Parable of a Father's dilemma (Part2)

An Indian man said to the friend, 'You know my parents are forcing me to get married to his so called homely girl from a village whom I haven't even met once.' We call this arranged marriage. I don't want to marry a woman whom I don't love... I told them that openly and now have a hell lot of family problems.'

His friend said, "I'll tell you my story."

I married a widow whom I deeply loved and dated for 3 years. 'After a couple of years, my father fell in love with my step-daughter and married her, so my father became my son-in-law and I became my father's father-in-law.

Legally now my step-daughter is my mother and my wife my grandmother.

More problems occurred when I had a son. My son is my father's brother-in-law and at the same time he is also my uncle .

Situations turned worse when my father had a son. Now my father's son, my brother is my grandson. Ultimately, I have become my own grand father and I am my own grandson.

And you say you have family problems...

***
Story told by Sahil the Toastmaster

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Wisdom for today

Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them.
You will find that they haven't half the strength you think they have.

-- Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993)

This is what I was pondering today. The words from Norman enlightened me.

**

Parable of a Father's dilemma

Ayah

A non-Muslim man came home from work and his children ran to him and called out “Ayah! Ayah!”

His Muslim neighbour got very upset and said to him, “Can you please tell your children not to call you ‘Ayah’?”

The man asked, “Why?”

The neighbor retorted, “Because my children call me ’Ayah’ too. They might get confused and mistake you to be their father or even to the extent that you were once upon a time having an affair that brought them to this world .”

The man was shock, "But that's not possible as I just moved in as your neighbour last month?"

The neighbour replied: "Well, your children can call you father, or Ah Pa but not Ayah."

Thereafter, it was unknown as to the issue.

***

Wasn't it spelt out clearly that Mankind is One Nation?

Sūra 109: Kāfirūn
Section 1 (Verse 1-6)

1. Qul ya ayyuha alkafiroona

1. Say: O ye that reject Faith!


2. La aAAbudu ma taAAbudoona

2. I worship not that which ye worship,


3. Wala antum AAabidoona ma aAAbudu

3. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.


4. Wala ana AAabidun ma AAabadtum

4. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,


5. Wala antum AAabidoona ma aAAbudu

5. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.


6. Lakum deenukum waliya deeni

6. To you be your Way, and to me mine.


Sūrah Al Baqarah

11. Wa-itha qeela lahum la tufsidoo fee al-ardi qaloo innama nahnu muslihoona

11. When it is said to them:
"Make not mischief on the earth,"
They say: "Why, we only
Want to make peace!"

12. Ala innahum humu almufsidoona walakin la yashAAuroona

12. Of a surety, they are the ones
Who make mischief,
But they realise (it) not.

14. Wa-itha laqoo allatheena amanoo qaloo amanna wa-itha khalaw ila shayateenihim qaloo inna maAAakum innama nahnu mustahzi-oona

14. When they meet those who believe,
They say: "We believe;"
But when they are alone
With their evil ones,
They say: "We are really with you:
We (were) only jesting."

16. Ola-ika allatheena ishtarawoo alddalalata bialhuda fama rabihat tijaratuhum wama kanoo muhtadeena

16. These are they who have bartered
Guidance for error:
But their traffic is profitless,
And they have lost true direction,

18. Summun bukmun AAumyun fahum la yarjiAAoona

18. Deaf, dumb, and blind,
They will not return (to the path).

21. Ya ayyuha alnnasu oAAbudoo rabbakumu allathee khalaqakum waallatheena min qablikum laAAallakum tattaqoona

21. O ye people!
Adore your Guardian-Lord,
Who created you
And those who came before you,
That ye may have the chance
To learn righteousness;

23. Wa-in kuntum fee raybin mimma nazzalna AAala AAabdina fa/too bisooratin min mithlihi waodAAoo shuhadaakum min dooni Allahi in kuntum sadiqeena

23. And if ye are in doubt
As to what We have revealed
From time to time to Our servant,
Then produce a Sûra
Like thereunto;
And call your witnesses or helpers
(If there are any) besides God,
If your (doubts) are true.

40. Ya banee isra-eela othkuroo niAAmatiya allatee anAAamtu AAalaykum waawfoo biAAahdee oofi biAAahdikum wa-iyyaya fairhabooni

40. O Children of Israel! call to mind
The (special) favour which I bestowed
Upon you, and fulfil your Covenant
With Me as I fulfil My Covenant
With you, and fear none but Me.

42. Wala talbisoo alhaqqa bialbatili wataktumoo alhaqqa waantum taAAlamoona

42. And cover not Truth
With falsehood, nor conceal
The Truth when ye know (what it is).

44. Ata/muroona alnnasa bialbirri watansawna anfusakum waantum tatloona alkitaba afala taAAqiloona

44. Do ye enjoin right conduct
On the people, and forget
(To practise it) yourselves,
And yet ye study the Scripture?
Will ye not understand?

47. Ya banee isra-eela othkuroo niAAmatiya allatee anAAamtu AAalaykum waannee faddaltukum AAala alAAalameena

47. O Children of Israel! call to mind
The (special) favour which I bestowed
Upon you, and that I preferred you
To all other (for My Message).

53. Wa-ith atayna moosa alkitaba waalfurqana laAAallakum tahtadoona

53. And remember We gave
Moses the Scripture and the Criterion
(Between right and wrong): there was
A chance for you to be guided aright.

62. Inna allatheena amanoo waallatheena hadoo waalnnasara waalssabi-eena man amana biAllahi waalyawmi al-akhiri waAAamila salihan falahum ajruhum AAinda rabbihim wala khawfun AAalayhim wala hum yahzanoona

62. Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,--any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

83. Wa-ith akhathna meethaqa banee isra-eela la taAAbudoona illa Allaha wabialwalidayni ihsanan wathee alqurba waalyatama waalmasakeeni waqooloo lilnnasi husnan waaqeemoo alssalata waatoo alzzakata thumma tawallaytum illa qaleelan minkum waantum muAAridoona

83. And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but God. treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practise regular charity. Then did ye turn back, except a few among you, and ye backslide (even now).

87. Walaqad atayna moosa alkitaba waqaffayna min baAAdihi bialrrusuli waatayna AAeesa ibna maryama albayyinati waayyadnahu biroohi alqudusi afakullama jaakum rasoolun bima la tahwa anfusukumu istakbartum fafareeqan kaththabtum wafareeqan taqtuloona

87. We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of apostles; We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the holy spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you an apostle with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride?--Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay!

90. Bi/sama ishtaraw bihi anfusahum an yakfuroo bima anzala Allahu baghyan an yunazzila Allahu min fadlihi AAala man yashao min AAibadihi fabaoo bighadabin AAala ghadabin walilkafireena AAathabun muheenun

90. Miserable is the price for which they have sold their souls, in that they deny (the revelation) which God has sent down, in insolent envy that God of His Grace should send it to any of His servants He pleases: Thus have they drawn on themselves Wrath upon Wrath. And humiliating is the punishment of those who reject Faith.

106. Ma nansakh min ayatin aw nunsiha na/ti bikhayrin minha aw mithliha alam taAAlam anna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun

106. None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar: Knowest thou not that God Hath power over all things?

114. Waman athlamu mimman manaAAa masajida Allahi an yuthkara feeha ismuhu wasaAAa fee kharabiha ola-ika ma kana lahum an yadkhulooha illa kha-ifeena lahum fee alddunya khizyun walahum fee al-akhirati AAathabun AAatheemun

114. And who is more unjust than he who forbids that in places for the worship of God, God's name should be celebrated?-whose zeal is (in fact) to ruin them? It was not fitting that such should themselves enter them except in fear. For them there is nothing but disgrace in this world, and in the world to come, an exceeding torment.

115. Walillahi almashriqu waalmaghribu faaynama tuwalloo fathamma wajhu Allahi inna Allaha wasiAAun AAaleemun

115. To God belong the east and the West: Whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of God. For God is all-Pervading, all-Knowing.

125. Wa-ith jaAAalna albayta mathabatan lilnnasi waamnan waittakhithoo min maqami ibraheema musallan waAAahidna ila ibraheema wa-ismaAAeela an tahhira baytiya liltta-ifeena waalAAakifeena waalrrukkaAAi alssujoodi

125. Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma'il, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).

136. Qooloo amanna biAllahi wama onzila ilayna wama onzila ila ibraheema wa-ismaAAeela wa-ishaqa wayaAAqooba waal-asbati wama ootiya moosa waAAeesa wama ootiya alnnabiyyoona min rabbihim la nufarriqu bayna ahadin minhum wanahnu lahu muslimoona

136. Say ye: "We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to God (in Islam)."

139. Qul atuhajjoonana fee Allahi wahuwa rabbuna warabbukum walana aAAmaluna walakum aAAmalukum wanahnu lahu mukhlisoona

139. Say: Will ye dispute with us about God, seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and ye for yours; and that We are sincere (in our faith) in Him?

147. Alhaqqu min rabbika fala takoonanna mina almumtareena

147. The Truth is from thy Lord; so be not at all in doubt.

148. Walikullin wijhatun huwa muwalleeha faistabiqoo alkhayrati aynama takoonoo ya/ti bikumu Allahu jameeAAan inna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun

148. To each is a goal to which God turns him; then strive together (as in a race) Towards all that is good. Wheresoever ye are, God will bring you Together. For God Hath power over all things.

177. Laysa albirra an tuwalloo wujoohakum qibala almashriqi waalmaghribi walakinna albirra man amana biAllahi waalyawmi al-akhiri waalmala-ikati waalkitabi waalnnabiyyeena waata almala AAala hubbihi thawee alqurba waalyatama waalmasakeena waibna alssabeeli waalssa-ileena wafee alrriqabi waaqama alssalata waata alzzakata waalmoofoona biAAahdihim itha AAahadoo waalssabireena fee alba/sa-i waalddarra-i waheena alba/si ola-ika allatheena sadaqoo waola-ika humu almuttaqoona

177. It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness--to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God.fearing.

178. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo kutiba AAalaykumu alqisasu fee alqatla alhurru bialhurri waalAAabdu bialAAabdi waalontha bialontha faman AAufiya lahu min akheehi shay-on faittibaAAun bialmaAAroofi waadaon ilayhi bi-ihsanin thalika takhfeefun min rabbikum warahmatun famani iAAtada baAAda thalika falahu AAathabun aleemun

178. O ye who believe! the law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude, this is a concession and a Mercy from your Lord. After this whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty.

179. Walakum fee alqisasi hayatun ya olee al-albabi laAAallakum tattaqoona

179. In the Law of Equality there is (saving of) Life to you, o ye men of understanding; that ye may restrain yourselves.

188. Wala ta/kuloo amwalakum baynakum bialbatili watudloo biha ila alhukkami lita/kuloo fareeqan min amwali alnnasi bial-ithmi waantum taAAlamoona

188. And do not eat up your property among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as bait for the judges, with intent that ye may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of (other) people's property.

204. Wamina alnnasi man yuAAjibuka qawluhu fee alhayati alddunya wayushhidu Allaha AAala ma fee qalbihi wahuwa aladdu alkhisami

204. There is the type of man whose speech about this world's life May dazzle thee, and he calls God to witness about what is in his heart; yet is he the most contentious of enemies.

205. Wa-itha tawalla saAAa fee al-ardi liyufsida feeha wayuhlika alhartha waalnnasla waAllahu la yuhibbu alfasada

205. When he turns his back, His aim everywhere is to spread mischief through the earth and destroy crops and cattle. But God loveth not mischief.

213. Kana alnnasu ommatan wahidatan fabaAAatha Allahu alnnabiyyeena mubashshireena wamunthireena waanzala maAAahumu alkitaba bialhaqqi liyahkuma bayna alnnasi feema ikhtalafoo feehi wama ikhtalafa feehi illa allatheena ootoohu min baAAdi ma jaat-humu albayyinatu baghyan baynahum fahada Allahu allatheena amanoo lima ikhtalafoo feehi mina alhaqqi bi-ithnihi waAllahu yahdee man yashao ila siratin mustaqeemin

213. Mankind was one single nation, and God sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy. God by His Grace Guided the believers to the Truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For God guided whom He will to a path that is straight.

224. Wala tajAAaloo Allaha AAurdatan li-aymanikum an tabarroo watattaqoo watuslihoo bayna alnnasi waAllahu sameeAAun AAaleemun

224. And make not God's (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace between persons; for God is One Who heareth and knoweth all things.

225. La yu-akhithukumu Allahu biallaghwi fee aymanikum walakin yu-akhithukum bima kasabat quloobukum waAllahu ghafoorun haleemun

225. God will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing.

256. La ikraha fee alddeeni qad tabayyana alrrushdu mina alghayyi faman yakfur bialttaghooti wayu/min biAllahi faqadi istamsaka bialAAurwati alwuthqa la infisama laha waAllahu sameeAAun AAaleemun

256. Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things.

263. Qawlun maAAroofun wamaghfiratun khayrun min sadaqatin yatbaAAuha athan waAllahu ghaniyyun haleemun

263. Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. God is free of all wants, and He is Most-Forbearing.

285. Amana alrrasoolu bima onzila ilayhi min rabbihi waalmu/minoona kullun amana biAllahi wamala-ikatihi wakutubihi warusulihi la nufarriqu bayna ahadin min rusulihi waqaloo samiAAna waataAAna ghufranaka rabbana wa-ilayka almaseeru

285. The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in God, His angels, His books, and His apostles. "We make no distinction between one and another of His apostles." And they say: "We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys."



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SOURCE:

The Holy Quran translated by Yusuf Ali

Surah Al Baqarah


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The Qur'an is the primary text of Islam, revealed to the Prophet Muhammed beginning in the year 610 C.E. It was canonicalized between 644 and 656. The Qur'an is required reading for anyone who wants to understand Islam. Qur'an means "The Recital" in Arabic; according to the story, the angel Gabriel commanded Muhammed to "Recite!".

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Faith in God

How does God test our faith?

The Bible says in Matthew 9:29 "According to your faith it will be done unto you."

What are you expecting God to do in your life?

This is the law that God has established. It’s called the Law of Expectation.

The fact is, we tend to get what we expect out of life.
We tend to see what we expect to see.
We tend to hear what we expect to hear.
We tend to feel the way we expect to feel.
We inevitably accomplish what we expect what we’re going to accomplish.

This is the law of faith.

God says you get to choose because "According to your faith it will be done unto you."

14th January 2010

Happy Birthday Tuanku Negri Sembilan.

This day, I'll remember it for the next 30 years (if I live to that age)

This day of each year too will I celebrate with my wife and children.


When you think that all is hidden and no one can see within:

Remember, Friend, God Can.

And when you have reached the bottom and you think that no one can hear:

Remember, my dear Friend, God Can.

And when you think that no one can love the real person deep inside of you:

Remember, my dear Friend, God Does.

Thoughts for today

Ah Beng : Everybody thinks I'm "GOD"

Wife: How do you know??

Ah Beng : When I went to the Park today, everybody said,

Oh GOD! U have come again.

Polie chief laments: Not enough police to protect the churches

Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan today urged all churches to beef up security on their own because the police has its own desired limitations and thus unable to ensure security of the churches.

“I would like to advise the churches to have their own security because I don’t have enough policemen," Musa Hassan said.

SOURCES: THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

***

In fact there are so many jobless people including those VCD & DVD peddlers who are now jobless. The churches can help themselves as well as provide employment for those people.

I'm not sure whether the churches may have considered employing thugs and secret society members though their members have shrink drastically over the last decades. If they do, I suppose they must get Musa Hassan's and Hishamuddin's approval; otherwise they can be indicted for criminal offenses.

From case studies conducted in Sibu some years back, the thugs and gangsters have proven to be effective. Many years ago, Sibu faced much difficulty to control vandalism of public amenities and the town was dirty where we can see pigs and chicken running around. It was observed that the authorities were unable to control the situation. It was ultimately resolved by those unlicensed security supermen who were engaged by the local warlord. Sibu becomes clean and the pigs and chicken were placed in proper settlements.

Anyway, it is not a good idea. But there's no idea too!

Thoughts for today

People should think less about what they ought to do and more about what they ought to be. If only their being were good, their works would shine forth brightly.

Do not imagine that you can ground your salvation upon actions; it must rest on what you are.

--- Meister Eckhart

Thoughts for today

"It's not what you do once in a while; it's what you do day in and day out that makes the difference."

That's a quote I took from my good buddy Stanley.

It is the consistent way we behave that becomes our behavior and attitude,
It is the character of a person that exposes his thoughts and intention,
It is the cultural aspect, how we do things, how we act and how we want others to act,
It is what we often see of a person, his attitude, his judgment, his way of life,
That's what he is, and most likely, not what he says he is.

How we behave, act and think, is what we are!

Allah or Yahweh or Tuhan,
God is God, and not what man wants him to be.
No one owns God; He owns us. He created us!
But men, prefers to destroy His creation - to satisfy their lust, their selfishness and greed.

Until the camel can enter the needle's eye?
Yes, my Lord!

Thoughts for Today

Love consists in looking together in the same direction and the willingness of both to accept, to agree to disagree, any differences of perception or opinion.

Love, can only exist faithfully if there's absence of individuallistic intelligence. Lovers, must remain stupid to each other.

Thoughts for Today

"I have never known a really successful man who deep in his heart did not understand the grind, the discipline it takes to win."

-- Vince Lombardi, American Football Coach

Thoughts for today

The future is not some place we are going, but one we are creating.

The paths are not to be found, but made.

And the activity of making them changes both the maker and their destination.

-- John Schaar