The Result

Today, 7 Muharram 1432H, I cleared the PMP Certification Exam. Alhamdulillah!

Only Allah SWT know how scared and anxious I was to click the “End Exam” button to submit all the answers. As I waited for the score to be computed, my heart was beating so fast, The Baby was tensed too! I was torn between watching the screen and closing my eyes. When the confirmation screen appeared, I was still a bit flustered that I had to read the confirmation again and again.

“CONGRATULATIONS!” it said. And I could not stop saying grace. Almost cried in fact. I feel so relieved as well as elated.

So, I am now a certified PMP. Time to update the resume? Ha ha ha…

Yeay! Alhamdulillah!

Yesterday morning, I received this in my mailbox:

This is the email that I’ve been waiting since the start of the week. And instead of a week of wait, it was about three days after the package arrived in the US.

Yes friends, I have decided to take up the professional certification exam for Project Management. I see this as a way to improve myself, my opportunities. I attended the class over the weekend some time last month, and immediately applied for the credential approvals to seat for the exam. Although approved, I was selected to participate in the audit process. I had the sinking feeling when I received the notification email, and my heart has been beating extra fast since then.

But yesterday morning, I breathed a sigh of relieved, now that I can schedule my exam. I immediately book a place yesterday, and Alhamdulillah there was a seat available this month. I am now cramming. I have not stopped studying even though I had to be audited. Now is just continuing what I have done so far, and hopefully everything will come out great at the end of the exam.

The exam is less than two weeks. Wish me luck my friends!

 

It’s Delivered!

After three days of wondering if the package will arrive safely, it is finally there! Alhamdulillah!

Now the timer starts for receiving the answer. I pray everything goes smoothly and the result will be positive, InsyaAllah. Fact is, my credential was already approved by the committee, it was just my luck to be selected for audit! I have checked, twice checked, triple checked and called the customer service in Singapore to confirm I have all the necessary documents and information. And with multiples of Basmallah, I gave the documents to the courier service centre.

Yes, I am freaking out. Reason being, this is one of the major milestones in my life. I want this to happen. I want my plans to come true. So, do pray for me, dear friends and readers. Let’s pray that our lives will always take that positive and fruitful turn for the better. Ameen.

Once I received the answer, hopefully by this weekend, I will share what is it that I’m talking about. For now, let’s just say, one foot is already inside; for the second stage, that is.

From My Email...

...for if we lack the knowledge, we should listen and learn...

Prof. Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas on Usage of word "ALLAH"

On December 13, 2009, during the Worldview of Islam Seminar organized by the Assembly of Muslim Intellectuals or Himpunan Keilmuan Muda (HAKIM), there was a question being posted to Professor Al-Attas regarding the polemical usage of the word "Allah" by the non-Muslims.

Below is the transcript of his brief-but-yet- concise enlightening remarks. As a word of caution, though, one must not only rely on this brief transcript alone to understand the whole spectrum of Prof. Al-Attas' view about this theological matter. Further thorough elucidation of his thought can be found in numerous works of this great Muslim scholar of this age, such as Prolegomena to the Metaphysics of Islam, Islam and Secularism, Islam dalam Sejarah dan Kebudayaan Melayu and A Commentary on Hujjat al-Siddiq of Nur al-Din al-Raniri.



Question: The using of kalimah “Allah” by other people in this country
Answers by Prof. Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas :

Well I have been talking about this long time ago. I remember about this in ISTAC, when we first established ourselves (late 80’s and early 90’s), I think the Arcbishop of Penang was asking this question. And I have answered that.

And then we had a meeting with the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and about all the representatives of Christianity, including the ministers, we had a meeting at ISTAC.

And I said, “Why you want to use the word ‘Allah’ for yourself?”

They said “we going to pray in Bahasa Malaysia”

That’s the way they put it. So my answers to them, “Why you have to change praying into Bahasa Malaysia. You have been praying in English all the time. Why suddenly change into Bahasa Malaysia?”

Ok, so they said they want to change so that it more patriotic. Then in that case I’m saying that “why don’t you use Tuhan while praying in Bahasa Malaysia? Because you are talking about God isn’t it?…God is not just a name…”Allah” is a name of this Being whom you called God… and in fact a Being whom even higher than what you called to be God”

And then I said, “ …and “Allah” is not from Bahasa Malaysia. It is not a national language. It belongs to the language of Muslim all over the world . Therefore your argument using this for the word “Allah” does not fit into your idea of God. Because “Allah” does not have a son, It is not one of three (Trinity), that is why out of respect to Allah we can’t allow you to use this.”

But when we Muslim, when we write in English we say God, or when we talk to people we say God but we mean “Allah”…but they cannot say when they speak about God it means “Allah” as they don’t mean it.

So in this particular respect, we have to be clear about this, not was-was (hesitate)... whomever responsible in our governing, they have to be clear about this and to explain to others.

We agree you want to use God, then use Tuhan as we also use that…but we understand in the Malay language that Tuhan is not a translation of Allah ..that is why we say “tiada Tuhan melainkan Allah” not “ tiada Tuhan melainkan Tuhan ”. We don’t say “there is not God but God”..at least the ulama’ among the Muslim Malays, we understand what is the meaning of that (word “Allah”).

So “Allah” cannot be translated as no language has translated Allah. The Arabs themselves they only use that after Islam..although the word existed (before)..the Christians Arab they also did not use Allah (in theological, epistemological and ontological sense in the same manner as the Muslim)..if they say that it is just a language..they talking about language..because they say “Allah” like the Muslim when they ( melatah )…

So it appears they want to do that in order to confuse the Muslim into thinking that all the same.. that is why I say one of the problems about religion is the nature of God.. about who Allah is.. that is why in Arkanul Iman (The Pillars of Faith), the first thing is “ amana billah ”.

“Who is this Allah?” and that need to be explain at higher institution in a proper way…

So we have answer the question. It is not proper to allow them using this, since they asking us and there is no point bringing this to court since this is not a matter of court to decide it whether they have the freedom to use it or not. It is up to the Muslims.

But then if they used it and said “in Indonesia they have use it, why can’t we?”…but it is because of the Muslims..if Muslims don’t care they will go on and use it..and in Indonesia they are using not only that, other things they even call it “choir” as “ selawat ”. Choir is not a “ selawat ”, as “ selawat ” is for Prophet..it’s not singing hymn..

And they also talk about..in Indonesia they are also confuse..Muslims. .that is why this thing happen. Sometimes the language when you come across English words like “Prophet of Doom” in Indonesia they said “Nabi celaka”. How can there be “Nabi celaka”? What is meant by the “Prophet of Doom” is…even the word Prophet in English does not mean “Nabi” only…it means “ yang meramalkan malapetaka ”..that what it means…so the “Prophet of Doom” means “ yang meramalkan malapetaka ”, not “Nabi celaka”.

They (the Muslims in Indonesia) seem not to bother about this. What we can say is that ultimately well they say “God is not Allah”...well if you want to use the word God, we are saying we also use the word God, we refer to Allah as we know and we are not saying that your God ultimately will not refer to Allah. You can’t run away from Allah. You can only escape Him and so in the Qur’an (surah An-Naas) says: “ Qul aAAoothu birabbi annas, Maliki annas, Ilahi annas ”. He (Allah) is saying “ I am the real Ilah (God) of naas (mankind)”, although mankind (non-Muslim) does not interpret it that way.

----------------------------
Read on Prof. Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas

• http://rausyanfikir.com/2009/12/bertemu-prof-dr-syed-muhammad-naquib-al.html
• From IIUM
• Interview with Prof. Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas

Wallahu'alam. For the truth is best known by The Lord, Allah SWT.

Comment ça va?

I've taken up French.

Yes, you read that correctly the first time. I haven't attended any classes yet. I just bought the "Teach Yourself" kit from Borders. So far, I've completed two units, and things are progressing well. I hope I'll stay to the program. He he he...

To whosoever that already speaks French fluently, or also in learning mode, let me know. I need someone to practice with. I'm getting Capal Perak to learn with me. To no avail, so far. Although, he kinda likes it when I showed some dialogues for lovers. Ha ha ha... Man.

Anyway, there is a reason for French. The future patron hinted something along the line. So, I'm answering the call, so to speak. Abah seems happy that I'm taking the initiative to learn a new language. He used to ask me to learn Chinese (a.k.a Mandarin) but I was never able to get pass "ni ho ma - ni ho".

This kit that I'm using has two CDs and the workbook. I'm also using the online resources; the dictionary at www.french-linguistic.co.uk, the translation page at freetranslation.com (not to be taken 100% correct), frenchmalaysia.com (although they haven't been updating the site since maybe 2006), and rocketlanguage.com for the 6 days free package. If you have any other online resources, let me know. I'm also "reading" francegazette.com; as suggested by the kit.

My next purchase will be the French-English dictionary. Owh.. I'm listening to Axelle Red, a Belgian singer. Her voice is very nice. Her song, j t'attends, is one of the homework from frenchmalaysia.com. Interesting. Now I'm listening to another song by her, Sensualite. I like this song. Closer to home. He he he...

Sensualite

Jamais je n'aurais pensé
"Tant besoin de lui"
Je me sens si envoutée
Que ma maman me dit: relentis
Désir ou amour
Tu le sauras un jour

J'aime j'aime
Tes yeux, j'aime ton odeur
Tous tes gestes en doucer
Lentement dirigés
Sensualité
Oh stop un instant
J'aimerais que ce moment
Fixe pour des tas d'années
Ta sensualité

Il paraît qu'aprés quelques temps
La passion s'affaiblit
Pas toujour apparemment
Et maman m'avait dit: relentis
Désir ou amour
Tu le sauras un jour

Je te demande simplement
Ne fais pas semblant
Je t'aimerai encore
Et encore

Desir ou amour

The song is about taking time in falling in love. Not to rush love.

Please pray that my attempt at French will be successful. I really want to learn other languages. Knowing just two, makes me feel left behind. After this, hopefully, Arabic. :-)

By the way, the letter to Pudica has been sent. Kinda sad. Boss sounded sad, looked sad. But life goes on. "What dreams may come, eh?"

To Sandal Silver, je t'aime encore, toujours. (hopefully I got that right...)

8 Simple Ways to Control Stress!

I received this in the email today. From Abah, no less!

----------------------------------------

Simple modifications in posture, habits, thought, and behavior often go a long way toward reducing feelings of stress and tension. Here are 8 quick and simple things you can do immediately to help keep your stress level under control.

Control Your Anger:

Watch for the next instance in which you find yourself becoming annoyed or angry at something trivial or unimportant, then practice letting go - make a conscious choice not to become angry or upset. Do not allow yourself to waste thought and energy where it isn't deserved. Effective anger management is a tried-and-true stress reducer.

Breathe:

Breathe slowly and deeply. Before reacting to the next stressful occurrence, take three deep breaths and release them slowly. If you have a few minutes, try out breathing exercises such as meditation or guided imagery.

Slow Down:

Whenever you feel overwhelmed by stress, practice speaking more slowly than usual. You'll find that you think more clearly and react more reasonably to stressful situations. Stressed people tend to speak fast and breathlessly; by slowing down your speech you'll also appear less anxious and more in control of any situation.

Complete One Simple To Do:

Jump start an effective time management strategy. Choose one simple thing you have been putting off (e.g. returning a phone call, making a doctor's appointment) and do it immediately. Just taking care of one nagging responsibility can be energizing and can improve your attitude.

Get Some Fresh Air:

Get outdoors for a brief break. Our grandparents were right about the healing power of fresh air. Don't be deterred by foul weather or a full schedule. Even five minutes on a balcony or terrace can be rejuvenating.

Avoid Hunger and Dehydration:

Drink plenty of water and eat small, nutritious snacks. Hunger and dehydration, even before you're aware of them, can provoke aggressiveness and exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress.

Do a Quick Posture Check:

Hold your head and shoulders upright and avoid stooping or slumping. Bad posture can lead to muscle tension, pain, and increased stress.

Recharge at the Day’s End:

Plan something rewarding for the end of your stressful day, even if only a relaxing bath or half an hour with a good book. Put aside work, housekeeping or family concerns for a brief period before bedtime and allow yourself to fully relax. Don't spend this time planning tomorrow's schedule or doing chores you didn't get around to during the day. Remember that you need time to recharge and energize yourself - you'll be much better prepared to face another stressful day.

Why We Don't Eat Pork

Received this in email this morning. No video attached though... The email forwarded to me had no email addresses of Najib and Bobby. So, out of curiosity, I Googled and found this version of the email. I also found about the cat... (followed below)

---Original Message-----
From: Surattee Khan [mailto:najib_009@yahoo.com.sg]
Sent: Friday, April 27, 200711:59 PM
To: Bobby Tan
Cc: Ust Abu Zaki; Ust Mohd Ghouse Khan Surattee; Ustaz Anang Husaini Al
Banjari; Ustaz Iskandar; Ustaz Jallaludin Hassan; Ustaz Khair Rahmat; Ustaz
Mohamed Bin Ali; Ustaz Muhd Mihdhar Mahmood; Ustaz Rosman Al Habsyi; Ustaz
Yousef; Ustaz Yusri Yubhi; Wesley Neoh
Subject: Fwd: FW: Fwd: wonder why we don't eat pork??

Hi Bobby,

Please watch the forwarded video. Maybe this is just one of the reasons why
muslims are strictly not allowed to eat pork. The pigs are created not for
eating. The are created for something else.

In the Holy Quran, God mentions in 4 separate verses that we are not allowed
to eat pork purely because the pork is dirty. In Chapter 2 Verse
172 & 173, God says:

O believers! Eat the clean things which We have provided you and give thanks
to Allah, if you worship only Him. He has forbidden you to eat dead meat,
blood, the flesh of swine (pig), and that on which any name other than Allah
has been invoked; but if someone is compelled by absolute necessity, neither
to sin nor to trangress, they shall incur no sin.
Surely, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Similar instruction can also be found in Chapters 5: 6, 6: 145 and 16: 115
of the Holy Quran.

I have a Chinese friend who went to visit a pig stye in Malaysiaand he did
not eat pork for many months because he saw most of the pigs were eating and
licking the excretion of the other pigs even when the excretions were about
to come out, they started to lick them. He almost vomitted.

The animal (pig) is an eater of the highest degree. It is shameless and
indecent. They have very high sexual desires most of them are homosexuals
too. It is clear now why it is forbidden. The flesh of such an impure animal
will have similar impure influence on the body and soul of the eater.

It is affirmed that the soul will be affected by the type of food eaten and
without doubt, the result of a bad thing like pig will be bad.

The Greek scientists have shown before Islam, that the flesh of this animal
reduces modesty in one who eats and promote shameless behavior.

Eating its flesh causes distancing oneself from the angels and growing of
the character contrary to good manners.

The pig is much inclined to impurity especially human excretion, which it
relishes. Its flesh, therefore is developed from faeces and eating is like
eating one's own excretion.

So why does God creates the pigs? We'll discuss this issue separately.

I have to thank you for having interest in Islamic knowledge. It is always a
pleasure to share with you as well with our religious teachers such
knowledge.

Warmest Regards,

Najib Khan Surattee


QUOTE("BOBBY TAN")
Bobby Tan wrote:

Hi Najib,

I only know that MUSLIM cannot take pork because it is uncleaned according
to your religion. No one has explain to me like you does and even the Bible
does not mentioned on this subject matter.

It seemed to me that you are very knowledgeable and understand the "KORAN"
very well. I am glad and honour that you had taken your valuable time and
going extra mile to to think and explain to people like me.

Many thanks for your great effort.

With warmest regards,

BOBBY TAN


QUOTE("Najib Khan Surattee")
-----Original Message-----
From: Surattee Khan [mailto:najib_009@yahoo.com.sg]
To: Bobby Tan

Subject: Did the Bible mention about pork?

Hi Bobby,

Thankyou for taking your time to read this article. I have to make a couple
of comments to your statement below before continuing to explain to you why
Allah created the pig in the first place.

I am also glad that you have decided to stop eating pork after watching the
video. It is for your own good health.

My comments are as follows:

1. The Bible does mention that it is forbidden to eat pork:

It is also mentioned in 4 separate verses (like in the Qur'an).
The verses are:

1. In the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 11, Verse 7& 8:

"Do not eat pigs. They must be considered unclean; they have divided
hoofs, but do not chew the cud. Do not eat these animals or even touch their
dead bodies; they are unclean."

2. The above verse is repeated in the Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 14,
Verses 7 & 8.

3. In the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 65, Verses 2 to 4: The Lord says:

"... I have always been ready to welcome my own people, who stubbornly
do what is wrong and go their own way. They shamelessly keep on making me
angry. They offer pagan sacrifices insacred gardens and burn incense on
pagan altars. At night they go to caves and tombs to consult the spirit of
the dead. They eat pork and drink broth made from meat offered in pagan
sacrifice..."

4. Also in the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 66, Verse 17: The Lord says:

"The end is near for those who purify themselves for pagan worship, who
go in procession on sacred gardens and eat pork and mice and other
disgusting foods."

By now I hope you are purely convinced that pork is dirty and disgusting.

2. My second comment is that you should spell out the word "Qur'an" with
the letter Q instead of using the letter K. God swears with the letter Qaf,
the Arabic letter for Q, as in the word "Qur'an" (Chapter 50, Verse 1), and
not the with Arabic letter Kaf, as used in the word "kafir" (unbelievers).

If you go to any bookstore and find some Qur'an with spelling "Koran", as a
title, try to look at the author : 99.9% they are non muslims! These are
people who do research on Islamic studies and are not having the Islamic
faith. Their translation are usually not accurate and biased to their
personal perception on Islam. A good example is a book called "The Koran"
translated by N J Dawood, Penguin Classics. The author is a Jew. He did not
convert to Islam.

This is part of the CODE of the Qur'an!

Next, let's talk about why in the first place Allah created the pig.

In the book entitled, "Noah's Arkand the Universal Deluge" by Mohamad Yasin
Owadally, I quote:

"Two species of animals that did not enter the Arkwere seen coming out on
Mount Judi namely the pig (and the cat). These animals did not exist before
the deluge, but Allah created them in the Arkbecause the Arkwas filled
with filth and the human excrements that pervaded and unbearable stink. The
people of the Arkcould no longer bore the bad smell, so they complained to
Prophet Noah (may peace be upon him). Therefore Noah passed his hand on the
back of the elephant and lo! The pig came out from the anus of the elephant.
The pig complied with the Instructions of Allah, it consumed all the filth
and the human excrements within the Arkand the stink disappeared." (I will
not write about the cat here.)

So I hope by now you understand what is the purpose of pigs in this world.
They are not meant for eating but for cleaning those dirty stuffs.
Otherwise you will not find 4 verses in the Bible and 4 verses in the Qur'an
mentioning about it.

In addition to the pork, all meat that are not slaughtered in the name of
Allah is forbidden to the muslims. That's why we can't eat those cakes,
sweets, food containing gelatine, emulsifiers etc.

I'll stop here for this topic and hope to share with you on some other
miracles of the Holy Qur'an in future. May Allah bless you!

Thanks and Regards,
Najib Khan Surattee


QUOTE("Bobby Tan")
-----Original Message-----
From: Bobby Tan
Sent: 03 May 200717:40
To: Surattee Khan

Thanks for your your comments, corrections and pointing out mistakes to me.
I am glad to learn something from you.

I just wonder do you read the whole BIBLE? You seemed to be very
knowledgeble in both "Qur'an and Bible" and you are able to quotes the
verses even from Bible.

May Allah bless you too!

Warmest regard,
Bobby Tan

------------------------------------------------

From Bazila Ismail's blog

"Wa alaikum salam,

Dear Bazila Ismail,

Thank you for writing to me.

The following is a brief description about the cat:

After the pig was created, the rats were seen in a big number in the Ark. They consumed all the food of the occupants of the Ark and filled the Vessel with filth. The prophet Nuh (a.s.) passed his hand over the back of the lion, which instantly sneezed, and the cat started attacking and eating the rats. Please take note that it is not that the cat did not enter the Ark but it was not created yet at that time. It's taken from the same book.

By the way, cats are considered as a very lovable animals. To love and take care of cats is a sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. May Allah bless those who love cats.

Regards,
Najib Khan Surattee"