamdulillah [not a hadith].

A dream to BaitulMaqdis

Earlier this year, my Maklong proposed for our this year's family trip to go to Palestine through one of the trusted travel agency. I was contemplating at first as security is my major issue especially when I have to carry Iman together with me. But after much consideration, we decided to proceed with the plan as it has been our dream to visit Baitul Maqdis as Al-Aqsa mosque is located in the district area.

But of course, with the current situation that is happening in the middle east, we have to ensure that our security is being taken care off. 

Based on the itinerary that was provided to us, we are going to Jerusalem through Egypt. We were also being informed that only small number of visitors are allow to enter Jerusalem and with this travel agency, we are able to do so under full security assurance. Well, my mother was not convinced at all with the assurance hence we did not proceed with the plan. Glad that we didn't!

Having said that, I'm actually feeling sad that we are unable to visit the holy land. It has been a dream to be able to perform solat at Al-Aqsa mosque, to visit the tomb of most para Nabi and to witness the life of Muslim brothers and sisters who have no major problem performing their duty as a Muslim regardless of having to share the piece of land with the Jews and the Christians. Isn't that amazing?

Dr. Halina (the wife of our astronaut man) posted her visit to the holy land quite sometime ago. It's amazing how she puts it in words and her photos, Masyaallah, she's very lucky to be able to step foot at the holy land. She visited most of the historical places and having to carry 2 of her children (a 4 months old baby and a 2 years old toddler) is amazing, Subhanallah!

Furthermore, last week's Jejak Rasul episode showcased their visit to the holy land. Masyaallah, bertambah-tambah sangat terpanggil untuk ke sana. It's amazing to see how Muslim survived in a country ruled by the Israelis and how Muslims' able to stand together with the Jews and the Christians under the same roof. Subhannallah.

Kalau kita faham dan mendalami sejarah perkembangan Islam di sana sangat mengkagumkan.

But then again, I guess Allah knows what's best for His ummah. I guess it is not our time yet to visit the holy land but Insyaallah kalau ada rezeki, mahu sahaja melawat tanah suci itu.

Ramadan 1434H

In Shaa Allah in two days we will be welcoming the holy month of Ramadan and Syukur Alhamdulillah, we are given the opportunity to greet and welcome Ramadan again this year.

I wish this coming Ramadan will be a good platform for us as Muslim in reflecting ourselves in becoming a better ummah In Shaa Allah. And as a reminder to myself to always be patience, to do things one step at a time, recites Quran whenever possible (Masyaallah, I've been neglecting this for long time), performing better solat and to always forgive and forget (the toughest one to do). Bahawasanya, banyak ganjaran yang diberikan ketika di bulan Ramadan.

Based on how badly I did time ganti puasa haritu, it is going to be a challenge for me this time. It took me 3 weeks to complete 7 days of ganti puasa and I skipped those days where I have to attend client's meeting or events. Teruk betul Masyaallah and di tambah pula that I am still breastfeeding Iman. Last year, I skipped 4 days because my mind is not strong enough to convince myself that I can breastfeed and fast at the same time. Psychologically, I am very weak. I hope this year my energy remains till the last day of Ramadan, In Shaa Allah and psychologically strong too. I hope I can handle those dugaan, In Shaa Allah.

So let us take this opportunity to muhassabah diri and to improve ourselves in serving Allah as His Ummah. 

With that, I would like to seek your forgiveness if I have ever hurt your feelings through my writing intendedly or unintendedly. I have no intention in breaking those beautiful heart but as human, we can never run away from making mistakes. Apology from the deepest of my heart.

Semoga Ramadan in memberi seribu kerahmatan kepada kita, Amin. Salam Ramadan from me to all my muslim friends.

Am I ready for the 2nd one?

When I was preparing myself for my wedding, being a not-so-bride-zilla like others, there were few blogs that I normally visited. Most of them were preparing for their own wedding too. This was just to prepare myself with the do(s) and don't(s), to give me ideas on how to prepare for my own wedding, to get an idea of which vendor should I choose or not choose and whatnot but once done, those blogs were no longer being visited.

Until one day, I was blog-hopping and somehow ended at one of the blog that I used to visit. I don't know the blog owner but I remember visiting her blog so very often because of the way she writes her post. She brings interest into her writing and that is why I like it so much. She held her wedding few months after mine (I think!) but sadly, based on her current post, they (she and her husband) are still hoping for their new bundle of joy.

They did some tests and Alhamdulillah, both of them were tested normal. It is just not the right time yet. 

I adore her positivity. Even after 2 years of being married, they have not given up hope and still trying for the best (based on her writing though). I can just imagine the pressure that they have to go through especially among family members who love to question about pregnant or no pregnant. If it happens to me, I would probably just scream at the person's face. But she took it wisely. Good for her.

For that, I started to muhasabbah diri. I was fortunate to have my bundle of joy 11 months after getting married. Though we did not plan for it but the rezki that was granted to us came very fast I must say. Syukur sangat. I wasn't sure of the plan. Furthermore, I was having a tough 1st trimester and it worries me a lot. But I guess, Allah knows what is best for His ummah hence He grant us with a beautiful baby girl. And I promise myself that I will never, never neglect my responsibility as a mother to my child. This is the amanah that is given to me to raise my child to be a solehah.

Iman Alexandria when she was just few days old

Having said that, she and her husband were given a different kind of rezki. According to her post, they finally settled down with one of the Semi-D at Cyberjaya.

I believe that Allah knows what is best for His ummah. Kalau tak kasi rezeki anak, Dia kasi rezeki harta. He has His own plan and His plan always works, in shaa Allah. And He would probably know that it is still not the right time for them to have an additional to their family.

To you (I'm sure you don't read my blog) but if you do, I would love you to know that I adore your positivity. I just couldn't imagine if it happens to me but you are one strong woman. In shaa Allah, one day, your doa will be granted. Never give up hope and never stop trying. Amin.

So, am I ready for the 2nd one?

Save Maryam

I came across this video quite some time ago but didn't pay much attention to what it was saying. Apparently, there are a lot of Muslim girls now in Indonesia are converting to Christian. It is sad to know that Muslim girls in Indonesia are facing such problem and it's even worst when we as a Muslim are not doing anything about it or unable to help them.

 

Masyaallah mintak simpang. Sesungguhnya, Iman itu lah yang bisa membantu membina kekuatan diri terhadap agama. 

Sama-samalah kita berdoa agar mereka sentiasa berada di dalam Iman dan dilindungi oleh Allah SWT.