Jogja 05 Silver

From the batik industry we proceeded to the silver industry.

We visited the one called HS Silver
It was a low single-storey building.
It was hot & sunny because the sky was blue.
If the sky is white, then it will be cooler, as it means the sky is covered with clouds.
But bright hot sunny weather is good for photography.

HS is hort for Harto Suhardjo.

Ok here you see another Dutch spelling.

In Dutch "DJO" is pronounced as "J" in English.Hence, in pronunciation of this shop is

"Harto Suharjo".

That is why, I was saying in Jogja 01 that, it is not that easy for any Singaporean Malay tounderstand Indonesian Malay. We have not considered the colloquail slangs yet.

The resident guide of HS started with an introduction of the raw material used in their industry.

I got the chance to see raw pure silver, brass and many other items used in silverware processing.

I also got to see this pure boraks.

No...no...no....this is not "borak" which in English means "a lie", but it is a kind of powder used for polishing silverware.

They had for display some traditional accessories,which were better known as costume jewelleries.

In those days these jewelleries were worn outside their clothings. Even in the old photographs of our ancestors of the Singaporean Nonya and Peranakan families, we observed that they wore their accessories over their dress. So men had no chance to see parts of the women body.

But nows-a-days, as many womens exposed their body, the accessories are worn over the raw flesh and can be seen by the naughty eyes of men.

I also caught the close up of the traditional silverware used in ancient Indonesian life.

I must say they are marvellous and majestic.

The Holy Quran mentions repeatedly that the dwellers of Paradise, will get to drink numerous kind of drinks serve in silver cups.

My friend, Akram, who was a surveyor, in the Changi Airport MRT Line, and switched professionas a promoter of AP300 US health products, once explained to me that, silver can help to prevent us from many disease.

He showed me a couple of products that had silver contents. I asked him shockingly,

"Akram...you mean we can consume silver...!!!???

"Yeah...but with prescription. Don't go and swallow your silver jewelleries or siver plate. That can be fatal...!!!" he said and continued explaining that...it was exactly the reason why our ancestors had silverware as their household utensils.

Their cups and saucers, pots and woks, basins and jugs were all made of silver.

I gathered later that it was precisely the reason why the Holy Quran mentions silver in its verses which were the revelation from The GOD Al-Mighty.

GOD is encouraging us to take benefit from silver,thru HIS hints in the revelations.

It is for us to manupulate raw silver and convert it as utensils or for consumption.

One of the benefit of silver is a cure for gastric.So guys drop at the nearest Pharmacy and ask the pharmacists if they have such a prescription for gastric..

Do you guys know that silver in Chemistry is given its chemical code as "Ag", the way oxygen was given it's code as "O2" and Calcium as "Ca". I learnt them in school in 1969.

O how wonderful were those secondary schooldays.

By the way, I was from Naval Base Secondary School.

Wat.......!!!! you never heard of such school????


Guys....it was at Chong Pang Road just outside
the gate of The British Naval Base barracks
along Canberra Road.

Now it is in Yishun Housing Estate.

Coincidentally, we from the Class of 1969,
will get together this coming 31 July 2009 at
Swiss'otel Stamford to reminische the past.

Back to Jogja.

While we were browsing, my wife & I bumped
into our relatives. She came with her family,
but joined a different travel agent. Her
group of about 10 person, just arrived from
a 16-hour trip by coach from Jakarta.

After parting with them I had the urge to
visit the loo.

After parting with them I had the urge to
visit the loo.

I confessed that they had clean and fresh
fragrant toilets.

From the loo I walked out to the nearby road.

There was a madrasah just across the road.

Madrasah is an Islamic school. This one was
managed by the non-government organisation
called Muhammadiyah and it offer an upper
secondary level of education.

Long before the coming of the colonials,
Indonesia had many such schools. It showed that
Indonesians and all the Malays within
its Archipelago called Nusantara, were educated
people and were never illiterate as fausely
recorded by the colonials in their history books.

Of course, they followed the Arabic and Islamic
curriculum, which were the source of the
western education. This subject is too long
to continue it here.

So back to Jogja. Yes I saw that many madrasahs and
universities in Jogja are managed by Muhammadiyah.

There are many other secular government universities
in Jogja, as it is well-knowned for its progressive
education programs designed by the Sultan of Jogja.

Mr Sidek Sanif, our ex-Senior Minister used to study
in University Gajah Mada in Jogja in the early 60s.
I saw it when we were going for lunch.

018-1 The Cave 18:51 -

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi


The meaning of Verse 51

I did not bring them to witness the creation of Heaven and Earth and not even their own creation. I would not take those who are astray as assistants.



Commentary by Imam Jalalain:-

God did not appoint the Iblis and his offsprings to witness the creation of Heaven, Earth and themselves.


God did not bring anyone to witness the creation of anyone else, and HE did not take the satans as assistants in performing HIS creation, then why are you obeying them?



Commentary by Harun Yahya:-

Believers should only befriend the believers, the obedient and those who have good character.

Being with such people will protect us from going astray, and encourage us to do the good.


Satan appears to people as friends. Quran always commands believers to choose other believers as friends and helpers.


My Observations & Opinions :-

It is not that Muslims should not befriends Non-Muslims. This verse meant to say that Muslims must have at least one close Muslim friend to become some sort of a guide to him. When we are alone we are prone to do sinful things, but, if you have a Muslim friend with us, then that sinful thought comes under control.

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

Who is Izutsu ?

Wat is this book all about?
Who is this Japanese guy? Is he a Muslim or wat...?

I have just embark reading Chapter one after the Introduction and Preface. The start is quite boring with further introduction on language, grammer and reasons for writing the book.

I endure.........I endure.......I endure.........

Didn't people say that " no pain no gain ".

017-3 The Cave 18 : 50 - The Satanic Inclination

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

The meaning of Verse 50

Remember when WE commanded to the Angels,

"Prostrate before Adam!".

All of them prostrated except Iblis. He belongs to the species of the genie.
He disobeyed the Commandments of his Lord.

"Is it appropiate that you take him and his ancestors and descendants as a leader other than ME. While he is your enemy?"

Iblis is the worst subsitute for GOD takenby the wrongdoers.

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

Imam Jalalain commented that :-

The prostration is a bow in respect to Adam, not by putting the eyebrow.

[I do not understand what Imam Jalalaian meant by "not by putting the eyebrow"]

There are some opinions that Iblis is also an angel.

Others opinion said that he is the chief of the genie. He has got ancestors while the angels has no ancestors.

By refusing to bow to Adam, Iblis had ptotested and do not want to obey GOD.

The theme in this verse was for Prophet Adam and his descendants. At two instances the pronoun refers to Iblis, whom you follow.

It is wrong to follow the Iblis and his decendants as an alternative to ALLAH

[my understanding]

This verse shows man's inclinations to follows our desires, whims and fancies, instead of following the way of life as spelt out by GOD through the teachings of the prophets.

This verse is also meant for all human as we are all the descendants of Prophet Adam, because he was the first man created by GOD]

*************

Commentary by Harun Yahya :-

This verse points out the importance of obedience.

Iblis did not prostrate before Adam and disobeyed ALLAH.

In any society, law and order are established by the obedience, respect and trust that the people give to the state.

Religious morality prevents people from acts of violence and terror, because ALLAH forbids people to cause corruption. Those who live by this morality, will naturally do their best to refrain from evil.

They will follow the teaching of moral in the Quran and acquire contentment and inner peace, tolerance and a measured and non-provocative attitude and seek to create harmony.

If the Quran's morals and social modelsare accepted in society, peace and harmony will rule.

Those who live according to Quran's morality, as introduced by Islam, are helpful and tolerant.

There will be no arguments, disputes, terrorism and hostilities between the people and the police and governments.


==will be continued by the will of GOD==

016-2 The Cave 18:47 to 49 - Naked & Not Circumcised

016-2 The Cave 18:47 to 49 - Naked & Not Circumcised
Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

[47]
On the day WE make the mountains move and you will
see the Earth flat and bare. And WE gather them all.

And WE will not leave a single one of them.

[48]
And they will be paraded before your Lord in rows.
Definitely, you have come to US just as WE have
created you at the first time.

Yes indeed! though you have said that WE will not
fix a time to meet you.

[49]

Then the report book of life will be presented

to all mankind. And you will see that those who

have done many sinful things will be very

frightened of what are written in their report

book.

And after seeing the contents of their books,

the sinful people will exclaim,

"O we will be in trouble.

What kind of book is this

that never omit our smallest sins

and the biggest one,

but rather it records all incidents."

They will find that whatever they have done

during their lifetime, are all recorded in this

report book.

Your LORD will not discriminate anyone.

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

Imam Jalalain commented that :-

On that day WE will make the mountains disappear from the face of the Earth and they become like flying dust. Then there will be nothing left on Earth, that is, no mountains, no plants and no rivers.

WE will gather all human beings, wether believers or unbelievers, and no one is left behind.

That each particular row represent a certain nation. Every individual come to meet ALLAH alone, without shoes, naked and not circumcised.

++++++

My understanding from Harun Yahya commentary in his book

"The signs of The End Times in Surat Al-Kahf" :-

This universe has its fixed time, known as "The Hour". Only ALLAH knows when the Hour will occur.

"Truly ALLAH has knowledge of the Hour, sends down abundant rain and knows what is in the womb. No one knows what it will earn tomorrow, and no one knows where he will die. ALLAH is All-Knowing and All-Aware.

[Surah Luqman Verse 34]

Surah Al-Kahfi relates some of the people's presumptions about when the Hour will come.

But...most people believe that life on Earth will continue forever and that the Hour will not come.

They think that death is nothingness and it is the end of the history of a person.

They mock that Judgement Day is a myth.

With this verse, GOD is saying that, although the Hour is the end of this world, but, it is not the final end of the history of human beings.

The Hour is the beginning of the Eternal Life in the Hereafter, that is, the Kingdom of God.

After the Hour, man will be brought to the Judgement Day, where we will be paraded before GOD.

GOD created us from nothing. When our parents got married and our fathers' sperm were discharged into our mothers' wombs, it was our beginning.

Then GOD turns the sperm into blood clot, and then it became spongy meat, and then slowly the bones came into shape and we became a baby in our mothers womb.

We are thankful to GOD that we were born and survive until today. Some babies were lost in miscarriages, whilesome other babies died when they were very very young.

Therefore, this verse is telling us that when we die and/or after The Hour, which ever come first, we will return to GOD, in the manner before we were born.

Most learned scholars said that, we will exist in the Hereafter in the form of our original souls.

Until today nobody knows what is the shape of the souls, although some writers wrote that they are in the form of birds.

Anyway, my friends, do not be afraid of the Judgement Day, because GOD says in the Quran,

"My servants, you will feel no fear today, you will know no sorrow"

[Chapter Az-Zukhruf Verse 68].

All we have to do, now, and urgently now, is to make sure we are the good servants of GOD.

Thanks for reading my share of thoughts.

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

013-1e The Cave 18:46 Better Source of Hope

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


The meaning of Verse 46


Wealth and children are the decorations of life in this world.
But consistent good deeds and right actions,
are far better in the eyes of your Lord
and a far better source of hope.


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

Imam Jalalain commented that :-


Examples of good deeds are remembering GOD by reciting


"Subhallah wal hamdulillah wa laa ilaaha illallah wallahu akbar
wa laa haula wa laa quwwata illaa billaahi"


which means,


"Glory to ALLAH and all praises to ALLAH
and there is no god other than ALLAH
and ALLAH is the GREATEST
and there is no capability
and there is no strength
other than with (the help of) ALLAH"


***


Harun Yahya eloborates that lasting right actions are defined as good and beneficial deeds that comply with the Quran's morality and are pleasant to ALLAH


These consistent actions are signs of patience, devotion and seriousness in religion.


The intentions of these right actions must purely be for the sake of gaining the pleasure of ALLAH.


If there are other intentions along with them,then they are not the right actions.


The same is true for charity. It must only be for the sake of GOD and not to impress people or for recognition [or for rebate in Income Tax].


These actions must be consistent, and not just on the spur of a moment. For example, charity, in the form of zakat (taxes on wealth) must be contributed annually.


All these right actions are for the benefits of each individual and does not at all affect the Power and Greatness of GOD.


Even if there is no one performing them, GOD will not lost his respect and power.
And if everyone perform these right actions, GOD will not become greater than before.


GOD is always GREAT at all times.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


My Observations


GOD is the RICHEST.


HIS RICHNESS will never be reduced, when HE rewards all HIS creatures,
and will never be increased, even if all HIS creatures submit to HIM.


Our sincerity to ALLAH will benefit other creations. If we are not sincere doing things for the sake of GOD Al-Mighty, then, our actions will cause damages to other creations.
That is why sincerity for the sake of gaining GOD's pleasure is important in religion.

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

012-1e The Cave 18:43-45 = Life is like rain

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



The meaning of Verse 43



And he did not have anyone that can help him other than The GOD, at the time when his garden was destroyed. And he will never be able to defend himself or protect his garden.



The meaning of Verse 44


There in the Hereafter the only help is from The GOD, The Truth. HE is the best in giving rewards and benefits.





The meaning of Verse 45


Give them methapor or example of the life of this world. It is like rain water that WE send down from the sky, which was absorbed by the plants and they grow vigorously.




But over time, the plants become dry and turn into hay or straw, and they become worthless and are blown by the wind all over the place.


And GOD has absolute power over everything.



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


Imam Jalalain commented that :-


This verse is telling us that this world is like flourishing plants, which over time will become dry and turn into worthless hay.

Karen Armstrong writes

This is a book that everyone of us on Earth should read, so that we understand the meaning of this life on Earth.

Karen Armstrong wrote in her Introduction of this book...

I hope to continue from here at a leter date.

Squeezing & clasping of hands

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of The Quran
Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi (The Cave) Verse 42

The meaning of verse 42

And then it really happened that his fruitful garden was ruined, as mentioned in verse 40.

He looked at his two gardens, squeezing and clasping his hands in distress and regrets,

over what he had spent on his two gardens that are now destroyed.

He regretfully said,

"O wouldn't it be better that I had not attributed any partner to my Lord."

We are helpless drop of sperm

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of The Quran
Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi (The Cave) Verse 36 to 39.

The meaning of Verse 36

"And I don't think that The Last Hour will come. Even if it come and I meet GOD on Judgement Day, surely GOD will reward me with something better than my present garden"



====================================================
My observation :-
He was arrogant. Showing himself to his friend who was not as successful as him. He was also making fun of his friend's religious belief of Judgment Day.

The meaning of Verse 37

His pious friend replied,
"Are you going against GOD WHO has created you from clay. And then from a drop of sperm. Then HE shaped you in a perfect manner and made you a man?"

====================================================
My observation :-

His friend was hinting him that GOD has created Adam from clay and then the offspring of Adam from drop of sperm, trying to make him realize that this worldly life is nothing compared to GOD'd kingdom. This life is like a drop of sperm. Therefore, as human we cannot be arrogant by saying things such as "no disaster will fall on my garden".

Harun Yahya mentioned in his book, "Signs ofthe End of Times in Surat Al-Kahfi", that the pious man was trying to help his arrogant friend to realize the greatness of GOD, by mentioning GOD's sign in Nature and origin of man which is a helpless drop of sperm.

Harun Yahya continues that we often meet these self-contradicting people. They talk profoundly about GOD but they do not lead a life that pleases GOD and did not follow the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad.

Despite that they consider themselves rigtheous and destined for Paradise. They are actually deceiving themselves.

The meaning of Verse 38

"As for me, HE is THE GOD, My LORD. I will not consider anyone equal to my Lord."

====================================================
My observation :-

His pious friend wanted to make him realize that GOD is the only source of success. That is why you find that the theme of the narration here suddenly switch from beautiful garden to GOD.

The arrogant man was so boastful of his garden and successful life that his friend had to interrupt him by mentioning GOD so that he will not forget GOD totally.

The meaning of Verse 39

Why didn't you say, when you enter your garden, that

"All these are from GOD. There is no power except the power of GOD"

Although you may see that I had less wealth, less children than you, but may be, GOD will give me something better than what you have.

GOD can cause calamity to fall on your garden, and it will become barren and dust.
Or GOD can make the water to sink deep into the ground that you will never get water supply again for your garden.



====================================================
Imam Jalalain commented with a hadis, that :-

"Who ever had been given the good things in life, or a beautiful wife or plenty of wealth, and then he said

'All these are from GOD. There is no power except the power of GOD'

then he will never see any unfavourable things happen to whatever he owns."

010-4e The Cave 18:35 - Will my garden perish?

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

The meaning of Verse 35

He then entered his garden in a sinful manner saying,

"I do not think that my garden will ever perish forever"


====================================================
Imam Jalalain commented that :-

He brought his friend to see his garden. His friend was a pious man, while he was an unbeliever.

Harun Yahya wrote in his book "Signs of The End Times in Surat Al-Kahfi" that this man is ungrateful and clearly displayed his disrespect for ALLAH by asserting that no disaster would ever touch his garden.

In short he claimed to be equal to GOD, because, only GOD knows best wether disaster will fall on a person or on a thing or it will not, as mention in the following verses from The Quran;

"That is so you will know ALLAH knows what is in the heavens and in the Earth. And ALLAH has knowledge of all things"
[Chapter 3 Al-Ma'idah : 7]

"The keys of the Unseen are in HIS posession. No one knows them but HIM. HE knows everything in the land and sea. No leaf fall without HIS knowing it. There is no seed in the darkness of the ground, and nothing moist or dry, which is not in a Clear Book." [Chapter Al-An'am : 59]

The Message of The Quran by Muhammad Asad

***FOREWORD to The Message of THE QURAN by Muhammad Asad 1980***


It cannot be explained by the too-facile argument, so readily accepted by many modern Muslims, that the Qur'an has been "deliberately misrepresented" by its Western translators.



For, although it cannot be denied that among the existing translations in almost all of the major European languages there is many a one that has been inspired by malicious prejudice and -especially in earlier times -by misguided "missionary" zeal.



There is hardly any doubt that some of the more recent translations are the work of earnest scholars who, without being actuated by any conscious bias, have honestly endeavoured to render the meaning of the Arabic original into this or that European language.



In addition, there exist a number of modern translations by Muslims who, by virtue of their being Muslims, cannot by any stretch of the imagination be supposed to have "misrepresented" what, to them, was a sacred revelation.



Still, none of these translations -whether done by Muslims or by non-Muslims -has so far brought the Qur'an nearer to the hearts or minds of people raised in a different religious and psychological climate and revealed something, however little, of its real depth and wisdom.



To some extent this may be due to the conscious and unconscious prejudice against Islam which has pervaded Western cultural notions ever since the time of the Crusades -an intangible heritage of thought and feeling which has left its mark on the attitude towards all things Islamic on the part not only of the Western "man in the street" but also, in a more subtle manner, on the part of scholars bent on objective research.



But even this psychological factor does not sufficiently explain the complete lack of appreciation of the Qur'an in the Western world, and this in spite of its undeniable and ever-increasing interest in all that concerns the world of Islam.


++++will be continued with the will of GOD Al-MIGHTY++++

009-7 The Cave 18:31 Gold Bracelets, silk & brocade

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

The meaning of Verse 31

For them are the Paradise of Aden, with rivers flowing underneath them.

In that paradise they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and will wear fine green silk and brocade.

They will be seated in a relaxed and leaning position on a raised platform.

Those are the best rewards and the most pleasant resting place.

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

Imam Jalalain commented that :-

1) They will live in the Paradise of Aden, which

Muhammad Asad later commented are gardens of perpetual

bliss, that is endless perfect joy

2) The grammar may indicate that the bracelets are

only some of the many other ornaments.

3) It is mentioned in The Quran

Chapter 55

Ar-Rahman

Verse 54 ;

"In the inner side are from brocade"

[which I supposed explained the reason why in this

verse 31 is mentioned both 'fine silk and brocade' in one sentence].

4) The raised platforms are like the platforms in traditional Malay weddings, where the brides and bridegrooms will be seated and treated like kings and queens. There will also be many kinds of decorations, clothings and curtains.

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===