Secret One: A Pillar of Faith

Secret One: A Pillar of Faith

from the book of Life is an Open Secret- Ramadan Special.
(will be among my wish list book to buy )


here it goes from the author

As a special treat for my beloved friends, brothers and sisters, I have in today's post Secret One (out of 25 Secrets) from my latest book- Life is an Open Secret- Ramadan Special.


If you like the story, please forward and share this story (without changing anything or any part of it and plus include my blog link and copyright too!) with your friends and family, inshaAllah. I pray that Allah accepts our deeds, and have mercy on us, and forgive us for all our wrongdoings this Ramadan, ameen.

My gift to you...

Secret One: A Pillar of Faith

From Small Beginnings, Come Great Things - American Proverb



That day I was admiring a beautiful house near my sister's place. The design of the house was breathtaking, subhan Allah.

Although I don't have any inkling whatsoever about architectural design, I do love houses, buildings and structures that reflect great creativity and genius. I could not begin to imagine the sheer hard work the designers and architects must have put into the design.

Thomas Disch once said,
Creativity is the ability to see relationships where none exist.

And I totally agree with Mr. Thomas here. This house I am appreciating has a perfect combination of classic, ancient and gothic with a touch of modernity in it, subhan Allah.

I chuckled at the thought of my very best effort in designing a house: a square box with a roof and chimney and a few squared windows and one door, with a sun coming out from behind it!

Got the picture?

So, obviously, I truly appreciate talents of people who can design such a strikingly beautiful house.

But then I got curious. Despite its gorgeousness and majestic outlook, the house was empty. I mean, it looked as if it had been left empty for years. The garden is full of weeds growing as tall as a 9 year old, cobwebs were everywhere, the main gate was all rusty and most windows were broken too.

It was then my dad told me that the house was empty for a reason.

“What's the reason, dad?” I asked him

“Well, it seemed that when the house was being built, the owner refused to follow the advice that it should not be three-storeys high as the ground it was built on was kind of soft. And if he still wanted to do so, he would have to build a stronger foundation for the house and use the right kind of piling as pillars. But he refused to listen and built the house his way anyway. And now, the house is not safe to live in.”

“Wow, what a shame and a waste of money!” I couldn't believe my ears, shaking my head in disbelief.

The owner must have lost hundreds of thousands of his hard earned money. Poor him…

As I reflected on that incident later in the day, it suddenly dawned upon me the words of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who once said,



"Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing prayer; paying zakah; fasting Ramadan; and Hajj to the House (the Ka`bah)." (Al-Bukhari)

SubhanAllah!

Don't I see that my beautiful religion too, has pillars and foundations of its own which I should adhere and follow? The pillars that have been identified by my Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) about 1429 years ago, and they still hold true until today.

And he (peace be upon him) had left us these pillars for one reason- the very soil also known as life that we all stand (live) on is, yes, you got it- soft!




Soft as in unstable, risky, dangerous, uneven, unbalanced, uncertain, unsafe and could be hazardous to our lives.

And if we failed to build the right kind of pillars as the foundation to our home (a.k.a. life) here on this earth, we might just end up like that wasted house- all beautiful but of no use to anyone!

Yikes! Na`udhbillaahi min dhalik!

Surely, that is not something that we want to become, you agree?

I, for one, truly do not want to be like that wasted house. Nope, I really don't.

Really. Really. Really.

In fact, I want to built a 'house' that I could live in happily and peacefully; where others could come visit without worrying if the roof is going to fall on them or the floor is going to suck them in. I want to build a place where people could call it a happy home and where others and I can find solace in, inshaAllah.

And as we all know, in just a few days, we shall be given a chance to strengthen the current foundation to our houses using one of the mentioned pillars- the pillar of fasting in the great month of Ramadan!

He, the Almighty has special instruction for us during this month when He said in one of His Verses,

(The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and (He desires) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 185)

Yes, that is what we should be doing this month of Ramadan, you agree?

Fasting.

Thinking about this special month made me become excited suddenly. Why shouldn’t I, right? This is literally the only opportunity that I have to strengthen this one pillar as it only comes once a year and it only lasts for 30 days!

30 days?

Yes, 30 days, my brothers and sisters. Only for 30 days.

We are given about 30-days to do whatever we should do to ensure that this one pillar becomes so strong that it would be able to withstand whatever hurricane, tsunami and turbulence that might come our way for the next 326 days (365 minus 30 days) until the next round of 'piling' comes- if we live that long, that is!

Oppss… such is the reality of life, huh?

And you know something else?

One of the best part of having Ramadan with us is this,

“When Ramadan comes, the gates of mercy are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the devils are put in chains.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Yup, all the gates of mercy are opened, my friends! Opened!

Isn't that amazing?




I began wondering, what is behind those gates of mercy. Do you wonder too, my brothers and sisters?

One thing I believe is that it contains a gazillion times of a gazillion things called mercy that we cannot imagine having, right?

Much like what the gates of banks would have what behind it. Yup, you got it. MONEY! And the gates of libraries would have books and the gates of schools would have children inside them, right?

Subhan Allah…

So, I know that I must take plan my Ramadan well this year, inshaAllah as His Gate of Mercy is wide open for me, Ameen…

And coincidently, about a week back, I received something from a friend called 'Ramadan Planner'. It has a 30-day plan where we can insert / change / edit whatever information according to our fancy. And this Ramadan Planner is sure able to help us plan our recitation of His Book, our remembrance of His Names, our Charity to give away, our obligatory prayers time and supererogatory Prayers like the Tarawih Prayers and many other good deeds we plan to do during this Holy month of Ramadan- all charted in this wonderful planner.

Nevertheless, I will always remember what Will Rogers once said,
Plans get you into things, but you got to work your way out.

I surely do! And my dearest brothers and sisters- you know, you have to, too! So, let us all do it together then, you agree?

Let us start planning!

Ramadan Kareem to everyone!

Sis Zabrina also known as Zabrina A. Bakar, is a Life Storyteller, motivational and inspirational writer, speaker and blogger; and author and creator of National Bestseller Islamic motivational book Life Open Secret book series www.LifeOpenSecret.com. She maintains an active blog at www.WisdomThruWords.blogspot.com

Copyright © Sis Zabrina 2009

Azizi Ali achieved his goal - inner peace

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What inspired you to write books and share your knowledge and experience? Noor Farah Hanim Mohd Suffian, Kuala Lumpur

I love to write, and have been writing since I was in primary school. When I decided to become an author, the obvious subject was something that I was equally good at – money. And so I wrote Millionaires are from a different planet. It was a total blast.





I’m touched to hear that my books have changed lives.

My life changed because of a book I read. So, being able to improve other people’s lives with my books really warms my heart.

What is the one thing that most often stands in the way of somebody becoming a millionaire?Teck Lee, Shah Alam

Many things stand in the way – lack of knowledge or desire, unwillingness to work hard or learn and an inclination to give up too easily, among others.

The wonderful thing is that all of the obstacles can be overcome. You can do anything you want and you can achieve anything you want. In case you have not realised it yet, there is no bumi quota when it comes to money. It is not easy to become a millionaire but it is not as hard as you think. Do the right things and the money will come.

You focus a lot on investing in properties. How have you done in other types of investments? R.S. Kumar, Banting

I have some investments in stocks that are being handled by a fund manager. He has fared pretty well in the past four years, especially when you consider that the market has dived in recent months.

I used to have some money in unit trusts but I sold all of them a couple of years ago. I was dismayed at the high fees charged by the unit trust companies and see no reason why I should be paying such high fees to get mediocre returns. The only money I have in unit trusts now are in the Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB)-run funds. I do not invest in futures, options, foreign exchange, gold, silver, commodities or anything that has the word “offshore” in it. I do not invest in them because I want to become rich, not poor.

Are your children good with money too? Karen Toh, Malacca

My wife and I do guide them about it. They are learning and getting better at it every single day. I’m sure they’ll do very well in the future.

Why is it important for you to continue your career as a pilot?Azman Fuad, Bandar Utama

I fly because I love to fly. Unlike many other jobs, flying is very fulfilling. I still get a buzz in my stomach every time I step into the cockpit and the adrenaline still flows every time I take-off and land. And when we arrive at the destination, I get another buzz because I did it to the best of my ability – bringing the aircraft, passengers, crew and cargo safely to the destination on schedule and at optimum cost. I only do the things that I love to do – write, speak, fly and spend time with my family. Life is too short to spend on things you do not enjoy.

If you can give just one piece of advice on money, what would that be? Jimmie Leow, Petaling Jaya

Do what you love, and the money will follow. Let me elaborate. Don’t go on a blind pursuit of money. Even if you do make money – and some people do – you will not be very happy or live a fulfilling life.

Instead, build your business around your passion, something that you actually love. That way, you can be happy and make money at the same time. And chances are you will make lots of money because your products and services will be of exceptional quality.

I suppose I could make money running a restaurant, a workshop or a boutique. But am I interested in any of them? The answer is a flat no. My passion is books. I can think of nothing better than spending hours writing and reading. So I built my ‘business’ around my love of books.

What sort of luxuries have you allowed yourself? Tina Adam

Not much. All I need is a good breakfast, a good book to read, a computer to write and time with my family. I have all that already.

My family lives in a nice house in a fabulous neighbourhood. We have a few items to make our lives more comfortable but nothing out of the ordinary. I think, the average Malaysian has more toys than me. As I wrote in one of my books, visitors often comment that my house is spacious. My house is spacious not because it is big but because it is sparsely decorated. I call it minimalist decor. We still have only one TV in the house and a 10-year-old mini-compo. I don’t have any branded goods and see no use for them.

I spend money on quality (not branded) goods. For example, my mattress costs some RM20,000. If you’re going to spend a major portion of your life (eight to ten hours a day) on a mattress, the only sensible thing to do is to buy the best mattress you can afford.

You are also a publisher. What kind of books do you like to come out with? Sheela Nair, Segambut

My wife and her team run the publishing business. I basically write and speak (and fly). True Wealth publishes mostly self-help genre. Most of the books are related to money, business and personal finance. We publish both in English and Bahasa Malaysia and we have also bought the rights to a few books from overseas.

I like to read books that are clear and straight-forward. So, I always tell our authors to do the same and to write in a conversational manner that’s easy to understand. As publishers, we try to make the books an adventure for the mind – the content, the layout, charts, graphs, etc. The market seems to like what we do because we have sold hundreds of thousands of books despite being a newcomer.

Do you think it’s possible to become wealthy and not be changed by all that money? Lim Lai Wah, Kuantan

I read some time ago that money amplifies what you already are. If you are nasty when you have little money, you will become nastier when you have a lot of money. If you are a good human being when your pockets are empty, you will become even better when you have a lot of money. And I have found out this to be very true.

Practically all the millionaires that I’ve met are so eager and happy to help others. I myself have received help (advice) from many millionaires. Maybe that’s one reason why they are so rich.

I have changed significantly. The name and the face are the same, but I am not the same Azizi Ali of 20 years ago. It is not the money that changed me but the process to get to where I am today that has led to the change. I had to improve myself on many fronts – knowledge, skill, time and people management and obviously develop the ability to make money. Next, I had to discipline and dedicate myself to my quest; I had to stop partying and start working hard; I had to continue my learning and, very importantly, develop the ability to bounce back because I knew I will face many failures on the road to success. How can one not become a different person after all that?

I do remember the little boy playing in the paddy fields behind the house of his grandmother with a fond heart but my life today is an even better dream. I have everything a man could dream for – happiness, good health, inner peace, a stunning and loving wife, beautiful bright children, a wonderful career, books on the bestsellers’ list and, very importantly, I’m helping others make their dream come true.

assignment for my study

books to read.

what book? where can i get the book?
How? to buy or to borrow?when? today or tomorrow?
why ? reading for leasure or for my knowledge?


The Laws of the Web
Patterns in the Ecology of Information
Bernardo A. Huberman

Despite its haphazard growth, the Web hides powerful underlying regularities—from the organization of its links to the patterns found in its use by millions of users. Many of these regularities have been predicted on the basis of theoretical models based on a field of physics—statistical mechanics—that few would have thought applicable to the social domain.

In this book, Bernardo Huberman explains in accessible language the laws of the Web. One of the foremost researchers in the field, Huberman has established, for example, that the surfing patterns of individuals are describable by a precise law. Such findings can lead to more efficient Web design and use. They also shed light on social mechanisms whose significance goes beyond the Web. In this sense, the Web is a gigantic informational ecosystem that can be used to quantify and test explanations of human behavior and social interaction.

About the Author

Bernardo A. Huberman is an HP Fellow at Hewlett-Packard Laboratories in Palo Alto, California.

2 books i used at uni cumbria

Cutting Edge Advanced Student's Book
Author: Cunningham, Moor & Comyns Carr
Publisher: Longman
Format: Paperback
ISBN-10: 0582469430
ISBN-13: 9780582469433
Publication Date: 2003
Price: £20.90
Description: Cutting Edge is a multi-level course for adults and young adults. It combines rich international content,
comprehensive grammar, and real-life functional language within an easy to teach structure.

The advanced level is for students at FCE level and beyond who want to enrich their knowledge of the language. It contains clear and extensive grammar practice exercises and tasks and activities to develop competence in all four skills, particularly speaking.

It focuses on phrases and language 'chunks' to extend vocabulary quickly and effectively and the student's book contains a separate phrase builder booklet containing phrasal verbs, idioms and other useful expressions.

In addition the workbook also contains pronunciation work.

The Teacher's Resource Book includes teaching notes and extra suggestions, a large bank of photocopiable skills worksheets and tests.

CUTTING EDGE ADVANCED Components

| ISBN-13
Pack (Student's Book & Workbook with Key) £23.20 Qty 9781405883672
Student's Book £20.90 Qty 9780582469433
Student's Book with CD-ROM £21.80 Qty 9781405852319
Workbook with Answer Key £11.60 Qty 9780582469457
Workbook without Answer Key £11.60 Qty 9780582501744
Teacher's Resource Book with Test Master CD-ROM £25.90 Qty 9781405843645
Audio CDs (2) £33.60 Qty 9780582469570
Cassettes (2) £33.60 Qty 9780582469464
Student's Audio CD £17.00 Qty 9780582501737
Student's Cassette £17.00 Qty 9780582469587

==================================================================

and secondly,


Writing Academic English (Third Edition) (The Longman Academic Writing…
by Alice Oshima




# Writing Academic English
# (Third Edition) (The Longman Academic Writing Series)
# By Alice Oshima, Ann Hogue

Paperback 267 Pages
Edition: 3rd
ISBN-10: 0201340542
ISBN-13: 9780201340549
Publisher: Addison Wesley Publishing Company
Pub date: Oct 01, 1998


# Writing Academic English
# Answer Key: Intermediate-Advanced Level
# By Alice Oshima, Ann Hogue

Book Details
English Books
Paperback 56 Pages
Edition: 3rd
ISBN-10: 0201670283
ISBN-13: 9780201670288
Publisher: Addison Wesley
Pub date: Jan 24, 2001

Kementerian Pelajaran buka talian isu SPM

ada cadangan dari sahabat maya:

Saya cadangkan supaya cadangan untuk diwajib matapelajaran BI untuk 5 tahun akan datang. Dalam pada masa sekarang pihak kementerian pelu mencari cara terbaik untuk mengukuhkan BI di kalangan pelajar-pelajar terutama di peringkat sekolah rendah atau prasekolah, seperti program membaca (ini diamalkan di UK dengan sebuah buku sehari).

Selain itu saya hendak mencadangkan supaya kerajaan mampu penyediakan pendidikan sewal mungkin seperti mana di negara maju. Kebanyakan negara maju menyedikan program pra sekolah sejak kanak-kanak berusia 3 tahun (di UK, Sweden, Germany, France dan Japan).

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saya setuju.

disini satu buku sehari dibaca dan dibekalkan ke rumah.

kalau di apply kan di malaysia. insyaAllah bahasa inggeris boleh tingkat prestasi.


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Kementerian Pelajaran buka talian isu SPM

bagus ke tidak?

hmmm. kasihan pada mereka punduduk luar bandar.

KUALA LUMPUR: Orang ramai yang ingin mengemukakan cadangan dan pandangan berhubung isu Bahasa Inggeris syarat wajib untuk lulus peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) boleh berbuat demikian melalui saluran telefon dan e-mel yang disediakan Kementerian Pelajaran.

Menurut kenyataan Kementerian Pelajaran hari ini, ia boleh disalurkan ke talian khidmat pelanggan kementerian itu di 03-77237070 atau e-mel di kpkpm@moe.gov.my.

Semalam, Timbalan Perdana Menteri yang juga Menteri Pelajaran, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, mempelawa orang ramai mengemukakan pandangan mengenai isu mewajibkan calon lulus bahasa Inggeris sebagai syarat lulus SPM.

****di atas ialah keratan dari Berita Harian (7/6/2009)
Mengikut New Strait Times, 70% pelajar yang dalam matapelajaran Bahasa Inggeris (BI)manakal 30% ialah yang gagal.Kita kena berpandangan jauh. Memang BI penting dalam dunia yang bersaing tinggi pada masa sekarang tetapi pelajar yang terpinggir samada di luar bandar adalah penting untuk diambil kira. Mungkin langkah-langkat tertentu atau program tertentu perlu diperkenalkan di peringkat Kementerian Pendidikan. Contohnya di UK (United Kingdom). pihak kementerian memberikan peruntukan khas untuk sekolah meningkatkan tahap sekolah mereka.

Mengikut New Strait Times, 70% pelajar yang dalam matapelajaran Bahasa Inggeris (BI)manakal 30% ialah yang gagal.Kita kena berpandangan jauh. Memang BI penting dalam dunia yang bersaing tinggi pada masa sekarang tetapi pelajar yang terpinggir samada di luar bandar adalah penting untuk diambil kira. Mungkin langkah-langkat tertentu atau program tertentu perlu diperkenalkan di peringkat Kementerian Pendidikan. Contohnya di UK (United Kingdom). pihak kementerian memberikan peruntukan khas untuk sekolah meningkatkan tahap sekolah mereka.

Children's Books

top selling book. children top selling book.


Top 5 at a Glance
1. GOLDILICIOUS, written and illustrated by Victoria Kann
2. ELEPHANTS CANNOT DANCE!, written and illustrated by Mo Willems
3. LISTEN TO THE WIND, by Greg Mortenson and Susan L. Roth
4. EXPLORER EXTRAORDINAIRE!, by Jane O’Connor
5. GALLOP!, written and illustrated by Rufus Butler Seder

My dream book

this is my dream book to read.

I wish i am back in my own country where i can buy it at the bookstore.

but sadly i am thousands miles away. so patience is really a virtue here for me.


Buku yang ditulis oleh Shamsuddin Abdul Kadir ini membincangkan perihal hutang serta selok-belok mengenai dunia perhutangan. Penerangan ini lebih fokus kepada rakyat Malaysia yang hidup di dalam dunia kad kredit dan skim ansuran mudah. Sedikit sebanyak ia memberi peringatan kepada kita semua tentang bahaya penggunaan ‘kad plastik’ dan ‘skim mudah hutang’ ini. Kisah contoh kehidupan yang turut dimuatkan di dalam buku ini juga dapat membuka mata kita supaya dapat merasai keperitan hidup apabila dikelilingi dengan hutang-piutang keliling pinggang. Pelbagai langkah-langkah untuk membebaskan diri dari hutang juga turut dibincangkan di sini beserta kepentingan merancang kewangan. Ketahuilah juga cara-cara untuk hidup aman tanpa hutang di sini, anda pasti akan bebas daripada hutang yang tidak perlu!


Another person comments about this book :


Buku ini memang padat dengan pengetahuan mengenai dunia pengurusan kewangan. Sebagai satu langkah berjaga-jaga dalam membuat hutang yang tidak perlu, adalah amat wajar bagi anda untuk memiliki buku ini. Pernahkah kita merenung kembali bil-bil hutang lapuk kita? Kenapa agaknya hutang tersebut masih tidak habis-habis walaupun kita telah membayarnya setiap bulan? Jadi, ukurlah baju di badan sendiri setiap bulan supaya perbelanjaan kita tidak melebihi pendapatan kita setiap bulan. Selepas ini pasti tiada lagi panggilan hutang dari pihak peminjam kerana anda boleh mengurus kewangan anda dengan bijak. Alangkah tenangnya hidup anda!


Oh Allah. semuga saya diizin membacanya dan memilikinya satu hari nanti. amin.