BLAST OF OSLOve

If you have any blood-relation with me, I suggest you to STOP reading. Else I won't be responsible for any consequences.

During the Friday's bomb blast in Oslo, a series of text between mother and daughter has gripped my attention.

Julie: Mummy, tell the police that they must be quick. People are dying here!

Mother: I'm working on it, Julie. The police are on their way. Dare you call me?

Julie: No.

Julie: Tell the police that there is a madman running around and shooting people.

Julie: They must hurry!

Mother: The police know and they have had many calls. It is going well, Julie. Police are calling us.

now. Give us a sign of life every five minutes please?

Julie: OK.

Julie: We are in fear for our lives.

Mother: I understand that very well, my darling. Stay hidden, do not move anywhere! The police are already on their way, if they haven't already arrived! Do you see anyone injured or killed?

Julie: We are hiding in the rocks along the coast.

Mother: Good! Should I ask your grandfather to come down and pick you up when everything is safe again? You have the option.

Julie: Yes.

Mother: We will contact Grandpa immediately.

Julie: I love you even if I still misbehave from time to time.

Julie: And I'm not panicking even if I'm shit scared.

Mother: I know that, my darling. We love you too very much. Do you still hear shooting?

Julie: No.

Mother: Have you heard anything from the other people from Troms? Grandpa is on his way down.

Julie: The police are here.

Mother: The person shooting is said to be in a police uniform. Be careful! What happens to you now?

Julie: We do not know.

Mother: Can you talk now?

Julie: No. He is still shooting!

Mother: Joergen has swum to the shore. I just spoke to his father. This is everywhere on the national news now, all attention on Utoya now. Be careful! When you get the chance, you come to the mainland and stay with Grandpa of Hamar.

Julie: I'm still alive.

Mother: And thanks and praise for that.

Julie: We are waiting to be picked up by the police. We heard shooting just now, so we dared not get up.

Mother: Good! Good, well done. The evacuation is now ongoing, they are saying on TV.

Julie: We hope we will be picked up by someone soon. Can they not catch him soon?

Mother: The anti-terrorism unit is there, and they are working on catching him.

Julie: OK.

Mother: Should we try to get the flight home tomorrow?

Julie: I have no time to think about that now.

Mother: I understand that.

Julie: Do you know if they have managed to catch him?

Mother: Will keep you posted, my darling. We are following everything on television.

Mother: Hey, are you there?

Julie: Yes. The helicopters are circling above us.

Mother: Then you should be OK?

Julie: They are looking for people in the water; we have not been picked up yet!

Julie: What are they saying in the news?

Mother: The police are also arriving by boat to Utoya, otherwise nothing new. It is not clear what's happened to the shooter, so keep still. Wait for someone to pick you up.

Mother: Now they have taken him!

Bremnes said she did not immediately grasp the gravity of the scene. "There was no news about this in the radio or television, so I really didn't know what was going on," she said. "At first, I thought this was a man with a toy gun or something, and then I realized that this was for real. And I got really worried when she texted me, 'Mom and Dad, I love you even though I'm cross with you sometimes.' Then I realized that she had sort of death panic; she was scared for her life."

Taken from Edition.

It takes courage to express the truth. We may be living in peace, yet the 50 years of prosperous peace have taken us to be more self-centered and less appreciates. I don't know if we will still be living as peaceful as today, as tomorrow is never guaranteed. Should we wait till the moment of last breathe to tell them that we love them?

I never had the guts to tell you how I love you. Mak, Ayah, Mak Ngah,

Along, Elly, Ieda, Abang KR, Abang Bowh, Elman Hakimi, and my brothers and sisters. I may be cold at times, but you are the backbones of mine.

p/s: I wish names listed won't be reading this.

Power of “Istighfar” (A moving story)

(from website iqrasense.com).

This story about “Istighfar” is from the life of Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal, who is considered as a renowned scholar of Islam and a famous theologian. Imam Ahmed is also considered to be the founder of the Hanbali school of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and is one of the most celebrated Sunni theologians, often referred to as the "Sheikh ul-Islam" or the "Imam of Ahl al-Sunnah."

During his old age, while Imam Ahmed was travelling he stopped by a town. After the prayers, he wanted to stay for the night in the masjid yard because he didn’t know anyone in the town. Owing to his humility, he hadn’t introduced himself to anyone thinking that if he did, he would be welcomed by many people.

Failing to recognize Ahmed bin Hanbal, the caretaker of the mosque refused to let him stay in the mosque. As Imam Ahmed was quite old, the caretaker had to drag him out of the mosque. On seeing this, a baker from a nearby place felt pity for this man (Imam Ahmed) and offered to be the host to him for the night. During his stay with the baker, Imam Ahmed observed that the baker would constantly recite Istighfar (seek forgiveness from Allah). Imam Ahmed asked the baker if the constant practice of saying Istighfar had any effect on him. The baker responded by telling Imam Ahmed that Allah had accepted all of his duas (supplications), except one. When he asked him what dua was it that hadn’t been accepted, the baker replied that he had been asking Allah to provide him the privilege to meet the famous scholar Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal.

On this, Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal said that Allah had not only listened to his dua but had dragged him onto his (the baker’s) doorsteps. [Summarized from Al Jumuah magazine, vol 19, issue 7]

This story is a reminder of the power of saying Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) frequently. Let’s remember that the prophet used to say Istighfar frequently during the day. Tafseer Al-Qurtubi states:

A man complained to Al-Hasan about a drought, and he said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

Another man complained to him of poverty and he said to him: “Pray to Allah to forgive you.”

Another man said to him: “Pray to Allah to bless me with a child.” He said: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

Another complained to him that his garden was dry. He said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

He was asked about it and he said: “This is not my personal opinion, for Allah says in Surah Nooh (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance. And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.” Tafseer Al-Qurtubi (18/301-302)

One of the narrators of a Hadith was asked about the manner in which forgiveness is to be sought, to which he answered: "The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to say: ‘Astaghfirullah! Astaghfirullah! (I beseech Allah for forgiveness, I beseech Allah for forgiveness)’.” [Sahih Muslim].

Thank you to Nur Hidayah for sharing such an inspiring story. As body needs to be fed with good food, soul always thirst for food for thought.

Kentucky Fried Case

Well done Malaysian football team!

Just came back from Stadium Astro. Football match between Malaysia XI and Chelsea FC was not really entertaining. Chelsea, as expected, didn't give nice performance. That may be due to new tactical implemented by the new manager. Malaysia team is lucky to have a good goalkeeper despite poor defends and lack of ball control. Just realized no possession percentage shown during the match. Was it 80-20? Alright enough with football. Am no expert unlike Aslam the new Shebby.

Night continued with dipper (dinner+supper) at KFC Lumut branch. Yes you got it right. i went to KFC despite the spreading video of irresponsible KFC staffs with their additional recipe. As Lumut has ben declared as Bandar TLDM, it's not surprising when KFC has special promotion for the navy.

Checked-in with foursquare, the tips mention poor service by the staffs. And those people are not lying! The staff whom served me didn't smile at all. I ordered spicy yet she served me original meal. She even mumbled when I asked her to change the chicken as initial order. Drink was not served due to her recklessness. No apology for sure.

I got the staff's name and added her name onto the tips on foursquare. So if you are in Lumut and thinking of having KFC, Foursquare check-in and you'll get to see her name. I wish you would never be served by the same person.

Hatred Turns Cash

You are a fool if you think people will buy you telling people you've never heard of Rebecca Black. At least you must have heard your friends singing around her top-chart-billboard Friday song. As Rebecca's South East Asia Marketing Manager, I present you Rebecca Black's new single - My Moment!

Listen to the song. It resembles maturity that grows within herself. Nobody can deny how terrible her song was. From lyrics to her vocal, Friday was epic! Am no fan of her, even one of millions of listener who felt brain torture listening to Friday. However Black's new song really reminds me of Miley Cirus' The Climb. Motivating lyrics and typical Disney music. This song is qualified to be in High School Musical 4!

It is impressive on how this girl deals with the critics and hatred smashed on her from around the globe. She's famous on her lousy song with un-tuned voice. I salute her determination and strong inner strength for not giving up in achieving her dream. Despite negative critics and harsh words thrown, this girl managed to turn those hatred into cash! She appears in Katy Perry's TGIF and now she comes out with a new single!

Above all the compliments on you, dear Rebecca Black, I am sorry that I am not your fan. I admire your determination. I love every single dolar you earn. I just can't tolerate with your music.