AM I AT THE DOOR

Am I at the door
of the entrance
into the garden
of the pious

Am I at the door
of the entrance
into the realm
of the sinner

I am on the doors
on my right is
the domain of the righteous
on my left is
the abode of the wrong-doer

O Lord! Guide me
to be the one
who knocks at the door
of the pious and righteous
until it comes a time
when the door I am at
opens with salutation of peace
for certainly it is
ever-lasting felicity I have achieved.

Syed Ad'ha
28 December 2008
5:15am

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Yesterday passes by
what can I do about it
since the day has gone by

Today is going by
I can do something about it
before the day goes by

Tomorrow will come by
let me prepare for it
I shall be delighted as it passes me by.

Syed Ad'ha
ANU/Toad Hall/Room A309
1 October 2008
4:33pm

Never Have I Imagine

Never have I imagine
to be at ANU among the many applicants
enrolled in a world class faculty
a postgraduate degree in sight I am sure

Never have I imagine
to be under the guardian and protection
of Anthony Milner whom I have met once for a chat
are you still there and reading this email dear Sir?

Never have I imagine
that it is Peter Borschberg
who will guide me to a place of self-discovery
at ANU he say I will be intellectually better

Never have I imagine
to be embraced by a lady of of good-heartedness
it is Siaan Matthews of penetrating intelligence
with friendly love, caringness and comforting words she makes me feel near

Never have I imagine
to be embraced by a lady of consistent concern
for the listening ear, motivation and advice she always give
it is Mary Kilcline Cody whom I referring to here

Never have I imagine
to write 24,000 word essays in one semester
covering Islam, security, propaganda and asia-pacific
I must perservere to do well for the training is for the future

Never have I imagine
that all that I have never imagine
is now a possibility due to His Grace and kindness from those names above
pray for me dearest well-wishers for I need it to achieve the reason why I am here.


Syed Ad'ha
ANU/Toad Hall
2:00am

Mid Day Of My Life

I am in the mid day of my life
Looking back at what I have done
Sins and wrong doings engulf my heart
Repentance is imminent I must try

I am in the mid day of my life
Reflecting the deeds that I have done
Good and evil all meshed in one
The errors must be corrected I must strive

I am in the mid day of my life
Counting the blessings that I have till now
Family, friends, wealth and health all that I have
Thank you O ALLAH for these gifts in my life

I am in the mid day of my life
Trials and tribulations that I have surpassed
Shaping me to be stronger and deeper in faith I must arrive
All praises be unto You O ALLAH the Patron of my life

I am in the mid day of my life
While others are between dawn and dusk of their lives
Whichever part of the day our lives are in
We must continue our pursuit for excellence indeed.

Syed Ad'ha
14 June 2008
2:07am

From Which Lense Shall I See?

From which lense shall I see
For the lense of the political is always magnifying me
That human beings are manipulating more than assisting
Brings sadness and grief to the world that we live in

From which lense shall I see
For the lense of the sociological is often envisioning me
That men are of many typologies and perspectives it is
Through it I see hope and understanding is abound indeed

From which lense shall I see
For the lense of the spiritual is ever-guiding me
That God is where our hope and focus should be in
Enlighten my heart and uplift my soul in perpectual certainty

From which lense shall I see
These lenses of life are always causing happiness, worry and weariness in me
The political, sociological and spiritual all meshed in me
Competing my heart, my mind and my soul thus never at ease

From which lense shall I see
The lenses of truths that has been entrusted onto me
To establish prayers and do good deeds is the way indeed
Putting my worries and weariness finally at ease

From which lense shall I see
With the lenses of faith, hope and forgiveness I shall see
Which every man can see with if he believes
That these are the lenses of life which are ever-sustaining.

Syed Ad'ha
6 May 2008
12:43pm

Iman and Amal Soleh

The Quran mentions for those who have faith and do good deeds, ALLAH Subhana Hu Wa Ta'ala will grant unto them everlasting blessings and grace. Here faith and good deeds is termed as Iman and Amal Soleh. Why is it then that the Quran mentions Amal Soleh and not Amal, Amal Hassan, Amal Khair etc? Amal is only considered as Amal Soleh if the deeds that is carried out is firstly done out of sincerity, stemming from the believe that it is to be done to attain ALLAH's Pleasure. Thus the niat will bring out the deed in its most best fashion in act. It is in this approach that the doer will be able to attain a higher level of Iman, for the Amal has brought the doer to be closer to ALLAH Subhana Hu Wa Ta'ala. This is due to the doer's understanding that it is to be done only to gain His Blessings, thus increasing one's proximity to Him and not otherwise. The link between Amal, Iman and Sincerity is all-close to an extent that amal which is not done from true believe and pure sincerity, will be only known as amal of other kinds. It does not bring one close and closer to ALLAH Subhana Hu Wa Ta'ala. Thus it is urgent that we reflect the deeds that we have carried out and ask ourselves whether we have done it with true conviction that is to gain His Pleasure and therefore to do it with sincerity from the heart. This inter-twinning nature also tells that for sincerity and true believe to exists and thus the amal to be of soleh in nature, we must do our utmost to prevent any form of shirk from affecting our Tauhid, small or big. For shirk is darkness and darkness leads one astray. Iman and Amal Soleh are our salvations in the hereafter. Other than The Mercy of ALLAH Subhana Hu Wa Ta'ala and the Syafa'ah of Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wassalam, we have to strengthen our Iman and Amal Soleh with the best fortifications. May ALLAH Subhana Hu Wa Ta'ala guides us. Amin Ya Rabbal 'Alamiin.

Dr Albert Winsemius

Singapore's growth as a city-state is planted from the time it was under the perview of the United Nation in 1963. Herein, the role of Dr Albert Winsemius came to shape. Dr Winsemius was instrumental in the economic, military and social aspects of Singapore's development. He pioneered the growth of industries and government-business relations, established a highly trained armed forces and developed housing for the people in Singapore. Albert's position as a post-war public housing consultant in Holland, relations with the business entity and military networks via the Jewish circles, helped Singapore leaders who were seasoned street politicians to have a solid foundation of guided governance henceforth. Dr Winsemius provided the urgent needs of the country prior to separation and guided our leaders who were inexperienced in governance to have a great headstart and on-the-job learning from Albert himself and through his networks. Perhaps it is time for an academic book, a coffee-table book and a think-tank should be named after him, in honour of his selfless sacrifice for our country.

Reflections from Europe

REFLECTIONS FROM EUROPE (PART I)

City of Mainz near Frankfurt Germany
A reflection of European history is there to see
The stronghold of Holy Rome in the year 800AD
Let me share the story of my trip
To great places you have never been

In my first experience in the city of Mainz
I notice the serenity and tranquillity around the town
How the people live with no pretensions or staring I see
Everyone leads their life judgement-free
That is a symbol of a civilised society

The Institute of European History is a pride indeed
Knowledge and resources many and plenty
The Library itself is a greatness one could see
What more the association with professors
In the aristocratic setting this institute has to offer

The Rhein River adds to the beauty
Castles and castles laid out in the hills and mountains
To live in the history of this great country
A thousand more years for us to feel
The richness of Germany is abound there is

The city of Trier intensify the glory
The Roman Empire was there in 300AD
Their relics and remains are signs of majesty
Trier was a city second to Rome in Italy
It is today alive just as how it has been

As I set myself in the churches of Mainz and Trier
I feel the ambience of worship and holiness among the people
The cardinals and bishops are laid in the plains
As witnesses to the congregations that place their hope
On God and Catholic religion till the end of time

Mainz is a great place to be in
Trier too is just as wonderful a view
If I have to make to a choice between the two
I will stay in Trier and work in Mainz
To have the fulfilment of both Trier and Mainz

Four days in Germany is all I have
To Leiden in Holland we now shall move on
The city where I hope to find my place
Just as how I certainly do hope
That the city of Mainz can be suitable for me too

REFLECTIONS FROM EUROPE (PART II)

Leiden University is the pride of Holland
The symbol of intellectualism many hope to be in
The Central Library has plenty of links
On the branches of knowledge throughout the country
No wonder Syed Hussein studies in Holland afterall

In this place called Leiden University
Campuses are spread throughout the city
Many thinkers are from this great university
Snouck Hugronje the orientalist and Nasr Abu Zayd the freedom fighter the few I could think
With wisdom, insight and knowledge all-encompassing

Leiden itself has few places to see
The Mummy Museum is certainly rich and awakening
Two millennium of history are rest in here
The story of mankind pursuing immortality from near
Ended up as dead bodies without a soul

The Law Faculty is a testimony of history
Understanding of once colonial territories is there as display
Shelves of resources are there to be used
For the Dutch and whoever wants to pursue
Further knowledge of Indonesia and Islam in general

ISIM, IIAS and KITLV are institutes within the city
Research and publishing are features of their expertise
Many in the world seek their assistance in acquiring and producing
Knowledge discourses of Asia and The Muslim World
Enriching Leiden as an intellectual territory concomitant

Thirteen days in Europe is now up
To Germany and Holland I say goodbye
I will be back if He permits
With financial strength and study opportunities
To pursue masters and attain doctorate by the time I am 40

REFLECTIONS FROM EUROPE (PART III)

Europe has much history in it
Of human successes and failings too
Europe is built within hundreds of years
With human effort from time immemorial
The suffering and happiness is similar I hear

Orthodox Christians was once dominant
Then came the Catholics who re-establish religion
The Protestants expounded their ideology hundreds of years
All three are now mainstay of European society
Certainly Europe is no less religious as Asia is

With more than two millennium of Christianity in the region
The society are therefore rooted though open and liberal
If other religions wish to have a place here
They will get adherents with the advancement of time
But to displace Christianity is a foolish attempt

The religion of Islam permits everything to be consumed
Except liquor, drugs and pork-related products
Fish, bread and cheese are the staple of Europeans
That we can enjoy other than meat that is endogenously slaughtered
For Islam is simple as life’s guidance

They say Europe is too open and liberal
Pornography and free sex are there to be exploited
There is for sure no one in the streets of Mainz, Trier and Leiden
Behaving wildly to fulfil that testimony we have always promote
They are clear on public civility and private space all the time

Which university shall I choose
Leiden and Mainz both are equally good
Acquire a language if I am really keen
Either Dutch or German is certainly fine
That shall be the highlight from now till then

REFLECTIONS FROM EUROPE (PART IV)

I ask God when awake and asleep
Why He gives me help when my sins are many
For indeed He declares that He will help
As long as we seek and be sincere in relationships and ambitions
He shall assist whenever is needed

I ask God when awake and asleep
Why He sent Peter Borschberg to help me in this
When it is my people that I render my services
Yet they throw at my face insult and jeer
Explain to me the attitude they has been showing me

This trip to Europe has been an eye-opener
The lessons are many and the questions are plenty
Certainly I am happy that I have made this trip
For many of my peers have never been there
Near as I am they will therefore envy but…..

That is not my problem as you know it
For it is time that I pursue my dreams urgently
Leave some people who bring no benefit to me
Except harm and ill-will springing from envy
For the integrity of family lays supreme

Thank you to my loving wife and dearest kids
Being away from them thirteen days is a huge, huge miss
Now that I am back I can plan and think
One-year from bond is all I have
Before the postgraduate studies begins its course

O ALLAH bless me and my family too
For what I am about to do will be another struggle through and through
Though I am tired and worried, yes I do
I hope and pray for Your Help and Mercy all the way through
Bless my journey till the end of my life, Amin.

Ad’ha
18 June 2006
5:23pm

The Objectives of Education

Education in general is meant to produce people who are critical, inquistive, energetic, responsible and emphathatic towards the development of their society. While going about achieving them, they also are engaged in work which enables them to provide for themselves and their families. They are viable in the economic and social sense. In Islam, the objective of education is to produce people who are confident of their religion and always ready to convey the message of Tauhid to people around them. This is by no means a small or marginal effort. In fact, it is the mainframe and topmost objective of education in Islam. In his/her own community, the objective of Islamic education is also to produce people who can improve the spiritual and psyshological state of the people around them, so that they will understand and act upon their beliefs to the best of their ability. While no society is without problems, education that only serves to fulfill the economic needs does not produce population that shares the sufferings and difficulties of others. In fact, they are not even ready to be true impetus of betterment for their wards and constituents. The tauhidic paradigm aims to elevate people from debasing needs to higher attainments, which assists greatly in the final salvation when one faces God in the hereafter. For the essence of life is to worship and worship is in fact to admit that He is the Greatest. It is an all-encompassing approach to life. When that is done and the participation of the masses is real and fulfilled, we will then see how ALLAH's religion shine in this world, thus He be pleased on us and we pleased on Him. O ALLAH, help us to strength our faith, makes us deep in our conviction to convey your existence and place us among those who are successful in this world and the hereafter. Amin.

The Virtue of Patience

Patience is an attribute which is loved by ALLAH swt. As-Sabiruun (those who are patient) are praised endlessly by ALLAH swt for it brings about a rational and fruitful outcome to any engagement that is to take place from a situation of difficulty, stress, tension and conflict. Patience during fasting month, patience during tribulations, patience in time of ease and patience awaiting judgement are the few forms of patience worth mentioning here for it encompass what we are going through generally in our life. Patience makes a person uses his spiritual strength and mental prowess to overcome the debasing urge of the animal instinct of rage and anger. It is in the persuasiveness of patience that one find the coolness of the heart to accept problems and challenges that beset oneself. Without patience, man is allowing himself to be controlled by the situation thus rendering himself unable to command over the environment that he has been made to be in charge of.

The Way Back

I am but a man
Of sin and deeds I dwell herein
The soul and the form struggle and took its toll
To rediscover myself of what I was if I could know

I am but a man
Lost my way in the sea of sins and wrong-doings
Is there a way back for me to be accepted by Him
For forgiveness is the key of His Mercy for those who seek

He is One, does not begot and begets not
For He is the Only One The Most Powerful throughout
The whole universe submit to Him in worship involuntarily
Yet we men are given the choice, thus what do we seek?

He is The Prideful One who all seek for help
Seek Him we must in the day and at night
For He will come to us with His Gifts open wide
Choose O my slave! Which one you would like?

The pleasure of God is indeed what I seek
To encourage good and forbid evil is what I must do
Establish prayers and struggle against oppression I must uphold
For the sweetness of paradise is better than what this world has to offer

The pleasure of God is therefore what I seek
Stand firm with justice yet compassionate in punishing certainly
For our life, death and actions are all for Him
O ALLAH, help us who is very much in need

I am but a man
Of mistakes and error I once commit
I ask your succour for the weakness that is deep in me
Forgive my sins and help me uplift

I am but a man
Once lost in the valley of darkness
But now I have come back, making my way back to Him
My creator, ALLAH, the Most Merciful and indeed Esteemed

The Wonders of Integrated Education

Singapore prides itself as having the best education system in Southeast Asia. Students from all over the world: mostly from Southeast Asia, place their children in this country with the believe that the concept of 'Thinking Schools Learning Nation' provides the gest of the myriad educational objectives of the schools here. Yet, we can hardly admit that education does not only encompass knowledge that empowers oneself with the know-how of this world, it must also prepares one for the hereafter through the dialectic between theory and praxis. That is at least a believe in the Islamic concept of education.

An integrated education provides students with values which are rooted in tradition and religion thus preparing them for spiritual strength against social ills. As the modern world with its influence of materialism (form) impresses many, one cannot but see that if graduates of an integrated education in one way or another is affected by the tide of ownership, individualism and self-fulfilling ideals, one can imagine how students in main stream schools whose exposure to values which are rooted in tradition and religion is certainly absent, cope with the influences of aforementioned challenges. An integrated education provides another layer of shield against the personality of individualness, preparing one to embrace both of this world and the hereafter. For God, society and man himself. An integrated believe of life.

Indeed, parents and families in Singapore are constrained by political and structural impediments thus unable to fully pursue the ideals of an integrated education in a single setting. Many therefore have to relent with the mainstream system, and thereafter on weekends send their children to religious classes whose time limitation is telling on the impact it can give on these young impressionable minds. Parents with strong will and family environment which are rooted in traditional systems can offset these lackingness in mainstream education system. Moreso, the quest for economic dominance made us believe that people feed on food and not values. Thus it decreases the value of religious and cultural pursuit till one reaches a stage of feeling that what they have gone for - materialism - is a fleeting and thin vineer attainment. Man is first the soul and then body comes to form yet returning later to the state of the former - its true self. Coupled with a match and patch opportunity based on the impediments imposed on families to overcome the challenge of mainstream education, the destruction of social bases who is rooted in culture and tradition creates a new man that has all of the world but loses it soul. What is left of us is just the physique minus the spirit. Is this the way forward?

It is therefore worrying that with the challenges of modernity taking its height, integrated education marginalised and substantial culture diminishes to form, the fate of of modern Singaporeans is seemed to be in the hanging. If we love this country and believe that politics of narrowness brings nothing but satisfaction to the few, we must provide more avenues for religious and cultural education to be in the grasp of many either by way of an integrated education and/or dakwah of reforming the people to hold on to the rope of ALLAH for verily His Rope will never break asunder. And it is the believe that only ALLAH Azza Wa Jalla must be pleased that will make us strong enough to carry on this mission forward for our life, death and actions are all for Him and only Him, Sustainer and Provider of the Universe.

Bastions of Social Demise: Culture & Religion

Though much has been said of the achievements of Singapore as a first world economy, the social malaise facing the city-state is a major concern for many. Divorces, youth delinquency, frauds, social bickering, mismanagement and financial inadequaciea have tainted the beauty of a national building project that is set to take shape in years to come. With the population engulfed in consumerist behaviour, the project of making Singapore a keen tourist destination adds on to the vibrant economic setting which Singaporeans do not want to miss. Live life to the fullest, live to the moment, live for today, tomorrow shall be better seems to be the believe that many Singaporeans hold in order to offset the disappointment of class permanency and problems that beset them as part of life tribulations.

Indeed such personal slogans may give a positive outlook to life, yet one questions why such slogans are the mantra of modern people when modernity by its own premise promises happiness through the mechanics of materialism. And why do we need slogans if modernity has prepared for us through its modes of production the beauty of life? Structurally we are better off than our predecessors were. Shouldn't we be better spiritually too? Herein lies the contradiction. As Singaporeans hold on those slogan mantras, it is done not with any other intention but to ease the thought of what they seem to be owning requires rigorous effort to maintain it, not knowing whether they will live to an old age to enjoy the fruits of their labour. The temporal sense of ownership ranging from goods to relationships in a modern city-state make us realise that a first economy may not afterall bring about first world attitude and belief. People becomes more individualistic and self-centred. Shared values as part of curriculum in schools and national vision have not been able to abate the growing trends of self-preservation, at times at the expense of others.

All is not lost. If we look back into history and ponder on the how our forefathers have been able to maintain social solidarity, community sanity and personal dreams, we can point to the strength that culture and religion have provided for the people then. Institutions, codes, morality and personalities in culture and religion helped in butressing the individual and community from an endemic demise yet admittedly knowing that one or two among the social groups may fall into error. This is indeed much better that the situation know where out of ten people, five to six of them are committed to social ills. This return to the authentic source of culture and religion must be done in full sincerity, disregarding political concerns that the government of the day may have. For if one were to point to the riots of 1964 and 1969, and the Nadra Tragedy as bigotries of ethnic and religious solidarity, one could also put a high share of responsibility on governance that emphasise of skewed ideology of pragmatism rather than on truth and justice. The common denominators for social peace is to accept each one of us in their own way yet finding common spaces to work together. This is different from creating a new space and force these cultural and religious societies to fit into a mould that is alien to them. As a result, we see today many Singaporeans have lost their sense of identity, not knowing whether they are East or West, secular or cultural-religious. In the deliberation of politics, this dilemma is cause by the advent of nation-states which provide social instability and removes authorities that provide social harmony at large. Society is deconstructed to the detrimental of the society itself.

Culture and religion are bastions of social demise. Culture which is rooted in tradition and religion provides the ingredients of values, morality and institutions that will help communities overcome the challenge of social ills that will burden Singapore in the future. And this has to be done with great commitment, sincerity and trust, rather than a policy initiative that is structural and politically monitored. That can only be done if we want to see the country move ahead as a first world both in terms of economy and social cohesion.

Dakwah and Da'waah

The global resurgence of Islam as a way of life is well known. Among the signs of the constant rise of Islam is the work of reformation (dakwah) that is committed with great effort within the Muslim community. Jurists, teachers, preachers and activists of the dakwah movement aim to improve the spiritual condition of the community. They remind Muslims of the need to establish prayers, confessional and practical depth in articles of faith and believe, to dress according to Islamic ethics, do good deeds, forbid evil and be patient in adversity. This work of reformation (dakwah) is an internal effort by the conscious among the community, to make Muslims return to the pure state and spirit of sacrifice as warranted by the religion. Dakwah is an effort of recovering the waning Muslim identity, rooting it to authentic sources of Quran, Sunnah, Rightly Guided Caliphs and Salafus Soleh. Yet the work of dakwah does not reject the modern world and the needs of contemporary life. Certainly dakwah workers see life as an ibadah in totality as long as it is done within the limits ordained by ALLAH swt and intended to seek the pleasure of ALLAH The Most Just and Exalted.

If dakwah refers to an effort of internal reformation, the other component known as da'waah neccessarily meant the work towards establishing Islam as a life to be shared with others in the world. It is an effort to deliberate on the idea of Tauhid whose main message is to make men acknowledge the Oneness of ALLAH swt. Da'waah aims to convey the message of Tauhid to non-Muslims through the method of dialogue, reflection, discussion, observation etc. It is work done by the earlier generations throughout the world which today see Islam stretch far and wide. Much as dakwah is a need as many among the Muslim ummah has received minimal of the true teachings of Islam, da'waah is equally urgent and should be couched within the discourse of Tauhidic presentation.

If we were to reflect on the Prophet Muhammad's life and that of his companions, their concern is not to build a civilisation that could match the greatness of Byzantine and Roman empires for that is not the da'waah that ALLAH swt has taught them through revelation (wahyu). Their life were dedicated to freeing the oppress, confronting obstinate frontal enemies, persuading subtle self-serving personalities to accept an unadulterated version of Tauhid and dealing with people in daily life with excellent character. Hence the work of da'waah of the Prophet and his companions were primarily dealing with the struggle of human arrogance and frailness. While this claim does not intend to diminish the fact that the Prophet was occupied with state and society building, the work that ALLAH swt has shown him was primarily of the few mentioned. Yet today, we hardly see Muslims doing much of these works. While we believe in ALLAH swt, do good deeds and patient in adversity, we lack the strive for spreading Tauhid, fight against oppression (al-baghy) and face up to false judges and gods (taghut).

The works of dakwah and da'waah are equally important and need our balanced attention if we bear true witness to the shahadah, articles of faith and articles of believe. Wallahu'alam bissawab.

The Three Levels of Evidence

Certainly ALLAH The Most High do not share His Majesty with anyone. For He is The Creator and we are the created. For it is indeed wrongful for anyone to have a share in His Divinity. The mere thought of it puts one into the abyss of disbelieve whose redemption lies with the sincere admittance of His Oneness. What more for those who ascribe to themselves status of the exalted. May ALLAH The Most Forgiving accept our repentance. For ALLAH's Majesty encompasses the universe and He is seated in a Throne High Above. Thus it is by His Will that He expounds unto man the three levels of evidence to state the truth of His Message and The Power that He Possesses. But many still do not subscribe to true believe.

The first level of that message is in the form of empirical evidence (bayyinah) which man is able to see, feel and hear. ALLAH The Loving sent His beloved messengers as proofs of His Compassion on mankind. These prophets recite to men divine words which intent to make man realise that he is minute in comparison to the power that ALLAH has. It serves as a source of reminder and hopefully humility to those who have erred. Yet some of the prophets were killed only for the fact that they asked men to acknowledge ALLAH's Superiority over His creations. And they remained in the state of rejection and disbelieve.

Hence ALLAH swt provides the second level of evidence (burhan) which is meant to give a sterner reminder of the foolishness to those who ascribe anything else above ALLAH. ALLAH Azza Wa Jalla give His Permission to the prophets the ability to demonstrate a penetrating evidence (burhan) which higher that the first (bayan) and serves as the incumbent possibility of the third (sultan). Prophets demonstrated that penetrating evidence (burhan) through means of healing men, overcoming obstacles, seeking of final judgement and wisdom of governance. Moses with his ability to subdue the magic of pharoah's magicians, Jesus with his ability to heal the sick and give life to the dead, Sulaiman and Yusuf with their strength in governance and Ibrahim's supplication (doa') for the sanctuary of Mekka to succeed beyond him became true in time. These are but a few examples of the penetrating evidence (burhan) of the prophets which some saints (auliya) and pious men (salihin) do acquire especially on the aspect of supplication (doa')that is granted with immediate effect such as the asking for rain.

But when ALLAH The Exalted passes down his third level of evidence which could not in anyway redeem any man, from His Thrust, this evidence known as the ultimate evidence (sultan) serves as the final arbitar to the earlier evidences shown. It is His Final Decision on the matter. Hence it is up to us today to know that though the final hour (qiyamah) is with Him, we are certain that it is not far by His Measurement. For if the earlier people were shown the ultimate evidence (sultan) by way of local destructions, regional troubles and collapse of empires, perhaps the future of our world that is infested with evil (fasad) of every kind throughout, will not have recourses of bayan and burhan because it has already been demonstrated aforehand.

Hence it is to our own detrimental that ALLAH Azza Wa Jalla has made prophets, syuhada, auliya and solihin to return to Him. We in the modern world are unable to find those esteemed personalities anymore among believers. We are engulfed by the temporal glittering of this world when indeed the esteemed position (karamah) of these prophets, syuhada, auliya and solihin would tamper our souls which is in the constant state of ambivalent (lawwamah) and temperament (amarah). We in the modern world has lost the benefits of witnessing bayyinah and burhan as to what the earlier people had witnessed. Thus we have lost our linkage with the real existence which is the realm of the soul, as our bodily existence impresses us with the life of this world that is truly temporal and fake. What the shall be the state of our return to Him?

O ALLAH, forgive us and save us from the difficulties of the afterlife for verily You are the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. Amin Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.

The 3D Effect

Democracy and dictatorship are hailed as the dominant concepts of power within the political discourse. Yet, democracy and dictatorship whose primary strength and existence rely on man himself, are not the ultimate source of power.

Divine power which rests on ALLAH is in fact the true nature and the highest unparallel form of power which democracy and dictatorship depend on. It is by His Permission that we are able to exercise our freedom of speech and expression. And it is by His Permission that few among us are able to exert absolute control on others.

Both democracy and dictatorship succumb to His Will as all men do. We ourselves witness that life and death is beyond our ability to decide. Moreover no power that hinges on man are able to sustain itself without any form challenge and are eventually replaced. Thus the 3D effect whose active inter-play involves the continuum between democracy and dictatorship, but the outcome rests on the peak of power (divine) which do not share its dominance with anything else. It belongs to ALLAH Subhana Hu Wa Ta'ala alone.

It is through this reflection of man's own frail existence that we can finally understand that everything in this world is sustain by ALLAH and it is only Him that we should place our hopes for the pinnacle of reward and help. Those among men that receives honour in this world and the hereafter such as the anbiya, auliya and sholihin are certainly endowed with His Knowledge and Wisdom. They are granted the ability to create miracles and govern (for some) yet returning that display of greatness - for those in their time to bear witness upon, to ALLAH The Almighty. And thus they were regarded as among His Slaves that are grateful and worthy of emulation.

Man is created in the best of shapes. Yet many became ingrates and aim to share divinity with Him. Thus the challenge of life is truly the submission of oneself to ALLAH, rendering believe in Him through the chartered path of Muhammad (Islam), encouraging good and forbid evil, and to be patient in adversity. It is the faithful tread of these conditions that truly makes one an 'abid whose reward is Jannah and Mardhatillah.

Ya ALLAH, do not lead us astray after you have given us guidance and bestow on us Your Grace, For You are Most Loving. Ya Allah, we have err towards ourselves. Henceforth forgive us and bless us for if not we will be among those who are unsuccessful. Amin, Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.