“حلآل”

What does Halal or “حلآل”, means to you? or how strong is your sensitivity towards the Halal compliance by the food makers.. Let's go back to basic and question ourselves on how rigid are we in adhering the Halal compliance.. As Muslims, Halal is not something that can be kidded about.. whatever we consume is gonna be part of our flesh and blood.. we are what we eat, remember?

Lately, Halal status has been the alarming national concerns to us Muslims.. issues have been pressing one after another.. from Ramadhan Buffet to McD and to QBB Ghee.. last 2 days i've received an email from a colleague concerning McDonald's' halal status.. the issue is probed around Jakim's statement to withdraw Halal recognition for Uruguay Islamic Centre which involved Mac Food Services (M) Sdn. Bhd.. In the email, there was an attachment of a paper-cutting stating that Mac Food is the supplier for McDonald's.. Allahua'lam.. upon reading the email, my mind has been traveling back and forth to the countless visits i went to indulge on McD meals.. owh, i feel like fainting already.. Ya Allah, i seek for your forgiveness on my negligence to comply on the nahi mungkar..

Out of curiosity, i feel the urge to seek for the truth.. thus, i went to Halal Malaysia website and to my utter relieve, i found Jakim's statement dated 23rd August 2010 stating that Jakim is not suspending or withdrawing Halal Certificate for McDonald's or Mac Food Services (M) Sdn Bhd.. i'Allah, let's hope that statement can clear our doubts towards McD.. the statement can be found here.. Allahamdulillah..

However, to my dismay, the good news ended once i stumbled upon this statement in the Halal Malaysia website.. it is concerning QBI Packaging Sdn Bhd and its QBB Pure Ghee.. Jakim's statement dated 23rd August 2010 is suspending the Halal Cert for QBI until further notice, hence, the suspension covers on QBB Ghee.. the statement can be found here.. and my mind went back and forth again to number of times i indulged on Sugi Cookies, Pineapple Tarts, Nasi Minyak and the list continues.. imagine how famous this ghee is during Ramadhan and Eid especially among the cookies makers.. i almost bought the ghee myself the other day for having the intention to make Pineapple Tart.. Alhamdulillah, i didnt managed to grab that thing or it might go to waste.. but the point is, imagine how many of us have been consuming this substance since childhood.. it's totally frustrating.. i hope Jakim can clear this matter as soon as possible.. for us Muslim consumers, it's our duty to search for other Halal options until Jakim can prove it otherwise..

All these while, it seldom occurred in our minds that Halal issue can be this tensed and pressing in M'sia considering its claimed as an Islamic country.. i always have the impression that getting Halal food in M'sia is no biggie.. looks like, we have be extra careful on what we consume and what we buy after this.. we cant take it for granted and similar to Muslims whom stay abroad, we should also always remind ourselves to look on the labels of the items we buy so that we can be certain that the food is Halal.. but somehow, i think Muslims who live abroad especially in the UK have more conveniences to look for Halal foods.. the products in the UK are more Halal or vegetarian friendly than here in M'sia.. i've been there once and i found that most of their products state clearly if the items that are suitable for vegetarian.. i think M'sia should do that too.. we cant just be too sure that all M'sian products sell in the market are Halal for our consumption.. let's make Ramadhan this year as a start to walk the talk on nahi mungkar compliance.. Allahu'lam.. :)

Tamar . Kurma . Dates

Tamar, Kurma, Dates or whatever it is called refers to the very same thing.. The highly consumed fruit during Ramadhan El-Mubarak.. some just cudnt do iftar without it, and there are some whom just cudnt deal with it's sweetness.. and personally, i dun fond sweet stuff as well especially the soft very sweet ones [tamar] but there are some tamar i can deal with for they are less sweeter than the rest.. those are the fresh tamar and the dried Mariami by YuTa.. the fresh tamar reminds me of the days of our pilgrimage, when we can have easy access to fresh tamar on the street.. fresh tamar tastes the best.. nothing compares.. :)

Anyways, i came across an article of the benefit of having tamar in Ramadhan.. May it changes our perspective towards Rasulullah's most consumed food.. :)

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Breaking the fast with dates is a Ramadan tradition, as most of its benefits are unique to this particular fast. Breaking one's fast with dates, as well as praying before iftar, are both mentioned in the Hadith literature: "The Messenger of Allah would break his fast with ripe dates before he would pray. If those were not available, he would eat dried dates. If those were not available, he would drink some water."

One of the many physical benefits of breaking the fast with dates is that our body benefits from the date's high level of natural sugars. Sugars travel most quickly to the liver, where they are converted into energy more quickly than any other nutrient. Muslims have an immediate need for this energy when they break their fast, for they need energy to perform their sunset prayers. Ironically, one also needs this energy to consume the iftar meal. When a person eats, the body uses energy to digest the food. Eating large quantities of food immediately after fasting is not healthy for the body, which is in a weakened condition. Eating a date first helps the body start its digestive process and gives it the energy to deal with the secondary, more complex foods, eaten during ifta.

Dates are also high in vitamins A and B6, folic acid, potassium, natural sodium, iron, and magnesium. Thus, eating dates daily during Ramadan is like taking a daily multivitamin. This daily multivitamin can create a stronger and healthier body, one more fit for fasting. Dates also contain large amounts of dietary fiber, which can prevent any constipation that might result from eating the traditionally rich foods served during Ramadan. Additionally, dates protect the stomach and intestinal tract from parasites and bacteria, and thus is a good preventative medicine when eating iftar at unfamiliar locations.

Dates also have a special place in Islam. In fact, they were one of the Prophet's (SAW) most frequently consumed foods. For this reason, their benefit is most likely spiritual as well as physical. If their benefit were purely physical, one could perhaps consume any fruit high in natural sugars before iftar to gain similar benefits. However, the act of following the Prophet's (SAW) tradition is one way of connecting and remembering him, which is spiritually beneficial for Muslims.

One should pray after eating dates and before eating the main meal, because this short break gives the body time to metabolize the dates and water that have been consumed and to start the body's digestive processes, which have been resting all day. Eating large amounts of food immediately after breaking the fast resembles starting a car and the driving it without giving it enough time to warm up. As we know, this can damage the engine's internal mechanics.

The same is true with the body, for jump-starting the body's digestive processes can shock the entire organ system. In some cases, this shock could be dangerous. In most cases, however, it is simply an unhealthy way to break the fast. The immediate dangers are apparent in the increased need to sleep after the iftar. This sleepy feeling comes about because the body has expended so much energy on the digestive system that it needs to lower its other bodily functions in order to perform its digestive duties properly. Over time, this habit can cause long-term damage to the body.

...Wallahuaklam...

Ramadhan Kareem

Ramadhan Kareem.. Ramadhan is generous..

Alhamdulillah.. so far we have been blessed with 5 beautiful days of Ramadhan and the blissful tarawih.. comes tomorrow it will be a week that we are fasting in this holy month.. may today goes by in a meaningful way as well.. How are we going to make our days in Ramadhan meaningful? Well, i guess it's all up to us to reap all the blessings and benefits of this holy month.. wallahuaklam.. :)

Anyways, to seize the blissful moments of Ramadhan, i feel like sharing info on the blessings of this holy month which i came across from a webbie.. Wallahuaklam.. may it will be beneficial and to encourage all of us to grab this opportunity to reap the benefits that only come for visit once a year.. it's a shame that we dont realize the benefits of Ramadhan as if we do, we would wanna have a year full of Ramadhan.. :)

Blessings of Ramadhan:

• To ease us in achieving Taqwa by Fearing Allah (SWT), Practicing the Revelations of Allah (SWT), Accepting the lil things that one has achieved, Preparing the departure from this world to the Hereafter, Self-Discipline, Self-Control, Self-Restraint, Self-Education, and Self-Evaluation

• Works as the Protections of our manners from immorality, anger, doing all the makroohs, mashbooh & haram doings
  

• Ramadhan is the month of Al-Quran Revelation. The holy kitab helps the mankind as the guidance, the manifestation of right and wrong, the summation and culmination of all previous revelations, a glad-tiding to the believers, a healer, and a mercy

• Ramadhan is the time when doors of heaven are opened. Let's take this opportunity to reap the blessings

• Time for the doors of hell are closed
  

• Devils (Syaitan) are chained down. We should take this opportunity to increase good-doings.
  

• Forgiveness from the Almighty for individual sins if we are fasting with Iman (faith)

• Door of Rayyan - it is a door in paradise for the fasting Muslims

• The Rejoices for Muslim whom fast in Ramadhan and those are when breaking fast & when meeting Allah (SWT) on the Judgment Day

• The Mouth Smell - the smell of fasting Muslims is better that the smell of musk during the Judgment Day

• Glad-Tiding - These glad-tidings are given to the well-wishers while the ill wishers are to be stopped during fasting

• Ramadhan to Ramadhan blessing - Whoever is fasting in two consecutive months between the Ramadhan to Ramadhan with good intention will receive forgiveness for mistakes committed throughout the year. AllahuAkbar!!

• Multiplication of Rewards : Good-doings entitle for rewards 10x, 70x, 700x, or more during Ramadhan
  

• Feeding others & Sadaqah : if we invite others to break fast or take care of the hungry, needy person(s) during the last ten days of Ramadhan will receive equal rewards of the fasting person(s)

• Blessing of Iftar - Dua is accepted by Allah (SWT) at Iftar time

• Blessing of Sahur - This meal time gives the opportunity for Night Prayers, Zikr, Remembrance, Contemplation, Recitation of Al-Quran, Fajr Solat in jamaah, and Dua of Fajr

• Night Prayers Blessings - if perform with sincerity and good intention will receive forgiveness of the past mistakes.

• Shafa'at - Those who fast during Ramadhan will receive Shafa'at of Ramadhan & Al-Quran during Judgment Day

• Ihya (Passing Nights Awake) - Efforts made during last ten days of Ramadhan will get rewards, forgiveness, and multiple blessings

• I'tikaf (Retreat) during last ten days of Ramadhan will get blessings and rewards, peace of mind, and contemplation and evaluation

• Lailatul Qadr - Rewards for those who performs Ibadah with sincerity and good intention

• Generosity - Ramadhan is the month of Kindness, Hospitality, and Visitation
  

• Zakat Fitrah & Sadaqah - Charity to the needy with the purpose for purity, feeding the needy, sharing happines, improving human relations, and improving society

• Fasting & Health - Fasting helps to purify our body from toxins, reduce weight, purify our brain, rejuvenate body and look younger

• Sharing Concept - of hunger, thirst, and rituals with others in the society. Helps to increase empathy

• Eid-ul-Fitri - to share happiness for the success in performing a month of fasting

• Graveyard visits - Helps to extend our Dua to the deceased, preparing oneself for departure from this world, feeling respect for the deceased, and make the person to be humbled in his life

• Every breath is Tasbiih. Every breath and even sleep is Ibadah and being awarded

• Umrah in Ramadhan. Visiting Makkah during Ramadhan is equal to one Hajj and one Hajj with Prophet Mohamad (PBUH)

• Historical Success and Victories during Ramadhan. There are numbers of events took place during Ramadhan ~ Battle of Badr, Battle of Khandaq, Opening of Makkah, Battle of Tabuk, Tariq Ibn Ziyad opened Europe, Salahuddin liberated Jerusalem from the crusaders.

Wallahuaklam..

Look at all the blessings, peeps.. Plenty, aight? it's our call to seize the opportunity in reaping all these blessings while Ramadhan is still here.. and if you may realize, among all the blessings, Allah's Forgiveness is mentioned so many times.. Ramadhan is the month for us to seek for HIS forgiveness and blessings.. so what are we waiting for.. Let's grab this opportunity to be a good Muslims and good Servant.. insyaAllah.. :)

Ramadhan, here and there..

Ramadhan has already set foot on its 3rd day.. Alhamdulillah, the other 2 previous days went on smoothly.. As for us Johorean, 1st Ramadhan is one of our public holiday.. wehoo!!

Day 1, went on great.. we managed to get ourselves busy at the kitchen instead of cramping the Pasar Ramadhan crowd that afternoon.. practicing the prudence concept in Ramadhan, we only pulled simple home cooked meal to fulfill the hunger.. my mom cooked simple chicken soup to be served with rice and veg, while i made Kuih Bingka Roti & Jagung for dessert.. Alhamdulillah, it may seemed simple but indeed was a hearty meal for us all.. my bingka might look horrible, but it didnt taste as bad.. i can see everyone was enjoyed eating it..

Day 2, after a relaxing day off, it was hard to drag myself to the office yet again.. thank God, we are permitted to punch out an hour earlier on Ramadhan for coming in half an hr earlier than usual.. The co allows us to punch in at 8am and knock off at 4.30pm.. Alhamdulillah, the new office hour helps us to beat the traffic congestion.. i had smooth rides both on morning and afternoon journeys.. :)

Day 3, yet another day at the office.. i just cant wait to go back home and now it's 15 mins to go and still ticking.. the AC coldness makes my eyes heavy and i've dozed off for a couple of time.. i just cudnt remember the number of times i yawned already.. how i wish i can get myself curling up at Ruang Barakah next door.. huhu..

So, these are the here and there of my 1st 3 days in Ramadhan.. nothing interesting aight, ahaha.. again, im wishing all muslimeen and muslimah, Happy Fasting.. :)

Ahlan Ya Ramadhan

Marhaban ya Ramadhan..

Comes tonite, the month of Ramadhan is setting its journey with us.. so are we ready to set our venture with Ramadhan this year? insyaAllah, may everything goes smoothly..

to some, Ramadhan is a month most awaited for as it comes only once a year.. but undeniably, there are individuals whom dread the arrival of this holy month.. well, at the end of the day, it's up to our intention to speak for Ramadhan.. wallahuaklam :)

im happy as all my sisters are here in Malaysia to celebrate Ramadhan together this year for Aina³ will be here until 5 days before Eid.. i'Allah we'll be able to do iftar and perform tarawih together.. i'Allah

anyways, im wishing all Muslimeen and Muslimah wherever you are, across the globe, Happy Fasting and Ramadhan Mubarak.. let's seize barakah of Ramadhan while it's still here, we never know if this Ramadhan might be the last one for us.. Allahuaklam..

♥Our Lil Road Trip♥

and we were accompanied by the ladybird.. tehee!!
no no no.. not lady gaga.. albeit alehandro made several appearances here and there along the way.. wakaka!!

my sister, the Aina³ is now in Malaysia for her a month of summer holiday.. thus, with the lil time both me and the Aina² have, we only managed to pull a short road trip to Malacca.. half of the day were madly rushed spent in KL for both the other Ainas have to make a visit to their fav bookshop, Kamal.. talk about that bookshop, from the outside, it merely looks like any other mamak's small magazine shops with lollipops, newspapers and all, but if we enter further inside, we can see shelves full of medical books.. medical students across the globe order books from Kamal via online.. truly a believe it or not trivia.. seriously, no kidding!!

since, the 3 of us weren't disciplined enough to make the trip fruitful, we only managed to go to several places in Malacca and one of 'em is Melaka Planetarium.. somehow, we think we are too old for the planetarium stuffs.. nothing much to intrigue us, the exhibition still needs much improvement.. and the video session was kinda cheesy for our liking and in fact, i caught my sisters sleeping during the show.. well, this kind of stuffs may suit school children only, i guess.. the entrance fee of RM10 was kinda pricey considering its minimal exhibition there.. thx God me and Aina³ can use our student cards to enjoy discount of RM3 each..

all in all, although the trip wasnt fruitful enough, we enjoy our leisure moments, did taken some pictures here and here, mostly in the car, wakakaka!! too bad, Aina³ is going back to the UK just days before Eid, so another road trip will be without her.. im planning to make another road trip during my sem break with my other two Ainas..

"Skunk" vs "Skang"

Disclaimer: This entry may only be computable by matured youngster at the age of 30s and likewise. Wakakakaka!!

Hurm, have you ever received text messages which wanna make you scratched your head so hard until your scalp came out. If so, did the content made u think that u're reading an intergalactic secret code from outer space or something that was so hard to be deciphered? Did you ever experienced headache for trying so hard to make a word out of it which made you think learning alien language is its only solution.. If u ever encountered these scenarios, it shows that we are speaking the same language.. wakakaka!!

i dont know what's up with the teenagers and their text messages nowadays.. how much have i aged that sometimes i just cudnt add up with the whole thing.. am i too old for this kind of stuffs.. at 1st i thot i was doing ok for being able to understand normal short forms that are popular among my kind (sounds like an alien tribe, aight.. muahahaha).. in fact, i managed to assist my parents with my sister's text messages.. but then, i came across text messages with words or more like codes that were strangers to me.. we cudnt help my parents with it anymore.. by saying we, it includes my sister who is 3 years younger than me.. how far have the youngsters progressed and how far have we being left behind..

words like "aq" or "q" to replace aku, "ske" for suka, "dy" for dia, "sayyew" for saya, "y" for yang, "nTiw" for nanti, "korunk" for korang and "skunk" for skang and whole bunches more seem like the in thing for them.. btw, skunk? seriously? wakakaka.. it makes u wonder, what's on their mind, huh.. it's not redecorating words is an alien to us, we did that and still using it but somehow seem manageable by the older people..

i guess, our moms, dads and the older generations must have experienced this scratching head thing with us before.. they must have their wrinkling foreheads moments when reading our text messages before.. during our times we did some changes to the words in our text like "ko" to replace engkau, "korang" for engkau orang, "ktrg" for kitorang and more.. i have once been nagged by my mom for using korang and kitorang.. she went on like this "apa korang2, kitorang2, ish budak2 nih".. muahahaha..

so i guess each generation is entitled to their own identity.. we have created our own legacy with "korang", "ko" and stuffs.. so we have to deal with the younger generation as well just like how our parents did with us.. but, somehow, i still think our version is much more computable than the kiddos' because all we did was to shorten the words for convenience while them creatively redecorating it robustly to embed coolness elements.. whatever it is, i guess it's just their shot now and let's not steal their thunder and deal with it..