Eid Mubarak

Syawal… the month where Muslims are celebrating for their success of fasting and performing ‘ibadah’ during the Holy month of Ramadhan. But the phenomena in Malaysia is quite different relative to other countries (I suppose), where the celebration of Eid Mubarak will continue until the end of this month (30 days). Almost every weekend, people will busy attending or organizing open houses, visiting relatives and friends.

In a way, these practices are good in order to enhance the relationship among themselves. But the ceremony and activity should follow the ruling and teaching of Islam, including awareness on the Mu’amalat (communication) especially between opposite genders and avoid westage.

For myself, this year Syawal has it’s own special meaning and ‘mood’. Well, I’ve got to prepare for my 2nd posting exam: psychiatry. Therefore, I’m not really enjoying myself actually and preoccupied with the thought of exam BUT still, I can’t concentrate in studying while my other family members and relatives happily celebrate this month.

Hoewever, right after the exam, we managed to gather among our friends nearby and went to some of our houses for ‘raya’ visiting. It’s quite interesting, coz for almost 7 years we knew each other, this is the first time we’ve got together and went to each other houses; know each other more. This will be difficult in next year, with our tight schedule as junior housemanship.

My sister (a medical doctor) once told me that you will only know the true colors of your friend when you both will be in difficult situation. For example, friend A and B (medical doctors) were exhausted with long working hour everyday, and one day when friend A asked friend B to take over his on-call because of being sick, friend B might be refused to help and ignore his difficulties. This will up to extend of ignoring a friend who is in labor, waiting to deliver…huh, this will what happen when the friendship is not based on our strong belief to God, without strong bonding of ‘ukhuwwah’. People will only think of their own interest and ignore others.

I like to share a quotation from a very good lesson drama on drug addict in rehabilitation centre, showing their struggle to get back to the society and being functioning and humane as before:

Walaupun dugaan kita berbeza
Tapi kita dating dari arah yang sama….
((Though our challenges are different
But we are from the same direction…))

So in whatever calamities or difficulties we face in life, think back again our main purpose of life, where we come from and to where we all will return. Life is not only for the sake of living….

The Last 10 Nights of Ramadhan…

It has been quite some time for me not adding a new post in this blog. Though psychiatric posting is not as tiring as surgical posting, but I was pre-occupied most of the time with seminars, tutorials, reading and furthermore, this is The Holy month of Ramadhan, gotta spend more time in pursuing His blessings and forgiveness. Regarding my current ‘interesting’ psychiatry posting, I’ll reserve after I finished the end exam posting. Lots of things to be told.

Ramadhan indeed gives a different perception in everyone, in each year. And we always pray to Allah that this Ramadhan will be a better one, right? But it’s a common phenomena in this country, where the spirit of Syawal is more than the spirit of the last 10 nights of Ramadhan, the quest of Lailatul Qadr. There will be two nights left before the holy month ends, and let us ponder ourselves, have we really spend our days and nights well enough and collect rewards as much as possible to bring for in the hereafter? I’ve read a beautiful poem recently from my email, it was in Malay, and mentions on what if this Ramadhan is our last one….let me share the poem here as for our benefit in this life…

ANDAI INI RAMADHAN

YANG TERAKHIR

andai kau tahu ini Ramadhan terakhir
tentu siangnya engkau sibuk berzikir
tentu engkau tak akan jemu melagukan syair rindu
mendayu..merayu...kepada-NYA Tuhan yang satu
andai kau tahu ini Ramadhan terakhir
tentu sholatmu kau kerjakan di awal waktu
sholat yang dikerjakan...sungguh khusyuk lagi tawadhu'
tubuh dan qalbu...bersatu memperhamba diri
menghadap Rabbul Jalil... menangisi kecurangan janji
"innasolati wanusuki wamahyaya wamamati lillahirabbil 'alamin"
[sesungguhnya solatku, ibadahku, hidupku, dan matiku...
kuserahkan hanya kepada Allah Tuhan seru sekalian alam]

andai kau tahu ini Ramadhan terakhir
tidak akan kau sia siakan walau sesaat yang berlalu
setiap masa tak akan dibiarkan begitu saja
di setiap kesempatan juga masa yang terluang
alunan Al-Quran bakal kau dendang...bakal kau syairkan

andai kau tahu ini Ramadhan terakhir
tentu malammu engkau sibukkan dengan
bertarawih...berqiamullail...bertahajjud...
mengadu...merintih...meminta belas kasih
"sesungguhnya aku tidak layak untuk ke syurga-MU
tapi...aku juga tidak sanggup untuk ke neraka-MU"

andai kau tahu ini Ramadhan terakhir
tentu dirimu tak akan melupakan mereka yang tersayang
mari kita meriahkan Ramadhan
kita buru...kita cari...suatu malam idaman
yang lebih baik dari seribu bulan

andai kau tahu ini Ramadhan terakhir
tentu engkau bakal menyediakan batin dan zahir
mempersiap diri...rohani dan jasmani
menanti-nanti jemputan Izrail
di kiri dan kanan ...lorong-lorong redha Ar-Rahman

Duhai Ilahi....
andai ini Ramadhan terakhir buat kami
jadikanlah ia Ramadhan paling berarti...paling berseri...
menerangi kegelapan hati kami
menyeru ke jalan menuju ridho serta kasih sayangMu Ya Ilahi
semoga bakal mewarnai kehidupan kami di sana nanti

Namun teman...
tak akan ada manusia yang bakal mengetahui
apakah Ramadhan ini merupakan yang terakhir kali bagi dirinya
yang mampu bagi seorang hamba itu hanyalah
berusaha...bersedia...meminta belas-NYA

If this is our last Ramadhan, let us make it the unforgetful one, purify our soul with forigveness among ourselves and aslo from The Almighty...

Remembrance of Al-Quds

Hikmah Kembara

Hikmah Kembara

Album : Hikmah Kembara
Munsyid : Mirwana
http://liriknasyid.com

Di sini kau berdiri

berpijak di bumi
menjunjung langit yang luas
Pernahkah kau berfikir
alam penuh rahsia
anugerah yang maha esa

Berjalan,bermusafirlah
melihat kebesaran tuhan
yang diciptakan untuk
mereka yang berfikir
dan bersyukur di atas nikmat
dan kurnianya
nilai harganya,iman dan taqwa
bagi hamba yang setia

Tiada beza warna,kulit atau rupa
yang ada hanya insan yang lemah
dengan satu tujuan mencari keredhaan
dan berbudi di bumi tuhan

Fikirkanlah..dimana arah kita
Renungilah..hikmah kembara
menuju kasih
buktikan cinta kita..
kepadanya..
ini kembara kita

Berjalan dan bermusafirlah
untuk melihat kebesarannya
lantas berfikir dan bersyukur
diatas nikmat dan kurnianya
nilai harganya iman dan taqwa
bagi hamba yag setia

I- Quest (15th – 17th August 2008)

This is my first week in 2^nd posting as a final year medical student. But this time was not as difficult as before to get start and ‘on the go’. I rather reserve my experience in Psychiatry posting till the end of this 7 weeks posting coz I’m sure there will be lots of interesting and lessons could be taken from this unpopular posting.

What is going on in our campus IIUM Kuantan, which I like to highlight here. We are having an open day, called I-Quest. I supposed it stands for Islamic Kuantan Festival. But the letter ‘Q’ is more suitable for the name (Quest) than the letter ‘K’. It is a big program, though not as big as in Gombak Campus. But the crowd and activities are lot better than last year, a very encouraging improvement. I’m glad how this isolated and quiet place becoming merrier and well-known to the society. As all the courses in this campus are science based, a theme was created: ‘Reviewing the Science, Revival of Islam’. Initially I thought this theme will be too high ambitious and may be difficult for outside people to understand and digest. But Alhamdulillah, after attending the forum last night, I’ve understand the spirit it tries to convey. Well done to all the committee in charge!

In International Islamic University of Malaysia, we have been exposed with Islamic Input and very familiar with term of islamization and islamicization. It means that we correlate the science knowledge we’ve gained (mainly from the west nowadays) with Islamic knowledge toward better understanding our nature, the environments and most important of all: our Creator, Allah s.w.t. So it is true that by learning science, we are actually getting closer to Him rather than deviate and becoming arrogant. Allah s.w.t mentioned in the Holy Book of Qur’an:

“We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur’an) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things?” (Fussilat: 53)

Maybe this sounds a bit theoretical and academic, but how to apply? I’ve once read a very interesting story from the internet in this matter of science and faith:

An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty. He asks one of his new Muslim students to stand and.....
Professor: You are a Muslim, aren't you, son?
Student : Yes, sir.
Prof: So you believe in God?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Prof: Is God good?
Student : Sure.
Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student : Yes.
Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm?
(Student is silent.)

Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?
Student :Yes.
Prof: Is Satan good?
Student : No.
Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student : From...God.. .
Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student : Yes.
Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Prof: So who created evil?

(Student does not answer.)
Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student :Yes, sir.
Prof: So, who created them?
(Student has no answer.)
Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student : No , sir.
Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student : Yes.

Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.
Student : No sir. There isn't. (The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)

Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where theargument is going.)
Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class is in uproar.)

Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain? (The class breaks out into laughter.)
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it?....No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable. )
Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student : That is it sir.. The link between man & god is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive.

So, is science is the ultimate answer for everything in this life? Does evidence based medicine is the explanation for all diseases and ailments of the people? Let us ponder and reflect then…

What money will buy:

A bed but not sleep
Books but not brains
Foods but not appetite
Finery but not beauty
A house but not a home
Medicine but not health
Luxuries but not culture
Amusements but not happiness
Religion but not salvation

(Poem from book: ‘Kuliah Tauhid’)

Season In the Sun

Few days ago, I accompanied my friend to distribute her wedding cards to our previous high school teachers.. The funny thing about me is, I tend to call them Dr coz it has been a routine for me to call my lecturers back at Kuantan as Dr (well they are medical doctors). This shows that I have the same impression and respect to all that has taught me, regardless their background of education, Thank You Teachers and Doctors.

When I step back to my school, looking at the same building but with some add up here and there (especially the plants and ponds, Well done Pn Fuziah!), it seems like a playback for me, when I was at the school 7 years ago. Time past away very fast, it seems just like few years back I was still wearing the school uniform and going to biology labs and doing experiments with my fellow friends. When I met the teachers, it was like a new spirit and courage for me to go on and be success in this life, realizing how big their hope toward us. Some of my friends said that I was the teacher’s pet back then but I don’t think so. I wish I could rejuvenate myself and gather back all the energy and courage I’ve had when I was young… have passion with what I’m doing…Cayo!

Home Sweet Home

There’s no place like home…Even if your home is not as big as a mansion or as beautiful as those in magazines, as long as it is home, it is the place where the heart lays. For me, my home gave me a lot of memories as I grew up in this place and it has the same age as me, 24 years. Lots of change it has been underwent same as me. What make it so special is, the people inside the house: my BIG family. I think this will be the same with other people. For example, a small village house with 10 people inside will still be happy as long as they got each other and be together.

In my house, I feel secure and comfortable. I can hold myself from going outside to the city or shopping at Kuala Lumpur coz I have soldiers of the house, he…they are very reliable, yeah right. Just look at the pictures, what are they doing to make the house become the noisiest one in Lorong Mawar Putih 1. But now, they all grow up already, and going into the phase of manhood, but still acting like small kids occasionally.

There are lots of differences in the area of my house nowadays compared to when I was kid. Previously, our row will be filled with laughing and shouting of children from the neighborhood, playing ‘sukaneka’ at my house’s field every evening. But now, as most of us are grown up, the place became very busy occasionally only when wedding ceremonies are held. How I miss my childhood time. No stress no worries…

SURGICAL EXAMS...

Alhamdulillah, I've reached another year of maturity today, turning into 24 years old. Maybe that's make today lighten a bit after a quite devastating (again) experience of surgical exam. 'De javu' is an impression of having seen or experienced something before. That's what I felt when I was taking my shortcase this morning, with the same lecturer, and similar type of case that caused me severe mental block and anxiety...what a bad experience..phew, than I've got to reexamine, but yet I'm not satisfied with my performance, I knew I could do better than that.. but when I look back, there must be always 'hikmah' in all these.. I should learn from mistake...

“My past is my wisdom to use today. . . my future is my wisdom yet to experience. Be in the present because that is where life resides.”
Gene Oliver quotes (Former American baseball player b.1935)

“One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.”

May Allah guide me to presevere and steadfast in this journey of world.Ameen...

Tribute to the Palestinian Children...

Since the start of the Intifada in September 2000, not one Palestinian child has been left untouched by Israel’s continued brutal occupation: children too young to walk or speak have been shot dead by Israeli forces, others have seen friends and family members killed or injured, watched as their homes have been destroyed and parents humiliated, been beaten and tortured and thrown into prison without charges or trial. Physically and psychologically, socially and educationally their young lives are systematically being destroyed.

Such is the extent of the children’s suffering that concepts which are usually key for child rights organisations, such as the right to play, seem like unattainable luxuries. It is impossible to begin discussing these entitlements when Palestinian children are methodically denied even their most basic right: the right to life and personal security.

Over the course of 2003, a total of 130 children were killed by Israeli troops in the occupied territories, and a further 21 Palestinian children have been killed in the first three months of this year alone. The youngest of these, six-year old Khaled Maher Walwil from Nablus, died less than a fortnight ago. He was shot in the back as he turned away from the window on the second floor of his house. Khaled had stayed at home that day, too frightened to go to school because there were Israeli soldiers in the area.

The impact of the occupation permeates every level of children’s lives and has a direct impact on their fundamental rights. A short journey to school is fraught with danger; obtaining a permit to travel to hospital can take weeks, and for the Palestinian children of East Jerusalem, even the right to be cared for by their parents is under threat. The Israeli stranglehold on the OPT is squeezing the life out of the Palestinian economy. Already half the Palestinian workforce is unemployed, leaving 70 per cent of the population living below the poverty line. With the UN halting food deliveries to Gaza due to new Israeli restrictions, cases of malnutrition there are bound to increase, compounding the threat to the physical and mental development of Palestinian children. The protection of child rights, even in their most basic form, is absolutely necessary and vital in this worsening situation when the number and impact of violations are increasing daily. The international community has a responsibility to uphold and protect the rights of children and enforce these standards when states transgress. It is imperative that the world acts today to force Israel to abide by its explicit responsibilities to all children in the Occupied Territories as set down in the CRC and consequently, cease immediately the deliberate violation of their rights.

Defence for Children International / Palestine Section

A video to ponder;April 5, 2004

Don't Give Up on PALESTINE!

It’s been a quite long time for me to start on typing on this issue. Previously, I just collecting all the articles, pictures and informations that I got from the internet. But I think there must be something I can do for FALASTHEEN (Palestine), even if it’s small, but at least it’s something…

I was attracted by a headline of an article in a newspaper that I read few months back. It said (translated in Enflish): Don’t Give up on Palestine Issues. Everyday when we read the International sections, there must be news on killing of the Palestinians by the Jews, the never ending discussions and agreements… Muslim nowadays when were asked on their weakness, lists of things they could give. But when it comes to their strength, they became silence and indecisive…

When we look for the strength in ourselves, we will be very weak.

When we look for strength in Allah, we will be invincible…

When I was on holiday, last 2 months, Alhamdulillah, I was given a chance to attend a talk by a Palestinian, Isa al-Imad. He is a PhD holder in human resource and family. Although he spoke in Arabic, I didn’t even sleep for the 2 hours talk coz the courage that he showed throughout the talk and there was a translator furthermore. He mentioned on something that really awakening the audience.

He asked a lady (mother of 7) from the audience: “How far can you run?” “Hm, maybe around 2 km”, said the lady. “What if I give RM100 for each 100m that you run?” he asked again. “Alright then, I can run another 2km,” replied the lady. “Can you go further than that?” he asked again.” I don’t think so coz that will be my limit, I suppose,” said the lady. “Well, I can make you run further, “he said confidently. “How?” asked the lady. “By giving you a dog to catch you…” haha, do you got what he means?

In our lives, there are many driving force in order for us to do what we are doing, right? Interest, money, love and the most powerful driving force is: FEAR. For example, what can make us stayed up all night, sleepless and study to the last minute before the examination on the next day, it’s because of fear of failing…That same goes to the people in Plaestine. The fear of God The Almighty makes them stay and remain in their land, defencing not just for the country but for the the diin of Islam. This is not a matter of Nationalism but a matter of Religion. Sadly, yet many of the Nuslims in all over the world didn’t realize this importance of Palestine Issue. They just sympathy not empathy… The motivator said we’ve got to give our help according to our own capabilities, although not much, but persistent…At least, never forget the Palestinian in our daily prayer…

Therefore in order to succeed, we’ve got to have a decision (QARAR), proceed with what we’ve decided (ISRAR), and persistence in what we’re doing (ISTIMRAR). 10 keys in order to help al-Aqsa:

1) Willingness (Rughbah) 2) Knowledge (Ma'rifah) 3) Practice (Mumarosah) 4) Optimistic (Taghawul) 5) Imaginary (Taswur) 6) Iltizam (Iltizam) 7) Discipline (Inthibat) 8)Patient (Sobru) 9) Continue in effort (Mudawamah) 10)Flexible (Murunah)

Qunut Nazilah (calamity)

This is the kind of special prayer (supplications) recommended in time of calamities and tragedies. As Muslims, we should alwez remember our brothers and sisters who are suffering all around the world by praying to Allah to grant them victory and relief.

Here is a sample of Qunut An-Nazilah :

“O Allah, We seek Your help; we beseech Your forgiveness.
We affirm our faith in You; we praise You.
We reject and abandon everyone who forsakes You.
O Allah, You alone do we worship; unto You alone we pray, and before You alone we prostrate in worship.
Unto You alone we strive and implore.
We cherish hope in Your mercy; we fear Your chastisement.
Most certainly, Your stern punishment will overtake those who reject the truth.
O Allah, we ask Your help against the aggressive Zionists who have committed crimes (against the oppressed), who have violated the sanctities, and killed, and dispersed the oppressed in Palestine.
O Allah, they cannot overwhelm You.
O Allah, You who are the Lord of the oppressed,
Help the oppressed (against their oppressors).
O Allah, show us Your miraculous powers in dealing with them (i.e. the aggressors).
O Allah, make their plans a plan for their destruction.
Make their armies a source of their own defeat.
Make their prison a prison for them.
O Allah, help the oppressed against the oppressors in all parts of the world.
O Allah, have mercy on the Ummah of Muhammad.
O Allah, bring relief to the Ummah of Muhammad.
O Allah, You are the twister of hearts, make our feet steadfast on the path of truth.
O Allah, make us all guides unto truth and make us rightly guided.
O Allah, bless and send peace on Your Prophet and Messenger Muhammad and his entire family and Companions.


Transliteration:

“Allaahumma innaa nasta’eenubika wa nastaghfiruka
Wa nu’minu bika wa nuthnee alayka
Wa nakfuru wa naturuku man yafjuruka
Allaahumma iyyaaka na’budu walaka nusallee wa nasjudu
Wa ilayka nas’aa wa nahfidu
Narjoo rahmataka wa nakshaa ‘adhaabaka
Inna adhaabaka al-jidda bi al-kuffaari mulhiq
Allahumma alayka bi al-ssahaayinat al-mu’tadeena al-mujrimeena
Alladheena istabaahoo al-hurumaati wa qataloo wa sharradoo al-mustadh’afeen fee Filasteen,
Allaahuma innahum laa yu’jizoonaka
Allaahumma rabba al-mustadh’afeen
Unsur al-mustadh’afeen (three times)
Allaahumma arinaa feehim ajaa’iba qudratika
Allaahumma ij’al tadbeerahum tadmeeran alayhim
Wa ij’al jundahum jundan alayhim
Wa ij’al sijnahum sijnan alayhim
Allaahumma unsur al-mustadh’afeen fee kulli makaani
(three times)
Allaahumma unsurhum nasran mu’azzaran (three times)
Alllaahumm irham ummata Muhammad (three times)
Allaahumm farrij an ummati Muhammadin (three times)
Allaahumma yaa muqalliba al-qulooba thabbit quloobanaa alaa al-haqq
Allaahumma ij’alnaa hadeen muhtadeen
Allaahumma salli wa sallim ala nabiyyika wa rasoolika Muhammadin wa alaa aalihi wa sahbihee ajma’een.”

Donation to Aman Palestine can goes to these account numbers:

Bank Islam: 12029010047880
Bank Muamalat: 12070005133717
Maybank: 562263010787

Aman Palestin Berhad
No. 1, Jalan 3/3B, 43650, Bandar Baru Bangi
Tel: 03-89267019
Fax: 03-89259963

Never, Ever Give Up!

Who says that being a medical student as if like being on top of the world? Medical students face difficulties and challenges everyday. Sometimes, we tend to ponder whether we’ve made the right choice or somehow regret and questioning ourselves: From hundreds or thousands of courses in this world, why I chose this course? If only I....We always complaining that there are so many things to remember, impossibilities, the lecturers do not understand etc. However, we forget that this is the choice that we’ve made few years back when we put our first step into the medical school. Whether this is for the sake of our family or our own choice, we’ve already decided to become a medical student. So, you shouldn’t complain as you’ve ask for it (to be a medical student)! Furthermore, when patience is no longer a choice, it’s a matter of survival…

But I’ve read these 2 verses from Qur’an, that really give me comfort and strength in continuing this journey of becoming a doctor:

“Setiap bencana yg menimpa di bumi dan yang menimpa dirimu sendiri, semuanya telah tertulis dalam Kitab (Lauh Mahfuz) sebelum Kami mewujudkannya. Sungguh yang demikian itu mudah bagi Allah. Agar kamu tidak bersedih hati terhadap apa yg luput dari kamu, dan tidak pula terlalu gembira terhadap apa yang diberikan-Nya kepadamu. Dan Allah tidak menyukai setiap orang yg sombong dan membaggakan diri,” (Al-Hadid: 22-23).

There’s also a poem that I’ve had from my elder sister’s bookmark, very inspiring one:

Never, Ever Give Up!

There maybe times when things aren’t the way we hope it to be,

Everything looks impossible and we feel like just giving up…

But then, sometimes, we just have to give it another chance,

Another try, just one more time…

Take things a step at a time.

Do what works best for you.

Be hopeful as you embrace each moment.

Use your inner strength and qualities.

Keep on believing that you can do it.

Look out for the positive light to shine on you.

You may just find that what seem difficult has just been made right.

Petikan ucapan Ustaz Hj. Akil Hayy Rawa

Di dalam hidup manusia, yang penting ialah BERKAT.
Bila hidup kita berkat, diri ini akan selamat.
Apabila diri selamat, rumahtangga jadi sepakat.
Apabila rumahtangga jadi sepakat,

masyarakat jadi muafakat.

Apabila masyarakat jadi muafakat,

negara kita menjadi kuat.

Apabila Negara menjadi kuat,

negara luar jadi hormat.

Apabila negara luar jadi hormat,

permusuhan pun tersekat.

Apabila permusuhan tersekat,
pembangunan pun meningkat.

Apabila pembangunan pun meningkat,
kemajuan menjadi pesat.

TETAPI AWAS, apabila pembangunan meningkat,

kemajuan menjadi pesat,
kita lihat bangunan naik bertingkat-tingkat.
Ditengah-tengah itu, tempat maksiat tumbuh macam kulat.

Apabila tempat-tempat maksiat tumbuh macam kulat,

KETIKA ITU manusia mula mengubah tabiat.

Apabila manusia telah mengubah tabiat,
ada yang jadi lalat ada yang jadi ulat.
Apabila manusia dah jadi ulat,

sembahyang makin hari makin liat.
Apabila sembahyang jadi liat,

orang baik ada yang bertukar jadi jahat.
Apabila orang baik bertukar jahat,

orang miskin pula nak kaya cepat.
Apabila orang miskin nak kaya cepat,

orang tua pula nak mati lambat.
Apabila orang tua nak mati lambat,

tak dapat minum madu telan jerla minyak gamat.

Yang lelaki, budak budak muda pakai seluar ketat.
Semua nak tunjuk kuat.
Bila berjudi, percaya unsur kurafat.
Tapi hidup pula yang melarat.
Tali kasut dah tak berikat.
Rambut pun jarang sikat.

Yang perempuan, pakai mini sekerat.
Suka pakai baju ketat.
Suka sangat menunjukkan pusat.
Hingga tak pedulikan lagi batasan aurat.
Pakai pulak yang singkat-singkat.
Kadang-kadang ternampak benda 'bulat'.

Bila jadi macam ini, siapa lihat pasti tercegat.
Silap gaya jadi gawat, bohsia bohjan lagi hebat.
Duduk jauh berkirim surat .
Bila berjumpa, tangan berjabat.
Kemudian pakat lawan peluk siapa erat.
Masa tu, nafas naik sampai tersekat-sekat.
Usah peduli agama dan adat.
Usah takut Allah dan malaikat.
Yang penting apa kita nak buat?
Kita 'bukti' lah kita buat.
Akhirnya perut kempis dah jadi bulat.
Apabila perut kempis dah jadi bulat,

maka lahirlah pula anak-anak yang tak cukup sifat.
Bila anak-anak tak cukup sifat,

jam tu kita tengok bayi dibuang di merata tempat.
MAKNANYA KETIKA ITU, IBLIS MULA MELOMPAT.
Dia kata apa? Habis manusia dah masuk jerat.
Habis manusia telah tersesat.
Inilah dia fenomena masyarakat.
Oleh itu wahai saudaraku dan para sahabat,
Marilah kita pakat mengingat,
Bahawa dunia hari ini makin singkat,
Esok atau lusa mungkin kiamat,
Sampai masa kita semua akan berangkat! .
Berangkat menuju ke negeri akhirat.

Di sana kita akan ditanya apa yang kita buat.
Masa tu, sindri mau ingat.

Umur mu banyak mana mu buat ibadat...?
Zaman muda mu, apa yang telah mu buat...?
Harta benda anta, dari mana anta dapat...?
Ilmu anta, adakah anta manafaat...?

Semoga ianya dapat mengingatkan kita supaya segera
meninggalkan maksiat dan memperbanyakkan ibadat.

Study Circle

Last Friday, we had the usual Friday class of Islamic Input in the evening. I thought it will be another lecture that I should refrain myself from getting sleep. But there were very important points that were carried out from the lecture hall I suppose:

• Halaqah (study circle) was actually an Arabic word means “a circle”. It is a continuous commitment and a dynamic process. There will be time for those in it to guide others later on. It is a personal development (zatiyah), that will help the building of the ummah.
• Each Muslim requires the realization toward their responsibility as a Muslim to the ummah. There shouldn’t be room for ‘selfish’ among them e.g. nafsi bi nafsi. This is because, the involvement in Islamic work is the responsibilities of every Muslims toward Allah s.w.t.

“As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely, guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allah’s religion – Islamic Monotheism). And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinun (good doers).” (al-Ankabut: 69)

• Question to ponder: With the busy and limited time we have everyday as a medical student, how can we learn and understand more on Islam, to be a better Muslim, who practise Islam as the way of life, in order to enter heaven? Is it enough with the obligatory 5 prayers in a day, which only took about 50 minutes in a 24 hours (a day)? Are we eligible for the promised heaven by Allah then?

TRIP TO MELAKA (9th – 10th April 2008)

It's nice to remember the nice memories we had in life, especially during the hard time, so that we won't be gloomy and depress all the way. So let's me tell some of the nice things I had during my 4th year break...

I began my 4^th year holiday with a 2 days trip to Melaka with my friends. We were staying in a very sweet and comfortable bungalow, Sweedish and Scotland types of houses. I’ve planned to build a house like those one when I’ll have big money later J. We were swimming in the pool in front of the bungalow yards, do some presentations at night, watching fireworks (very big one and close up too) and went to Pusat Cerapan, learning more on the planets and stars. It was a very eye opening and creates conscience among us on the beautiful and structured creation of Allah s.w.t. The sky and all its contents are the evidence of The Almighty of Allah s.w.t., these will increase our knowledge in our Creator. Then why they (non-believers) are not looking at the sky above? Allah mentioned in the Qur’an:

“Do they not consider the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and whatever things Allah has created, and that may be their doom shall have drawn nigh; what announcement would they then believe in after this?” (Al-A’raaf: 185)

May we all be steadfast in the right path and given guidance by Him for a good life in this world and the Hereafter. Ameen…

Surgery Posting

I still can’t believe that I’m already a fifth year medical student. Or maybe I still can’t accept that I’m getting older and yet still unmarried and not having children? Hey, that’s not me, actually it’s true that I have this feeling of worry inside me p2eviously when looking one by one of mi friends get Married. But after attending the marriage course during my elective posting last month, I became more understand the concept of marriage and no longer have this sense of insecure or worry of ‘andalusia’. I’ve learned that good husbands are for good wives (though we may not see all, in this real world, Wallahu a’alam), and we just need to be the best to get the best, right? Phew, words are easier than act I suppose.

Alright then, enough Of this marriage matters, I don’t know why I started in this issue coz my first intention is to tell on how I felt to have the SURGERY as my first 5^th year posting. I had a bad memory and moments during my 3^rd year surgical posting I may say and I don’t think I need to recall them. Forget the bad memories and create a nice one… Well, I always afraid of the surgeon previously but I Think I may change my perception on surgeon this time, maybe I gained some maturitY during My elective posting, he. When was watching television while at home, I watched this very inspirational movie named ‘Spelling the Bee’ at astro. And I found that this poem read by the girl is very self-motivating for me, who always afraid of unnecessary things. Here is the poem and I edited some line as not agree with the original one (child → creation):

Our Greatest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a creation of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other

people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

—Marianne Williamson