Ramadhan - The Month of Fasting

Just like past years' Ramadhan, when I went to the masjid last night, I saw something funny - the masjid was filled with people. Masha Allah, this is awesome!! Where did these people come from? Did they just come out from hibernation or something? I mean, what about the rest of the year? Why is it just because it's Ramadhan, people start praying in masjid? What about the five daily fard prayers, the ones we should perform everyday? Subhanallah, what have we been doing? They think that tarawih is the most important solat in Islam, but it's not. It's just sunnat (Islamically encouraged). This condition confuses many people, especially the non-muslims. If you think the masjid is full during Ramadhan, you should see Eid. Come down to Eid prayers. You won't see more Muslims at the masjid than the rest of the year. People are dressed nice, they smell good, and subhanallah, they should dress nice and dress good, alhamdullillah it's Eid. I'm reminding you just so that I'm able reminding myself. I hope we won't be like the kind of people that only pray during Ramadhan or Eid.

Now, let's get down to the real business. What is Ramadhan all about? It's the month where Muslims, who meet all the requirements of fasting, are obliged to fast. It's already stated in the Holy Al-Quran :

"O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil)." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)

The time for Muslims to fast is from the rise of "white light" (fajar sadiq), or commonly known as dusk, until the sun sets. In Malaysia, the rise of white light in this year's Ramadhan is around 5:40 to 5:50 and the set of the sun is around 7:10 to 7:20. So, you can say that Malaysian Muslims fast for about 13 hours. That's just a short period of time.

What kind of person is obliged to fast during Ramadhan? The person must be a Muslim. Yeah, Christians, Hindu and Buddhist can choose whether they want to fast or not. The person must also has reached the age of maturity. In Islam, we consider people who have reached puberty as mature. Children who have not reached puberty are encouraged to fast at early age, as this will prepare themselves when they have reached puberty. Besides that, the person must be sane. That means, people who can't differentiate bad and good, this and that, or whatsoever, are exempted from fasting. The person must be present at his or her own settlement, and not travelling to other places. Wayfarers (people who travel more than 90 km) have the option whether they want to fast or not. Why? Because long time ago, when Muslims were commanded to fast for the first time, cars and other motorised vehicles were not invented yet. So, they had to travel by walking or riding camels, horses, etc. This condition may cause them to be extremely tired when travelling. So, they are also exempted from fasting. But now, we have many vehicles. If people nowadays don't fast just because they're travelling, it's a big joke!! But still, they can choose whether they want to fast or not. Those who meet the requirements of fasting but did not fast during Ramadhan, must fast again after Ramadhan to replaced the missed ones.

People who are exempted from fasting are children under the age of puberty, wayfarers and insane people who are unaccountable for their deeds, as stated above. Besides that, people who are exempted from fasting include people who are too old to observe fasting, sick people who are likely to have their health affected if they fast, pregnant women and women who are breast-feeding their children if they are worried of their foetuses and children and women who are in the period of menstruation.

It's obvious that Muslims who are fasting in the month of Ramadhan are prohibited from eating and drinking during daytime. They must not do something that penetrates into their body (e.g. picking nose or ear). Besides that, they must not carry out ****** intercourse. Smoking is also not allowed for those who are fasting. Talking bad words and hearing bad words decrease the reward of Muslims who fast. Doing something that may stimulate sexual desire (e.g. looking at a sexy woman) may also decrease the fasting reward. Exposing aurat (for males, their aurat is between navel and knees ; for females, their aurat is the whole body except their palms and faces) is itself prohibited in Islam. So, people who continue to do so during Ramadhan won't get
any reward even if they fast.

People who fast during Ramadhan can avoid dangerous diseases such as high blood pressure. This is proved in the research carried out by Dr Soliman from Hospital University in Amman. In Tehran, Dr F. Azizi and his research team carried out a test on 9 men who fast during Ramadhan. The result shows that fasting reduces the level of sugar in blood without harming them. The level of harmful cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) decreases and the level of good cholesterol (high density lipoprotein) increases. Besides that, the level of fat in blood also decreases. These researches show that fasting during Ramadhan does not bring harm. The body metabolism becomes better, and our body can avoid diseases, especially diseases which are linked to excess fat and sugar. Fasting also trains people to be patient, as people who are fasting are not encouraged to get angry.

I hope that this simple article provides you with some useful information, insha Allah. Jazakumullahu khairan (may Allah grant all of you goodness) and happy fasting to all the Muslims.

One of the most hated things in the world - Homework

Before you say "Homework, who needs it?", think again. You need it, my friends. It's not just there to make your life miserable. In fact, it benefits you a lot.

Here are a few good reasons for doing homework :
1. It helps you practice skills that you haven't fully learned yet. And it helps you review skills that you haven't learned.
2. It gives you the chance to finish up tasks that you couldn't get done during school hours.
3. It helps you to learn and grow.

Now repeat after me : "Homework is not horrible." (Well, not that horrible.)
"I can do my homework WITHOUT THROWING UP!!!"

People who say homework is a waste of time don't know what they're talking about. They'll probably grow up without useful skills and might end up with jobs they really don't like.


Ten terrible excuses for not doing your homework :

1. I don't feel like it.
2. No time.
3. Homework? What the heck is homework?
4. I left it at school, on the bus, in the cafeteria...
5. I have to watch my favourite TV show.
6. Nobody reminded me.
7. Homework is really really really really BOOOOR-ing.
8. I have better things to do.
9. I didn't write down the assignment.
10. My dog ate it.


So, how to organise your homework? Make a homework schedule. This will tell you exactly when to do your homework and when to do all the really fun stuff that keeps you from doing homework.

Hang your schedule on the fridge or in your room so you don't forget about it. AND, do not ever crumple, mangle, spit on, sneeze on, throw up on, wipe your dirty fingers on, or tear your homework schedule into a million pieces!!!


Example of a bad homework schedule :

4:00 to 7:30 : Play outdoors, feed the dog, eat dinner, play video games, feed goldfish, read comic book, pick nose, twiddle thumbs, stare at the ceiling for the longest time.

7:30 to 9:30 : Do it all again and watch TV.

9:30 : Go to bed.

9:31 : Stare at the ceiling again, remember big major homework assignment you didn't do, sweat profusely, bite fingernails, wish for a flood or other disaster to happen so you won't have to go to school tomorrow.

Example of a good homework schedule :

4:00 to 4:30 : Play outdoors, have a quick and healthy snack.

4:30 to 5:30 : Homework time! Breathe deeply, do homework, think hard, stretch, think harder.

5:30 to 7:00 : Stop homework, play, feed dog, call a friend, eat dinner.

7:00 to 8:00 : Finish up any remaining homework.

8:00 to 9:30 : Free time (if your homework is done).

9:30 : Go to bed, sleep like a baby, dream about how happy your teacher will be about your completed homework!

Besides that, find a homework helper. Get a good friend, a parent or relative, to help you with your homework. A homework helper will help you understand things.

Do your homework in the same place every day. This way, the moment you sit down, you automatically switch into homework mode. As time goes by, this will become a routine and doing your homework will become easier.

You cannot watch television and do your homework at the same time. It doesn't work! People who do their homework while watching television often develop 'TV-Homework-Neck' (a nervous twitch-of-the-head that occurs as a result of continually flicking your head up to get a quick look at the television as you work. The more you flick, the more you twitch. The more you twitch, the more you flick).

If noise bothers you while you're doing your homework, tell everyone in the house to PLEASE BE QUIET! If they don't listen, call a family meeting and say, "Hey, I'm a responsible student. I'm dedicated to furthering my education. I am determined to be somebody. So... please HUSH for goodness sake!"

Sometimes it helps to have a little intermission while you're doing your homework. Little breaks during homework help to refresh your mind. When I say a little break, I mean a LITTLE break of five minutes. Not a four hour break that includes three television shows, a basketball game, two pieces of toast, teasing the neighbour's dog, reading all your comic books and playing video games.

Homework can be useful! If you want something from your parents, the best way to get it is to use your completed homework as a tool. To make this really well for you, use the words "I've done my homework," after every sentence. For effective results, always drop your voice when you say "done my homework". For example, "Mom, I need the new X-Men comic book. I've done my homework. And the store down the street has those comics. I've done my homework. Can you drive me there because I have... done my homework.

Doing your homework makes parents very happy. A happy parent will make you happy, and a happy you will make your homework easier to do.

Participating in class makes homework easier to do because the more involved you get, the better you'll understand what you're being taught.

In class, think for yourself. If you keep asking other people for the answers, you won't undestand the material and your homework will be hard to complete.

If you sleep in class, you won't even know that you have homework to do!

Feeling down ... or depressed about your homework means you need help. Ask your teacher or parent for help. They might suggest that you get a tutor. A tutor can teach you things you're having trouble understanding and will help you sharpen your skills. Don't be afraid to get a tutor.
Once you've received the help you need, you'll feel A LOT better about your homework and yourself.





Drinking alcohol or using drugs does not make homework easier to do. It just makes you a dope!!! And MORE IMPORTANTLY, alcohol and drugs are very bad for your health!!! Don't even try them!!!


Your teacher didn't invent homework, so don't try to make your teacher's life miserable. For example, do NOT stick a big piece of gooey chewed-up bubblegum on your teacher's chair!!

If the sight of homework makes you want to puke, let your teacher know. Say, "Sir or Ma'am, I'm going to throw up all over this homework because I don't understand it. I feel green, I have a headache, and I'm afraid I'm going to fail. I need some help, please!!"

Believe it or not, most teachers will not yell at you or make you feel stupid. Your teacher will HELP you. That's why your teacher is there.

NO!! Your teacher will not believe the toilet ate your homework!!

And your teacher will not believe the dog ate your homework either. DOGS DO NOT EAT HOMEWORK! A dog will throw up if it tries to eat any type of homework, especially if it's a science project.

Turn your homework into a good habit, like brushing your teeth. Soon you won't even know you're doing it.

Reading makes homework a lot easier to do. The more you read, the better you'll understand things. It's quite amazing. Without even knowing it, you'll get smarter. Reading opens your mind like a key opens a lock. It's automatic!

For practice, read anything and everything : great literature, poems, novels, non-fiction, plays, short stories, mysteries, magazines, newspapers, journals, your big sister's diary (OOPS! Just kidding!), maps, comic books, road signs, billboards, cereal boxes - the list goes on and on!

A great thing about finishing your homework is that you'll have free time to spend with your friends and family - without that nagging "Uh oh, gotta do my homework" feeling. After you've worked so hard, you'll have a great time watching a movie, having a picnic, going out for dinner or spending the rest of the day doing things you love to do.

WARNING!!! Homework has a serious side effects!! You might become smart and successful if you do all your homework!!

Not only will you feel relieved when you complete your homework, but you'll also feel proud. Being proud of what you do boosts your self-esteem. So, doing a good job on your homework can actually make you feel great about your accomplishments and yourself all at the same time.

Quick reminders :

• Do your homework in the same place every time. Make sure it's a quiet place with the TV off.


• Eat a meal or light snack before doing your homework.


• Do the hardest assignments first.


• Find a homework helper, if you need one. This can be a good friend, a classmate, or a parent. (Your goldfish cannot be a homework helper.)


• Ask your teacher for help when you need it. (TIP : Do this while you're still at school. Desperately telephoning your teacher at midnight is NOT a good idea.)


• Ask your family to respect your homework time. If you want, put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door (or on your forehead).


• Take little breaks doing your homework time. Stand up and stretch, get a drink of water or an energizing snack, or do ten jumping jacks - whatever keeps you going.
  

Five Homework Gripes (and what to do about them!)

1. "I don't have time." (Make time. Remember this : Homework is not optional!)


2. "I don't understand it." (Ask your teacher for help before the school day is over. Do all the parts you can do, then figure out where you're stuck. At home, do not be afraid to ask an adult or your older brother or sister to help you.)


3. "I can't ever finish it." (Find out why. Are you distracted? Are you having trouble in a certain subject? Ask your teacher or a parent for some advice about managing your time.)


4. "I have to much homework." (Organize yourself. Make a homework schedule that says what you'll do and when you'll do it. Use a calendar to remind yourself of short-term and long-term assignments. Do not procrastinate! Ask your teacher to give you advance notice of upcoming projects so you canget an early start.)


5. "I forget to bring my books home." (Remind yourself each day before you leave school to do a 'Backpack Check'. Do you have everything you need? Write little reminders to yourself on your notebooks, in your locker, on your hand - whatever works for you.)
   

The nicest thing about doing your homework is the feeling you get when it's DONE!!!

Doing your homework to the best of your ability will one day help you to reach as high as you can reach and as far as you want to go!

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Just for some good laughs. I received the following in an email from my sister.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Kindergarten teacher :
To get to the other side.

Aristotle :
It is the nature of chickens to cross roads.

Ronald Reagan :
I forgot.

Karam Singh Walia (TV3 newscaster) :
Seperti yang saudara dapat lihat, kelihatan ayam-ayam itu sedang melintas jalan, mereka bukan sahaja melintas jalan malah membuang najis di atas jalan dan ini adalah pencemaran yang paling hebat di maya pada masa ini. Bapa-bapa dan ibu-ibu ayam haruslah mengambil inisiatif untuk melatih ayam-ayam agar menahan najis sewaktu melintas jalan. Sekian saya sudahi dengan :
Ayam di jalan dilintaskan,
Ayam di reban mati tak makan.

Jerry Seinfeld :
Why does anyone cross the road? I mean, why doesn't anyone ever think to ask, "What the heck was this chicken doing walking around all over the place anyway?"

Bill Gates :
I have just released the new Chicken Office 2000, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook.

Mahathir :
You know, I'm tired of all this... 'apa-nama' chicken-chicken bisnes... the foreign powers should stop intervening in our domestic affairs and just leave our chickens alone... if they want to... 'apa-nama' cross the road, they should be allowed to cross the road... Malaysia is a democratic country, we let our chickens do whatever they want to do... as long as they don't threaten the Malay unity and try to topple the government... if they plan to do so... we won't hesitate to use the ISA...

Abdullah Badawi :
Ini semua adalah khabar angin sahaja... jangan percaya khabar-khabar angin ini semua... biasalah ini adalah taktik pembangkang untuk memecah belahkan perpaduan ayam-ayam semua... jangan percaya... jangan percaya...

Samy Vellu :
ayyooyoo... belakang cerita lain kali, kita sude bikin banyak jembatan, itu ayam musti guna jembatan untuk lintas itu jalan lagi pun kalau ayam itu mau pigi jalan-jalan, beritau sama saya juga, saya bolley buat lebbey banyak toll.....

Colonel Sanders :
I missed one?

Bill Clinton :
I've had so many chicks, I can't remember...

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