The Quran and Hadith on Ramadan

Assalamu’alaikum…

This is my another clipping about Ramadhan, it’s taken from Islam101.net

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.” (2:183-84)

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast must be made up) from other days.

Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” (2: 185).

“It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of the fasts. They are garments for you and you are the same for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allah has ordained for you, and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your fast till the nightfall.

And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in Itikaf in the mosques. These are the limits (set) by Allah, so approach them not. Thus does Allah make clear His signs to mankind that they may become Al Muttaqun (the pious)” (2:187).

“Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr.

And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is?

The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months

Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Gabriel) by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees,

Peace! until the appearance of dawn (97:1-5)

THE HADITH ON FASTING

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it (Bukhari).

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: “Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord” (Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness (Darimi).

When to start fasting

Ibn Umar related that the Prophet said: Do not start fasting unless you see the new moon, and do not end fasting until you see it. If the weather is cloudy then calculate when it should appear (Bukhari, Muslim).

The Suhoor meal (which is eaten before dawn)

Anas related that Rasulullah said: Take the Suhoor meal, for there is blessing in it (Bukhari, Muslim).

Breaking your fast

Salman ibn Amir Dhabi related that the Prophet said: Break your fast with dates, or else with water, for it is pure (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).

Fasting during a journey

Aisha related that Rasulullah was asked whether one should fast when on a journey, and he replied: Fast if you like, or postpone it if you like (Bukhari, Muslim).

Behavior while fasting

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: If a person does not avoid false talk and false conduct during Siyam, then Allah does not care if he abstains from food and drink (Bukhari, Muslim).

Forgetfully eating or drinking while fasting

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks he should complete his Siyam, for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink (Bukhari, Muslim).

Providing for those who are breaking the fast

Zaid ibn Khalid Juhni related that the Prophet said: He who provides for the breaking of the Siyam of another person earns the same merit as the one who was observing Siyam diminishing in any way the reward of the latter (Tirmidhi).

Lailat al-Qadr

Aisha related that the Prophet said: Look for Lailat al-Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).

Anas ibn Malik related that Rasulullah said: When Lailat al-Qadr comes Gabriel descends with a company of angels who ask for blessings on everyone who is remembering Allah, whether they are sitting or standing (Baihaqi).

5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Starting A Home Business

Starting a business is like building a high-rise structure. The final building will only be as strong as its foundations. Yes, adjustments could be effected later, but often at huge costs. Most times, really, a faulty foundation often means that a structure will fail on its own or will need to be brought down.

Do you imagine that you can build an enduring enterprise without first giving serious thoughts to vital questions? It could mean the difference between giving your business a solid foundation or a shaky one.

Before starting a home business, you should be able to answer the 5 questions below in a positive manner—at least most of them. If you’re not sure what your answers to these questions are, that may be proof that the business idea you’re nursing may not work.

Here they are:

1. What Do I Know About This Business?

It’s hard to succeed doing something we do not fully understand. Yes, there’s room for learning the things we do not know. But that should be done before, not after jumping into the fray.

Bottom line is that you should educate yourself the best you can about the business you want to go into—how it is done, and what it entails. This will help you decide if you have what it takes to succeed in that type of business, or if you have the resources to acquire the aspects of the business that you do not currently have.

2. Am I Passionate About This Business?

Do not go into any business simply because you heard people are making money with it. There’s no free money anywhere.

Every business will require you to stay through the thick and thin before you can see results. If you do not really like the business, you are unlikely to push on if the money is not swift in coming.

3. Do I Have The Time For This Kind Of Business?

All businesses will require your time, some more than others. Very likely you are holding down a full-time job. Do not be deceived: home business takes up far more time than a regular 40-hour per week job. I know because I’m into both. So, are you already strapped for time?

Then beware, home business will only makes things worse. You should take into consideration the demands of your daytime job, your family that needs you, your physical limitations, etc. After that, you can then decide if this is something you want to do.

4. Do You Have The Materials To Start This Business?

Go through your inventory and decide if you have all that are necessary to start this type of business, or at least the most basic items. Remember that if you don’t have them, you’ll get stuck at some point or you’ll have to buy them. So, you should also ask yourself if you have the money to buy the ones you do not have.

5. Are The Products Likely To Sell?

This sounds pretty obvious. But it is one question most persons don’t ever ask before starting a home business. However, it is crucial to first find out if there’s need for the product or service you want to provide.

Starting a home business can be very exciting. But very few persons still find it exciting six months or a year later. Most had not considered the 5 points listed above before jumping into home business.

This article is wrote by:  Sandra L. Essex

Happy Batik Day!

Hi, World… How are you today in Batik Day? Did you wear your lovely Batik today? As we can see in every newspaper, television and other medias, 2 October will be officially declared as Batik Day. Inauguration of Batik Indonesia by UNESCO will be conducted for  about 8 pm tonight and shall be officially declared by President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at 9 pm. Therefore to acknowledge this listing, President of Indonesia asked all of Indonesian People to wear Batik today. This is as expression feel the thanks to the achievement and also award which have been reached for by Indonesian Nation. Below I quoted some news both form National Portal of Republic of Indonesia and Antara News according this Inauguration of Batik Indonesia.

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Antara – Employees of state-owned companies and government institutions have for years adhered to a tradition of wearing batik on every Friday of the week.

But this Friday (October 2, 2009) is special because President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on all Indonesians to wear batik on that day to celebrate UNESCO`s decision to include batik in its list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” items.

“Batik is regarded as a cultural icon with its own uniqueness. It conveys certain symbols and a profound philosophy, including man`s life cycle, and it has been touted by Indonesia as a non-material element of its cultural heritage,” Coordinating Minister for people`s welfare Aburizal Bakrie told a press conference at Bogor State Palace on Sept. 7, 2009.

“We`ve been told that batik has been recognized as an element of global cultural heritage produced by Indonesians. The President has called on all Indonesians to wear batik on Oct. 2, to celebrate batik,” the minister said.

Indonesia`s Batik, together with the Tango of Argentina and Uruguay, the traditional Ainu dance of Japan and France`s Aubusson tapestries were among the 76 elements inscribed on 30 September in UNESCO`s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, WAM, the United Arab Emirates` news agency, reported on Wednesday (Sept. 30).

These 76 inscriptions were decided by the 24 Member States of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage, currently holding its 4th session in Abu Dhabi, from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2, 2009, under the chairmanship of Awadh Ali Saleh Al Musabi of the United Arab Emirates.

UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization)`s list describes Indonesian Batik as: The techniques, symbolism and culture surrounding hand-dyed cotton and silk garments known as Indonesian Batik permeate the lives of Indonesians from beginning to end: infants are carried in batik slings decorated with symbols designed to bring the child luck, and the dead are shrouded in funerary batik.

The president`s call for batik dress has been supported by regional heads in a number of provinces and district, such as the Jakarta Governor, the East Java governor, and the Cirebon district head.

Earlier, on September 25, Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo had issued an official appeal to all Jakarta residents to wear Batik on October 2.

“Students, people who work in hotels and bars as well as those who work for private companies are also urged to wear Batik although there will be no sanctions if they fail to do so,” said Aurora Tambunan, deputy for cultural and tourism affairs to the Jakarta governor, recently.

UNESCO has already acknowledged the Keris (ceremonial dagger) and the Wayang (puppet show) as part of Indonesia`s cultural heritage.

“Traditional music instruments namely Angklung and Gamelan are also in the process of being registered with UNESCO,” Aurora said.

In the spirit of supporting Jakarta residents who wear Batik on October 2, the Jakarta city government would give special discounts to those entering recreation centers in the city.

“Museums run by the Jakarta regional government will give free tickets in the period October 3-7, 2009 only for those who wear Batik,” chief of Jakarta city`s culture and tourism office, Arie Budhiman, said.

Among the museums to give free tickets are the Jakarta History Museum, Ceramic and Art Museum, Maritime Museum, Joeang Museum, MH Thamrin Museum and Textile Museum.

“We will also distribute Batik pins among visitors wearing Batik to the museums,” Arie added.

On October 5, Ragunan Zoo would give free tickets only to those who come wearing batik dress. On the same day, Ancol recreation park will give a 50-percent discount on tickets at its main gates, Atlantis and Gelanggang Samudera park. Dunia Fantasi would also give a 40-percent discount on the same day.

Batik, which has been developed for centuries particularly on Java Island, is cloth which traditionally uses a manual wax-resist dyeing technique.

But, thanks to modern advances in the textile industry, the term has been extended to include fabrics which incorporate traditional batik patterns.

Some scholars believe that batik was originally reserved as an art form for Javanese royalty in Central Java around Yogyakarta and Solo under the patronage of the Sultan and his court.

But, other scholars disagree and believe that batik was prevalence even to the common folk. It was regarded an important part of a young ladies accomplishment that she be capable of being able to skillfully hand draw batik using the canting (the pen-like instrument used to apply wax to the cloth).

Batik or fabrics with the traditional batik patterns are also found in several countries such as Malaysia, Japan, China, India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and Singapore.

But, unlike in other countries, Indonesia is particularly very proud of its batik which is considered as formal dress in official functions.

Batik are usually made of cotton or silk, which are comfortable to wear. And this benefits not only Indonesians, but also some foreign diplomats who prefer to use batik, and avoids suits, amidst Indonesia`s heat.

The government, through some of its agencies concerned, was giving special attention to batik makers as part of the efforts to perpetuate and develop the Batik trade.

The government, according to Cultural and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, has provided the batik-making industry with assistance in the form of low-interest credits and training in production processes and design making in several potential areas across Indonesia.

First Lady Ani Yudhoyono recently had called on all parties to expedite the regeneration of traditional batik craftsmen and women so as to preserve the craft as part of the nation`s cultural legacy.

“It is a pity that batik development does not happen hand in hand with the regeneration of traditional batik craftspeople. Doing batik work actually needs patience but the skill can be bequeathed to the younger generation,” Ani Yudhoyono said.

She said the younger generation should be immediately involved in the development of batik craftsmanship so that they can keep the craft alive and even make masterpieces themselves, and prevent batik from being claimed by other countries.

“UNESCO itself has asked Indonesia to ensure regeneration in the craft as a precious world cultural heritage,” the first lady said.

Meanwhile, neighboring Malaysia, which shares a number of similar cultures with Indonesia including on batik but with its own unique specification, said it would study UNESCO`s decision, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 17.

The government would make the study to ensure whether the decision would have a bearing on the traditional batik making in the country, he said.

“I do not have the full details (UNESCO`s decision) because Malaysia too has batik. We will analyse the actual meaning of the decision and whether the decision will affect the production of batik here,” Yassin told reporters. (*)

Source : Antara News

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Boston – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono suggested all Indonesian to wear batik clothes on 2 October 2009 while batik will be determined as a global cultural heritage by UNESCO. The world knows that since 17th century batik has been made in Indonesia by using wax which is the heritage of Majapahit Kingdom. His suggestion was stated on the meeting with Permias—an organization of Indonesian students in the USA.—held on Saturday in Four seasons Hotel, Boston. The meeting was attended by 300 guests including Indonesian family representativesThe President also talked about the “hot” relationship betweeen Indonesia and Malaysia.

One of the students asked President about how Indonesia’s reaction to Malaysia after the claim of Indonesian products as Malaysian assets. The President answered that both countries have the same culture. Some years ago, some Indonesians moved to Malaysia with their culture including reog ponorogo, rendang, Javanese songs, and others. We may not be angry with Malaysia as long as Malaysia does not claim Indonesian culture. We must be proud that Indonesian culture is used in Malaysia. Two years ago, President Yudhoyono met Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and talked about the song of Rasa Sayange, reog ponorogo, and etc.

There could be a “civil war” if this issue is not well managed. It is normal if there is a dispute with a neighboring country. It is impossible for Indonesia to have a conflict with Ireland or Nepal, for example. They are too far from Indonesia.

Since last year, Eminent Person Group has been formed, led by Try Sutrisno to intensify the friendship between Indonesia and Malaysia. In line with the border around Ambalat and borderline, it is about a principle and state sovereignty. It has to be well accomplished, with dignity. The position of Indonesia is very clear in this principle.

Source : Republic of Indonesia