why360: September 2006

I was wrong!

I was wrong! In my last posting I said that the Tarawih prayers are led by two young Imams from South Thailand. These young Imams are Hafiz, that is they can remember all the verses in the Koraan by heart. They recite these during the night prayers.

And I found out,

This young guy is our very own Malaysian, from Kuala Selangor, about 50 km from Kuala Lumpur.

Yes, this guy is from South Thailand, from somewhere in Narathiwat.

Both are from a Tahfiz school (a school especially teaching the rememberance of all the verses in the Koraan, in addition to normal lessons taught in a normal Malaysian school. There are many such schools in Malaysia)in Rantau Panjang, the northernmost border town between Thailand and the State of Kelantan in Malaysia.

First day of fasting 2006

Its the first day of Ramadan 2006, (Hijrah 1427). Muslim starts obligatory fasting from today, for 1 month.

This morning, after the Subuh prayers, we had an Ustaz (a Muslim religious teacher) talking to us, reminding us of our obligations, as a Muslim, in this fasting month. In our Surau (small masjid but no Friday prayers done here, in the outskirt of Kuala Lumpur at Section 5 Wangsa Maju township).

Ramadan, a month of goodness with great rewards from Allah.

And last night, after the Maghrib prayers, by coincident, we had some 'tabligh' (travelling Muslims, in small groups, who want to experience the hardship of good Muslims of old, normally they do this over a period of 40 days, living rough and trying to expound the virtues of Islam among themselves and to others who are willing to listen)guests from Indonesia. One of them gave a short talk on Islam. They are with us for only 3 days.

The Tarawih prayers (we did 20 rakaah) and the Witr prayers (3 rakaah), after the evening Isha prayers, were led by two young Iman in turn, and they were from South Thailand. They will be with us for almost the whole of the fasting month.

"The month of Ramadaan is the month of great gains and profits. The smart trader is the one who makes the most of special occasions to increase his profits. So make the most of this month by doing lots of acts of worship, praying a great deal, reading Qur’aan, forgiving people, being kind to others and giving charity to the poor.

In the month of Ramadaan the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are shut. The devils are put in chains and a caller cries out each night, O seeker of good, proceed, O seeker of evil, desist.

So, O slaves of Allaah, be among the people of good, following the path of your righteous forebears who were guided by the Sunnah of your Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), so that we may end Ramadaan with our sins forgiven and our righteous deeds accepted.

We ask Allaah, The Most High, to forgive you and us in this blessed month, and to make us of those who have true Taqwa (God-Consciousness)."

Wishing all Muslims well in this good month.

TQ Ustaz Arieff Salleh Rosman

Thank you Ustaz Arief Salleh Rosman for imparting your Islamic Religious knowledge to us at Surau An-Naim in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur.

Your once a month visit to us, talking to us, teaching us, reminding us had been very useful; and your patient and deep knowledge on matters pertaining to Islamic beliefs and everyday life situation had us transfixed to your teachings.

You have been with us for not a very long period, but we will surely miss you when you are gone.

We wish you all the best and the happiness in your new sorroundings.

Changing of the Guard.

Jalan Wong Ah Jang in Kuantan (Malaysia) has undergone a drastic change of scenery. For better or for worse, in health or in sickness.........there were murmurs (http://aplikasi.kpkt.gov.my/akhbar.nsf/
521fb206a8dbd0a34825697400224def/
020e13dbe237f7b0482570a6000a21e4?OpenDocument), and that was all.... life has to go on.