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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Today I Cried. Yes Today.

Yes Today.

I had it all out. All released. It was life-changing. And it happened to me. Why is this heart touched very rarely? Perhaps because that's what that makes it special. It seldom looms. It is seasonal.

I tried my best to treat him well, not so much because I was benefiting from him, but perhaps because we are somehow like-minded. Today he spilt it all out (or maybe not all) and I was touched. I looked at his eyes and I knew he held back tears.

I was stronger. I know I should not let go. Maybe not until I am alone.

Dear brother, I sometimes question, when will you pay back all my kindness towards you? Today I realized, that it's not about me, it's you. You have done so much more than I ever thought you did.

I cried and I won't stop praying for you. Because when I cry, I know I should not complain of small eyes while I know they are people who are blind. I cried knowing that I did mistakes and friendship and fraternity make me know whom I am and where I come from. They make me know you!

You may not be in my family. We may not share the same blood. But we share the same aspirations. I never knew you were alone, because you always smiled and that disguised everything. All your sufferings and challenges. All of which I would cry upon if I ever knew.

I will not stop praying and praying for you. You make me know, and you make me thankful.

I love you brother, and my prayers will always be with you. You make me cry and the tears give my heart eyes to see and it makes me smile. And I will always do.

Take care, don't want to lose you..

Today I cried and yes, today.
Read more "Today I Cried. Yes Today."

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Eksklusif: Dia Gadis Pilihan Hatiku

Assalamualaikum w.b.t

1. Islam menggariskan empat kriteria untuk diambil kira dalam memilih pasangan sebagai isteri. Daripada keempat-empatnya iaitu paras rupa, agama, keturunan dan harta, agamalah perkara pertama dan utama.

2. Mana-manapun lelaki sepertiku jarang-jarang menilai kaum Hawa dari aspek selain kecantikan, tutur bicara dan tingkah laku. Namun tidaklah padaku hal yang demikian menjadi masalah kerana hakikatnya, penghayatan agama seseorang terlalu abstrak untuk diujikaji. Menariknya, penghayatan agama sebenarnya apabila diterjemahkan dalam bentuk yang boleh dilihat masih lagi merujuk kepada perkara yang sama- kecantikan, tutur bicara dan tingkah laku (tidak lupa juga penampilan seperti cara berpakaian).

3. Aku tidak selalu jatuh hati pada insan bergelar wanita, mungkin dulu ya, tapi setelah pengalaman bercinta (ini betul-betul, bukan cobaan) dalam tempoh 2006-2009 berakhir dengan perpisahan, banyak pengajaran yang telah membuka mataku. Mujurlah hubungan kami terbatas dek Laut China Selatan yang tak sanggup aku renangi, kerana sekurang-kurangnya, aku berpeluang merasai dan melayan naluri biasa seorang remaja yang mahu disayangi, tapi dalam masa yang sama  bunga cinta kami mekar tanpa pernah kami berjumpa melainkan sekali, apabila cinta mula berputik pada tahun 2006, seawal sesi perkenalan pertama.

4. Padaku, Allah cukup berhikmah dalam memberi pengajaran. Aku dijauhkan daripada berlebih-lebihan dalam pergaulan dengannya, tetapi masih ada sedikit ruang di mana hatiku disuntik dengan indahnya cinta manusia, sehinggalah Allah menariknya kembali, supaya aku faham bahawa sebenarnya itulah yang terbaik. Mungkin dia bukan milikku, tetapi hubungan persahabatan kami tidak pernah putus, malah bertambah baik, alhamdulillah. Sungguh, cinta itu lebih indah setelah ini semua berlaku, kerana cinta kini ditakrifkan dengan akal yang lebih matang dan berusia.

5. Mungkin hanya sejak kebelakangan ini, hatiku disentuh lagi. Dia ini bukanlah seorang yang calang-calang padaku. Cukup lain daripada yang lain. Kehadirannya mengajar aku perbezaan antara wanita yang kelihatan menggoda dan wanita yang bila dipandang, sejuk mata memandang.

6. Ada hadnya, betul sekali. Tetapi dia cukup istimewa. Orang kata kalau sudah terpalit rasa berkenan, di mana-mana pun terfikir tentangnya. Indahnya akhlak dia sehingga bila diingati rasa bersalah timbul di hati. Sekaligus menjadi motivasi untuk terus berdoa dan berharap dia dapat menjadi pendamping hidup pada suatu hari, atau sekurang-kurangnya seseorang sepertinya. Juga motivasi untuk memperbaik diri, sebelum kelak tiba masa melangkah ke fasa hidup seterusnya, gerbang perkahwinan (alamak, lama lagi sebenarnya, jangan gatal Ibnu Hanaffi!)

7. “Perempuan-perempuan yang keji untuk lelaki-lelaki yang keji, dan lelaki-lelaki yang keji untuk perempuan perempuan yang keji (pula),sedangkan perempuan-perempuan yang baik untuk lelaki-lelaki yang baik, dan lelaki-lelaki yang baik untuk perempuan perempuan yang baik (pula). Mereka itu bersih dari apa yang dituduhkan orang. Mereka memperoleh ampunan dan rezeki yang mulia (syurga).” (24:26)


8. Sebenarnya, artikel yang aku rancang lebih kepada pendapatku tentang pendekatan dakwah yang ku pegang. Tapi mungkin kerana tajuk seperti di atas lebih menarik dan sebenarnya ada kaitan dengan artikel ni, maka kumulakan begitu.

9. Begini kisahnya. Sekali lagi, insan istimewa ini menjadi rujukan. Aku harap ia adalah satu persamaan denganku. Inilah yang buat ku kagum padanya. Padaku, dalam dia menjaga identitinya sebagai muslimah solehah, dia tidak kulihat kekok menjalankan tanggungjawab ukhuwah sesama manusia. Aku amat berharap orang di sekelilingnya tersentuh dengan akhlaknya hanya kerana bergaul dengannya. Bukan senang ingin menjadi ikan yang tidak masin sepertinya, walaupun dia di dalam lautan natrium klorida. Sebetulnya begitu, kerana hormatku lebih besar kepada ikan-ikan yang tawar di lautan masin, sedikit sahaja mungkin hormat kepada ikan tawar di sungai yang tawar.

10. Inilah padaku, pendekatan dakwah yang sebenar- iaitu yakin dan kuat dalam membawa identiti Islam kepada yang bukan Islam, atau yang Islam tapi hanya separuh masak- inilah usaha yang bukan mudah, tapi besar impaknya. 

11. Aku tersentuh dengan artikel oleh Muhammad Jihad dalam Bahagian Kata Dua, Majalah Solusi Isu 24 (2010) yang sekurang-kurangnya tidak membuat aku rasa keseorangan. Benarlah katanya bahawa dalam dakwah, jangan kutuk tapi pujuk. Pendekatan hitam putih atau regimented (itu boleh ini tak boleh) bukan lagi caranya. Malah tidak pernah menjadi caranya. Rasulullah S.A.W sendiri dalam menyampaikan Islam (walaupun orang pertama) gah berani berdakwah dan banyak benar insan yang terkesan dek akhlak baginda yang masya Allah sangat tinggi dan berhikmah. 

12. Inilah yang kulihat masih kurang pada orang banyak yang mungkin juga termasuklah aku. Realitinya siapa pun kita sekarang tidak pernah menjamin siapa kita besok dan seterusnya, tidak pernah pula pasti siapa kita semasa kita mati nanti. Sebab itu amat bahaya untuk orang yang terlalu yakin akan terus kekal imannya sehinggakan orang lain dicelanya- atau mungkin jika tidak dicela, tidak diendahkan kerana dianggap masuk kategori ‘tiada harapan.’

13. Pertama, siapa kita untuk menghukum? Kedua, harapanku begini. Jikalah aku mampu mengubah walaupun seorang menjadi lebih baik daripada sebelumnya, itu adalah supaya suatu hari kelak, jika aku berubah ke arah jalan yang salah, mungkin dia yang berubah kerana pertolonganku ini yang akan menarikku kembali ke jalan yang diredhai. Nauzubillah, tapi inilah padaku antara contoh terbaik untuk menggambarkan bagaimana hidup ini ibarat roda.

14. Ketiga, lihat dan kajilah latar belakang. Ini ialah sebahagian daripada konsep adil dalam Islam. Adil ialah meletakkan sesuatu di tempat yang sepatutnya. Maka jika tidak adil, lawannya ialah zalim. Kita maklum bahawa Allah melarang keras kita menzalimi diri sendiri. Dan ingatlah tidak semestinya melakukan perkara yang buruk itu sahaja dikira zalim, tetapi tidak melakukan perkara yang baik juga adalah zalim, cuma sebutan zalim dalam situasi ini mungkin perlu diringankan sedikit kerana ia merujuk kepada mendatangkan keburukan kepada diri sendiri (bukan zalim dalam erti kata kejam).

15. Keadaan inilah yang aku gambarkan sebagai dinamik kejadian manusia. Sebab itu padaku jika ingin membenci, jangan benci tuan empunya badan, tapi bencilah sifat atau akhlak yang buruk, dengan satu keyakinan bahawa akhlak dan sifat itu boleh diubah atau dibuang. Juga dengan keyakinan bahawa sifat dan akhlak buruk itu boleh juga berjangkit pada kita pula. Yakinlah yang manusia berubah, supaya datang kemahuan dakwah penuh berhikmah. Ibaratnya, jika benci pada perisian Windows Vista OS, janganlah benci pada laptop Acer (artikel ini ditaip menggunakan Acer =p), sebab mungkin suatu hari, Windows Vista OS itu akan diganti dengan Windows 7 OS pula. hehe Faham ke? =p

16. Latar belakang individulah yang ku rasa perkara paling sukar untuk dikaji dan difahami terutamanya dalam usaha menyampaikan dakwah. Cukup sukar masya Allah. Dan sebab sukarlah ramai yang tak buat. Walaupun sebetulnya, persoalan sebenar bukanlah susah atau senang, tetapi adakah perlu atau tidak. Perlu, perlu sangat-sangat. Walaupun takkan habis. Tapi bagaimana caranya. Padaku, sekali lagi, pendekatan yang terbaik ialah mendekati masyarakat. Bukannya membenarkan apa yang mereka lakukan, tetapi fahami dan cari punca kenapa mereka lakukannya. Mereka bukannya orang yang keliru dalam memilih cara hidup sebenar (belum pilih), tetapi mereka orang yang telah memilih jalan, tetapi jalannya salah. Ibarat peti sejuk yang penuh. Jika mahu gantikan isinya, tidak boleh terus disumbat, harus dibuang dulu yang sedia ada. Keadaannya sungguh lain dengan peti sejuk yang masih kosong tanpa isi.

17. Begitulah situasinya. Sebab itu, kurasakan eloklah jika didampingi orang yang tidak Islamik cara hidupnya, supaya kita menjadi contoh yang baik, dan dalam masa yang sama, dakwah yang halus berjalan walaupun mungkin secara tidak langsung, bukan juga secara paksaan. Aku khuatir, entah-entah ada dalam kalangan kita hidup dalam cara hidup Islam pun hanya kerana itu satu kebiasaan, dan bukannya pilihan. Maka berhati-hatilah kita semua untuk memperbetulkan balik keadaan. Bukan, bukan satu kebetulan bahawa berbanding segelintir (atau mungkin ramai) saudara lama, saudara baru (muallaf) biasanya lebih bersemangat mempelajari Islam, kerana mereka tidak mengikut sahaja, mereka membuat pilihan. Islam itu pilihan mereka. Maka, berjalanlah di bumi Allah untuk memahami ciptaannya, kerana melalui ciptaan, kita memahami Penciptanya. Jangan mudah melabel, tetapi berdoalah kepada Allah semoga jikapun bukan kita, mereka-mereka yang ‘jauh’ ini kembali dekat melalui inspirasi yang terpancar oleh kumpulan da’ie yang jelas identiti Islamnya, tetapi prihatin terhadap mereka yang bukan dari golongan mereka.

18. Amat kuharapkan agar aku tidak disalahfahami. Berdamping dengan ulamak dan bijak pandai adalah amalan yang sangat baik, benar sekali, tetapi janganlah sampai menjadi alasan untuk kita membiarkan insan lain terkapai-kapai, seolah-olah syurga itu terlalu sempit dan hanya muat untuk kita seorang sahaja, padahal nikmat Allah banyaknya tidak akan terbayang dek pancaindera kita, apatah lagi Allah itu Maha Kaya dan tidak terbatas rahmat dan balasan baiknya.

19. “Maka tidak seorang pun mengetahui apa yang disembunyikan untuk mereka yakni (bermacam-macam nikmat) yang menyenangkan hati sebagai balasan terhadap apa yang mereka kerjakan.” (32:17)

20. Tidak juga aku kata perlu menghalalkan yang haram atau mengharamkan yang halal hanya untuk tujuan mendekati masyarakat, tetapi aku lebih menekankan kepada bagaimana kita mendepani perkara-perkara sebegini, lebih-lebih lagi bila ia sudah berlaku (It is not only a matter of what you say about it, it is instead also a matter of how you deal with it). Setiap yang berlaku, jika salah, ambil pengajaran, jika betul buat pedoman. Seterusnya, terus maju ke hadapan dan dekati orang ramai dengan mulakan melalui pergaulan yang baik, untuk membuka pintu perkenalan, supaya kita memulakan langkah untuk memahami, sebelum kita difahami. Ingatlah, biarlah mungkin hasilnya bukan sekarang, padahal bagi orang yang beriman, dia akan yakin bahawa dakwah itu satu proses! Proses yang paaaaaanjannnnnnnnng. <--- lebih panjang daripada ini semestinya =p.

21. Maaflah jika terlalu panjang artikel ini. Sebab itu saya ambil pendekatan untuk nomborkan setiap perenggan, supaya jika hanya baca sebahagian, boleh tahu di mana nak sambung bila saudara atau saudari singgah lagi di sini. 

22. Akhir sekali insya Allah, adalah berkaitan dengan situasi sebenar dunia sekarang dari kaca mataku sendiri. Aku yakin hampir semua orang pernah menonton, atau sekurang-kurangnya mendengar tentang The Arrivals. Cukup panjang jika mahu dijelaskan komenku tentangnya. Namun satu perkara yang padaku mesti diceritakan di sini ialah kepentingan untuk kita sedar strategi musuh untuk melawan pihak musuh. Taktik halus yang digunakan golongan yang bertentangan dengan umat Islam memang cukup bijak. Tapi aku percaya, ia tidak mudah. Mereka sudah lama mengkaji Islam dan umatnya. Inilah yang mungkin tidak difahami oleh sebahagian kita. Sebut sahaja musuh Islam, kita terus lari dan jauhkan diri daripada mereka. Padahal yang jahat letaknya pada niat dan perbuatan mereka. Habis tu apa yang tak jahatnya?

23. Senang sahaja. Nilai dan sikap. Inilah persepsi yang perlu diperbetulkan. Sejahat manapun orang kafir ini, mereka dianugerahkan akal oleh Allah dan jika kita percaya bahawa akal mereka itupun adalah kurniaan Allah, kenapa tidak kita mengkajinya? Dekatkan diri kita dengan mereka, sebagaimana mereka mendekati kita. Dekati di sini bermakna kita kaji. Malah, banyak nilai-nilai positif ini dicedok daripada Islam dan Al-Quran, maka kenapa kita tidak mengkajinya?

24. Itulah padaku antara cara yang terbaik untuk menentang musuh Islam- memahami mereka, kerana mereka pun sudah faham dan cukup masak tentang kita. Contohnya, cukup bijak mereka apabila tahu bahawa Islam itu kuat bila umatnya meletakkan sandaran kekuatan pada yang kekal, iaitulah Allah. Maka apa yang mereka lakukan? Tukar sandaran itu.

25. Daripada bergantung kepada Allah, kita kini bergantung kepada hiburan. Kita bergantung kepada wang. Kita bergantung kepada makanan. Apa bezanya makanan, hiburan dan wang berbanding Allah? Pertama, mereka tidak kekal. Kedua, siapa yang memonopoli industri hiburan, industri makanan dan juga mencipta wang? Mereka. Apa signifikannya? Signifikannya ialah apabila kita tidak lagi boleh hidup tanpa hiburan, makanan dan wang kerana terlampau bergantung kepadanya, musuh Islam ini boleh menarik semuanya dalam sekelip mata dan hanya akan memberikannya semula selepas kita ikut kehendak mereka. Logikkah? Jangan gundah. Percayalah pada Allah. Kerana mereka pun (musuh Islam) sebenarnya bergantung kepada ciptaan mereka, tetapi dengan syarat kita sedar dan tidak bersama-sama mereka.

26.     "Dan berpegang teguhlah kamu pada tali (agama) Allah..." (4:103) kerana itulah yang pasti kekal. ;-)

27. Ayuhlah kita semua berfikir sejenak dan merangka strategi yang lebih baik dan jangan sesekali ambil jalan mudah. Ingatlah, jalan ini pasti getir, tapi kita tak boleh mengalah. Kita tak boleh biarkan umat Islam terus menjadi buih di lautan. Sebaliknya kita mahu menjadi tsunami yang kuat dan padu. Orang kafir hebat dan petah menyampaikan hujah dan propaganda, janganlah kita cari alasan untuk tidak banyak bercakap kerana ingin kurangkan dosa daripada perkataan kononnya, padahal sebaiknya padaku, ialah menambah ilmu dan menyampaikan, supaya setiap perkataan, biarlah sikit atau banyak, yang lebih penting ialah isi dan manfaat daripadanya. Letaklah sesuatu di tempat yang sepatutnya. Begitu cara kita melawan mereka, jangan pasif!

28. Kata Saidina Ali, “Kebenaran yang tidak tersusun (terancang) akan kalah oleh kebatilan yang tersusun.” Renung-renungkanlah. Kejayaan tidak datang dengan mudah.

29. Wahai muslimah solehah yang memberikanku inspirasi, ku bertasbih kepada Allah (alamak, pengaruh KCB? =p) atas kewujudanmu di muka bumi ini. Ku hanya mampu berharap, tetapi Allah lebih tahu apa yang terbaik untukku dan juga untukmu. Semoga engkau kekal begitu, malah insya Allah bertambah baik lagi.

30. “Cinta itu,” kata Prof. Dr. Abdul Halim Abu Syuqqah dalam Tahrirul Ma’rah fi ‘Ashrir Risalah, “Adalah perasaan yang baik dengan kebaikan tujuan, jika tujuannya adalah menikah.”

Wallahuaklam. Ibnu Hanaffi mengundur diri. (^_^)V
Read more "Eksklusif: Dia Gadis Pilihan Hatiku"

Monday, September 27, 2010

Atrium- An Issue


Assalamualaikum all.

1. This post is to explain what is the real situation we are in now for especially those in the committee of Malay Cultural Week 2010, in response to your dissatisfaction over what had happened.

2. First of all, apart from this post, below are two other things. Number one, is the copy of letter I already passed to May Kuan at IMU Student Service Department. Second, is a poem I wrote just for the sake of doing it, nothing else, entitled 'Bila Atrium Mengaum'- which in English is translated as 'When Atrium Roars.'

3. There is nothing much that we can do after all. The Executive Dean has made a final decision, and even if we ask for grace period (so that the unexpected policy will not be effective too soon) it was never my expectation that actually the 'grace period' has long been granted and they had tolerated too much with noises students made at atrium in the past.

4. The climax was a quick knee-jerk reaction from the higher administrators in response to the terrible noise created on Friday until all that is left for us now is only the choice we already took this morning for MCW Opening Ceremony. No more events with musical performance at atrium, of any kind, for who ever and what ever society, and the best alternative, right after that is the IMU Driveway, with some kind of smaller makeshift stage. 

5. We can never run away from the fact that IMU is itself a very small place with limited spaces and cramp it all-kinda building. To make matter worse, as time passes, IMU is having more students, and therefore lecturers and staffs, leading to a more cramped timetable which, according to May Kuan, results in more classes and lectures, with many of them taking place even during lunch break!  She concluded that the reason for not letting any cars or transports into IMU Driveway is merely because it has been the ultimate aim of IMU President himself that IMU Driveway should be made a place for students to have musical performances or any similar events instead.

6. At first I was thinking of continuing several events which not at all involve any musics at atrium so that I can prove the worth of fighting over this issue. Things changed though. Based on my observation just now, I bet it is never that bad to have an event at such a place. On one hand, the turnouts were surprisingly satisfactory and somehow I felt that the place was a lot more comfortable in the sense that people who were there, they were there for the performance, and not for SSD or even CSU plus Dental clinics. Arguably though, I'd say we continue with this change and adjust accordingly- it is good to get out of comfort zone at times- hence my take to 'clash' with atrium and 'befriend' IMU Driveway ;-)

7. Maybe it's too long to dwell on further on this topic. I leave it for you guys to discuss and I am at all time ready to listen and speak out if it needs be, for the sake of doing the right thing, and for the sake of learning.

Thank you all for reading, may Allah bless us all ameen~



The Committee
Malay Cultural Week 2010
International Medical University (IMU)
___________________________________________________________________

Prof Victor Lim
Executive Dean
Faculty of Medicine and Health
International Medical University (IMU)                               27 September 2010

Dear Sir,

REQUEST TO RECONSIDER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW IMU POLICY

The above matter is referred.

2. The Malay Cultural Week (MCW) 2010, like the IMU Cup, is a huge annual celebration conducted by Malay Cultural Society (MCS) that involves many daunting tasks, hard works and time-consuming preparations. However, due to problems caused by some other programs previously, we are now tremendously affected by the new IMU policy of not allowing any musical performance at atrium.

3. We whole-heartedly respect the decision made by the administration but here are the reasons why we request for reconsideration. First, our program was approved many weeks before this new IMU policy came into effect. We therefore sincerely believe that we deserve some tolerance from your side to continue with performance at atrium or otherwise the whole preparation we made will be futile and worth not the time spent because this performance is a significant part of the event. We hence suggest that only event proposal made afterwards should then be entitled to the new IMU policy.

4. Apart from that, we were informed that the problem arose before because too many noises were made and to make matter worse, it was even before lunch break. We on the other hand, already consider this right from the moment we start planning for MCW, so our musical performances will not only be taking place during lunch hour, they also do not involve any loud and hard noises because we only promote traditional and cultural songs, which by right are all soft songs and which is why we believe the Chinese Singing Competition that took place at atrium last time was never an issue.  

5. We on behalf of all students however still feel obligated to apologize for the troubles made though it was not ours and we do understand the kind of inconvenience people especially from CSU and SSD had faced. But we rather consider this unexpected result as a knee-jerk reaction towards us thus we really feel that it is more than just and fair if we are given the chance to continue with our initial plan instead.

6. It is also worth noting that we received the news about the new policy on last Friday, despite our beginning of event on Monday the week after (today) which by any logical thinking, left us with not much of a choice. Therefore again, we really hope you would reconsider, maybe only for this time.
Thank you very much for your time and we appreciate them all with sincerest gratitude on behalf of the committee and all MCW participants.

Yours Sincerely,

……………………………………
(MOHD AMIRUL ASYRAF MOHD HANAFFI)
Assistant Project Director
Malay Cultural Week 2010
____________________________________________________________________


Matahari terbit manakan berdentum,
Tapi zarah cahayanya yang bercantum,
Lalu gelap jadi cerah,
Mata pun dah merah,
Satu malam tak beradu pun,
Bila fikirkan atrium tak lagi mengaum,

Biar bukan mudah,
Mudah biar terbiar,
Kerana hanya susah,
Bagi aura mengaum,
Dan susah daripada mudah,
Bikin atrium mengaum,
Kerana tiada apa sudah,
Selain tekad berubah,

Pelan asal jadi sejarah,
Tapi itu yang buat gah,
Kerana lemah jadi gagah,
Walaupun atrium tak mengaum,
Akhirannya semua habis pulun,
Untuk melihat biji buah
Semua masak dan habis ranum,

Biar sejarah mengajar santun,
Dalam susah ada untung,
Boleh belajar nilai agung,
Tanpa marah atau lompong,
Walau pasrah tapi kekal ‘strong,’
Akhirnya semua kata disulami santun,
Tamat dengan kalimah assalamualaikum 

Bila Atrium Mengaum
Ibnu Hanaffi 
(5. 33pm, 27 September 2010)

Read more "Atrium- An Issue"

Monday, September 20, 2010

The Day I Die (1990-????)

Death is permanent. It surely happens to all souls that feel lives. But in this post of ‘The Day I die,’ I on the contrary, will talk only about the days I have lived and to be lived, as I believe, it is my responsibility to do so when I am still alive, because the baton (to share about my autobiography) will be passed to someone else when I am already dead (obviously dead body can’t post on blog =p). After all, the best judgment is one that people make instead of us, and the best judgment is one that is made once we are dead. ;-)


A smooth and lovely sound of drizzling broke the silence of the dawn of the first day of Syawal this year, Friday, 10 September 2010. The day was just like the way it was in all other previous years except that the color of my ‘Baju Melayu’ (Malay custom garment for male) this year is turquoise. The normal routine was followed, breakfast, Raya Prayer and Takbir at the mosque, then ‘apology session’ with parents and family, plus not to forget visits to houses of relatives and friends. Everything was fine until near afternoon.

I had an unusual stomachache and it lasted even until after Friday prayer. It worsened and until we reached grandma’s abode, I could hold it no more. I vomited and was weakened badly throughout the day. At night, mom helped me eat and she spoon fed me haha and no it was not a funny part of the story until after I recovered and think back about it. Only 2 days later, I was back to normal, but skinnier of course. Sigh~ What a Raya it was.

The whole thing reminded me of where I come from and how I lived my previous life. There are too many things to write about my own tiny little world, but I better start writing about some of them so that whatever lessons it could give, it will remain that way even after I died- the same concept used to describe eternal beauty in Sonnet 18. ;-)

When I was 5, our family had a visit to state museum but something happened to me (which I bet remains a mystery until now) that I couldn’t even walk (half-paralyzed, if you will). I think that was when my dad realized that I need some kind of nurturing physically. Here comes another character, my eldest brother, Along (Ridzwan Hanaffi, on Facebook). We both are different in a way that he has everything that a real sportsman needs. His track record was excellent. Since in primary school, he was the champions in events namely cross country tournaments and long-runs, captains of soccer and futsal teams, bla bla bla you name it, and he had it all. All of which were inherited from my dad, a once takraw player who had experience playing even in Singapore back then in those P.Ramlee days. I, of course was quite the opposite.

Consequently, my dad brought me into the school’s football team, being a coach himself, and I was a captain too. I struggled hard in this new life endeavor and secured a number of commendable achievements I will remember all my life. Then it took me few years until I was enrolled to the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK), where I got to know my real talent.  I was in Form 3 (2005) when I had to decide between a debating team or a soccer team (after nearly 3 years in both teams), and yes I chose the former.

The real journey then began. My encounter with a group of legends (in both intellect and oratory skill) changed my life significantly. Cutting this short, some of them are still around now and never fail to become great inspirations while some others have gone earlier leaving behind a never-ending admiration unto them and exemplary achievements to be proud of. I feel so lucky to be in the MCKK debate coaching family now, and yet, there are many things to do to prove my worth being part of them. May Allah bless us all and assist us along the way, to maintain the legacy of intellectuality and charisma.

Long ago I shot my bow
Where it fell I didn’t know
Much later in a huge great oak
I picked it up still unbroke

- Al-Fatihah to the late (Arwah) Adlan Benan Omar (1973- 2008)-


I am whom I was and will always be me. I was hospitalized 2 times in the past, with one same reason- lack of rest. One was in 2005, when I was busy with debate training and the other in 2008, while having PLKN (National Service) training in Selangor, also because of a packed and hectic schedule plus continuous hard work. My other problem (according to my mom) is bad diet. I eat very little, or even if a lot, usually not enough to support my heavy-duty lifestyle. 

But I never want to stop. Once again as always, I am physically challenged. It helps me explore my limits and it makes me satisfied though at times I failed and fell. Ups and downs in life, they are true friends, true teachers.

Looking forward, I believe the future that lies ahead of me is even tougher and challenging. Now, my focus is to get a real grip as a medical student while polishing on other life-long skills by holding a position in Muslim Society (MSOC), a student’s association in International Medical University (IMU) Bukit Jalil. And next year, everything will be accelerated. A whole new debating team will be established to battle on behalf of our prestigious college, the king of schools, the school of kings.

By midyear in 2011, the post (MSOC’s President) will be handed over to a new one, and to keep a momentum of hard work and mind-squeezing lifestyle, I plan to challenge myself by joining the IMU English debating club. By right, that should also provide me some added values to coach the MCKK debating teams. If everything goes well then, I always pray to Allah the Almighty God, that in everything I do, I am sincere at it, and before I die, I truly hope that I can benefit many people, be it by directly helping them, or by being an inspiration to them, the same way some people have been to me.

One day, the day I die, I hope I have fulfilled all my promises and may I die with peace, faith and pride.

Amiin~

 


Read more "The Day I Die (1990-????)"

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Why Ibnu Hanaffi?

Me with mom and dad- MCKK Hassanal Bolkiah Award Recipient, 2007


Assalamualaikum w.b.t
Pseudonym refers to a ‘false’ name whereby the word ‘pseudo’ means false or fake (not real). It can be used in many places or events but personally I believe people mostly use it on the internet where we connect and communicate in this digital world- with the emergence of popular tools like Facebook, Twitter and blogs (Blogger, Wordpress), to name a few.
I myself have my own pseudonym, or a pen name, if you will, that at times make people confused, while some find difficulties looking for me on Facebook, and some others even forgot my real name! Well, that’s partly because I have other nicknames too, such as Aleng (MCKK-since 2003) and Amir (at home). One girlfriend (err.. I mean, a friend of mine who is a girl haha) also calls me with a different name- Am, hehe. Eh, and for preference’s sake, I personally love the name ‘Asyraf’ the most, which is least used by people around me anyhow. Asyraf is derived from my full name, Mohd Amirul Asyraf bin Mohd Hanaffi.
But here’s my most used pseudonym in my digital world- Ibnu Hanaffi. One question now arises. Why Ibnu Hanaffi?
Here are the reasons.
2 January 2010 marks the completion of the twentieth years of my life, full of love and fun, hardship and challenges, plus lesson-containing experiences. All this while, I believe I have achieved the best of things, much more than most, if not all of my brothers and sisters in the family have in their life, also kith and kin. Many things I possess in life are exemplary to them and I am looked up upon, for that matter.
However, there’s one thing that always make me feel compelled to always have humility (I hope I do), and to remember where I come from and how my life started back then in a small village in Seberang Takir- It’s my dad, Mohd Hanaffi.
Ibnu Hanaffi, is a phrase that means the son of (Ibnu) Hanaffi. Through my digital world, I know I can achieve and do a lot of things, and by having my dad’s name as an identity, I secure two things.
First, so that I always remember him when I strive to achieve high in my life. (One may argue that I must remember Allah first, which is undeniable to me because remembering a dad does not necessarily mean that I have to forget Allah). By remembering him, I sort of feel motivated because I always want to make him proud, because he in his entire life hardly indulges in wealth (materially- which is not necessary of course) but the real wealth he really puts much interest on is the success of his children- and I am one of his sons- hence why I want to make him feel proud.
Second, which may be quite similar to that of the above, is because he hardly achieved many things I achieved in my life- which is not necessary to be listed here. Therefore when people were to remember successes and the good side of Ibnu Hanaffi, let them think of Hanaffi, not Amirul, as a means to pray and appreciate the contribution of a dad, through his son- and that’s the way I prove that I love him.
Very simple isn’t it? Nevertheless, none can ever speculate that I have more love for my dad than my mom, because love is something really subjective and I love them both very much and I love them because I love them- only death will do us apart.
I think that’s all for now, and oh before I forget, long time ago, I have put up a post about my dad, which for the record, is the most popular post on my blog until now (judging by number and contents of comments I received for that particular post). You may want to check it out here.
Take care all, and love your parents always, as no matter what, they love you too.
Wassalam.
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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Tests

Assalamualaikum w.b.t

Life is full of challenges. I believe other people are tested too, in their own way. What makes us different from one another is how we manage and deal with them.

I used to run away and hide when obstacles came, and because of that, I never lost them but they always came again, and worst, this happened at the time when I was not at all ready. Now I know that as I am completing the first year of my life’s third decade, I have to consider a significant paradigm shift.

I tried few times, sometimes I failed, sometimes I went through, though hardly, but in the end, I realize that those circumstances are the best that Allah has prepared for me to learn and become stronger.

Ramadhan Kareem is a month that can’t be more suitable for me to go for my noble aims in life and reach for the sky and stars.

While the sun moves away and it rains, I look up and see my place few years ahead of me. Slowly then I begin to realize that a thousand mile of journey starts with a single step. I keep telling myself that Aleng, get started and indeed I am doing so, with a strong motivation in my mind and in my heart, that life must be explored and reality must be befriended.

1.36 am, 23 Aug 2010

May Allah bless us all.

Wassalam
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Monday, August 16, 2010

My Guilt and Lady Gaga

"And pursue not that of which you have no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning)."                          Al-Isra' (17:36)

Assalamualaikum w.b.t

Masya Allah, faster than anything other, Ramadhan moves at a pace that I wish do not happen. But as mankind, we are always bound to time, apart from space and distance. So, when it moves fast, we may either catch up, or otherwise left behind. 

I hereby proclaim my sincerest guilt for not being able to keep up to the standard outlined by myself. It has been almost a month since I last updated my blog, and it is not a good news, and very uncalled for. Nevertheless, here's the next post, I dedicate to all of us. I'd like to start with a sharing forwarded to me via email about Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta). It's basically in line with a few of my previous posts here and here.

Entertainment indeed is part of our life, but problems (whether or not we realize) arise when we let ourselves and souls to be blind (or blinded) and enjoy things without thorough and complete awareness about what is actually going on. There is no doubt (though not to people like me), that Lady Gaga for instance, is a hot stuff of the century, a legend in music industry, and a talent in the entertainment history, that she does not only have huge number of fans worldwide, but also become an idol whom many people love, emulate and 'worship.'  Well, bite me 'coz I don't know what's so special about her but still, reality is, she's top and she's the one.

Here's the thing. Hollywood, so to speak, is a significant name that has become the umbrella for many artistes, singers, actors and actress, producers and composers and many other great professionals. The strong status that it has now inevitably influential enough to color the lives of many people around the world. This is therefore used as a tool to deceive people by means that is hardly seen as deceptive, 'coz it hides under the name 'entertainment.' Like if today when I see you and show you my middle finger and smile, then you smile too because you think it's my way of saying hello, but hey, if you know what that gesture really means, then surely you'll give me a punch in the face instead, if not stomach. Again, are we aware or are we not aware. 

In the song 'Alejandro' by Lady Gaga, there are undeniably many symbolic gestures and rituals she perpetrates to tally with what she utters in this song she sings. Clearly, this lady is payed by perverted group like illuminati to 'play' their agenda. The following are some of the photos snapped from the video featuring Lady Gaga and the song Alejandro. 












Credits to shoukonoe@gmail.com

It is certainly not my duty (as always) to come up with a conclusion and force you readers to believe. My aim has always been to encourage research and study so that we are aware and care about the threat that we are facing. While I post this, some groups (on the internet) 'optimistically' interpret the weird video as a symbol of pro-gay, which for them is a dedication to Gaga's gay friends who love her but can not because they are gay. haha you judge yourself lah on what these people think. Even if they are true, is gayism a human right- that we should therefore support as a good thing in the first place? Well, if becoming the main source of HIV/AIDS transmission makes it a human right, I bet that can't be more funny. People create excuses to hide falsehood, knowing not that falsehood is bound to perish.

The question is, what's with the sacred heart? What's with the guy that has strings all over like a puppet? What's with the cross in its upside down position? Every single thing is so carefully planned that they carry meanings, yet they may seem like if they don't. In one of the photos above, you can see Gaga with goggle, portraying the all-seeing eye, the one eye. She did this not once, but repeatedly in the video. The guy with strings simply indicates control- mind control, like a slave and like an ignorant. Again, are we aware or are we not? Or are we 'controlled' too, like many others?

I leave it to you to do the rest of reading and 'truth-seeking.' Just as a last note, here is a quote I take from Gaga's website, that she says, "And now, I'm just trying to change the world, one sequen at a time." Indeed she is, unless we hold firm and strong to the Quran and sunnah, the teaching of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W, insya Allah (God willing). And I tell you, she's only one example, there are many more out there! Aumm!! (tiger's roar) =P

Lastly especially for Malaysians, as this is the fasting month of Ramadhan, make it a quality training period that should provide us the necessity we should possess for the rest of the year (11 months), and also as it's the independence month of August, we shall set free our minds and souls from the deceptive falsehood and propaganda. May Allah protect us all, with His wonderful blessings and love.

"When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me: let them also with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me: that they walk in the right way."                                                                                               Al-Baqarah (2:186)

P/S: Below are two ole-ole (souvenirs@simple gesture) from me as an appreciation and also a congratulatory remarks for all of you, as you have made it this far to always stay on the right path, by putting both effort and interest to learn about the world, and more importantly, yourselves, better. Thank you very much and Assalamualaikum. ;-)


Download here
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Friday, July 23, 2010

A Short One



Know you (all), that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. Here is the similitude: How rain and the growth which it brings forth, delight (the heart of) the tillers; soon it withers; you will see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong).  And Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of God). And what is the life of this world, but goods and chattels of deception?                                                                     (57:20)
Last Friday I was in Kuala Kangsar, Perak visiting my foster parents and the alma mater, MCKK for an academic talk with the Form Three students. But that is not what this post is about. It was the Friday preach that caught my attention, and it is highlighted here because err.. I hardly not sleep for it every Friday because well, like many other people too, I believe, it is difficult to stay awake and give attention in the middle of the day, which most likely to be very hot, and after a full-on morning with works and studies, leaving most of the Adam’s species exhausted- unless it is interesting on both the substance and speaker. Again, it is not an excuse. It is a description of human nature, that’s all. Nevertheless, ok, let’s go straight to the point now or Chieko will delete my post =P
Friday it is. A day that starts with letter ‘F.’ The preach by the ustaz (or Imam) touched on 5Fs that are used as formula by the Jewish Zionists in their protocol, to conquer the world. Sounds like an overstatement here, but oh, it is not a prediction, it is already happening. Yes, my friends, it is. They are conquering the world! But only those with an ‘extra’ eye will be able to see or feel it. And ok, cutting this short, the five Fs are Family, Fashion, Fun, Film and Food. Ya beda bedu... Sounds familiar? All the five things mentioned are inseparable with modern life nowadays. Forgive me, I am not going to explain on each of them because that would consume a lot of space, and time, be it of mine (to type) or even yours (to read). But the real reason is this, number one, because I cannot remember all, and number two, because this is the approach I usually use in my writings. I provide the essence, with a hope that it gives a little bit of an insight, if not motivation, for all of us, to do the rest of searching, and more importantly, truth seeking. Good luck!!
As a conclusion (hehe don’t give an F to this essay please), the fun, food, family, film and fashion that we care about today are being used as medium to mislead us from the correct teaching of Islam. The only way to get away from it, or prevent it, is to seek knowledge and ask for His Protection and Guidance, Allah the Almighty God. You know what will make a difference? Avoiding ignorance, and stay awake! Thank you.
The same post is put up here.
Take care and may Allah bless us all.
Remember how the Unbeleivers plotted against you, to keep you in bonds, or slay you, or get you out (of your home). They plot and plan, and Allah too plans; but the best of planners is Allah.
                                                                                                                                                (8:30)
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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

One-eyed

Assalamualaikum.

Here is a little updates about my life. Currently, I am working on a number of things from one that involves my personal attainment, to family, friends, brothers and community. I really hope to make this holiday a very good one, apart from enjoying times with much beloved family, and I have made some personal targets while working on organizing few  upcoming events at IMU namely the Ihya'Ramadhan and also the Malay Cultural Week.

Now, I know I have to never just skip on academic reading. That's why I brought back some sheets of semester one notes for revision, while expecting the next semester to be even tougher, because I by then, already with more commitments, and have to strive for a shorter period of semester but with more syllabus to cover. That's academic. Meanwhile, I am conducting (unfortunately alone) a research (part of evaluation in sem 1) by doing a survey on people's perception towards HIV/AIDS and people infected with them, which started well but has not yet ended, and oh Allah, I never thought that it could be this fun- talking to people and sharing thoughts and ideas are indeed enjoyable, and satisfying.

Currently, I too am on my way getting myself used to After Effect, which is kinda difficult to master, as compared to Photoshop, which with His permission, I manage to gain more knowledge about it, and despite the occasional distress plus dissatisfactions with my art works, spending time, energy and money on it are really worth it, alhamdulillah.

This weekend, the whole family is going to Malacca to send my sister whose next semester at UniKL starts by mid July. I can not make it to join them for another long family trip (which has never been a real vacation but most of the time are trips for important occasion) because I am coming down to the Royal town of Kuala Kangsar, Perak for two things- to help the debaters handle a debate screen test and also for an academic talk (which is rather a sharing between seniors and juniors) with the Form 3. MCKK, here I come and oh ya, hope will not forget to go get my SPM certificate.

Enough of my personal journal of life- a little diary kept not so private. As I go along, many things come and absorb my interest. It always make me conscious and aware to the goings-on around me and help me prepare myself with knowledge, as I believe, that only with knowledge we can be fooled not, and with the blessing that comes with it, we are protected insya Allah.

Most of the times, it is books that keep me motivated. Allah has so many great ways to induce awareness in His servants, and I am grateful because books, being one of them, make me love them, just much more than I ever did before. Internet i.e blogs too, are worth regular readings and visits. Here is one of the things. It is about the one-eyed symbol as you can see on the image above, which can be actually found on American dollar notes. Not to go into thorough details about it though, because I'd rather talk about this in a more general manner.

We Muslims always hear about Dajjal (the false Messiah) who would claim that He is actually the real Messiah, Jesus or Yesus sent down by Allah the Almighty God to save the world. Many will be deceived and tricked by him and end up losing faith in Allah, astray from the truth. Dajjal the false Messiah is said to be one-eyed and for one thing, that proves that he is not God, as one eye represents defects, and we know that God is perfect and has no defects. Nevertheless, the more important matter I want to bring up here is about the other way of looking at the meaning of the one-eyed symbol. 

In Islam, we are admonished to be aware both externally and internally. This is where the point comes in. In one-eyed perspective, everything is seen only externally, and this is what that deceives  us. Trust me, that what appears on our eye, may not be what it really is in reality. Now  look at everything we do in life routine and reflect, in case there are things that make us far from Him. Our enemy, they study the truth (the Holy Quran etc), so that they can replace it with falsehood- while make us believe that falsehood is the truth instead. Though falsehood is bound to perish, only those who seek protection from Allah and knowledge for truth will be able to see the difference. That is why, we must always make ourselves aware and do things because we have reasons, not merely because we just feel like doing it. Never follow blindly, as blindness always lead to darkness and eventually to a total failure and regret. I personally am worried about the culture of hedonisme, for instance that has been rampant in our community these days, to the point that I myself may at times overlook and risk my own true direction as a Muslim. Nauzubillah but insya Allah, if we always pray, Allah will in fact help us out, and alhamdulillah, He is Most Merciful, Oft-Forgiving. May Allah bless us all.


Lastly, here is an excerpt from a great website of Sheikh Imran Nazar Hosein, which I hope will conclude my post for today, the one eyed.


When the world witnesses the following events it would appear to be absolutely certain signs of the return of Jesus whereas they would, in fact, be the work of Dajjal:

    Firstly: the liberation of the Holy Land from Muslim “occupation”, and that occurred in 1917; 

    Secondly: the return of the Jews to the Holy Land to reclaim it as their own, and that occurred between 1917 and 1948; 

   Thirdly: the restoration of a State of Israel in the Holy Land, and that occurred in 1948; 

   And finally, the establishment of Israel as the ruling state in the world, and that is about to occur.

When Israel does become the ruling state in the world Dajjal would then become its ruler and would proclaim himself to be the true Messiah whereas he would be the false Messiah. Thus would ‘appearance’ and ‘reality’ differ one more time in the life of Mary’s son who would then return and kill that false Messiah.

The complete article can be read here. ;-) 


To conclude, I hope we always seek knowledge so that we can distinguish between the 'appearance' and the 'reality.' Be careful with the one-eyed doctrine. May Allah bless us all. Wassalam.

"Remember how the Unbelievers plotted against thee, to keep thee in bonds, or slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home). They plot and plan, and Allah too plans; but the best of planners is Allah."                                                                                                                                                                                             (8:30)       
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Followers

The Colours of Life

The Colours of Life
Picture taken on Syawal 1, 2009

THE BELOVED FAMILY-Hey, do the maths!

Dad: Mohd Hanaffi bin Hassin
Mom: Noorma bte Mamat

Siblings:

Mohd Ridzwan
Nurul Shuhada
Mohd Amirul Asyraf (blog owner)
Fatihah Sakinah
Nurul Ain Afifah
Ilyana Nazlin
Nur Amira Mawaddah
Mohd Aizat Aiman
Nur Anis
Mohd Amri Afiq