UEFA 032 - Boulangerie-Patisserie

Next morning, we visited the castles of France.
First, we visited Le Château de Pierrefonds.

You must see how macho I looked in the outfit of the
Knight of the Roundtable.

The architecture of Pierrefonds is rounded like the fort in Arabian lands, or like the moors of the Normandy era. At one angle, it made me feel like Robin Hood.

Anyway, history had recorded the rule of the Arabs in Spain including the southern France for about 500 hundreds years.

It was natural that the architectures of the Arabs had some influence on the building of these castles in France.

This is now a post from one of the small windows of Pierrefond castle. The scenery of the river was so enchanting that I couldn't help it and want to record it in the camera.

The second castle we visited was Le Château de Shantilly. This castle had an Anglican architecture.

The French do spent their time visiting these castles over the weekends. Even youngsters were seen lingering in the castles.

The roofs were sharp triangles with high narrow minarets. There were domes in between which gave it a look of Roman Catholic Church.

On the way home for lunch, we stopped at a bakery in the vicinity of Quermoy-Viller.

The terminology used for bakery & confectionery shops in France is

Boulangerie-Patisserie.

We occupied the whole afternoon, packing and relaxing, as my wife and I will be leaving for Amsterdam that night. We sat chit-chatting with my sister in the living room. We reminisced over our times in Singapore, until we were late, and had to rush to the Creteil train station.

We arrived at the station just in time before it moved. We jumped up to the train cabin without bothering to buy the ticket first. As the train was already about to move, I did not bother to asked about the ticket counter. Surely we can buy it while on the train.

Until we arrived at Gare du Nord train station, no inspector came asking for tickets. I began to doubt if my sister had deliberately delayed us, so that we do not have time to buy the tickets, and enjoyed a free ride. It reminded me of the commuters who jumped over the barriers in the train station when I first arrived into Paris, few days ago.

Though, the night was freezing cold, we managed to make our way buying tickets to Dortmund in Western Germany, with a sleeping cabin. Each ticket cost Ffr421.00. Guys don’t be alarmed. At that time S$1.00 was about Ffr30.00. Therefore divided by 30, the ticket was about S$140.00.

The train moved northwards via Koln and Dusseldorf and reached Dortmund in the early morning. We wandered in the city of Dortmund looking for budget hotels for a night only.

We found a large compartment for temporary storage of our luggage, and wandered our way in Dortmund. We went asking for room but found that they were expensive.

As we wandered I saw the advantages of having trams in a city area. The pedestrians and drivers always gave way to the trams. The trams frequently horn its way through the crowded city.

532 words

Drafted on 07.04.2007

Edited on 22.07.2007 at 0905hrs

At Woodlands Avenue 5

009-6 The Cave 18:30 GOD determines everything

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

The meaning of Verse 30

"Certainly, for those who believe The Truth

and do good deeds,

WE will not hold back their rewards."


====================================================

Imam Jalalain commented in detailed grammatical arguments

to derive the inner meaning that GOD will certainly give rewards

to those who believe The Truth according to their good deeds.

Harun Yahya wrote that

ALLAH encompasses everything that humanity does.

ALLAH gives reward for those deeds that comply with the Quran's morality.

That is, we must do amal soleh according tothe guidance of the Quran.
Then ALLAH will reward us with Paradise (Jannah).

In other chapters of the Quran ALLAH says;

"Everything in the heavens and earth

belongs to ALLAH,

HE can repay those who do evil for what they did,

and repay those who do good with the very best"

[Surah An-Najm verse 31]

"Yes. the friends of ALLAH

will feel no fear and will know no sorrow.

Those who believe and guard against evil,

there is good news for them in this world

and the Hereafter.

There is no change the words of ALLAH.

That is the great victory"

[Surah Yunus verse 62-64]

===will be continued in nest email InsyaALLAH===

UEFA 031 – Arab Institute

UEFA 031 – Arab Institute

Next morning, around 1100hrs, we followed my sister to fetch her children from school. Then she brought us to a huge shopping complex.

I had forgotten the name of the complex but only remember a name ‘castorama’, one of the big shop inside it.

From there, she dropped us at a place where we can catch a bus to the city of Paris. We alighted at The Institute of Arab World. I supposed it was a building of an Arab Organization. We went to the roof-top and had lunch in a restaurant.

The windows of that building had a uniquely designed shutter like the shutter-blades of a camera. I read a notice stating that the larger middle shutter blades will automatically adjust the size of its opening according to the amount of sunlight that fall on it.

From there we walked by the famous river Seine, and I felt the vibrant of its historical artistic fame, such names as Voltaire, Lewis, Monalisa, Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Satre and Victor Hugo.

The walk brought us to the famous Louvre Arts Museum. I was dying to go in and see with my own eyes the grandeur of its fame.

Unfortunately, we do not have that extra French Franc to afford the entrance fee for both of us. On the other hand, as a loving husband, I do not have the heart to leave my dear wife wandering alone at the shopping mall, while I admire Monalisa in the Louvre.

Even, if she agrees, I still would not have the heart to do so, because, I know me very well that, I would take a very long time to admire every stroke of Monalisa. Doesn’t that sound awkward to you?

Well that is what we call 'Arts'. One who appreciate Arts can be a strange person, and sometimes look like crazy.

I am one of those crazy people who appreciate Arts, especially, in short stories and novels. In painting, I scored a proud P5 in my 1969 GCE 'O' Level Arts.

By 1994, while searching for new direction in life, I had been reading alot of novels and short stories.

My favorite was malay novels by A Samad Said, who had won many Writer's Award. In his writings, he introduced me a lot awas malay novels by bout Paris Arts scene and its writers, such as Voltaire, Lewis and Jean Paul Satre.

I also admire Anton Chehkov, a prolific Russian short-story writer. Born in Rostov, Russia, he did not write in English, but I managed to admire him from the translations of his works.

Next afternoon, my sister, brought us to Eiffel Tower. The entrance fee was Ffr56.00 each. My wife and I went up, while my sister and Paula waited downstairs. My sister was afraid of heights.

The last time in 1986, we did not have the chance to go up, because, the queue was too long. It was a magnificent experience. Although it was already 8pm, the view of Paris from Eiffel Tower was very clear, as it was in the end of May.

From the top of Eiffel Tower.

You wouldn’t believe it if I say that the tower was moving, shaking and always tilting left and right, like the swerving of trees when blown by strong wind. Like you, I had always thought that,

“the Eiffel Tower is made of stainless steel. It must be firm and will not be moved even an inch by the wind.”

To my surprise, you and I are wrong.

There were gadgets installed, to measure the movements of the tower. I observed that the movements and the tilting of the tower is way more than an inch.

The most enthralling experience was to see the city of Paris from the sky. It was fascinating to see how the narrow lanes were winding like a maze and to see the amazing River Seine flowing lazily through the city, carrying on it hundreds of boats with thousands of tourists and century load of history.

605 words

Drafted on 07.04.2007

Edited on 22.07.2007 at 0855hrs

At Woodlands Avenue 5

009-5 The Cave 18:29 - Boiling water will scald the faces

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

The meaning of Verse 29

Say, "The Truth is from your Lord. Who wants to believe, let them believe. And who wants to reject, let them reject."

We have prepare for those who reject The Truth, fire, which will surround them from all sides like a wall.

And when they beg for drinking water, they will be given drinking water hot like molten lead, or boiling oil, which will scald their faces.

How dreadful is the drink! How miserable is that resting place (Hell).

====================================================

Imam Jalalain commented that :-

1) the sentence,

"And who wants to reject, let them reject." is a warning from God. It is not an option.

2) the word 'resting place' in this verse has a negatif meaning. It is an opposite to Verse 31 later in this same Chapter 18, which means;

"And Paradise is the most pleasant resting place"

It must be understood in this way, as it is not appropiate to say that Hell is a 'resting place'.


=====to be continued if GOD's will========

UEFA 030 – Viva Parie

UEFA 030 – Viva Parie


I arrived at Gare-de-East train station in Paris early next morning.


The morning crowd was rushing to work. Many commuters were jumping over the entrance and exit, indicating that many of them had free rides. I snatched some bread and a cup of coffee at a café to get some coins.


There were guide maps and instructions on how to go places with the public transport, but, all were in French. I could figure out somehow, that there was a bus service direct from the train station to Charles de Gaulle Airport. European has adopted sign languages for their directions and public instructions, that more pictures and logo and less words.


It seemed that the arrival hall of Charles de Gaulle Airport was a huge circular corridor. In the middle you can see escalator going up and down. I checked at the monitor and go straight to the Arrival Sortie, where my wife will be arriving. As soon as I reached there, my sister greeted me, as she was already waiting.


My sister moved to France in 1987. She had a boy named Frank and a girl named Paula.
Though a housewife, she was involved in some voluntary social works, such as, a committee member in the Association of Singaporean living in France. She wrote to me quite often after moving to France.


After a short wait, my wife arrived. She looked tired but managed to smile.


My sister drove us to her beautiful French cottage, located just at the outskirt of Paris. It was a village town named Quermoy-Viller, in the district of Creteil. Quermoy-Viller is pronounced as “Oma Villa”.



It was a 2-storey bungalow with basement.

The front yard was green turf. In the stroller was baby Paula, while Frank was sneaking from the front door.

The rear view of her house. In the stroller was baby Paula.

the backyard was a mini garden bordered by a bushy vacant land.

The basement was a garage, boiler-room for the heating system and storage of bulky items. The handyman would have their DIY workshop in there and the wine lover will turn some of it into a cellar. In short, it is a multi-purpose basement hall.

Of course my wife loved the kitchen and the luxurious dining hall.

Frank was a little shy, as he had not seen us for 6 years.

Paula looked at us a strangers, as she was born in France, and that was our first visit.

That night we had a nice delicious dinner, especially for me,

after a month of butter and cheese in Heerbrugg.

My sister is a fantastic good cook.

523 words

Drafted on 07.04.2007

Edited on 22.07.2007 at 0845hrs

At Woodlands Avenue 5

007-2e The Cave 18:28 Do not be influenced by pride and desire

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

Literal Translation of verse 28.

Be patient in the company of those who call their Lord

in the morning and evening in seeking HIS pleasure.

Do not turn away from them,

in seeking the luxury of this worldly life,

and do not follow those people whom

WE have made their hearts forget to remember US,

and who only follow their desire.

Such are acts of extremely over the limits.

Commentary by Jalalain.

Be patient with the company of your poor followers,

as they are unable to give you any worldly benefit.

Do not leave them for the sake of worldly luxury

and do not join those who were not interested in the Quran,

i.e. Uyaynah ibnu Hishn and his friends,

who do things as they please, especially in idol worship,

which is an act of extremely beyond limit.

Commentary by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

The true servants of GOD are those whose hearts are

turned to HIM morning, noon and night.

They seek only GOD's Grace and HIS Nearness.

The poor followers are rich in spiritual satisfaction than

worldly grandeur.

GOD's Grace is always satisfying.

On the other hand, resisting the Quran and following your own lust

will left you abandoned and hopeless in false pride.

Commentary by Muhammad Asad.

And contained yourself in patience by the side of

all who at morning and at evening invoke their Sustainer,

seeking His countenance,

and let not your eyes pass beyond them

in quest of the beauties of this world's life [36],

and pay no heed to any, whose heart,

We have rendered heedless of all remembrance of US [37]

because he had always follow only his own desires,

abandoning all that is good and true [38]

[Footnote by Muhammad Asad]

[36] Several years before the Muslims exodus to Medina, some of the the pagan chieftains at Mecca wanted to accept Islam on condition that Prophet Muhammad dissociate himself from the company of the former slaves and other poor people among his followers.

[37] The well-knowned commentators, Zamakhshari and Razi explainthe Arabic verb 'aghfalna' is agreeable with the Quranic doctrine and means "whom WE have found to be heedless".

[38] Rejecting all bounds of what is right.

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.
Asbabun Nuzul of verse 28

In the name of The God Most Compassionate Most Merciful

Ibnu Murdawih brought forward a hadis from the chain of narration of Juwaibir from Dhahhak from the companion Ibnu Abbas that is related to His commandments:

"and do not follow those people whom WE have made their hearts forget to remember US"

[Al-Kahfi 18:28]

Ibnu Abbas said that the above verse 28 was revealed in relation to Umayyah ibnu Khalaf Al Jumahiy.

That is because Umayyah suggested to ProphetMuhammad to do things that the Prophet did not like to do, that is, to ask his poor followers to go away from him, so that, the leaders of the pagan Meccan people will be attracted to come near to the Prophet.

After that incident the above verse was revealed.

Ibnu Abu Hatim brought forward a hadis from Ar Rabi' who narrated that, Prophet Muhammad narrated to us, that one day he met Umayyah ibnu Khalaf who persuaded him, while the Prophet, at that time, was not paying attention to what was meant by Umayyah; thus the above verse was revealed.

Ibnu Abu Hatim brought forward another hadis from the chain of Abu Hurairah who narrated that, one dayUyainah ibnu Hishn came to Prophet Muhammad, while Salman, the Prophet's companion was by his side.Uyainah said,

"When we come, ask this person to go away, and then invite us to come in"

Thus the above verse was revealed.

[Apparently, Salman, is one of the 70 poor companions of Prophet Muhammad.]



===will be continued with the grace of GOD===

007-1e The Cave 18 : 27 - Read, Learn & Convey

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi (The Cave)

Literal Translation of verse 27.
And read to them what has been revealed to you, that is, the Book of your Lord. No one can change HIS Words. And you will not find a place for refuge other than HIM.


The Commentaries

The 2 imam Jalalain interpreted this verse as written above and he interpreted refuge as aplace for protection.


Muhammad Asad interpreted this verse as
"to convey to the world whatever has been revealed to you".

He said that the statement
'nothing can change God's Words',

according to Razi and Abu Muslim al-Isfahani, this sentence means that, there is no such thing as "Doctrine of Abrogation" which is better known in Arabic as the term "Nasich wal Mansuch". [1]


[1] There does not exist a single Tradition or narration of any kind, that Prophet Muhammad ever declared a verse of the Quran have been "abrogated" or have been replaced by another verse. This doctrine was formulated by some commentators who were unable to reconcile one verse with another. This "Doctrine of Abrogation" has no basis in historical fact, and must be rejected.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali, briefly interpreted this verseas to recite and teach the revelation of the Quran.None can change God's commands, Decrees and Orders.And you cannot find as protection other than HIM.

Prof Mahmud Yunus interpreted the meaning of this verse as "Read! O Muhammad whatever that has been revealed to you, that is your God's Book. None canchange HIS words and you will never find any protection other than HIM.

Zurich & Basel who is older?

In my last post on Zurich and basel, I couldn't find these pictures which were saved in my office pc. Now I managed to copy them to my thumb-drive and bring them home, 4 U 2 C....!!!

I was wondering who is older, Zurich or Basel ?


But in Zurich I saw this double-decker train. It must be younger. But the Railway Station was so messy.

But you see above that there is a limousine, tram bus and a lady on her bicycle in the middle of the busy world business city of Zurich !

Still I am not convience that Zurich is younger because there was also an old red English double-decker bus in the city.

But after seeing this Basel railway station above, I am sure Basel is an older city than Zurich. The framework of the station were made of steel. Only very little concrete.

But outside the station the view is much new and modern.

I walked till I came this roundadbout, I don't know which way to choose. I chose to walk to the right and came to almost an end of the pavement and saw these grafiti at the building.

It was this staircase that led me to the unexpected porn cinema. I should have known from the words in the grafiti that it was a red-light area.

Then I walked back to the Basel Railway Station.

Please sent me your comments

Thank you very much for reading my Blog
Please do not hesitate to pen me your comments.

Your comments will surely inspire me
to continue writing my thoughts,
observations, and confessions in my Blog.


The picture above shows my seriousness at work


You are very important to me.

Please sent to me your comments

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006-5e Historical events on miraculous sleep for 300 years

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

This is a continuation on the historical events related to the revelation of this Chapter 18.

Ibnu Mardawaih brought forward another hadis from Ibnu Abbas who narrated that when verse 25 of Chapter 18 was revealed which means;

"And they stayed in their cave three hundred."

the companions of the Prophet asked,

"O Messenger of ALLAH, is it 300 years or months?"

So ALLAH revealed the continuation of the verse as follows,

"years and add nine".

Ibnu Jarir brought forward another hadis via the chain of Adh Dhahak. And this same hadis was also brought forward by Ibnu Mardawaihfrom the chain of Ibnu Abbas who narrated that The Prophet uttered a vow. Then, only 40 nights later ALLAH sent down HIS revelation;

"And never say of anything,

'Certainly, I shall do that tomorrow.'
except, 'if God wills it'.

And remember your Lord.

When you forget, then say,
'May my Lord shows me nearer

to this Truth.'"

[Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi Verse 23-24]

My Note:

We have discussed this subject of 309 years in the previous posting

on the meaning of verse 23 & 24.

Please refer my previous older post.

Thank you for reading my post.

Please write to me your comments.

UEFA 29 - Evil Balloon

UEFA 029 – Evil Balloon

The train ticket to Paris valid for 1 week, which means, I could actually stay a few nights, along the way, in any interesting cities of Switzerland.

I stopped in Zurich and wandered around the city centre which is also Swiss world business centre. I must admit that there were many items that would tempted you to spend all your money. With Paris in mind, I quickly caught some bread, dough-nuts and coke for lunch at MacDonald’s.

There were many busy people in Zurich. There were also many foreigners. It was very much different from Heerbrugg. There were many tram buses that ran on tracks, and had cables lines along the road. I saw for the first time in my life a double-decker train, at the Zurich Train Station.

I had calculated my time and made it easily in time to catch the next train to Basel, another town in Switzerland. I had planned my trip, with the help of Swiss Train Guide. According to the train guide, the night train to Paris will leave Basel at 6:30pm.

I reached Basel at around 4pm. So I had 2 hours to prowl the hustle and bustle of Basel.
Basel was not as busy as Zurich, which made me easier to go around.

Once again, I wish to stress that this post is not for you to follow my mistakes. I confess these

mistakes to warn you that there are many dangers awaiting us, if we do not strengthened

our faith and fear of GOD.

GOD is repeatingly warning us that this world is a test for us. It is required from us to prove to GOD that we will prevent ourselves from doing things that GOD forbid us from doing. The challenge is to uphold our faith when we are alone in places where there are so many evil.

In Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi of the Quran, GOD said that great rewards will be awarded to anyone who fear GOD when he/she is alone and prevent themselves from doing evil.

Unlike my condition in 1986, this time in 1994 I was cheated and fooled by the satan, who were given the permission by GOD to misguide us.

Unknowingly and unexpectedly, I walked into a phonographic cinema. As I was confessing earlier about my changed attitude, my curiosity managed to win me over, to see what is inside the cinema.

There were 2 big screens in 2 mini theatres. There were about 50 seats in each theatre. Different movies were running concurrently in both the theatres, and one is free to hop from one to the other as he like. There was no guard or usher.

Next to the theatres were rows of about 10 cabins, like the telephone booths. In each cabin there was a TV screen and many buttons to select hundreds of porno movies.

In these cabins one had his own privacy, while, in the theatres there are many other people.
Anyway, there were not many people in the theatres and cabins.

I left the theatre thinking, “Where could the peep-show be?”
My friends were saying that "the peep-show is peeping at real life models performing the sinful act. You can see them, but they could not see you."

The thoughts, however, reminded me of the devils. They can see us, but, we cannot see them. Thus making us easy prey for them, and we do not seems to be able to avoid them.

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was reported to have said that the devils run in our body, like the flow of the blood in our veins.

No wonder, I was so easily following my corrupted desires, because I had allowed the devils to run in my blood veins. GOD did helped me,and I managed to pierce a pin in my evil balloon and proceeded straight to Basel Railway Station.

With the help of GOD I consoled myself with the thoughts that, at least, I only look at evil, but I did not get involved in any evil. GOD really protect me from evil. I must confess that with the thoughts and remembrance of GOD we can be prevented from evil and dangers.

I checked in at the counter and booked a sleeping cabin to Paris.

530 words

Drafted on 07.04.2007

Edited on 22.07.2007 at 0752hrs

At Woodlands Avenue 5

Eschatology 10 - TQN Music Theraphy

On September 11 I wrote something about depression and my music inclination.



Let's side track for a while to my self analysis and diagnosis of the depression and the musics which I called music theraphy.



The following is the article which is an extract from another of my series called Eschatology.




Eschatology 10 - TQN


TQN is the abbreviation for Thoreqat Qodiriyyah Naqsyabandiyyah. It is a combination of Thoreqat Qodiriyyah and Naqsyabandiyyah formulated in Mecca by Syaikh Ahmad Khatib bin Abdul Ghaffar al-Sambasi al-Jawi.


Thoreqat can be understood as a system by which man can get closer to GOD. Beginners would be required to memorise and read repeatedly certain verses from the Quran and teachings of Prophet Muhammad in order to train himself to remember GOD consistently within 24 hours and 7 days a week.


Syaikh Ahmad Khatib received a legitimacy (khirqoh) as a legitimate teacher (mursyid) of both Tariqah Qodiriyyah and Naqsyabandiyyah. He was a prestigious Indonesian religious scholar (ulama) but became a permanent resident in Mecca and died there in 1878.


He had many followers and representatives world-wide. In Cirebon, a Central Java District of Indonesia, TQN was represented by Syaikh Ahmad Tolhah bin Talabudin.


In 1908, Syaikh Ahmad Tolhah appointed Syaikh Abdullah Mubarok bin Nur Muhammad, as his representative and leader (khalifah) of TQN at the Pondok Pesantren Suryalaya in Tasikmalaya, Indonesia. Syaikh Abdullah is passionately known as Abah Sepuh by the TQN ikhwan (members).


When he died in 1956, his son KH. A Shohibulwafa Tajul Arifin, who is known as Abah Anom, took the lead. He lead the TQN movement to nation building by improving their education, sosio-economy, irrigation system, agriculture and hydro-electricity.


TQN is a moderate religious group helping man to balance between spiritual obligations and worldly affairs. Ustaz Ali bin Mohamed as the khalifah of TQN in Singapore, shown a good example by working together with MUIS and the government to save humanity from destruction.


There will always be differences between 2 person. But with diplomacy and compromising we are building bridges of understanding. If we begin with hairsplitting of differences then understanding is almost impossible.


I had the oppurtunity to attend the 2-day Tasawwuf Seminar organised by TQN on 5 and 6 February 1989. Many ikhwan from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei attended the seminar. But I did not havea n opportunity to attend their regular classes on religious knowledge.


Although I had a friend as an ikhwan, but there do not seem to be any ushering of visitors to be a member. Perhaps I should have surrendered myself to Ustaz Ali. But I did not meet him in person and did not talk to anyone about my intention. Thus, it was only a one-session experience.


However, the acappella recitation of the 99 names and attributes of God by some ikhwan drew my fullest attention and emotion. I sang it along.


In one of the session during the seminar in Khadijah Mosque at Lorong 29 Geylang, I observed and learned the head movement when reciting the zikir "La ilaha ill Allah" as follows:-


La - the head turn to the left


ila - turning the head to the right


ha - head looking up


ill - head looking down


Allah - head looking up again and down



then....back to 'La' and repeat the above.


The recitation had a slow start with the warming up of the head movement. However, the word 'ill' is stressed with a comanding note.


As the recitation got faster the head moved vigourously up and down. The commanding note became like thunder.


At the fastest speed the head movement is like the 'head banging' of the rockers and the recitation is like the gurgling of a steam engine.


Sometime in May 1997, when I got drifted far away from God and became obsessed with rock concert and long hair culture, I was reminded of the 'head banging' movement of the zikir of the TQN ikhwan.


The drift began in 1990 when I decided to retreat from all religious activities to give more attentions to my children's education and also partly due to night shift-work that both my wife and I had to adhere to.


Unknowingly, my life was drifting to emptiness, although I was happily married with 3 children and had a promising career. By 1994 it became a dark vacuum and I fell into the labyrinth of depression.


I took up rock music as a hobby and was so desperately clinging on to it to fill my emptiness. I was illusioned to see that some of its lyrics represented my meaningless life.


Iklim, BPR and Bon Jovi sang me lullaby to my retreat. Sad to admit but true that Mettalica had influenced me that I was 'The Unforgiven' and to me 'Nothing Else Matter' and I became 'My Friend Of Misery' who claimed to be 'Holier Than Thou' but unfortunate had found 'The God That Failed'.


A sudden Loudness whispered that I was 'Lost Without Your Love' and in'Losing You' I became 'So Lonely' and I could not 'Find A Way' home.


As I lingered in the labyrinth of darkness an Iron Maiden shouted at me not to'Fear Of The Dark'. It is a difficult road from 'Here to Eternity'. Don't go on'Wasting Love'. Do something. 'Be Quick Or Be Dead'.


My life became complicated it's like Guns & Roses.



For a while I thought I had attained Nirvana. But when they go around the stage breaking drums and guitars, I realized that I was 'Walking On The Edge' of hell with Scorpions. 'When The Smoke Is Going Down', a 'Lady Starlight' seduced me to 'Believe In Love' and she whispered a ballad that HE is 'Still Loving You.'


In Spring the flowers bloomed again and the family doctor opened his clinic. With his Emotional Intelligence, Dr Search diagnosed that I had 'Double Trouble'. I was deliberately destroying my life as I was sulking away from God. I was like a child who was beaten by his father.



In May, Wings of M Nasir finally blew me back to the shore of hope with his beautiful and adorable composition "Kepada MU Kekasih" meaning "To YOU my Love".


This song is about the Love between man and GOD, and how a man regretted his sins and repented to GOD and hope that GOD will forgive and accept him when it is time to return to GOD in Eternity.


However, like many other songs, people and fans was misguided that the composer was writing about love between a man and a woman.


Yes, in the May 1997 head-banging rock concert by the father of Malay Rock, Ramli Sarip, I was actually reciting 'La illaha ill ALLAH', the way I had recited it at Khadijah Mosque with the TQN ikhwan.


Tears of repentance welled in my eyes as the concert receded to the closing song 'KAU Yang SATU' (YOU Are The ONE).


Instantaneously, I was lifted from depression and the following week the world saw me going to Al-Khair Mosque, attending family motivation seminars.


The seminar reminded me of my days in Ba'Alwi, Muhammadiyyah, Tabligh Jamaat and Darul Arqam.


After the 3-week seminar, my wife managed to persuade me to attend the religious class conducted by Ustaz Abdul Rahman Mohamed at Al-Khair Mosque.


My life changed immediately to a sunshine meadow after a thunder storm. I strongly believed it has got to do with reciting the zikir 'La ilaha ill ALLAH'.


And reciting this zikir is one of the major daily events of the ikhwan of TQN at the Khadijah Mosque. It is also a major event of the 1-week TQN Annual Maulud Celebration (Prophet Muhammad's Birthday Celebration).


Note:
Iklim, BPR, May, Spring, Search, Wings, M Nasir and Ramli Sarip are Malay rockers, while Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, Scorpions, Loudness, Mettalica, Iron Maiden and Nirvana are international rock and heavy metal bands.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^escha daily event is to write^^^^^^^^^^^^^

006-4e1 Continuation of the Historical events on The Cave

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

So the 2 delegates returned to the unbelievers Quraisy people and said,"We return to you with matters between you and Muhammad."

Then the Quraisy went to meet Prophet Muhammad and asked him the 3 questions.

Prophet Muhammad replied,

"I will tell you the answer tomorrow." without saying, if GOD wills.

Then they went away and Prophet Muhammad was silent for 15 days waiting for revelation from GOD for the answers, but, the angel Gabriel did not come down with the revelation and answer from GOD. There were commotions among the Meccan people.

Meanwhile, Prophet Muhammad was in a sad and difficult situation because the revelation has stopped coming to him with the answers.

Then, the angel Gabriel came with the revelation of this Chapter 18 of the Quran.

In these verses are the answers to the 3 questions regarding the history of the 7 youths who went for seclusion in the Cave and the man who conquered the Far West and Far East.

However, the verse for the answer about the spirit was categorised as a verse in

Chapter 17 - Al Isra' Verse 85.

"They asked you about the spirit. Tell them that the spirit come from my Lord and you will not understand its nature as you have been granted very little knowledge."

*Note
[Both Muhammad Asad and Abdullah Yusuf Ali were of the opinion that, by the spirit, it was meant to be the nature of the revelations that were brought down by angel Gabriel, and not meant to be the soul, as it was generally understood, by other commentators.]

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

{page 2 of the above continuation}

Ibnu Murdawaih brought forward a hadis from Ibnu Abbas, a companion of Prophet Muhammad, who narrated, that, one day there was a meeting of the unbelieving Quraisy people.

Among them were Atabah ibnu Rabi'ah, Syaibah ibnu Rabi'ah, Abu Jahal ibnu Hisyam, An Nadhr ibnu Harits, Umayyah ibnu Khalaf, Al Ashi ibnu Wa'il, Al Aswad ibnu Abdul Muthalib and Abu Buhturi.

Seeing that, Prophet Muhammad was very heavily saddened by their rejection of his call. Thus GOD reveal to him the following verseof the Quran,

"So perhaps you will destroy and kill yourself, in grief, after they turn away from you and do not believe in the explanation of the Quran, because you are sad, as you really wanted them to believe."

[CHAPTER 18 - AL-KAHFI Verse 6]

GOD is giving us some kind of counselling on how to live in this world. All that GOD wants from us is to convet the message, but we do not have to ensure that people will listen and follow our mission.

Accepting the message of GOD is purely with the will of GOD himself. HE will choose who among mankind will believe and follow.

Of course GOD can change what HE has decided on. HE has HIS wishes. HE can make us go to Heaven, if we really work very hard for it, even after HE has decided that we go to Hell.

HE is the MOST POWERFUL GOD. HE does what HE likes. You and I cannot question HIM.

Our duty is live this life a good way. The rest is all in the hands of GOD.

Do not be depressed of what happen in this world.

Do not be angry with what other people do, but be mindful about what we do.

006-3e Historical events of The Cave

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

We pause for a while to focus on the historical events relating to the revelation of the Sleepers of the Cave. In short the unbelievers of Mecca did not believe that Prophet Muhammad is a prophet. This chapter in the Quran revealed to them and to us that Prophet Muhammad is a prophet to lead mankind to the real success in this world and the Hereafter.

Allow me to call you to reflect on the purpose why we live in this world. This life on Earth is temporary, just as what was told to us by Prophets Abraham, Eshmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. We will return to the Kingdom of GOD, in the Hereafter, when this world and the universe come to an End.

Somehow, some people in history changed the evidences and created differences between the religion brought by the prophets mentioned above.

Let us be united again as one mankind because the END of the Worlds is very near around the corner. Let us be saved and returned to The Almighty God, Lord of the Worlds with HIS acceptance.

Yeah....I agree with you. Who is GOD?

I have no answer for you. You have to find HIM on your own. It starts with your sincere eagerness and dedtermination to find HIM in your pure hearts.

Lets now look back into the Commentary in Tafsir Jalalain.

Asbabun Nuzul [1] on Chapter 18 The Cave.

In the name of The God Most Compassionate Most Merciful

Ibnu Jarir brought forward a hadis [2] via the narration of Ibnu Ishaq who received it from a Syekh in Egypt, who received it from Ikrimah, and Ikrimahreceived it from a companion of the Prophet, Ibnu Abbas, who narrated that, once the unbelieving Quraisy peoplesent An Nadhr ibnul Harits and Uqbah ibnu Abu Muithas delegation to the Jewish Rabbis in Madinah.

The Quraisy requested the 2 delegates to ask the Rabbis,"Ask them about Muhammad and the news that he brought, because they were the first community to be given the Holy Sciptures. They had the knowledge about the prophets which we do not have."

When the 2 delegates reached Madinah they immediately asked the Rabbis about Muhammad's claim as a prophet and some of what he said.

The Rabbis advised the 2 delegates,
"Ask Muhammad about 3 things. If he can answer them, then he is a true prophet. If he cannot answer them, then he is a fake. Ask him about the youths of the past who went for seclusion from their people, ask him about a man who conquered the Far West and Far East, and ask him about the spirit, What is spirit?"



- - - - will be continued with God's will- - - - - - - - -

Footnote:

[1] Asbabun Nuzul can be understood as the historicalincidents or events that occured before or after a certain verses of the Quran was revealed. Literally, it means "reasons for coming down".

[2] hadis = saying of Prophet Muhammad

UEFA 028 – Ni Aiwa

The gleaming smiles of the Switzerland

UEFA 028 – Ni Aiwa

In UEFA 1994 visits to Europe, I had grown long hair. The religious values in me had worn out, due to some personal depression that I went through as I was approaching 40.

It all began when I foolishly gave up all religious activities, in order to spend more time with my children and their studies.

It became worst when I started making budgeting calculation of my salary and expenses. I realized that I had been spending all my salary for my family, i.e. 4-room HDB flat in Tampines, wife and 3 daughters.

I was unhappy and my wild thoughts provoked me with the unfair treatment I treated myself.

“You should spend some money for yourself!!”

the devil whispered loudly in my ears.

I was seduced by the whispers. I bought an AIWA mini compo Hi-Fi set with CD player and cassette tape player and recorder and also an AIWA walkman with stereo earphones.



When alone At home I would play my favorite songs to a high volume to enjoy the sense-surround bass reflex. Away, I would plug my ears with my favorite songs via the walkman.


The walkman and my favorite musical tape albums followed me to Europe. Some of albums were Collection of M Nasir, Search & Wings, Ella, Cliff Richards, Engelbert & Tom Jones. Latest was Ella USA. I would listened to her almost every other day.

This Malay composer was born in Singapore and became successful song producer, writer, composer, who wrote original Malay songs with strong adherence to Malay culture.

While the album Rampage by a rock band Search, who follow the music genre of Scorpion for ballads and Mettalica for heavy metal.

What I like about them and other albums, is because they contained some religious values if you are to reflect deeply in the lyrics. I leave that to you to find out. I found my path and solace and they finally hold my hands to come kneeling to ALLAH, The Absolute ONE.

I gave away a football album of our Lion football team to Zimmermann, and, another album 'Saudagar Mimpi' by Malay composer M Nasir to Mr Aerni, as he sometimes performed with his band in weekend functions.


From here onwards, I would like my family to understand my passion for writing the Truth. This is not to display the dirty side of me, but, for everyone to reflect on the disadvantages of travelling, especially alone. Please do not follow this bad lifestyle of me, of which I had repented. I am writing it here to caution my children, relatives and friends to be mindful of today's challenges living as a faithful servants of GOD. There are too many seductions out there in this worldly life. Beware and becareful about their fatal attractions.



Coming along with the long hair and my Aiwa, was a little naughty side of me. With a sudden flirtatious character, I easily had conversations with the pretty Swiss girls. I found the courage I lost in 1986 trip. My shyness and religious discipline crumbled into the Swiss see.



The Swiss girls are very friendly and flirtatious too. A girl in a pharmacy proudly said that she had been to Singapore and that she liked Singaporean. We had quite a long chat from weather to hobbies. She spoke fluent English. Luckily, I was not entangled further into any complicated affair, until it was time for me to leave Heerbrugg for Paris.




449 words

Drafted on 07.04.2007

Edited on 03.05.2007 at 0042hrs

At Woodlands Avenue 5