Knowledge?! Where is it?

Talking about Man is not just physical being but there is another important faculties which should be give an intention to. Physical being is something we could get it through our senses. Let me simplify it, we see the stones as a physic/material and we touch it with our hand while the hand itself also refer physically. Understanding man physically and discussing about a sensible object doesn't mean anything without knowing the meaning of thing. Man has a dual nature, he is both body (jism) and soul (nafs), he is at once physical being (jism) and spirit (ruh). How does it work? let me explain briefly.

Allah has taught Adam the names (asma') of everything (Al-Baqarah (2): 31). By the "names" we infer it means the knowledge (ilm) of everthing (al-ashya'). This knowledge doesn't encompass knowledge of specific nature of the essense (ad-dhat) or the inmost ground (al-sirr) of a thing (shay'). So where is Knowledge (ilm)? because all the things in this world are the object of knowledge from God. I think we understood already the physic and the object that able to discern in this world (all of them are His sign).

The seat of knowledge in man is a spiritual substance which is variously referred to in the Holly Qur'an sometimes as his heart (al-qalb), or his soul or self (al-nafs), or his spirit (al-ruh) or his intellect (al-aql).

Thus when it is involved in Intellection and apprehension and also abstraction of object of the external world it is called "Intellect (aql)". that is why man has the power of faculties to indicate right and wrong to attain bright destiny. So, we have also the choice for better (ikhtiyar) left to some one. When it is engaged in receiving intuitive illumination it is called "Hearth (qalb)"

When it governs the body it is called "Soul (nafs)". Soul also has hierarchy there are; tranquil soul (al-nafs al-muthmainnah) is when inclines itself towards the right direction until it achieves tranquility in the remembrance of God. Secondly, the soul that censures itself (al-nasf al-lawwamah), it is the soul that sometimes his intellectual power and encounters the intelligible whereby thier their eternal truths cause it to affirm its loyalty to God; and sometimes its animal pwoers drag it down to the lowest foothills of the bestial nature. and lastly the soul that incites to evil (al-nafs al-amarah bi 'al-su'), it is bestial nature and remains captive in that condition.

when it reverts to its own world of abstract entities it is called "Spirit (Ruh)", When human is passed away it causes the death of the external senses involving that of the body as a whole. As I sad earlier, these fourth are the seat of knowledge in man that are a spiritual substance while the body as whole is used to give the conception from these spiritual substances and give the images to the other human being or man.

Analogically, I am Zakki. One day, I went to my lecturer's room for consultation then I zakki as a student. I am Zakki, when I was with my parent I must be Zakki as her kid while I was in front of my sisters, I still Zakki but I as his brother. The same person (zakki) but different names or function accordingly.

I just write down here the brief understanding the seat of knowledge. May Allah Guide us to understand His sign in the world so that we can His amanah (responsibility) in this world properly.

For further reading, you may read; Prof. Dr. Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas, Prolegomena to the metaphysics of Islam.

Do Read This Book, plz..

All praises to Allah..I have finished reading "Risalah Kaum Muslimin" written by Syed Muhammad Naquib (SMN) al-Attas. this book actually written in Malay, for those who are incapable in malay language, you can read in English version "Islam and Secularism". The contents are mostly the same as Risalah Untuk Kaum Muslimin.

There are several impressions after reading this book. Firstly, this book is a serious book, I mean, this book not just for relaxing as the books I shared before but reading on it is required a specific time, energy and even venue from worldly crowded. After fixing all these things then I can enjoy myself diving through his words. This is common known that reading philosophical words is not easy therefore, I should deal with such circumstances before going through the book.

Secondly, while the reader like me seemed so serious, I thought the author must be more serious than the readers to come up with the ideas. Thirdly, the book is not thick enough, it just 209 pages but the contents is very comprehensive in considering the words and explaining in detail especially about Islam and the West. Fourthly, this book is not a novel but we have to read like reading such a novel to understand the words explaining or we cannot jump into sub-topic we like otherwise we fail to understand the essence of the contents.

When we go through into deep down of the contents you will find who are we in the world? so, what is the viruses in the Muslims' mind? He brought us into brief history of Western, Christian and Muslim civilization. Surely, every one must read this book.

Some Muslims are against philosophy or even ignoring at all, while other religions are familiar enough with our philosophy through an ancient Muslim Scholars. There is a negative assumption on reading a book of philosophy, they think of being corrupting their belief (Aqidah). However, When reading SMN Al-Attas thought through his book, it is enlighten and clarify us the meaning of religion and what is to be a man in the world and how we deal with all His creation. He has done a good contribution to the Muslim Ummah because SMN Al-Attas really understand history of other civilizations and the meaning of Islam clearly. One should be a good Muslim and a good scholar at the same time. lastly, Oh My Lord, Let me thirst with Your knowledge....

Chip of Stories

Let us take a look at simple story which is written by Paulo Coelho (PC). PC is well-known as a novelist which is enchanting the readers all over the world. One of the books that have been written by PC is "Like the Flowing River". When we read its contents eventually we realize why the is so.

Personally, I wonder that the words that have been used could be like water flowing into downstream with gentle wind. If we read some of the contents, likely, everyone could write such PC's stories. But it seems not easy work. I do believe that never reached such a book unless a writer revise and rewrite each sentence many times.

I have been reading it randomly since months ago and sometimes I always reread in its contents according to my mood in that time. This book is just for relaxing...nothing topic seems seriously to read because it is just daily stories which were occurring among people by then he turned it down into some sentences and ending with some other experiences that we could to be taken as a lesson.

I don't really suggest you to read this book unless you are headache in reading a serious book while you need some break stories with the smooth flowing... :)

Islam and Its Richness

Let us take a look at simple story which is written by Khaled M. Abou El Fadl (KMAF). He is recognized as a academics and one of the most important and influential Islamic thinkers in the modern age. One of his books is "Conference of the Books the Search for Beauty in Islam". The contents of the book are about sort essays which was dictated by the types of issues raised by the the people and also the author's spiritual and moral development. Each essay was written in the context of an imagined conference of the books that occurs every night.

As author said in his preface of that book that the book represented in this conference are mostly classical texts and these engage their readers in reflection about the contemporary Muslim reality. What is the meaning of classical texts? Frankly, It is repository of the intellects of the past. The Author confidently attach the verses of Qur'an and Hadist as well as mention many Muslims Scholars in the past that could be take as an examples for us.

The impression of this book is the ability of the author to transform its intellects into flowing sort stories that eventually could be addressing the intellects of the present. Furthermore, this book seeks to create a nexus and bond between the Islamic intellectual heritage of the past and contemporary Muslim thoughts. As Muslims today are uprooted from their intellectual tradition, and the result has been that Muslims have lost the ethos of knowledge, as well as their moral and intellectual grounding.

Undoubtedly, a Muslim may read these essays as the testament of a Muslim jurist on the problem that confront us today. What about a non-Muslim? of course as The Islamic message was addressed to human beings at large, therefore, a non-Muslim may read these essays for their sociological significance and their relevance to comparative insight on law and theology.

For bookish people, just enjoy yourself with such a profound knowledge with flowing stories happening and grounded with appropriate Islamic intellectual heritage and His Divine Knowledge attaching through His verses and Prophetic tradition (Hadist).

? to be Answered

January 2011 is the first month of us in the year of 2011. It is a month where many companies re-evaluate and restart a new book to face up their programs for next coming months. Again, it is a month for the students to start with new classes and have meeting with their new friends and teachers. It seems very interesting..

However, it is not happen to me. I am starting my month with bad-time management especially in the case of blog entry. I have missed my entries for more than three weeks. Supposedly, it should be ready for at least three entries but no scratching in the wall of my blog even a word. No one could be blamed except me.

For me, many things to be done in this month but It does not necessarily to leave another important tasks what I have committed before. Unfortunately, I could not manage my time to give my rest hours to write here...if my blog is alive, it should be jealous anyway. As a result, my blog still in its vacuum than what it appears should be. To be sure that I cannot conceal my deep pathetic when I see it.

Even so, Alhamdulillah my target was grabbed since two weeks ago, I finished my chapter one to chapter five for my final project of study. The rest time in my formal study is to wait the correction from my supervisor.

Waiting is boring activity..why didn't I write down such a word in this blog to share knowledge or information?? the answer is.....

Living Without Facebook. How it Gonna be?

I think, we are quite familiar with the term what so call by Facebook (FB). Recently, it well known as facebook becomes one of the social networks widely used worldwide. My assumption that most of us are quite familiar to hear the word saying "Facebook".

Facebook has managed to bridge the digital dived among long-lost friends, teachers, classmates and so on. Personally, I use this site for such purposes. I used to open it daily in order to know my friends' status and get to comment them. Sometimes I attached my status in a way to be commented by my friends. Now..I try to reduce it anyway. There are so many things to be prioritized rather than facebooking. I should be grateful that the mistakes of the past should be taken as the lessons of today.

The owner and fouder of FB (Mark Zurkerbeg) announced that FB will be shut down on March. his said that it becomes too stressfull and he opined that it has ruined his life. It is a big deal that will impact for his money profit. However, all are not about profit but his willingness to be in the real life that he used to be. (here)

One of the youngest billionaires in the planet has declared it. So what about you as Facebookers?
No more status updates? No more commenting on photos? With Facebook ending on March 15th, free-time should surely become an abundant commodity for many individuals. As the users' are reached for more than 500 millions so it could potentially be devastating and damaging for many as a new routine will surely need to be devised. Dramitically, boredom is sure to grip the nation and we will not stand by and let this happen. ehmmm... it just my bad delusion that should not be worried about. :)

There are so many things to be done after the death of facebook. Perhaps we could catch up on some reading by then turn it down into a diary or blog. If you are not prefer in reading and writting, we can participate in some organtizations or activities which are contributing for the betterment of the real world. Let see the world as it is..and do remember always that our deeds must be in line wih His commendments.

Birth Day 2010

Age is the duration of a being or a thing which is between its beginning and any given time as what is the present age of man (here). I could mean that age still be accounting as long as we live in this world. In other words, it is the series of numbers while we are breathing in, otherwise won't.

29 December was my birth day. It happened 3 days ago. Recently, I turned into my new age which is older. I, too, hope to go on being productive, writing beneficial ideas related to the contemporary issues with the true framework to see the world. I acutely believe that age is just a number unless we could sincerely contribute our potentials to others.

I called my parent at the day of my birth. However, they were not remember my birth-day. Frankly, I never heard a word and accepted a gift from my parents regarding of celebrating my birth-day. I could say that it is not my family culture. Even so, my parent was not in the wrong side neither they do not say nor give something to me because their supports never stopped and really worth to me.

However, I could not deny that there were friends welcoming through SMS and even Facebook. There were peculiar words saying from many friends such as praying for my best future successes, my future wife and even married. I would like to say thank to all of you. You make me cheering up.

I always have something to celebrate in my birth day and peculiarly I used to do it alone. Praise to be Almighty... I strive myself to finish up my master thesis in the day of my birth in the year 2010 and I have done on time even have to stay up whole night, yet it is sobering for me. Right now I am waiting for prove-reading from DR. Maimunah. Hopefully nothing change radically of what I wrote. :)

I wish, I could be better for next coming day onwards. Amin ya Rabb..

Rainbow in New Year 2011

Today is the last day for us to pass through the year of 2010. The new year 2011 will be coming soon after 3 hours. It is better for us to reflect back of what we have done through the years of 2010 and afterward make it a conclusion and do improve our own performance and get our target of what we wish to achieve in this coming year 2011 rather than doing nothing or doing something that have no meaning behinds.

Different people have different expression to welcoming new year 2011. Commonly, people are celebrating this special events with their partners and friends in somewhere. The bugles and long-hat always become the prime devices to cheering up the events. Again, the mass-media worldwide mostly light up the agenda with delight lamps and special event offered to welcoming this event. Its like that there is a new real world out there.

I appreciate the way they are welcoming this new year. However, appreciating of what they do, it couldn't mean we have to follow of what they do. I do believe that they have their own belief to do that, while I have my own belief to do other things. If I do of what I don't believe it, I could say that I am hypocrite myself or pretending my existence. Even so, I acknowledge them that they are exist and part of our human expression but every one has their own right to decide his/her choice.

Do not mix the colors of what we are. Mixing or force our diversity into one belief is to let us into gray which is inconsistent color. Just let the rainbow exist with their own colorful because of these colors the rainbow exist in its beauty and prettiness.

Nowhere and only writing this note to Celebrate New Year 2011. Even sitting alone in Rumah Peradaban :) still, Life goes on, but it goes on so much better with hope and renewal and recommitment. The new year is here it is time to look forward and move on...

Appreciating the Processes

I got ready to go to campus with the motorbike at time where the heavy rain fell in. The condition push me to do so due to an appointment with the CPS staffs and so on.

I started to drive into the rain with the rain coat covered to prevent my body from the water in. After driving 2 maters from Rumah Peradaban, the engine stopped suddenly. :(

I turned the motor back into veranda with the acid faces. I was thinking that all schedules in that day would be canceled. Even so, still I tried to repair the motorbike. I quite familiar with the problem of my motorbike because I used it daily. Nothing to scare about.

Even so, I could be honest to say that my feeling was utterly sad when the engine break down at the time that I be ready to go, the time i was tidy enough with my suit clothes covered by rain coat. I have no choice unless taking the rain-coat down, put aside of my bag and then starting to repair my motor with the suit clothes.

I identified the motor's problem and it was in the plug. I tried to open and clean it then try to restart again and again. The process of trial and error went off in five times after doing so. Ultimately, it could be started as normal engine. My sadness turned into a joy. :) Praise to the Almighty.

My destination in that day was only going to campus, yet, it could be such a story. Why should I wrote it here and share with the readers?. As I know that going to campus was only such a common activity I used to do even daily. I only do appreciate my processes going to campus.

Let me give me an analogy, the jeweleries that you got as a gift from your parent, frankly has totally different stories to be shared and write compared to the jewelery that you have it by your own sweat working. It has the same object and content but has different impression. that's why many people prefer to keep a thing even cheap and simple which has historical memory in their life.

Every process in our life always be such a story to be shared, drawn and even to be remembered. Again, later on it must be asked by Him in the day of judgment.

I want to say that the processes and goal are a package, yet, the process is more powerful impacts to make us understand the meaning of life and also the Sign of God. So what process are we going to pass...? It depend on us. Surely. we cannot see our tomorrow days and the only Him knows our future... be always remember Him and keep asking His Guidance to show us the truth meaning of Life.

Because of Your Pity I wrote it.

New Years and New Spirit (1432H)

We still in the beginning of the month of Muharram 1432H. I think, it is not too late enough to say happy new years to all my friends. May God Allah forgives our sins of the last year and gives His sign as we are humans and His servants (abd) in this World.

New years it must be take into account that we have a new spirit to be a better man this day onwards. we spend our time 24 hours daily and it is undeniable whoever you are as long as we live and breath in air world. However, we must ask ourselves in fulfilling its time, either it has a meaning on us or otherwise.

We live in the era that lean us into worldly happiness that consciously of being our daily needs such as Internet, Mobile Phone, TV and etc. These devises are easily and being familiarly used with us daily with regard of positively and negatively effects. Still, it depends on what is sketching in our mind whereas those devises totally do not work at all without us as a human.

Even so, we could not be denied so many things are going to be easier and near both positively and negatively. let reflect ourselves as a human in this world that must be end and died some time that we never know.

How many times did we pray and remember our God (Allah) a day? how many times did we recite the Holy Qur'an a day?. I do believe most of us are busy with our duties and tasks in order to survive in this world. we should know that as a Muslim must believe that it is a physical healing, a source of rest and relaxation for our heart among many other things.

Let give a small portion among 24 hours a day to recite the Holy Qur'an. Its fine to remember and do that we should not consider a day complete unless you have spent some time with the Qur'an. It is better to read regularly, even if it be only a small portion, than to read long parts, but only occasionally.

Allah likes things which are done regularly, even if little, said the Prophet, blessings and peace be on him (Bukhari, Muslim).