Seorang sahabat dari jazirah Persia pernah bertanya dengan nada kehairanan, mengapa saya menghantar anak sulung, yang ketika itu baru berumur 5 tahun, ke tadika. Menurutnya , di negaranya, seorang anak hanya akan bersekolah pada usia 7 tahun sahaja, sebelum mencapai usia itu si anak digalakkan untuk "mengaji" dengan ibu bapa.Pendidikan prasekolah ala Malaysia bukanlah menjadi pilihan di sana.
Saya mengakui ada benarnya soalan dan pendapatnya itu. Seorang anak di bawah usia 7 tahun boleh dikatakan sangat senang dibentuk. Ibarat membuat sesuatu dari besi panas. Terpulang kepada si tukang besi hendak dijadikan apa besi panas itu, apakah sebilah pisau atau sebatang tombak yang tajam.Baik buruk perilaku sang anak, dibentuk secara sedar mahupun tidak pada usia dibawah 7 tahun.
Tapi mungkin akan timbul soalan, bagaimana dengan ibu bapa yang bekerja. Takkan nak bawa sama pi pejabat atau kilang kot? Hm, soalan seperti ini bukan senang nak jawab, sebab ada banyak faktor yang perlu ditimbang tara, mengikut persepsi dan keadaan orang yang berkenaan.
Tapi kan, kalaulah kita boleh mengambil jalan tengah, sebetulnya ada perkara yang perlu diperhatikan dengan lebih mendalam:
pertama, ada kalanya ibu bapa "melepas" si anak ke sekolah begitu sahaja. Bab duit, tinggal minta, walhal sebetulnya si anak baru nak mula faham makna seringgit dua. Jangan salahkan siapa-siapa, jika kemudian si anak berubah bak Anakku Sazali. Naudzubillah....Itu dari segi finansial. Dari sudut lain pula....sedar tak sedar ibu bapa kerapkali meletak sepenuh tanggung jawab di bahu cikgu, walhal seorang guru juga hanyalah insan biasa dengan segala kelemahan dan kekurangannya. Yang paling dikesali, bila cikgu menegur kesalahan si anak, ibu bapa pula turun tangan tanpa soal selidik, dan bulat-bulat menyalahkan si cikgu. Kesiannya...nasib cikgu sekarang. Lain dulu lain sekarang, dulu cikgu begitu dipandang hormat, sekarang....silap-silap kena laknat. Naudzubillah....
Kedua,ibu bapa kerapkali beranggapan sukses atau tidaknya si anak kelak dinilai dari segi akademiknya. Kalau bab membaca, menulis dan mengira, itu adalah komponen yang wajib anak-anak kita faham dan kenal seawal mungkin sebagai platform akademiknya kelak, tapi diakui atau tidak sebagai ibu bapa kita kerap terlepas pandang bab pendidikan moral dan akhlaknya. Kalau si anak kerap menempit si kawan, boleh pula kita kata.."biasalah tu, budak kecik", atau ketika si anak membuli si adik...boleh pula kita kata "tak pa ....nanti besak, dia sayanglah adik tu..." tanpa memberi apa-apa respon terus kepada si anak sebagai bentuk pengajaran mana yang betul dan mana yang salah. Bukanlah saya nak suruh ibu bapa pukul anak...tapi adakalanya pukul sayang, cubit manja dan marah adalah sesuatu yang patut anak-anak kita terima supaya mereka faham yang tindakannya salah. Tapi itu sahaja tidak cukup, kita perlu juga memberitahunya perkara mana yang baik dan patut dia lakukan supaya dia tahu bahwa ada hukum sebab musabab dalam dunia ini. Dia kena marah sebab perilakunya yang tidak baik, kerana itu dia perlu berperilaku baik supaya orang pun sayang kepadanya.
Hakikatnya seorang anak kecil belajar melalui apa yang dia lihat, dengar dan alami dalam keseharian. Sedar atau tidak, anak-anak akan mengikut perilaku dan tabiat orang terdekat, dalam hal ini, ibu bapanya. Kerana itu ibu bapa perlulah berusaha menjadi contoh dan role model terbaik untuk anak-anaknya agar anak-anak ini bukan sahaja berjaya dalam segi akademik tapi juga dalam segi pembentukan iman dan akhlaknya.Wallahu'alam.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Islamic Story 9:Imam Hasan (a.s.) Maid Servant and Anger Management
Once a maid of our 2nd Imam, Imam Hasan (a.s.) dropped a hot bowl of soup on Imam Hasan (a.s.).
She was very scared because she thought the Imam Hasan (a.s.) would be angry and punish her.
She immediately recited the Ayah: "...Those who control (their) anger..."
Imam Hasan (a.s.) smiled and said he was not angry.
Then she recited the next part of the Ayah: "...And are forgiving towards people..."
Imam Hasan (a.s.) said he had forgiven her.
She then finished the Ayah: "...Allah loves those who do good..."
Imam Hasan (a.s.) told her she was free.
The above Ayah is from the Holy Quran: Surah Aal-e-Imraan (3), verse 134.
Moral: The Holy Qur'an is not just there to read but to learn from and act upon. It is the word of Allah and teaches us everything we need to know if only we understood it.
She was very scared because she thought the Imam Hasan (a.s.) would be angry and punish her.
She immediately recited the Ayah: "...Those who control (their) anger..."
Imam Hasan (a.s.) smiled and said he was not angry.
Then she recited the next part of the Ayah: "...And are forgiving towards people..."
Imam Hasan (a.s.) said he had forgiven her.
She then finished the Ayah: "...Allah loves those who do good..."
Imam Hasan (a.s.) told her she was free.
The above Ayah is from the Holy Quran: Surah Aal-e-Imraan (3), verse 134.
Moral: The Holy Qur'an is not just there to read but to learn from and act upon. It is the word of Allah and teaches us everything we need to know if only we understood it.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Retinoic Acid: Comprehensive Research is needed
Wrinkles should not necessarily correspond with one's age. After all, there are about a dozen skin-care products that contain retinoic acid which are available on doctor's prescription. Retinoic acid is a chemical or substance that is derived from vitamin A or derivatives thereof. As such, it can eliminate or decrease wrinkles as it assists the skin in retaining moisture more efficiently.
The most significant of them is Tretinoin (retinoic acid). It is found in vegetables such as carrots and spinach. Tretinoin is used extensively in the treatment of acne and increasingly used in anti-aging regimens. Vitamin A is readily absorbed by the skin and stimulates production of new skin cells and as a result increases collagen production. Collagen being responsible for the fuller, firmer, and younger looking skin.
Being the strongest of the Vitamin A treatments, Trentinoin can treat some of the most stubborn skin conditions, but is also the most irritating of the products. When using any of these vitamin A treatments, if your skin becomes irritated, stop using the product to avoid further damaging the skin. Vitamin A in all its forms increases sensitivity to the sun. Don't forget the sunscreen!
Retinol, while not as strong as Tretinoin is found mostly in anti-aging or skin rejuvenation products. It is found in the same vegetables as any other Vitamin A treatment, but is not as easily absorbed into the skin. Its popularity among anti-aging products is due to the fact that one can start with a mild form of it and gradually increase the dose, thereby avoiding the irritation encountered with the stronger forms of vitamin A.
Retinyl Palmitate has not been as extensively tested as the other two, but shows promise of being a preferred replacement for Tretinoin since it can be formulated as a non-irritating alternative.
However, the effectiveness of each type of skin treatment (creams, liquids, or gels) may vary from person to person. For some people, retinoic acid may work well in making many of their fine wrinkles disappear. But for others, it may have very little or no effect at all.
What causes wrinkles, and why does the skin develop such crease marks as one ages? The medical field explains it this way: As a person ages, so too does his or her skin. And in this inevitable 'growing old' process, the skin's production of oil becomes lesser and lesser, making the epidermis (the outer nonsensitive and nonvascular layer of the skin) harsh and dry. Moreover, less collagen and elastin - proteins in the connective tissue that help in maintaining the skin's suppleness - are produced by the dermis (the under layer of the skin). These simultaneous biological activities make the skin tenuous and less springy, thus making it more unresistant to wrinkles.
But it makes us wonder at times why someone who's in the 50's seems to have far less wrinkles than somebody who's ten years younger. The reason could be that the older person spends more time indoors than the younger one who chooses an active outdoor life. Being exposed to the sun very often makes skin wrinkling a lot more pronounced. Smoking is another possible cause of early wrinkling of the skin.
How does retinoic acid work in eliminating the fine wrinkles in the skin? This substance is known to hasten the casting off of inert skin cells on the epidermis. Regeneration of skin cells ensues, which results to a more vital and fresh look. The positive results of retinoic acid against wrinkles may be conspicuous only after about several weeks (even a few months to some) of continuous use. The height of its effectiveness may be reached in about half a year and it becomes pure upkeep for you from then on. Also, you have to realize that your wrinkles can reappear once you stop using creams with retinoic acid.
Some people may be wary of using such retinoic-acid treatments, insisting that there are side effects to their use and that wrinkles are a natural part of aging. Their concern may have some basis, especially since some people who tried using retinoic-acid creams for their wrinkles developed skin irritation, redness, and intense itching. People who suffer from eczema should likewise refrain from using products with retinoic acid as this may aggravate their condition.
The most significant of them is Tretinoin (retinoic acid). It is found in vegetables such as carrots and spinach. Tretinoin is used extensively in the treatment of acne and increasingly used in anti-aging regimens. Vitamin A is readily absorbed by the skin and stimulates production of new skin cells and as a result increases collagen production. Collagen being responsible for the fuller, firmer, and younger looking skin.
Being the strongest of the Vitamin A treatments, Trentinoin can treat some of the most stubborn skin conditions, but is also the most irritating of the products. When using any of these vitamin A treatments, if your skin becomes irritated, stop using the product to avoid further damaging the skin. Vitamin A in all its forms increases sensitivity to the sun. Don't forget the sunscreen!
Retinol, while not as strong as Tretinoin is found mostly in anti-aging or skin rejuvenation products. It is found in the same vegetables as any other Vitamin A treatment, but is not as easily absorbed into the skin. Its popularity among anti-aging products is due to the fact that one can start with a mild form of it and gradually increase the dose, thereby avoiding the irritation encountered with the stronger forms of vitamin A.
Retinyl Palmitate has not been as extensively tested as the other two, but shows promise of being a preferred replacement for Tretinoin since it can be formulated as a non-irritating alternative.
However, the effectiveness of each type of skin treatment (creams, liquids, or gels) may vary from person to person. For some people, retinoic acid may work well in making many of their fine wrinkles disappear. But for others, it may have very little or no effect at all.
What causes wrinkles, and why does the skin develop such crease marks as one ages? The medical field explains it this way: As a person ages, so too does his or her skin. And in this inevitable 'growing old' process, the skin's production of oil becomes lesser and lesser, making the epidermis (the outer nonsensitive and nonvascular layer of the skin) harsh and dry. Moreover, less collagen and elastin - proteins in the connective tissue that help in maintaining the skin's suppleness - are produced by the dermis (the under layer of the skin). These simultaneous biological activities make the skin tenuous and less springy, thus making it more unresistant to wrinkles.
But it makes us wonder at times why someone who's in the 50's seems to have far less wrinkles than somebody who's ten years younger. The reason could be that the older person spends more time indoors than the younger one who chooses an active outdoor life. Being exposed to the sun very often makes skin wrinkling a lot more pronounced. Smoking is another possible cause of early wrinkling of the skin.
How does retinoic acid work in eliminating the fine wrinkles in the skin? This substance is known to hasten the casting off of inert skin cells on the epidermis. Regeneration of skin cells ensues, which results to a more vital and fresh look. The positive results of retinoic acid against wrinkles may be conspicuous only after about several weeks (even a few months to some) of continuous use. The height of its effectiveness may be reached in about half a year and it becomes pure upkeep for you from then on. Also, you have to realize that your wrinkles can reappear once you stop using creams with retinoic acid.
Some people may be wary of using such retinoic-acid treatments, insisting that there are side effects to their use and that wrinkles are a natural part of aging. Their concern may have some basis, especially since some people who tried using retinoic-acid creams for their wrinkles developed skin irritation, redness, and intense itching. People who suffer from eczema should likewise refrain from using products with retinoic acid as this may aggravate their condition.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Consuming Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber comes from the portion of plants that is not digested by enzymes in the intestinal tract. Part of it, however, may be metabolized by bacteria in the lower gut.
Different types of plants have varying amounts and kinds of fiber, including pectin, gum, mucilage, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Pectin and gum are water-soluble fibers found inside plant cells. They slow the passage of food through the intestines but do nothing to increase fecal bulk. Beans, oat bran, fruit and vegetables contain soluble fiber.
In contrast, fibers in cell walls are water insoluble. These include cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Such fibers increase fecal bulk and speed up the passage of food through the digestive tract. Wheat bran and whole grains contain the most insoluble fiber, but vegetables and beans also are good sources.
Sometimes there is confusion as to the difference between crude fiber and dietary fiber. Both are determined by a laboratory analysis, but crude fiber is only one-seventh to one-half of total dietary fiber.
Benefits of Fiber
Insoluble fiber binds water, making stools softer and bulkier. Therefore, fiber, especially that found in whole grain products, is helpful in the treatment and prevention of constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. Diverticula are pouches of the intestinal wall that can become inflamed and painful. In the past, a low-fiber diet was prescribed for this condition. It is now known that a high-fiber diet gives better results once the inflammation has subsided.
Low blood cholesterol levels (below 200 mg/dl.) have been associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. The body eliminates cholesterol through the excretion of bile acids. Water-soluble fiber binds bile acids, suggesting that a high-fiber diet may result in an increased excretion of cholesterol. Some types of fiber, however, appear to have a greater effect than others. The fiber found in rolled oats is more effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels than the fiber found in wheat. Pectin has a similar effect in that it, too, can lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
Other claims for fiber are less well founded. Dietary fiber may help reduce the risk of some cancers, especially colon cancer. This idea is based on information that insoluble fiber increases the rate at which wastes are removed from the body. This means the body may have less exposure to toxic substances produced during digestion. However, more recent studies have not confirmed the protective effects of fiber in developing colon cancer. A diet high in animal fat and protein also may play a role in the development of colon cancer.
High-fiber diets may be useful for people who wish to lose weight. Fiber itself has no calories, yet provides a "full" feeling because of its water-absorbing ability. For example, an apple is more filling than a half cup of apple juice that contains about the same calories. Foods high in fiber often require more chewing, so a person is unable to eat a large number of calories in a short amount of time.
Sources of Fiber
Dietary fiber is found only in plant foods: fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. Meat, milk and eggs do not contain fiber. The form of food may or may not affect its fiber content. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables contain just as much fiber as raw ones. Other types of processing, though, may reduce fiber content. Drying and crushing, for example, destroy the water-holding qualities of fiber.
The removal of seeds, peels or hulls also reduces fiber content. Whole tomatoes have more fiber than peeled tomatoes, which have more than tomato juice. Likewise, whole wheat bread contains more fiber than white bread.
Disorders connected with a lack of dietary fibre
The most obvious effect of dietary fibre is on stool bulk.
.Constipation
Constipation is a significant problem in communities where fibre intake is low, but is virtually unknown when the diet is high in fibre.
•Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids are common and occur at any age un peoples of all races, both sexes and all occupations. There is also a direct association between haemorrhoids and a highly-refined low fibre diet. This causes constipation, that leads to straining at stool. Increasing the fibre content of the diet will prevent constipation and relieve the symptoms of haemorrhoids.
•Irritable bowel syndrome
Increasing dietary fibre and using a bulking agent may be the only treatment needed for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
•Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease is unknown in rural Africans who eat a high-fibre diet, but is common in Western societies where many people have a low fibre intake. It is much less common in vegetarians.
•Bowel cancer
The cause of bowel cancer is unknown but there is good evidence that dietary and other environmental factors promote it, at least in genetically-susceptible individuals.
•Diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes benefit from an increase in dietary fibre and resistant starch. A high fibre diet is also likely to be low in fat and this is a further advantage.
•Raised Blood Cholesterol
Some soluble fibre found in oats, psyllium and barley, and also the pectin from certain fruits , can reduce blood cholesterol. Foods high in soluble fibre have benefits for those with high levels of cholesterol in blood, but a diet low in saturated fat is even more important.
Although fiber is important, it is just one part of a properly balanced diet. It is possible that too much fiber may reduce the amount of calcium, iron, zinc, copper and magnesium that is absorbed from foods. Deficiencies of these nutrients could result if the amount of fiber in the diet is excessive, especially in young children.
Fiber supplements are sold in a variety of forms from bran tablets to purified cellulose. Many laxatives sold as stool softeners actually are fiber supplements. Fiber's role in the diet is still being investigated. It appears that the various types of fiber have different roles in the body. Furthermore, fiber may interact wil prescription medications.
For these reasons, avoid fiber supplements. Instead, eat a variety of fiber-rich foods. This is the best way to receive the maximum benefits from each type of fiber present in foods, and obtain necessary nutrients.
Different types of plants have varying amounts and kinds of fiber, including pectin, gum, mucilage, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Pectin and gum are water-soluble fibers found inside plant cells. They slow the passage of food through the intestines but do nothing to increase fecal bulk. Beans, oat bran, fruit and vegetables contain soluble fiber.
In contrast, fibers in cell walls are water insoluble. These include cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Such fibers increase fecal bulk and speed up the passage of food through the digestive tract. Wheat bran and whole grains contain the most insoluble fiber, but vegetables and beans also are good sources.
Sometimes there is confusion as to the difference between crude fiber and dietary fiber. Both are determined by a laboratory analysis, but crude fiber is only one-seventh to one-half of total dietary fiber.
Benefits of Fiber
Insoluble fiber binds water, making stools softer and bulkier. Therefore, fiber, especially that found in whole grain products, is helpful in the treatment and prevention of constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. Diverticula are pouches of the intestinal wall that can become inflamed and painful. In the past, a low-fiber diet was prescribed for this condition. It is now known that a high-fiber diet gives better results once the inflammation has subsided.
Low blood cholesterol levels (below 200 mg/dl.) have been associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. The body eliminates cholesterol through the excretion of bile acids. Water-soluble fiber binds bile acids, suggesting that a high-fiber diet may result in an increased excretion of cholesterol. Some types of fiber, however, appear to have a greater effect than others. The fiber found in rolled oats is more effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels than the fiber found in wheat. Pectin has a similar effect in that it, too, can lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
Other claims for fiber are less well founded. Dietary fiber may help reduce the risk of some cancers, especially colon cancer. This idea is based on information that insoluble fiber increases the rate at which wastes are removed from the body. This means the body may have less exposure to toxic substances produced during digestion. However, more recent studies have not confirmed the protective effects of fiber in developing colon cancer. A diet high in animal fat and protein also may play a role in the development of colon cancer.
High-fiber diets may be useful for people who wish to lose weight. Fiber itself has no calories, yet provides a "full" feeling because of its water-absorbing ability. For example, an apple is more filling than a half cup of apple juice that contains about the same calories. Foods high in fiber often require more chewing, so a person is unable to eat a large number of calories in a short amount of time.
Sources of Fiber
Dietary fiber is found only in plant foods: fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. Meat, milk and eggs do not contain fiber. The form of food may or may not affect its fiber content. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables contain just as much fiber as raw ones. Other types of processing, though, may reduce fiber content. Drying and crushing, for example, destroy the water-holding qualities of fiber.
The removal of seeds, peels or hulls also reduces fiber content. Whole tomatoes have more fiber than peeled tomatoes, which have more than tomato juice. Likewise, whole wheat bread contains more fiber than white bread.
Disorders connected with a lack of dietary fibre
The most obvious effect of dietary fibre is on stool bulk.
.Constipation
Constipation is a significant problem in communities where fibre intake is low, but is virtually unknown when the diet is high in fibre.
•Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids are common and occur at any age un peoples of all races, both sexes and all occupations. There is also a direct association between haemorrhoids and a highly-refined low fibre diet. This causes constipation, that leads to straining at stool. Increasing the fibre content of the diet will prevent constipation and relieve the symptoms of haemorrhoids.
•Irritable bowel syndrome
Increasing dietary fibre and using a bulking agent may be the only treatment needed for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
•Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease is unknown in rural Africans who eat a high-fibre diet, but is common in Western societies where many people have a low fibre intake. It is much less common in vegetarians.
•Bowel cancer
The cause of bowel cancer is unknown but there is good evidence that dietary and other environmental factors promote it, at least in genetically-susceptible individuals.
•Diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes benefit from an increase in dietary fibre and resistant starch. A high fibre diet is also likely to be low in fat and this is a further advantage.
•Raised Blood Cholesterol
Some soluble fibre found in oats, psyllium and barley, and also the pectin from certain fruits , can reduce blood cholesterol. Foods high in soluble fibre have benefits for those with high levels of cholesterol in blood, but a diet low in saturated fat is even more important.
Although fiber is important, it is just one part of a properly balanced diet. It is possible that too much fiber may reduce the amount of calcium, iron, zinc, copper and magnesium that is absorbed from foods. Deficiencies of these nutrients could result if the amount of fiber in the diet is excessive, especially in young children.
Fiber supplements are sold in a variety of forms from bran tablets to purified cellulose. Many laxatives sold as stool softeners actually are fiber supplements. Fiber's role in the diet is still being investigated. It appears that the various types of fiber have different roles in the body. Furthermore, fiber may interact wil prescription medications.
For these reasons, avoid fiber supplements. Instead, eat a variety of fiber-rich foods. This is the best way to receive the maximum benefits from each type of fiber present in foods, and obtain necessary nutrients.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Islamic Story 8: Don't treat the evildoer with evil
There was a companion of the king who visited him all the time. He would sit beside him and say, 'Treat the good-doer with good and don't treat the evil-doer with evil for his evil will be sufficient for him.'
Another man envied his position with the king and his good speech. The envious man came to the king and related: 'Your companion that sits beside you claimed that you had a bad smell.'
The king inquired, 'But how can I verify this?'
The man replied, 'Call him to you. He will put his hand on his nose as he gets closer to you.'
The king said, 'Leave, and I will see!'
This man left the king and invited the king's companion to a meal that he had placed much garlic in.
The companion of the king ate and then went to the king as usual and said, 'Treat the good-doer with good and don't treat the evil-doer with evil, for his evil will be sufficient for him.'
The king said to him, 'Get closer to me!' The man moved closer, and placed his hand over his mouth so that the king would not smell the odor of garlic.
The king thought to himself, 'That man was truthful.' The king then hand-wrote a letter and gave it to the companion. The king never wrote anything unless he wanted to give someone a prize or gift.
But this letter was written to one of his administrators and contained the following message: 'When the bearer of this letter comes to you, slaughter him and skin him. Then fill his skin with straw and send him back to me.'
Later, the envious man met the companion of the king on his way and asked, 'What is this letter?'
The companion of the king replied, 'The king has given me a gift.'
The envious man asked, 'Would you give it to me.'
The companion of the king said, 'It's yours.'
The envious man took it and went to the administrator. The administrator said to him, 'This letter is a command from the king to slaughter you and skin you.'
The envious man announced, 'This letter is not mine. I beseech you in the Name of Allah to check with the king before you do anything.'
The administrator informed him that there would be no changes to what the king had written. Then he slaughtered him, skinned him, filled his skin with straw, and sent him back to the king.
In the meantime, the companion of the king returned to the king as usual. The king was shocked and demanded, 'What happened to the letter?'
Companion of the king said, 'So-and-so met me and asked me for it, so I gave it to him.'
The king then challenged, 'Have you said that I have a bad smell?'
The companion of the king rebutted, 'No!'
So the king asked, 'Then why did you place your hand over your mouth?'
The companion of the king answered, 'So-and-so provided me with food that had much garlic in it and I hated that you might smell it.'
The king declared, 'You are truthful. The evil of the evildoer is sufficient for him.'
Noble Qur'an says: "Whoever works righteousness benefits his own soul; whoever works evil, it is against his own soul: nor is your Lord ever unjust (in the least) to His Servants." (41:46)
Another man envied his position with the king and his good speech. The envious man came to the king and related: 'Your companion that sits beside you claimed that you had a bad smell.'
The king inquired, 'But how can I verify this?'
The man replied, 'Call him to you. He will put his hand on his nose as he gets closer to you.'
The king said, 'Leave, and I will see!'
This man left the king and invited the king's companion to a meal that he had placed much garlic in.
The companion of the king ate and then went to the king as usual and said, 'Treat the good-doer with good and don't treat the evil-doer with evil, for his evil will be sufficient for him.'
The king said to him, 'Get closer to me!' The man moved closer, and placed his hand over his mouth so that the king would not smell the odor of garlic.
The king thought to himself, 'That man was truthful.' The king then hand-wrote a letter and gave it to the companion. The king never wrote anything unless he wanted to give someone a prize or gift.
But this letter was written to one of his administrators and contained the following message: 'When the bearer of this letter comes to you, slaughter him and skin him. Then fill his skin with straw and send him back to me.'
Later, the envious man met the companion of the king on his way and asked, 'What is this letter?'
The companion of the king replied, 'The king has given me a gift.'
The envious man asked, 'Would you give it to me.'
The companion of the king said, 'It's yours.'
The envious man took it and went to the administrator. The administrator said to him, 'This letter is a command from the king to slaughter you and skin you.'
The envious man announced, 'This letter is not mine. I beseech you in the Name of Allah to check with the king before you do anything.'
The administrator informed him that there would be no changes to what the king had written. Then he slaughtered him, skinned him, filled his skin with straw, and sent him back to the king.
In the meantime, the companion of the king returned to the king as usual. The king was shocked and demanded, 'What happened to the letter?'
Companion of the king said, 'So-and-so met me and asked me for it, so I gave it to him.'
The king then challenged, 'Have you said that I have a bad smell?'
The companion of the king rebutted, 'No!'
So the king asked, 'Then why did you place your hand over your mouth?'
The companion of the king answered, 'So-and-so provided me with food that had much garlic in it and I hated that you might smell it.'
The king declared, 'You are truthful. The evil of the evildoer is sufficient for him.'
Noble Qur'an says: "Whoever works righteousness benefits his own soul; whoever works evil, it is against his own soul: nor is your Lord ever unjust (in the least) to His Servants." (41:46)
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Mengaibkan Orang Lain:Seronok Kah?
Tanah makam masih merah, air mata belum kering, esak tangis belum pun berhenti tapi.....hanya dalam tempoh sehari semalam, sudah pun ada yang begitu lancang mengaibkan Allahuyarham Baginda Sultan Johor ke-4. Masya Allah, nampaknya akal dan hati nurani sudah bukan lagi menjadi tolok ukur perbuatan seseorang. Ramai yang mengetahui perkara ini, namun ramai pula yang sebetulnya tertanya-tanya: apa ke benda ni?.....berkat tindakan pantas pihak berkuasa demi menjaga maruah kerabat diraja dan nama baik Malaysia tentunya. Alhamdulillah.
Yang saya fahami, dalam Islam hanya ada 2 sebab aib seseorang itu perlu dibuka: pertama, apabila kita hendak menghindarkan seseorang itu dari tertimpa masalah yang lebih besar. Umpamanya, rakan kita A berkenalan dengan B, seorang ceti haram, sedangkan A tidak mengetahuinya. Untuk menghindarkan A dari kemungkinan "terjebak" oleh B, maka adalah patut kita bagi tahu A perkara sebenar agar A boleh menghindarkan diri dari B. Kedua, apabila kita berada dalam proses mahkamah, itu pun tentu sahaja mesti disertai dengan fakta dan bukti yang kukuh.
Kalau kita mengaibkan seseorang yang masih hidup, hakikatnya 99 peratus, orang berkenaan masih ada peluang untuk membela diri, benar atau salah...itu sendiri punya pasal. Tapi kalau kita mengaibkan orang yang sudah mati, apa yang kita harapkan? Adakah kita berharap orang itu akan bangkit dari kubur lalu menyatakan semua kebenaran? Tentu mustahil kan? Kalau anda tempatkan diri dalam posisi sebagai ahli keluarga si mati, apa yang anda rasakan? Tentu sahaja malu, marah dan berbagai perasaan lain bercampur dalam hati.
Besar macam mana pun kebencian kita pada seseorang,tak kiralah pada yang masih hidup atau pun yang sudah meninggal dunia, gunakanlah sedikit timbangan akal budi. Janganlah rasa seronok meluahkan kebencian dan kemarahan dengan membuka aib seseorang. Seandainya perkara sedemikian berlaku pada diri sendiri, tentu anda pun akan merasakan "pahit" nya juga.Fikir dulu sebelum bertindak, jangan sampai kemarahan dan kebencian kita menjadi penghalang kita untuk berbuat ehsan. Tidak akan mulia, orang yang suka menghinakan orang lain dan tidak akan hina, orang yang suka memuliakan orang lain. Wallahu'alam.
Yang saya fahami, dalam Islam hanya ada 2 sebab aib seseorang itu perlu dibuka: pertama, apabila kita hendak menghindarkan seseorang itu dari tertimpa masalah yang lebih besar. Umpamanya, rakan kita A berkenalan dengan B, seorang ceti haram, sedangkan A tidak mengetahuinya. Untuk menghindarkan A dari kemungkinan "terjebak" oleh B, maka adalah patut kita bagi tahu A perkara sebenar agar A boleh menghindarkan diri dari B. Kedua, apabila kita berada dalam proses mahkamah, itu pun tentu sahaja mesti disertai dengan fakta dan bukti yang kukuh.
Kalau kita mengaibkan seseorang yang masih hidup, hakikatnya 99 peratus, orang berkenaan masih ada peluang untuk membela diri, benar atau salah...itu sendiri punya pasal. Tapi kalau kita mengaibkan orang yang sudah mati, apa yang kita harapkan? Adakah kita berharap orang itu akan bangkit dari kubur lalu menyatakan semua kebenaran? Tentu mustahil kan? Kalau anda tempatkan diri dalam posisi sebagai ahli keluarga si mati, apa yang anda rasakan? Tentu sahaja malu, marah dan berbagai perasaan lain bercampur dalam hati.
Besar macam mana pun kebencian kita pada seseorang,tak kiralah pada yang masih hidup atau pun yang sudah meninggal dunia, gunakanlah sedikit timbangan akal budi. Janganlah rasa seronok meluahkan kebencian dan kemarahan dengan membuka aib seseorang. Seandainya perkara sedemikian berlaku pada diri sendiri, tentu anda pun akan merasakan "pahit" nya juga.Fikir dulu sebelum bertindak, jangan sampai kemarahan dan kebencian kita menjadi penghalang kita untuk berbuat ehsan. Tidak akan mulia, orang yang suka menghinakan orang lain dan tidak akan hina, orang yang suka memuliakan orang lain. Wallahu'alam.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Berdialog Dengan Alam Gaib
Pernahkah anda membaca sebuah buku bertajuk "Dialog Dengan Jin Muslim"? Saya tak berapa ingat siapa penulisnya, tapi saya sudah berkali-kali membaca buku berkenaan sejak pertama kali diterbitkan di Indonesia pada sekitar tahun 90-an. Sebagaimana tajuknya, isinya tentang dialog dengan jin muslim tentunya. Buku itu pernah begitu popular apatah lagi pada masa itu ramai yang "terkena" buatan orang dan ramai juga yang beria-ia nak menuntut ilmu "hitam" dengan tujuan tertentu.
Kali ini saya nak membahas sedikit tentang 2 buah drama bersiri di televisyen: Pushing Daisies dan Ghost Whisperer. Kalaulah saya boleh berjumpa dengan si producer, teringin saya nak soal dia, apa tujuan pembikinan kedua drama ini. Apa sebenarnya message yang ingin mereka sampaikan kepada penonton. Adakah setakat hiburan atau ada unsur lain yang mereka selitkan.Dalam Ghost Whisperer, watak utamanya mempunyai kebolehan untuk melihat dan berdialog dengan ruh orang yang sudah mati, menjadi mediator antara si hantu dan manusia. Alahai, hebat sungguh. Makin hebat, hantu-hantu itu ada kalanya digambarkan berpakaian serba mewah dan seksi, boleh naik kapal pesiar bahkan menikmati hidup alam gaib yang tak berapa beza dengan alam nyata manusia yang masih hidup. Tak kira siang atau malam, mereka boleh keluar dan bersukaria dan main kacau orang sesuka hati, tak kira masa.
Teringat saya dengan pembikinan Puntianak Harum Sundal Malam 2. Ketika itu ramai yang mengkritik, pasal apa si puntianak cantik keluar pada waktu siang, di saat matahari terang benderang, kurang seramlah ia. Hm, Film negara sendiri kita boleh kutuk macam-macam, tapi adakah di antara kita yang kutuk film dan drama buatan mat saleh? Semua pakat enjoy dan tengok je, no comment at all.
Bukan semua orang dianugerahi dengan kemampuan yang bersifat supernatural. kalau ada pun, bukan semuanya asli dan bukan semuanya bertujuan baik. Yang patut kita sedari adalah bahwa kehidupan sesudah mati itu memanglah wujud, tapi taklah "semewah" gambaran dalam Ghost whisperer. Kita juga patut memahami bahwa mati bukanlah akhir dari segalanya. Mati bukanlah satu penyelesaian, sehingga satu ketika dulu ramai anak muda yang terlalu berputus asa lalu nekad memilih bunuh diri sebagai jalan.
Pushing Daisies pula, meski ada terselit unsur humour di dalamnya, makin membuat penonton celaru. Watak utamanya seorang laki-laki, pembuat pai yang mampu menghidupkan dan mematikan kembali seseorang hanya dengan sentuhan jari telunjuk. Hebat betul, kan? Kalaulah saya mempunyai kemampuan serupa itu, perkara pertama yang ingin saya buat adalah menghidupkan kembali semua rakyat palestine,beserta para pejuangnya plus syahidin Hizbullah. Sebagai ganti, ambil nyawa zionis Israel. Senang kan? Tak payah berperang, tak da lagi penderitaan.
Nyawa bukanlah sesuatu yang dapat ditukar ganti sesuka hati ibarat spare part kereta. Sekali ia hilang, maka hilanglah ia selamanya. Mempercayai sesorang itu boleh mati dan hidup kembali sesuka hati dek kerana sesuatu seumpama jari telunjuk,dibimbangi boleh membawa kita ke jalan kekufuran. Kalaulah ada perkara semudah itu, tentu ramai yang nak menggunakannya. Akhirnya makin kacau bilaulah dunia. Silap hari bulan, lebih ramai orang jahat yang hidup daripada orang baik. Na'udzubillah.
Ada kalanya ketika kita menonton sesuatu rancangan di tv, kita perlu bersikap lebih kritis, ertinya tidak menelan mentah-mentah apa yang mereka hidangkan untuk tatapan mata kita. Daripada tengok drama yang tak ketahuan hujung pangkalnya lebih baik cari aktiviti lain yang lebih bermanfaat atau paling tidak pun tidur..... Itu lebih baik daripada mengahabiskan masa dengan sia-sia. Sedar atau tidak, adakalanya apa yang dsuguhkan dalam sesebuah drama atau film, ibarat menjual mimpi,penonton dibuai dengan sesuatu yang indah tapi hakikatnya perkara serupa itu tak kan pernah berlaku. Producer dapat wang bertan-tan denga hasil karyanya, penonton pula...cuma dapat....message kosong. So pikir-pikirkanlah. Walllahu'alam.
Kali ini saya nak membahas sedikit tentang 2 buah drama bersiri di televisyen: Pushing Daisies dan Ghost Whisperer. Kalaulah saya boleh berjumpa dengan si producer, teringin saya nak soal dia, apa tujuan pembikinan kedua drama ini. Apa sebenarnya message yang ingin mereka sampaikan kepada penonton. Adakah setakat hiburan atau ada unsur lain yang mereka selitkan.Dalam Ghost Whisperer, watak utamanya mempunyai kebolehan untuk melihat dan berdialog dengan ruh orang yang sudah mati, menjadi mediator antara si hantu dan manusia. Alahai, hebat sungguh. Makin hebat, hantu-hantu itu ada kalanya digambarkan berpakaian serba mewah dan seksi, boleh naik kapal pesiar bahkan menikmati hidup alam gaib yang tak berapa beza dengan alam nyata manusia yang masih hidup. Tak kira siang atau malam, mereka boleh keluar dan bersukaria dan main kacau orang sesuka hati, tak kira masa.
Teringat saya dengan pembikinan Puntianak Harum Sundal Malam 2. Ketika itu ramai yang mengkritik, pasal apa si puntianak cantik keluar pada waktu siang, di saat matahari terang benderang, kurang seramlah ia. Hm, Film negara sendiri kita boleh kutuk macam-macam, tapi adakah di antara kita yang kutuk film dan drama buatan mat saleh? Semua pakat enjoy dan tengok je, no comment at all.
Bukan semua orang dianugerahi dengan kemampuan yang bersifat supernatural. kalau ada pun, bukan semuanya asli dan bukan semuanya bertujuan baik. Yang patut kita sedari adalah bahwa kehidupan sesudah mati itu memanglah wujud, tapi taklah "semewah" gambaran dalam Ghost whisperer. Kita juga patut memahami bahwa mati bukanlah akhir dari segalanya. Mati bukanlah satu penyelesaian, sehingga satu ketika dulu ramai anak muda yang terlalu berputus asa lalu nekad memilih bunuh diri sebagai jalan.
Pushing Daisies pula, meski ada terselit unsur humour di dalamnya, makin membuat penonton celaru. Watak utamanya seorang laki-laki, pembuat pai yang mampu menghidupkan dan mematikan kembali seseorang hanya dengan sentuhan jari telunjuk. Hebat betul, kan? Kalaulah saya mempunyai kemampuan serupa itu, perkara pertama yang ingin saya buat adalah menghidupkan kembali semua rakyat palestine,beserta para pejuangnya plus syahidin Hizbullah. Sebagai ganti, ambil nyawa zionis Israel. Senang kan? Tak payah berperang, tak da lagi penderitaan.
Nyawa bukanlah sesuatu yang dapat ditukar ganti sesuka hati ibarat spare part kereta. Sekali ia hilang, maka hilanglah ia selamanya. Mempercayai sesorang itu boleh mati dan hidup kembali sesuka hati dek kerana sesuatu seumpama jari telunjuk,dibimbangi boleh membawa kita ke jalan kekufuran. Kalaulah ada perkara semudah itu, tentu ramai yang nak menggunakannya. Akhirnya makin kacau bilaulah dunia. Silap hari bulan, lebih ramai orang jahat yang hidup daripada orang baik. Na'udzubillah.
Ada kalanya ketika kita menonton sesuatu rancangan di tv, kita perlu bersikap lebih kritis, ertinya tidak menelan mentah-mentah apa yang mereka hidangkan untuk tatapan mata kita. Daripada tengok drama yang tak ketahuan hujung pangkalnya lebih baik cari aktiviti lain yang lebih bermanfaat atau paling tidak pun tidur..... Itu lebih baik daripada mengahabiskan masa dengan sia-sia. Sedar atau tidak, adakalanya apa yang dsuguhkan dalam sesebuah drama atau film, ibarat menjual mimpi,penonton dibuai dengan sesuatu yang indah tapi hakikatnya perkara serupa itu tak kan pernah berlaku. Producer dapat wang bertan-tan denga hasil karyanya, penonton pula...cuma dapat....message kosong. So pikir-pikirkanlah. Walllahu'alam.
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