-----------------------

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".


-----------------------


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.


Sunday, May 31, 2009

The victory of Aidil Fitri

Here is the next article translated from http://www.shiar-islam.com/ . While it is still almost four month before the next Aidil Fitri is celebrated, I was merely following the order of the original Malay articles available in the website. Thus let me present this article of which the original Malay version was uploaded on 29th Ramadhan 1428 (11th October 2007)




THE VICTORY OF AIDIL FITRI

Oleh Al-Ustaz Syed Hasan Alatas
http://www.shiar-islam.com/

English translation by Radzi Sapiee


Aidil Fitri is a day of victory for the Muslims as it is a sign they have succeeded in fasting for a whole month in the month of Ramadhan. For a month we are trained physically and spiritually to be pious and devoted, to follow all of Allah’s commands while distancing ourselves from what is forbidden. For God judge us according to our piety and that would the measure of our success in the hereafter.

For a whole month during daytime we have to stand hunger and thirst, while those who are married have to also restrain themselves from their sexual needs. Every Muslim must also stop themselves from saying, hearing and looking at things which could incur Allah’s wrath. Instead they are encouraged to offer superegoratory prayers, recite the zikir or remembrance of God, read and study the Quran and try to implement what is taught in their lives. Ramadhan is also a good time to feed the poor and help other Muslims to fight in the way Allah, following the examples of the prophets and the messengers just like what is done by missionaries and full-time preachers. For their effort to show people and light the way to the true path, the path that Allah is pleased with, which resulted in the Muslims being able stay true to religion, able to do the obligatory fast according to the rules prescribed.

We celebrate Aidil Fitri starting nightfall on the first day of the month of Syawwal with recitals of the takbir (Allahu akbar), formula of tauhid (la ilaha illa Allah) and tahmid (alhamdu lil allah) with loud clear voices to exclaim the greatness of Allah s.w.t., His unique oneness and praise Him for all the blessing He has given us. Allah said in the “Quran: “…….and you should extol the greatness of Allah for the guidance bestowed upon you, so you’ll be gratefull.” (Q.S. Al-Baqarah : 185)

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Lailaha illallahu, Allahu Akbar,Allahu Akbar, wa lillahilhamd. Allah who is most great, there is none that deserves worship but Allah, and to Allah is directed all praises.

Al-Imam Al-Syafiee reminded us, the night of Aidil Fitri is among the nights when our wishes in prayers is easily granted. Thus let us pray to Allah in full concentration and ask Him to accept our fast despite our weaknesses and whatever is lacking. Ask Him so that the fast and anything good we do becomes our provision in the hereafter.

Let us celebrate this day of victory by offering congratulations and praying for the well-being of each other. Do not forget to ask forgiveness for whatever mistakes we could have comitted against other Muslims. It is easier for people to forgive on this holy day. Verily humankind is weak and tends to be oblivious of their mistakes. So take the opportunity to ask for forgiveness, also to forgive and forget.

Our silaturrahim or ties of brotherhood is strenghten by visiting our families and kith and kins, our neighbours, friends and other Muslims. This will result in them returning our visits and so on. Thus let us all do this with much happiness and love. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar walillahil hamd.

May the obligatory fast we do over the month of Ramadhan brings us rewards such as good health pyhsically, mentally and spiritually. For the fast when properly done could shape our characters and turn us into excellent human beings, pious and devoted to Allah s.w.t., patient, disciplined, thoughtful and gratefull while cleansing us from impurities and sins. May it also increase our intelligence as we face the trials and tribulations of this temporal world in preparation for the hereafter.

May we belong to the victorious people who have properly fast over the month of Ramadhan. To those who have succeeded, we like to offer our congratulations for the victory they have gained due to the blessing of following the commandments of Allah and His messenger for the whole month of Ramadhan al-mubarak.

Lastly to all Muslims men and women wherever you are, let me say: ”Happy Aidil Fitri celebration. And may you forgive me physically and spiritually too”.

No comments: