kau.teman.baik?

last train home

bring back the spirit in me
bring back the enthusiasm
bring back the energy
bring back the willingness
bring back the ability to think
for i need to think think think
and act act act

and yes i have not been eating right
i have not been resting well
not sleeping enough
not thinking right even
and soul-descending

i'm chasing time
i'm searching for me...again

Ali

i've been reading Karen Armstrong's Islam : A Short History. and i recalled vaguely of a claim which said that the book is a Shi'i book or something. i really don't know where i got that from, i just remember the gist of it, but not sure who said it or where i found it. but that's beside the point.

i agree the book do mention Shi'i quite a lot. really. and i'm starting to believe that maybe armstrong is sympathetic towards the Shi'i or she really mean to write about them or whatever her reason is. but then i started to realise, how this side of history was almost untold of. i recall being taught of the history very briefly though in sirah books. i learned their doctrines but i somehow missed out on certain aspects. my knowledge on shi'ism stopped immediately after the death of saiyidina Ali r.a, well them tracing their emergence right before that. i just thought we never really know their side of the story, aren't we? maybe i was historically ignorant, i admit that. we do have some very wide differences. we do. theologically and legally. but at the end of the day, we still believe in Allah, don't we?

hmm, i lost it. i didn't bother to strike a conversation with a lecturer and ask about this. too late, seri. but then, there's still that group of ustaz-s i'm working with...

well, my thoughts keep coming back to saiyidina Ali. how he must have been thinking, or felt, when all the conflicts came up. being a young man, appointed as the caliph, only to clean up where saiyidina uthman left off. already at a troubled period. and then a group came up, claiming to champion his place as THE righful caliph, that his three predecessors shouldn't take place. it was his right from the start. he didn't want that. he don't need to be elevated to such a position.

now let's recall, ali was the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law. he was the closest child to Rasulullah in his early years, the first muslim child. practically stood beside Rasulullah throughout his life. learning first hand from the Prophet. he stood up for the Prophet, on his so called deathbed, how brave a young man, willing to stay, knowing he was surrounded by enemies. he must have love Rasulullah all his heart. he must have been grieving still even after years the Prophet departed. what must have been his thoughts when he saw the ideal ummah built up by Rasulullah tumbling into conflicts, one after another. how must he felt, battling against the people he knew most of his life, as his family? going against the lady he respected most for being the Prophet's wife? he didn't want that to happen, would he? is he hurt? is he scared? worried? desperate? unable to resolve the problem when so many people are expecting him to do the right thing.

and if he was alive, and had known how his sons died. would it not break his heart terribly?

there's many ways to prolong this melancholy. but i won't indulge. we have taken things for granted. as a sunni, i have neglect to understand history. i might have been one sided all this way. and you call yourself a thinker?

lessons to be learnt, people.

for this i

seems like this abode is inhabited
by seemingly selfish and uncaring people
when the day has taken its toll
no one, and i mean, no one cares
for what happens to the near surroundings
near surroundings

when the day has drained your energy and sanity
too much information, rushing for ender dates
one whole day won't be enough
that night be sacrificed
what is the world rushing for?

and the abode that waits
is not much of a heaven
can you please not shout
can you please not shout

for i cannot bear this burden
with all these anger and insincerity
isn't this the role we should play?
when others act their lines with ease
why do we moaned and groaned
why can't we just play our part?

for all these complaints hurt
an automatic blame absorbant
let me do all these
let me do all these
let me do all these
if it makes you happy
if it makes them happy

i will do it all
with silence

i hated all these complaints
i hated all these uncares
i hated all these ignorance
i hated all these I attitude
for this I will not help
for this I will not care
for this I will complain

for this I wants to play games
for this I wants to work night shift (but i rather play games all day, and not do a single other thing except eat)
for this I is tired with NPCC
for this I is tired with floorball
for this I is the breadwinner
for this I is claiming to do everything

what about this i?
i cannot bear to hurt
i cannot bear to anger
i cannot bear to order

still i have not done enough
still i be your silent slave?

for this i
has lost my strength

tidak berani

aku tidak berani mengejar cinta
tetapi sering memendam rasa

rasa yang tidak ku pasti
dari mana asal punca

aku tidak berani mengejar cinta
kalut kalau dipeluk luka

luka yang tidak ku jangka
mungkin tiada ubatnya

aku tidak berani mengejar cinta
biar disini aku menanti setia

setia untuk diterima cinta
entah bila mungkin masanya

kaca/permata

sekiranya kaca di depan mata?
perlu tidak aku mencari permata?

sekiranya kaca mengguris luka?
masih berpeluangkah aku
mengejar sinar permata?

sekiranya dapat ku capai permata?
mungkin pengubat luka kaca?

sekiranya dihantui parut kaca?
mampukah diselubungi kalung permata?

perspicacity

like a revelation
so sudden in my dreams
i know what i need to do now

and if there's ever a heart
willing to brave through
this world of thorns
uncover this shield

i know what i need to do now
will it include you?

Insult not

" And insult not those whom they (disbelievers) worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge. Thus We have made fair-seeming to each people its own doings; then to their Lord is their return and He shall made known to them all that they used to do." (Al-An'am: 108)

Muslim am I

No no, this is not a proclaimation of any doubt or uncertainty. but let's talk about a book which i am reading at the moment. IIU-pals, you have got to read the book ( My currently reading list), you'll find some very familiar antics there.

am in no promoting this book, i started out being a sceptic towards the book. it clearly proclaimed I AM MUSLIM in a big red dot (somehow reminds me of communism) and the baby portrayed happened to look like a cute chinese baby. I opened to the back flap of the book, and bamm, there's the author looking very pretty and all the intelligent aura, very MOD. i'm thinking, oh no, this lady is going to slammed the religion, disgraced adherents of the religion and say that look, i am so much better than you people out there. i read the first page, and found out the author grew up in a western country. oh no, this lady is going to say something bad about the malays, because clearly she seemed to be proud of her western upbringing. oh no, this lady is going to sham us muslims.

but not so fast. i almost put the book back on the shelf, but somehow, i didn't. i thought, before i spewed all these accusations, it would be good if i read it first and understand what is it she wanted to say. she couldn't be a personal enemy of mine if i happen to dislike the book. and days later i saw her face featured in straits times, about that very book i borrowed form the library. made me more raring to read it.

and so, even though it has not reached my favourite book level yet, i can't help but agree with most of what she wrote in it. about being muslims but going to bomohs for remedies from spirits, about being a muslim and a nationalistic malay (in a certain country), about being muslim but fighting your inner sexuality, about being a muslim but non-philantropists. it's how she expresses her dismay and sadness towards the community she's living in, towards understanding who we really are, truly about finding oneself. i had to stop being a sceptic.

our values are often mixed up, when culture and religion collides, when personal conviction collides with societal blueprint, when inner desires contradicts with what you know. no wonder they say humans are complex. society, more complex than ever. who decides what is wrong or right? and when it is decided, revealed even, why can't we just follow and have a utopian happy idealistc life?? why, if everything's written down, why do sins happen?

humans...christians damned you with sins, hindus damned you with karma, jews damned you with lost land.

but we have always been pure. it's a matter of maintaining that purity. Lord, this hurts. So help me Lord.

I am Muslim.

why being aL.I.V.E. is important

people are so afraid of change sometimes that they jumped to every mistakes, like a prey pouncing on its victims without first, appreciating first. but its normal for humans to think thus.

there was the hype of someone writing in the papers about the latest islamic education to be adopted by most mosques in the coming years. people don't seem to believe in it,they do not think this age-appropriate and holistic idea of teaching is going to work. they couldn't see the WHOLE picture. one slight ignorant remark from a child can make one think that EVERYTHING is wrong. a child being young. an old man being old.

it could be the commentor are not that aware of the whole process it takes to make even one page of syllabus.

it may be there are flaws, it may be there are need for teachers to be more effective in their methods, it could be the children need to be more anticipative, it could be the parents need to be receptive and not jump to conclusions. try to understand.

good things don't always started out smooth. that's the rule of success.

why being alive is so important?
we learn to know the challenges muslims are facing
we learn to believe in the most practical way, as well as, practice in order to believe.
we learn to understand the Qur'an and how it connects us to the world. ie. qur'an- guidebook- knowledge for life- about people, about wealth, about rewards, about sins, about forgiving.
we find out how best to practice Islam. ie. not limited to halal haram, but also expands to seeking knowledge, science, hygiene, relationship. Islam is all about balance between the material and the spiritual.
we find out that everyone is born pure. so why should we leave anyone out? everyone is invited!!

welcome iask 2.0!!

night of revelation

17 Ramadhan
most noble of all men
Rasulullah s.a.w.
a meeting with gorgeous light
an angel for messengers
Read!
Read!
Read in the name of Allah.

when the words of Allah
greeted by the universe
welcomed by the angels
their wings as strings of pearls
on clear pebbles

in awe in wonder
for words
as real as can be
as unseen as can be
how words could lead
giving strength and faith
that this is it
which connects you and your Lord.

note: my expression unpoetic, the Qur'an is just so hard to describe
am left speechless though it is such a beautiful thing, it's even hard to call it a 'thing'. it's just so special.

in remembrance of our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w and this night, when the truth was revealed.

allahumma salli 'ala sayyidina Muhammad, wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
subhanallah wal hamdulillah wa laa ilaaha illALLAH wALLAHu akbar.

I miss this

I miss having my own table, cluttered with books and notes to read. having my own time to spend just studying. i.miss.this.

on smart

Top 20 Qualities of Smart People
By: Michelle Casto
Adapted from www.hitechtrainer.fitpromag.com

In today’s competitive world, it pays to be smart. No matter how smart you are, I am sure there is something you could “get smarter” about. Below are some qualities of smart people. As you read the list, ask yourself: Am I as smart as I could be in this area? How could I get smarter?

1. Make Decisions Intuitively

Smart people listen to and follow their intuition. They know how intuitions and insights come to them and are tuned-in internally to make wise decisions.

2. Are Self-Aware

Smart people are aware of who they are--- strengths, weaknesses, personality, values, etc. As Confucious once said, “He who knows others is wise, he who knows himself is enlightened,” they know that the most important (and interesting) thing to know about is “self.”

3. Use Active Reflection

Smart people reflect on and learn from past experiences, finding out what works and what doesn’t, and then adjusts their course of action as needed. They think about things before jumping in, and also take the time after-the-fact to actively reflect to fully understand what happened or didn’t happen.

4. Think Out-of-Box

Smart people can easily entertain new ideas, thoughts, and ways of doing things. They crave progressive and forward thinking information, concepts, and people. They often come up with new and radical ideas on a regular basis.

5. Have An Open-Mind

Smart people are open to different perspectives and see potential where most people don’t. They would agree with what the quote, “A mind is like a parachute, it only functions when it is open.” They are comfortable with paradoxes and can relate to many sides of an issue or opinion.

6. Are Responsive

Smart people recognize and respond quickly to opportunities and people. They act and react fast, and take care of what needs to be taken care-of, well ahead of schedule.

7. Are Resourceful

Smart people don’t have to know it all, but they do know where to go to get whatever information, resources, training, education that they need. They are well-networked and have people to call on for resource referrals.

8. Question Authority

Smart people think for themselves. They do not blindly believe things so-called “experts” say, in fact, they ask deep questions to discover their own truth.

9. Upgrade Their Brain

Smart people stay smart because they are committed to being a lifelong learner. They continuously learn new things, and stay current with their skills, attitudes, and beliefs.

10. Have a Sense of Humor

Smart people do not take themselves or life too seriously. They recognize the importance of finding the fun in the irony and the comedy of everyday life.

11. Take Risks

Smart people are willing to try out new things, knowing that if it doesn’t work out as intended, failure is often cleverly disguised as a learning opportunity. They “swing out there” often, and it usually pays off.

12. Trust Themselves

Smart people believe and trust themselves first and foremost. They don’t have to check with others to make decisions, they instinctively know what is right for them and they go for it!

13. Write and List Things on Paper

Smart people have a well-developed life strategy that includes a written life vision/mission, purpose, and goals statement. They also write lists---one for “have to’s” and one for “want to’s.”

14. Are Productive

Smart people get things done, through whatever organizational/time management system that works for them. They make the most of each day and take action on important life tasks each and everyday.

15. Use Discernment

Smart people are able to discern (see clearly) other’s reasons and motives, so they selectively choose who and what to align themselves with. They surround themselves with only the highest quality people, programs, and places.

16. Read, Read, Read

Smart people tap into the collective brain power of others by reading books, magazines, articles---anything that is helpful for their own development. They are also able to filter out the information that fits for them and let the rest go.

17. Value Learning

Smart people value the process of learning for learning’s sake. They do not just learn for a specific end---to get a certificate, degree, title, etc. They learn because it is intrinsically rewarding for them.

18. Teach Others

Smart people are the teachers of the world, who share their knowledge with other people. They put themselves out there so the rest of us can benefit, and in exchange, their own learning grows and develops because they are actively talking about, researching, and understanding their subject.

19. Reinvent Themselves

Smart people do not like to stay the same, they love to grow and develop. They often play with their image, brand, company name, and expand or change it entirely. To stay ahead of the game, they often reinvent themselves time and time again.

20. Are Students of Life

Smart people not only know about specific subjects and topics, but also about what it means to be a human being at this time in our evolution. They are insatiably curious and want to know more about becoming bigger and brighter, as a result they naturally evolve.

As Lao Tzu said, “To gain knowledge, add things everyday. To gain wisdom, remove things everyday.” This is so true, our brain is like a computer and in order for it to function at a higher level, we must always be adding, while simultaneously taking away information that no longer serves us. Think about it, what do you want to remove from your database? And, what new software program will you replace it with?

saying ok

it is such an understatement. most times when we ask people, are you ok??? and people tend to say 'yeah i'm ok' but deep inside you, you know they are not ok. you know something is troubling them. something is just so wrong. i'm ok has become such a favourite clause, that everytime people said it, you tend to take it for granted, taking it that people are really ok, and live it at that, not wanting to know more. just ok.

i think i want to stop asking 'are you ok'? because people will automatically, sometimes without thinking, and says i'm ok. or sometimes, because they want to conceal their real feelings, what's really bothering them, maybe because they do not want to hurt other people, or spoil the day by talking about what's troubling them. or because it's just not the right time.

and when people say i'm ok, it became a full stop. don't ask anymore, i don't want to talk about it. and ended up keeping them at heart, hurting oneself more, but then, keep talking about it, and you'll be more hurt. so just stop. don't ask.

but then again, i'll be fooling people telling them i'm ok when am definitely not. and i know you know i'm not ok. but why do i say i'm ok??

i don't want to ask, neither do i want to keep quiet about it. i need an honest question, for i want to give an honest answer. it's just me. i always say i'm ok. when i'm not feeling that. i'm ok, just because i don't want to talk about it, just because i'm ashamed, just because it hurts to talk about it. just because it doesn't matter.....but it matters.

life has never been easy. never. we won't value life without its hardships. we had it hard because there is a reason for it. because the Lord knows, only we, are strong enough to get through it. other people might give up and falter. but not us. the hardship has chosen us, not to fail us, but to be touched by Lord, to be the strength to go on and realise a dream. if things were easy, it won't be sweet.

i just want to think of the good things. i have always told myself. don't think of the things that deters me from doing what i want to. because these 'things' simply don't deserve my attention. they just don't.

i want to wake up to another day. smile a real smile. and say today is going to be a good one. i love me. i love what i'm doing. i have all these people around me who do care. i will not disappoint them.

my gift for you

my gift for you

for all the prayers

for all the sacrifices

for all the inspiration

for all the wise words

have i made your dream come true

have i made you on top of the world

have i made you worthy to their eyes

have i shown them we are special

have i shown them you are the best ratu and romo

for i won't be here without you

never would have exist without your existence

never would have be without the ties that bind

the sweetest tears

the proudest smile

the sparkle in your eyes

have i made you happy

for that one moment

have i shown you

the gift

of my love

side by side

it's always either left or right. I chose the upper way.

on wicca

Witchcraft: An Islamic Response


The young generation today is living in a fast learning world in which, information is immediately accessed at the point of their fingertips. It is also a world of entertainment and the media is the top source for the latest trends and in the young minds, this means the latest fashion, music, movies and anything materialistic. This will further detach the youths from any form of religious beliefs. The subcultures emerging from this melting pot of trends are creating worry and concern on the influences it brings to the young, when it is adopted negatively.

It is important to know what subculture means before going further. Subculture can be defined as a cultural subgroup differentiated by status, ethnic background, residence, religion or other factors that functionally unify the group and act collectively on each member. Another definition is ‘a set of people with distinct sets of behaviour and beliefs that differentiate them from a larger culture of which they are a part of.’ It is a form of expression detached from the cultural dominant mainstream in unexpected ways. Some examples of subcultures are the punk ideology, hip-hop culture and hippies lifestyle.

One of the disturbing and growing subcultures is the interest in witchcraft among the young adults. In Singapore, it cannot be said as a new subculture, though it might have been on the scene since during the seventies. It has become a disturbing issue now when it is found out, that teenagers as early as thirteen years of age are already exposed to witchcraft. What makes it more interesting and appealing to the inquisitive and secularized young people is the atheistic and pagan influences, the strong self-esteem that one may built within one self to change the course of events, believing as without any transcendence assistance. The writer believes that this growing popularity is due to the nonchalant or sometimes adventurous but attractive portrayal of witchcraft from television drama series, movies such as the Harry Potter series and fictional novels, whereby, gifted and noble borne characters with supernatural powers are able to have control over events and, as the story goes, save the world from evil creatures.

Nevertheless, to the Muslim born youths, this can be seen as a sign of declining faith(‘aqidah), disregarding Islam as the way of life and might even lead to blasphemous acts of rebellious and angry young hearts. It might seem that some are trivial popular practices such as performing séances, praying to an imaginary god while surrounded by candles, making love potions and invoking harmless spells, though there are other practices which are diabolical in essence, such as performing voodoo spells for revenge. These teens, in need to have a sense of belongingness to something binding to its members may cause social problems and this must be see to immediately before it becomes even more widespread, and later be seen as an issue of mere phases of teenage life.

Witchcraft

It is not the aim, at present, to fully study the subject of choice. Witchcraft is a very wide subject and can be discussed from various approaches of the different lines of study: sociologically, anthropologically, and even psychologically. It has a very long history tracing back to the ancient times, as a primitive ritualistic practices and had went through various eras such as medieval periods of the Western world, up to the present of new age movements, after going through the enlightenment and renaissance eras.

Witchcraft has also gone through various levels of societal acceptance, from one which has high regards to those practicing witchcraft, with titles as shamans and high priestesses to facing periods of suppression and perceived as a source of terror and evil, thus, despised by the society and avoided like the plague. There was the witch –hunt rush, which claimed hundreds of lives claimed or accused to be witches.

The term witchcraft is derived from an Old English noun, ‘wicca’ meaning ‘sorcerer’ and the verb ‘wiccian’ meaning ‘to cast a spell.’ Witchcraft has been defined as human’s ability to manipulate natural laws to their advantage. Witchcraft has always been associated with Satanism, though its followers will assertively deny any association with satanistic themes, claiming that Satan, hell and even the original sin as imaginary creations of the Christian Church.

Sorcery is an original concept of witchcraft, a web of beliefs and practices, whose purpose is to manipulate nature for the benefit of the witch or the witch’s clients and believed as a generous act of aid. This is the ritualistic practices performed by African tribes in their attempts to create remedies and causes to illnesses or when the tribe is going through some misfortunes that affect the whole community such as plagues and droughts.

Another phenomena of witchcraft is the alleged diabolism practiced by the witches. This is in the late medieval Europe period, in which it faced aggressive remonstration from the Christian churches, accusing witchcraft as a Satanic occult. The Christians were imaginative and provided illustrative descriptions of the witches’ practices and their mysterious dark gatherings that usually involves, as it is claimed, bloody sacrifices and blasphemous acts. A very popular illustration of these gatherings would be one that featured a goat-headed man, being worshipped by the witches. It is believed that this goat-headed creature is the Satan himself.

A new age phenomena has emerged during the 1800s- 1900s, which is termed as the pagan revival of the twentieth century. The Wiccans of this new age movement believes that the world is made of balanced forces, neither good nor evil, but a necessary counterparts, complimentary elements of the world. These beliefs are often mixed with mystical traditions such pagan Celtic or Norse, Greek and Roman God- worship.

It is important to note that witchcraft has often been associated with women, even though there have been a number of male witches, specially holding the high positions of a wiccan organization. Nevertheless, witchcraft is very much a female dominated religion, centred on the worshipping of a Mother- Goddess. It is no wonder that feminist movements show an interest on witchcraft, for it shows the female empowerment to nature and giving a high degree of respect to women who possessed this intuitive and instinctive powers. This surge of belief to a Mother-Goddess is of Greek and Roman ancient theme, but it seems that this idea of a goddess characterized with love, peace and fertility seems to be receiving popular acceptance.

These new age movement includes clairvoyance, astrology, spiritual practices of diverse kinds, even including yoga and witchcraft has found its place in new generation as an accepted form of occult, rather than what its predecessors faced earlier, being suppressed and tortured.

The world of witchcraft is full of symbols and sacred items. Their rituals are designed with charms, amulets, crystals and magical stones, and the new age witches sometimes used herbs and leaves as ingredients to their potions and spells. Some of the popular symbols used in witchcraft are the pentagram and pentacle, a five-pointed star used for protection, a three- pointed equinox, also the crescent moon as the symbol of the Goddess, and was claimed to be similar to Islam.

A Response

Christianity has regarded witchcraft as its main adversity and considered is as heresy. The witch-hunt craze started in the 15th century was initiated by Christian churches, though not so much for theological defense, but sometimes influenced with the socio –political situations of that time, and it was observed that the women prosecuted as witches were mostly women from the lower working class, slaves and immigrants. As discussed earlier, the churches provided descriptions of the witches’ practices and even a guidebook on how to scout for a witch and a single accusation without any eye-witness will lead to death by hang.

From the Islamic perspectives, witchcraft and sorcery is closely associated to the term sihr, which brings the meaning, one which was caused by subtle or invisible ways, or in the form of spells and incantations which have effects on the mind and body. Sihr is considered as one of the major sins of ‘aqidah for it is disbelief, syirk in Allah and associating partners with Allah SWT, it is acknowledged in the Al-Qur’an that these form of practices do exist. Stories of magic and sorcery are told during the times of Sulaiman alaihissalam and Musa alaihissalam. Sihr is forbidden and it is narrated, by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that the Prophet SAW said, “Keep away from the seven destructive sins!” They said, “What are they, O Messenger of Allah?” He answered, “Associating partners with Allah; practicing sorcery; taking a life, which Allah has made forbidden except for a just cause…”

Sihr is associated with the partnership of Shaitan and its counterparts, the jinns and the belief that these creatures are the source of help and able to control events, being at the advantage of those who practices sorcery, at the same time having serve these unseen creatures. Sorcery is usually used for evil acts of revenge or having evil intentions to make the victims’ lives difficult and disturbed. To be initiated to sorcery will usually require blasphemous and abominable acts, and performing any form of sihr is an act of kufr! In the opinions of the salaf and the great scholars of the past, those who practice sorcery deserves capital punshment. This is to protect other people from the vicious acts of the sorcerers. Among its consequences are destroying the relationship between husband and wife, among members of the family, losing one’s consciousness and unable to think and act sensibly and makes one suffer terrible pain.

A person with strong faith and belief in Allah will know that everything done was because of Allah and only He has the power to decide and do as He wills. Victims of sorcery should seek refuge only from Allah SWT. Regard those who perform sorcery as swindlers and disbelievers of Allah.

Here are some verses and traditions of the Prophet that are related to the subject of sorcery and withcraft.

“Say: None in the heavens and the Earth knows the Ghaib (unseen) except Allaah.” (An-Naml 27: 65)

The Prophet SAW said: “Whoever visits a soothsayer and believes in what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.” (Abu Dawood)

On the authority of Aisah (raa): Allah Messenger was bewitched such that he thought that he had done something but had not really done it and he said to her one day: "Two angels came to me and one sat by my head and the other at my feet and one said: 'What ails this man?' The other said: 'Sorcery has been done against him.' The other said: 'And who is the sorcerer?' The other said: 'Lubaid ibn Al-A'sam with a comb and and object in the well of Dhi Arwaan."
“And the sorcerer will never succeed no matter what they achieve.” (Taha 20: 69)

From the contemporary perspective and issue at hand, which is the problem of teenagers being influenced to witchcraft, they will need a different approach, not the capital punishment of the Islamic rulings in the past. The approach may include reaching out to the youths affected and to try and bring them back to the basics of Islamic ‘aqidah, to have strong foundations of faith and to show them the grave consequences and the mean acts resulted from performing witchcraft.

To conclude, witchcraft is indeed an act performed since ancient times and not only in the western world, even during the Islamic civilizations, witchcraft and sorcery was widely practiced by those who have weak hearts and lead an ignorant life. The reason Rasulullah himself was inflicted by evil sorcery was to point out that it really exists and its only cure would be to seek refuge with Allah SWT with zikr and reciting the Qur’an.


References
1. Encyclopedia of Religions, Second edition
2. Spellbound: A Time Tour of Myth and Magic
3. Ahkam al-Sihr and Al-sahrat fi al-Qur’an al-Karim, Imam Al-Razi, Darul al-Fikri al-Labnani, Beirut, 1991
4. Sorcery, Imâm al-Madîna al-Munawarrah 'Alî Abd-ur-Rahmân al-Hudhaifî, 12th July 2005, Islamic Network website, retrieved on 11th September 2006.
5. Curing Magic, Shaikh Mashhoor Hasan Salmaan, 16th February 2006, Islamic Network website, retrieved on 11th September 2006.
6. Defiance and Despair: Subcultural and structural linkages between delinquency and despair in the life courseJohn Hagen, Social Forces, Proquest, September 1997.
7. Way of treating sihr, 12th November 2005, World of Islam website, retrieved on 11th September 2006.

on live earth

last weekend was a global dedication to create an awareness on the need to save the earth. for we are on the path of destruction with global warming. live earth wanted the world to wake up and look at the reality of the earth in crisis.

why global warming? because of the increasing by the millions by the minute population, consumption are ridiculously deteriorating the earth with the amount of carbon dioxide, the amount of trees felled, the amount of rubbish the whole world are disposing. its actually a scary thought, thinking that maybe in the next generation, the world is, not on land, but on ice, or in water. just watch A.I, or the Day after Tomorrow, or sinking of japan even. and on the day that live earth concert was held in tokyo, some parts of japan were actually having a flood.

i won't talk here on the hows to save the earth. there are websites dedicated to it. and its actually practices we already learnt in school on civics class or geography. same old same old, people. recycle paper, save water, recycle tins, less transportation, do not litter. it's just a matter of practicing it!

well, back on live earth. the concert did create some sort of awareness, well at least with the celebrities showing ways to save the earth, saying some random facts on global warming. and more clips. while i was watching the live earth concert on tv, i was thinking, just how much electricity, energy used for the concerts? the lightings, the amps, the mikes. never mind the rest of the world watching it on tv in the comfort of our homes. 24 hours, tv watching. for the record, i didn't watch it 24 hours. other than having the rational thinking of i did not want my parents to get the shock of high billed for electricity usage in the house at the end of the month, the concert were actually boring. other than linkin park, i don't seem to know who's who.japan's rock bands are cool, though.

well the real shocker revelation: post concert, on the news, the places where the concerts were held, the floors were covered with plastic cups and rubbish!!!! HELLO PEOPLE?? YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SAVE THE EARTH!!! NOT MAKING IT WORST!! how irresponsible can these people be??? what's the point of being there, assuming to show their support, but littering the very minute it ended??? what's the point people??? it really was sad!! just shows how uncaring people can be? they just don't understand do they?

one child in one of the clips said that God will not let the earth be destroyed. well, she is just a child. and i believe in Allah's mercy and blessings. but why were we created in the first place? yes to utilise all the resources He has created for us, endless resources* of it. but humankind were also created to administer and 'protect' other creations. at the pace we are consuming now, we really are just being ungratefully wasting when we can conserve**

*"And do not do mischief on the earth after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope.

Surely Allah's mercy is near unto the good-doers. And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of good tidings, going before His mercy(rain). Till when they have carried a heavy-laden cloud, We drive it to a land that is dead, then We cause water to descend thereon. Then We produce every kind of fruit therewith. Similarly, We shall raise up the dead, so that you may remember and take heed.

The vegetation of a good land comes forth easily by the Permission of its Lord, and that which is bad, brings forth nothing but with difficulty. Thus do We explain variously the Ayat for a people who give thanks." [Al-A'raf: 56-58]

**"...eat and drink but waste not by extravagance..." [Al-A'raf:31]




one word: barbaric.

on missing

you won't cry for my absence i know

you forgot me long ago

am i that unimportant?

am i so insignificant?

isn't something missing me?

isn't someone missing me?

even though i'm the sacrifice

you won't try for me not now

though i'd die to know you love me

i'm all alone

and if i bleed knowing you don't care

and i if i sleep just to dream of you

awake without you now

---missing---Evanescence