Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Those Creatures Among The Trees

Whenever My Late Father passed by the big old tree at Paya Lebar on His way home at night during the 60s, He said, from his bicycle, He would looked up at the creepy gigantic tree searching and looking out for its resident.
Then He would looked down for any recent falling down leaves as it was said to be the indication that its resident was up on the tree.
Often He picked up the latest fallen leaves blown by wind for signs (?)
My Late father had never seen the real tenant of the tree, which underneath was an altar placed there by the Chinese staying nearby, but many men around my neighbourhood did meet the lady resident, said to be a female vampire or 'pontianak'.

The creature, with unkempt flowing black hair and draping a long white clothing would sit on one of the many outstretched winding branches with feet dangling in the air that would scare men away, often leaving their bicycles and ran for their life.
If they were to continue cycling, most likely 'the lady' would hitch a ride to the men's home.

But thinking back, 'pontianak', according to folklore is a woman who dies during childbirth.
They are said to be most likely associated with banana trees and we had many banana trees near the kitchen as banana trees are rhizome that multiply quickly.
Thank GOD, none of them like to stay at the banana trees not far from my kitchen door.
Maybe, what we had then, were not the ordinary banana trees which we normally eat the fruits, but My Father planted 'pisang batu' (not sure of the exact English name, but is translated to be stoned banana) more for the leaves to be used for making 'lontong' or rice cake for 'Aidilfitri.

My Mother preferred the leaves of 'pisang batu' as it is known to be thicker, stronger and very unlikely to be easily torn apart.
Unlike ordinary banana, the fruit of 'pisang batu' is with hard black seed.
When the seeds of an apple is easily crunched, the splattered seeds found in ripe 'pisang batu', which can be up to 4mm, just could not be broken into pieces with our teeth, hence its name, 'batu' or stone.
But the young 'pisang batu' with seeds still soft, is usually used for 'rojak', mixed local fruits and fried bean curds, mixed with grounded fried nuts, chillies, shrimp paste, thick tamarind juice and palm sugar.

******

I had blogged  here  that My Father had once asked one of the older generation of the unseen creature staying at Kaki Bukit to move out when he took revenge on My Nephew, who was a toddler then, for playing with sticks.
The unseen grandfather with his generations of families were once trees' dwellers living on the hill top, before Kaki Bukit was levelled and big trees were cleared, to make way for Singapore's public housing.
After their 'houses' were uprooted, some of them stayed behind, then stay with and among the residents of Housing and Development Board.

******

When My Mother was visiting the pleasant and cool mountainous Wonosobo regency, 150 km from Yogyakarta regency, located in Dieng, she 'saw' many teenagers, boys and girls, in white attires, busied themselves with their books and studies, in the thick forest.
The word Wonosobo or 'Wanasaba' in Javanese, is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Vanasabha' means 'forest gathering place'.
Interestingly, not everybody in her group saw the same scene as her.
To many of them, they were just on one of the Indonesian plateau, which is 2,000 metres above the sea.

Although I had never been there, but while on my way up to Temanggung, 40 km east of Wonosobo, from Temanggung, which is 340 metres higher than Wonosobo, Wonosobo is like a regency floating on thick cottony clouds.

******

Temanggung is said to be a place above the clouds, and is being sandwiched by two mountains,

Sindoro-Sumbing
Sindoro and Sumbing. Source: Ida 08's Weblog 
 
Sindoro at its south, and at the north is Sumbing.
Locals said both mountains putting on white caps all year round - as they were always covered with clouds.
The second highest mountain in central Java, the 3371 metres Mount Sumbing, was as if just within my reach.

Unlike other mountains, Sumbing nearing to the summit, is with no big and tall trees, just tall grasses,

and edelweiss plants.
The mountain has one of the most Indonesian landslides occurrences as its lower slopes, reaching 2 km uphill had been exploited of its natural vegetation.
Slopes are covered with some vegetable farms,
Tobacco Plantation. Source: Temanggung City
but mostly tobacco, as almost 80% of Indonesian tobacco comes from Temanggung, as tobacco is best planted at 1,000 metres above the ground.
Luckily all my way up to Temanggung,
the refreshing surrounding air was with the awakening aroma of fresh coffee.
The regency produce one of the best Indonesian coffee, as with its first grade tobacco leaves, both commodities brought to Temanggung in around 1630s by the Dutch, although tobacco smoking had been around in Java since 1613, during the Mataram Sultanate.

Hikers climbing Mount Sumbing were strongly warned of do's and don't while hiking.
They are to respect the culture of local folks and nature, always to stay friendly among friends, other hikers and those staying at the mountain, not to pluck, even a stalk of flower before prior written consent, not to ease themselves at the high altitude freely, and ... never to sigh!

As was told by the hiker himself, it was in the early 2000 that he climbed Sumbing with four others when he felt the urgency to answer nature call.
He told them to proceed with their hiking and he would catch them up.
When he had done among the bushes, he emerged, and saw that his four friends were still waiting for him.

True friends indeed.
They chatted and joke away until they reached an open space of only grass field, when his four friends suggested taking a break.
The five of them shared their food and supplement drinks.
When he was about to finish puffing his first cigarette, he heard his name being called again and again, from a great distant, until the voice came nearer and clearer.

He was shocked and surprised to hear the voice of two of his hiking friends.
Are not they with him then, at the open space of only green grass field?
Why were their voices seemed faraway?

He looked behind where his four friends were resting themselves...
It was empty!
Nobody was sitting or standing around except himself.
With raised hair, lost mind and soft limbs, slowly he left the haunted place and, despite stumbles, he followed the direction from where his name was being called.
He ran as fast as he could, despite hurdles, darkness, stones and ravine...

******
In a big open space at 2,437 feet above ground, known for its strong and dangerous wind, at Mount Sumbing is a place named 'Pasar Setan' - Satan's Market.

Locals, who are mostly farmers, ritually go up to Sumbing summit on the 20th Ramadhan after breaking their fast, spending their 'Malam Selikoran', the first night in the last ten days of Ramadhan, visiting the graveyard of Ki Ageng Makukuban at the summit.
He is said to be the first man to stop at Kedu Plain, between the two husband (Sumbing) and wife (Sundoro) mountains and the pioneer of the tobacco plantation.
Since the annual '20th Ramadhan' going uphill is performed by almost all of the local community since many generations ago, local youths used to hiking, Sumbing Hiking Club, Search And Rescue Team and police force oversee the folks orderliness and safety.

Some of the local folks and hikers would hear the Indonesian musical ensemble 'gamelan' being played at 'Pasar Setan' where the above hiker had taken his rest with 'four others', especially when the sun is about to end its day duty.
These local folks and hikers too, were advised to stay close with their group when hearing the 'gamelan', lest they were to be swayed by the musical beat and entered into 'another world'.
Hikers staying for their nights near and around 'Pasar Setan', as the open space is a good site for tents building, would often 'see busy and noisy market'.
If they smell the surrounding of strong fragrance, it was said these creatures were very near to them.

******

Those who went up the mountain at night and, if they were to be separated from their team, would most often find themselves being escorted by a person, who usually put on white attire, until he or she is being united with their team again.
Unfortunately, the 'person' never answer questions posed to him or her.
This 'person' always appear to be the same sex, and around the same age as the hiker and the said 'person' remain silent through out its good intention of bringing back the lost hiker to the team.

Meeting 'the good hearted soul' in white is said to be better while hiking up or down Mount Sumbing, rather than meeting what the local folks called 'Setan Belanda' - eerie looking, big sized 'Dutch's Satan', who is sometime found among pine trees not far from the villages.

There was a case when a first time hiker, who was climbing down the mountain, when about to reach the last village at the mountain, she insisted on taking a taxi ride home, calling out for the non-existed taxi to stop.
She was then carried down by her friends...

'Pasar Setan' is not only found at Mount Sumbing, it can be be found at any Indonesian mountains.
The known Mount Merapi with its famous 'Pasar Setan' named 'Pasar Bubrah', has its own story to tell. 





.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Yaumul 'Asyurah And Yum Kippur

Thank GOD who blessed us to see another year, 1432.
The first month, Muharram, is here, and today is the tenth of Muharram 1432 A.H.

The tenth day in the month of Muharram, Yaumul 'Asyurah, saw the victory of  Prophet Moses a.s.  and his people over the Egyptian Pharoah at around 1446 BC.  

"Recall that we saved you from Pharaoh's people who inflicted upon you the worst persecution, slaying your sons and sparing your daughters. That was an exacting test from your Lord.
Recall that we parted the sea for you; we saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people before your eyes." - AlQur'an 2:49 - 50

As Muharram is so called, the month's name is derived from the word haram (forbidden), and in this month, it is forbidden to wage hostility, instead, it was encouraged to reach a compromise.
This month is one of the four sacred months, beside Rejab, Dzulkaedah and Dzuhijjah.
The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. had been fasting on the tenth of Muharram when in Mecca.

******

When The Prophet s.a.w. migrated to the city of Yathrib, which soon renamed Medinah, 320 kilometres north of Mecca, Muhammad s.a.w. found out the Jews in Medinah religiously went through their Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, marking the Kippur with a big dinner, and would follow it with 25 hours of fasting from sundown to sun-up, prayer, reflection and meditation, in order to seek repentance for their sins.

They said: "It is the day of great significance when God delivered Musa a.s. and his people and drowned Pharoah and his people, and Musa a.s. observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it." 

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is also remembering Prophet Moses a.s. on the tenth day of the month of Tishrei in the Jewish calender.

Yom Kippur is to be a solemn holiday.
It is also one of the holiest days of the year for the Jewish for atonement and repentance for according to the Jews, God inscribes each person's fate for the coming year into a book, the Book of Life, on Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year, which is ten days before Yom Kippur, and waits until Yom Kippur for the final verdict being sealed.

Unlike the regular three daily prayers by the Jews, Shacharit, the morning prayer, Mincha, the afternoon prayer and Ma'ariv, the evening prayer, Yom Kippur has five prayer - Shacharit, Mincha, Ma'ariv, Musaf and Ne'ilah, the concluding prayer.  
Ne'ila is a special Jewish prayer service, usually runs about an hour, held only on Yom Kippur, when final prayers of repentance are recited, beside the evening and day of Yom Kippur which is set aside for confessions of guilt, either in public or in private.
Repentance and forgiveness conclude the locking and closing of Yom Kippur.
There is a tone of desperation in Ne'ila prayers, as it is referred to the closing of the gates, the 'last chance' to get in a good word before Yom Kippur ends, after which the shofar, used for religious purpose, a horn, traditionally that of a ram, is blown at the end of Ne'ila.

******   

The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. responded to the fasting Jews: 
"We have more right, and we have closer connection with Prophet Musa a.s. than you have."  

‘Asyurah is a day of great historical significance.
- Whoever fasts on this day is like one who fasts all his life.
- Whoever provides generously for his family, ALLAH s.w.t. will be generous to him throughout the year.
- Whoever clothes a naked person ALLAH s.w.t. will release him from a painful punishment.
- He who feeds a hungry person or gives water to a thirsty man, ALLAH s.w.t. will feed him a feast from Paradise and will quench his thirst with Salsabil.
- He who visits the sick, ALLAH s.w.t. will reward him that will not decreased.
- Those who apply kohl to the eyes will never suffer from eye-sore again, GOD willing, and 
- Whoever takes a sunnah 'Asyurah bath on this day will enjoy excellent health and freedom from sickness and indolence. 
GOD, Bless us to perform good deeds. Ameen.

******

The Prophet s.a.w. observed fasting on Yaumul ‘Asyurah and gave us orders to observe it.  
The Prophet s.a.w. who had been fasting on 'Asyurah Day told His Companions about the 'Asyurah fast, and His sunnah for us to fast on 'Asyurah Day.

In Sahih Muslim, Abu Qatada r.a. relates that The Prophet s.a.w said that the fast on the 10th of Muharram atones for the sins of the preceding year and Abu Hurairah r.a. reports that The Prophet s.a.w. said that after Ramadhan, the fasts of Muharram have the greatest excellence.  

Mu`awiyyah ibn Abi Sufyan reported that he heard the Messenger of ALLAH s.w.t. say: 
"Concerning the day of `Asyura’, it is not obligatory upon you to fast on it as I do. 
Whoever wishes may fast and whoever does not wish to is not obliged to do so" - Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

But The Prophet s.a.w. recommended that we fast on this day, by His sunnah. 

Abu Hurairah r.a. reported: 
"I asked the Prophet: 'Which Prayer is the best after the obligatory Prayers?' 
He said: 'Prayer during the mid of the night.' 
I asked: 'Which fasting is the best after that of Ramadhan?' 
He said, 'The month of ALLAH that you call Muharram’" - Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Daud.

Towards the end of His life, Muhammad s.a.w. told the believers to add the 9th day, thus, it is recommended to fast on both the 9th and 10th of Muharram. 
He also indicated how we should observe the fast of Yaumul ‘Asyurah.

In Sahih Muslim, Hakam ibn AlArat r.a. relates:
I went to Ibn Abbas r.a....
"I said to Him: Tell me about fasting on ‘Asyurah.
He said, "When you seen the new moon of Muharram count the (days) and (begin to) observe fast on the 9th."
I said to him: "Is it how the Holy Messenger of ALLAH s.w.t. observed the fast?"
He said, "Yes.".

The book of The Prophet s.a.w.'s sayings also stated that Ibn Abbas r.a. relates that when The Holy Nabi s.a.w said:
"If I survive till next year, I will definitely observe fast on the 9th of Muharram (as well)."

It is advisable that the 'Asyurah fast should either be preceded or followed by another fast.
One should fast two days - the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th.

******

Yom Kippur is observed nationally, and is a national holiday in Israel where the country came to a virtual standstill as Israelis across the country began observing the holiest day of their calendar after the ten day period of soul searching that began with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.

Most of them spend their holiday in the synagogue, in prayer.
It  is observed by many, even though most Israelis are not Orthodox, these seculars set aside the day to 'afflict the soul', to atone for the sins of the past year.
Their mass synagogue attendance caused synagogue attendance to soar as this day is essentially the day of the last appeal, the last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate the repentance and make amends.
On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered in these books is sealed.
Divine judgment of Jews is sealed and their fate is thus decided for the coming year.

The country almost stood on a standstill during the holy day with deafening silence. 
This year, Jewish Year 5771, Yom Kippur began on sunset September 17, 2010 till the nightfall of September 18, 2010.

******

Although there is no legal prohibition on eating in public but in practice, such action is frowned upon, and is considered impolite to eat in public on Yom Kippur, although they do not fast.
For those who fast, it means undergoing the complete 25-hour fast, refraining from eating and drinking even plain water, beginning before sunset on the evening before, and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur.
For the strict Talmud followers, additional restrictions are imposed on them, being prohibited to wash, bath, using of cosmetics or deodorants, wearing leather shoes and engaging in maritasexual relations are all prohibited on Yom Kippur.
It is customary to wear white, symbolising purity, on Yom Kippur.
Some people wear a kittel, the white robe in which the dead are buried.

******

Airports are shut down, planes are grounded, none in the sky, and all public transportation is halted.
There is no public transportation nor driving a motor vehicle.
Cars disappeared from roads and highways become empty, used mainly by children on bicycles seizing the rare opportunity to ride in the middle of the street.

Over the last few decades, bicycle-riding and inline skating on the empty streets has become a new tradition.
Emergency driving of cars are likely to be pelted with stones.

Stores, shops, cafes, all businesses are closed.
Yum Kippur sees the day when all Israeli radio and TV broadcasts go off air - No radio or television broadcasts and most likely, the Jews will not go online too, all cooped up with their atonement and their repentance.

How will our Yaumul 'Asyurah today going to be?

Friday, December 10, 2010

The Other World - Unseen Creatures And Maximising Positive Energy

Mr Lee of Canada commented,  
"... experiences with uncomfortable night visions, noises, whatever.
As well a relatives house with similar incidences.
Had to call the temple monks to say prayers etc to cleanse the house.
Incidentally it is now the law here when selling a house, you have to mention whether it's 'clean'....meaning no ghosts or whatever.
We had a friend's house here, and his basement would have very often some unearthly visions...
apparently we suspect its his hobby of collecting certain very old artifacts, as well wood carvings.
And it is believed certain spirits were disturbed being brought to Canada. "
 
Angklung Source: Bandung Visit

Scene One: 
My Mother was surprised that the angklung, a bamboo musical instrument which I bought at Tangkuban Perahu, some 30km away from Bandung, stay put at its place for many years.

She told me of people she knew that in their houses, the musical instrument would move from side to side by itself, thus causes repetition of notes being played.

******

Scene Two:
The cluster of bamboo trees behind my house when I was staying in Geylang, was the resident of 'a lady' who used to look into open windows of my house.

It was already night time when I thought it was My Mother waiting for me on a small bridge, some 50 metres away.
I hurried my pace to her, and she, with two hands on her back, walked ahead without looking back.

I was surprised when My Mother did not turn to the house, instead walked straight to the extreme corner of the house, leading to a small alley.
I followed my 'unusual-self mother', but stopped when reaching a small alley at the end of the house.

I saw her walked straight to the cluster of bamboo trees and entered her 'house'.

I was surprised at seeing her, although it was only her back.
But I was told that she showed herself only to men.

******

Scene Three:
A group of four year old nursery children crowded at the glass window to have a look at 'a group of Japanese soldiers' coming out of forested area nearby a mosque in the northern part of Singapore.
The children were talking among themselves of what they were seeing.

The teacher joined them, but could not see anything.
The next day, the same thing happened, and the teacher called a few teaching staff to confirm with their eyes, but they too, could not see anything.
It happened for a few days before parents were told of the few days 'rare' incidents happened for 'only children's viewing'
None reported of their children being 'disturbed' by what they saw.

Were those Japanese soldiers the same imaginary friends that children used to have?
Imaginary friends, GOD willing, will be an entry of itself.

******

Scene Four:
It was about the same time that My Husband would occasionally give a hand to His close friend delivering hampers and gifts, especially during year-end and festive seasons.
He would sometimes brought home the undelivered or to be delivered early morning the next day, goods and flower arrangements for opening ceremonies and occasions too.

My neighbours, upon seeing the many flowers' arrangement placed at the front porch, would relate stories of so and so, had their purchase of flowers decorated on tree trunks and stumps, being thrown away after sobbings and weepings were heard coming from the the flower decorations being decorated on real cuts of stumps and tree trunks.

Although no unfavourable happenings took place, but I've seen a number of such beautiful flower decorations 'staring' at me.

******

Scene Five:
I was in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, when, upon entering one of its antique shop selling furnitures, a strong negative energy enveloped the atmosphere, despite the shop being frequented by antique and furniture hunters.

I did not move further exploring the shop when what others saw, was one intricately crafted antique bed made of teak-wood, but I visualised a human being 'laid resting' on it.

So, the unearthy vision that Mr Lee experienced, related well with my experience in the antique shop.

****** 

The Prophet s.a.w. said:
"Wearing silk and gold is permitted for the women of my ummah and prohibited for the males." 
- Reported by Imam Ahmad.

Yes, gold jewellery is for women, for adornment, not for consumption and tableware.

Although gold is strictly forbidden for men, The Prophet s.a.w. however, permitted men to wear silver rings.

Al-Bukhari r.a. reported Ibn 'Umar r.a. saying,
"The Messenger of ALLAH s.w.t. wore a silver ring. 
After him, Abu Bakr and then `Umar and `Uthman wore it, 
until it fell off his finger into the well of Arees." 
- Reported by AlBukhari.

Gold is for women, and so is silk, for women too.
I've always encouraged women with heart disease, any kinds of heart disease, to put on silk clothing.
The worm, being nature gift to us human, in the clothing, is therapeutic.

Silk is not for healthy men.
But The Prophet s.a.w. made concessions in the wearing of silken garments on men for medical reasons.
He gave `Abdur Rahman bin `Awf and AzZubayr bin Al`Awwam, both of whom suffered from scabies, permission to wear silk, as reported by AlBukhari.

Gold, silver and silk, naming the above, and things we wear and things around us, believe me, are with its own unique energy.
It has effect on our daily chores.
All I could state here, what we see as merely motionless objects to our naked eyes, do play their specific role in conforming to the Law of Attraction by their energies in them, dispersed to us, human beings.

Didn't The Prophet s.a.w. said, as reported by AlBukari,
"It is better to sit alone than in the company with the bad; and it is better to sit with the good than alone."
It is better to speak to a seeker of knowledge than to remain silent; but silence is better than idle words."

Yes, our daily words usage, people we are with, and the environment we live in, all contributed to the fulfillment and rejection of our wish.

So old artifacts collected over time, had its unused negative energy accumulated, could transform into 'illusionary vision' that could give goose pimples to some.

But untapped positive energy once released, will impact some people of their mind, body, soul and health too.

Wood carvings mentioned by Mr Lee, GOD willing, will be in the next post, around next week, after returning from Batam.
Insufficient time to share it here what's in my mind!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Dzulhijjah In Memory And The Drawn 1431 Curtain

Dzulhijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar, marking the end of the year.

The CREATOR wants us all to end each of our living years with brotherhood forged and relationships rekindled, that is part of the reason why Haj to Mecca,

Qiblah (Qibla or Kiblah)
being at the centre of the earth, was set during the holy Dzulhijjah month.

Yes, it's one of the four holy months beside the holy Muharram, the first month of each year.
Both are holy months, and GOD strictly forbids fighting but building understanding and relationship for the betterment of all living creatures.

But, when one human's ego is bigger than his head, it is enough to stir anger in some of wicker and wicked hearts beings.
Then dissatisfaction and resentment went spiral, is going, and continues to...

Sacred or not the month of Dzulhijjah is, each heart's desire wins, despite GOD's blessing and warning that human's good (or evil?) deeds, are multiplied many times over.

Dzulhijjah is one of the month when one's heart will most likely be touched by HIS blessing or ...

"4- HE created mankind.
5- HE taught him the speech.
6- The sun and the moon are with calculations.
7- And the stars and the trees they both prostrate.
8- And the sky, HE Raised it and HE set up the Balance.
9- That do not exceed in the Balance.
10- And Establish the Weight with the Justice and do not reduce the Balance.
11- And the earth HE laid it down for the creatures.
12- In it and are date palms having fruit sheaths.
13- And the grains of fragrant having herbs flowers husk.
14-Then with which favours of RABB of you two, you two will?" - (Al-Qur'an 55: 4-14).

******

As Dzulhijjah 1431 drew its curtain on Sunday, clouds enveloped the sky the whole day.

"It is He Who created everything on the earth for you and then directed His attention up to heaven and arranged it into seven regular heavens. He has knowledge of all things." - (Qur'an, 2:29).

I had experienced of clouds like Sunday, with my phone roaming went dead the whole day.
Agitating to some, but ...
Those were days when our hearts and our whispers were heard...
To some who wants to believe ...

"The thunder glorifies HIS praise, as do the angels, out of fear of HIM.
HE discharges the thunderbolts, striking with them anyone HE wills. Yet still they argue about ALLAH when HE is inexorable in HIS Power!" - (Qur’an, 13:13) 

To some who wants to believe ...

****** 

It was the last days of Dzulhijjah 23 AH, or November 1st, 644 AD, that Saidina Umar r.a. while heading the morning prayer in Masjidin Nabawi, he was daggered with six blows over levy that he imposed on a foreign worker.
Thirteen others in the congregation were wounded, before the killer committed suicide by stabbing himself.

When he regained his conciousness, he reminded those surrounding him to stop praising his virtues and qualities.

He asked his son, Abdullah, to ask Aisyah r.a. for permission to be buried beside her Husband, The Prophet s.a.w., and her father, Saidina Abu Bakar r.a.
Umar was permitted to be buried, upon his death, close to to the two people that she was closed to, but with her weeping, she said,

"I had reserved the place for my own burial but I give Umar precedence over myself. Let him be buried there." 

Umar was indeed happy that having his greatest wish fulfilled, saying,

"GOD bless Aisyah. She has fulfilled my greatest wish. Now I can die in peace."

Nothing makes Umar happier than to be close with The Prophet s.a.w. and Saidina Abu Bakar r.a.

"... But I think Aisyah has given me permission out of respect for me. When I die, take me to her house and ask again for her permission..." 
"If she refused, bury me at Baqi'"

His son, Abdullah did as was instructed by his father when he passed away, and again, 'Aisyah gave her permission.

******

Before his death, Umar asked his son to estimate his unpaid debt - eighty six thousand dirhams*** inclusive of caliph salary that had been drawn from Baitul Mal.
His debt was to be paid from the money which his property will be put on sale.

About his funeral. he reminded his son to be moderate as should GOD Sees anything good in him, and should he is in GOD's favour, then GOD will change him a better shroud.
If otherwise, then he will be strip of all he has.

"... And be moderate in the grave that you dig for me, for verily if there be anything of good with GOD in my favour, HE will widen it for me, and if I have otherwise, HE will make it narrow for me to squeeze my body. "All Praise is to ALLAH. If all the treasures of this world were to be at my disposal, I would offer them as a ransom to be saved from the trial at the Day of Judgement." Umar continued.

These are words who succeeded Saidina Abu Bakar r.a., who, The Prophet s.a.w. had once remarked, "Abu Bakar's name shall be called out from all the gates of Paradise.

But the humble Saidina Abu Bakar r.a. used to say,
"I wish I were a tree that would be cut and done away with." 

"I wish I were a blade of grass, whose life ended with the razing by some beast." 

"I wish I were a hair on the body of a believer."

There was once when he was in a garden, seeing a singing bird, sighing deeply, he said,
"Oh bird, how lucky you are! You eat, you drink and fly under the shade of the trees, and you fear no reckoning of the Day of Judgement. I wish I were just like you."

Saidina Abu Bakar r.a. missed The Prophet s.a.w. so much that when he was ill, he was counting the days to eagerly waiting to 'see' The Prophet s.a.w.

He was always asking his companion,
"What day is it?" They said Saturday.

The next day he asked again
"What day is it?" They said Sunday.

Then he said, "I might die either today or tomorrow.
I wish to die on the same day as The Prophet."
But he did not.

He passed away (of food poisoning) on Tuesday Jumadil Akhir 21, 13 AH (August 23, 634 AD), befitting his ranking as the first caliph after the demise of The Prophet s.a.w., which was on Monday.

****** 

"The Messenger Believes in what has been Revealed to him from His LORD, as do the people of Faith. 
Each one believes in GOD, HIS angels, HIS books, and HIS apostles. 
"We make no distinction they say between one and another of HIS Messengers" 
And they say, 
"We hear, and we obey. 
We seek THY forgiveness, our LORD, and to YOU is all journey's end."

On no soul does GOD place a burden greater than it is able to bear. 
It receives every good that it has earned, and it will suffer every ill that it has earned. 
Pray: 
"Our LORD! Do not condemn us if we forget or fall into error! 
Do not lay on us a burden greater than we have the strength to bear. 
Blot out our sins, and grant us YOUR Forgiveness. 
Have Mercy on us. YOU are our Protector. 
Help us against those who stand against Faith." - (Qur'an, 2:285, 86).

*** In Pre-Islamic Persia, a dirham retained a stable gold value of about 4 gram. 
In the Islamic period, Saidina Umar r.a. himself introduced silver coins which was small unit weight of about 3 gram.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

The Other World - Self-Bred Poltergeist

An unrelated article about current issue with the word poltergeist splashed here and there, sure has the word poltergeist embedded in my mind, and the evil creature, as if physically appeared in front of my eyes.

Poltergeist or ghost, although they are different to some of us ( as ghost's presence in the surrounding is known to be haunting, poltergeist's presence is with its obvious disturbance and nuisance ), they are to me, all the same evil creatures.

Recently, during 'Aidilfitri, a friend received a call from her tenant, wanting her to do 'really something workable' to the house which she rented out to the newly married couple - the bathroom was always wet, as though it had just been used, although the couple were out working the whole day.
Even when the couple were around the house, taps would turn on by itself, blasting out water.

My friend was really lost for idea, having called knowledgeable men to cleanse the house and its area.
For a while, these evil creatures would make peace with them, then when their minds were to be at peace, these evil creatures started their antique characters again.
My friend had stayed briefly in their newly made house which they bought, before her in-laws asked them to stay in another house of theirs, which is just a few doors away from them.

The family had nothing of unpleasant incident about their house which they briefly stayed in.
So, her husband called up the family who moved in not long after they vacated their house in Kota Masai for their experience and opinion.

The family had stayed in the house in Kota Masai since newly married until with few kids and now had stayed in the house that they finally bought.
To the first tenant, they felt the same disturbance intially, but with regular prayers and not showing their fright to the evil creature who wanted to show their authority, they managed to 'chase' them away with regular Qur'an recitations and try to keep indoor when nights fall.

How was my friend going to tell the couple to turn to faith?
Was it a real ghost or poltergeist or... demons in them?

Believe me, some people, with too many negative thoughts in their mind and their hearts, evil creatures or evil spirits are bound to be easily attracted to them.
A person with high anxiety, highly confused, easily angry, always living in great fear and having great doubts about others, all their negative form of mental energy contributes greatly to these evil energies combined together, triggered the character of its main role player, by the 'unseen creatures' living among us, and they always wanted to be part of us and having us following their says.
Our characters and lifestyle, at times, without we realise, had them, these 'unseen creatures' bred in us, that cause our health and led them to inflict diseases in us, too.

I had seen of a family's mental health case with two characters:
The mother, whenever she was severely stressed, ( always caused by the husband's infidelity with numerous flingings with girls across the island ), was pleased to see me around, without realising that she was pouring her heart out.
During her calm days, her husband's infidelity was secretly guarded.

But the couple's only son, a lecturer, whose mental health had caused his job and his marriage, despise me being around whenever he was down with his unreleased tension and frustration.
He would warn people around him of my existence although his usual self is a pleasant, soft-spoken and one knowledgeable man.

For the family, surrendering the mother and son to the mental institution is the only solution, as the mother would unknowingly shamed the father in front their five children, and the father had never deny what the mother said.
She knew what he did with all those girls from across the island, the socks were his favourite place of hiding his money, and how much had he stolen from her.
In reality, during her sober period, she did not even know where her husband was, at such period of time.

The son, with mounting unspoken and unreleased tension and frustrations, could transform such pent-up feelings to huge energy as not only could carry a motorcycle, but even a car, to throw them into rivers and seas.

******

A cousin, who is in charge of the then newly built teachers' quarters in Pahang, had to be the first tenant to move into the walk up flat.
Again and again, he would knock at his ceiling with long poles, whenever there were pulling, pushing or screeching sound made by these unseen creatures, as though they had just moved into the empty upper floor houses and were arranging furnitures.
He would command them to stop acting foolish, as he is not the person to be fooled around.
Obey they did, and now the flat were all occupied with no 'moving in' of the unseen creatures again.

Then, even engines of the cars of those new tenants who had just moved in, were purposely started by them.

My cousin, even in the wee hours, had to shout and command them to stop their prank, which they all did.