Selamat Hari Raya Haji... What's it about? Read on...

Selamat Hari Raya Haji atau Hari Raya Aidil-Adha kepada semua Umat Islam/Islamah. What's it about? I wondered...

After some research (Google), here's the BACKGROUND of this SPECIAL OCCASION:

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_al-Adha)

According to Islamic tradition, approximately four thousand years ago, the valley of Mecca (in what is now Saudi Arabia) was a dry, rocky and uninhabited place. Abraham ('Ibraheem in Arabic) was instructed to bring his Egyptian wife Hagar (Hāǧar) and Ishmael, his only child at the time (Ismā'īl), to Arabia from the land of Canaan (in Palestine as well as parts of Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Sinai) by God's command.

As Abraham was ready to return to Canaan, Hagar asked him, "Did Allah (God) order you to leave us here?" When Abraham replied: "Yes, I was directed by Allah (God)," Hagar said, "Then Allah will not forget us; you can go". Although Abraham had left a large quantity of food and water with Hagar and Ishmael, the supplies quickly ran out, and within a few days the two began to feel the pangs of hunger and dehydration.

Hagar ran up and down between two hills called Al-Safa and Al-Marwah seven times, in her desperate quest for water. Exhausted, she finally collapsed beside her baby Ishmael and prayed to God for deliverance. Miraculously, a spring of water gushed forth from the earth at the feet of baby Ishmael. Other accounts have the angel Gabriel (Jibril) striking the earth and causing the spring to flow in abundance. With this secure water supply, known as the Zamzam Well, they were not only able to provide for their own needs, but were also able to trade water with passing nomads for food and supplies.

Years later, Abraham was instructed by God to return from Palestine to build a place of worship adjacent to Hagar's well (the Zamzam Well). Abraham and Ishmael constructed a stone and mortar structure —known as the Kaaba— which was to be the gathering place for all who wished to strengthen their faith in God. As the years passed, Ishmael was blessed with Prophethood (Nubuwwah) and gave the nomads of the desert his message of submission to God. After many centuries, Mecca became a thriving desert city and a major center for trade, thanks to its reliable water source, the well of Zamzam.

One of the main trials of Abraham's life was to face the command of God to devote his dearest possession, his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to God's will. During this preparation, Satan (Shaitan) tempted Abraham and his family by trying to dissuade them from carrying out God's commandment, and Ibrahim and Ishmael drove Satan away by throwing pebbles at him. In commemoration of their rejection of Satan, stones are thrown at symbolic pillars signifying Satan during the Hajj rites.

When Ishmael was about 13 (Ibrahim being 99), Allah (God) decided to test their faith in and submission to Allah in public. Both father and son were put through the most difficult test of their love for Allah. Abraham had a recurring dream, in which God was commanding him to offer his son as a sacrifice – an unimaginable act – sacrificing his son, which God had granted him after many years of deep prayer, the one who had been the centre of his affection and love for all these years. Abraham knew that the dreams of the prophets were inspired by Allah, and one of the ways in which God communicated with his prophets. This must be what Allah had wanted him to do. When the intent of the dreams became clear to him, Abraham decided to fulfil God's command and offer his beloved son in sacrifice.

Although Abraham was ready to sacrifice his dearest for Allah’s sake, he could not just go and drag his son to the place of sacrifice without his consent. Isma'el had to be consulted as to whether he was willing to give up his life as fulfillment to God's command. This consultation would be a major test of Isma'el’s maturity in faith, love and commitment for Allah, willingness to obey his father and sacrifice his own life for the sake of Allah.

Abraham presented the matter to his son and asked for his opinion about the dreams of slaughtering him. Ishmael’s reaction was absolutely astounding. He did not show any hesitation or reservation even for a moment. He said, “Father, do what you have been commanded. You will find me, Insha'Allah (God willing), to be very patient.” His mature response, his deep insight into the nature of dad’s dreams, his commitment to Allah, and ultimately his willingness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of Allah were all unprecedented.

When both father and son had shown their perfect obedience to Allah and they had practically demonstrated their willingness to sacrifice their most precious possessions for His sake—Abraham by laying down his son for sacrifice and Ishmael by lying patiently under the knife – Allah called out to them stating that his sincere intentions had been accepted, and that he need not carry out the killing of Ishmael. Instead, Abraham was told to replace his son with a ram to sacrifice instead. Allah also told them that they had passed the test imposed upon them by his willingness to carry out God's command.





This is mentioned in the Qur'an as follows:
"O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!" So We gave him the good news of a boy, possessing forbearance. And when (his son) was old enough to walk and work with him, (Abraham) said: O my dear son, I see in vision that I offer you in sacrifice: Now see what is your view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do what you are commanded; if Allah wills, you will find me one practising patience and steadfastness!" So when they both submitted and he threw him down upon his forehead, We called out to him saying: O Ibraheem! You have indeed fulfilled the vision; surely thus do We reward those who do good. Most surely this was a manifest trial. And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice. And We perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations. "Peace and salutation to Abraham!"

Thus indeed do We reward those who do right. Surely he was one of Our believing servants.

As a reward for this sacrifice, Allah then granted Abraham the good news of the birth of his second son, Is-haaq (Isaac):

And We gave him the good news of Is-haaq, a prophet from among the righteous. [12]
Abraham had shown that his love for his god superseded all others: that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dearest to him in submission to God's command. Muslims commemorate this ultimate act of sacrifice every year during Eid al-Adha.

THE END...

THAT"S ALL FOLKS, Thanks for having the time and patience to read this post entry.

Nick Vujicic: No Arms No Legs No Worries

NICK VUJICIC: No Arms No Legs No Worries

NEW! Nick Vujicic is now an author. Find out more by clicking Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life! The first book by: Nick Vujicic.

ABOUT NICK VUJICIC: Imagine being born without arms. No arms to wrap around someone, no hands to experience touch, or to hold another hand with. Or what about being born without legs? Having no ability to dance, walk, run, or even stand on two feet. Now put both of those scenarios together: no arms and no legs. What would you do? How would that effect your everyday life?

Meet Nick Vujicic... Born in 1982 in Melbourne, Australia, without any medical explanation or warning, Nicholas Vujicic (pronounced Voy-a-chich) came into the world with neither arms or legs. Having had an uneventful pregnancy and no family history to expect this condition, imagine the shock his parents felt when they saw their first born, brand new baby boy, only to find he was what the world would consider... Click the following link to see Nick's Story: http://www.attitudeisaltitude.com/aboutus-nick.php

No Arms No Legs No Worries




Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciYk-UwqFKA

Hope you are inspired after reading/viewing this. That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.

Fw: Bukit Aman scam

Subject: Fw: Bukit Aman scam
Dear all,                          
This just happened a few minutes ago. Somebody by the name of Inspector Chew King Hwa from Bukit Aman had called my husband's hand phone looking for me saying that I was implicated in some money laundering cases (I really wished that I had those money). He gave a contact number which was 03-2262 6222.

When I checked online, it is true that the number belongs to Bukit Aman HQ. So I called using my office phone to the number and I was told by the operator at the Bukit Aman HQ that there is a syndicate with inside people from Celcom and Telekom which is running these scams. They offer to settle your case outside and ask for money to bank into certain accounts. The operator said everyday the Bukit Aman HQ receives 40-50 calls from the public, people like me asking for verification. Bukit Aman said they will change their phone number soon because of this scam.
The clever thing about this group is that, when they call you on your hand phone, the number shown would be 03-2262 6222. I guess if you call this number from hand phone, or directly pressing on the number received on your hand phone without re-keying in the numbers again through the keypad,   you will reach the syndicate as they must have manipulated either the caller identity and created a fake line with the insiders' assistance from Celcom/ Maxis/Digi. But if you call the same number using land line (Telekom) as I did, only will you be able to reach the real Bukit Aman HQ.
So it looks like the con men are also getting smarter. But you can straightaway tell from the way the caller speaks, that he is not very educated and hence not likely to be of the caliber of an officer.

Hope you will tell your family and friends. 

I think they target the Chinese.

M Lian

 

CHECK YOUR PASSPORT at the Airports....

Subject: Fwd: CHECK YOUR PASSPORT at the Airports....

Please be Careful at the Airports,  This is a well organized conspiracy by Immigration, Police, Customs and Airline staff with networking at all International Airports. Be careful when ever you give your  passport to Immigration/Customs/Airline staff. The pass port can be easily tampered and can create trouble to you. They have found an easy way of making money. This is the way it works: At the time of the passenger's departure, if the passenger is not looking at the officer while he is stamping the exit, the  officer very cleverly tears away one of the page  from the passport. When the passenger leaves the immigration counter, the case is reported on his computer terminal with full details. Now all over the country they have got full details of the  passenger with Red Flag flashing on the Passport  number entered by the departure immigration officer. They have made their money by doing above. On arrival next time, he is interrogated. Subject to the passenger's  period of stay abroad, his income and standing etc., the price to get rid of the problem is  settled by the Police and Immigration people. If someone argues, his future is spoiled because  there are always some innocent fellows who think the honesty is the basis of getting justice. Please advise every passenger to be careful at the airports. Whenever they hand over the passport to the counters of Airlines or immigration or the customs, they must be  vigilant, should not remove eyes from the passport even if the officer in front tries to  divert their attention. Also, please pass  this information to all friends, media men and important politicians. Every month 20-30 cases  are happening all over the world to rob the passenger the minute he lands. A similar case happened with Aramco's Arifuddin in Pakistan . He was travelling with his family.  They had six passports. They got the visa of America and decided to go via Jeddah. When they reached the States, the page of the American visa on his wife's passport was missing. At the  time of departure from Pakistan it was there,  the whole family had to return helplessly. On arrival at Pakistan , they were  caught by the police and now it is over 2 months, they are running after the Police, Immigration officers and the Courts. On going in  to details with him, he found out the following: One cannot imagine, neither can believe, that  the Immigration dept can play such a nasty game to harass the innocent passengers. All the airlines passengers must be aware of this conspiracy. Every month 15 to 20 cases are taking place, at each mentioned airport, of holding the passengers in the crime of tearing away the passport pages. On interviewing some of them, none of them was aware of what had happened. They don't know why, when and who tore away the page from the middle of the passport. One can imagine the sufferings  of such people at the hands of the immigration, police and the court procedures after that. The number of cases has increased in the  last 2-3 years. People who are arriving at the immigration, they are questioned and their passports are being held and they have to go in for detailed interrogation. Obviously, the conspiracy started about 2 to 3 years ago, now the results are coming. Some of the Airline counter staff too is involved in this conspiracy. SO MAKE SURE NOT TO LET THE PASSPORT GO OFF YOUR SIGHT EVEN FOR A SECOND. THE IMMIGRATION COUNTERS ARE HIGH AND TIRED AND SHORT PASSENGERS REALLY HAVE TO WORK HARD TO KEEP THE PASSPORT IN SIGHT, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE EXHAUSTING JOURNEY, EVERYONE WANTS TO GET OVER WITH THE AIRPORT FORMALITIES AND GO HOME. SO BEING VIGILANT FOR AN EXTRA MINUTE WILL SAVE YOU A LIFE TIME OF MISERY. BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR TRAVELS. REMEMBER: WITH CONDITIONS AT PRESENT IN PAKISTAN ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IN THIS LAND OF THE PURE.......SAD INDEED. PLEASE SEND THIS TO AS MANY OF YOUR INTENDING TRAVELLERS AND FRIENDS ACROSS THE WORLD REQUEST THEM TO CHECK THE PASSPORT AT THE CHECKING COUNTERS AND BEFORE LEAVING THE AIRPORT.   I think at least have a full photo copy of Passport and keep scan of your passport in your hard drive or flash memory and i will advise same for ticket also.

The Star: Buyers to pay more after second house

The Star, Thursday November 4, 2010

Buyers to pay more after second house

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians have to fork out more money from today to buy more than two houses after Bank Negara slammed the brakes on property speculation.

The central bank announced with immediate effect the implementation of a maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 70% for people buying their third or more house, meaning those wanting their third property onwards have to come out with their own cash amounting to 30% of the value of the house.

“Financing facilities for purchase of the first and second homes are not affected and borrowers will continue to be able to obtain financing for these purchases at the present prevailing LTV level applied by individual banks based on their internal credit policies,” Bank Negara said in a statement yesterday.

The central bank said at the national level, property prices had increased steadily and remained manageable compared with the historical trends but for certain hot locations, particularly around the urban areas, faster growth in prices and transactions had been seen.

“This is further supported by an increase in financing provided for multiple unit purchases by a single borrower, suggesting increasing investment activity that is of a speculative nature,” it said.

For Further Reading:

From Star Business:
Support for Bank Negara’s housing LVR cap move

From Star Property:
http://www.starproperty.my/PropertyGuide/Finance/7697/0/0

END...

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.