Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Prayers - Sembahyang - Solat

There are 5 tenets of Islam that a Muslim must uphold and one of them is prayers. It is a must for Muslim to pray 5 times a day.

They are the:

Subuh - dawn
Zuhur - afternoon
Asar - late afternoon
Maghrib - evening
Isyak - night

There are various reasons as to why a muslim must pray but what has ever been preached to me by my mom and various religious teacher is that prayers will keep you guarded be it in your faith, your behaviour etc.

My mom has this thinking -

when you pray, you are submitting to Allah, and when you submit to Allah, there is nothing that you ask for will He deny you - He will grant you anything you want if it is good for you.

intelligence, health, wealth - all will be given.

Of course when i was still a young teen, i find it a bit perplexing to understand and only now i realise what she meant.

I have lots of relatives and lots of old people around me - some are good muslims, some are on the fence and some just simply dont bother.

Let's take Grandma and hmmmm shall we name her Aunty A?

Grandma is close to 80 and Aunty A is about 60 i think.

Now it is a common knowledge to my family that if you pray, Allah will ensure you are complete in appearance, health etc till the day you depart.

My grandma, a devout muslim and at 80 still has all her teeth intact - for someone who has a sweet tooth..no cavities..etc..

however, i cant say the same for my Aunty A.

But of course you cant assume for those every single one. This judgement must be based if you konw the person well, have too much troubles in life and need some direction. tell them, that prayers is important.

It can ensure your health and wealth, not just for yourself but up to a few generations as well.

therefore to my siblings - who get yelled early this morning on prayers issue, you can lie about it but you cant hide it from Allah - please be honest and lead a honourable life.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Shopping!!

Its the time of the year again - the upcoming Great Singapore Sale!

It has not begin yet but some stores are starting up with the pre-sale period.

I made plans with mom to shop today and she happily agreed - we were joined by my youngest sister and my mom's elder sister.

First we went to Arab Street to get cloths for my granny and my aunt.

I cant remember what i bought for my aunt but i got a Casa Rubia for my grandma. I thought it looks lovely on her.

That was followed by a trip to Taka to show mom the table runner which i have been eyeing but my budget was already prepared for the promised Plum dining set, i had to forego it.

We had lunch at Desa kartika. It's been a while since i last went there & it did bring back memories. :)

(my secret)

Then off to OG where we met Ann (an ex colleague). That's where i got my mom's Plum Corelle Dining set, followed by the pyrex containers..(its one of those that the ladies would definitely want..especially the matriach of the family)

We shopped for my sister's shoes, mom's shoes and aunt's shoes, handbags and wallets.

It was pretty fun as i discover the exquisite taste of 2 generations (my mom / sister and my youngest sister)

In all, it was a fun day we had and oh yah..i got a new card from Standard Chartered and also today the DBS gave mom the supplementary and myself.

I loveeeeeeeeee it.!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

of AWARE & Homosexuality....

I have heard of AWARE since i was a child - yes i started reading malay papers in primary 2 and read english since primary 3/4?

I do come across that organization once in a while but nothing momentous like what we have recently.

As per to my understanding, AWARE is supposed to be an organization which helps women - all kinds of women to get on with their life, from troubled life to a more better life. It helps a woman to be on her feet.

In a way, it is how Islam does it (dont compare Taliban and Afghanistan. If non-muslim wishes to know how Islam treats woman - go google this chapter - An-Nisaa, it's the chapter on Women)

It takes years to understand what it says and it must not be read literally, it has to be compared to a life of woman, to be in their shoes and to think thru and again and again until the meaning is fully understood and comprehended.

In other words, to be in their hearts.

Back to topic, what irks me most was that there was an opinion by one the new ex-new exco going by the surname of Ang ( i cant remember was it sally or watever or was she the one who said shut up and sit down) seems to mention something about wanting to question the "Syariah Law". It was in the New Paper on Page 3 towards the end of the article and i cant remember when but this is what i remember the most.

Now Syariah Law is not a man made law. Syariah Law is taken from the Al Quran. It is the commandmend of the Allah and all muslim men and women bow before them.

To question that Law is to question the need for Islam in the first place.

That law cannot be questioned and in fact the muslims is Singapore aside from having to obey the Law of the country, we also have to obey the Syariah Law. Currently it seems that marriages are part of the Syariah Law. As Singapore is a secular country, we do not practise cutting of hands for stealing, getting caned a 100 lashes for adultery or being stoned to death for homosexuals. These are term as "barbaric".

But this is the fact of it.

That is why we have ROM (registry of Marriages) and ROMM (registry of muslim marriages) the only portion that differentiates between a Muslim marriage and a non-muslim marriage is the Syariah Law. the requirement of it.

Aside from that, we are free to do what we want - in fact too free that we dont need to ROMM before giving birth (yes it has happens and its seems to be normal)

Now this is the ladies who AWARE is helping - single parents.

It could have been avoided if the ladies didnt fall for the men's trap and yes "keep your legs crossed at all times" to put it delicately.

Aside from this, there is also homosexuality. AWARE sees this is a neutral term as in they do not encourage it but they didnt condone it. This is because they do not believe in discriminating.

What came out was that the ex new exco put it in such a way that AWARE is promoting it. That homosexuality seems to be worse than death itself! Oh come on with good technology advancement and kiasuism at work, children nowadays are preaching more than ABCs to parents!

They are ferocious readers!

Now, do you really think that the children are stupid not to understand between what is right or wrong?

I congratulate this ladies for instilling fears on these children. I wish i had posed a question to them WHAT HAPPEN IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE HOMO! WOULD YOU PRESSURE THEM LIKE HOW YOU DID TO OTHER KIDS? VIEWING THEM AS DIRTY INSOLENT CREATURES WHO REFUSE TO BOW TO THE RIGHT WAY? WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOUR WAY IS RIGHT?

Each individual is created differently, each one of us is special and has a place in heaven whatever our intentions in life are.

By judging, you are not merely judging the children, you are judging the parents, the society the people at school or whoever else is involved in that child's life..have you ever think of that?

Yes you can say it is wrong - it is your every right to right a wrong but what if disrupts a person life? causing hiim misery and depression each night?

I too have a tale to share...

I was growing up..from kindergarden to higher education, i never knew of good friends...life is damn miserable..

Why? i am a softie..yes it shows, and the name calling and the bullying...it all hurts deep inside but infront of my parents i dont really show...coz i hate to show it...they would never understand..coz its my life. At 27 and still single, why? do you really think after years of name calling is there any one out there who still wants me? u got to be kidding!

It is only when i learnt of individuals who suffers the same fate as me that we started sharing and learning experiences on how to handle a situation that we got better.

Isnt that what AWARE is about?

To push an individual to his highest potential, to ease the pain and hurt that he went thru in life by showing compassion by not discriminating, by encouraging him to move on with life and know that what it is now has a blessing in return.

I need not look for any one as an example. My life is a story on its own and what i went thru it, what came out of it, only I alone can understand - not my parents, not my school and not anyone else who tries to rule.

Therefore i am thankful, that AWARE is back to good hands..and hopefully they will continue their good work.

Sister

I have a very relaxed sister..she is the 2nd one in the family and she is the elder among the 2 sisters.

Let's call her Euniz since that's her favourite (i think she feeling ang moh but what she didnt realise was her heritage is of Negeri Sembilan (dad's side) and the royal Baweanese (mom's side) is incomparable to any ang mohs.

This sister of mine, will contact me usually when she needs something (Sorry dear its a fact). Her last sms or email to me was regards to a kate spade bag which i have to admit is gorgeously looking but certainly not the price. I think you can afford it when you are working.

Anyway back to the story, she sms me on Friday i think - with regards to something that happen to her.

Now i know some of you NYP girls do check out my blog once in a while and I am glad some of you keeps coming back hungering for more or just being a visitor - whichever, i dont really mind as long as you keep your opinion to yourselves and if you wish to get yourself heard, kindly email me.

So Euniz was in an elevator with a group of girls obviously belonging to one faction. Let's say Euniz is alone with a pack of girls.

One of them wears a hijab, just like her.

As the lift stops at her level, out of courtesy Euniz, apologised and excused herself. She said so because the other Hijab girl is in front of her blocking her access to the floor.
This is a basic courtesy of every well bred girls belonging to a good natured family (yes we are all well bred..the corruptions comes later when we reached school)

(U can say Euniz is pretty well bred but she develop horns when i tell her to - faced with disloyal friends, corrupted minds and cheating boyfriends...)

So guess what this hijab girl did? She repeated every single word Euniz just say to her loudly in the lift.

A form of bitching? Apparently Euniz didnt want to let her get away with it. She told me she hold the lift and started screaming at the other hijab girl.

Well, usually i try to steer a very ferocious bitch because i know what is like to know one (well it did takes one to know one and yes..dun mess with me unless you're tired of living)

I applaud Euniz for holding the lift but I dont really like screaming.

You see - Euniz was born in the year of the tiger and usually dogs are afraid of bigger animals dont they therefore, she need not really screamed...coz in this world to express yourself in that manner means lacks civility.

I remember an incident many years ago that happens to me and all i did was I hold the lift..much to the delight of the other users - i refused to budge until the bi-a-tch concern, apologise.

Now that's more civil isnt it..you be a bitch and yet be civilised about it? haha i dont know some of you might have a different opinion.

Oh did i tell you where it happen? Somewhere in the CBD. so you can imagine the growling tummies that were cursing the lady who was whispering nonsensicals about me to her colleague..

It was one of the little victories that is still fresh in my mind.

Therefore dear Sister, let me teach you a few tricks or two..

Never scream - coz it shows you are angry
Be cool - show your temper without getting agitated
Insist you are right - therefore if there are further follow up cases, no one will say you did anything wrong.

trust me, you will never go wrong here..since you are a tiger anyway..we are all wary of you (hey wait i am a rooster!)

As for the hijab girl who did that, apparently she did it out of something that she aint happy about. I guess if you decide to lodge a complaint, do go ahead but tell the truth, tell them that you repeated what my sister said loud and clear in the elevator and you get screamed at for that. :)

The Hijab is a very important garment for Muslim Ladies. Not only it identifies them but it also means the one wearing it is aware of ALL the obligations and rules regarding it. This does not mean OPPRESSION Against woman.

Once a hijab is worn, a woman is free to move about without attracting the opposide sex attention as she is not showing her hair, her body or any other part accept HER FACE and HER PALM.

She does not arouse men and she kept sexual predators away because when she wears it, she wears it not because her parents told her to...it is because Allah demands it of her and she wears in the name of Allah, and as a a result will then she be respected and loved. All around her will feel ease with her because she is not alone but she is with Allah all the time.

Therefore when you wear the hijab, be sure to guard your civility, your temperament and your mind because people judge by the way you behave and therefore it is important to ensure that they do not misjudge you.

Sorry sister..just want to have a good topic up and i think yours seems to set me on fire since i heard of it.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mother's Day

A supposedly simple day dedicated to mothers around the world.

Generations after Generations of girls, born, grew up, get married, give birth,toiled, grew old and died - either lovingly or otherwise.

It is said the Prophet's response when asked whom should a man be responsible to, it was a known fact that he mentioned "mother" 3 x before he said "father".

To me, mother's day is not really significant anymore. Why must we wait one day to actually show our love for our mother?

Wait one day to tell her not to cook so that her kids can bring her out for the sumptuous lunch or dinner?

My mother, is not well educated so is my dad. However I am proud to say that she has brought up well - instilling the values that is necessary, respecting people who deserves to be respected and standing on your own two feet to stand up against anything that is wrong.

Someone asked me before, why is my mother at home and why cant she go to work and help my dad out.

I feel that one should not misunderstand the role of my mother as a housewife. In Al Quran, it is fully demanded that a women should stay home and only help the husband out in terms of looking afer his property, his children. In actual fact, she is not required to do even household work.

But a woman, is built differently from men, they have this "personality" called compassion. You love them, they give you more, you hurt them, they hurt you more.

My mom wakes up early in the morning everyday, her day would start with her shower, preparing breakfast for my siblings who is going to school and its only after they leave for school that she will do her prayers and slowly starts doing the household chores.

Such as: wash clothes, cook lunch, care for my grandma and aunt, clean the house, iron the clothes.

There are hundred and one things that needs constant care and attention in the home.

I am very proud when friends came to visit my mom and they cant help commenting -"Edz your house is spotless!"

Well, i dont have a maid and i doubt a maid could do better than what my mom does.

Eventually, we all have to realise that she has to give up all these things as she finds it harded to get the chores done.

I am not looking forward to the day when my mom is unable to do the chores anymore or cook nicely for us anymore.

It's sad as we age, we know that we are going to lose someone along the way.

Whatever else, i have never known about Mother's day. Its too commercialised now. To me, everyday is Mother's Day.

If i am away from a week, i would think of her and call her.

I am fortunate that I am blessed with a good family and a good job. It's time that i repay back what she has done for all of us.

But i realised, there is never enough to compensate whatever she has gone thru for me, what she has done for me and what she has given me.

In short, a mother's love is endless and boundless...

Mother, we love you.