Maulidur Rasul

MARCH 20 2008

Today marks the day Prophet Muhammad was born nearly 1,500 years ago. An auspicious day for Muslims all over the world. ILI LIYANA MOKHTAR takes a look at just what the day means to Muslims in Malaysia.



Muslims celebrate the birth of the prophet on the 12th day of Rabiul Awal (the first of spring), the third month in the Islamic calendar.As the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, the corresponding date in the Gregorian calendar varies each year.

This year, it falls on March 20.

The month of Rabiul Awal is significant to Muslims for various historical reasons. According to Islamic history, Abrahah, the governor of Yemen circa 571AD, attempted to destroy the Kaabah in Mecca with an army that included a large number of elephants.
The raid was unsuccessful, but because it was customary to name a year after a major event, the year became known as the "Year of the Elephant". It was in this year that Prophet Muhammad was born."

The most important part of Maulidur Rasul is remembering the prophet's good deeds, his teachings, his wisdom and how he forgave his most bitter enemies," said Department of Islamic Development officer Munir Salleh.

Also known as Maulud Nabi in Arabic, the day is observed with marhaban (recitations of praises and blessings) and salawat (salutations to the prophet).

Talks are held in mosques and Muslim organisations take the time to commemorate the prophet's life and exemplary character.

First celebrated in the 13th century for a month, the holiday was observed with sermons, honouring of religious dignitaries and reciting verses from the Quran. Sumptuous feasts were also prepared to be distributed to the poor.

Locally, Maulidur Rasul is celebrated, at the national and district levels, with processions while reciting marhaban and salawat.

Awards are also given out to people who have contributed to the community.

Some local mosques around the Klang Valley conduct activities one week before the day, such as forums, intellectual discussions with Muslim scholars and special prayers.

For many, observing Maulidur Rasul is an expression of love they have for the prophet.
More than anything, such gatherings reach and remind the Ummah of the prophet's life and his call to virtue.

source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/2191094/Article

My parents thought me to be nice, I grew up thinking that everyone was nice. Somebody should just shoot me now.

I cannot create something out of thin air. Am not a magician, politician or anything of the sort.

Am allowed to have bad days when my creativity went on a hiking trip to God Knows Where.

And if there is nothing there is nothing. Geddit.
I cannot goreng if there is no minyak.

Its just one of those days.

Intan Payung

miss ayra at one

My baby girl turned one last Friday (12/02/2010) . Time just flew by. And am still obsessed with the nomad botak yg kecik. Yes she is still a nomad. Not so botak but with a rockin mohawk.

She can call me ‘mama’ and the H ‘ dadday’ and I cannot believe that one year ago Dr Norleen placed her near my face for me to kiss.
*tears* * tears* tears *
* heart melts *

She has changed and grown so much, she poses for the camera and laughs and babbles to us all the time.

I still get a thrill waking up next to her every morning and just watching her sleep. I think the H and I are much better people because of having her in our lives (although our parents might disagree! heh. but nevermind.)


Miss Ayra Rayyan ( this one is for you )


You're cute as button everyone knows, from your little round head to your chubby little toes. You're cute as a button even when your bad, and when your angry, tired or sad. You're cute as a button every single day, everything you do and everything you say.

ends/

The needle and the lantern

A needle is such a small, brittle thing. It is easily broken. It can hold but one fragile thread. But if the needle is sharp, it can pierce the coarsest cloth. Ply the needle in and out of a canvas and with a great length of thread one can make a sail to move a ship across the ocean.

In such a way can a sharp gossipy tongue, with the thinnest thread of rumor, stitch together a story to flap in the breeze. Hoist that story upon the pillar of superstitious belief and a whole town can be pulled along with the wind of fear.

Being with Margaret was like standing inside the casing of a lantern, one that kept the warmth in and the stinging insects out.

* The Heretics Daughter * ( am still in the middle of reading this, its quite taxing at first but its turning out to be quite a page turner for me at least.)

I'm grateful that being with Ayra and you is like standing inside the casing of a lantern which is warm and keeps the stinging insects out.

Because I hate stinging insects.

And because you both are all that matters in the end.