Salman the Persian

One of prophet Muhammad's companion, Salman the Persian or Salman Al-Farisi, was born into an affluent Persian family and was much loved by his father. Early in his life, he was a devout Magian (fire worshipper) and attained the position of custodian of fire. However, one day he passed by a Christian group and out of curiosity stayed with them to learn of their religion. He found that this religion was better and replaced his old religion with this one. His father was not approved of this and chained him away but Salman managed to sneak out and fled to Syria, where Christianity was flourishing at that time. As years gone by, news of a new a prophet in Arabia reached him and he set out to Hijjaz (the region in Arabia where Mecca and Medina (then Yathrib) were located) by joining an Arab caravan heading there. Before reaching Yathrib, he was betrayed by his host and was sold to a Jewish family as slaved. He was transferred to Yathrib and that is where he accepted Islam as his faith after observing prophet Muhammad pbuh. He couldn't join the Battle of Badr and Battle of Uhd due to his position as a slave. However, after Uhd, he was released from slavery following a payment of planting several hundreds of palm trees for his master, an agreement brokered by prophet Muhammad pbuh. The following military conflict, the Battle of the Trench, made Salman famous among the Muslims. Salman was the one who gave idea of building a trench to fortify a seiged Medina from the Confederate army, a strategy that was alien to the Arab world back then. The Muslims were outnumbered and faced betrayal from previously ally Jewish tribes, the trench provided the Muslims time until the Confederate army has to withdraw due to poor weather (or divine intervention). After the death of the prophet, Salman became a governer in Syria where he is known to give away all his salary to charity. His living is largely dependent on his own crop. Salman is known for his attributes of generosity, humility, extensive knowledge of Islam, Christianity, Zoroastriasm. He was also the first person to translate al-Quran.

Summarised from wikipedia.

Nothing to do with Salman Al-Farisi (but I wanted to write something too before my hiatus from blogging for a couple of days) is that Man Utd has got this talented youngster that had me impressed. Another 19 year-old Brazilian, Rodrigo Possebon made his competitive debut in the 1-1 EPL match against Newcastle Utd. He also made a 13-minute cameo in the 1-0 win over Portsmouth this morning. Playing in the defensive CM position, he was comfortable on the ball, good range of passing, good ball control and technique and can use both feet. He is 6 foot tall too which is a plus.

Weird ...

Al-Yankovich, another musician who does parodies. His song 'eat it', a parody of Michael Jackson's 'Beat it', had me in stitches. 'Amish paradise' and 'Smells like nirvana', parodies of 'gangsta paradise' and 'smells like teen spirit' respectively, were good too. Now, I stumbled upon 'e-bay', a parody of BSB 'I want it that way, which had kept me entertained a couple of minutes ago. This is not the official video but still funny:

Shoelace how-to

Back in high school, washing those white shoes and relacing them was one of those mundane that I had to do weekly. Who the **** gave the idea of white shoe as part of school uniform in a tropical, wet and muddy country. Luckily for me, I only experienced a year of it as I quickly volunteered to be a librarian so that i could wear black leather shoes instead. Anyway, to make lacing those shoes more interesting, I have stumbled upon this website last year - Ian's Shoelace site. So far, my favourite is Over Under Lacing, which happen to be the author's favourite as well. Its not too fancy but remain stylish over the normal lacing method:

Lacing Technique:

1. The lace is run straight across the bottom (grey section) and is fed into both bottom eyelets.

2. The ends are crossed over underneath and emerge from the next set of eyelets up the shoe, then crossed over on top and fed into the next set of eyelets.

3. Repeat step (2) until both ends reach the top eyelets

Note: If the shoe has an ODD number of eyelet pairs (eg. 7 pairs = 14 eyelets, like my shoe at left), start with the bottom (grey section) underneath in order for the last crossover to also be underneath when you reach the top eyelets.

amateur transplants

I was belatedly introduced to this duo - Amateur Transplants - Drs from London who does musical parody mostly on medical stuffs. There are couple of their songs posted on YouTube if you want to look it up. However, some songs have strong languages so thread with caution if you think you might be offended. Here's one of my favourite - anaesthethist hymn:

optimism or delusion?

More from Worth1000.com - a cool website with collection of photoshop galleries and contests.

()*^%$!@*%&%

First, I almost finish that damn ethic essay. Took me too long to finish it as with my extremely short attention span, I would spend 15-30 minutes break per 100 words typed. This entry is also part of my break btw.

Second, it snowed yesterday and I snapped a photo of my car covered in snow and wanted to share it on the blog but unfortunately the photo is too crappy as (1) I took it with my pda-phone that is only 2mega-pixel and no exposure adjustment so the photo is overexposed (2) behind the car is a white shed which meant no resolution of snow.

Third, one of those break I mentioned earlier was spent watching this movie called Hot Fuzz. A cop comedy movie from the makers of Shaun of the Dead and same actors too. Hilarious with interesting plot to boot. I would recommend it for anyone who want to take a breather now and then. Its a bit gory so don't get pissed at me for not warning you beforehand.

Fourth, its )*&@!#)^ freezing now. Heaters is definitely required at the moment, and I am anticipating electricity bill that, for the first time in my years in NZ, to exceed the $100 mark. Just for note, my usual bill averaged out to $50 per month and never exceeded $80 in a single month.

Fifth, Ramadhan is near. Moonsighting in NZ would be on 31st August. I remember when I used to join those back in Dunedin at the scenic Signal Hill. I never saw the moon because it always was cloudy back then.

Sixth, occasionally there will be some random people who would skype me. Normally, I ignore but on the odd occasion, I just chat along just for the fun of it. Its interesting to note that some Malaysian doesn't know what NZ stands for. Need more geography lessons I say. We don't want to fall to the same level as the US do we. Remember Miss South Carolina..

Seventh, happy birthday sis.

Eighth, I edited this entry three times. Too many grammatical error that makes it unbearably embarrassing..

apathy

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Even more

Ignore last post

This weekend, I have to coop up in my room due to another ethic essay write-up, again. Sigh, and it such a nice day outside. Felt like summer coming early with the sun beaming unchallenged. I've managed to finish tweaking the blog as mentioned. New features:

- Blog roll (titled as 'others' on the sidebar): this is gadget from blogspot where I just add the url of the website/blog I want to follow and it will display the latest updates of that website. The website requires RSS feed for it to work. Apparently, blogspot's blog have these inherently.

- Updated 'labels' list on sidebar

- Improved shoutbox

So, lots of things have been going on this past week. First, Olympics is on and the curtain raiser for EPL, the Charity Shield, finish with Man Utd as the victor again. In the meanwhile, there is that war in Georgia. I just have to mention about this war, mainly because of somebody ironically said this: "Bullying and intimidation are not acceptable ways to conduct foreign policy in the 21st century." Guess who? His name is synonymous for backwoods or shrubs. In Malaysia, this article from The Star came out. I think the medical officers has every right to be aggrieved by the perceived unfairness of payment. If this is not addressed, more and more docs will opt for the lucrative private practice, leaving the public health system understaffed and stressed.

zzzz

My broadband connection is currently a pain in the arse. I could barely do anything with it at the moment, and I've struggled to get through to just post this entry, which you might as guess it, another pointless entry. All I intend to say is, my Internet is down, and I won't be posting anything fancy (not that there ever was) at least till 20th August. You might have notice that the blog layout might change a bit and that is because I did some tweaking just out of boredom but just couldn't finish it off since the aforemention slowness is making me even more bored.

The Sun

Chapter 91: The Sun
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
By the sun and his morning brightness,
by the moon as she follows him,
by the day which reveals it splendour,
by the night when it enshrouds him,
by the heaven and its construction,
by the earth and its spreading,
by the soul and its moulding,
and inspiration with knowledge of wickedness and piety.
Successful is the one who keeps it pure,
and ruined is the one who corrupts it.
In their insolence the people of Thamoud denied the truth,
when their most wretched broke forth.
The Messenger of Allah said to them:
"The she-camel of Allah, let her have her drink".
They cried lies to him, and hamstrung her.
For that sin their Lord let loose His scourge upon themm,
and razed their city to the ground.
He fear not what may follow.

As with chapter 22, Allah starts this chapter with mentions of the natural phenomena He created. These are often repeated throughout the Quran to serve as reminder for mankind of the signs of His existence and His rule. It begs the question - surely life on earth cannot be purely out of coincidence? And that, surely life on earth is then not left to chances or without guidance or control? The chapter moves on to state the basic truth about man - "by the soul and its moulding and inspiration with knowledge of wickedness and piety. Successful is the one who keeps it pure, and ruined is the one who corrupts it." - in that man is just as capable of recognising the good as he is of recognising the evil in everything he encounters. Man is equally capable of directing himself one way or the other. This dual ability is deeply ingrained within him. All external factors, like Divine messages, only serve to awaken his potential and help it take its chosen way. In other words, these factors do not create this potential, which is innate; they only help it develop. In addition to his innate ability, man is equipped with a conscious faculty which determines his line of actions and is, therefore, responsible for his actions and decisions. He who uses this faculty to strengthen his inclinations to what is good and to purify himself and to weaken the evil drive within him will be prosperous and successfull; while he who uses this faculty to surpress the good tendency in him will ruin himself. The chapters followed on with an example of Thamoud people who disobeyed Allah's ruling and was punished by it. In this chapter, only a cursory story of the Thamoud people was given. This example is used multiple time throughout the Qur'an, one is in chapter 89 (the Dawn).

Summarised from Sayyid Qutb's In the Shade of the Qur'an vol.30 translation by M.A. Salahi, A.A. Shamis (1979) Redwood Burn Ltd.

Please note that the Quran is to be read in Arabic as stated in the Quran itself (i dont remember the verse) - as even the best translation cannot provide the meaning of some of the arabic words/style/connotation used in the Quran. This has to be kept in mind when reading translation of the quran.

Random reverie

Its interesting to note that when you're outside your country, you get to feel like an outsider observing what's going on. You get new perspective from the change of background. You get to select what to take in, instead of being immersed in the happenings itself. Additionally, you get inputs from true outsiders and how they see the events pan out. Perhaps, one of the perks doing an OE is you get to stand back, observe from a neutral point of view and piece the pictures together how you see it fit. For years, I have been following Malaysia's progress through The Star newspaper. Out of all the mainstream Malaysian newspaper, The Star was the one which I perceived less biased toward government (or to be frank BN). It is a known fact the Malaysian mainstream media are BN's organ of propaganda. Hence, on occasions, Harakah, Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today would have to be referred to in order see the point of view from the other side when suspicions arise. I do have reservation of some of the reporting of these 'alternative media' as they can be overly negative of the government (when the negativity is inappropriate) and sometime, emotionally charged. However, since the recent election, some articles from The Star where ambiguous in its reporting with apparent concealment of facts and very selective presentation. Hence, these alternative media have been resorted more often. All I'm saying is, check out alternative point of view as well if you haven't done so. This shouldn't be news to most people, just thought I ramble on this thing just in case some people missing out...

y so srs?

The Night

Chapter 92: The Night

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

1. By the night when she lets fall her darkness,

2. by the day in full splendour,

3. by Him who created the male and female:

4. Surely your striving is diverse.

5. For Him who gives and is godfearing

6. and believes in that which is the Best,

7. We shall smooth the way to perfect ease.

8. But as for him who is a miser and deems himself self-sufficient,

9. and calls the Best a lie,

10. We shall smooth his way to affliction.

11. His wealth will not avail him when he falls headlong.

12. It is for Us to give guidance,

13. and to Us belong the End and Begining.

14. I warn you, therefore, of the fiercely blazing fire,

15. in which none shall burn but the most wretched,

16. who denies the truth and turns away.

17. Preserved from it will be the righteous,

18. who gives away his money to purify himself,

19. not in recompense of any favour done him by anyone.

20. He simply seeks the pleasure of His Lord, the Most High.

21. He shall indeed be well content.


Allah started this surrah (chapter) by swearing by the natural phenomena that He has created. This form of oath is used extensively by Allah throughout the Quran to remind mankind of the signs He has created for man to ponder upon the reason for their existence. In this surrah, Allah focuses on two of His signs - the changing of night to day and day to night, and the creation of beings into two complementing creatures - the male and the female. As one contemplates and meditates upon those phenomena one is bound to conclude that there is an able hand which controls the universe and alternates the night and day in that perfect, unfailing accuracy. The same applies to the creation of male and female. Hence, one is also abound to conclude that the hand of Allah also controls the lives of men. He has not created them in vain, and He has not abandon them to lead a life without purpose.
From verse 4 onwards, Allah then continues to describe that humans' actions are diverse and so are the rewards of their respective actions. This examplifies the infinite justice that He has bestowed upon mankind for good is not the same as evil, following the right guidance is unlike wrong-doing, and righteousness is different from corruption. There exist 2 types of people: the first is; who gives and Godfearing and believes in that which is the Best and the other; who is a miser and deems himself self-sufficient and calls the Best a lie. The rewards for these 2 types of people are obviously different: the former - We shall smooth the way to perfect ease while the latter - We shall smooth his way to affliction. The following verse - His wealth will not avail him when he falls headlong - affirmed that even though he can be successful in his worldy life, his success are meaningless and powerless to stop the retribution of his actions later on in his life or the hereafter. In the hereafter, this group suffer the worst affliction ever to be bestowed on man - I warn you, therefore, of the burning fiercely blazing fire, in which none shall burn but the most wretched, who denies the truth and turns away.
The surrah ends with describing the rewards of the righteous - Preserved from it (hell) form the righteous, who gives away his money to purify himself, not in recompense of any favour done him by anyone. He simply seeks the pleasure of his Lord, the most High. He shall indeed be well content.

Summarised from Sayyid Qutb's In the Shade of the Qur'an vol.30 translation by M.A. Salahi, A.A. Shamis (1979) Redwood Burn Ltd.