MENGAPA INSAN MENCARI AGAMA?
Islam bukan agama ikutan dengan serba kejahilan tetapi Islam adalah ad-Din kefahaman dan penghayatan. Kefahaman dan penghayatan adalah satu-satu cara
untuk mempertahan dan memperkukuhkan umat. Dukacita apabila orang Islam sendiri tidak berusaha memahami Islam apatah lagi untuk benar-benar
menghayati dan menyampaikannya .
Dalam konteks dakwah, betapa kita umat Islam bertanggungjawab untuk menyampaikan Islam yang sebenar kepada mereka yang bukan muslim. Malangnya
kebanyakan umat Islam bahkan hampir keseluruhannya begitu gagal melaksanakan tugasan ini. Setiap hari kita berurusan dengan mereka yang
non-muslim atau bukan muslim tetapi sepatah pun dari dakwah Islam tidak kita sampaikan kepada mereka sehingga mereka terus terbabas tanpa
dihulurkan sebab-sebab untuk sampai kepada hidayah. Lebih malang dari itu, kita kadang-kala memberikan gambaran yang buruk tentang Islam terhadap
mereka. Apakah kita tidak merasai betapa kita akan dipersoalkan di hadapan Allah di akhirat kelak di atas kecuaian ini...
Saya begitu tertarik dengan apa yang diceritakan oleh as-Syeikh `Ali at-Tontawi dalam bukunya Ta'rif al-`Am bi Din al-Islam, katanya:"Pernah aku
bertanya kepada para pelajarku, "Sekiranya datang kepada kamu seorang lelaki asing dan berkata kepada kamu bahawa dia hanya ada waktu sebanyak
sejam sahaja dan ingin memahami apakah Islam dalam tempoh tersebut?
Bagaimanakah kamu boleh memahamkan Islam kepadanya dalam tempoh sejam?. Mereka menjawab: "Ini mustahil, dia mesti mempelajari tauhid, tajwid,
tafsir, hadith, fiqh, usul fiqh, melibatkan diri dalam perbahasan masalah-masalah agama, dan dia tidak akan tamat melainkan setelah lima
tahun". Aku pun berkata: "Subhana Allah! Adapun seorang `arab badawi datang menemui Rasulullah s.a.w. dan tinggal bersama baginda selama sehari atau
setengah hari lalu mengetahui Islam lantas membawanya kepada kaumnya.
Selepas itu, dia menjadi pembimbing dan guru, menjadi pendakwah dan mubaligh untuk Islam. Lebih dari itu, Rasulullah pernah mensyarahkan ad-Din
keseluruhannya (dalam hadith Jibril) dalam tiga ayat sahaja. Baginda berbicara dalamnya mengenai Iman, Islam dan Ihsan....Kenapa tidak kita hari
ini mensyarahkan Islam dalam tempoh satu jam!!?" [ m.s. 27, Dar al-Wafa,Mesir]
Demikian menariknya tokoh pendakwah Islam yang terkenal ini mengemukakan contoh kesilapan dalam menguruskan dakwah. Ya! Kebanyakan kita apabila
diminta memulakan dakwah terutama kepada bukan muslim dia akan bertanya "Apakah perkara pertama yang hendak diterangkan?". Inilah persoalan yang
bermain di kepala kebanyakan muslim ketika di minta berdakwah. Lebih malang lagi ada yang penerangannya bermula dengan masaalah berkhatan...
Ada pula yang apabila menemui seseorang yang baru menganut Islam atau ingin memahami Islam maka dia mengatakan "Engkau wajib menghafal sifat duapuluh
dengan perbahasan falsafahnya jika tidak iman engkau tidak dikira sah dan solat kau juga tidak bermakna....
Ini semua adalah contoh golongan yang menyusahkan manusia mendekati dan memahami Islam dengan cara yang jelas dan diterima.
Manusia Dan Agama
Sesiapa sahaja yang memiliki akal yang waras pasti akan mencari hakikat disebalik kehidupan yang dirasai dan disaksikannya. Jiwa insan yang
sempurna tidak akan terhenti bertanya tentang rahsia kehidupan ini. Allah telah menfitrahkan insan iaitu memberikan sifat di dalamnya jiwanya
perasaan ingin mengetahui. Apatah lagi jika sesuatu itu berkait langsung dengan diri insan itu sendiri.
Berbagai perkara sering kita lihat dalam kehidupan ini, sebahagian daripadanya kita gagal memberikan jawapan yang tepat mengenainya jika tidak
dibimbing oleh cahaya petunjuk yang sebenar.
Sebab itu jika diandaikan ada seorang bayi yang dihanyutkan air sehingga ke sebuah pulau yang tiada penghuni dari keturunan manusia. Sekiranya dia
ditakdirkan hidup sehingga dewasa dan akalnya tidak cacat pasti dia sering bertanya dalam dirinya bagaimana dia boleh wujud di alam ini atau hadir ke
pulau tersebut. Sekalipun tanpa bimbingan agama dia tetap akan bertanya siapakah yang menjadikan dirinya dan alam yang dia lihat. Mengapa mesti dia
hidup. Perasaan dan jiwanya akan memberontak bertanya tentang hakikat diri.
Sehingga akhirnya, jika jiwanya tidak dibimbing dengan hidayah tentu dia akan mengagak objek-objek tertentu yang dikagumi atau digeruninya sebagai
punca pergantungan harapan atau dalam kata lain sebagai tuhan dalam kehidupannya. Begitu bermulanya agama yang tidak dibimbing oleh wahyu
sebenar.
Sebabnya ini adalah sifat yang sudah wujud dalam jiwa insan iaitu keinganan mengetahui rahsia alam sekaligus desakan jiwa untuk mencari tuhan.
Allah menggambarkan hal ini di dalam al-Quran melalui watak yang ditunjukkan oleh Nabi Ibrahim a.s., firman Allah dalam menceritakan kisah
ini:Maksudnya: Dan demikian itu kami perlihatkan kepada Ibrahim tanda-tanda keagungan kami yang terdapat di langit dan di bumi agar dia termasuk di dalam orang-orang
yang yakin.Ketika malam telah menjadi gelap dia (Ibrahim) melihat sebuah bintang (lalu) dia berkata: "Ini adalah tuhanku".
Tetapi apabila bintang itu hilang dia berkata aku tidak suka kapada yang lenyap". Kemudian apabila dia melihat bulan terbit dia berkata "Ini adalah
tuhanku".Namun apabila bulan itu hilang dia berkata: "Sesungguhnya jika tuhanku tidak memberi petunjuk kepadaku tentu aku termasuk dalam golongan yang
sesat".
Kemudian apabila dia melihat matahari terbit dia berkata, "Inilah tuhanku, ini lebih besar". Namun apabila matahari itu hilang, dia berkata "Wahai kaumku! Sesungguhnya
aku berlepas diri dari apa yang kamu semua sekutukan. Sesungguhnya aku menghadapkan diriku kepada tuhan yang mencipta langit dan
bumi dalam keadaan cenderung kepada agama yang benar dan aku bukan termasuk dalam golongan yang mempersekutukan tuhan. [Surah al-An`am ayat 75-79]
Demikian Al-Quran menggambarkan peribadi insan yang waras dan sempurnaan nilai keinsanannya iaitu senantiasa mencari tuhan yang sebenar. Jika insan
tidak dibimbing oleh petunjuk dari tuhan yang sebanar maka pasti dia akan tersesat.
Manusia Dan Persoalan
Insan yang waras senantiasa menimbulkan tanda tanya tentang tuhan atau dalam kata lain bertanya "siapakah yang telah menjadikan dirinya dan alam
di sekelilingnya". Akal yang waras meyakini bahawa dirinya tidak muncul dengan kehendaknya tetapi tentulah adanya kuasa yang maha agung yang
menciptakannya. Tidak terhenti untuk itu sahaja, dia tentu juga merasai keperluan diri bergantung kepada zat yang agung itu kerana dalam hidup dia
pasti menghadapi peristiwa-peristiwa yang terjadi tanpa pilihan atau kemampuannya. Perasaan mencari tempat pergantungan akan terus timbul dan
keperluan kepada pertolongan tuhan akan benar-benar dirasai oleh setiap insan. Seterusnya, apabila insan memerlukan tuhan tentu insan ingin
mengetahui kehendak atau tuntutan tuhan terhadap dirinya. Ini bagi memboleh insan merasai tuhan bersamanya dan merestuinya. Insan melihat berbagai
kejadian dan peristiwa di alam ini, ada golongan yang baik dan ada pula yang jahat.
Ada golongan golongan yang zalim dan ada pula yang dizalimi. Ini sekali lagi mendesaknya bertanya "Apakah kesemua ini akan berlaku
begitu sahaja. Apakah yang zalim tidak ada sebarang tindakan tuhan terhadapnya sedangkan dia telah menzalimi hamba tuhan yang lain. Apakah
selepas adanya penindasan dan penginayaan maka hidup pun hilang begitu sahaja. Apakah sama antara hamba yang ingin mentaati tuhan dengan yang
memusuhi tuhan?
Demikianlah berbagai persoalan timbul yang mendesak jiwa insan sekaligus membawa sekali lagi insan bertanya ke manakah perginya manusia selepas
berakhirnya kehidupan di dunia ini...
Perumpamaan Yang Menarik
Dr. Muhammad Sa`id Ramadhan al-Buti telah memberikan perumpamaan yang menarik dalam bukunya Madkhal ila Fahm al-Juzur katanya: "Apa pendapat kamu
mengenai seorang insan yang membuka kedua matanya selepas tidur yang panjang, dia yang sebelum ini berada di atas katil di dalam bilik tidurnya,
tiba-tiba dia dapati diri berada di dalam salah satu gerabak keretapi. Dia dibawa oleh suatu perjalanan ke arah yang dia sendiri tidak tahu.
Merentangi bukit-bukau dan lurah yang dia tidak pernah dia lihat dan tahu mengenainya.
Siapakah yang membawa dan meletakkan dia di dalam keretapi tersebut? Bilakah perkara ini bermula? Siapakah yang sedang memandunya? Siapakah pula
yang menyusun dan mengatur perjalanannya? Apakah yang orang tersebut mahu daripadanya secara peribadi selepas ini? Sesungguhnya dia benar-benar tidak
tahu semua ini.....!
Apakah anda berpendapat insan berkenaan boleh menutup fikiran dari segala persoalan tersebut? Bolehkah dia merehat urat sarafnya dari terus mendesak
dan mencari jawapan mengenai apa yang dia tidak tahu itu?. Bolehkah kemudiannya dia terus asyik berseronok suka dengan melihat jalanan yang
cantik dan pandangan yang asing?
Samaada gerabak tersebut dipenuhi dengan peralatan mewah dan terhias dengan segala perkara yang melalaikan, atau ianya dipenuhi dengan perkara yang
menduka dan menyusahkan, namun apakah mungkin untuk dia menjadikan semua itu melupakan dia dari apa yang didesak kepadanya oleh tekanan fikiran dan
akalnya? Juga dari kerisauan dan kekeliruan disebabkan keadaan yang tanpa pilihannya, dia dalam lautan kejahilan.
Sekalipun demikian, namun masalah tersebut adalah masih kecil lagi terhad, bilamana keluasan keretapi tersebut adalah terhad dan dalam lingkungan alam
yang diketahui tanda-tanda dan kebiasaanya. Ini kerana, bagaimana sekalipun ia bergerak ke timur atau ke barat ia sama sekali tidak akan keluar dari
ruang lingkupnya dan tidak akan melepasi melainkan dalam lingkungan bumi.
Namun masalah tersebut bertukar menjadi besar dan begitu besar bila mana keretapi tersebut adalah alam ini keseluruhannya. Bila mana pergerakannya
itu adalah merupakan keadaan rangkaian kehidupan insan....[ m.s. 6-7,Cetakan Dar al-Fikr al-Mu`asir, Lubnan]
Demikian Muhammad Sa`id Ramadhan al-Buti cuba membayangkan keadaan insan yang sejak kecil membuka matanya dan melihat alam serta pergerakan
disekelilingnya. Juga yang lebih penting melihat dirinya sendiri serta rangkaian perjalanan hidupnya. Apakah tidak terdesak jiwanya untuk bertanya
tentang hakikat diri, apakah keadaan yang sedang dihadapinya dan apakah kesudahannya nanti? Mungkinkah pengaruh suasana sekelilingnya boleh atau
mampu melupakan dia untuk mencari jawapan bagi erti kehidupannya? Kalaulah ada insan yang demikian tentulah dia sejahil-jahil manusia secara mutlak
kerana dia telah lalai memikirkan perkara yang menjadi dasar insan berakal.
Perlunya Hidayah Islam
Persoalan-persoalan ini walaupun muncul dari fitrah manusia dan ianya sesuatu yang sangat baik untuk membolehkan insan mencari kebenaran namun
jika insan tanpa bimbingan hidayah atau petunjuk dari Allah, persoalan-persoalan tersebut juga boleh menjadi punca insan sesat dengan
sesesatnya. Jika insan tidak dibimbang dengan petunjuk daripada Allah maka persoalan-persoalan tadi terus mencari berlegar dalam fikiran insan dan
akhirnya mereka mencipta jawapan yang salah lagi sesat dalam kehidupan.
Jika petunjuk sebenar tidak sampai kepada insan maka tuhan-tuhan palsu pasti akan muncul, kehendak-kehendak tuhan secara palsu juga akan
diandaikan dan alam selepas kematian akan dibayangkan mengikut kehendak fikiran dan kepentingan tertentu. Akan ada yang mengambil kesempatan dari
kehendak atau tuntutan fitrah tersebut dengan mencari kepentingan dunia lalu mencipta ajaran agama untuk kepentingan diri dan harta. Maka lahirlah
agama-agama palsu di atas muka bumi.
Allah Tuhan Yang Sebenar tidak akan membiarkan insan tenggelam dalam kesesatan tanpa bimbingan hidayah yang asli dariNya sendiri yang
menciptakan alam keseluruhannya serta Maha Berkuasa dengan penuh keagungan. Untuk itu, setiap umat diutuskan Rasul yang membawa ajaran Islam bagi
memberikan jawapan sebenar terhadap persoalan insan dalam hidup. Para Rasul bukan mencipta ajaran mengikut akal mereka tetapi mereka menyampaikan
ajaran daripada Allah Yang menurunkannya kepada mereka menerusi proses yang dinamakan wahyu.
Tiada siapa yang berhak berbicara mengenai Allah melainkan Allah sendiri dan perbicaraan Allah itu telah disampaikan kepada sekelian insan menerusi
para Rasul. Para rasul bukan sekadar memberitahu tetapi membimbing dan mendidik. Rasul yang terakhir ialah Muhammad bin `Abdullah yang membawa
ajaran Islam dari Allah.
Firman Allah: (Maksudnya): Sesungguhnya ad-Din (agama) di sisi Allah ialah Islam. [Surah Ali `Imran ayat 19]
Firmannya lagi: (Maksudnya): Sesiapa yang mencari selain dari Islam sebagai agama maka sama sekali tidak
diterima daripadanya dan dia di akhirat kelak termasuk dari kalangan mereka yang rugi.[Surah Ali `Imran ayat 85]
Maka kedatangan Islam daripada Allah yang mencipta alam dan segala isinya telah memberikan jawapan yang sebenar kepada semua persoalan tersebut. Nabi
Muhammad s.a.w. adalah kesinambungan dalam menyampaikan risalah dari Allah dan memberikan jawapan kepada persoalan insan.
Justeru itu wajib kepada semua insan -tanpa kecuali- yang hidup selepas kedatangan Nabi s.a.w meyakini, menerima dan menghayati ajaran Islam yang
bawa oleh Muhammad bin Abdullah, utusan Allah yang akhir itu demi keselamatan kehidupan mereka yang hakiki. Setiap insan tahu bahawa dia
tidak datang ke dunia ini dengan kebijaksanaannya. Tidak juga kerana kebijaksaan kedua ibubapanya.
Kalaulah insan wujud di dunia dengan pilihan dan kebijaksanaannya tentulah semua insan dapat menentukan rupa paras yang cantik lagi menawan bagi diri
dan keluarganya. Tentu kesemuanya memilih untuk lahir di tengah banglo atau istana mewah dan keluarga yang kaya-raya. Namun keadaannya tidak begitu.
Hinggakan pasangan suami isteri pun sama sekali tidak boleh memilih paras rupa anak yang bakal lahir. Kalau hal ini boleh ditentukan sudah pasti
setiap insan lahir dalam keadaan paling sempurna. Namun ternyata ianya
diluar kawalan insani.
Ini semua menyedarkan insan bahawa adanya suatu kuasa yang Maha Agung yang mewujudkan manusia dengan kehendakNya. Dia adalah Allah. Dia tidak akan
mempersoalkan insan tentang keputusan yang dipaksa ke atas mereka seperti hitam atau putihnya warna kulit seseorang, siapa ibu atau bapanya, di mana
negeri kelahirannya, mengapa dia tidak pintar atau cerdas, sempurna atau cacat dan seumpamanya. Dia hanya akan menyoal apakah mereka telah
menunaikan tanggungjawab yang Dia wajibkan ke atas mereka. Adapun segala kejadian tanpa pilihan insan itu adalah bagi mewujudkan sistem hidup dialam
ini dan menyedarkan insan betapa mereka semua bergantung kepada Tuhan, Allah Yang Maha Esa.
Firman Allah di dalam al-Quran:
Maksudnya:
Dan Allah telah mengeluarkan kamu dari perut ibu kamu dalam keadaan tidak
mengetahui sesuatu apa pun. Dia menjadikan bagi kamu pendengaran,
penglihatan dan hati, mudah-mudahan kamu bersyukur. [Surah an-Nahl ayat 78]
Firman Allah dalam al-Quran lagi:
Maksudnya:
Dia (Allah) membuat setiap yang Dia cipta sebaik-baiknya (yang paling
sesuai) dan Dia telah memulai penciptaan manusia dari tanah.
Kemudian Dia telah menciptakan keturunannya dari saripati air yang hina.
Kemudian Dia menyempurnakan dan meniup ke dalam tubuhnya ruh dan Dia
menjadikan bagi kamu pendengaran, penglihatan dan hati, tetapi sedikit
sekali yang bersyukur.[Surah as-Sajdah ayat 7-9]
Berbagai-bagai lagi sifat dan ciri insan yang Allah bentangkan di dalam al-Quran bagi menggambarkan betapa setiap insan faqir kepada Allah yang
Maha Perkasa lagi Maha Bijaksana.
Apabila menyedari diri sebagai makhluk (yang diciptakan) dan Allah sebagai Khaliq (Pencipta) dengan segala rahsia ciptaan dan kehebatannya maka
timbulnya perasaan kehambaan dan mengharapkan Allah dalam segala hal. Timbulnya perasaan bergantung serta bertawakal kepada Allah.
Bahkan Allah juga telah membekalkan ke dalam jiwa manusia secara fitrah atau sejak kelahirannya beberapa sifat dan perasaan secara tersedih dari
sisi Allah. Dibekalkan kepada insan sifat kasih-sayang, perasaan marah, perasaan sedia, perasaan ingin dihargai, ingin dikasihi, perasaan cinta
antara lelaki dan perempuan dan berbagai lagi. Antara yang paling nyata dibekalkan tuhan dalam jiwa insan adalah sifat atau perasaan merasai
kewujudan Tuhannya. Sebab itu kita dapat saksikan walau di mana pun manusia berada mereka tetap mempercayai Tuhan. Sekalipun ajaran agama tidak sampai
kepada seseorang namun hati nuraninya tetap bertanya tentang Tuhan.
Golongan yang mengaku diri mereka komunis pun pada hakikatnya tetap merasai kewujudan Tuhan. Sifat ego sahaja yang menjadikan lidah mereka
menafikannya.
Adapun golongan mereka yang mendakwa free-thinker atau bebas dari segala ikatan kepercayaan atau agama meraka sebanarnya bukan tidak percaya tentang
adanya Tuhan tetapi mereka terkeliru dalam menentukan "siapakah Tuhan yang sebenar, sifatNya, juga apakah ajaran yang sebenar dariNya?" Mereka
terkeliru dengan agama-agama palsu yang mereka lihat. Atau nafsu mereka ingin bebas dan bermaharaja agar mereka boleh melakukan apa sahaja tanpa
ikatan agama. Sebab itu kita lihat apabila Islam yang sebenar diterangkan kepada mereka dengan jelas kita mendapati kebanyakan daripada mereka
bersegera menyahut panggilan hidayah Islam dengan rela dan gembira..
Di atas ciri ini, maka Allah yang menciptakan manusia, menyebut di dalam al-Quran tentang golongan kafir yang menentang Nabi s.a.w.:
Maksudnya:
Dan sesungguhnya jika kamu tanyakan kepada mereka (golongan kafir);
"Siapakah yang menjadikan yang menjadikan langit dan bumi dan menundukkan
(mentadbir) matahari dan bulan?" Tentu mereka akan menjawab "Allah", maka
betapakah mereka (dapat) dipalingkan (dari jalan yang benar) [Surah
al-'Ankabut ayat 61]
Menentukan Tuhan Yang Sebenar
Kesimpulannya, manusia semuanya percaya wujudnya Tuhan tetapi mereka gagal menentukan bagaimanakah Tuhan yang sebenar. Bagaimanakah sifatNya dan jalan
menghampiri diri kepadaNya. Lalu mereka meramalkan Tuhan mengikut fikiran dan suasana masing-masing. Ada yang meramalkan Tuhan itu seperti manusia
atau seperti binatang yang besar atau beranak-pinak atau apa sahaja yang terlintas di fikiran mereka. Pengikut ajaran hindu umpamanya, mereka
membayangkan Tuhan itu seperti orang-orang India. Mereka mengukir bentuk Tuhan dengan rupa paras orang-orang India. Mata, warna kulit, bentuk badan
dan segala-gala seperti rupa bangsa mereka. Seakan-akan Tuhan hanyalah untuk manusia di negeri India sahaja. Begitulah juga agama-agama lain yang
menyesatkan. Mereka mengukir atau melukis dengan tangan mereka lalu mereka menyembahnya.
Ada juga manusia yang memilih Tuhan berdasarkan apa yang dia takuti. Bila mana dia kagum atau gerun dengan pokok yang besar atau sungai atau laut
lalu mereka merasai di situ bertahtanya tuhan lalu mereka menyembahnya, ini seperti kebanyakan suku kaum yang hidup di hutan.
Demikian gambaran kekeliruan manusia dalam mencari Tuhan yang sebenar.
Keterbatasan `Akal
Insan pasti akur bahawa segala kemampuannya sekali pun hebat ada had atau batasan yang dia tidak dapat lakukan. Mata yang dimilikinya ada batasan
jarak, bentuk, warna yang tidak mampu dilihatnya. Telinga yang dimiliki ada batasan gelombang yang tidak mampu di dengar.
Bahkan kalau insan menulis angka dari satu hingga sepuluh di dalam sepuluh keping kertas yang kecil lalu dimasuk kesemuanya -secara bercampur- ke
dalam sakunya dan diminta supaya dia mengeluarnya semula menurut susunan satu hingga sepuluh tanpa melihat kepada kertas-kertas tersebut, sudah
pasti dia tidak mampu mengeluarkan secara tertib dan teratur kerana matanya tidak dapat mengesan, sekali kertas-kertas itu berada dalam sakunya
sendiri.
Demikianlah keterbatasan jangkauan insan. Maka akal insan juga amat terbatas. Bukan semua perkara boleh dirumuskan oleh akal. Kalau hanya
sepuluh keping kertas insan tidak dapat mengagaknya dengan tepat bagaimana insan ingin memikirkan tentang diri Tuhan yang sebenar, sifat Tuhan yang
sebenar, kehendak atau tuntutan Tuhan kepada insan dan apa yang bakal Tuhan lakukan kepada insan. Ini semua gagal dicapai oleh insan tanpa bimbingan
dari Tuhan sendiri melalui pengutusan para Rasul.
- LAA HAULAWALA QUWWATAILLA BILLAH -
Monday, April 19, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
TAK KISAH...............
1. Bila kita ke EPF untuk menyemak caruman, dengan sekelip mata saja penyata dapat dikeluarkan melalui slip komputer, tetapi bila kita nak mengeluarkan simpanan, kena tunggu 5 hingga 6 bulan..
2. Bila kerjaan menetapkan hadlaju lebuhraya setakat 110km sejam sahaja, tetapi masih membenarkan penjualan kenderaan yang mampu melepasi hadlaju tersebut sehingga dua kali ganda.
3. Bilamana kakitangan kerajaan yang dibayar gaji dari hasil dan pendapatan rakyat berlagak sombong bilamasa berurusan dengan orang ramai.
4. Bila mengenangkan harga kereta Proton lebih murah diluar negara daripada di negara sendiri.
5. Walaupun berpuluh-puluh filem bollywood ditayangkan dengan hanya tajuk berbeza, tapi dengan plot yang sama, rentak tarian yang seiras dan pelakon-pelakon yang serupa, maseh ramai jugak yang berpusu-pusu untuk menontonnya.
6. Bilamana perempuan ditinggalkan oleh lelaki, lelaki dituduh tidak setia, tetapi bilamana perempuan meninggalkan lelaki, lelaki pulak dikatakan tidak memenuhi citarasa.
7. Bilamasa kita menanyakan status berkenaan sesuatu permohonan kepada Jabatan-Jabatan Kerajaan, jawapannya semua serupa....DALAM PROSES!
8. Bilamasa mengenangkan adat sopan santun kita untuk tidak menghabiskan juadah makanan yang dihidangkan oleh tuan rumah bila kita mengunjung walhal dari segi agama mengatakan jangan membazir!
9. Bilamasa kita terlambat untuk membayar pinjaman bank, kita akan dikenakan faedah keatas bayran tersebut, tetapi bila bank terlebih potong, kita kena tunggu sampai 4-5 bulan walaupun untuk mendapat 5 sen balik...tanpa faedah!.
10. Bilamasa kita terlambat untuk sampai ke lapangan terbang untuk check-in, kita akan didenda 25% dari tambang kapalterbang, tetapi bila penerbangan dibatalkan atau terlambat, satu benda pun kita tak dapat melainkan penat menunggu!
11. Kenapa pemilik teksi Bandaraya mengenakan tambang 50% selepas tengah malam sedangkan dibandaraya selalunya bercahaya terang (macam siang) dan kurang traffic jam pulak tu....mungkin takut kena rompak....tapi nak buat apa caj lebih pun kalau lepas tu kena rompak?
12. Bilamasa kita makan di restoran-restoran makanan segera kita dikenakan caj 10% cukai kerajaan dan 5% cukai perkhidmatan sedangkan cukai kerajaan itu adalah diatas untung syarikat dan cukai perkhidmatan tak pernah ada sebab semuanya layan sendiri?
2. Bila kerjaan menetapkan hadlaju lebuhraya setakat 110km sejam sahaja, tetapi masih membenarkan penjualan kenderaan yang mampu melepasi hadlaju tersebut sehingga dua kali ganda.
3. Bilamana kakitangan kerajaan yang dibayar gaji dari hasil dan pendapatan rakyat berlagak sombong bilamasa berurusan dengan orang ramai.
4. Bila mengenangkan harga kereta Proton lebih murah diluar negara daripada di negara sendiri.
5. Walaupun berpuluh-puluh filem bollywood ditayangkan dengan hanya tajuk berbeza, tapi dengan plot yang sama, rentak tarian yang seiras dan pelakon-pelakon yang serupa, maseh ramai jugak yang berpusu-pusu untuk menontonnya.
6. Bilamana perempuan ditinggalkan oleh lelaki, lelaki dituduh tidak setia, tetapi bilamana perempuan meninggalkan lelaki, lelaki pulak dikatakan tidak memenuhi citarasa.
7. Bilamasa kita menanyakan status berkenaan sesuatu permohonan kepada Jabatan-Jabatan Kerajaan, jawapannya semua serupa....DALAM PROSES!
8. Bilamasa mengenangkan adat sopan santun kita untuk tidak menghabiskan juadah makanan yang dihidangkan oleh tuan rumah bila kita mengunjung walhal dari segi agama mengatakan jangan membazir!
9. Bilamasa kita terlambat untuk membayar pinjaman bank, kita akan dikenakan faedah keatas bayran tersebut, tetapi bila bank terlebih potong, kita kena tunggu sampai 4-5 bulan walaupun untuk mendapat 5 sen balik...tanpa faedah!.
10. Bilamasa kita terlambat untuk sampai ke lapangan terbang untuk check-in, kita akan didenda 25% dari tambang kapalterbang, tetapi bila penerbangan dibatalkan atau terlambat, satu benda pun kita tak dapat melainkan penat menunggu!
11. Kenapa pemilik teksi Bandaraya mengenakan tambang 50% selepas tengah malam sedangkan dibandaraya selalunya bercahaya terang (macam siang) dan kurang traffic jam pulak tu....mungkin takut kena rompak....tapi nak buat apa caj lebih pun kalau lepas tu kena rompak?
12. Bilamasa kita makan di restoran-restoran makanan segera kita dikenakan caj 10% cukai kerajaan dan 5% cukai perkhidmatan sedangkan cukai kerajaan itu adalah diatas untung syarikat dan cukai perkhidmatan tak pernah ada sebab semuanya layan sendiri?
KISAHNYA NABI ADAM A.S
Kita selalu mendengar kisahnya Nabi Adam AS.Dan kita juga terlalu tahu tentang kejadianya manusia itu adalah dari tanah. Tetapi apakah kita tahu akan tanahnya itu?
Apakah kita tahu akan prosesnya kejadian itu?
Mari kita baca kupasan yang sedikit ini, mudah-mudahan kita lebih mengetahui tentangnya dan Insyaallah dapatlah kita mempelajarinya bersama-sama. Berpesan- pesanlah pada kebaikan dan berpesan-pesanlah pada kesabaran.
BETAPA PAYAHNYA MALAIKAT-MALAIKAT MEMINTA TANAH DARI BUMI UNTUK NABI ADAM AS (ABUL BASYAR / Bapa segala manusia)
Pada suatu ketika, Allah SWT menitahkan kepada malaikat Jibril supaya turun ke bumi untuk mengambil sebahagian tanahnya untuk mencipta Adam. Akan tetapi
apabila beliau sampai ke bumi, bumi enggan membenarkan tanahnya diambil untuk dijadikan Adam kerana bumi kuathir Adam akan menjadi maksiat kepada Allah. Lalu Jibril kembali ke hadrat Allah memberitahu bahawa ia tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa apabila mendengar mendengar sumpah bumi.
Setelah itu, Allah memerintah malaikat Mikail. Jawapan bumi masih sama lalu Allah memerintahkan malaikat Israfil dan jawapan bumi masih tidak berganjak.
Masing-masing kembali dengan jawapan yang hampa.Akhirnya, Allah menyuruh
malaikat Izrail turun ke bumi.Kata Allah:
” Hai Izrail! Engkaulah kini yang aku tugaskan mengambil tanah. Meskipun bumi bersumpah-sumpah dengan ucapan, jangan engkau mundur. Katakan bahawa
kerjamu atas perintah dan atas namaKu.”
Apabila Izrail turun ke bumi dan menyampaikan perintah Allah kepada bumi, maka akhirnya bumi mengizinkan tanahnya diambil. Setelah Izrail mengambil beberapa jenis tanah,kembalilah ia ke hadrat Allah.
Lalu Allah berfirman: “Ya Izrail, pertama engkau yang Ku tugaskan mengambil
tanah, dan kemudian di belakang hari kelak akan kutugaskan engkau mencabut
roh manusia.”
Maka kuathirlah Izrail kerana bimbang akan dibenci oleh umat manusia.Lalu Allah berfirman lagi: “Tidak, mereka tidak akan memusuhi kamu. Aku yang mengaturnya, dan aku jadikan kematian mereka itu bersebab antaranya terbunuh, terbakar, sakit dan sebagainya.
JENIS TANAH YANG DIGUNAKAN:
1. Tanah tempat bakal berdirinya Baitul Mugaddis
2. Tanah Bukit Tursina
3. Tanah Iraq
4. Tanah Aden
5. Tanah Al-Kautsar
6. Tanah tempat bakal berdiringa Baitullah
7. Tanah Paris
8. Tanah Khurasan
9. Tanah(Babylon)
10. Tanah India
11. Tanah syurga
12. Tanah Tha’if
Menurut Ibnu Abbas:
1. Kepala Adam dari tanah Baitul-Muqaddis kerana disitulah berada otak manusia,dan disitulah tempatnya akal.
2. Telinganya dari tanah Bukit Thursina, kerana dia alat pendengar dan tempat menerima nasihat.
3. Dahinya dari tanah Iraq,kerana disitu tempat sujud kepada Allah.
4. Mukanya dari tanah Aden, kerana disitu tempat berhias dan tempat kecantikan.
5. Matanya dari tanah telaga Al-Kautsar, tempat menarik perhatian.
6. Giginya dari tanah Al-Kautsar, tempat memanis-manis.
7. Tangan kanannya dari tanah Kaabah,untuk mencari nafkah dan kerjasama,sesama manusia.
8. Tangan kirinya dari tanah Paris,tempat beristinjak.
9. Perutnya dari tanah Babylon. Disitulah tempat seks(berahi) dan tipudaya syaitan untuk menjerumuskan manusia ke lembah dosa.
10.Tulangnya dari tanah Bukit Thursina,alat peneguh tubuh manusia..
11.Dua kakinya dari tanah India, tempat berdiri dan jalan.
12.Hatinya dari tanah syurga Firdaus,kerana disitulah iman, keyakinan,ilmu, kemahuan dan sebagainya.
13.Lidahnya dari tanah Tha’if, tempat mengucap Syahadat, bersyukur dan berdoakan kepada Tuhan.
PROSESNYA KEJADIANNYA:
1. Ketika Allah jadikan Adam, tanah itu dicampur dengan air tawar, air masin, air hanyir, angin dan api. Kemudian Allah resapkan Nur kebenaran dalam diri Adam dengan berbagai macam “sifat”.
2. Lalu tubuh Adam itu digenggam dengan genggaman “Jabarut” kemudian diletakkan didalam “Alam Malakut”.
3. Sesungguhnya tanah yang akan dijadikan “tubuh Adam” adalah tanah pilihan Maka sebelum dijadikan patung, tanah itu dicampurkan dengan rempah-rempah dan wangi-wangian dari sifat Nur sifat Allah, dan dirasmikan dengan air hujan “Barul Uluhiyah”.
4.Kemudian tubuh itu dibenamkan didalam air “Kudral-Izzah- Nya” iaitu sifat “Jalan dan Jammal”.Lalu terciptalah tubuh Adam yang sempurna.
5.Demikian pula roh, ketika itu diperintah masuk kedalam tubuh Adam, ia merasa malas dan enggan, lalu ia berputar-putar, mengelilingi patung Adam yang terlantar. Kemudian Allah menyuruh malaikat Izrail untuk memaksa roh itu masuk.Akhirnya mahu tidak mahu roh itupun masuk dan menyerah kepada Izrail.
Menurut riwayat ketika Adam masih berada di syurga, sangat baik sekali kulitnya. Tidak seperti warna kulit manusia. Kerana Adam telah diturunkan ke dunia, terjadilah perubahan pada warna kulitnya. Sebagai peringatan, yang masih tertinggal warnanya
hanyalah pada kuku manusia. Oleh itu, meskipun orang kulitnya hitam,tetapi warna
kukunya adalah sama, ialah putih kemerah-merahan.
Dijadikan pada tubuh Adam ada sembilan rongga atau liang. Tujuh buah liang dikepala,dan dua buah liang di bawah badan letaknya.
Tujuh buah letaknya adalah di:
1. Kepala : dua.liang mata, Dua liang telinga, Dua liang hidung dan sebuah liang mulut.
2. Dibawah: Sebuah liang kemaluan dan liang dubur.
Dijadikan pula lima buah pancaindera:
1. Mata alat penglihatan
2. Hidung alat penciuman
3. Telinga alat pendengaran
4. Mulut alat merasa manis, masin dan sebagainya.
5. Anggota tubuh lainya seperti kulit, telapak tangan, untuk merasa halus, kasar dan
sebagainya.
Setelah Roh masuk kedalam tubuh Adam :
Lalu roh itu masuk perlahan-lahan sehingga ke kepalanya yang mengambil masa 200 tahun. Demikianlah Allah memberi kekuatan pada Izrail untuk memasukkan roh ke dalam tubuh Adam.
Setelah roh meresap ke kepala Adam, maka terjadilah otak dan tersusunlah urat-urat sarafnya dengan sempurna. Kemudian terjadilah matanya dan seketika itu matanya terus terbuka melihat dan melirik kekiri, ke kanan dan kebawah dimana pada masa itu
bahagian badannya masih merupakan tanah keras.
Dilihatnya kiri dan kanan para malaikat yang sedang menyaksikan kejadian dia. Ketika itu dia telah dapat mendengar para malaikat mengucapkan tasbih dengan suara yang merdu dan mengasyikkan.
Kemudian ketika roh sampai kehidungnya lalu ia bersin, serta mulutnya terbuka.
Ketika itulah Allah ajarkan padanya ucapan Alhamdulillah. Itulah ucapan
Adam pertama kalinya kehadrat Allah. Lalu Allah berkata :”Yarhamukallah”
yang membawa erti: “Semoga engkau diberi rahmat Allah”. Oleh kerana itu jika
orang bersin, menjadi sunat mengucap “Alhamdulillah” dan orang yang mendengarnya sunat pula mengucapkan “Yarhamukallah” .
Kemudian ketika roh sampai pada dadanya, tiba-tiba saja ia mahu bangun. Padahal sebahagian bawah badannya masih tanah dan keras. Disini menunjukkan sifat manusia yang suka tergesa-gesa (tidak sabar). Sebagaimana firman Allah SWT bermaksud:
“Dan adalah manusia itu, suka tergesa-gesa” .(Al-Israk: II)
Maka ketika roh itu sampai dibahagian perutnya, maka terjadilah susunan isi perut dengan sempurna. Maka seketika itu terasalah lapar. Kemudian terus roh itu meresap
sampai ke seluruh tubuh, tangan, kaki lalu terjadi darah daging dan tulang. Urat-urat berkulit dengan sempurna, yang mana kulit itu kian lama kian cantik dan halus.
Begitulah proses kejadian-kejadian tubuh Adam. Setelah kejadian Adam sempurna sebagai manusia, maka dialah merupakan makhluk manusia yang pertama. Wajahnya cukup cantik, semua malaikat berasa kagum melihat Adam yang begitu menawan. Kemudian Adam diarak oleh malaikat-malaikat selama 100 tahun lalu diperkenalkan kepada seluruh penghuni dari langit pertama hinggalah kelangit tujuh sebelum dibawa ke syurga tempat mula-mula Adam dijadikan.
(Dipetik dari buku HIMPUNAN KISAH-KISAH MALAIKAT disusun oleh Muhammad Isa Selamat)
Apakah kita tahu akan prosesnya kejadian itu?
Mari kita baca kupasan yang sedikit ini, mudah-mudahan kita lebih mengetahui tentangnya dan Insyaallah dapatlah kita mempelajarinya bersama-sama. Berpesan- pesanlah pada kebaikan dan berpesan-pesanlah pada kesabaran.
BETAPA PAYAHNYA MALAIKAT-MALAIKAT MEMINTA TANAH DARI BUMI UNTUK NABI ADAM AS (ABUL BASYAR / Bapa segala manusia)
Pada suatu ketika, Allah SWT menitahkan kepada malaikat Jibril supaya turun ke bumi untuk mengambil sebahagian tanahnya untuk mencipta Adam. Akan tetapi
apabila beliau sampai ke bumi, bumi enggan membenarkan tanahnya diambil untuk dijadikan Adam kerana bumi kuathir Adam akan menjadi maksiat kepada Allah. Lalu Jibril kembali ke hadrat Allah memberitahu bahawa ia tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa apabila mendengar mendengar sumpah bumi.
Setelah itu, Allah memerintah malaikat Mikail. Jawapan bumi masih sama lalu Allah memerintahkan malaikat Israfil dan jawapan bumi masih tidak berganjak.
Masing-masing kembali dengan jawapan yang hampa.Akhirnya, Allah menyuruh
malaikat Izrail turun ke bumi.Kata Allah:
” Hai Izrail! Engkaulah kini yang aku tugaskan mengambil tanah. Meskipun bumi bersumpah-sumpah dengan ucapan, jangan engkau mundur. Katakan bahawa
kerjamu atas perintah dan atas namaKu.”
Apabila Izrail turun ke bumi dan menyampaikan perintah Allah kepada bumi, maka akhirnya bumi mengizinkan tanahnya diambil. Setelah Izrail mengambil beberapa jenis tanah,kembalilah ia ke hadrat Allah.
Lalu Allah berfirman: “Ya Izrail, pertama engkau yang Ku tugaskan mengambil
tanah, dan kemudian di belakang hari kelak akan kutugaskan engkau mencabut
roh manusia.”
Maka kuathirlah Izrail kerana bimbang akan dibenci oleh umat manusia.Lalu Allah berfirman lagi: “Tidak, mereka tidak akan memusuhi kamu. Aku yang mengaturnya, dan aku jadikan kematian mereka itu bersebab antaranya terbunuh, terbakar, sakit dan sebagainya.
JENIS TANAH YANG DIGUNAKAN:
1. Tanah tempat bakal berdirinya Baitul Mugaddis
2. Tanah Bukit Tursina
3. Tanah Iraq
4. Tanah Aden
5. Tanah Al-Kautsar
6. Tanah tempat bakal berdiringa Baitullah
7. Tanah Paris
8. Tanah Khurasan
9. Tanah(Babylon)
10. Tanah India
11. Tanah syurga
12. Tanah Tha’if
Menurut Ibnu Abbas:
1. Kepala Adam dari tanah Baitul-Muqaddis kerana disitulah berada otak manusia,dan disitulah tempatnya akal.
2. Telinganya dari tanah Bukit Thursina, kerana dia alat pendengar dan tempat menerima nasihat.
3. Dahinya dari tanah Iraq,kerana disitu tempat sujud kepada Allah.
4. Mukanya dari tanah Aden, kerana disitu tempat berhias dan tempat kecantikan.
5. Matanya dari tanah telaga Al-Kautsar, tempat menarik perhatian.
6. Giginya dari tanah Al-Kautsar, tempat memanis-manis.
7. Tangan kanannya dari tanah Kaabah,untuk mencari nafkah dan kerjasama,sesama manusia.
8. Tangan kirinya dari tanah Paris,tempat beristinjak.
9. Perutnya dari tanah Babylon. Disitulah tempat seks(berahi) dan tipudaya syaitan untuk menjerumuskan manusia ke lembah dosa.
10.Tulangnya dari tanah Bukit Thursina,alat peneguh tubuh manusia..
11.Dua kakinya dari tanah India, tempat berdiri dan jalan.
12.Hatinya dari tanah syurga Firdaus,kerana disitulah iman, keyakinan,ilmu, kemahuan dan sebagainya.
13.Lidahnya dari tanah Tha’if, tempat mengucap Syahadat, bersyukur dan berdoakan kepada Tuhan.
PROSESNYA KEJADIANNYA:
1. Ketika Allah jadikan Adam, tanah itu dicampur dengan air tawar, air masin, air hanyir, angin dan api. Kemudian Allah resapkan Nur kebenaran dalam diri Adam dengan berbagai macam “sifat”.
2. Lalu tubuh Adam itu digenggam dengan genggaman “Jabarut” kemudian diletakkan didalam “Alam Malakut”.
3. Sesungguhnya tanah yang akan dijadikan “tubuh Adam” adalah tanah pilihan Maka sebelum dijadikan patung, tanah itu dicampurkan dengan rempah-rempah dan wangi-wangian dari sifat Nur sifat Allah, dan dirasmikan dengan air hujan “Barul Uluhiyah”.
4.Kemudian tubuh itu dibenamkan didalam air “Kudral-Izzah- Nya” iaitu sifat “Jalan dan Jammal”.Lalu terciptalah tubuh Adam yang sempurna.
5.Demikian pula roh, ketika itu diperintah masuk kedalam tubuh Adam, ia merasa malas dan enggan, lalu ia berputar-putar, mengelilingi patung Adam yang terlantar. Kemudian Allah menyuruh malaikat Izrail untuk memaksa roh itu masuk.Akhirnya mahu tidak mahu roh itupun masuk dan menyerah kepada Izrail.
Menurut riwayat ketika Adam masih berada di syurga, sangat baik sekali kulitnya. Tidak seperti warna kulit manusia. Kerana Adam telah diturunkan ke dunia, terjadilah perubahan pada warna kulitnya. Sebagai peringatan, yang masih tertinggal warnanya
hanyalah pada kuku manusia. Oleh itu, meskipun orang kulitnya hitam,tetapi warna
kukunya adalah sama, ialah putih kemerah-merahan.
Dijadikan pada tubuh Adam ada sembilan rongga atau liang. Tujuh buah liang dikepala,dan dua buah liang di bawah badan letaknya.
Tujuh buah letaknya adalah di:
1. Kepala : dua.liang mata, Dua liang telinga, Dua liang hidung dan sebuah liang mulut.
2. Dibawah: Sebuah liang kemaluan dan liang dubur.
Dijadikan pula lima buah pancaindera:
1. Mata alat penglihatan
2. Hidung alat penciuman
3. Telinga alat pendengaran
4. Mulut alat merasa manis, masin dan sebagainya.
5. Anggota tubuh lainya seperti kulit, telapak tangan, untuk merasa halus, kasar dan
sebagainya.
Setelah Roh masuk kedalam tubuh Adam :
Lalu roh itu masuk perlahan-lahan sehingga ke kepalanya yang mengambil masa 200 tahun. Demikianlah Allah memberi kekuatan pada Izrail untuk memasukkan roh ke dalam tubuh Adam.
Setelah roh meresap ke kepala Adam, maka terjadilah otak dan tersusunlah urat-urat sarafnya dengan sempurna. Kemudian terjadilah matanya dan seketika itu matanya terus terbuka melihat dan melirik kekiri, ke kanan dan kebawah dimana pada masa itu
bahagian badannya masih merupakan tanah keras.
Dilihatnya kiri dan kanan para malaikat yang sedang menyaksikan kejadian dia. Ketika itu dia telah dapat mendengar para malaikat mengucapkan tasbih dengan suara yang merdu dan mengasyikkan.
Kemudian ketika roh sampai kehidungnya lalu ia bersin, serta mulutnya terbuka.
Ketika itulah Allah ajarkan padanya ucapan Alhamdulillah. Itulah ucapan
Adam pertama kalinya kehadrat Allah. Lalu Allah berkata :”Yarhamukallah”
yang membawa erti: “Semoga engkau diberi rahmat Allah”. Oleh kerana itu jika
orang bersin, menjadi sunat mengucap “Alhamdulillah” dan orang yang mendengarnya sunat pula mengucapkan “Yarhamukallah” .
Kemudian ketika roh sampai pada dadanya, tiba-tiba saja ia mahu bangun. Padahal sebahagian bawah badannya masih tanah dan keras. Disini menunjukkan sifat manusia yang suka tergesa-gesa (tidak sabar). Sebagaimana firman Allah SWT bermaksud:
“Dan adalah manusia itu, suka tergesa-gesa” .(Al-Israk: II)
Maka ketika roh itu sampai dibahagian perutnya, maka terjadilah susunan isi perut dengan sempurna. Maka seketika itu terasalah lapar. Kemudian terus roh itu meresap
sampai ke seluruh tubuh, tangan, kaki lalu terjadi darah daging dan tulang. Urat-urat berkulit dengan sempurna, yang mana kulit itu kian lama kian cantik dan halus.
Begitulah proses kejadian-kejadian tubuh Adam. Setelah kejadian Adam sempurna sebagai manusia, maka dialah merupakan makhluk manusia yang pertama. Wajahnya cukup cantik, semua malaikat berasa kagum melihat Adam yang begitu menawan. Kemudian Adam diarak oleh malaikat-malaikat selama 100 tahun lalu diperkenalkan kepada seluruh penghuni dari langit pertama hinggalah kelangit tujuh sebelum dibawa ke syurga tempat mula-mula Adam dijadikan.
(Dipetik dari buku HIMPUNAN KISAH-KISAH MALAIKAT disusun oleh Muhammad Isa Selamat)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
PROTON EXORA
new Proton Exora will fit neatly into Joe Average’s idea of a family carMOST of us would have by now caught a glimpse of the Proton Exora. I saw one recently, and it looked very good indeed, especially as the owner had ‘inched up’ with 17-inch wheels and super-low profile tyres. The transformation is immediate and impressive.
However, size is not an issue here. The main concerns are fuel economy and power delivery.
I was fortunate enough to get an Exora for four days, enough for me to do a fuel consumption test and also to evaluate it from a user point of view.
The first thing I did was to take my extended family, consisting of seven adults and two pre-teens – one 12 and the other 10 years old – out for dinner. The Exora had no problem hauling all of us the short distance of 5km from our home to the diner; that is, if you are in no hurry.
The Exora has enough get-up-and-go, even under light throttle, picking up speed gradually. It cruises along fine at anything between 80 to 100kph, and does it quietly and effortlessly.
If you are impatient, the electronic throttle will respond very readily (perhaps a little too readily) by dropping down a gear, or even two, the moment you put your foot down on the accelerator pedal.
As long as you keep the accelerator flat on the floor, the auto transmission controller will not allow the gearbox to change up until you hit 6,500rpm.
Similarly, when you are in third gear, the Exora’s electronics will not allow a change to fourth and top gear until you hit the maximum revolutions, which means that if you keep pedal to metal, you can hit up to 145kph before it shifts to top gear.
However, if you lift off on the accelerator, the transmission control unit (TCU), sensing that you no longer need the additional power, will allow the gearbox to shift up to the next highest gear.
I find the acceleration pull acceptable – not the fastest kid off the block, but fast enough for the Joe Average who never drives fast anyway, be it in a BMW or a Kancil – as long as you remember to floor it.
The resultant engine roar is somewhat higher than usual, but that is better than it being gutless.
A light foot on the throttle will allow the Exora to ‘ease’ upwards in speed, until approximately 100kph, after which you might have to apply a little more pressure on the foot pedal to make it go up in speed.
For the driver who just wants to get from A to B, and doesn’t normally drive fast, the Exora would be fine.
Top speed is in the region of 160kph, but only if you are going downhill. Once you hit top speed, any slight incline will make the needle start to fall backwards, and if the slope continues, the TCU may even make the gearbox downshift a gear or two.
A shift lock in top gear at around 110 upwards might be a help to prevent undesired downshifts. Under the current settings, the shift lock only occurs at speeds over 145kph.
Fuel economy is reasonable, and considering the Exora’s bulk and weight, I would volunteer that it is actually remarkable, our test car returning 21.53 miles per gallon, or 13 litres per 100km, over a test distance that covered 350km of mixed driving at high speeds, with five people and luggage on board.
A light-footed driver could expect something in the region of 10 to 11 litres per 100km.
I believe that the Exora is all right as it is; perhaps a small change in the final drive ratio might be useful in improving the get-up-and-go, and help in reducing the frequent downshifts; the same result could come from a lower profile tyre.
There’s talk about a small turbo-charger running low boost to be fitted later on. That will be interesting indeed!
SOURCE: THE SUN ONLINE
However, size is not an issue here. The main concerns are fuel economy and power delivery.
I was fortunate enough to get an Exora for four days, enough for me to do a fuel consumption test and also to evaluate it from a user point of view.
The first thing I did was to take my extended family, consisting of seven adults and two pre-teens – one 12 and the other 10 years old – out for dinner. The Exora had no problem hauling all of us the short distance of 5km from our home to the diner; that is, if you are in no hurry.
The Exora has enough get-up-and-go, even under light throttle, picking up speed gradually. It cruises along fine at anything between 80 to 100kph, and does it quietly and effortlessly.
If you are impatient, the electronic throttle will respond very readily (perhaps a little too readily) by dropping down a gear, or even two, the moment you put your foot down on the accelerator pedal.
As long as you keep the accelerator flat on the floor, the auto transmission controller will not allow the gearbox to change up until you hit 6,500rpm.
Similarly, when you are in third gear, the Exora’s electronics will not allow a change to fourth and top gear until you hit the maximum revolutions, which means that if you keep pedal to metal, you can hit up to 145kph before it shifts to top gear.
However, if you lift off on the accelerator, the transmission control unit (TCU), sensing that you no longer need the additional power, will allow the gearbox to shift up to the next highest gear.
I find the acceleration pull acceptable – not the fastest kid off the block, but fast enough for the Joe Average who never drives fast anyway, be it in a BMW or a Kancil – as long as you remember to floor it.
The resultant engine roar is somewhat higher than usual, but that is better than it being gutless.
A light foot on the throttle will allow the Exora to ‘ease’ upwards in speed, until approximately 100kph, after which you might have to apply a little more pressure on the foot pedal to make it go up in speed.
For the driver who just wants to get from A to B, and doesn’t normally drive fast, the Exora would be fine.
Top speed is in the region of 160kph, but only if you are going downhill. Once you hit top speed, any slight incline will make the needle start to fall backwards, and if the slope continues, the TCU may even make the gearbox downshift a gear or two.
A shift lock in top gear at around 110 upwards might be a help to prevent undesired downshifts. Under the current settings, the shift lock only occurs at speeds over 145kph.
Fuel economy is reasonable, and considering the Exora’s bulk and weight, I would volunteer that it is actually remarkable, our test car returning 21.53 miles per gallon, or 13 litres per 100km, over a test distance that covered 350km of mixed driving at high speeds, with five people and luggage on board.
A light-footed driver could expect something in the region of 10 to 11 litres per 100km.
I believe that the Exora is all right as it is; perhaps a small change in the final drive ratio might be useful in improving the get-up-and-go, and help in reducing the frequent downshifts; the same result could come from a lower profile tyre.
There’s talk about a small turbo-charger running low boost to be fitted later on. That will be interesting indeed!
SOURCE: THE SUN ONLINE
Sunday, December 28, 2008
New Land Rovers do Penang
Land Rover enthusiasts in the north will have the opportunity to view and test-drive the multiple-award winning Freelander 2 TD4, the multi-talented Discovery 3 TDV6 and two variants of the head-turning Range Rover Sport, the 2.7l V6 turbodiesel and naturally-aspirated 4.4l V8 petrol.
The three-day Land Rover Carnival in Penang will be held at Lot 1688, Juru Auto City, in front of the Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet from 10am-6pm daily from Dec 19-21, so if you're into your LRs, this is where you'll want to be.
For more info on the new Land Rover Carnival in Penang, please call Auto ConneXion Voice at 1 800 88 3181 or 04-390 2595.
SOURCE: THE STAR ONLINE
Posted by: Anthony Lim
Land Rover fans up in Penang, the new boys are coming your way. That's right - Sime Darby Auto Connexion is having a public test drive event this weekend of all the new LR models at Juru Auto City.Land Rover enthusiasts in the north will have the opportunity to view and test-drive the multiple-award winning Freelander 2 TD4, the multi-talented Discovery 3 TDV6 and two variants of the head-turning Range Rover Sport, the 2.7l V6 turbodiesel and naturally-aspirated 4.4l V8 petrol.
The three-day Land Rover Carnival in Penang will be held at Lot 1688, Juru Auto City, in front of the Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet from 10am-6pm daily from Dec 19-21, so if you're into your LRs, this is where you'll want to be.
For more info on the new Land Rover Carnival in Penang, please call Auto ConneXion Voice at 1 800 88 3181 or 04-390 2595.
SOURCE: THE STAR ONLINE
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Half-a-million $$$ baby
Half-a-million $$$ baby
The new SLK 200 comes with 650 improvements to give it plenty of oomph and class
A large three-pointed star sits in the middle of the front grille to make sure no one mistakes it for anything else but a Mercedes-Benz.
Drive is to the rear wheels, through 18-inch alloys.
The SLK 200 is not an out-and-out racer, being designed more as an elegant roadster for weekend drives with the top down and the wind in one’s hair.
The new SLK 200 comes with 650 improvements to give it plenty of oomph and class
THE Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 comes with a refreshed front and rear, and a total of 650 improvements, some of which are internal and mechanical. 
The SLK 200 – for the person with everything.
Its main appeal is, of course, the electrically-actuated hardtop roof that takes less than half a minute to disappear into the rear boot at the touch of a button – always a sight to behold.
The front-end has taken some design hints from the flagship SLR, in the form of a new bumper that carries a larger air-dam and a more pronounced V-look.
 |
At the rear, there are now twin exhaust pipes and a diffuser, plus darkened tail lights. Exterior mirrors are larger to give a better rear view, and LED indicators are built into them.
Changes to the interior include a three-spoke steering wheel with multi-function buttons, and a new instrument cluster. Meters are analogue, and round with bezel surrounds to maintain the ‘sports car’ look.
Drivers now get a set of F1-type paddle shifters. Wood trim is available in two colours, and the interior colours now include ‘gull wing red’, inspired by the legendary SL300 gull wing model.
An iPod jack is standard, and a Linguatronic system allows voice control over the audio. A GPS navigation system is standard equipment.
Mechanical improvements to the 1.8-litre engine, which comes with a supercharger, give the SLK 200 an additional 21 horses to 184hp and 250Nm of torque, while fuel consumption has been reduced to 9.11 litre per 100km.
 |
Although mechanically the SLK 200 is much the same as the C200, a lighter body of some 1.3+ tons and different weight distribution means that driving dynamics is quite different.
There are three modes of driving – Manual, Sport or Comfort.
On the road, we find the SLK easy to drive, cruising around effortlessly without that ‘thoroughbred’ feeling, but responding to an exuberant driving style the moment foot is pressed to the pedal.
Response is instantaneous, and although its zero-to-100kph time is about 8.2 seconds (not the fastest kid on the block), it still gives a good account of itself if pushed. Driven in anger, it remains sure-footed and agile, and the ride is on the firm side of comfortable.
The four-wheel independent suspension has many aluminium parts that help to reduce unsprung weight and improve driving dynamics. Also built-in is ESP (electronic stability programme), ABS, EBD and BA.
The SLK 200 is designed as a roadster, and this version is the entry level model for its range. Other engine options include a 3.0-litre, 3.5-litre and the top-of-the-range AMG at a humongous 5.0-litre.
 |
But then, there is nothing to stop you from using it daily, mindful of the fact that it is a strict two-seater.
At RM483,888, the SLK 200 is a good RM120,000+ more expensive than the E200, and over RM200k more than the C200, but well-worth the price for the person with everything.
source: http://www.thesundaily.com
Monday, October 20, 2008
TEST DRIVE A PEUGEOT
Test drive a Peugeot this weekend
Posted by: Andy Mervin George
If watching the idiot box is not entertaining to you this weekend, perhaps the Blue Box will.
The campaign is meant for potential Peugeot owners to be up close and personal with the new Peugeot 407 sedan, where test drives of the car are available.
A mystery gift and refreshments await those who visit Peugeot Blue Box Glenmarie and Peugeot Bangsar this weekend. For more information on the event, contact Peugeot Careline at 1-800-88-6292.
SOURCE: http://star-motoring.com
Saturday, October 11, 2008
All's not glitter and gold at the Paris Motor Show
Posted by: Anthony Lim
Auto executives agree: their industry is headed into a giant storm.
The clouds of global economic turmoil cast a pall over the opening of the Paris Motor Show yesterday - although a staged display of thunder and blue lightning bolts provided a dramatic backdrop for the introduction of BMW AG's new 7 series.
General Motors Corp chief operating officer Fritz Henderson said the US hasn't seen such a slump in auto sales in two decades and predicted "chaos" if US lawmakers don't approve a US$700 billion financial bailout plan.
With a new Insight into things, Honda is hoping for better.
Ford Motor Co's CEO for Europe, John Fleming, said he is bracing for a difficult end to 2008 as declining housing markets and tightening credit take their toll.
And Carlos Ghosn, CEO of French carmaker Renault SA, said the global auto industry could remain in a funk for two years.
"We don't know if we are at the start of the end or the end of the start," he told reporters.
With rock music and clouds of dry ice, automakers unveiled smaller and more fuel-efficient cars to cater to consumers both cash-strapped and environmentally conscious. The new models are testimony that the industry is working to adapt to an era of expensive gas and mounting concerns about global warming.
Honda Motor Co unveiled a new five-door gasoline-electric hatchback to challenge rival Toyota Motor Corp's success with the hybrid Prius. Honda said its Insight would be cheaper than any other hybrid car on the market, to make the low-emission technology affordable for more consumers. The Japanese automaker aims to sell 200,000 of the cars each year, launching next spring in Japan, Europe and North America.
Renault showed off a revamped Megane compact hatchback. France's second-largest automaker, which is cutting 6,000 jobs to maintain profitability, hopes the car will make up for poor sales of the low-cost Laguna car.
Renault's new Megane Coupe.
And luxury car makers like Ferrari added their very own touch of glamour. The Italian automaker introduced its new California - a coupe-cabriolet with a retractable hard top - claiming that customers at the very top end of the market are immune for the moment.
"What is affecting Ferrari customers is not the financial times," CEO Amedeo Felisa said in an interview with The Associated Press.
The displays covered the entire range: fast to slow, luxury to economy. Renault displayed a Formula One racer. Peugeot showed a speedster for the Le Mans Series. Mercedes unveiled its latest armored limousine for VIPs, described as "luxuriously spacious and superbly comfortable."
Underscoring the need for green, some models had the amount of carbon dioxide they emit pasted in large numbers down their sides.
The two-week show opens to the public this Sat after two press days.
Citigroup expects 2008 to be the first year of volume declines since 2001 for the global car industry, and last month it lowered its outlook for this year and next after double-digit declines in new car registrations in western Europe, the US, and Japan.
Overall US auto sales plunged last month, dropping below one million for the first time in more than 15 years as some consumers struggled to get car loans and others stayed away from showrooms amid bank failures and Wall Street turmoil.
And the recession-proof Ferrari California.
Sales at every major US and foreign brand fell at least 24%from the previous year, with the exception of GM, which said it sold 16% fewer vehicles, helped by its month-long offer of employee pricing for all buyers.
GM's Henderson said the company can't rule out the need for more restructuring if the economic crisis worsens and said it was "extraordinarily important" that US lawmakers pass a financial bailout to shore up confidence.
France's car market has held up, thanks to government incentives to buyers of green vehicles. The French car manufacturer's association said on Wed that new car registrations rose 8.4% in Sept from a year earlier.
Last year, France introduced rebates and surcharges to encourage sales of more environmentally friendly vehicles. Under the system, dubbed "bonus-malus," car buyers can take money off the purchase price depending on how much CO2 the vehicle emits.
Larger rebates are awarded for cars meeting stricter emissions criteria, from 200 euros (US$287) all the way up to 5,000 euros (US$7,175) for electric vehicles putting out less than 60 grams of CO2 per km.
"The French market is resisting well for the moment. I hope it will continue," Renault's Ghosn said. - AP
SOURCE: http://star-motoring.com
Saturday, September 20, 2008
NIK AZIZ
NIK AZIZ: ISA is wrong in Islam
KOTA BARU: Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat said yesterday he hoped that Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Da-tuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would not be detained under the Internal Security Act.
The Pas spiritual leader said this after meeting Terengganu Pas commissioner Datuk Mus-tafa Ali yesterday.
Nik Aziz said the government should consider the wishes of the public, especially with the resignation of de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibra-him, who spoke out against recent ISA arrests.
"The ISA does not give the accused a chance to defend himself. This is wrong as in Islam, the accused is allowed to defend himself."
Nik Aziz, who was upset by the statement, had criticised Mustafa in the party's organ, Harakah.
SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my
Sunday, September 14, 2008
HOW TO SELL USED COMPUTERS
How to Sell Used Computers
Autor: Lesley Lyon
Used computers are bought by either students who do not have good savings or earnings or they are bought by educational institutions like the schools and universities. Some parents buy used computers for their children just for browsing the Internet and to play games.
For this purpose, a used computer is more than sufficient than spending huge amounts on a new computer. These target segments however require used computers in a good working condition as well as for a lesser price.
Most of the used computers are sold in the online market, as it attracts all sorts of buyers. There are many numbers of online classifieds or auctions or online dealers who sell used computers. Selling used computers are a better option than throwing them as trash or keeping them in a corner occupying space and collecting dust.
The first and important step is to improve the appearance of the used computer by wiping it clean free of dust and dirt. Any buyer would get impressed by the way the computer looks, looks make the first impression. The selling price of a clean used computer is always better than the one, which is full of dirt and dust.
All the software manual, operating system and other supporting discs that came with the computer should be in tact. This will add more value, when selling the used computer and also will make the buyer consider the person who is selling the used computer as a trusted seller.
The most important thing to do before selling a used computer is to erase all the personal details or information from the hard disk or drive. Instead of just putting them in the trash folder it is very important to purge all the personal data from the computer’s memory, even invisible backup files can cause danger.
A tech savvy person’s help can be got if the seller does not know how to do it. If not done it may lead to accessing the bank accounts, or emails by any unknown person leading to identity theft. For that when there is a remedy.
Unused scanners, printers can also be bundled with the sale of the used computer. A buyer may sometime value it. The benefits or features of the computer can be highlighted for better sales.
Source: Free Articles
Monday, September 8, 2008
IN THE WARS, BUT THEY GET THE GANG
In the wars, but they get the gang
September 05, 2008 Categories: News
Subang Jaya police crippled a house break-in gang with the arrest of three Sabahans after a high speed chase in Serdang on Thursday.
Police moved in on the suspects at about 4.30am after a week-long surveillance of the area.
Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said a police patrol car was badly damaged in the incident after it was hit by the suspect’s Proton Iswara, causing it to skid and ram into a road barrier. He said the suspects had just broken into an apartment in Vista Perdana in Bukit Serdang. They stole the victim’s Perodua Myvi and were driving away when stopped by police.
They, however, sped off causing police to give chase.
The Proton Iswara skidded after hitting the police car in the 15-minute chase. Police seized house and car break-in paraphernalia in the vehicle.
The driver of the Myvi, however, escaped. The car was later found abandoned along a road in Kajang.
Two of the suspects worked as security guards at an apartment block in Serdang while the third was unemployed. One of the suspects, a 23-year-old, was also said to have criminal record for dadah and house break-in cases.
Khalid said the gang which has been active since early this year was responsible for more than 10 cases reported in Subang Jaya district.
SOURCE: http://www.mmail.com.my
Sunday, August 31, 2008
BMW'S ELECTRIC MINI TEST
BMW’s electric Mini test
BMW is planning to test a fleet of several hundred Mini cars with zero-emission electric drive soon, the car maker announced.
BMW is planning to test a fleet of several hundred Mini cars with zero-emission electric drive soon, the car maker announced.
BMW’s CEO Norbert Reithofer said, in Munich, this would help gather more know-how on how "mobility can be efficiently ensured with vehicles running only on electric-drive".
The Minis, built in Oxford, England, would be shipped to the BMW plant in Munich where they would be modified for electric drive.
The tests would be conducted in the next 12 to 18 months with details of the drive concept and marketing to be announced by late 2008, said a BMW press statement.
Several car makers are also planning to mass-produce electric-drive vehicles.
BMW’s main rival Mercedes has announced it will offer an electric-drive SMART in 2010 while Volkswagen is planning an electric version of its concept car Up!
According to reports, General Motors is already working on presenting a production-ready version of the Chevy Volt next month. – dpa
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
HONDA
Honda's July global output jumps on demand for Fit
TOKYO (AP) - Honda reported that its global production in July jumped 17.7 percent to 342,152 vehicles, a record for that month, highlighting the Japanese automaker's solid growth amid serious trouble at American rivals.
While soaring gas prices have hurt the world's auto industry, Honda's global sales have grown, led by the Fit subcompact, which was the best-selling car in Japan in July for the ninth month in a row.
Mazda Motor Corp. also reported robust global production for July - up 25.5 percent to 126,025 vehicles.
The Hiroshima-based partner of U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co. credited healthy demand for Mazda2, sold as the Demio in Japan, and Mazda6, or Atenza in Japan, for the production increase.
Honda Motor Co., the country's second-biggest automaker, produces more autos overseas than at home. Output abroad shot up 19.3 percent to 229,996 vehicles, while domestic production rose 14.5 percent to 112,156, the first rise in 11 months.
Behind the growth was record production in North America and Asia in July, it said.
July's total output was shy of Honda's monthly production record of 363,532 vehicles last October.
All the world's automakers are struggling to shift their product offerings from the more profitable but gas-guzzling trucks and sport utility vehicles to smaller models.
Honda's exports declined in July for the third straight month at 56,415 vehicles, down 6.9 percent from a year ago.
Despite a falling dollar that hurts the earnings of global Japanese exporters, Honda reported a record 179.6 billion yen (US$1.68 billion) profit for a fiscal first quarter.
U.S. auto sales slumped to a 16-year low in July as automakers failed to keep up with consumers' growing demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
American sales at Ford, General Motors Corp. and even Toyota Motor Corp. are falling by double-digits.
Honda had reported U.S. sales increases in the last few months as consumers flocked to its fuel-efficient cars.
But Honda's sales fell 2 percent in July, as a 22 percent drop in truck and SUV sales dragged on a 14 percent surge in Honda's car sales.
SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my
Sunday, August 24, 2008
MITSUBISHI LANCER
Friday, August 22, 2008
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia unveiled its tenth-generation Lancer Evolution yesterday, a relatively short 10 months after it made its Japanese debut.
Well, space was a premium at the launch, let's just say ...
Interestingly, the car is not tagged as the Evolution X here, instead only being called the Lancer Evolution. Supposedly, the X suffix has been dropped from overseas markets to present a different image for the vehicle. Oh well, whatever works ...
Some quick facts about the already familiar-shaped AWD vehicle. The 4B11 2.0l four-cylinder twin-cam, twin scroll turbocharged pot on this one features 291bhp (276bhp for the JDM unit at point of introduction), and 366Nm of torque. The grand news is that there is no speed limiter on this one, so expect this one to be a whole load of fun.
MMM is not offering the vehicle in its five-speed, close ratio manual option form, so the only drivetrain type is the Twin Clutch SST six-speed automated manual transmission, which puts odd (1st, 3rd, 5th) and even (2nd, 4th and 6th) gears on separate input shafts, each with its own clutch.
The system allows the driver to choose between Autoshift fully automatic shifting and Manual Shift, where the driver can change gears as with a manual transmission. A toggle switch located at the base of the shift selector allows the driver to choose between Normal, Sport and Super Sport modes for the optimum shift scheduling.
So here's a better, cleaner and clearer take on things.
For electronic aids, there's S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control), an advanced vehicle dynamics control system which integrates the management of the ACD (Active Centre Differential), AYC (Active Yaw Control), ASC (Active Stability Control) and Sport ABS component systems.
While continuing on the MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension arrangement used on previous models in the series, this one features a revamped suspension layout with wider tracks.
The factory-fit equipment list includes Bilstein single tube shock absorbers and Eibach coil springs, as seen on the Evo IX MR. It also includes Brembo two-piece ventilated disc brakes, lighter by 1.3kg per piece over standard Brembo discs, and 18-inch BBS lightweight alloy wheels.
Other standard issue items include a 7-Airbag System (driver and front passenger SRS airbags, side and curtain airbags and driver knee airbag), ELR seatbelt with pretensioner and force limiter and HID headlamps with AFS (Adaptive Front Lighting System).
And ditto for the interior as well.
To complete the premium offering, the new Evolution also comes with Recaro full bucket front seats, multi-mode information display, genuine leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel with mounted audio controls and cruise control buttons and a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate Premium Sound System. Other functional features include a keyless operating system and sunroof.
MMM is aiming to sell 50 units of the type till the end of the year; so far, there have been 30 bookings for the car.
The new Lancer Evolution is priced at RM315,436 (on the road, without insurance), and the car comes with a one-year or 20,000km warranty. Three colours are available, these being Red Metallic, Phantom Black Pearl and White Solid.
source: http://star-motoring.com
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
BLOG
Not too old to blog
By GABEY GOH August 12, 2008 Categories: Blogspot
THE digital divide is getting smaller as more and more senior citizens take that first tentative step into the world wide web, to explore, express and learn.
Surveys have revealed that senior citizens aged 65 and above make up the fastest growing age group online, but as the number of users grows, the amount of content to cater for them remains a step or two behind.
This is where people such as Lily Fu, a 60-year-old grandmother of four, come in. She launched her blog, SeniorsAloud (seniorsaloud.blogspot.com) in May with one goal in mind.
"I wanted to provide senior citizens with an avenue to network online and share their life experiences. We believe in active ageing, and in living our golden years with passion and purpose," writes the part-time university tutor and English Language trainer who also has a professional blog (peakspeak.blogspot.com).
With a host of guest bloggers, topics relevant to the elderly are frenetically discussed to give the senior citizens a voice on the web.
When did you start using the internet?
I was first introduced to the Internet in 1994 when I was visiting my daughter in Canada. One night, I saw her emailing and chatting with her university friends online. I was amazed. What a great way to keep in touch – so much faster than by conventional mail, and far cheaper than paying for long distance calls.
Soon after, I bought my first desktop. As a high school teacher then, I was interested in using the Internet to supplement my English classes. I started a chat-room on IRC for my students in 1996. I believe we were among the early schools with an online presence. I’m quite proud of that.
How did you start to blog?
When I first read about blogging in 1999, I was keen on starting a blog for those over 50 years of age, being in that age group myself. I wrote to a newspaper about it, hoping to get positive feedback. My letter was published but there was no response at all! I guess most seniors in those days were not internet-savvy yet. Now, almost 10 years on, I believe the time is right to start a blog for seniors.
In 2007, a friend, Samuel Goh (motivationinmotion.blogspot.com), who was already a blogger, invited me to an Internet marketing seminar. I started a blog in order to apply what I had learned. SeniorsAloud is my second blog and the first article was posted on May 10, 2008, just three months ago. So it’s quite new, but the response this time around is much more encouraging. As the word gets out, I’m sure the blog will receive even more visitors.
What were your reasons?
It’s a known fact that many countries, including Malaysia, are seeing an ageing population. The average life span has increased. For males and females, it’s 73 and 76 respectively. In 2007, according to statistics from the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), the elderly, or those who have touched 60, make up seven per cent of the population. There are issues concerning the elderly that need to be addressed, like health care, financial management, and housing.
There are also more seniors now with access to the internet and thus a blog would be a great avenue to reach out to these seniors, while also encouraging those who are apprehensive about the internet to take the first baby steps into this whole new realm. It literally opens up a new world, and even those seniors who are homebound can still have an active social and intellectual life via the internet.
On a personal level, I know of retirees who have difficulty adjusting to a life without a 9-5 job. They feel a tremendous loss of self-esteem. Some have lost their spouse and feel lonely and depressed.
SeniorsAloud is intended to be a community-based blog where seniors and retirees can network and share their rich life experiences. It is also a channel for them to speak out on issues that affect them, whether it is the lack of elderly-friendly public facilities, or the discrimination leveled at them. It takes a senior to understand another senior and provide moral support for one another.
What have you achieved through blogging?
The blog is only three months old, so it’s still too early to talk about achievements. But to date, the feedback has been very encouraging. "Inspiring" is the word visitors often used after reading the posts. One visitor in her 30s wrote in an email that the post about "Grandparenting – A Pleasure or Pressure?" helped her to better understand her parents.
Any regrets?
I’ve always wanted to give something back to society. SeniorsAloud is the perfect vehicle for me to accomplish this. I can blog at home and still keep an eye on my grandchildren and my elderly mother. And the best thing is that it’s free! So there’s absolutely nothing to regret. Of course, blogging can be quite time-consuming, but I enjoy the challenge of keeping the blog current.
Has blogging changed your life?
I now carry my camera everywhere I go. I’ve learned to be bold in approaching people and telling them about my blog. You can say blogging has given me new confidence and a new direction in life. Through it, I’ve been fortunate to connect with many seniors who have been most supportive in contributing to the blog content.
The "Blogosphere". What does it mean to you?
The Blogosphere adds a whole new dimension to information gathering – almost anything and everything under the sun probably has been the subject of a blog.
That said, one of the challenges of the internet, including blogs, is to sift through all the information out there – sometimes there is an information overload. Nonetheless, it’s always better to have too many options than none at all!
Favourite blogger?
I’ve got several bookmarked under "Favourites", so I won’t commit to singling out any particular one. It’d be like asking me who is my absolute favourite among all my grandchildren. I love them all.
If there were someone you could influence to blog. who would they be?
Definitely all those above 50! This is the fastest growing age group on the Internet, but certainly not in Malaysia. I still meet a lot of seniors who say they are too old to pick up computer skills, or they are simply not interested. Blogging is fun, mentally stimulating and who knows, it may help ward off Alzheimer’s!
When I’m in my 80s or 90s, provided I don’t have arthritis in my fingers, I intend to carry on blogging. I’ll take blogging anytime over knitting in a rocking chair!
SOURCE: http://www.mmail.com.my
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
MONITOR AND MANAGE SEARCH ENGINE
How To Monitor And Manage Search Engine Results
Autor: mfleischner
Keeping track of where your website ranks on Google for important keywords and keyword phrases can be a full time job. Although many tools exist for monitoring search engine position, properly evaluating SEO performance requires a disciplined approach.There are a variety of ways to measure search engine rankings for your website.
Popular website tools like SEO Elite and Web CEO include search engine ranking tools that can track where your site ranks for identified keywords. But what if you don’t own SEO software?To evaluate search engine rankings, you simply need a means of measuring rankings on a regular basis.
Follow these simple guidelines:Create and maintain a spreadsheet of your rankings. Having a document that you continually update can help you see weekly changes as well as trends over time. Be sure to keep it updated at least once a week so that you are always aware of how you rank for keywords and keyword phrases you are watching.
You can choose your keyword list based on the keyword phrases you’ve selected as important, those your competitors rank well for, or individual phrases identified by SEO software. If you want to get a jump start, you can identify which keyword phrases your site is ranked for in the top 20 on Google using SEOdigger.com.
This tool provides a listing of which keyword phrases your site ranks within the top 20 Google search results for and can be a great tool to identify your competitor’s keyword rankings.Record changes in search engine result placements simply by entering each keyword term in to Google or using SEO software.
You can also find free tools online to report your rankings like CleverStat or GoogleRankings.com.Continue to make changes, build links, and record your results. This step will never be completed but rather is an ongoing process. You should strive to become number one on all your SERPs and get so far ahead that none of your competitors will be able to compete.
This requires constant and never ending consideration to building links and creating more and more reasons for other sites to link to you.Consider reciprocal linking, link acquisition, as well as adding free tools to your website, valuable content, and helpful downloads. Access to these tools is ideal if you want to attract links to your website.
Once you’ve added these valuable tools, make sure to let others know that they exist. Consider a free press release, email campaign or promotion.Expand your keyword list. As you improve your overall rankings on major search engines, consider adding other keywords phrases that may be relevant to your website, products or services. Focusing on an expanded keyword list can result in more traffic and broader appeal.
Monitoring and managing your search engine rankings, especially on Google is necessary if you wish to increase the organic traffic to your website. This begins with basic monitoring and evaluation of your rankings on key search engines. Once you’ve developed your spreadsheet, update your rankings each week with free tools or SEO software.
Continue to focus on your rankings and developing inbound links through free tools and resources on your site as well as proactive link requests. Over time, as you improve your rakings for key terms and phrases, expand your list. Improving your rankings is a never ending process, but an important one. Stay the course and you’ll experience the results you’re looking for.
Source: Free Articles
Autor: mfleischner
Keeping track of where your website ranks on Google for important keywords and keyword phrases can be a full time job. Although many tools exist for monitoring search engine position, properly evaluating SEO performance requires a disciplined approach.There are a variety of ways to measure search engine rankings for your website.
Popular website tools like SEO Elite and Web CEO include search engine ranking tools that can track where your site ranks for identified keywords. But what if you don’t own SEO software?To evaluate search engine rankings, you simply need a means of measuring rankings on a regular basis.
Follow these simple guidelines:Create and maintain a spreadsheet of your rankings. Having a document that you continually update can help you see weekly changes as well as trends over time. Be sure to keep it updated at least once a week so that you are always aware of how you rank for keywords and keyword phrases you are watching.
You can choose your keyword list based on the keyword phrases you’ve selected as important, those your competitors rank well for, or individual phrases identified by SEO software. If you want to get a jump start, you can identify which keyword phrases your site is ranked for in the top 20 on Google using SEOdigger.com.
This tool provides a listing of which keyword phrases your site ranks within the top 20 Google search results for and can be a great tool to identify your competitor’s keyword rankings.Record changes in search engine result placements simply by entering each keyword term in to Google or using SEO software.
You can also find free tools online to report your rankings like CleverStat or GoogleRankings.com.Continue to make changes, build links, and record your results. This step will never be completed but rather is an ongoing process. You should strive to become number one on all your SERPs and get so far ahead that none of your competitors will be able to compete.
This requires constant and never ending consideration to building links and creating more and more reasons for other sites to link to you.Consider reciprocal linking, link acquisition, as well as adding free tools to your website, valuable content, and helpful downloads. Access to these tools is ideal if you want to attract links to your website.
Once you’ve added these valuable tools, make sure to let others know that they exist. Consider a free press release, email campaign or promotion.Expand your keyword list. As you improve your overall rankings on major search engines, consider adding other keywords phrases that may be relevant to your website, products or services. Focusing on an expanded keyword list can result in more traffic and broader appeal.
Monitoring and managing your search engine rankings, especially on Google is necessary if you wish to increase the organic traffic to your website. This begins with basic monitoring and evaluation of your rankings on key search engines. Once you’ve developed your spreadsheet, update your rankings each week with free tools or SEO software.
Continue to focus on your rankings and developing inbound links through free tools and resources on your site as well as proactive link requests. Over time, as you improve your rakings for key terms and phrases, expand your list. Improving your rankings is a never ending process, but an important one. Stay the course and you’ll experience the results you’re looking for.
Source: Free Articles
Sunday, August 10, 2008
DOWNLOAD MP3 AL-QURAN
Al-Quran Recitation by Syeikh Sa'ad Sa'id Al-Ghamidi
All audio files are compiled in Mp3 format so that you can easily download them directly to your Mp3 players.
-
Name of Surah
Click Here
1
Al-Fatihah ( The Opening )
Click Here
2
Al-Baqarah ( The Cow )
Click Here
3
Al-Imran ( The Family of Imran )
Click Here
4
An-Nisa ( The Women )
Click Here
5
Al-Maidah ( The Table spread with Food )
Click Here
6
Al-An'am ( The Cattle )
Click Here
7
Al-A'raf (The Heights )
Click Here
8
Al-Anfal ( The Spoils of War )
Click Here
9
At-Taubah ( The Repentance )
Click Here
10
Yunus ( Jonah )
Click Here
11
Hud ( Hud )
Click Here
12
Yusuf (Joseph )
Click Here
13
Ar-Ra'd ( The Thunder )
Click Here
14
Ibrahim ( Abraham )
Click Here
15
Al-Hijr ( The Rocky Tract )
Click Here
16
An-Nahl ( The Bees )
Click Here
17
Al-Isra ( The Night Journey )
Click Here
18
Al-Kahf ( The Cave )
Click Here
19
Maryam ( Mary )
Click Here
20
Toha
Click Here
21
Al-Anbiya ( The Prophets )
Click Here
22
Al-Hajj ( The Pilgrimage )
Click Here
23
Al-Mu'minun ( The Believers )
Click Here
24
An-Noor ( The Light )
Click Here
25
Al-Furqan (The Criterion )
Click Here
26
Ash-Shu'ara ( The Poets )
Click Here
27
An-Naml (The Ants )
Click Here
28
Al-Qasas ( The Stories )
Click Here
29
Al-Ankabut ( The Spider )
Click Here
30
Ar-Room ( The Romans )
Click Here
31
Luqman
Click Here
32
As-Sajdah ( The Prostration )
Click Here
33
Al-Ahzab ( The Combined Forces )
Click Here
34
Saba ( Sheba )
Click Here
35
Fatir ( The Orignator )
Click Here
36
Yaa-sin
Click Here
37
As-Shoffat ( Those Ranges in Ranks )
Click Here
38
Shod ( The Letter Sad )
Click Here
39
Az-Zumar ( The Groups )
Click Here
40
Ghafir ( The Forgiver God )
Click Here
41
Fusshilat ( Explained in Detail )
Click Here
42
Ash-Shura (Consultation )
Click Here
43
Az-Zukhruf ( The Gold Adornment )
Click Here
44
Ad-Dukhan ( The Smoke )
Click Here
45
Al-Jathiya ( Crouching )
Click Here
46
Al-Ahqaf ( The Curved Sand-hills )
Click Here
47
Muhammad (Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h)
Click Here
48
Al-Fath ( The Victory )
Click Here
49
Al-Hujurat ( The Dwellings )
Click Here
50
Qaf ( The Letter Qaf )
Click Here
51
Adh-Dzariyat ( The Wind that Scatter )
Click Here
52
At-Tur ( The Mount )
Click Here
53
An-Najm ( The Star )
Click Here
54
Al-Qamar ( The Moon )
Click Here
55
Ar-Rahman ( The Most Graciouse )
Click Here
56
Al-Waqi'ah ( The Event )
Click Here
57
Al-Hadid ( The Iron )
Click Here
58
Al-Mujadilah ( She That Disputeth )
Click Here
59
Al-Hasyr ( The Gathering )
Click Here
60
Al-Mumtahanah ( The Woman to be examined )
Click Here
61
As-Shoff ( The Row )
Click Here
62
Al-Jumu'ah ( Friday )
Click Here
63
Al-Munafiqun ( The Hypocrites )
Click Here
64
At-Taghabun ( Mutual Loss & Gain )
Click Here
65
At-Thalaq ( The Divorce )
Click Here
66
At-Tahrim ( The Prohibition )
Click Here
67
Al-Mulk ( Dominion )
Click Here
68
Al-Qalam ( The Pen )
Click Here
69
Al-Haaqqah ( The Inevitable )
Click Here
70
Al-Ma'arij (The Ways of Ascent )
Click Here
71
Nuh (Prophet Nuh a.s)
Click Here
72
Al-Jin ( The Jin )
Click Here
73
Al-Muzzammil (The One wrapped in Garments)
Click Here
74
Al-Muddaththir ( The One Enveloped )
Click Here
75
Al-Qiyamah ( The Resurrection )
Click Here
76
Al-Insan ( Man )
Click Here
77
Al-Mursalat ( Those sent forth )
Click Here
78
An-Naba' ( The Great News )
Click Here
79
An-Nazi'at ( Those who Pull Out )
Click Here
80
Abasa ( He frowned )
Click Here
81
At-Takwir ( The Overthrowing )
Click Here
82
Al-Infitar ( The Cleaving )
Click Here
83
Al-Mutaffifin (Those Who Deal in Fraud)
Click Here
84
Al-Inshiqaq (The Splitting Asunder)
Click Here
85
Al-Buruj ( The Big Stars )
Click Here
86
At-Thoriq ( The Night-Comer )
Click Here
87
Al-A'la ( The Most High )
Click Here
88
Al-Ghashiya ( The Overwhelming )
Click Here
89
Al-Fajr ( The Dawn )
Click Here
90
Al-Balad ( The City )
Click Here
91
Ash-Syams ( The Sun )
Click Here
92
Al-Lail ( The Night )
Click Here
93
Ad-Dhuha ( The Forenoon )
Click Here
94
Asy-Syarh ( The Opening Forth)
Click Here
95
At-Tin ( The Fig )
Click Here
96
Al-'Alaq ( The Clot )
Click Here
97
Al-Qadr ( The Night of Decree )
Click Here
98
Al-Bayyinah ( The Clear Evidence )
Click Here
99
Az-Zalzalah ( The Earthquake )
Click Here
100
Al-'Adiyat ( Those That Run )
Click Here
101
Al-Qari'ah ( The Striking Hour )
Click Here
102
At-Takathur ( The piling Up )
Click Here
103
Al-Asr ( The Time )
Click Here
104
Al-Humazah ( The Slanderer )
Click Here
105
Al-Fil ( The Elephant )
Click Here
106
Quraish (The tribe of Quraish)
Click Here
107
Al-Ma'un ( Small Kindnesses )
Click Here
108
Al-Kauthar ( A River in Paradise)
Click Here
109
Al-Kafirun ( The Disbelievers )
Click Here
110
An-Nasr ( The Help )
Click Here
111
Al-Masad ( The Palm Fibre )
Click Here
112
Al-Ikhlas ( Sincerity )
Click Here
113
Al-Falaq ( The Daybreak )
Click Here
114
An-Nas ( Mankind )
Click Here
ARTICLES SOURCE: http://ceramahislam.com
All audio files are compiled in Mp3 format so that you can easily download them directly to your Mp3 players.
-
Name of Surah
Click Here
1
Al-Fatihah ( The Opening )
Click Here
2
Al-Baqarah ( The Cow )
Click Here
3
Al-Imran ( The Family of Imran )
Click Here
4
An-Nisa ( The Women )
Click Here
5
Al-Maidah ( The Table spread with Food )
Click Here
6
Al-An'am ( The Cattle )
Click Here
7
Al-A'raf (The Heights )
Click Here
8
Al-Anfal ( The Spoils of War )
Click Here
9
At-Taubah ( The Repentance )
Click Here
10
Yunus ( Jonah )
Click Here
11
Hud ( Hud )
Click Here
12
Yusuf (Joseph )
Click Here
13
Ar-Ra'd ( The Thunder )
Click Here
14
Ibrahim ( Abraham )
Click Here
15
Al-Hijr ( The Rocky Tract )
Click Here
16
An-Nahl ( The Bees )
Click Here
17
Al-Isra ( The Night Journey )
Click Here
18
Al-Kahf ( The Cave )
Click Here
19
Maryam ( Mary )
Click Here
20
Toha
Click Here
21
Al-Anbiya ( The Prophets )
Click Here
22
Al-Hajj ( The Pilgrimage )
Click Here
23
Al-Mu'minun ( The Believers )
Click Here
24
An-Noor ( The Light )
Click Here
25
Al-Furqan (The Criterion )
Click Here
26
Ash-Shu'ara ( The Poets )
Click Here
27
An-Naml (The Ants )
Click Here
28
Al-Qasas ( The Stories )
Click Here
29
Al-Ankabut ( The Spider )
Click Here
30
Ar-Room ( The Romans )
Click Here
31
Luqman
Click Here
32
As-Sajdah ( The Prostration )
Click Here
33
Al-Ahzab ( The Combined Forces )
Click Here
34
Saba ( Sheba )
Click Here
35
Fatir ( The Orignator )
Click Here
36
Yaa-sin
Click Here
37
As-Shoffat ( Those Ranges in Ranks )
Click Here
38
Shod ( The Letter Sad )
Click Here
39
Az-Zumar ( The Groups )
Click Here
40
Ghafir ( The Forgiver God )
Click Here
41
Fusshilat ( Explained in Detail )
Click Here
42
Ash-Shura (Consultation )
Click Here
43
Az-Zukhruf ( The Gold Adornment )
Click Here
44
Ad-Dukhan ( The Smoke )
Click Here
45
Al-Jathiya ( Crouching )
Click Here
46
Al-Ahqaf ( The Curved Sand-hills )
Click Here
47
Muhammad (Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h)
Click Here
48
Al-Fath ( The Victory )
Click Here
49
Al-Hujurat ( The Dwellings )
Click Here
50
Qaf ( The Letter Qaf )
Click Here
51
Adh-Dzariyat ( The Wind that Scatter )
Click Here
52
At-Tur ( The Mount )
Click Here
53
An-Najm ( The Star )
Click Here
54
Al-Qamar ( The Moon )
Click Here
55
Ar-Rahman ( The Most Graciouse )
Click Here
56
Al-Waqi'ah ( The Event )
Click Here
57
Al-Hadid ( The Iron )
Click Here
58
Al-Mujadilah ( She That Disputeth )
Click Here
59
Al-Hasyr ( The Gathering )
Click Here
60
Al-Mumtahanah ( The Woman to be examined )
Click Here
61
As-Shoff ( The Row )
Click Here
62
Al-Jumu'ah ( Friday )
Click Here
63
Al-Munafiqun ( The Hypocrites )
Click Here
64
At-Taghabun ( Mutual Loss & Gain )
Click Here
65
At-Thalaq ( The Divorce )
Click Here
66
At-Tahrim ( The Prohibition )
Click Here
67
Al-Mulk ( Dominion )
Click Here
68
Al-Qalam ( The Pen )
Click Here
69
Al-Haaqqah ( The Inevitable )
Click Here
70
Al-Ma'arij (The Ways of Ascent )
Click Here
71
Nuh (Prophet Nuh a.s)
Click Here
72
Al-Jin ( The Jin )
Click Here
73
Al-Muzzammil (The One wrapped in Garments)
Click Here
74
Al-Muddaththir ( The One Enveloped )
Click Here
75
Al-Qiyamah ( The Resurrection )
Click Here
76
Al-Insan ( Man )
Click Here
77
Al-Mursalat ( Those sent forth )
Click Here
78
An-Naba' ( The Great News )
Click Here
79
An-Nazi'at ( Those who Pull Out )
Click Here
80
Abasa ( He frowned )
Click Here
81
At-Takwir ( The Overthrowing )
Click Here
82
Al-Infitar ( The Cleaving )
Click Here
83
Al-Mutaffifin (Those Who Deal in Fraud)
Click Here
84
Al-Inshiqaq (The Splitting Asunder)
Click Here
85
Al-Buruj ( The Big Stars )
Click Here
86
At-Thoriq ( The Night-Comer )
Click Here
87
Al-A'la ( The Most High )
Click Here
88
Al-Ghashiya ( The Overwhelming )
Click Here
89
Al-Fajr ( The Dawn )
Click Here
90
Al-Balad ( The City )
Click Here
91
Ash-Syams ( The Sun )
Click Here
92
Al-Lail ( The Night )
Click Here
93
Ad-Dhuha ( The Forenoon )
Click Here
94
Asy-Syarh ( The Opening Forth)
Click Here
95
At-Tin ( The Fig )
Click Here
96
Al-'Alaq ( The Clot )
Click Here
97
Al-Qadr ( The Night of Decree )
Click Here
98
Al-Bayyinah ( The Clear Evidence )
Click Here
99
Az-Zalzalah ( The Earthquake )
Click Here
100
Al-'Adiyat ( Those That Run )
Click Here
101
Al-Qari'ah ( The Striking Hour )
Click Here
102
At-Takathur ( The piling Up )
Click Here
103
Al-Asr ( The Time )
Click Here
104
Al-Humazah ( The Slanderer )
Click Here
105
Al-Fil ( The Elephant )
Click Here
106
Quraish (The tribe of Quraish)
Click Here
107
Al-Ma'un ( Small Kindnesses )
Click Here
108
Al-Kauthar ( A River in Paradise)
Click Here
109
Al-Kafirun ( The Disbelievers )
Click Here
110
An-Nasr ( The Help )
Click Here
111
Al-Masad ( The Palm Fibre )
Click Here
112
Al-Ikhlas ( Sincerity )
Click Here
113
Al-Falaq ( The Daybreak )
Click Here
114
An-Nas ( Mankind )
Click Here
ARTICLES SOURCE: http://ceramahislam.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)