It's A Sad Thing

Ramadhan is coming to an end...this week. Syawal is coming up...along with Aidil Fitri. The supposedly celebration for all Muslims in 'winning' the feat of fasting throughout the month. But...that's not the topic I'm on tonight.

I'm deeply saddened by the issues highlighted by some people on the new commercial aired by TV3 for the Aidil Fitri. I just don't understand what the hype was all about. Just because the commercial portrays other than the usual 'Malay setting' they said it's 'khurafat' (nonsense) and trying to deviate from the teachings of Islam.

Duhh! First of all...celebrating the Eid-ul Fitri is not written as one of Rukun Islam. It was just a celebration passed down from generations. It's just a culture. Some people don't even celebrate Eid-ul Fitri...not in a big way, that is. Don't they know?

Secondly, it shows that these people have nothing better to do than looking for the faults in others. Is that a true Islamic approach? There is this one Blogger, who went up to the extent of looking at every single frame of the commercial while commenting this and that. He even relate that to the Freemasonry and Illumination...Buddhisme & Christianity! What a bunch of crap! Does he seriously look at every commercial as detailed as he did to that particular commercial? I wonder...

While they say that they are 'true' Muslims...did they not realise that inadvertently they made others (especially the non-Muslims) to wonder if finding faults in others is the true teachings of Islam? And I'm saying that it is NOT. Islam does not teach us to find faults in others. Islam does not teach us to ridicule others publicly...and Islam does not teach us to have negative thoughts about others - be them Muslims OR non-Muslims.

Islam taught us to be good to EVERY living thing. Only when circumstances arise that we can declare war with the enemies of Islam. To understand this...you need to really understand Islam. Not necessarily wearing the full headcover or purdah or the kopiah or the songkok made you a 'true' Islam...Not, if you are still saying things that would hurt other people's feelings.

My advice is:

• Please understand Islam the ACTUAL way, whole heartedly. 'Know yourself in order to know your God".
• And to Blog readers: Don't just simply agree with what a Blogger writes, until and unless you are sure that what is written is valid. It doesn't hurt to take a step back to reflect what was written...or to do some background search on the topic...or to refer to someone knowledgeable on the topic...before you agree / disagree with the Blogger's point of view.

In the case of that poor commercial, I would say that no one (at this point of time) took the initiative to really ask the production what was their real intention in producing that commercial. Which, I have a great feeling that is has everything to do with the spirit of 1Malaysia...that's all.

Nonetheless, this is what I wanna share with you guys:
"O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor let some women laugh at others: it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: ill-seeming is a name connoting to wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: and those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong. O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it...But fear God: for God is Oft-returning, Most Merciful. O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things)". - Al-Hujuraat: 11-12.

PEACE! TO THE WORLD...

Does God Exist? (An Affirmation)

...this is a continuation to the post on 'Does God Exist' (click here).

"In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

(Inevitably) cometh (to pass) the Command of God: seek ye not then to hasten it: Glory to Him, and far is He above having the partners they ascribe unto Him! He doth send down His angels with inspiration of His Command, to such of His servants as He pleaseth, (saying): "Warn (Man) that there is no god but I: so do your duty unto Me.". He has created the heavens and the earth for just ends: far is He above having the partners they ascribe to Him!

He has created man from a sperm-drop; and behold this same (man) becomes and open disputer!

And cattle He has created for you (men): from them ye derive warmth, and numerous benefits, and of their (meat) ye eat. And ye have a sense of pride and beauty in them as ye drive them home in the evening, and as ye lead them forth to pasture this morning. And they carry your heavy loads to lands that ye could not (otherwise) reach except with souls distressed: for your Lord is indeed Most Kind, Most Merciful, And (He has created) horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride and use for show; and He has created (other) things of which ye have no knowledge.

And unto God leads straight the Way, but there are ways that turn aside: if God had willed. He could have guided all of you.

It is He who sends down rain from the sky: from it ye drink, and out of it (grows) the vegetation on which ye feed your cattle. With it He produces for you corn, olives, date-palms, grapes and every kind of fruit: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.

He has made subject to you the night and the day; the sun and the moon; and the stars are in subjection by His Command: verily in this are Signs for men who are wise. And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colours (and qualities): verily in this is a Sign for men who celebrate the praises of God (in gratitude).

It is He who has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and tender, and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) the bounty of God that ye may be grateful.

And He has set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you; and rivers and roads; that ye may guide yourselves; And marks and sign-posts; and by the stars (men) guide themselves.

Is then He Who creates like one that creates not? Will ye not receive admonition? If ye would not count up the favours of God, never would ye be able to number them: for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. And God doth know what ye conceal, and what ye reveal. Those whom they invoke besides God create nothing and are themselves created. (They are things) dead, lifeless: nor do they know when they will be raised up."

Al-Nahl:1-21.

Does God Exist?

I came across this site www.allaboutphilosophy.org and one of the article discusses the above topic. You see...when I was suffering from a major depression about 10 years ago, I posed the exact same question to myself. And yes, I have found the answer.

For those of you who believe and have faith that God exists...treat this article as a means to affirm your faith. For those who are still looking out for the answer...or the truth...treat this as a platform to open up your heart and your mind to keep searching for the answer.

You can check out the site for the full length...as I'm posting only the excerpt of the article here:

"Does God Exist - The Big Questions
Does God exist? An answer to this fundamental question is a prerequisite for answering the other big questions of life: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Do we serve a purpose? Do we have any intrinsic value? What happens after we die? The question of the existence of God is fundamental.

Does God Exist - Things to Consider
Once you're ready to ask the question, "does God exist?" here are a few observations to consider as you begin your search for an objective answer:

1. Discoveries in astronomy have shown beyond a reasonable doubt that the universe did, in fact, have a beginning. There was a single moment of creation.

2. Advances in molecular biology have revealed vast amounts of information encoded in each and every living cell, and molecular biologists have discovered thousands upon thousands of exquisitely designed machines at the molecular level. Information requires intelligence and design requires a designer.

3. Biochemists and mathematicians have calculated the odds against life arising from non-life naturally via unintelligent processes. The odds are astronomical. In fact, scientists aren't even sure if life could have evolved naturally via unintelligent processes. If life did not arise by chance, how did it arise?

4. The universe is ordered by natural laws. Where did these laws come from and what purpose do they serve?

5. Philosophers agree that a transcendent Law Giver is the only plausible explanation for an objective moral standard. So, ask yourself if you believe in right and wrong and then ask yourself why. Who gave you your conscience? Why does it exist?

6. People of every race, creed, color, and culture, both men and women, young and old, wise and foolish, from the educated to the ignorant, claim to have personally experienced something of the supernatural. So what are we supposed to do with these prodigious accounts of divine healing, prophetic revelation, answered prayer, and other miraculous phenomena? Ignorance and imagination may have played a part to be sure, but is there something more

If your curiosity has been piqued and you desire to look into this matter further, we recommend that you consider the world's assortment of so-called Holy Books. If God does exist, has He revealed Himself? And if He has revealed Himself, surely He exists".

To these...check out my next posting on the evidences.

It Ain't Easy

For the record: This posting is dedicated to all the Homemakers in the World.

September would be the 7th month of my feat in becoming a full-time housewife aka 'homemaker'. When someone asks "So how was it?" my answer would be "It ain't easy". But most people thought it is.

Being a homemaker is no easy feat and I'd take my hats off to those who have been doing so for years and years...without any complaints. I spent the first three months trying to adjust to the flexible timing (still am, I think).

When I was working, my time has already been preset. So it took a while to adjust to that freedom because there was a time when I abused it and the result wasn't so good. Then I had to adjust myself to having the kids around me 24/7. Oh! They were like a mole in the skin...following me everywhere, except to the loo (Thank God for that!). The greatest challenge is trying to understand their attitudes and for them to understand my 'rules'.

The Cooking & such: I spent most of the day time in the kitchen. Cooking, washing and cleaning...all are done here. Do you know that there are basically THREE stages of cooking?

There's the preparation, then the cooking and then the cleaning up. I'd spend like 2 - 3 hours on this. Not including eating the meals. Most people know about the cooking part, but not the cleaning. And most dislike to do the cleaning anyway...due to the oily stuffs.

The Laundry: At first, I tried to do the laundry like three times a week. But with these kids and the amount of clothes that they wear...couldn't afford to. So I'd do the laundry as and when required i.e. when the baskets are full. Heh.

Basically, washing the dirty clothes would take almost a day and I'd normally do it in the night. The next day, hanging up. The day after next, the picking up. And the day after the day after next, the folding. Sometimes it took me one whole week to complete the cycle. Hehe.

The Cleaning: Then there's the regular vacuuming, mopping and wiping. Vacuum must be done at least twice a week, especially when there's a construction going on in the vicinity. Mopping is done once a month...due to the backpain. Ugghh!! And wiping the furniture is done together with the vacuuming. Sometimes. Heh.

The Other Stuffs: Notwithstanding the fact that I'm also doing 'somethings' online, I'd really have to balance out the timing. But most of the time I got carried away online that I tend to neglect some of the things that I have to do around the house. And I guess I'm still being lucky because my kids aren't in school yet. Otherwise I'd have to be a part-time chauffer as well. And that also DOES NOT inlcude baking or cooking or sewing or painting; like some other homemakers do, to earn some side income.

In summary...being a homemaker is challenging...and tiring too.

So please...next time when someone tells you that they've quit and staying at home to take care of the kids don't just say "Oh, yeah?". Instead, say "Hey! That's great! It's a noble thing to do". Because I'd tell ya...it ain't easy.

But the best part is...we manage our own time.

It's SEPTEMBER!!

Yeay!! It's September!!!

Why am I so happy about September? Four things:

1. The last 9 days of Ramadhan would end in September;
2. The Eid-ul Fitri will be celebrated in September;
3. Malaysia Day will be celebrated for the 1st time this year and it falls on Sept 16; and
4. I'll be celebrating MY BIRTHDAY in September...along with a few friends and family members.

I was doubly happy last year...because for the first time in my life, I celebrated my birthday on the first day of Eid-ul Fitri. That's never gonna happen again...I guess. But nonetheless, this year it's still in the month of Syawal. I'll rejoice that anyway.

I sincerely hope that good things would come my way this month. And I hope the same to all of you out there too. Regardless of who you are or where you're from or what religion you are, I wish you all the best. Since this is already the ninth month of 2010, I hope that you'd achieve your objectives for the 3rd Quarter of the year. Whatever those objectives might be. Personal or work.

Do you know, that...

• September is one of the four Gregorian months with 30 days.
• September in the Southern Hemisphere is equivalent to March in the Northern Hemisphere.
• September begins on the same day of the week as December...every year.
• September 19 is International Talk Like A Pirate Day
• September 21 is the International Day of Peace
• September 20 is my birthday

HAPPY NEW MONTH, EVERYONE!!