Ignorance & Poltergeist

僕はこうしてこの道に辿り着いた

ある日、たまたま知り合った人に話を持ちかけられた。

知人：実は俺、宗教に少し興味がありましてね、研究て言うかあっちこっちの人に聞いているんだけど、せっかく出会えたのであなたにも聞いてみようかと思ってね。よろしかったら話に付き合ってくれませんか？

僕：うん、もちろんですよ。

知人：その服装から見ると、あなたはイスラム教ですよね？

僕：そうなんです。よくお分かりですね。

知人：ああまあ。かなりトレードマークのある服装ですね。こう頭被るのってね。で早速ですが、イスラム教ってどんな宗教なのか少し話していただけませんか？

僕：それなんですけど、自分がどうやってこの宗教に辿り着いたのかを聞いていただけますか？

知人：あの・・今の宗教に生まれたのでは・・？失礼しました。生まれたときからだと勝手に勘違いしました。

僕：生まれてイスラム教徒とされましたけど、自分でこの宗教に辿り着いたのはずいぶんそのあとです。その前まで自分は何も知らずにただ自分がイスラム教徒だと宣言してきました。でも実はそれより深い意味がありました。

知人：・・・うんん、まだよく理解できていませんが、どうぞ続けてください。

僕：昔の自分はまるで人間以下でしたよ。自分はこう信じているとか他人に言いつけながら、自分が信じているものは本当なのかを確かめようともしませんでした。だから中学生の時、全てを自分に押しつけている親から離れて寮に住み始めたとき、初めて考えるようになりました。自分は何のために生きているのか？この先には何があるのか？人は死んだら地獄か天国かに行ってしまうと散々言われてきましたが、果たしてそうなのかって。その時僕は知っていることと考えてることをちゃんと整理して、自分が納得できる真実を確かめようと決めました。今でも正に整理が終わっていないですが、一番大事なところだけは揺るぎなく成り立っています。突然ですけど、今自分が持っているパソコンはどの会社の製品なのか知っていますか？

知人：これはですな、ｘｘですよね？それが何か？

僕：ここからは素直に話しましょう。自分は決してあなたを試そうとしていませんよ。ただ例を挙げたいだけなので。もしもこのパソコンは、ｘｘの製品ではなく、空気にあるあらゆる成分から自分で形を創ってパソコンに成り立つというようなでたらめと言ったら、信じませんよね。

ここで知人がためらうように見えた。

僕：自分なら信じませんよ。そんなこと都合がよすぎるから。自分で酸素や水素そして窒素を勝手に集めて勝手に形を創ってしかも完璧に使えるパソコンに成り立つなんて、偶然にしては都合がよすぎるんです。

知人：そうですね。でもそうじゃないと思う人もいます。

僕：その通りです。ただ自分はこう思います。なぜ波は一度も海岸の砂から城を創ったことがないと、なぜ台風は一度も集められたごみからすごいビルを創ったことがないと、なぜガラスを割っても一発で自分が創りだしたい模様にできないだろうと。決してあり得ない話ではないけど、そのような偶然は確率が低すぎ、要するにそうなるためには都合がとてもよくなければなりません。だから今私たちが座っているこの椅子も必ず誰かが作ったし、この机もどこかの工場で作られたでしょう。偶然自分で成り立つにしては・・・まあお分かりですね。

知人：ええ、面白い考え方です。

僕：いえ。とにかく、それと同じく、我々人間だって仮に猿から進化したものだとしても、猿だって自分で偶然現れるはずがないです。小石でも水でも、土でも青い空でも、宇宙まで、決して自分で成り立ったものではない。つまり、誰かが創ったのだと自分は思います。じゃそれが前提で、あとは誰が創ったなのかを決めることです。確かに見えるものの中でも見えないものの中でも全てを創ったの、つまり全ての始まりは誰なのかわからないけど、とりあえずそのものを創造者と呼びましょう。自分も見たことがないから、誰なのかわかりません。そこのOLかもしれません、今通り過ぎた男性かもしれません、もしくは太陽が全てを創ったのかもしれません。とにかくわからない。さてどうやって決めましょう。あなたなら何か思い浮かびますか？

知人：いやすみません。何も・・

僕：自分も最初はそんな簡単じゃないと思いました。だからそこからもまた少しずつ整理してみました。創造者の性質を確認してみました。全てを創ったものだから、全ての知識を持っているはずだと。全てを創ったものだから、自分の創ったものに負けるはずがない、つまり無敵であると。ここで創造者のことについて3つがわかりました。全てを創ったのと、全てを知っているのと、無敵であることと。じゃあ、もうこんなに力を持っているものなんだから、ただ創造者だけじゃないでしょと思いました。そこからは創造者でもあり、神と呼ぶようになりました。創造者が神、神が創造者だとわかった上、その存在の性質について考えました。限りなく力を持つ神だし、感情や感触を創った創造者だから、きっととてもやさしさを重要にする存在であろう。きっととても優しい存在でしょう。なんでも知っているから、そしてすごいものを創ったからきっと賢いでしょう。賢いだからやさしさがいいことだと残酷さが悪いことだと自分が一番わかっているだろうと。だからもうきっとやっさしいじゃなくて、絶対優しいです。というか、やさしくなければそれは神ではないというのが私の意見です。そして私は世にある有名な宗教の神の定義を調べながら、この宗教に辿り着いたのです。何も変わっていないように見えますが、実はこれらのことを整理してから自分は初めてわかる気がしました。その前まで自分はただ言いなりにイスラム教徒だったんですが、あれから自分は自分の意思でこの宗教が神がくれたものだと信じたいと思いました。長い話でしたが、たぶんまだ答えにはなっていないですかね。イスラム教は他の宗教と何が違うのかを話しましょうか？

知人：ええ、それは助かります。ぜひ教えてください。

僕：まず創造者は一人以上存在するはずがないと自分が決めたんで、神は一人しかいないと。そこから一神教に絞りました。後はそれぞれの神の定義を見ました。○一教が神と呼ぶものは一族しか認めないので不公平だと。○二教は怪しすぎてやめました。○三教は差別が多すぎて信じていられなかった。だがイスラム教は納得できる歴史もあり、神がいかなるやさしくて賢くて公平で寛容で海容でもあり、全てのものにどんなにたくさんの愛情を注いでいるかがわかります。神を一番神らしく定義しているのはイスラム教しかありません。だが、それについてまた更なる深い話があります。とても長い話になるので、今回はここまでにしませんか？

知人：はい、とてもわかりやすかったです。ただいくつか質問があります。よろしければ・・・

その後は質疑応答だったけど、内容はほとんど以前で書いた記事にあるものなので、ここで省略して終わります。

何と

If I have a million cash

Remember when we were in primary school, our teachers almost every year give us the task of writing an essay entitled "If I have a million dollars/ringgit/yen/etc". The standard answer would be 1. to buy a big house, 2. to buy a new car, 3. to go around the world, sometimes 4. to give some to parents, and finally 5. to donate some to the needy. If anyone ever wrote something different back then, I'd love to know. Unless he/she has some personal problems of their own, I think almost every single kid wrote the same thing.

Nowadays a million bucks still mean a lot, but that doesn't guarantee a big house plus a new car is affordable anymore. So let's change it to a zillion bucks. That's more appealing, don't you agree? *grin* Now why don't we try writing an essay on "If I have a zillion bucks" after turning 20. Do you think it would be the same? I know I'd go tsk-tsk over the old essays, seeing how childish they are. How unrealistic, and even more, how greedy we were. Why didn't the teachers say anything about it? Or were we just too dumb to even notice that the teachers said something really useful?

The first thing we should spend the money on isn't the things that we want for ourselves. Instead it should have been spent on our mother who spent countless sleepless nights to tend to our needs. It should have been spent on our father who for years ventured into the wilderness of the concrete jungle for a loaf of bread to feed us. But why were their priorities placed on number 4? Why were they only considered after we have satisfied ourselves with our own not-so-important necessities?

Helping the needy may be optional for others, but for people of the same faith as mine, feeding the poor is an obligation. And yet 15 years ago without shame I chose to satisfy all my greed first, then give the remaining tit-bits to the poor. How low can I fall? I chose to prioritize my own luxury and donated only the remains of my spending, just like the hierarchy-system that I have always despised.

And then I looked back at the present time and looked around. At one point I realized that unconsciously I have quite a large sum of money saved up since I came to Japan. It wasn't intentional because somehow I tend to save even to the last penny. It's a habit I picked up since I was small. Because of that I was somewhat stingy before, but thankfully not anymore. There is no longer the need to save money for myself, because should I die tomorrow, to whom will the money go? I can't use it. In the end they will most likely go to my family first, but I won't get any point from that because I'm dead. On the other hand, if I give them up now all points will return to me. What points? God knows.

Some people tell me that it's very foolish of me to give away all of my savings carelessly to others just because they need some. They say I should save some for myself, they say I might need them in the future. Even when I tell them that God will take care of that, well some people just refuse to understand and I don't blame them. Everyone has different opinion. We just need to get along with those differences, as the blog's subtitle states. Anyway, for one thing, God takes care of the future just like how se takes care of the past and present, so I don't worry about what to eat in the future. Whatever will be will be. Que sera... sera... (lol)

Some time ago I debated with myself, if everyone is to save things for themselves, who will help those who have nothing to continue life with? Let's do this mathematically. If you hate maths, don't blame me. I love maths. *smirk* Consider there is 'X' amount of food on earth, and 'N' amount of people still living. If one person eats 'm' amount of food in one period, 'N' people eating the same amount would make it 'mN' amount of food consumed in one period. Usually X is abundant, so 'mN' is always less than 'X'. But one period comes when 'mN' is more than 'X'. To be fair the amount of food eaten by one person 'm' should all be reduced so that everyone gets to eat the same amount fairly, but realistically a group of people always want that usual 'm' amount, so some people have to reduce their food drastically. Regardless of the situation, people have a message left in their minds that say "Save food now or you won't get to eat when 'X' declines." Of course when this happens people don't just save enough for themselves, they always save more than enough. So even when the total amount of food available on earth 'X' is abundant, because a group of people monopolize a lot for themselves (for example they save '100m' amount of food each), there are always people who don't get their share. Isn't that unfair?

Conclusion, food is always there to share fairly. When someone monopolizes, someone else suffers, even though food is abundant. In other words, when you save too much for yourselves, someone else will lose their share. When food is scarce and you still save only for yourselves, someone else will die. My one cent of thought.

And so I convinced myself, be fair. There is always enough for everyone. Don't worry about the future. Worry about the present, worry about those who don't have enough to live. A lot of people claim they want the world to be fair, but is that really true when they always want to be a lot better off materialistically than others? I really respect humanity volunteers who sacrifice the luxuries they have for the sake of others. They go to the places where people need them and live with them the way they do. They don't care even if they have to drink slightly yellowish water or sleep on the floor. Those are true humanitarians.

But I'm not saying that everyone else is all bullsh*t and deserves to die. Look at me, I write all this and I'm still living in my own luxury. We all need time to change. I have only taken the first step, to give out lots and lots as much as I have instead of a penny. There is still much that I have to change. I'm far inferior compared to a lot of people. But I am happy that I realize that I need to change even more, that the present me is just not enough. Even more, I am thankful that I no longer have that attitude of taking everyone else lightly just because they have differing opinions or just because they won't do the same thing. Some people just like to spout hateful words to others because they think they are better, don't they? Some people like to call meat-eating people barbarians, some people like to label vegetarians as hypocrites. Isn't it about time to embrace reality? People are different.

Among the various classifications available, I pick up this one today for us to ponder and reflect:
There are three types of people in the world. The first one is the one whose self today is better than yesterday; this is the winner type. The second one is the one whose self today doesn't change compared to yesterday; this is the loser type. And the third type is the one whose self is worse than yesterday; this type is the worst of the worst. How do you define better than yesterday? You decide.

Paranormal vs Science

Some people just like to make idiots out of their own family and friends. And that doesn't exclude those who use scientific knowledge to tease people who are easily suggestive. Not everyone is highly intelligent to realize how they are being manipulated, and yet the manipulators still find it amusing to toy with people. Does that mean they think too highly of themselves, or they are simply being a very curious child?

Even till now charlatans use methods like cold reading and suggestions to make people believe that they have some kind of psychic powers. But not so recently, science has started to dig up these truths so that people will no longer be fooled. That was the original purpose, but humans always misuse what is given to them. Just because they can prove that fortune-telling is a total fake, that doesn't mean they can test the method on others just to make fun of them. Even worse, some people think that once they're able to prove the tricks of charlatans, they think everything that hasn't been proved are also tricks, and that includes mukjizats of the prophets and judgment.

But if you read closely, before they fool the world into being their puppets with the newly found knowledge of illusions and trickery, they will first have to conduct experiments to see how effective they are. And every time, there will always be a few that won't be fooled. There has never been a trick that was able to trick everyone. So what does that mean? Simply put, even though the majority of us are easily tricked, because that's just what we are, there are still those who are blessed by God to be able to see through people's lies and deceptions. Yes, deceptions. Tricks as they are, as long as they're used to degrade someone else, they are still called deceptions.

Among the few who are not easily tricked, there are those who brag about it, and there are those who keep it silent because they know better than to brag. Bragging is never a good trait to keep, but rather than bragging or even keeping silent, isn't it better for us to protect people from being deceived by the same practice? A lot of people have the tendency to obey tricksters who awe them the most, and it is actually our job to shake those illusions off and remind them of how lowly humans are compared to the wealth and knowledge that God possesses.

Looking outside the box, have you ever thought how it feels to be one of those who propose these illusions to be practiced. At one time in life, they discover little truths and spread it wide. They will feel like they are able to uncover anything if they try. They feel like the world is in their hands if they just wish to make it so. They have utmost confidence in themselves. But what happens when that temporary confidence is shook by the inescapable death? Truly death is true, and so is life after death. Once they realize that there is no escape from death, they will regret the time they have wasted, the knowledge they should have sought instead, and the deeds that cannot be undone. When they are surrounded by loneliness, survival, disaster, and the loss of ones they love, they will lose that confidence, just like how trees eaten by termites fall.

But it is not wrong to uncover tricks. Like how I said earlier, the original purpose was to defeat charlatans. It was not meant to be used on less intelligent beings, it was not meant to make people think anything is possible if they just wish. It was meant to save people from being deceived and let them live a more useful life without deceiving or being deceived anymore. Lies and deceptions are tools of the devils, shall we use it, we will be the devils themselves.

Having fun is part of living. But fun is not about laughing only by ourselves while some are saddened. Just like how a joke is only fun when everyone is laughing, fun is only regarded as fun when everyone is happy. When there are three people sitting together, the two of them must not talk only between themselves without inviting the third. When there are ten people sitting together, nine of them must not laugh while one cries, and goes on the concept.

So have you tricked anyone recently?

Berkongsi ilmu di bulan Ramadan

Imam Abdullah bin Al Mubarak lah.a telah meriwayatkan di dalam kitab Al Zuhd dengan sanad beliau daripada seorang lelaki (iaitu Khalid bin Maadan) yang pernah berkata kepada Muaz bin Jabal: "Wahai Muaz! Ceritakanlah kepadaku sebuah hadis yang pernah engkau dengar daripada Rasulullah s.a.w."

Berkata Rawi hadis tersebut (Khalid bin Maadan) lalu Muaz menangis sehingga aku sangka ia tidak dapat berhenti tetapi akhirnya Muaz berhenti daripada tangisannya kemudian lalu Muaz berkata. Aku mendengar Rasulullah s.a.w pernah bersabda kepadaku: Wahai Muaz! Sebenarnya aku mahu menceritakan kepada kamu sebuah hadis jikalau engkau mampu memeliharanya pasti ia akan memberi manfaat akan dikau di sisi Allah tetapi jika engkau mensia-siakannya dan tidak memeliharanya maka akan terputuslah hujjahmu di hadapan Tuhan pada hari kiamat nanti.

Wahai Muaz! Sesungguhnya Allah s.w.t telah menjadikan 7 orang malaikat sebelum ia menciptakan langit dan bumi kemudian lalu ditentukannya pada setiap langit seorang malaikat daripada mereka untuk menjaga pintu langit tersebut. Lalu naiklah malaikat Hafazhah membawa amalan seseorang hamba yang dilakukannya mulai dari pagi sampai ke petang. Amalan tersebut mempunyai nur bagaikan cahaya matahari, sehingga apabila malaikat Hafazhah yang membawa amalan hamba itu sampai ke langit yang pertama.

Mereka menganggap bahawa amalan itu baik dan sangat banyak lalu bekata malaikat penjaga langit pertama itu bagi malaikat Hafazhah: "Pukulkan dengan amalan ini akan muka orang yang mengerjakannya. Akulah malaikat penjaga ghibah (mengumpat). Allah telah menyuruhku supaya aku tidak membiarkan amalan orang yang mengumpat orang lain itu dapat melalui aku untuk terus naik ke atas."

Kemudian datang pula malaikat Hafazhah membawa amalan seseorang hamba. Mereka menganggap bahawa amalan itu sangat baik dan sangat banyak (Malaikat itu berjaya melintasi langit yang pertama) sehingga mereka sampai ke langit yang kedua lalu berkata malaikat penjaga langit yang kedua itu:"Berhenti kamu di sini dan pukulkan dengan amalan ini akan muka orang yang mengerjakannya kerana ia menghendaki dengan amalannya akan mendapat keuntungan dunia. Allah telah menyuruhku supaya aku tidak membiarkan amalan orang seperti ini melintasi aku untuk terus naik ke atas. Selain daripada itu ia juga suka membesarkan diri di dalam majlis perjumpaan. Akulah malaikat penjaga kebesaran."

Kemudian naik pula malaikat Hafazhah membawa amal seseorang hamba yang penuh dengan sinaran dan cahaya daripada pahala sedekah, solat, puasa. Para malaikat Hafazhah merasa hairan melihat keindahan amalan tersebut lalu mereka membawa amalan itu (melintasi langit pertama dan kedua) sehingga sampai ke pintu langit yang ketiga maka berkata malaikat penjaga langit ketiga itu:"Berhenti kamu di sini dan pukulkan dengan amalan ini akan muka orang yang mengerjakannya. Akulah malaikat takkabur. Allah menyuruhku supaya tidak membiarkan amalan orang yang takkabur dapat melintasiku. Orang itu sangat suka membesarkan diri di dalam majlis orang ramai."

Kemudian naik pula malaikat Hafazhah membawa amal seseorang hamba. Amal itu bersinar-sinar seperti bersinarnya bintang yang berkelip-kelip. Baginya suara tasbih, solat, puasa, haji dan umrah. Para malaikat Hafazhah berjaya membawa amalan itu sehingga sampai ke langit pintu yang keempat maka berkata malaikat penjaga langit keempat itu: "Berhenti kamu di sini dan pukulkan dengan amalan ini akan muka orang yang mengerjakannya, belakang dan juga perutnya. Akulah malaikat ujub (bangga dengan diri sendiri). Allah menyuruhku supaya tidak membiarkan amalan orang yang ujub dapat melintasiku. Ia beramal adalah dengan dorongan perasaan ujub terhadap dirinya."

Kemudian naik pula malaikat Hafazhah membawa amal seseorang hamba sehingga mereka berjaya sampai ke pintu langit yang kelima seolah-olah amalan itu pengantin yang dihantar (disambut) ke rumah suaminya (maksudnya amalannya itu berseri-seri) lalu berkata malaikat penjaga langit yang kelima: "Berhenti kamu dan pukulkan dengan amal ini akan muka orang yang mengerjakannya dan campakkanlah di atas tengkoknya. Akulah malaikat hasad ia sangat hasud kepada orang yang belajar ilmu dan beramal seperti amalannya. Ia hasut akan orang lain yang melakukan sebarang kelebihan di dalam ibadat, ia juga mencela mereka. Allah menyuruhku supaya aku tidak membiarkan amalan orang yang hasud ini melintasi aku."

Kemudian naik pula malaikat Hafazhah membawa amalan seseorang hamba. Baginya cahaya seperti bulan purnama daripada solat, zakat, umrah, jihad dan puasa. Malaikat Hafazhah berjaya membawa amalannya sehingga sampai ke langit yang keenam lalu berkata malaikat penjaga langit tersebut: "Berhentilah kamu dan pukulkan amalan ini akan muka orang yang mengerjakannya kerana ia tidak belas kasihan kepada hamba-hamba Allah yang terkena bala dan kesusahan bahkan ia merasa gembira dengan demikian. Akulah malaikat rahmat. Allah menyuruhku supaya tidak membiarkan amalan orang yang seperti ini dapat melintasi aku."

Kemudian naiklah pula malaikat Hafazhah membawa amalan seseorang hamba. Amalan itu ialah solat, puasa, nafkhah, jihad dan warak. Baginya bunyi (maksudnya bunyi zikir) seperti bunyi lebah dan baginya cahaya seperti cahaya matahari dan naiklah bersama dengan amalan itu 3000 orang malaikat. Mereka telah berjaya membawanya sehingga sampai ke pintu langit yang ketujuh maka berkata malaikat penjaga pintu langit tersebut:
"Berhentilah kamu dan pukulkan dengan amalan ini akan muka orang yang mengerjakannya bahkan pukulkan pula akan seluruh anggota badannya dan tutupkan ke atas hatinya. Akulah malaikat sum’ah (ingin masyhur). aku akan menghalang amalan orang yang riak dari sampai kepada Tuhanku. Ia beramal bukan kerana mencari keredhaan Allah tetapi bertujuan supaya mendapat tempat yang tinggi di hati para fukaha dan supaya disebut di kalangan para ulama dan supaya masyhur namaya di merata tempat. Allah menyuruhku supaya tidak membiarkan amalan orang yang riak itu melintasi aku, kerana setiap amalan yang tidak ikhlas adalah riak dan Allah tidak akan menerima amalan orang yang riak."

Kemudian naik pula malaikat Hafazhah dengan amalan seseorang hamba. Amalan itu berupa solat, zakat, puasa, haji, umrah, akhlak mulia, banyak berdiam (daripada yang tidak berguna) dan banyak berzikir. Amalan hamba ini diusung oleh para malaikat penjaga tujuh petala langit sehingga mereka melintasi segala halangan dan sampai kepada Allah. Para malaikat itu berhenti di hadapan Allah dan bersaksi dengan keikhlasan dan kebaikan amalan tersebut lalu Allah berfirman kepada para malaikatnya: "Kamu adalah yang bertugas menjaga amalan hambaKu ini dan sebenarnya aku lebih mengetahui dengan segala isi hatinya dan aku lebih mengetahui apa yang dimaksudkan oleh hambaKu ini dengan amalannya. Dia tidak ikhlas kepadaKu dengan amalannya. Dia menipu orang lain, menipu kamu (malaikat Hafazah) tetapi tidak boleh menipu aku. Aku adalah Maha Mengetahui”.

“Aku melihat segala isi hati dan tidak akan terlindung bagiKu apa sahaja yang terlindung. PengetahuanKu atas apa yang telah terjadi adalah sama dengan pengetahuanKu atas apa yang bakal terjadi".

“PengetahuanKu atas orang yang terdahulu adalah sama dengan pengetahuanKu atas orang-orang yang datang kemudian. Kalau begitu bagaimana hambaKu ini menipu aku dengan amalnya ini?”
"Ia sebenarnya tidak menghendaki akan aku dengan amalan tersebut. Ia hanya menghendaki sesuatu yang lain daripadaKu. Oleh kerana itu maka aku turunkan ke atasnya akan laknatKu."
Dan ketujuh-tujuh malaikat berserta 3000 malaikat yang mengiringinya pun berkata, “Ya Tuhan, dengan demikian tetaplah laknatMu dan laknat kami sekelian bagi mereka."
Dan semua yang di langit turut berkata, “Tetaplah laknat Allah kepadanya dan laknat orang yang melaknat”.

Sayidina Muaz (yang meriwayatkan hadis ini) kemudian menangis teresak-esak dan berkata, “Ya Rasulullah, bagaimana aku boleh selamat dan apa yang diceritakan ini?”

Sabda Rasulullah saw., "Hai Muaz, ikutilah Nabimu dalam soal keyakinan”.

Muaz bertanya kembali, “Ya, tuan ini Rasulullah sedangkan saya ini hanya si Muaz bin Jabal (hamba Allah bukan Rasul), bagaimana saya boleh selamat dan boleh lepas dan bahaya tersebut?”

Bersabda Rasullullah, “Ya begitulah, kalau dalam amalanmu ada kelalaian maka tahanlah lidahmu jangan sampai memburukkan orang lain. Ingatlah dirimu sendiri pun penuh dengan aib maka janganlah mengangkat diri dan menekan orang lain”.
“Jangan riak dengan amal supaya amal itu diketahui orang. Jangan termasuk orang yang mementingkan dunia dengan melupakan akhirat. Kamu jangan berbisik berdua ketika di sebelahmu ada orang lain yang tidak diajak berbisik. Jangan takabbur pada orang lain nanti luput amalanmu dunia dan akhirat dan jangan berkata kasar dalam suatu majlis dengan maksud supaya orang takut kepadamu. Jangan mengungkit-ungkit apabila membuat kebaikan, jangan merobekkan (pecah belah) peribadi orang lain dengan mulutmu kelak engkau akan dirobek-robek oleh anjing-anjing api neraka jahanam”.

Sebagaimana firman Allah yang bermaksud, “Di neraka itu ada anjing-anjing perobek badan manusia”.

Muaz berkata, “Ya Rasulullah, siapa yang tahan menanggung penderitaan semacam itu?”

Jawab Rasulullah SAW., “Muaz, yang kami ceritakan itu akan mudah bagi mereka yang dimudahkan oleh Allah SWT. Cukuplah untuk menghindar semua itu, kamu menyayangi orang lain sebagaimana kamu mengasihi dirimu sendiri dan benci apa yang berlaku kepada orang lain apa-apa yang dibenci oleh dirimu sendiri. Kalau begitu kamu akan selamat dan dirimu pasti akan terhindar”.

Wallahu'alam....

Rasulullah s.a.w bersabda, maksudnya:
“Sesungguhnya Allah S.W.T tidak memandang kepada rupa paras dan harta benda kamu tetapi Allah hanya memandang kepada niat hati dan amalan-amalan kamu.” (Riwayat Muslim)

Katakanlah: "Wahai hamba-hambaKu yang telah melampaui batas terhadap diri mereka sendiri (dengan perbuatan-perbuatan maksiat), janganlah kamu berputus asa dari rahmat Allah, kerana sesungguhnya Allah mengampunkan segala dosa; sesungguhnya Dialah jua Yang Maha Pengampun, lagi Maha Mengasihani. (Surah Az-Zumar: 53)

“Wahai umat manusia! Sesungguhnya sudah datang kepada kamu al-Quran yang menjadi nasihat pengajaran daripada Tuhan kamu, dan yang menjadi penawar bagi penyakit batin (hati) yang ada dalam dada kamu dan menjadi hidayah petunjuk untuk keselamatan serta membawa rahmat bagi orang beriman.” (Surah Yunus: ayat 57).

Don Quixote

10 days in Malaysia and I've already gotten afraid to get out of the house. What with the murder and rape and all, what is becoming of this society? Those are the scarier problems.

On a smaller scale, I see rude and insensitive people all the time on the TV. I don't know whether it reflects real life or not, since they seem too bad to be true, but if people keep asking for more, it's likely that it's true. I wish I could see with my own eyes how Malaysians have changed, whether for the better or for the worse. On the other hand, I'm afraid to face reality should they really have strayed too far and that judgment is waiting at the door. Of course I'm afraid of judgment itself, but I'm afraid for those people too. I pity them, I feel sorry that they couldn't resist their own anger and frustrations. I feel sorry that judgment is going to befall them and yet they're still ignoring who God is. I pity their future, everything that they're missing. But that doesn't mean I think I myself is so great I don't need to pity myself. I'm pitying people because I just do.

Remember, God only pities those who pity others. God only forgives those who forgive others. And yet God still pities and forgives those who don't because God is too great to be compared with any of us. Not just in this holy month of Ramadan, but as long as we live, we should learn to forgive those who do wrong to us, intentional or not. And we should also know how to pity people, how to love people as much as we love ourselves. Malaysians are known to be helpful, that's why even beggars can get rich as long as they know how to make themselves look pitiful. Sure it's a nice thing and I'm very thankful to God that Malaysians are helpful. But I do wish they would do more. I wish the government would stop spending so much on tourism mosques and first class flight expenses, and give it out to those who need food and medical help instead. 

By the way, where did all the zakat go to that so many needing people are still short on donations? No matter how sick we are of giving out donations, we should still pity those who need our help. Not everyone is born with sight and hearing, not everyone is born healthy and kicking. Not everyone is born to score all A's on exams, and not everyone is born to believe in good and God either. People are different, that's why we must learn to accept. God created races and nations in different languages and colors so that we may know and understand each other.

I'm one of those who can not be scolded. When someone scolds me, be it I'm wrong or not, I will be very depressed. I will forgive those who scold me, but until they promise to never scold me again, I'll never be myself in front of them lest I get scolded again. Why? Simply because I develop a phobia. So I'll let you know now why it isn't good to be hasty and use bad words on people. You can easily hurt someone, and God doesn't like it when someone is hurt.

And do you know? God doesn't accept the fast of those who don't restrain from curses and bad words.

Travelling 西日本

All pictures belong to their respectful owners. I don't take credit for any of them.

横浜駅から出発

大垣駅で一休み

貨物列車が通過

再び京都駅に

大阪駅通過

姫路駅で一休み

車内トイレ（古い方）

相生駅で乗り換え

岡山駅通過

ようやく友人が住む西条駅に

バスで広大中央口に

一泊して、翌日広島駅に遊びに

縮景園

広島城

そごう

翌日、地下街

そして路面電車で港へ

花火大会を遠くから見に行った

翌日午後2時から九州に出発し、途中で電車が海沿いに走った

電車窓から

お腹すかせて、下関駅で下車したら店が閉まったばかり

ちなみにこんなビルがあったけど、夜になるとめっちゃ怖い

がっかりして博多駅まで行ったが、そっちも閉店だった

空腹のまま馬出九大病院前に住む友人の家に宿泊

家で朝食済ませて門司港へ

自作オルゴールもできる

箱崎駅のモスクに

礼拝済ませて食べれる店を探したが見つからなかったため、博多駅の味わいストリートへ

そして天神駅でまたがっかりさせられた

ドタバタでゴスロリの服をチラ見

キャナルシティも特に閉店だった

翌日岐阜に出発。15時間かかるから始発を真剣に待ってた

食べ物もなくて車内トイレもなかったから6時間苦労していた

やっと車内トイレのある電車に乗り換えた（新しい方）

駅で用事済ませたから使わなかったけど…

岐阜駅に着いたが、バスに間に合わなかった

翌日横浜に向かって帰る途中、熱海の海を眺めていた

午後7時前に家について、西日本の旅が終わった

旅の参加者、お疲れさまでした

旅の助っ人、ありがとうございました

Nissui Fish Sausage OK

No livestock content in amino acid, so I consider this safe. But I haven't asked about their fish burgers, so just don't confuse the two.

On the right is the reply from Nissui.

ラシード ロハニ 様


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これからのマレーシア

今から言うことは全て20年間マレーシアに育った経験に基づいた私の意見に過ぎない。証拠なんか求められても決して一つも挙げられないけど、意見を言うのも私たちの権利じゃない？政府にばれたくないから日本語で書いてるのじゃなくて、マレーシアの出来事に興味のある日本人に向けて書きたいからと思ってね。それに、いつかこの自称政府にばれて掴まれても、この意見を書いたことは後悔しない。後悔するとしたら、間違った言い方で人を傷つけてしまった時だけ。その時は深くお詫びいたします。

ただの2，3週間だけで私は改めてマレーシアのニュースを読まずにはいられなくなった。とある日とある知り合いから不思議なメールが来たから少しだけBersihというマレーシアの非政府組織について検討してみた。なんだ、公平な選挙を要求している組織なんだ。びっくりする話でもないわ、よくある話だから。マレーシアの選挙がいかにも不公平なのは誠実な人なら、マレーシアに住んだことがあるだけでも誰もがわかる。私もずっとその真実を自分の目で確かめてきた。選挙がある度に、50年以上前から政権を握っている与党Bはメディアを操って野党をバカにしたりちっとも野党の言いたいことを言わせたりしない。マレーシアの主流メディアは何らかの理由で常に与党Bのわがままを聞かなくてはいけない。そして警察まで操って野党に決して演説をさせない。時には野党がテロだというでっち上げを企む。時には野党のメンバーを筋の通らないわけで逮捕して洗脳しようとする。ひどい時は野党のメンバーをどこかに連れて行って殺害する。よくあることだ。殺人の件は与党Bの仕業だとは確信できないけど、投票者としてはどうも怪しい与党Bを一度国会の席から外させて、他の政党に真実を調べさせてみたいのは当然じゃない？それなのに汚らしい手段で野党に泥を塗るのはなぜ。民主主義とはな、政党が一つだけでは成り立たないの。

Bersihのことを分かったとき、私は特に興味なかった。わかったのは、Bersihが公平な選挙を正式に申し込んだけど、断られた。つまりバカバカしいとか言われた。｢マレーシアの選挙は公平だ｣と与党Bがずっと主張し続けた。それでBersihは決心した。与党Bは国民の気持ちがどうしてもわかってくれないから、人を集めて集会を行おうと。そうすると、パニックった与党Bは集会に出る人を逮捕するなどと警告をしたり、またもでっち上げを作ったりしたが、それでもBersihは集会をやめないと主張した。そこで首相は提案した。集会は道じゃなくてスタジアムでやってくれれば、認めてやると。Bersihもそのほうがいいと言って、賛成した。

日がたって、やっと集会が終わっただろうなと思った時にニュースを読んでみた。なんと、集会はスタジアムじゃなくて道で行われて、けが人も逮捕された人もいた。かなり世界的に騒ぎになっていた。どういうことだろうと思って、聞き込みしてみた。マレーシアの主流ニュースは頼りないからな。みんな与党Bの味方だから。

これは全部証言に基づいた事実だ。集会の前日に約束されたスタジアムがいきなり使えないと警察側から断られて、Bersihは仕方なく道で行うことにした。つまり首相に騙されたってことだ。しかも当日警察は集会に来る人を足止めにするために郊外から都内への出入りを禁止して、大変な交通渋滞になった。そして集会で武器らしきものを一つも持たない約5万人に対してゴム弾で発砲したり、催涙ガスを噴射したり、消防車の噴水に刺激的化学物質を混ぜて人の流れを押しつけたりした。また警棒で人をたたいたり蹴ったりしていた。この事件で死亡者一人、けが人は多かった。抵抗もできない国民に、よくも乱暴な事をしたな首相さん？

その後の記者会見で、首相らそれぞれ嘘をついて、｢参加者に指一本触れてない｣とか「参加者が暴れそうになった｣とかでたらめばかり言ってた。人々がとった映像を見たら首相らの真っ赤なウソはとても聞きづらい。このことについては他国のメディアでも語ってる。首相らの嘘は国の恥だ。いや、彼ら自身が国の恥と言っていいかもしれない。

とは言って、わざわざこの記事を書いたのは首相らの悪口を言うためではない。何があったのかを予め知ってほしいのと、それに基づいた私の更なる意見を言いたいから。

まず、私はBersihに反対していない。公平な選挙も私の純粋な望みである。誰が政権を持つかは国民が選べばいい、とりあえずまずその選ぶ権利を返してほしいんだ。そして不正なる同人の多数投票、死人の存在するはずのない投票、海外に住んでいる人たちの郵便投票の乱用、そういうのやめてほしいんだ。それ望んで悪くないでしょ？
だけど、Bersihの全てがいいとでも言っていない。目的は確かめさせてもらったけど、参加者ももっと誠実になってくれないと、喧嘩しか生まないよ。インターネットのおかげで、あらゆる人の意見が聞けた。正義を求めるのはいいけど、相手みたいに人をバカにしないでほしい、言葉の暴行に注意してほしい。言葉は人の鏡だから。みんな暴行したら、国はどうなるんだ？みんな正義を望むなら、集会でもデモでも会議でも何でもやれ、とりあえず冷静に。行為だけじゃなくて言葉も冷静に。ったくマレーシア人ってばすぐ喧嘩を売るんだから・・・

そして関係のない人、関係のないことを巻き込まないでほしいねん。与党Bのみんなが悪いわけではない、優しい人もいる。改革と正義を望む国民を敵として思ってる首相らと一緒にしないでほしい。がんばろうね、マレーシア人たちよ。

Trial isn't torture, it's education

People wonder why we don't know the exact reasons to each of our rules. Like I said before, we don't drink alcohol because God says so, but we don't know the reason why God forbids so. And people wonder why we don't know. 

Back then when prophets were present, people only bothered to ask the 4W and 1H, what, where, when, who, how. They very, very rarely asked why. I do not know why is it so, but it is probably because back then science hadn't progressed far, and it was science which prompted us to ask why to everything. Those times people only had to hold on to their own beliefs and know what they have to do to live. There was no necessity to know why, because they believed. But now people only believe in what they can see with naked eyes, most people don't believe in what they can't touch or observe. Then people start asking why to everything before believing. Well it's not weird, considering I'm also one of them. But if they deny things just because they can't see it except with their hearts, then that is probably what God mentioned as those who have eyesight yet are blind. Just as how emotions and dreams exist, that's also how the unseen exists. 

Science isn't a bad thing at all, so is asking why. Wanting to know the reason is a good thing, but when there's no correct answer, there's just nothing to say. People can make their own guesses to the answer, and they may even live with it, but they have to realize that it's not the correct answer, even far from the ultimate answer. Answers guessed by humans can easily be proven wrong by humans itself, we just need time to see the roller coaster of right and wrong. Back then they had prophets to ask the answer directly from God, the only creator who knows everything. Now the prophets are gone. But thinking carefully, we don't really need reason to everything. Do I need a reason to fall in love? No. Honestly I don't know why I'm so infatuated with that egoistic narcissistic person. *stupid grin* 

Then people wonder why are there no more prophets. They say if the claimed prophets of each religion are here, people don't need to debate anymore about who is right or wrong. But it's wrong. Back then even though there were more than one prophet who brought forth the same message, there were a lot of disbelievers. What difference would it make now? Reading through wikipedia (my hobby) proves that the situation never changed. First they try to refute what the prophets say. Then when the prophets prove with miracles, they say the prophets use black magic and are slaves of the devils, or they use some kind of trick. If they can't find any way to refute the prophets anymore, the call the prophets crazy or mad, or struck with some kind of disease that makes that delusional. Try and read, it's the same story now and then.

Prophets are sent here as reminders for the people. Which means people used to know the truth, but when time passes and new generations are born, they forget. So prophets were sent every time they start to forget again. All the while as people are evolving physically and mentally, the way of life (in other words the required acts and the forbidden acts) are changed several times. If I have to say which, it gets stricter. So if we try to look from the present to the past, it is not actually simply getting stricter, but it just means that people in the past had it easy because of their own states. Now we have a more evolved mind and behavior, thus the final rules are applied to us. But people from thousands of years ago were different from us, therefore the rules were made easier for them. That is why all the way up to a certain prophet people were free to consume alcohol and women aren't asked to cover their heads, but when the time has come and the people are ready to accept what is actually good for them, the final rules are applied starting from the last prophet. And proof of that evolution is that prophets are no longer needed to remind people, because among the people itself there people who act as reminders to continue spreading the forgotten truth. Before the last prophet, only the prophets were brave enough to go against their people who have strayed off onto the wrong path. They were mostly backed up directly by God and by the angels instead of their own species, the humans. But during the time of the last prophet, the humans itself were ready to step into the world and state what they believe is right. The last prophet was backed by the humans, by even more angels than usual who probably got excited from the humans readiness to move on by themselves, and even more by God who is always there. Part of this narration includes my hypotheses, so I can't say it's 100% true. But the part about people being ready to pass on the message without needing a prophet to back them up is true.

What's the title got to do with this? I leave it up to you to guess. ;D

A pure wish

Recently I remembered one the earliest things I wanted to design. I was in primary school, and for reasons I can't remember, I wanted to create a tool-of-possibilities. At that time an electronic phone-book was kind of popular. It had a ridiculously small screen, like a calculator, and you can save up to 50 names. Since it was multipurpose, it could also become a calculator, a notebook, and world-time viewer. Maybe a few more functions, but it's too old I can't recall. It was my first time looking at such a useful device (now I'd gladly throw it away though, the interface is impossible) , so I thought about designing a device that when you put a question of 'why' in it, it'd give out all kinds of possible answers. For example, "why isn't my friend answering the phone" would be answered with "she's busy" or "she's using the bathroom" or "she didn't hear it ringing" or "the phone has fallen under the bed" and the such. I know it sounds like useless, but it's actually very useful in helping people think positive. Like, there were times when someone accidentally brushed past me while bumping into my shoulder without even looking back to apologize, but if I think positive, I'd simply think that "maybe that guy didn't notice he bumped someone, oh well". Along those lines. Unfortunately there are people who think otherwise, like "that guy is rude!" and start bad-mouthing. Regardless of the truth, once we start thinking negatively, we'd not only be sinful for bad-mouthing, but also for fitna (making an untrue statement about somebody) if it's true that the guy just didn't notice.

To be honest if no one was brave enough to tell me, I wouldn't know that I sound rude and cold. Even after knowing so, I don't intend to change because I am not rude nor cold as people misunderstood. It's just their own misconceptions. I tend to walk quickly because I feel healthier that way, but some people think I'm rude for leaving them behind. I have bad eye-sight and face-recognition, but some people think I'm cold and never say hi. When I'm not conversing with anyone and seriously do my work, some people say I never laugh. Oh the insanity. I'm not perfect, even I used to have negative thinking over America's administration, but I threw that away. Being misunderstood myself, I can feel how terrible it is to misunderstand someone. So people, you're still going with "he's so rude!" even though you didn't even try to ask? Not all truths will be revealed, and not all truths are sweet, but negative thinking takes us nowhere.

Once again, everyone is different. So be nice. Remember how the prophets were to their people no matter how they accused the prophets as liars? *wink wink*

And going through google search, we always come across unexpected things. Today I found a site that's trying to refute contents of the Koran, with the main statement sounding something like "scientifically incorrect". There the writer posted various interpreted words of the Koran and pointed out where it's scientifically wrong and how it coincides with ancient beliefs. I was going to laugh it off, since no one asked me anyway, but looking at the replies I saw an agent who tried to backfire the statements. I must say the explanations are quite nicely done since he/she pointed out that interpretations of the Koran are simply interpretations, they do not reflect the truth of what it means, and that Arabic words have a lot of meanings. But for us who can barely pronounce the Arabic greetings correctly, surely it won't be easy to do that. So what do we do when someone start asking us about it? I've said this a few times before, I'll say it again. They are reminders for myself, and for those reading.

1. Q: This statement is incorrect/dubious.
1. A: I don't speak Arab either so I can't answer. Ask someone native.
2. Q: This statement is scientifically incorrect.
1. Who proved humans evolved from monkeys? Who proved big bang was real? Science itself is dubious. But I choose to believe in the one who created science itself, it's God. If it didn't create science, then it's not God. That's the ultimate rule.
3. Q: This statement seems to be based on ancient beliefs.
1. Dunno. I didn't live in that era.
4. Q: What if religion and science proves to be against each other?
1. Do you even know what religion is? They're both the same thing. But people misunderstand science as not having feelings, emotions, empathy. What you seem to misunderstand as science is just what you shaped as your own religion, your way of living.
5. Q: You couldn't answer half the questions.
1. I don't need to be able to answer everything. I just need to believe.

To me, science's main purpose is not to prove what is right or wrong, because the ultimate truth is already in each of our own hearts. Science is simply a tool to help people live a better life, it is not what decides everything. Newton's theory has existed since the beginning of time, Newton only discovered it, he did not decide for it to be like that. That's how science is. They discover what they could, and use it for our own good. People who misunderstand 'discover' for 'prove' are often those who cannot see religion and science as the same thing. And here I go again with my incorrigible blabbering. 

***

There was a time at a certain preaching when the prophet was so badly treated and injured that a companion asked:

"Why don't you just ask God to let a catastrophe befall those rude people?"

Then the prophet warmly replied:

"I wasn't sent here to bring destruction to my people. I was sent here as a reminder for my people."

~my own narration of the hadeeth, please find the original version if you need to recite it~

Hidden characters

Do you like to play RPG? Or watch animes? If you do you should know that the antagonists often have reasons to become what they are. Unlike some stories where the bad guys are just born to be bad, the antagonists in Japan's entertainment were just our normal people till something happened that made them decide to go against the protagonists. One uncommon pattern is the kind that obtain a large amount of power and decide to use it for their own selfish needs. That's how some people really are in reality, they turn the other cheek as soon as they are given the authority.
On the other hand, there are also secret characters in these RPG or animes that turn out to be important keys to help the main protagonists. They are usually able to unleash some kind of great power, that they before refuse to use it. Why? In most cases they got afraid of their own powers, so they hid themselves from the world. (Often from experiences) they knew the power might get out of control and bring forth disasters. These characters are just like the previously mentioned antagonists, they received a great power for some reason. The difference is that they know the burden of carrying such abilities, and they also know that they themselves are unable to judge correctly in using such an overwhelming force without hurting someone they love, so they seal the powers instead. Those traits make them the cool, hidden characters in games/stories.

Conclusion: characters who have but do not use their powers/authorities are always the respected characters who the protagonists look for.

And that's also how it is in reality.

True we do not own such magical-like abilities, and no one suddenly wakes up to find a huge belt on his bed that allows him to transform into Masked Rider and save the world from evil monsters. But power in terms of humans may refer to authorities. The government has the power to decide a country's route. The manager has the power to decide a store's design. A mother has the power to make a child obey, in certain cases.

So far we have seen how many men abuse their authorities over women. Needless to say what, we've heard enough how wives are cruelly treated by their husbands who stress that they are doing it for their own good. Such nonsense, there is no place for cruelty in life! In Islam, husbands are given authorities over their wives for reasons that only God knows why, but some people abuse those rights by overdoing it. Who said you can beat your wife leaving bruises and scars? Who said you can kick your wives just because you don't like her cooking? Remember, we will be questioned about it again on judgment day by God, the sole and true judge, the one who knows the depth of our hearts.

A common story I hear in my country is about how the husband is responsible for his wife's sins, and how the father is responsible for his daughters' sins. That's why they keep on forcing women to do what they think is right. I have heard of it all my life, but I've never heard any part of the Quran or hadith that proves it. But I've heard countless times that no one is responsible for another's sins. No one! But anyway, I'm not even a scholar. Please ask a real scholar about it, and I mean the real one.

But the main thing I want to ask is, if it is true that they will bear the women's sins, then isn't what they are doing is simply to save themselves and not because they think about the women? Just my one-cent, I do not know what is in their hearts.
So here I want to ask, are the prophets Noah and Luth responsible for their wives who died as unbelievers? So far as I know, they are not. So why should other men be responsible for their wives' sins? Authorities are given so that they may teach those in their care the right way and guide them, not to force them to walk on a path they drew. Abusing is still another sin.

I will tell you something good I heard that still rings in my head. It was said by my mother, which increased my respect in her as a mother. There was one time when my sister did something really wrong to my mother and went into hiding. My family tried to find her because they wanted to know why she did that. My mother always does that, she doesn't just get angry or give threats, instead she asks first why we did something that she didn't like. Another reason why I respect her. Anyway, they couldn't find her, then my mother said: "Though I am upset I won't curse her, because I am her mother. With the authorities given by God, if I curse her it will really befall her and destroy her life forever, so I don't want that."
Hearing this I realize a few reasons to why God gave authorities to mothers over their children. My mother is practically aware of what she can do, and yet she thinks about us first because she really loves us. Have you realized your mother's love? Sure mothers aren't perfect creatures, but their unseen love is real.

おまけ~~~extra~~~

Before I get people telling me what I already know, I will make it clear.

1. No, I do not think that women have to cover themselves because men are easily attracted to women.
2. No, I do not think that men can judge better than woman thus they should have the authority.
3. No, I do not think that women love children better than men so they should have the authority.
4. No, I do not think that alcohol is bad for the body that's why we're forbidden from drinking.

What I think is, if God says so, I do so. Only God knows the reasons to hes rules, we have no right to say "oh I wear veils to protect myself from men". What I will say is "because God says so". Because God is God, se knows everything to everything. Because I love God.

Peace. ;)

The Prophets are the best examples

I know I haven't been updating the Palestine blog for almost a month, but I do read news. I'll probably be too busy for another 2, 3 weeks so I don't think I can update it yet. Someone, please do it for me ok?

The new rise of a self-righteous self-proclaimed jihad movement Salafi-Jihadi. If they start reading this blog they will probably kill me once they find me, but I don't care the slightest bit, and I won't bear grudges. God's love is too overwhelming for me to act high-and-mighty like most self-proclaimed warriors.

Isn't it about time for those stubborn-headed to realize that Hamas is not a terrorist organization? There are enough extremist organizations out there that differ strongly from Hamas itself, needless to name what those organizations are. Who can prove that Hamas used civilians as human-shields? The Hamas that we know says otherwise, and we choose to believe them, not some biased propaganda. Anyway, after finding out that some members of Hamas are actually supporting Salafi-Jihadi secretly, now we know why a few of their actions seem to go against their principles. As long as the leaders are composed and on the right path, I trust in them to fix the situation. It'll be a different story if even their leaders are starting to oppress people with self-proclaimed laws of God. God states; there is no obligation in religion. And injustice is a terrible act.

One method I use to judge whether what an organization aims is truly based on God's orders or not, is by comparing their principles to the prophet's. What I see Hamas is doing is almost similar to the ways of the prophet. Fight for the land stolen from you, forgive people, and cease fire when the enemy wants to make peace. And no forcing people to follow a certain way of life. People are free to choose their ways of life, the only thing they shouldn't be doing is being injustice towards others, in forms of bribery, robbery, murdering, and the such. Otherwise it is their total freedom to choose not to pray, or to be homosexual, or to eat rubbish. We can only advice them what to do and what not to do, but we can't force them as long as they're not disturbing others. Remember how Luth didn't do anything to his homosexual tribe but only reminded them of the disaster to come shall they not repent? Then as God ordered, when a place is too full of sins and you can't change it, you shall leave for a better place. Otherwise you might get involved in the judgment that's going to befall the sinful land, in Luth's tribe's case, the whole town was flipped upside down.

In short, we humans as caliphs of the earth are only responsible for reminding and conducting trials that are required to be done as mentioned in the Koran, for example eye-for-an-eye, stoning, and decapitating thieves. But wait, let me make this clear. Stoning is only allowed when there are at least 4 male witnesses who saw with their own eyes the progression of the adultery event, otherwise there is no stoning. And that's not the only requirement, there are plenty of requirements to be filled before it can be done, so don't think it's easy to stone people. And don't think we like to stone people. No one sane likes hurting others. And as for cutting off one hand of a thief, there must be proof that he stole and that the reason for stealing is not due to hunger or poverty. Simply put, he's stealing just because he wants something that he can live on without. For more info, please ask a real scholar, not the one who only knows how to fight.

Now where were we? Oh yeah, we humans are only responsible for those trials. As for other sins that involve only themselves, like drinking alcohol and skipping on prayers, those sins are between themselves and God, so God shall judge that. Repeat, we are only reminders. And get out of that place when you think judgment is near, well, if you want to live longer that is.

The real message that I want to repeat here is the importance of spreading love, not hate. I didn't say the exact words before, but what I've been conveying is the same. Teach people around you how to love before they start expressing extreme behaviors, before they start killing people in their own ways, before they declare hatred on everyone they hate. In an article I read, Hamas discovered through some Salafi-Jihadi members that they captured, that they only know how to be extreme, but they don't even know how to prepare for prayers.

Before teaching people how to govern people, teach them to govern themselves and love others first.

Featured

Been waiting a long time to write this post.

Quote 1:
神様は人々のその背中
いつでも見てると聞かされた
そうどこの誰にでも平等に
愛を与える
(I was told that God is always looking at every each of us, loving and caring for us fairly no matter who we are)

私が生まれた日から今日まで
日差しのようなその温もり優しく包まれてた
(I've been enveloped in that warmth ever since the day I was born even till today)

誰かのために人は生きてる
私に何ができるのでしょう
(We all live for someone. I wonder how am I able to contribute?)

悲しみに出会ったら目を閉じて
その背中を意識して見て
温かなまなざしに気付くはず
守られてると
(When you're feeling down, close your eyes. Try to feel that gaze on your back, I'm sure you will notice that presence)

愛とは伝えるもの
( Love is meant to be spread)

一人ぼっちじゃ生きてゆけない
誰かがいるから私がいるの
(No one can live alone. I am here thanks to someone)

誰かのために人は生まれて幸せになるんだ
(Everyone is born to be happy because of someone)

***End of Quote 1

Good, isn't it? Hard to believe that a non-muslim wrote it? Not really, that just means the one who wrote it probably has more faith in God that most of us.

Second feature of the day.

Quote 2:
My mama told me when I was young
There's nothing wrong with being who you are
'Cause He made you perfect babe
So hold your head up, girl, and you'll go far
Listen to me when I say

I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track
I was born this way
Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you're set

Give yourself prudence and love your friends
Whether you're broke or evergreen
You're black, white, beige, chola descent
You're Lebanese, you're orient
Whether life's disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
'Cause you were born this way

***End of Quote 2.

Obviously the writer knows how to be grateful to God for creating everyone perfect no matter what they are. Are you grateful that you were born? Do you know God made you perfect, your looks, your family, your surroundings, everything? We just don't know what caused us to be different, but we are all perfect creations of God, who makes no mistakes. We must love ourselves and people around us.

So have you figured out where those quotes come from?

Back to earth

***

Entertainers are better than half-naked entertainers. 

Half-naked entertainers are better than fully naked entertainers. 

Naked entertainers are better than prostitutes.

Once upon a time a prostitute pulled up water from a well with her shoes to let a thirsty dog drink, and she was admitted into heaven.

So what are you discriminating and hating people for?

***

Muhasabah

Kita mahu Palestin menang dan memperoleh kemerdekaan, tetapi adakah kita sudah bersedia untuk menanggung tanggungjawab yang datang selepas itu?

Buat saudara-saudari yang mengaku mereka termasuk orang-orang yang berserah diri kepada Allah, yakni muslim dan muslimat.

Alhamdulillah kini kita sedar kezaliman yang dialami rakyat Palestin dan kaum-kaum lain di serata dunia. Saban hari kita mendengar laungan untuk membebaskan Palestin, mendemokrasikan semula negara-negara Arab, dan menghidupkan balik semangat umat Islam yang terkubur meskipun mendapat tentangan dari berbagai pihak atas berbagai sebab. Maklumat bebas disalurkan kepada umum walaupun sentiasa cuba dihalang oleh pihak tertentu, kita bebas mengetahui hakikat sebenar yang mereka cuba sembunyikan selama ini.

Tapi itu sahaja tidak memadai sekiranya kita benar-benar mahu membuktikan hakikat sebenar Islam kepada dunia, bahawa Islam bukan agama pengganas, dan Allah bukan tuhan kepada umat Islam sahaja.

Apakah salah setiap mereka yang bergelar yahudi dan kristian sehingga sebahagian kamu menghina dan menzalimi mereka sesuka hati? Bukan semua yahudi dan kristian itu zalim, bukan semua yang mengaku Islam itu adil. Tapi ramai dari kalangan kita sentiasa menganggap jahatnya orang yang bukan Islam, sedangkan kita tidak tahu bahawa suatu hari nanti mungkin merekalah yang akan menjadi pemimpin umat Islam yang lebih bertakwa dari kita. Tetapi Allah Maha Tahu. Bukankah nabi kita sendiri melayan baik orang-orang kafir yang ingin berdamai dan tidak berlaku zalim? Allah tidak menghalang kita berlaku baik. Ingatlah bagaimana kasihnya nabi kepada ayah saudaranya yang mati dalam keadaan kafir, dan bagaimana baiknya perilaku nabi sehingga pemimpin-pemimpin puak yang kafir memilih untuk berserah diri kepada Allah.

Laungan "mati yahudi" dan "mati amerika" tidak ubah seperti apa yang sebahagian mereka laungkan kepada kita. Mengapa harus kita libatkan orang yang tidak mengambil bahagian dalam kezaliman, malah mereka juga cintakan keamanan dan keperimanusiaan? Jika ingin benci, bencilah sifat zalim itu sendiri, bukan sesuatu kaum atau puak secara keseluruhan. Orang kristian dan yahudi juga ada yang menjadi ahli kitab, dan ahli kitab juga adalah penghuni syurga seperti yang dijanjikan oleh Allah sendiri. Sepertimana kita tidak suka orang mengganggap semua yang bergelar muslim itu pengganas, seperti itu juga orang-orang yang tidak berkenaan benci apabila dikumpulkan sekali dengan orang-orang zalim. Pernahkan kamu berfikir?

Usah berangan ingin menjadi khalifah di bumi sedangkan sikap mendiskriminasikan orang pun masih tidak dapat kamu buang.

Kami menghargai kerjasama mereka yang sudi menyampaikan maklumat terkini berkenaan perkembangan usaha-usaha masyarakat Islam di serata dunia kepada rakan-rakan dan kenalan. Kini kami berharap agar akan bertambah kuat juga usaha menyampaikan mesej-mesej Islam, tentang perilaku Islam yang sebenar, tentang pentingnya muhasabah diri. Jika tidak, berulanglah apa yang sentiasa berulang dalam sejarah. Keadilan runtuh dan kezaliman timbul kembali walau siapa pun yang menang dan menulis sejarah baru, sekiranya tiadanya orang Islam sebenar yang melakukan tanggungjawab seorang pendakwah.

Pendakwah yang kami maksudkan bukanlah yang hanya tahu mencela Amerika dan Zionis, bukanlah orang yang meminta supaya tampuk kuasa dipegang oleh masyarakatnya sendiri, dan bukan juga yang tidak kelihatan sinar kasih sayang dimatanya meskipun sesama orang Islam sendiri. Carilah pendakwah yang mengikut sunnah-sunnah nabi secara keseluruhan, bukan hanya mengambil bahagian-bahagian yang disukainya sahaja, bukan bahagian-bahagian yang melibatkan kemusnahan semata-mata. Pendakwah itu seharusnya menyampaikan mesej secara kesuluruhannya, dari hal kecil hingga besar, yang berkaitan hati dan perasaan, dan bermula dari perkara-perkara asas yang penting tetapi sering dilupai orang. Apa gunanya solat jika mengumpat, apa gunanya puasa jika masih bergaduh sesama Islam kerana politik, apa gunanya pergi ke haji jika pulangnya ke tanah air masih mengabaikan hak-hak jiran tetangga? Bangunlah umat Islam. Jihad senjata yang kamu perkatakan itu hanya sekadar di mulut, jihadlah terhadap nafsumu dahulu.

Kasihilah keluargamu, jiran tetanggamu, saudara-saudara Islam, dan orang-orang bukan Islam yang cintakan kedamaian. Bukankah Allah itu Maha Penyayang? Bukankah para nabi yang seharusnya dicontohi bersifat amat mulia? Atau adakah Islam kamu hanya di mulut dan di hujung pedang yang dihunus tidak bertempat? Jangan biarkan Iblis dan konco-konconya mengibarkan api dendam, prasangka, dan bongkak dalam hatimu. Ingat, itulah misi syaitan, menyesatkan manusia. Disangka itulah Islam, sedangkan nafsu semata-mata.

Sekiranya Palestin dan negara-negara Islam menang dalam perang darah dan perang dingin ini, maka jatuhlah tanggungjawab untuk menegakkan keadilan secara besar-besaran. Nabi memaafkan orang-orang kafir yang memusuhinya semasa membuka kota Mekah, jadi adakah kita pula akan melakukan sebaliknya dan melanyak-lanyak setiap orang yang kita sangka musuh tatkala kita menang? Berlaku adillah, Allah suka orang yang berlaku adil. Berkasih sayanglah sesama manusia dan majulah ke depan dengan ilmu yang terbentang luas. Islam itu bukan pengekang, Islam itu membebaskan manusia dari fikiran-fikiran yang sempit, tetapi kebanyakan kita tidak memahami. Jadi wahai saudara-saudari yang sudah memahami hakikat ini, apa yang kita tunggu lagi? Pelajari dan kenalilah agama Islam, di mana agama bermaksud cara hidup, maka kenalilah cara hidup Islam. Kemudian sebarkan supaya semua orang saling mengetahui.

Maka berilah peringatan, karena sesungguhnya kamu hanyalah orang yang memberi peringatan. (Al-Ghashiya:21)

Natural

Someone once asked:

Why does the Muslim Allah send curses on women who wear wigs?

Then someone answered with questions:

If Allah is so concerned about humans being "natural" then where do such "unnatural" behaviors, (like abusing women and children, training children to kill, torturing people and blowing people up....just for starters) fit in?
Furthermore, how is it "natural" to say one cannot add or remove hair, yet it is ok to alter and/or "remove" various sex organs and "add" other "unnatural" things?

Usually when I come across situations like this, three dots appear in my balloon of thought and a big sweat-drop appears at the back of my head. Yeah, you get what I mean. Things are so obvious that I feel a really strong urge to ignore the question and go on with life, and I always do. But tonight I thought that maybe some people really need an explanation instead of ignorance. Okay, then I'll present my humble speech.

There is no need to defend God because God defends hemself, so you can't ask why I'm being so defensive with such questions. But I wonder if I really am being defensive? Either ways I'm not really bothered. You decide. You're happy, I'm happy. *wink, wink*

Let's tackle this one by one, the systematic way. First I shall answer the question on my behalf. It's true that the rule regarding wigs was only mentioned in the hadith and not the Koran, and no one alive at this moment can really prove that it was really narrated from the prophet himself, so whether to believe this is an order from God or not is up to each other. If you don't think it's an order, then it's okay, do as you think is right. As for me, I trust in the scholars who are keen on spreading God's love, so I have to believe that it's really an order. And as I've mentioned a few times, even an article written by someone else I posted before says so, when it's an order it's also up to you whether to obey or not. I choose to obey, because I believe this is God's compassion. What do I care if wigs enhance blood circulation or protect hair from UV rays? If God says no, then I won't do it. But if people I know refuse to obey, then I can only suggest them to obey. I can't force them to do what I think is right. As the Koran states, there is no compulsion in life. People are free to choose. Forcing is forbidden. And back to the question, why does God curse women who wear wigs, as the questioner put it? To be honest, I don't know! *lol* No one asked that when the prophet was present, so now if you want to ask, wait for the day when you can ask God directly what the reason is.

Really, there are so much more important things in this world than asking why to everything. Questions that start with 'why' is infinite. It's like asking someone "Why do you like the color blue?" "Because it's beautiful." "Why do you think it's beautiful?" "Because it's cool and calming." "Why is it cool and calming?" "Because they have short wave-lengths." "Why?" "Because it's made that way." "Why?" "I don't know!" *lol*

Now I know some people are just curious. But have you ever had a child who keeps asking you why to everything? If you have, you will certainly have realized that some things just don't need to be answered due to its own insignificance compared to much more important things at hand. But that doesn't mean it's a totally bad thing to ask. Asking is good, but moderately. Ask in a good way, at a good time, to a well-knowing person, and don't expect a satisfactory answer. Because in the end, we are all imperfect humans with so little knowledge and ability to comprehend.

And now for the biggest misunderstanding of the day. What exactly did the person mean by "abusing women and children"? Taking from the free online dictionary, abuse is described as :
1. To use wrongly or improperly; misuse: abuse alcohol; abuse a privilege.
2. To hurt or injure by maltreatment; ill-use.
3. To force sexual activity on; rape or molest.
4. To assail with contemptuous, coarse, or insulting words; revile.
5. Obsolete To deceive or trick.
Number 2~5 are inarguably out of the question since those are all forbidden acts. Actually number 1 is also forbidden, but the question here is how each people define "improper use". Everyone has their one ideal meaning of proper, therefore opinions can differ. Well, since this should be too easy to understand, let's just make this simple. No one is allowed to make men, women, children, or even animals, generally anything alive, feel displeased, furthermore sad or angry and the such. If what Mr. A is doing to Mrs. B is making her sad, then that is not what God ever allowed to be done. If Mr. X is getting scars from Mrs. Y's blows, that is also not what God commanded. If everyone is happy, God loves it. Simple. When everyone is happy, there is no need to poke in and force them to do something else. If even one person is being unhappy due to what others are doing to him/her, something is wrong, and that is not what God wants us to do.

Oh, and as for "training children to kill" and all the way to "altering organs" et cetera, I hope I don't have to waste time elaborating them as forbidden acts. They are totally and absolutely forbidden, end of question.

A lot of people already know, but this time I'll specially restate this for those who don't. Before that, please take note that I'm being kind enough not to call you ignorants, so people, stop insulting others with that word.

When things are making people unhappy, those are not commands from God. Those troublemakers may stress that those are really commands from God, but check first for how true that statement is before blaming God for anything. Most likely, the wrong things people are doing are things passed down culturally, not as commands from the Lord. Trust me, it's a too often occurrence since ancient times.

Did I forget to mention that Allah stands for God? It's just in a different language. When referring to the Almighty Creator who's the Most Compassionate, who existed before time itself and never dies, there is only one, no matter what you call it. That is God.

A common misconception, this is the truth

By Dr. Ahmed Yousef

Women in every society have a different perception of their respective roles, which are generally molded by social and cultural norms. Evidently in many parts of the world, these social and cultural norms have restricted women of their due rights.

Islam has liberated women of such restrictions by emphasizing social equality and granting women the right to work as part of their freedom of choice. Although wearing the Hijab is a religious obligation, it is inarguably an issue between a woman and God. No one is allowed to force a woman to wear Hijab if she chooses not to, nor does the religion allow anyone to interfere with her if she chooses to take it off.

Furthermore, an individual or a group of people's choice to practice their religion and follow its teachings and principles must be respected and not judged according to certain standards set by others.

Women in the West were granted some of their basic rights fairly recently. Not until the 20th century were women completely allowed to work, inherit, vote, own property, and even protect themselves from violence. The feminist movement was a reaction to a male-dominant society that oppressed women on many levels. Islam, however, had freed women politically, economically, and socially since its birth, approximately 1430 years ago. Thus, feminist movements and fighting governmental institutions were never necessary.

It cannot be denied that many individuals within the Islamic region, just like in every other society, oppress women regardless of all beliefs and laws. But it is crucial to note that these actions are not based on true Islamic ideology, but rather are a reflection of traditions that Islam abhors and condemns. Hamas, as an Islamic organization, is keen to implement the true Islamic principles and teachings with regards to women, completely independent of certain cultural norms and societal backwardness.

Hamas, as a national liberation movement, works to put an end to the Israeli occupation and its injustice and oppression of the Palestinian people, and has no plans in creating a state with a particular type of government. Its only goal is to end the Israeli occupation and thus all attempts to engage the whole population, regardless of gender or age, in the liberation movement are a necessity.

God states in the Quran, "The Believers, men and women, are protectors of one another; they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil." Clearly, Islam entitles women and men to cooperate to fulfill their commitments. Understanding the importance of collaborative and complementary roles between men and women, Hamas engages women in all of its departments. There are female participants in the Consultative Council, which is responsible for the outline of the overall strategy of the Hamas movement and the decision-making body. There are also women who are active in the Political Bureau, Cultural Bureau, and an additional committee specialized in women's affairs within the movement.

Women in Gaza play an active role in politics and their involvement in the workforce is widespread. Many women hold occupations at universities, work as doctors and engineers, run charities and schools, and even hold leadership positions in unions and students’ councils. In the elections of 2006, women in Hamas were fully mobilized to reach out to Palestinian women and encourage them to participate in the parliamentary elections.

Hamas nominated tens of women for office and three of them were appointed as members of parliament, one as a minister, 60 as General Directors, and tens of others took leadership positions in different ministries. In addition, from the six Education Departments located in the Gaza Strip, three of them are directed by women.

The misconception that Hamas subjugates women by implementing social restrictions and snatching away their rights is an absolute fallacy. The role of women in the Palestinian society and within the liberation movement is a momentous one. Women have proven to be significant contributors in all possible fields that include, but are not limited to, politics, education, charity, and social work. The Palestinian woman in Gaza is educated, she has a voice, and she is worth no less than any man.

Dr. Ahmed Yousef is the former Senior Political Advisor to Ismail Haniyeh, Gaza Prime Minister.


Japanese version here: http://itoshii.blogspot.com/2011/05/blog-post.html

ガザにいる女性の立場、誤解を晴らす
Ahmed Yousefによって書かれた記事（の翻訳）：

どこの社会においてもそれぞれの文化や生き方によって女性はよく男性と別扱いされる。これらの社会基準によって世界の数々の場所で女性は古くから法律に縛られたり人権を否定されたりするのが誰でもわかるでしょう。

だがイスラムは女性に社会的平等を与え、働きたい女性に自由に働かせていることにより女性たちを解放することになった。確かに女性は宗教の法律により顔と手しか男性に見せられないが、もしこの法律に従いたがらない女性がいても無理やり従わせることは決してできない。宗教の法律に従うことというのは神への気持ちの表し方でもあり、女性たちは無論それぞれの決意によって自分を隠すか見せるかは自分で決めるのだ。このようなことに関しては何といっても人は他人の決意に逆らって無理させることは禁じられている。

人は自分で自分の生き方を決め、他の人は自分の生き方と違っていてもそれを尊重すべきであり、自分の物差しで勝手に判断するのは決していいことではない。

西欧に住んでいる女性たちが自由を手に入れたのはかなり最近のことである。20世紀までは彼女らは特定の仕事もできず投票もできなかった。そして自分の財産を持つこともできず受け継ぐこともできないうえ、自分を暴力から守ることさえ許されなかった。これらの抑圧があったからこそ女性解放運動が始まった。イスラムはちなみに女性を社会的にも経済的にも政治的にも約1430年前から解放したため、女性解放運動を起こす必要がなかった。

とはいって知っている通り、自分がイスラムであると宣言しながらあらゆる女性を抑圧する人は少なくない。だがここで是非わかっていただきたいのはこれが決してイスラムの思想に基づいたことではなく、イスラムも非難する古くから伝わる文化的な行動である。ハマースはイスラムの組織としてイスラムの本当の原理や教えを履行することによって、女性を完全に文化や人の勝手な意見などの縛りから解放することを望んでいる。

ハマースは国民解放運動としてイスラエルの占領や権利の侵害やパレスチナ人に対する抑圧を終わらせることが目的であり、自分たちの理想的な政府を作るつもりはない。よって性別や年齢問わず誰でもこの運動に参加することができる。

コーランで神はこう言っている：「信仰するものは、男性であり女性であり、お互い守りあい、正義を申しつけ、悪行を禁じる。」明らかにイスラムは男性にも女性にも使命を果たすために互いの協力を求める。それを理解しハマースは各部門に女性の担当を入れている。ハマースの全ての作戦や意思決定をする諮問機関にも女性の方は何人もいる。政治局や文化局のほかに女性の方は女性関係の特別な局にも積極的に活動している。

ガザ地区に住んでいる女性たちは政治に積極的に参加しており、そのかかわりあいは普及している。大学で勤める女性もいて、医者や工学者になる女性もたくさんいる。彼女らは慈善的な団体や学校を経営し、協議会のリーダーになったり生徒会の会長になったりする。2006年の選挙でハマースの女性たちは何にも縛られずに、パレスチナの女性らに選挙への参加を励ました。

ハマースは女性10人を候補に指名し、そのうち3人が国会議員となり、一人が大臣となった。60人が一般理事になり、十数人が様々な省庁で指導的な立場をとった。ガザ地区にある六つの教育部門のうち三つは女性に管理されている。

ハマースが女性を社会的に縛ったり人権を奪ったりするという誤解は絶対的な虚偽にすぎない。ハマースと活動している女性もパレスチナにいる女性も重大な役割を持ち、運動と国に大きく影響をしている。政治、教育、慈善、そして社会に、しかしそれらに限らずもっと大規模なスケールにも、女性は重要な貢献者である。ガザにいるパレスチナの女性は教育されており、発言する権利があり、男性と同じ価値を持つ。

Ahmed Yousef博士はガザ内閣総理大臣Ismail Haniyehの元シニア政治顧問である。