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This blogspot is a medium to share my thoughts and adventures apart from promoting my books. Below are the books which have been written or authored and published by myself.


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Mencari Diri dan Erti".

ISBN 983-42031-0-1, Jun 2006


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Membela Syiar yang Asal"

ISBN 983-42031-1-x, May 2007


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Sirih Pulang ke Gagang?"

ISBN 978-983-42031-2-2, November 2007


It is interesting to note that while these books were written in Malay it has gained enough attention to merit being part of the collections of the American Library of Congress and National Library of Australia. Look here and here.


While the first three books were published by my own company, the fourth titled "Rumah Azan" was published in April 2009 by a company called Karnadya with the help of the Malaysian national literary body Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. It features beautiful pictures along with stories behind selected mosques which could be related to the history of Islam and the Malays alongside the formation of the Malaysian nation. Look at the article A collaboration of old collegemates - the book "Rumah Azan".


My fifth book "Ahlul Bait (Family) of Rasulullah SAW and Malay Sultanates", an English translation and adaptation of the Malay book "Ahlul Bait (Keluarga) Rasulullah SAW dan Kesultanan Melayu" authored by Hj Muzaffar Mohamad and Tun Suzana Othman was published early 2010. Look here... My 5th book is out! Ahlul Bait (Family) of Rasulullah SAW and the Malay Sultanates... . For more information check out my Malay blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU.



Like my fourth book "Rumah Azan", the sixth book "Kereta Api Menuju Destinasi" is also a coffee-table book which is published by the company Karnadya with the cooperation of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (the main Malay literary body in Malaysia). Coming out January 2011 it features pictures and stories on the adventure travelling by train to all of Peninsular Malaysia along with the interesting places which could be reached this way.


My seventh book "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah" in turn is a coffee-table book which is written, editted, designed and has pictures taken by me. Coming out of the factory October 2011, this book which combines family history with history of places such as Singapura, Johor, Batu Pahat, Muar and in fact the history of the island of Java and England has been reviewed with me interviewed live in the program Selamat Pagi Malaysia at RTM1. Look at the article Siaran langsung ulasan buku "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah" dan temu ramah di Selamat Pagi Malaysia. Some selected contents have been featured in Sneak peek "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah".


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The "Berpetualang ke Aceh" series of novels could be obtained in e-book form. Enter http://www.e-sentral.com/, click general novel and go to page 4. You can also type the word "Aceh" at the search box. Or click straight Book 1, Book 2 and Book 3.


Friday, August 07, 2009

From Syiah Kuala to Kreung Aceh...

Peace be upon you all. After a month's respite or so let us resume back the stories of the trip me and the wife made in Aceh in June. Continuing from the article Views around the tomb of Syiah Kuala...


Soon it's time to leave the tomb of Syiah Kuala. Here is a view of the tomb complex as we headed back towards the city of Banda Aceh. Seen here are young mangrove trees being planted to create natural barriers against errosion caused by water...


The city should be some 15 km ahead...

Along this route one could see vast tracts of uninhabited land...


I can't recall if this is caused by the tsunami of 26th December 2004. But it does look like these parts of land are still submerged as remnants of the big killer wave attack...



We soon arrive at the fringe of Banda Aceh. Seen in the background is a tsunami early warning facility...




The facility is located besides the Aceh river, known by the locals as Kreung Aceh (kreung meaning river)...




One could find plenty of fishing boats along the river heading towards the city centre...





Closer to the city centre and besides the river, I saw this colourful mosque being built...



This is the old market district of Peunayong. The mosque is the new mosque for Peunayong...





Actually this whole area is the northern fringe of Banda Aceh...




The city centre comprised the areas covering the tower which could be seen in the background as we cross the Aceh river. Here we are heading towards and old mosque complex attributed to another famous religious master known as Teungku di Anjung (or di Anjong depending on which spelling you prefer). I will make an an article on the complex in the blogspot SENI LAMA MELAYU (MALAY OLDEN ART) . Do have a look later...

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Prophet Muhammad SAW blessing for all the universe


I've promised myself that after completing a series of articles in my blogspots regarding some recent trips made, articles which broke away from the stories on Aceh, I would do another voluntary translation, the 11th one for the website http://www.shiar-islam.com/. Well thank God, I managed to complete the task despite this latest translation being quite long. So here it is before I resume back the stories on Aceh ya...



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PROPHET MUHAMMAD S.A.W.
BLESSING FOR ALL THE UNIVERSE


By Ustaz Syed Hasan Alatas

http://www.shiar-islam.com/

Translation by Radzi Sapiee

“We have sent you out of mercy from us towards the whole world.”
(Quran s. Verse of al- Anbiya : 107)

The personality of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. attracts all mankind who acknowledge the truth to recognise his true worth. Thus the Quran said:

“It was mercy from Allah that you became compassionate towards them. Had you been harsh and mean-hearted, they would have abandoned you. Therefore, you shall pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult them. Once you make a decision, carry out your plan, and trust in Allah. Allah loves those who trust in Him.” (Verse of Ali Imran: 159)

This is one of the excellent characteristics of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. among many excellent characteristics. Such is his personality that the Prophet Rasulallah s.a.w. managed to bring extraordinary changes and transformation on mankind especially the Arab community who used to live in the dark ages.

Before Islam, the world is in darkness especially the Arab world. Worship of the one and only God has changed to worshipping of idols invented by themselves. Their originally considerate and soft human nature has changed into that of the beast; the strong oppressing the weak, the rich reaping from the poor, women made into tools for satisying sexual desires or advertisements for promoting businesses, if a male child is born they become very happy but if a female child is born instead they go to the extent of murdering it. Many among the people practise sex of the same gender, men with men, women with women. If this is allowed to go on, what would happen to the human population? Of course they would die out and become extinct for practising the vile ways promoted by the ancient people of Prophet Lot.

Before Islam came into the picture, the Arab world was in constant break-up, fragmented by different opposing rulers. Yemen was under control of Persia and Ethiopia, both powers vying for supremacy while local tribe rulers added to the fray. Iraq was under Manazirah who answered to the Roman empire, Najd and Hijaz ruled by independent Arab tribes. The break-up and enmity between them continued for hundreds of years and this made the Arabs backwards and underdeveloped.

After Islam came under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., the Arabs were unified. They became a race advanced in many aspects that they were able to beat both the Romans and Persians, the two biggest world empire of that time. His companions then went on to spread Islam to all parts of the world.

The Muslims brought huge changes to the East and West. But the sad thing is, many later forsake the teachings which call for truth as they also followed the deadly worldly currents, following and idolising their passions. Since then Muslims have grown weak, making them easily defeated by their enemies. Eventhough the Muslims constituted a fifth of the world population and have overflowing natural resources and richness, all that is of no help. Muslims are toyed around, humiliated and oppressed and these happened because of their own faults. Thus the time has come for all Muslims to return to the Quran and Sunnah, the practices of the Prophet s.a.w. . God willing, we will all get the honour and prosperity as that have been gained by those during the time of Rasulallah s.a.w. and his chosen companions.

Rasulallah s.a.w.is the best primary example for us in all matters as the Prophet s.a.w. has managed to bring extraordinary changes in all fields in such a short time, that is 23 years. He succeeded in transforming an unbelieving community who worshipped idols, broken up into rival clans rife with injustice, the strong oppressing the weak, the rich reaping from the poor, the smart making fools of others, the land and sea full of their evils. They were all changed to become a community who worship Allah s.w.t., what used to be a fragmented race became unified as brothers and sisters to each other.

Thus what used to an unjust community became a harmonious lot where the weak are protected, the poor taken care of while the women get to have rights when before they were treated as if they have no value at all, fit only to be instruments for satisfying men’s sexual needs, at times killed just like that, even buried alive. The teachings of Islam brought by the Prophet s.a.w.from day to day were greeted by the masses. The ruling Quraisy elite of Mecca became worried that leadership would soon shift to the Prophet s.a.w. Thus they tried hard to stop the spread of Islam using all means. But all their evil efforts failed to block the Prophet s.a.w. and his loyal followers’ good works. Realising their failure, the Quraisy took a soft approach by asking the Muslims to work together in ironing out their differences.

For a start they are willing to worship Allah s.w.t. at certain times. In return they asked that at other times the Prophet s.a.w. and Muslims worshipped the idol they have created in turn. This is a very misleading compromise, one that is totally forbidden. We are totally forbidden from worshipping any creation whether it is idols, humans or animals.

Allah s.w.t said in the Quran: “Say, ‘O you disbelievers. I do not worship what you worship. Nor do you worship what I worship. Nor will I ever worship what you worship. Nor will you ever worship what I worship. To you is your religion, and to me is my religion." (Q.S.al-Kaafirun:1-6)

This is the true sound of belief and Tauhid, unity of God. We are forbidden from attributing Allah with any other. Allah can forgive any type of sin except the sin of attributing others alongside Allah and this is a fatal sin.

The Quraisy elite became mad at the Muslim’s refusal. They devised a new way to put pressure on them, the peak being the boycott against the Prophet s.a.w. and his loyal followers to make them weak and force them to concede. The Meccan leaders met and came to a written resolution hanged up upon the Ka’abah. It was a resolution which must be obeyed and carried out by all tribes of Quraisy to boycott the Prophet s.a.w. and his clan the Bani Hasyim. Among its contents are:

(1) All Quraisy people are forbidden from making business transactions with Prophet s.a.w. and his followers especially the Bani Hashim clan and his closest kith and kins the Bani Muthalib.

(2) There should be no marital ties with the Muslims.

(3) Everyone is forbidden from mixing with Muhammad and his followers.

(4) The Quraisy would cooperate and help anyone who is willing to go against Muhammad and his followers.

The resolution is agreed upon and ratified by all Quraisy elites to be strictly enforced.The Prophet’s uncle Abu Thalib who is the main supporter and defender of the Prophet s.a.w. then invited all his kith and kins from the Bani Hasyim clan to be responsible for defending the Prophet s.a.w. They are asked to gather at an arid valley which became known as the Abu Thalib valley. The boycott lasted three years. This inhumane oppression has to be endured by all Bani Hasyim families in a climate which lacked food and drinks forcing some of them to eat grassroots, animal hide and such to alleviate their hunger. Yet the moment the boycott against Bani Hasyim and Bani Muthalib is lifted, the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. immediately resumed his message, calling mankind to walk towards the path of truth.

Once, he went to Thaif to ask the people to embrace Islam. Too bad his attempt was met with ridicules and throwing of stones and other hard objects by the locals, causing blood to gush out of the body of the Prophet s.a.w. Despite that he didn’t retaliate nor complain. Instead the Prophet supplicated to God: “O Allah do give your guidance to my people, for verily they do not know.”

It is due to his patience and perseverance in propagating Islam that the hearts of men begin to open up to Islam. This is especially true for the oppressed and those who suffered from injustice. They embraced Islam and practised the teachings brought by Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. They are attracted by the Prophet’s moderate approach and personality, his fondness in helping the poor, the orphans and widows, his love and compassion for the weak, willingness to forgive enemies, his hatred towards violence, love for knowledge and such. And thus within a short space of time (23 years) Islam spread fast to cover the whole of peninsular Arabia.

The Prophet s.a.w. loved his wife Siti Khadijah so much that they stayed an example of a loving harmonious couple until Khadijah passed away. For 28 years, that is until her death, Khadijah was his only wife. The Prophet only marry others after that and only one wife, Siti Aisyah was a virgin. There rest were widows which he married to save their orphan children, widows chosen from certain clans which resulted in the clans also converting to Islam.


Quraisy broke the Treaty of Hudaibiya


Years later when Islam has established itself in the city of Medina, the Meccan unbelievers made a peace accord with the Muslims called the Treaty of Hudaibiya. But the Quraisy elite broke the treaty when an ally of theirs, the Banu Bakr attacked and killed people from the Khuza’a tribe who are aligned to the Prophet. They asked for the Prophet’s help. So he and 10,000 Muslim soldiers marched on to launch a retaliation against the Quraisy in Mecca. Before entering the city, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. first advised the Muslims soldiers not to kill the old, women and children, don’t invade and destroy the crops, do not kill animals and don’t inflict too much destruction. To the Meccans, the Prophets said whoever stays inside the closed doors of their own houses would be safe, so is the case for those who take refuge at the Ka’abah. In fact, the Prophet also assured safety for those who hide in the house of Abu Sufyan, the Quraisy top leader. But when came the time to enter Mecca, Saad bin “Ubada suddenly said: “Today is the day for war, today is made lawful all that were forbidden...”

What he said goes against the Prophet’s command and advise. Thus he took away the commando flag from the hands of Sa’ad and passed it to the latter’s son named Qais. The inhabitants of Mecca was saved from the ravages of war, the city itself peacefully subdued without producing any casualty. It’s not just that, the Prophet s.a.w. even gave blanket pardon to all including those who have oppressed and done a lot of injustice to him and his followers.
The Prophet told them: “Go you all. You are now free.”

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w entered Mecca issuing a command that none is to be killed nor any blood spilt. At first inhabitants who have done a lot of wrongs against the Muslims hid themselves for fear of being prosecuted or killed. But they started coming out after witnessing how loving and compassionate the Prophet is in giving out a blanket pardon. They went to the Prophet to ask for personal pardon. The Prophet obliged without showing the slightest qualm.

Now, many men are confused about Islam as they don’t know anything about it. And many have thrown despicable accusations against Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., as they don’t know his true self. Still, those who are willing to study the life of the Prophet would admit and acknowledge his excellent personality and characteristics. Thus they understand why Muslims would sacrifies anything to show their love and protect the dignity of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Videos of 26th July trip to Pulau Besar...

Below are 5 video clips taken in my latest trip to Pulau Besar, Melaka. In the videos I explained what was happening in English so no need for me to add much text here ya. I'd also like to add links to previous articles on places in the island made in my Malay blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU containing video clips in Malay. For the record this is the 353rd article here. Cheers...