Remembering the "A" Level college days. A 'get along' session with the BTU juniors...

 Tried to find a suitable picture using Google Search image of the keyword "ragging" but found none. So decided to use this rugby picture instead...

As promised at the end of the article Remembering the "A" Level college days. The 'ghosts' that haunt 51C... , let me try to remember a ragging session conducted in college. For the record, I was a product of old boarding school ragging. So what do you expect?

OK. This must have happened before the juniors me and my mates spooked came as told in the previous instalment of the "Remember the "A" Level College days" series. I said this because now I remember, when the ragging session happened, I still got only my own batch staying in my room 51 C. I can't remember when the BTU (British Top University) juniors came. But unlike the regular juniors who like me and my batch were slated to do the "A" Levels locally before flying off to Britain, the BTU boys were supposed to go through only 3 months of preparation locally before they were sent to study at boarding schools in Britain, followed by universities.

So we regular joes (compared to the more elite BTU guys) have to stay for almost two years in the Klang Valley (and also Shah Alam) while they would be already abroad. Heck, they were supposed to be the cream of the crop from the whole Malaysian secondary education system, scoring the best in the Form Five examinations. While the rest of us under the "A" Levels program could be considered second-tier best with a few including me having been called to the BTU interview but failed to make the grade.

So the BTU students were admittedly smarter than us. Some might argue it was also a case of getting the chance to study better. Well, I can't refute that. I went through a rough and tumble patch of life starting at the age of 15 where I became very anti-establishment and started running away from home a few times especially after fighting with an equally hot-tempered dad. Why, during my SPM itself I ran away from home and nearly forsake the all-important examination... if not for conscience which says don't waste it. Thus I managed to get hold of a pair of school uniform through my brother and took the exams, some 3-5 days of it while bunking at a working friend's place.

Anyway, I was lucky enough to get grades good enough to get me called to the BTU interview, ensuring a place for the "A" Levels programme despite failing the interview. I remembered the interviewer asking: "Most of the people interviewed here have better grades than you. So why should we choose you to be in BTU?". I can't remember my answer but being at the height of my rebel days, it would not be surprising if I gave a very detrimental answer.

Nevermind, that is the attitude I took as I entered the PPP/ITM "A" Levels college. I was arrogant, cocky, supremely-confident of my natural intelligence without having to study and was very sure of my ability to attract women while handling the other guys. Then came the BTU juniors who generally rubbed us "regular joes" the wrong way.

OK. Some might say we were jealous of the BTU boys because they were considered the creme de la creme of the Malaysian education system and would go to the UK much sooner. Perhaps we were jealous but when I think about our own batch of BTU, I'd say I don't think so. I think in general, we (if not just a number of us) got on famously with our own batch of BTU. Maybe a few were good friends from boarding school days while others got along during their 3 months preparation time alongside us and soon proved to be good friends when we met up again in the UK, albeit 2 years later than them.

Yep. That was really the case. It was not so much jealousy but being snubbed by the BTU juniors. This was very evident when we bumped in the hallways. They hardly acknowledged our existence and soon many of my mates started to complain to me. And being a product of the old boarding school ragging system I soon spontaneously came up with something...

I can't remember how it actually started but one day I simply and single-handedly called a number of the BTU boys giving them a message or rather a warning: " Do ask all your mates to come up to my dorm 51C all of you at ... (what time, I couldn't remember but it was in the afternoon) or I will come up and teach you guys a nasty lesson in your own dorms". By then I already had a notorious reputation among my batch and seniors as someone capable of getting what I want.

Perhaps I made the warning a few times, perhaps only once. But soon I just went on with other things. Then I realised most of them, some 50 or so actually came to my dorm!

OK, I can't remember if I've invited my batch to join in the coming ragging session. What I do remember is I was having an afternoon nap when my mates, just about 10 of them woke me up as the BTU juniors started streaming up into my room. The funny thing is I was non-chalant at all as I told everyone to wait for me to take a shower. By the time I was done, the room was full with juniors.

After putting on some decent clothing, the session started. I think it was with a preaching from me about how the juniors did not know how to respect the seniors. No sir, we don't want you to put us up on a pedestal, we just want you to acknowledge our existence as should be the case in any school or college. And being the younger ones, they should be the first to greet us not the other way around. This is just simple tradition and good manners. It's not like we expect you to do our laundry and massage our bodies at night as is normal in boarding schools of those time.

OK. Maybe I didn't put the message in a very nice way. I remember challenging the lot to a fist fight. I said some of you must be martial artists. Come, let's see what you've got but none dared. Hmm... there may be one who answered back but not to take up my physical challenge. Instead he was being a smart aleck questioning the legitimacy of this session of ragging, saying it was not sanctioned by the college authorities and he would complain. I shoved him to the wooden locker before punching straight just next to his eyes right into the locker. I started demonstrating how to make holes using the fist and elbows, just barely missing his body parts by an inch or even less. I think that was about as violent as I did actually got.

There's one guy who looked like he was being defiant through his funny-looking stare. I asked: "You're looking at me?" He just shaked his head. Then he looked back at me again with those eyes. I asked: "You want a fight?" He shaked his head again. I went right to him ready for a brawl. Then I realised it was just the way his eyes looked like. I started laughing and said sorry and this was followed by the laughter of others.

A lighter mood ensued. With a gentler tone I started pouring out why we the seniors felt that we must have this ragging session or rather an informal orientation session. I then asked every senior to voice out what's on their minds and gave room for the juniors to give feedback. Next, I asked the juniors to one by one shake the hands of each and every senior while introducing their names. Once that is done, I explained now we have known each other don't forget to greet us and other seniors when we next meet anywhere especially in the hallways. And don't hesitate to share any problems with us as being like elder brothers we would try to help whenever we can.

With that the session ended. I think that's enough of remembering the matter. For the record, a number of the BTU juniors are now bigshots in the Malaysian politics and business scene. My next instalment on the "A" Level days would be how I was finally kicked out of college. Good night! :]

Zikir and fikir (remembrance and reflection)

There should be no more need to explain this. Just read...

ZIKIR & FIKIR (REMEMBRANCE & REFLECTION)

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

English translation by Radzi Sapiee

Zikir literally means ’remembrance’. Doa (suplications), tahmid (reciting Alhamdulillah, thanks to Allah), wirid (a group of repetitious recitals), ratib (similar to wirid), the prayers, fasting, paying the obligatory yearly alms, pilgrimage of hajj, reciting the Quran, reciting the Asmaa ul- Husna (names of Allah) and such are all methods of remembering Allah s.w.t.

Allah commands us to always remember Him in all situations. As revealed in the Quran:

“They remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: ‘Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell.’” (Al-Imran: 191)

In the verse above we are also asked to reflect as both remembrance and reflection contain huge benefits for our lives here and in the hereafter. Verily to do zikir to Allah brings huge rewards. If we always remember Allah, then Allah would surely remember us (Quranic verse of Al-Baqarah: 152.). We would also gain spiritual strength and set our souls at peace (verse of. Ar- Ra’d:28).

The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said:

"The words that are most liked by Allah S.W.T. are four: Subhanallah (Most holy Allah), wal Hamdulillah (all praises for Allah), walaa ilaaha Illallah (and there is none to be worshipped but Allah), wallahu Akbar (and Allah most great).” (H.R.Muslim).

Reciting and remembrance of Allah must be done humbly, no need to be loud (as Allah is Most Hearing), in deep concentration, sincere only for Allah. God willing, our zikir will bear fruits. At the same time we are also asked to use our minds to reflect on everything which exist on heaven and earth. When we think about the creation of the heavens and earth alongside everything in it, we would surely be amazed at how ordered things are in space.

Earth and other planets, countless stars and other celestial bodies all revolve in its own orbit, all too numerous making it impossible to count their numbers. What would happen if their paths are not ordered, for example the earth approaching the sun, the moon going into earth or a planet in collision with another planet, star with star? For sure everything in this universe would be destroyed isn’t it?

God’s creations are so perfect. If we care, do reflect how we ourselves were created, from the seed of a man and woman becoming beautiful human beings. From the weak state we were born in, bit by bit we began to grow big. We are blessed with hearing, sight, ability to talk and such as we mature then grow old. Aren’t we supposed to thank Allah for all these?

Let us reflect on the purpose of us living in this world. Is it just to eat and drink, play around and then die? If that is the case, what is the difference between us and the other creations of Allah which we call animals?

We should reflect on how the Muslims are now so far left behind compared to the other communities. We should try to mend our mistakes by returning to the Quran and Sunnah, practices of the prophet s.a.w.. We should also love and care for each other. If we do these, God willing Muslims will become the best of communities.

Since the Muslims number more than one fith of the world’s population and the land in Muslim nations blessed with all sorts of wealth, by right the Muslims should not be weak as is the case now. Thus let us always remember Allah S.W.T. and use our minds for the prosperity of our lives in this world and the hereafter.

Remembering the "A" Level college days. The 'ghosts' that haunt 51C...

Peace be upon you all. It's been three weeks since I last wrote anything about remembering the "A" level days, through the last article Remembering the "A" Level college days. The "scandal" with Ann, my dear sweet Ann.... Tonight I feel like remembering again. This has something to do with a prank me and my mates played on the juniors who were staying at our dorm 51C.

OK. This one happened sometime in the middle of 1989, after a year my batch, Batch 7 have studied in the PPP/ITM "A" Levels College at Damansara Utama. Hmm... whenever I think about our juniors Batch 8, I can't help recalling the number of pretty girls they have. But hey, this is not about the girls as that has already been touched in the article Remembering the "A" Level college days. The disco circuit of those days... and the girls , this is about the guys.

First, the change of 'guards'. As the juniors were about to enter college, our batch were told that there would be major reshuffles in the list of dormitory inhabitants. While most of the original 51C guys decided to move out and join other rooms, I decided to stick around. Apart from sentimental values, I was just too lazy to pack my things out. So there I was with Nash and Tonga being the original 51C guys who decided to stick around. Soon, the juniors came and about 15 or so settled in our room.

As usual in college, cliques were immediately formed as the popularity game continued. 51C was already a popular dorm when my batch first entered the fray. Now it continues to be popular with a new bunch of guys, the juniors who immediately invented nicknames and named their whole lot the "Brat Pack". OK, let me try to list the nicknames as far as I could remember. There was Ice, Wolf, Maverick.... hmm, I forgot the rest. But the ones I do remember when writing this seems to have their nicknames copied lock, stock and barrel from the then famous movie "Top Gun". Well, what do you expect?

Ah. Now I remember one thing. The juniors came in the during the mid-year holidays. All of my batch was actually on holiday but somehow I didn't feel like spending it at my native home in Muar and decided to stay on in the dorm. Yes, that is how I started to get along with the juniors. In fact during the first few days they came, the lot went around Kuala Lumpur city centre with me showing the way and decided to drop by Central Market. That's when we decided to make military-like pendants with our nicknames engraved on it. Yes, I remember that now. And we continued to wear the pendants for some time. This lead to many of the 400-plus Batch 8 guys and girls taking me as the leader of "Brat Pack".

Now, I'm not sure if that was a compliment or an insult. Seeing that the "Brat Pack" were considered as popular guys coming from the middle and upper-class society of Klang Valley, it could be seen as a compliment. Then again I was the senior and already popular enough on my own. When I think of that (yep, the pride likes to creep in), saying that I was the leader of a bunch of city-folk juniors who were mainly still wet behind the ears felt like an insult.

Never mind, it soon came around how the juniors were actually brats and some of the seniors thought let's make them grew up. It happened that as normal in any college, boarding school or even anywhere with dorms where youngsters stay out of the comfort of their own homes, ghosts stories are abound and we decided to add some more. A number of seniors (my batch that is) from different dorms decided to collaborate for the 'project'. The main leader was myself followed by Nash and Tonga, the original 51C guys.

So one night it started. I think it was only about 11pm or so when the lights went out. But I really can't remember this. Did the lights went out because we managed to create a local blackout or was it the dorm regulation that says the lights must be turned off after a certain time at night. Hmm... if I remembered correctly, a few days before that we started feeding the juniors every night with ghost stories said to have happened at the college, particularly in 51C. So they started getting feverish when suddenly they could smell the kemenyan (a type on incense) followed by a strong sweet smell in the air.

Now, Malay ghosts stories are full of instances where one can smell the kemenyan followed by a strong sweet smell. What happened was the minute the signal was given, Nash went to a corner of the room (it was dark then I think) and subtly started burning a small piece of kemenyan before spraying the room with perfume, actually one of those expensive branded ones. While that happened me and Tonga were supposed to go like "O'oo... its happening again!" while pretending to show slight fear in our eyes. Then we started calming the juniors. For some were starting to panic, being mummy's boys and such who have never stayed outside the safety of their own homes.

Then strange noises started coming down from the roof. For the record, our dorm is on the 3rd floor, the top floor of a row of shophouses. The juniors started to huddle together. Now comes the next stage of the act...

I can't remember Nash and Azmil's roles at this point. I think they were around to induce more fear into the juniors while pretending to help calm them down hehe! As for me, it's time to play the hero. "We can't go on like this!" I said. "It's time to fight". Hey, wait a minute. I seriously can't remember if all this happened in the dark or was there light. But I do know there's enough light at least from outside for us to be able to see each other's expression, hehe!

Anyway there I was climbing up to the roof using the escape door on the ceiling while the others prayed for my 'safety', hehe! Some wanted to follow me to 'fight' alongside but no, I told them. It's too dangerous. Something bad could happen to you. Besides I've done this before, hehe!

So I climbed up. Once clear from their view, I started laughing albeit while controlling it from becoming loud. For here on top of the roof, there were no fewer than 10 guys from my batch, from different dorms working their trade. Some were tapping the roof with sticks, some scratching it with bricks. If you were there, I'll bet you'd laugh your stomachs out. While down inside the dorm, the juniors were really scared.

Then I started making noises as if a fight was in action. Once in a while I shouted "Allahuakbar! (God is great) and such implying that I was using 'religious powers' to fight the ghosts, hehe! And soon the disturbances from up the roof abated as I went down feigning a blank face to show that I just got away from a very terrible ordeal up there.

"Ah! The ghosts were just too strong!" I told the juniors. "I almost didn't make it!" as some showed concern by trying to comfort me. The thing is they took it hook, line and sinker... except for one or two who realised what was going on but decided to play along.

I took my place among the huddled lot. Soon the noises from up the roof started coming again. That's when me, Nash and Tonga decided to sit together, only the three of us for our special ritual. "It looks like we have no choice but to concentrate our powers to drive the spirits away!" we told the juniors. And this only us can do. You juniors keep on reading the Quran and Yasin ( a verse from the Quran), we told them while trying to fight the sniggers...

My God, it was a really funny sight as half the juniors don't even know how to read the Quran as they were mainly very Western educated kids, brought up in posh neighbourhoods with not much Islamic education. God knows how hard we tried to stop ourselves from laughing. Anyway, our ritual finally 'calmed things' down, hehe. After a while we started going to sleep.

The story soon spread out among the juniors (and seniors too) of what had transpired. Some of the juniors of 51C were even thinking of changing rooms. Some wanted to complain to the college authorities because the room was haunted. Who knows when the spirits will attack again? For us seniors, something must be done quickly before the authorities found out what has actually happened.

A plan was devised. Our mate Derrick from another room was given the role of the senior who knows how to clear ghosts from a premise. He soon came knocking at our doors and offered his help wearing a long robe complete with the right headgear to make him look very religious hehe! Suffice to say the juniors started pouring their hearts out...

As the usual practice with actual religious men in such matters, Derrick asked for a glass of water and started reciting something before blowing into the glass. He then asked the juniors to throw the water out. With that, there was no more incidents of ghosts disturbing 51C. Life went on as usual without complaints. It took more than a month or so before the juniors realised what has actually happened.

p/s: Writing this piece made me remember an unofficial orientation session made by me and a few other mates on another group of juniors, the BTU (British Top University) boys. I think I will touch on this in my next article on remembering the "A" Level days before closing the whole series with what happened in my 7th trial at the student court. Good night! :]

Prohibition from killing each other...

One more translation...

PROHIBITION FROM KILLING EACH OTHER

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

English translation by Radzi Sapiee

Allah says in the Quran:

“Anyone who kills a believer on purpose, his retribution is Hell, wherein he abides forever. Allah is angry with him, and condemns him, and has prepared for him a terrible retribution.”

(Verse of An Nisa’: 93)

Since the imperialist regimes of the West start intruding into many Islamic nations, since then many Muslims have became casualties. Hundred thousands of innocent citizens became victims of terror, their wealth and belongings destroyed. The imperialists are very adept at playing the Muslims against each other causing us to fight and kill among ourselves while they overpower our nations and steal its wealth.

It is sad to everyday see the Muslims getting killed, their houses demolished, their estates destroyed. A number of them are prisoned, tortured in inhuman ways. Such oppressions are also inflicted on common citizens, children, women and disabled old men. What is more saddening is there are those who consider themselves as freedom fighters but have no consideration as they continue to kill at public places such as markets full on people, in fact places of worship like mosques.

We could expect this if it is planned and executed by the imperialist regimes who thirst for blood, power and wealth of the world. But we are very disappointed when those who claims to be Muslims do the same thing. Perhaps these oppressors have forgotten what they did will result in severe retribution. Hellfire is their place and they would stay forever inside it with Allah angry and cursing them.

Such inhuman and oppresive treatments continued to be carried out while they give a lot of excuses to justify their ways. They forgot that what they do is driving Islam and the community further towards destruction. Where goes the love and caring? How can we be the best of community when we transgress against the commandments of Allah and His messenger? How can we attain success if our practises veer far away from the recommendations of Allah and His messenger?

Have we forgotten, once anyone recites the kalimah syahadah, the two articles of faith, then we must consider him as a Muslim and thus forbidden from spilling his blood, seizing his possesions and dropping his dignity? How can we have the heart to detonate bombs in public places when there is a possibilty that good pious men might pass that way? Have we forgotten that Allah s.w.t. and His messenger Muhammad s.a.w. have left many messages asking us to love other humans especially our brother Muslims? So why do we keep on detonating bombs in public places killing innocent citizens, children, men and women?

In this day and age, individual and group personal interest especially in politics and economics is the main reason for mankind to be disunited. It is a sad thing when outside oppressors could cloud our minds by pitting our different school of thoughts against each other till we forgot Allah s.w.t.’s admonition in the Quran:

“Do not be like those who became divided and disputed, despite the clear proofs that were given to them. For they have incurred a terrible retribution.”
(Ali Imran : 105)

All sorts of calamities have been brought down upon us as Allah’s reminders of our errors. What sort of calamity do we expect before we really realise, repent and decide to mend our ways? Thus if we want to be safe and succesful, the time has come for us to refer back to the Quran and Sunnah, practices of the prophet.

Allah has reminded us:

“Hold fast all of you to the rope of Allah (the religion of Islam), and do not be divided. Recall Allah's blessings upon you when you used to be enemies and Allah reconciled your hearts. By Allah’s grace, you became Muslims. You were at the brink of a pit of fire, and Allah saved you therefrom. Thus Allah explains His revelations, so that you may receive His guidance.”
( Verse of Ali ’Imran: 103)

So let us call upon all those who love peace and security in this world and hereafter, it is time to remind each other. Don’t worship our desires, don’t kill each other what more among Muslims. Do return to the straight path favoured by Allah s.w.t. as shown in the holy Quran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w..

Let us study back whether our actions all this while is in line with the guidance given by Allah and His messenger or is it otherwise. God willing the study will bring us back to the right path, the path favoured by Allah and His messenger. And may the Muslims relive back their glorious days.

Kuala Selangor Nature Park - The Selangor river mouth at last!

Continued from Kuala Selangor Nature Park - Looking at what's available including the wildlife ...

Having seen this concrete walk which looks like it is leading towards the sea, me and wife decided to take it...

As we went along we saw something interesting in the mud...

There, can you see it? It is a big mudskipper, almost as big as the arm of an average-sized man...

We continued following the concrete walk and saw a hut at the end...

On its right there appears to be some sort of path...

While it was all mud, I decided to take it...

Unfortunately my sandals got stuck...

So I decided to continue barefooted...

Nevermind that, at last I arrived at this parts...

Yes, the Selangor river mouth at last. Although I've been to the town of Kuala Selangor (which could be literally translated as Selangor river mouth) many many times, the town and the vicinity I've been around all this while are still a good 2-3 km from the actual river mouth.

So I went out of the mud very satisfied despite getting my feet up to the calves looking this way...

With that me and wife were ready to get out of the park using a different route, a continuation of the concrete walk which looks like its taking an adjacent path before returning inland. By the way my wife didn't follow my walk into the mud.

Then we came across these wooden walk. O'oooo....

This walk seemed to lead out into the open sea...

Yes it does! I started to feel a slight regret upon realising this...

If only I realise this wooden walk exist, I would'nt go through the trouble of getting my feet quite deep in the mud.

Never mind, now I have a better view of the Selangor river mouth...

And my wife finally gets to see it too without going through the trouble I had...

So that's it. End of story. Cheerio! :]

E-mails to hell!

Something I came across after making a Google Image Search of "Dante's Hell"

Peace be upon you all. Just another translation I made last night...

E-MAILS TO HELL

By Ustaz Syed Hasan Alatas

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

Translation by Radzi Sapiee

Lately fans of Shiar Islam have been asking about e-mails they have been receiving. The content looks good but practically ends with an order that one must make at least 20 copies each and forward it to their friends. Those who do this will allegedly be rewarded with such things as huge profit in business, promotion at work-place, first prize in lottery and beautiful girl of their dreams. Instead if the receiver of the e-mail fails to comply, he will receive calamities such as death of a son, getting fired from work, infected by a terrible disease and other scary notions.

For the attention of all who is faithful to Allah SWT and Him messenger Muhammad SAW, we should refer to the Quran and Sunnah (practices) of the prophet SAW. Allah SWT has reminded us in the holy book:

“O you who believe, if a Fasiq (wicked or person of questionable beliefs) brings any news to you, you shall first investigate, lest you commit injustice towards some people, out of ignorance, then become sorry and remorseful for what you have done.” (al-Hujurat, 6)

Although the e-mail begins with good things which looks like valid reminders with valid arguments quoted from esteemed sources for the Muslims, the way it is done is against the rules of Islam. We all know that the Qur’an and Sunnah of the prophet are guidance and reference for Muslims and both only ask us to carry out the commandments of Allah and His messenger. We are never asked to make certain number of copies of the Quranic verses or the Hadith (sayings) of the prophet, what more promised that we will get certain rewards if we do so or get punished with such things as death and accidents if we refused. If we believe in these chain e-mails and its claims, then we practically admitted it as having power to determine our luck and future. Believing in other powers besides Allah SWT can bring us to Syirik, (polytheism, idolatry or simply attributing powers to other things or entities besides God) which is a very serious offence against the Creator.

Allah says in the Quran: “Verily Allah does not forgive the sin of Syirik but would forgive all other sins for whoever He wants, and whoever associates Allah (with others) he has committed a huge sin." (An-Nisa, 48)

So it is clear that such e-mails actually comes from enemies of Islam who want to subtly erode the faith of the Muslim and bring them to error and Allah SWT’s wrath. To whoever who have unwittingly followed the order of the e-mail, do repent and ask forgiveness from Allah SWT. They must also remind friends who have received the e-mail to delete it and stop forwarding it to others.

May Allah SWT gives us guidance and knowledge along with the will to practise all His commands.

Kuala Selangor Nature Park - Looking at what's available including the wildlife

Continued from the article Kuala Selangor Nature Park - Sizing up the paths...

As we went along the straight path, a sort of funny looking animal came into view. This picture was actually taken with the zoom going on 5x as I was worried that it would be scared if I came any nearer.

Nevertheless, I tried to walk slowly towards it telling my wife to keep very quite. This picture is also taken using 5 x zoom. Now I could see that the animal is beaver. If I remember correctly this is the first time I ever saw one out of captivity.

As I walked nearer, the animal began to notice. I stood still pretending to be a log or something before making the move to get nearer again. The animal went on with its business loitering around the area perhaps looking for something. I took the opportunity to move closer hoping to catch a good picture of the animal without having to use zoom. It didn't work. The beaver got scared and ran away.

Then I noticed the hill of Bukit Melawati to the left of the path.

I zoomed in to get a closer picture...

I looked back to the right. This is where the beaver scooted off...

Next in front is this observation tower...

Then there's this gazebo facing the lake.

As we walked on, the mangrove swamp to our right looks inviting.

We arrived at this point where we could see the main buildings on top of Bukit Melawati properly aligned. This made me realised, I've seen the point where I was standing to take this picture from the hill, particularly beside the moon observation building at the centre of this picture. Look at the article Bukit Melawati by 'train'...

Oh, there were also a number of cranes standing around the lake including on top of trees as could be seen in this picture. Sorry, this is as close I could get with the 5x zoom...

Then we went further along the path...

Next we saw this concrete elevated walk which could lead to the sea. To be continued...

Isra' and mikhraj, the night journey of Prophet Muhammad SAW

Just a picture I came across after making a Google Image Search using the keywords "Stairway to Heaven".

This is another article translated from http://www.shiar-islam.com/.

ISRA' AND MIKHRAJ, THE NIGHT JOURNEY

By Ustaz Syed Hasan Alatas
Rearranged by: Al-Azharii Al-Siddiq Hj. Kamuri, BTN, JPM
http://www.shiar-islam.com/

English translation by Radzi Sapiee

“Most glorified is Allah who moved his servant (Prophet Muhammad saw ) in one night from Masjidil Haram to Masjidil Aqsa, whose surroundings we have blessed in order to show our signs. Verily He is Most Hearing and Most Observing” (verse 1, surah al-Isra’)

Allah swt. has moved (isra’) Prophet Muhammad saw from Masjidil Haram in Mecca far away to Masjid Al-Aqsa in Palestine in a very short time. At the time it is common for people to walk from place to place or ride horses, camels and such. Normally it would take 40 days to get from Mecca to Palestine. But with the power of Allah swt. the long journey was shortened to just under an hour.

For the people then, it is impossible to cover such distance in such a short time and thus their minds could not accept it. Used to riding horses, donkeys and camels, for them there is no way this could be done. Thus unbelievers such as Abu Jahal and his followers used the incident to accuse the prophet as being a liar. However the notion of travelling from Mecca and Palestine in just an hour is not impossible today with the advances of such vehicles like fast trains, jets and airplane.

The people during the time of the prophet could not imagine such a possibilty. Only the faithfuls don’t question the validity of Prophet Muhammad saw.’s experience despite their lack of understanding. For they accept it as an example of Allah swt’s power considering it as miracles like that bestowed on earlier prophets and messengers. For example Prophet Jesus a.s. was born without a father. No, he has no father not because he was born out of wedlock as is the common case today especially in Western countries. In fact his mother was never sexually touched by a man and this is an impossibiltiy in medical science.

Prophet Jesus a.s. was able to talk when he was still a baby. When he was an adult, he could heal the sick. In fact he is known for bringing the dead back to life! Although there is no way we could explain this scientifically, believers are thought to have faith in the matter accepting its occurence without the need for any explanation.

Such is the case with Prophet Moses a.s. who was given a special wooden staff by Allah swt. The staff could transfrom into a large serpent who then swallows all the snakes conjured by the magicians of the Pharaoh. Prophet Moses a.s. also opened up the Red Sea to let his followers ran through to escape the pursuit of the Pharaoh’s army. There are more examples of the powers Allah swt given to the prophets and messengers and these are called mukjizat. If similar things happen to other pious servants of His then it is called karamah, the plain Arabic word for miracles.

In the night journey which became known as the Isra’ and Mikhraj. Prophet Muhammad saw. was shown examples and parables which is beneficial to mankind The night journey actually comprised of two parts. In the Isra’, Allah moved the prophet from Mecca to Palestine. This is followed by the Mikhraj where the prophet was taken to ascend the seven heavens and beyond to meet God!

The prophet was shown an old man who never stops to add burden on his back although he is not capable of carrying it. This is actually a parable of the man who wants to do all sorts of jobs despite the fact that he could not even do one to perfection. By right, he should have just taken one job at a time and complete it to satisfaction, not become greedy or simply want to show off to become popular.

Rasulullah saw. was also shown a man who likes to eat smelly contaminated food although there is clean and good food besides him. This is a parable for the man who likes to fornicate leaving his wife unattended. In fact he likes to pick up prostitutes and eventually would suffer from diseases like AIDS, syphlis and other venereal diseases until the family institution is destroyed.

The biggest fruit from the event of Isra’ and Mikhraj is receiving Allah swt.’s command to conduct the obligatory five-times a day Solat or prayer. Other obligatory rituals of worship such as fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan, paying the zakat (yearly tithe or alms), doing the pilgrimage to Mecca or the hajj and such are commanded through Allah swt’s revelations on earth. On the other hand, Solat is directly commanded by Allah swt from a station high above the seven heavens.

This shows the special status of Solat. Thus there is no reason for us to leave it behind. If we are sick and thus unable to stand up then we could do it by sitting down. If we could not sit, we are still given the relaxation of doing it while lying down. If even this we can’t do, then we are allowed to do the Solat through body signals.

Now, we must do the Wudhuk or abolution, a ritual of washing certain body parts first before we could do the Solat. If there is no water, or we have a sickness where we can’t touch water or unable to reach it, we could resort to the alternative ritual of Tayammum, using bits of dust from any clean surface to be wiped against certain body parts as a replacement for Wudhuk. In short Solat must be conducted regardless of our condition, regardless of where we are at any given moment. It is a serious obligation that could not be dispensed with unless we don’t have a sound mind, lost consciousness or have fainted, gone mad or such.

It should be added that we must clean ourselves from all forms of filth before doing the Wudhuk (or Tayammum in its place). Then we should clean the place where we put our heads in prostration and once that is done we could start the Solat, giving full concentration physically, mentally and spiritually only to Allah swt. God willing, with regular Solats, we can educate ourselves to become clean and disciplined. We will also get good health body and mind making us useful human beings.

Kuala Selangor Nature Park - Sizing up the paths...

Yesterday, me and wife visited the Kuala Selangor Nature Park through its entrance behind the hill Bukit Melawati.

Previously, we have only visited a building containing some aquariums besides the entrance once and having now arrived here unplanned, why not have a walk inside the nature park?

There are these interesting trees in the courtyard. One look like a giant mosquito sucking blood from the other. Another look at it and I thought it could well be monsters doing ballet albeit in a funny way...


OK. The signboard implies we are now entering the main part of the park.

But first we have to walk quite a distance...

Walk we did while enjoying the sights which include banyan trees like this one on the right.

Then we saw a bridge ahead...

This is followed by a junction. Time to choose, left or right...

We could have gone straight too to an observation tower but the area is a dead end. We decided to turn right and walked on...

Along the way we saw this steel building which looks like an uncompleted aviary.

Then the path started bending anti-clockwise...

Looks like we still have a long way to go...

Some 300 metres metre or so a body of water came into view...

It turns out to be a quite long lake...

Look closely and you could see a few cranes around, I mean the birds, not machines...

Then we arrived at another junction.

The right looks out of question.

So we turned left and went on. To be continued...