Masjid Al Jabbar

The Masjid is around 300 meters from the junction of the Bintulu-Miri narrow bumpy coastal road – the so called Trans-Borneo Highway. It is very brilliantly designed and plot.

Mok Mah::Afiqah::Alisyas' belated birthDAY 2012

Kak Hjh Rahmah, Afiqah and Alisyas' belated birthday reception at ChatterBox Restaurant Mega Hotel Miri. It was organised in conjuction with Muhammad Faizin and Yayasan Yusuf's 'Majlis Doa Selamat'. Will be continued......

Ta'lim : Part XXXIX

Hadrat Abu Hurairah Radhiyallahu anhu (ra) narrates that he heard the Prophet Muhammad saw (peace be upon him) saying, “A person who performs wudhu or ablution scrupulously, and the goes to the masjid and finds that the congregation is over, receives a reward equal to that of congregation. This would not diminish anything from the reward of those who have actually performed their salat or prayer with the congregation.”
This is indeed Allah swt’s great favor and beneficence that the mere effort and a slight exertion is enough to entitle us to a reward of Jamaah or congregation, though actually we fail to join it. Who is the loser if we ourselves get left, and miss the bounties of the most Bountiful?The hadith also shows that we should not postpone going to the masjid in apprehension of the Jamaah is over, we will still get reward thereof. If, however, we are certain that the congregation or Jammah is already over, then there is of course no idea in going to the masjid for the Jamaah.

my URIC acid maybe?

I have felt the pain on my right knee since last Wednesday after I came back from my business trip in KL. I thought I could survive with it with my diclofenac sodium, but the pain persist and slowly getting severe. On Friday that week, I had another workshop in Karambunai Sabah! O Allah, how would I endure it? I prayed before Allah swt to give me strength and capability to manage the facilitation of our first ever workshop on our Vision, Mission and Leadership Interventions. I will share you my Karambunai story in my next release. Now, let me continue with my ‘Uric Acid’ story. After the Karambunai trip I resumed my office as there were so many things need to be followed through, settled and organized. To cut the long story short, I realized that (on Friday night) the swell on my right knee and leg is getting bigger. I then, decided to go to the nearest hospital – Columbia Asia to seek doctor’s advice on the condition. Upon arrival, the security ushered me to the emergency counter and after about not more than15 minutes, a doctor named Vijay (I hope I get his name correctly) attended me. He advised me to see an Orthopedic. He immediately called and explained to the Orthopedic about the situation. The Orthopedic was about to come (as I was informed by Dr Vijay) but, unfortunately his administration staff advised him that I must have a Guarantee Letter to continue with the diagnosis. I didn’t want to argue about it but instead decided to listen to his advice (my blood pressure was then 99/139). He prepared me a Request for Guarantee Letter and asked to see our panel clinic the next morning. In the next morning, after having our breakfast at the new Refah Café, we went to the Bintulu old town, Medan Jaya and Raya looking for any reputable panel clinic. Luck was not on our side, some clinics closed at 12:00 noon, some are not ING panel clinic and some are lack of basic facilities, like parking, etc. But I believed there must be reasons behind it. Allah swt knows better for the imperfect human being like us.
I finally decided to go back home and informed our Company’s doctor and HR Manager via sms about my condition and situation, at the same time seeking advice from them. Our Company’s doctor never replies my sms until later in the evening. On the other hand, our HR Manager was sensitive and responsive enough, that he went to his office to prepare the Guarantee Letter and sent it to me at my house my hand. Millions of thanks to you, Hj Matnor, for your efforts, etc.!!. However, I didn’t visit the hospital that night. At about 09:15 my wife and I went to the hospital and informed the administration staff about the intent of my visit. They informed, there was no doctor on Sunday! I asked to call Dr Azani, the Orthopedic whom I supposed to meet yesterday. After about 30 minutes of waiting, Dr Azani arrived and greeted me. I think he has done his homework well that he knew everything about my leg condition. After shook hands with him, he ushered me to the treatment room and explained me the procedure that he planned to do on my knee. Speak fluent standard Sarawakian, this Kelantanees doctor married to a Kuching folk is relatively new in Bintulu. He assured me that I will feel better after the extraction of liquid from my knee. Immediately after injecting local anesthetic, he extracted about 50 ml of liquid (probably a mix of Uric acid and other liquids) out of my right knee. It took him about less than 15 minutes for the whole procedure and believed me; I felt no pain throughout the process…. Alhamdullillah, praise only to Allah swt and feeling better now. That was my first ever minor operation that I had to go through since I experienced the acute gout attack. Hopefully it was not due to osteoarthritis! O Allah the most Compassionate and most Merciful, please give us all good health. Below is the sample of the synovial fluid.

nobody could replace them...

Suddenly the Sudirman’s song – Pelangi Petang or literally the evening rainbow touched my mind and soul. My vulnerable eyes were flooded with glittering tears triggered by the nostalgic lyrics and sweet melody of the song sung by one of my favorite’s Malaysian entertainer – Sudirman Hj Arshad. Born in Temerloh Pahang on 25 May 1954, some described him as a ‘People Singer’; some called him a ‘Singing lawyer’; and to me he is just a humble creative honest philanthropist who has left a legacy to the music industry in Malaysia. He left us and this temporary world on 22 February 1992… no wonder his stories, songs or even his Chow Kit Road concert were broadcasted by all the local TVs last week!
The melody reminded me of my beloved mom who left me in December 1976, when I was 11 years old. I was crying the whole day till the reservoir of my eyes went dry, mourning and grieving about my future…. Alhamdullillah, praise only to Allah swt, somebody picked me up and brought me to Miri where life and hope was granted by Allah the Almighty. I was grown up in Miri then, until I married to the daughter of another woman whom I really admired and inspired – Hjh Baidah Binti Abdullah. Allah swt love her most, she departed this short span world alone…. I mean alone in her house at Piasau Jaya…none of her kids were around when the angel of death finally pulled her last breath.

“You came like a rainbow; with no light but you’d delighted us; and you had enlightened and inspired us..” chorus of Pelangi Petang by Sudirman Hj Arshad
May your soul rest in peace bless by Allah swt.

Ta'alim : Part XXXVIII

Photo above::Masjid Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Ta'lim : Part XXXVII

Sometimes it feels like it's just too much - these fluctuations in our iman, the repeated sinning, the feeling that "I just don't deserve Allah swt's mercy." The tests always feel like punishments. There is a constant worry about the future: my marriage, my money, my career, my Ummah... And some difficulties just feel like they are too great to overcome. We know we're not supposed to ask this, but the question at the back of our minds is, "Why me?"

We have all heard that we should never despair of Allah swt's Mercy. And on the surface, we try not to, but Shaytaan (the Devil) has a trick. We tend to despair of ourselves and our incapacity to change things, especially the inner turmoil that we feel. And the effect of this is basically the same as despairing of Allah swt's mercy. We do not always accept that Allah can take us out of the situation we are in and we don't need to 'deserve' the trouble; Allah swt isn't punishing us and we don't need to be perfect.

This doesn't mean, however, that we shouldn't strive, or take ourselves to account when we do mess up. The key is to develop our relationship with Allah swt during that trouble. If we know Allah swt, no situation is too hopeless. No sadness is ever permanent. We perceive trials as they are meant to be perceived - as tests of our trust in Allah swt, forcing us to put our knowledge into practice and bringing us closer to Him. These trials could potentially be a punishment too, that is if we let it affect us negatively by completely turning away from Him because of our sadness. But our awareness of our own state and our understanding of Allah swt's Mercy allows us to turn the punishment into something positive that is manifested through repentance to Allahswt, alongside increasing in hasanat (good deeds) in order to erase the bad deeds.

The first exercise is for us to consciously realize that Allah swt knows. Whatever grief we go through, whatever hardship we endure, we must understand that we are never alone. Even if we feel abandoned by the world and those closest to us, Allah swt is there. He reminds us in the Qur'an:
"Fear not. Indeed, I am with you [both]; I hear and I see." (20:46)
As long as we begin by recognizing that Allah swt is with us and He is close to us, there remains a solution to our inner worries. There are things we need to know in order to develop our relationship with Allah swt. Then there are things we need to do in order to maintain that closeness to Allah swt. And finally, there are things we need to aspire for to achieve the ideal relationship with our Lord. We pray that in the end, we will all have developed a stronger & everlasting relationship with Allah swt.

21st anniversary or 36th?

Today is our 21st anniversary. Alhamdullillah – praise only for Allah swt. But, my kid says it is instead our 36th’s? Anyway, whatever the numbers are, as far as I am concerned, it does not matter. What matters are on how to enhance or at least enhance the blessing –Rahmah and Baraqah – health, wealth and love that Allah swt had granted to us thus far?..and, to manage the remaining time/life that we have in this world. What really matter is on how we are going to finish our journey in this temporary small world. The fact is that, I’m 47 now and she is 42! May Allah always be with us.

Ta'alim : Part XXXVI

Hazrat Aa'isha Radhiyallah hu anhu (ra) says: 'I very much wanted to enter the Ka'ba to perform salaat inside it. Rasulullah saw (peace be upon him) then took me by the hand and said: 'Perform the salaat you desire in this hateem for verily your people, the Quraish left this section of the Ka'ba outside it when they rebuilt the Ka'ba.'
It is Mustahab to enter the Ka'ba. This is one of the places where duaa is accepted and answered. However, it is never permissible for anyone to enter through the giving of bribes. When the Quraish rebuilt the Ka'ba they lifted the roof quite high and raised the door so high that one cannot enter the Ka'ba without a staircase. Rasulullah saw (peace be upon him) wanted to rebuild the Ka'ba according to the same plan as it had been before. Hence he said to Hazrat Aa'isha ra.: 'These Arabs have only recently entered Islam; It is possible that their feelings may become roused and sentiments excited, as a result of the demolition of the Ka'ba; if it was not for this I would rebuilt the Ka'ba, and I would have included the hateem in the Ka'ba: and I would have made two doors. One from which people could enter and leave from the other; and I would have lowered the door of the Ka'ba to the ground: 'Your people raised the door of the Ka'ba so that they admit only these whom they prefer.' According to another hadith Rasulullah saw (peace be upon him) said to Saidatina Aa'isha ra.: 'Your people did not do the roper thing when erecting the Ka'ba, if we were not so near to the times of disbelief, I would again include this section into the Ka'ba; the section they have left outside; rebuilt, this should be included. Rasulullah saw (peace be upon him) then measured off a further seven feet'. This was the cause of Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubair ra. increasing the size of the Ka'ba when he rebuilt it. So actually Ibn Hazrat Zubair ra accomplished what Rasulullah saw (peace be upon him) himself had desired. Later under Abdul Malik bin Marwaan , Hjjaaj had the Ka'ba restored to its pre-Islamic structure. No matter what niyyat prompted Hajjaj, one can to day still feel thankful that it is made so easy for anyone who wishes to be inside the Ka'ba. No bribe to be given to enter into the hateem. Here one may enter at any time to his heart delight, pray there and make his special supplication to Allah. Being in the hateem, means being inside the Ka'ba. For this reason Rasulullah saw (peace be upon him) told Saidatina Aa'isha ra to say her prayers here. Further, it becomes exceedingly difficult for females to enter the Ka'ba. This hateem simplifies matters for them. Be very careful of your conduct inside the Ka'ba. The ulama have stated that on entering the Ka'ba, one's conduct should be one of utmost respect, upholding the great dignity of the place. It is best to go bare feet without socks, and to bath before entry. It is best to enter with great humility and to enter crying, with tears streaming down

CONGRATS to our only princess on her achievement

She had consistently achieved 1st placing in her 4 Dahlia class Term Examination. Well done gals! CONGRATULATIONS from all of us and keep it up! What matter is not the ranking but the efforts that you had exerted to achieve it. Remember, the results is Allah swt’s jurisdiction…our roles is to put our best for Him.Learn because you want to know the greatness of Allah swt whom had created the mankind and the universe and all its contents.

mission accomplished@....FIRST ever successful experience

The sacrifice was laid down in the slaughtering chamber by tying all his four legs at the chamber’s shaft. Kids were excitingly curious with the procedure. My friend, Hj Bahrain and other volunteers were already on ‘top’ of the cow’s body while others were holding firmly all the legs, etc. It was my first experience slaughtering a big handsome cow as part of the ritual – ‘ibadah korban’ once a year during Eid ul Adha.

After reciting the prayer seeking blessing from the Most Compassionate and Merciful, while Hj Bahrain exerting his fullest power forced down the abdominal part of the sacrifice, I placed the knife or long dagger (belong to Ustaz Hj Mohammad) at the neckline. A bit nervous though! I talked and motivated to my inner self to proceed – in the name of Allah swt and ‘sunnah’ Rasullullah saw (peace be upon him)

Seconds after all the people reciting the ‘takbir’ & ‘Tahmid’ - Allahu Akbar..Allah hu Akbar… Allah hu Akbar, La illah haillallah hu wallah hu akbar……..(Allah is great…, and there is no god except the almighty Allah swt…) the razor sharp dagger slit through the leather skin of our sacrifice. Alhamdullillah...

May Allah swt accept our prayer, ‘ibadah’ and sacrifices. Allah hu Akbar..wallillah hil Hamd..

Ta'lim : Part XXXIII

Hazrat Abu Huraira R.A. reports that Rasulullah Salallaho Alaihi Wassallam) said: "Verily there shall be no reward for a righteous pilgrimage except Jannat".According to some ulama a "Mabroor Hajj" (a righteous Hajj) is such a pilgrimage during which no evil deed is committed. For this reason they speak of Hajj-e-Mabroor as a Maqbool Hajj (an accepted Hajj). By this they mean such a Hajj wherein the Hajee took note of each and every one of the Aadaab and Shuroot of Hajj while at the same time avoiding all faults.By way of further elucidation we quote a Hadith by Hazrat Jaabir R.A. in which Rasulullah Sal'am said: " the beauty (righteousness) of Hajj lies in feeding others and speaking to them in an amicable fashion". Another Hadith states: "The virtue of Hajj lies in feeding others and in greeting others a lot". (Targheeb)It is also reported that when Rasulullah (Salallaho Alaihi Wassallam) announced that Paradise alone shall be the reward for a righteous Hajj, some companions inquired as to what a righteous Hajj actually was. To this Rasulullah (Salallaho Alaihi Wassallam) replied: "To feed others and to greet much". (Kanzul Ammaal)Hadith Number Three:Hazrat Aayesha R.A. reports that Rasulullah Sal'am said: "There is no day in which Allah sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of Arafaat. And on that day Allah draws near to the earth and by way of exhibiting His pride remarks to the Angels: "What is the desire of these servants of mine."Note: As for the fact that 'Allah draws near' or 'descends' to the lowest heaven and similar phrases in Hadith literature, it should be borne in mind that Allah alone knows best the correct meaning. Allah is at all times near. He is not at all in need of the literal ascending or descending. When they come across such statements, the ulama explains it as referring to Allah's special mercies that draw near.Whatever has been read in this above Hadith has been said in many others. In one Hadith for example we read: "When the day of Arafaat dawns, Allah descends to the lowest heaven and boastingly remark to the Angels: " Look at My servants, they have come towards Me with their hair disheveled and scattered while their bodies and clothes are covered with the dust of long journeys. The cry from them is 'Labbaik, Allahumma Labbaik (We are at Your service, 'O Lord, we are at Your service) 'O My Angels, I take you to witness that I have forgiven their sins". The Angels will say: "O Allah among them there is that person who is inclined towards sin, and there are among them that evil man. And that so woman": Allah will reply: " I have forgiven them all".Rasulullah (Salallaho Alaihi Wassallam) said: "On no other day are so many souls set free from hell as on that day". (Mishkaat) We see the same theme in the following tradition: Allah says (on that day) "these servants of mine have come to Me with disheveled hair, begging for My mercy". Then addressing the pilgrims Allah says: "Even though your sins shall be as numerous as the grains of sand on the earth and though they may be as many as the raindrops that descend from heaven, and though your sins be as many as the trees that grow on the earth, I forgive them all. Proceed from here to your homes while your sins are forgiven".Looking at another Hadith we read: (on the day of Arafaat) Allah boastingly addressing the Angels say: "Look at them, I have sent my Messenger to them. They believed in him. I revealed My book to them and they believed in it. You be My witness that I have forgiven them all. (Kanzul Ummaal)

Titian Budi by JKIM - d 4th series@RPR Sg Plan

The Vice Chairman of the Jawatankuasa Kebajikan Islam MLNG (JKIM), M Hafeiz Jumeren handed over the 'goodies' to the Surau An Nur's Representative during the visit. It was our second visit to Sg Plan. The first one was at the Masjid Sg Plan Lot couple of weeks back. During the first visit we missed 10 recipients who are mainly converts and some relatively poor people.

Her LAST day with us::Panda d Hamster

People comes people go.... or rather every living creatures come to an end, when the time comes, no less a second or no more. Nobody really knows when is his turn to depart this temporary world. She was active the night before, but Allah swt loves her so much: around 06:51 hours on 16.8.2011 Nana was soaking with her tears and informed me that our Panda d Hamster has passed away. While controlling my emotion, I went down to her habitrail cage and found out that her body was very cold and stiff as if holding a small Russ fluffy hamster toy.

She has been with us for merely last four and half months!! Like I said earlier, Allah swt loves her much more than us. We hope we had done our best in taking care of her.

Energy Receive Energy Return::Aspiring Others Everywhere

As usual, in collaboration with Masjid Assyakirin Bintulu, PETRONAS once again organised this noble event - Majlis Berbuka Puasa PETRONAS 2011 on Friday 12th August 2011. Two Gas & Power Business (GPB) Top Guns - the Executive Vice President of GPB, Datuk Anuar Ahmad and Vice President Global LNG, Adnan Zainal Abidin were presence showing their sincere support.
MLNG were represented by the Senior General Manager, Hj Zakaria Kasah. It was indeed an excellent evening, breaking fast with PETRONAS Top Guns and other prominent people of Bintulu. Taking photo with the SGM and the organising committee members was another opportunity that one would never want to miss.

Thank you PETRONAS. Proud to be one of you. Ramadan 2011

Ta'lim : PartXXXII

Abu Hurairah radiyallah hu anhu (ra) narrated; "Allah's Messenger Prophet Muhammad saw (peace be upon him) said; 'When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of Jannah (Heaven) are opened and the gates of Jahannam (Hell) are closed, and the shaytan (devils) are chained up."

The gates of Jannah (Heaven) are opened in this month because a great deal of righteous deeds are performed, and as an encouragement for those who seek Allah's reward. While the gates of Jahannam (Hell) are closed because only a few sins are committed by the believers. The shaytan (devils) will be chained that they may not have the influence on the believers by whispering to them and misguiding them, that they might ordinarily have during the other months of the year.

Allah has prescribed fasting and made it obligatory on all nations. He has said;
"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous"
[Surah al Imran 2:183]

If fasting were not a great act of worship, and the reward thereof were not so great Allah would not have prescribed it on all nations.
Of the virtues of fasting is that it is a means for atonement of sins. It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah ra that;

"The Prophet Muhamad saw (peace be upon him) said; "Allah swt has said; 'All the deeds of Adam's children (all mankind) they do for themselves, except fasting which belongs to Me and I will reward for it. Fasting is a shield (against the Hell and against the committing of sins). If one of you happens to be fasting he should avoid sexual relations with his wife and should avoid quarrelling. Should someone fight or quarrel with him, let him say, 'I am fasting'. By Him in Whose Hand is my soul (Allah), the smell of the mouth of the one who is fasting is better in the sight of Allah than musk."
[from the collection of sayings of the Prophet by Imam Bukhari]

It is a shield because it safeguards the believer from vain talk and wrong doing and thereby protects him from the Jahannam (Hell).
Of all the good deeds, Allah has favored fasting to be greatly rewarded by Him and distinguished it with prestige, if it is observed with the pure intention of pleasing Him alone.

From other sayings of the Prophet Muhammad saw (peace be upon him) we know that:
Fasting is so highly regarded for a believer that he would have two occasions of joy, one at the time of breaking his fast, [to enjoy the bounties of Allah, because he has been favored with Allah's mercy to observe fasting while many others have been deprived of this great blessing], and the second would be when he meets his Lord [and enjoys the abundant reward for having observed fasting].

Also, that fasting intercedes with Allah on behalf other believer on the Day of Judgment.

Ta'lim : Part XXXI

On the most blessed night, the Grand night: Laylatul Qadr; "Verily, we revealed the Qur'an on the night of Qadr."

Ibn Jareer narrates, on the authority of Mujahid that there was a man from Bani Israel who used to spend the night in prayer. Then in the morning he would fight the enemy in the Way of Allah during the day, until the evening and he did this for a thousand months.

And so Allah swt revealed the Surah: "Verily, We sent it down in the night of Al-Qadr" until the verse "The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months" That is, standing in prayer on that night is better than the actions of that man.

Sufyan ath-Thawri reports, on the authority of Mujahid (also), that the night of Al-Qadr being better than a thousand months means that the good deeds performed on it, fasting on it, and standing in prayer on it are better than a thousand months good deeds, prayers and fasting. [Narrated by Ibn Jareer]

It is reported from Abu Hurairah radiyallah hu anhu (ra) that he said:

"When the month of Ramadan came, the Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammad saw (peace be upon him) said: 'The month of Ramadan has come, a blessed month in which Allah swt has made it obligatory for you to fast; in it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the shaytan (devils) are chained. In it is a night better than a thousand months, whoever loses the benefit of it has lost something irreplaceable.'" [Narrated by Imam Ahmad and An-Nasa'i].

It is reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah ra, that Allah's Messenger Prophet Muhammad saw (Peace be upon him) said:
"Whoever stood in prayer on the night of Al-Qadr, in faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, he will have all of his previous sins forgiven." [Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The sincere believer who worries day and night about his sins and phases of neglect in his life patiently awaits the onset of Ramadan. During it he hopes to be forgiven by Allah for past sins, knowing that the Prophet Muhammad saw (Peace be upon him) promised that all who bear down during the last ten days shall have all their sins forgiven. To achieve this, the believer remembers the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) advice in different sayings wherein he used words like "seek", "pursue", "search" and "look hard" for Laylatul Qadr.

Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. The Mu'min should search for it in the last ten nights of Ramadan, passing the nights in worship and obedience.

For those who catch the opportunity, their gift is that of past sins wiped away.

MTAQ 2011::Attawazun as a Catalyst of Excellent

Alhamdullillah, I was asked by my boss, Senior General Manager Plant Division MLNG to represent MLNG in the year Majlis Tilawah Al Quran Peringkat Sabah, Sarawak, dan WP Labuan 2011. This year, the event was hosted by Carigali Miri, Sarawak. MLNG lead by Hj Bahrain managed to secure 1st runner. Well, what is most important was the participation.
Note: the above photos were taken by non professional photographer using iPad. Hence the quality is not very satisfactory.

my 'house' in KL

This is the place I stay or my ‘house’ since I moved to KL on February 6 2011 for my special assignment –Impiana KLCC. Nestled right in the heart of the city, the hotel is positioned among prominent landmarks without exception the splendid PETRONAS Twin Towers and the ultra modern Kuala Lumpur Convention Center aka KL Convex. Recently, KLCC Holdings, the owner of this property launched an air-conditioned and weather proof elevated 183 meters walkway that links the hotel with the KL Convex, which provides convenience to not only the hotel guests but all city folks from all walks of life.

...it only lasted less than 10 minutes

While on the way to Miri yesterday (I took a day off and flew back to Bintulu early in the morning – touched down at Bintulu airport at 9:36 hours), Masom, astonishingly called and forced us to open Al-Jazeera for the Breaking News – Tokyo hit by 8.9 Richter-scale earthquake simultaneously by 7-10 meters Tsunami. Unfortunately though, we were not able to access any satellite assisted devices to witness the horrifying scene. The whole world communities were shocked and stunned with the horrendous breaking news. However, on the other side of the coin, the Japanese who were used with the dreadful situation were calmed and what amazed me, despite the devastating effect of the current, the damages were relatively minimal. Our thoughts are with you. The above two photos were downloaded from the internet.