My Most Unforgettable Experience During Hajj

(Masjidil Haram - The Grand Mosque)

Today, 11th Dzulhijjah, four years ago, I was in Mina, celebrating Eid-ul-Adha with my husband and son. It was the year I performed Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. The Hajj pilgrimage was the most amazing experience in my life, leaving me with unforgettable memories and valuable lessons, teaching me the meaning of life through real encounters. TsuMina, the big flood in Mina, left me with a remarkable memory of my 2005 Hajj pilgrimage. Mina, a low lying area just outside Makkah, is a valley surrounded by mountains. It is part of the Hajj ritual to be at Mina in order to perform the stoning of the Jamrah. Jamrah are three pillars built to signify the incident that took place long ago during the lifetime of Prophet Abraham a.s. whereby Satan tried three times to stop him from having his son, Ishmael a.s., to be sacrificed.

(At the Jamrah area in Mina)

 

The flood happened on the third day of my stay at Mina. It was after lunch that I noticed the sky was not as sunny as the previous two days and it was rather windy. I was attending to my son, entertaining him with a little touring around the campsite. It was a wonderful breezy day. Just minutes before Asar, I brought my son to the toilet area to have him showered. He was happy to have his shower done and eager to get back to the camp. While walking towards Hahnemann’s camp against the developing strong wind, I noticed the grey sky and soon droplets of water fell from the sky. By the time I reached the camp, it was raining heavily.

 

(In the camp at Mina)

 

The rain grew heavier and pools of water were forming outside along the walk-way. I quickly gathered my belongings, put on my shoes, and carried my son. Soon I could see sandals outside the camp being washed down the slope. I was already standing with my handbag full of medicine on one shoulder, carrying one luggage bag in one hand and holding my son in the other when water began rushing into the camp. In about less than ten minutes, the water level was up to my knee. I was terrified but remained calm nonetheless. I looked up at the steel poles that were holding up the camp. They were putting up a weak resistance, swaying with the strong wind. I looked on, worried and anxious for my husband’s presence to help me get out of the camp to safety.

 

(Mina Campsite)

 

Finally when my husband came, we hurriedly left the camp in search for higher ground. By then, the water was already level to my waist. We walked in the heavy rain, shivering in the cold for about ten minutes before entering into another camp. The camp had an entrance leading us to the campsite's toilet area that was situated on a higher ground. We then took shelter in one of the cubicles until the rain stopped. That night we slept in the camp which was left empty by the Bruneians who moved on to Makkah to complete their Hajj rituals. Our Hajj package operator, Hahnemann Travel and Tours Private Limited, was very responsible. The safety and well-being of its Jema’ah as well as their intention in completing the Hajj rituals were its priority. We felt grateful to Hahnemann Travel for instructing its Hajj pilgrims to stay at Mina to complete the stoning of the Jamrah.

 

(Flood aftermath)

 

That night, I could not sleep much and pondered on what had happened. The flood was a warning as well as a blessing to me. I felt that Almighty Allah had pardoned me and given His mercy by fulfilling my wish of wanting to perform the stoning of the Jamrah easily for the sake of my son, who was then two years nine months. Unlike the first two days of my stay, the stoning area was rather deserted as there were very little people performing the ritual after the flood. Indeed, the flood in Mina was a test of faith, testing my trust in Almighty Allah in a time of difficulty in which my unrelenting faith was rewarded with easy stoning of the three Jamrah.

 

(At the Jamrah)

 

Al-Hamdulillah, this incident enabled me to see the beauty of Islam and the significance of Hajj. From it, I learned that I was given the opportunity to experience receiving the reward for having and putting faith in Almighty Allah (Allah is an Arabic word for God), trusting Him as the only Protector, the only One with the ability to save anybody from everything and anything. Indeed, nothing escapes Allah’s will and all is possible except Allah the Most High -with Allah, everything is possible, no one can imitate Allah's creations, and there is only one God.

 

(Wuquf at Arafah)

Reasons behind the similarity in culture between Baweanese and Malays

(Qurban)

It is not surprising that the culture of the Bawean people is similar in many ways with that of the Malays (here I am referring to Malay ethnic group i.e. the Malays in Singapore, Malaysia and Riau Lingga including part of Sumatra). The Baweanese and the Malays originated from the same ancestors (i.e. from the people of mainland Asia) and practiced the same belief (i.e. Islam)! According to history, the evidences that have been uncovered by archaeology clearly showed that in prehistoric times, the Malay Peninsula formed part of a land bridge for successive waves of migrants moving southwards from the Asian mainland towards Indonesia and Australia.

(Two relatives related by marriage met during Eid - One Javanese and the other a Baweanese wearing a Mandarin Collar button-up shirt)

In a history text book, "Jessy: Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei 1400-1965" by Joginder Singh (2nd revised edition 1974, Publisher: Longman Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur), it mentioned that the first of these migrants may have been living in the Peninsula for as long as five hundred thousand years B.C. Then a new group of people arrived from the Indo-China in about 8,000 B.C. Their descendants are the Senoi and the Semang aborigines of modern Malaysia. Following that, there were the migrants from the north from Southern China about five thousand years ago, bringing with them an advanced Stone Age culture. They are known as the Proto-Malays (i.e. Melayu asli) and they are the ancestors of the present Malays (Deutero Malays -i.e. the Malays with mixed blood) of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

(Surah Al-Fateha, the opening of Al-Quran -the sacred book of Islam)

 

Hence, sharing the same ancestors, the Baweanese and the Malays (ethnic group) are the likeness of two cousins sharing the same grandfather! It is the same too for the other ethnic groups in this Nusantara region such as the Achenese, Bataks, Bugis, Minangkabaus, Banjarees, Javanese, Balinese, Ambonese and etc. However among the above ethnic groups, generally the Achenese, Bugis, Minangkabaus and Banjarees are Muslims. [Take note: the Malays (referring to the Malay race) in the Philippines are majority Catholics/Christians - Filipinos too belong to several Asian ethnic groups, grouped within the Malay or Malayo-Polynesian speaking people, who speak Austronesian languages. The concept of Malay race is not the same as in the concept of Malay ethnic group]

 

(During a Baweanese matrimonial ceremony -1980s)
 

(Aqad Nikah)

 

(Bersanding)

Sharing the same religion is another reason for the similarity in culture between the Baweanese and the Malays. For example, 'Aqiqa, Qurban, Eid, Aqad Nikah, Circumcise, Thanks-giving (Doa Selamat), Tahlil, etc… are derived from the Islamic culture. However, the way they are being performed varies.

('Aqiqa)

 

For example, the Baweanese regard 'Aqiqa as necessary even though they knew it is not compulsory in Islam. 'Aqiqa is a ceremony for a new born baby. Usually it is being held grandly to express one's gratitude to Almighty Allah for the gift of life. Often during this ceremony there will be ''Berzanji'' (the reciting of the History of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w). This is to commemorate the struggles and sacrifices made by Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. Generally, the Baweanese people are strong believers of Islam and they want to emulate closely the good act of the Prophet s.a.w. They are very good in "Berzanji" and most of them were blessed with good reciting voice. Most of them are proficient in reciting Al-Quran with perfect "Tajwid". Many among them are "Hafiz" (a term used to describe those who memorise the entirety of the Quran).

 

(Berzanji)

 

However, I was told by my late grandfather that before Islam, the Bawean Islanders practiced Shamanism (a range of traditional beliefs and practices concerned with communication with the spirit world). Then a pious Muslim (believed to be from Middle-East) came to Bawean Island and taught Islam to the Islanders. Gradually, they accepted Islam and finally 100% of the inhabitants became Muslims. As a little girl, I used to hear the Pondok people talking about the Mystical Bawean Island. They said that non-Muslims would not get out of the Island alive once they stepped into it -they would die mysteriously. Air-planes could not fly over the island too- it would crash! Is it true?... I have no comment.

(A typical Baweanese meal)

Likewise the Bugis, Javanese, Minangkabaus and others, the Baweanese and the Malays shared the same culture and traditions with minimal differences -the likeness of the similarity in appearance of two cousins due to sharing the same grandparents but not parents. For example in the art of self-defence, the Bawean people called it “Pokolan” and use the “Parang” while the Malays called it “Pencak Silat” and use the “Keris”. Look at their dishes; the Malays called the red chilli soupy gravy, ‘Asam Pedas’ but the Baweanese called it ‘Kela Tomes’ –the dishes look the same but taste quite different due to the portion of ingredients used.
 

(Notice the Baweanese teenage wearing green Baju Kurong while behind her, is a Baweanese woman wearing the kebaya with sarong batik -photo taken in 1990s)

How about their attire? –the traditional older generation Baweanese women prefer Kebaya with sarong batik rather than the Malay Baju Kurong. Often, the young Bawean ladies wear Baju Kurong thinking that it is the traditional dress. However, this is not true. The traditional costume of the Baweanese ladies is the kebaya with sarong batik and for the Baweanese men is the Mandarin collar button-up shirt (influenced by the Dutch colonialists in Indoneasia) with sarong 'pelikat' or pants –there is no 'kain samping'…. just like any other typical traditional Indonesian attire!

(A Baweanese couple from Ipoh, Perak in traditional attire -1970s)

 

Gradually through the years, the differences in culture between the Baweanese of Singapore and the Malays of Singapore (as well as the Baweanese and Malays of Malaysia) lessen due to intermarriage between the people in these two ethnic groups. This is another reason for the similarity in culture between the Baweanese and the Malays. The same happened to the other ethnic groups living in the Malay community. Today the differences in culture between these ethnic groups are so minimal that some of them in this community identify themselves as Malays, especially to the Chinese, Indians, Eurasians and foreigners. The reason given behind this is that, it saves them the trouble of explaining their true ethnicity backgrounds.

Who are the Baweanese (Boyanese)?

(Two Baweanese sisters -Grand-aunt Hamsi and Grand-aunt Hannah in 1980s)

Few days ago, an undergraduate had asked me about the Bawean race for her research work. She wanted to know the general surface of this race and the reasons to the similarity in culture to that of the Malays. I had replied her and now I like to take the opportunity to write it in this post.

(Location of Bawean Island)

 

As written in my previous post, the Baweanese are not Malays. They are people originated from the Bawean Island situated in the Java Sea. This tiny Island belongs to the Republic of Indonesia and is also widely known as "Pulau Puteri" which literally means ''Island of the Woman'', referring the island belongs to the women. There are more women than men living in the island because most of the men have gone ''Merantau'', leaving their homeland in search of opportunities abroad.

 

(Map of Bawean Island)

Hence, the traditional homeland of Bawean descents from all over the world, wherever they are today -Malaysian Baweanese, Singaporean Baweanese, Australian Baweanese, etc., is Bawean Island. The forefathers of these Baweanese were immigrants in the country they are residing now. On the other hand, the Malays are the indigenous people of the Malay Peninsula and the Riau Lingga Archipelago.
 

(The Nusantara Region)

 

The Malays speak Bahasa Melayu while the Baweanese especially the Bawean islanders converse among themselves in Bawean language. However today, among the Baweanese descents living outside Bawean Island especially in Singapore, this language is "dying". Generally, the descendants of the Bawean people in Singapore do not speak the Bawean language. The older ones are comfortable conversing in Bahasa Melayu while the younger ones are comfortable conversing in English language. This is because Bahasa Melayu is the National language of Singapore while English is the first language taught in schools as well as the language used commonly in the working sector.

 

(During the month of Haj in 1980s -at Changi airport sending off my Mum to Makkah)

In Singapore, the Baweanese live among the Malays in the Malay community due to the similarity in culture and having the same religion. Similarly, the Baweanese in Malaysia are part of the Malay community. Firstly, this is because they are from the same region –the Nusantara Region i.e. South-east Asia. Secondly, they are bound together by a common belief –i.e. Islam. Islam has provided a bond between the Baweanese and the Malays.
 

(A Baweanese family -My family with Obek Adnan and his family in 1980s)

Islam has also bound up the other Muslims from different ethnic groups with the Malays. Hence in Singapore as well as in Malaysia, the Bugis from Celebes (Sulawesi), Achenese from Acheh (Sumatra), Minangkabaus from Padang (Sumatra), Javanese from Java, Banjarees from Banjarmasin, Baweanese from Bawean and the Malays shared a common belief and they live in the one big community that is, the Malay Community!
 

(The Baweanese during Salam Lebaran 2009 organised by PBS)

Am I a Baweanese or Malay?

(The Head of Batam Cultural Department giving the opening speech)

During the last June school holiday, my sister and I visited Batam Island. We stayed there for a week to get away from our busy lives in Singapore. I bought five tickets for my family and friends to attend the "Pesta Kebudayaan dan Masakan Nusantara". It was organised by the Cultural Department of Batam in an effort to forge close ties among the different ethnic groups in the Nusantara region. The Head of the Batam Cultural Department gave the opening speech.

My sister was amazed to hear him speaking fluently in Malay language. She immediately asked me, "Why is this man speaking in Malay like us, with no Indonesian accent. Shouldn’t he be speaking in Bahasa Indonesia?" I replied, "This is because he is a Malay." She asked me again, "How can he be a Malay when he was born and raised in Batam, in Indonesia." I explained to her that the indigenous people of Batam are the Malays. Batam is part of the Riau Lingga Archipelago –the homeland of the Malays.

 

I explained further to my sister that only the Batam Malays speak Bahasa Melayu while those who speak Bahasa Indonesia are obviously from other parts of Indonesia –immigrants mostly from mainland Java. Then she asked me again, "So, what are we? Aren’t we Malays?" I replied, "Look at your NRIC. What does it read?" She answered, "Boyanese." I replied, "Yes, we are Boyanese!" I further told her that both of us are Baweanese (Boyanese) descents because our father was born in Bawean (Boyan) Island and his forefathers were born and raised there.

 

Such confusion is common nowadays. Most Baweanese descents (outside Bawean Island) from the younger generation, especially in Singapore, believe that they are Malays….my sisters, brother, cousins, daughters, son, nephews and nieces … all of them thought that they are Malays. Very sad indeed!

 

(Two Baweanese - same race but different nationality)

PBS Salam Lebaran 2009

Today, 19th October 2009, is 30th Shawal 1430H. This year Shawal is among the several memorable ones I ever celebrated. The Eid celebration captured several joyous occasions. I spend meaningful time with old acquaintances and relatives that I had lost touch for many years. Majority of these countless happy moments happened during "Salam Lebaran 2009" organized by Persatuan Bawean Singapura (Singapore Bawean Association) or PBS in short, on 17th October 2009 at Grassroot's Club in Ang Mo Kio. The President of PBS, Mr Faizal Wahyuni, made the opening speech followed by a speech from the guest of honour, Mr Hawazi Daipi, MP for GRC Sembawang and Senior Minister for the Ministry of Labour, who is also the advisor of PBS.

  (The arrival of Mr Hawazi Daipi )

 

"Salam Lebaran" is PBS yearly event in the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr celebration during the month of Shawal. "Salam Lebaran 2009" was organized with the aim to foster close ties among Singaporean Baweanese simultaneously, preserving the Baweanese heritage and culture through stage performances by Baweanese celebrities such as Aziz Satar, Mahadi Shor, Imran Ishak and Hj Basri Alang. The Baweanese culture of helping out one another was projected in this event through Student Aid awards amounting to S$5,000/- sponsored by Lee Foundation given out to students from Kent Ridge Secondary, Bedok Green Primary and Madrasah Al' Ma'arif.

 

("Pokolan" the Silat Bawean performed by Mr Hj. Basri)

 

(The local Baweanese celebrities in Black)

The objective of this Eid gathering is also to recognize the achievements of several individuals within the Bawean community in Singapore. Every year several title awards are given out to several outstanding Singaporeans of Baweanese descent. This year award for the title Bawean Teladan goes to Hj Salleh Suhaimi; Bawean Budiman - the late Hj. Buang Bin Masadim; Bawean Cermerlang - Hjh Rohanah Bte Pagi and Nur Sarah Aqila bte Jamil; Bawean Jasawan - Hj Ismail (Basri) bin Alang, Ustazah Hjh Mariam bte Rauf and Hj Abdolah bin Lamat.
 

(Kassim Selamat, Hj Basri and Mr Morni)

PBS Salam Lebaran 2009 left me with many good memories. This is my first experience attending such event. It had given me rich insight of the present day PBS; how it had transformed into a well established modern association (that I am proud to introduce it to the world) with preserved Baweanese culture without losing its roots and heritage; very different from the early days of its operation way back in 1960s through 1980s -the period I grew up among the Pondok people.
 

(A group photo with Dato' Aziz Satar)

I am amazed to see the positive transformation of PBS, paving its way towards modernization, keeping up its pace in-line with the progress that is happening in cosmopolitan city-state Singapore. PBS is now as advance as its country, thanks to its members which consist of young professionals guided by the veterans; collaborating their abilities in continuing the efforts started by their forefathers.

(This post is dedicated to PBS. Thank you for the well organized event. I have no regrets attending it. Personally, I think all Baweanese descents should make the effort to attend the function. )

Shawal in Singapore

Shawal is here again! Eid Mubarak to all Muslims! Goodbye Ramadhan! May we meet again next year, Aamiin.

Islamic ruling concerning sorcery

It should be made clear beforehand that the word magic is used to mean different things. Concerning the Islamic Shariah, one should distinguish between the magician who seeks the help of the Devil, and performs acts of disbelief, and the magician whose trade consists of charlatanism and tricks. Although all types of magic are forbidden in Islam, the first type is considered kufr, and anyone who practices it, is a disbeliever. The proof for this ruling is in the Words of Allah:

”Solomon did not disbelieve, but the devil disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut, but neither of these two angels taught anyone till they had said, ‘We are for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning magic from us)’. And from them, people learn that by which they cause separation between a husband and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew tht the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how vile was the price for with they did sell their souls, if they but knew!” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:102).

This verse shows that:

1. Learning magic is kufr (disbelief). Notice that the simple act of learning renders a person a disbeliever, even if it were for ‘good’ purposes such as to annul other magic spells.
2. Magic brings only harm and no benefit, and anything that brings only harm is forbidden.
3. The buyers of magic would have no share in the Hereafter, ie they will eternise in hell, and only those who have disbelieved will eternise in hell.

Nowadays, it can be seen that many Muslims versed into handbooks of magic, lured by the powers they might unveil, taking the matter lightly, and thinking it is only a minor sin. They do not realise that in fact they are slowly walking from the realm of Islam to the realm of disbelief!

”And the magician will never be successful, no matter whatever amount of skill he may attain!” (Surah Ta Ha, 20:69)

It is the consensus of the Muslim scholars, and the four schools of thought that if a Muslim who practiced magic has committed acts or spoken words of disbelief, then he should be killed, as he is considered a renegade. It was the punishment adopted by the companions of the Prophet s.a.w. such as Umar Ibn al-Khattab r.a., and Uthman Ibn Affan r.a. If the magician has caused the death of a person by way of magic, then he also should be killed, even if his magic does not involve disbelief, because this is the punishment of any killer. All other magicians should not be killed, but they should be reprimanded according to the harm they may cause.

As for the magician who is already non-Muslim, most of the scholars see that he should not be killed unless he causes the death of another person, because he is already a disbeliever and his magic does not change his status, while Imam Abu Hanifah makes no difference between him and the magician who was a Muslim. However, if a person who was practising magic comes out and declares his repentance, and proves that he has abandoned magic for quite a while, his repentance should be accepted and he should be spared, as Allah informed us that Pharaoh's magicians repented and Allah accepted their repentance.

(Extracted from: Weekly Gulf Times dated 6th April, 2007)

World of Magic, Sorcery and Unseen Creatures

Colour of Magic
(Extracted from: Weekly Gulf Times dated 6th April, 2007)

No matter what is the colour you pick, you lose, because all kinds of magic are forbidden in Islam. White Magic is used for ‘good’ purposes such as uniting two people, of inducing a person to fall in love with another person. Brains of hyenas and hoopoes are often used in preparing the witchcraft. Red Magic is written with the blood of animals, and menstrual blood, and is used for evil purposes, such as separating husbands from their wives, or causing diseases. Black Magic uses tar, asphalt, black goat’s hair, monkey’s hair and more artifacts and potions. It is the most dangerous kind of magic. It is used to cause dispossession, death, catastrophe, etc.


Calumny
(Extracted from Weekly Gulf Times dated 6th April 2007)

Calumny is a type of sorcery and slandering which is widespread among people. If a person comes and talks lies about another in a way that seems so truthful, one may fall into the trap, unless one seek refuge into a power superior to that person, that is, the Power of Allah. For instance, a woman wanted to separate a husband and his wife. She went to the wife and said: ”Your husband is thinking of divorcing you, but I can make him renounce his decision if you could bring me some hair from his beard that you cut yourself while he is sleeping.” Then she went to the husband and told him: "Your wife fell in love with another man, and has decided to kill you to free herself from you. I am warning you that she might do it soon, and cut your throat while you are asleep!” The husband went to bed and closed his eyes as if he were sleeping, and sure enough, here comes his wife with a sharp knife pointed toward his throat. He jumped up and killed her with the knife. He later got hanged as a punishment for his crime. Calumny is the root of many tragedies.


Diviners, Psychics and Fortune-tellers
(Excerpt from weekly Gulf Times dated 30th March 2007)

It is human nature to seek the knowledge of the future whether it concerns the fate of the individual, or of the entire humankind. This curiosity has been satisfied by the revelations that Allah has sent down through His Messengers. The Qur’an informed us about the Unseen; the world of the angels, and the world of the jinn, the signs of the Last Hour, the Day of Judgment, and other future events. However, some people are not satisfied, and seek to know more about the Unseen. This is where the Diviners, Psychics and Fortune-tellers come to play. But how can they know the future while Allah said:

”He (Allah) alone knows the Unseen, nor does He make anyone acquainted with His secrets,”(Surah Al-Jinn, 72:26)

”None in the heavens and the earth knows the Unseen except Allah, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected.”(Surah An-Naml, 27:65)

Obviously most of what they forecast is pure lies, but sometimes their predictions are accurate. Is it pure coincidence? To answer this question, let examine how these fortune-tellers arrive to their predictions.

There are two types of Diviners. The first are those who use a certain art they pretend that it helps them to unveil the secrets of the Unseen. Such arts include reading the palm of the hand, the tarot, crystal-ball gazing, casting bones or stones, and using astrology. The second type of Diviners seek the help of the jinn whom they befriend and who gather for them news from the heavens and the earth. The first type of Diviners, use their craft for the sole purpose to impress their audiences, and rely in reality on their common sense and intuition and most of the time do not give accurate predictions. It is the second type that, are the real Diviners because the devils from the jinn bring them knowledge about the Unseen. This was described in the Qur’an where the jinn said:

"And we pried into the secrets of heaven, but we found it filled with stern guards and flaming fires. We used indeed to sit there in hidden stations, to steal a hearing, but any who listens now will find a flaming fire watching him in ambush.”(Surah Al-Jinn, 72:8,9)

Allah also said:

''And We have guarded them (the heavens) from every accursed Satan. But any that gains a hearing by stealth, is pursued by a fiery comet, bright to see.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:17,18 )

Although the heavens are guarded, the devils try nonetheless to steel the news and are sometimes successful. The Prophet, s.a.w. said:

”The angels in the clouds speak a command that is in the sky, and the devils hear it. They then coo it into the ears of the diviner, and he adds a hundred lies to it.”(Reported by Al-Bukhari)


Drawing Future Prediction through Bad Omens
(Source: Weekly Gulf Times dated 6th April 2007)

Drawing bad omens (or superstition) is forbidden in Islam. The Prophet s.a.w. warned us against it, saying

”Drawing bad omens is Shirk (he said it three times) and none of us but is tempted by it, however, Allah removes it (the temptation) from those who trust Him.”(Related by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmithi)

It is advised not to act upon superstition if it occurs in the heart for it is from the whispering of Shaytan. Mu’awiyah ibn al-Hakim r.a said to the Prophet s.a.w.

”O Messenger of Allah amongst us are men that draw bad omens.” He said, ”That is something which you find in yourselves, so do not let it hold your back.”(Reported by Muslim)

"He who acts upon his superstitions, has committed Shirk.” (Reported by Ahmad)

Of the forbidden superstitions are believing that the numbers 13 and 666 bring bad luck, or believing that a black cat that crosses the way brings evil things. There are three exceptions in drawing bad omens, which the Prophet s.a.w. mentioned, saying

”If there is superstition, then it would be in the house, the spouse and the horse.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet liked the drawing of good omens. He said,

”There will be no contagion, nor drawing bad omen, and the truest of these is the drawing of good omens.” People asked him; ”What is the drawing of good omens?” He said, ” A good word that a person hears” (reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)


Drawing Future Prediction through Signs of the Zodiac
(Excerpt from Weekly Gulf Times dated 6th April 2007)

The word Zodiac may derive from Greek words meaning ‘Wheel of life’. The Zodiac is a branch of astrology based on the study of the sky. The 12 signs of the Zodiac mark the 12 compartments of the heavens. Believing that these signs can predict one’s character is kufr. So one should think twice about reading his sign in the newspapaer, and should not take this lightly.


Drawing Future Prediction through Fortune Cookies
(Excerpt from Weekly Gulf Times dated 6th April 2007)

Fortune Cookies are a kind of divination, and if any prediction is realised it is by pure coincindence. Imagine a person opening a fortune cookie just for fun. Now imagine that he reads bad news in it, one can easily read the from his face expressions that the news has influence on him. That is the evil of Magic.


Drawing Future Prediction through Theory of Millennium
(Excerpt from Weekly Gulf Times dated 6th April 2007)

One of the evils that gained strength in recent times was the theory of the Millennium. At the end of every millennium diviners are busy predicting the end of the world. The same frenetic predictions were prophesied a thousand years ago when most of the diviners expected the world to end on the year 999, and guess what? It was all a big lie. The end of the world could not be known by others than Allah, because Allah said,

”Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah alone.”(Surah Luqman, 31:34)

Forms of Magic

According to an article that I read in the Weekly Gulf Times published in 2007, there are several forms of Magic. Some are all illusions and trickery, while others are real, occurring with the help of the Devil. Muslim scholars generally define Magic as any phenomenon that has invisible causes or that is seen or imagined differently from its reality due to disguise or trickery. Other scholars define Magic as the art of producing in nature, with the help of the demons, things beyond the power of men. Below are the excerpts / summary written in the article ….

  

 

Astrology

(Excerpt from Weekly Gulf Times dated 30th March 2007)

The roots of astrology go back to the Babylonians who worshiped the stars. Nowadays, magicians who use talismans based on astrology, fall into three categories:

1. Those who worship the heavenly bodies, offer prayers to them and ask them favours.
2. Those who use special calculations and allocate to each word a number that they pretend is related to the positions of the stars. They then perform calculations taking into account the name of the person, his date and place of birth, and claim that this allows them to know his future.
3. Those who study the movements of the heavenly bodies, and their conjunctions, believing that this has an influence on the natural phenomena such as rain, wind , volcanoes or earthquakes.

Anybody who is dealing in these practices is dealing in Magic, for the Prophet s.a.w. said:

”Whoever acquires knowledge about astrology, has acquired knowledge about magic.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

Illusions, the Magic of Imagination
(Source: Weekly Gulf Times dated 30th March 2007)

In Illusions, the magician may influence the imagination of the bewitched, to the point of making him believe that what he has imagined is true. In such cases, the magician may rely on hypnotic, or other powers of suggestions often used by some mediums to invoke the spirit of a dead person. The bewitched may think that he sees or hears the dead person but in reality, it is all in his imagination. During the time of Prophet Musa a.s., the Pharaoh's sorcerers used Optic Illusions to bewitch the eyes of people by giving the illusion that the sticks looked like moving snakes. This was a great magic as described by the Qur’an:

”So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them and they displayed a great magic.” (Surah Al-A’raf, 7:116)

Trickery, the Magic of Tricks
(Source: Weekly Gulf Times dated 30th March 2007)

Trickery relies on tricks that the magician has learned, usually performed in circus and on television for the purpose of entertainment. However, sometimes it is used by charlatans for evil purposes. Learning sleight of hand, using the properties of special metal, and chemistry, along with a good amount of lies are all part of the trade of this magician.

Sorcery, the Real Magic of witchcraft
(Source: Weekly Gulf Times dated 30th March 2007)

Sorcery has a concrete physical reality. It is the craft of the sorcerer who gets help from the devil, either by direct influence to inflict harm on the victims or by way of talismans to harm others in their health or property. The power of the sorcerer is drawn from his union with the devil, enabling him to have the power to fly in the air, walk on water, inflict disease or even death in others, and other extraordinary things. The more united and close his relationship is, the more powerful he becomes. However, most scholars agree that the power of a sorcerer has limitation; he cannot induce rain or other natural phenomena, nor can he resurrect the dead, nor can he turn a human into an animal, nor can he make an animal talk, and most of all a sorcerer’s spell is only realised by the will of Allah, and he can never change the destiny of a person.

Baweanese and Black Magic

Black Magic has always been associated with the Baweanese. Mentioned the word ''Boyanese'' the next words will be ''Be careful! They are good at Black Magic!''. Even though the notion of practicing Black Magic directed to the Baweanese still exist today, it is not as bad as in the past where they are being labeled as powerful sorcerers.

I remember during my childhood days in the early 1970s when I was alienated by my classmates due to my race. I was in primary four, when a group of Muslim friends in school suddenly distanced themselves from me after knowing about my racial background through the school register. They told the rest of the class that I came from a very bad race – ''A race that practices Black Magic''. I overheard their conversations about that their parents had warned them not to befriend with the Baweanese to avoid black magic to be performed on them. From that day onwards I kept to myself and not bothered with what they thought of my people. During this incident, I came to realise that I was not Malay by race, as I used to think, but a Baweanese, speaking the Malay language, living in the Singapore Malay community like the other Indonesian Muslim descents from different ethnic groups such as the Javanese, Bugis, and Banjarees.

My Muslim classmates continued to say hurtful things. I felt sad but angry - angry for being accused of something that I had not done and no knowledge of. Never in my life during the period living in Pondok Kalompang Gubuk, that I came across the pondok residents practicing Black Magic. Instead what I saw were a group of devout Muslims, trying to please Almighty Allah. I saw them performing Sholat, fasting in the month of Ramadhan, giving out Zakat and most of them, especially the elderly ones, had performed Haj.

It was not long ago that I befriended a Muslim woman who was judgmental towards the Baweanese. Without knowing my racial background, she criticized my people and told me to be extra careful with them. When I asked for her reasons, she answered that the 'Boyanese' practiced Black Magic, performing it to harm others. After she had finished with her little story, I politely highlighted to her that those who practiced black magic, inflicting harm to others were evil and this group of people existed in every race. I disclosed my racial background and related to her my near death experience being a victim of black magic performed by a Non-Baweanese. Feeling embarrassed, she immediately apologised to me.

Today, the Baweanese are still being feared by others for possessing Black Magic. It seems to me most people in the society that I am living in, failed to accept the fact that Black Magic comes from evil people existed in every races. However recently, I received a pleasant comment from a Non-Baweanese who visited the Bawean Island organised by PBS (Baweanese Association of Singapore) in mid June, this year. She said, "Oh, rupanya orang-orang Boyan ini banyak yang alim-alim" which means ''Oh, in reality the majority of the Bawean people are devout Muslims". In Singapore itself, there are several Baweanese religious educators. There are also many others with tertiary Islamic education who either work or active with MUIS (The Muslim Council of Singapore), Madrasah, Mosque and other Muslim bodies.

Facing trials in Ramadhan

Alhamdulillah, Ramadhan is here again! Ramadhan Kareem to all Muslims. May this year Ramadhan is better than the last time. The most meaningful Ramadhan I had was in December 2000 spending the last two weeks in the holy land of Makkah and Madinah. The most challenging Ramadhan I encountered was in 1998, the time I knew deep in my heart, I was a victim of Black Magic.

During Ramadhan 1418H in late 1998, I was able to fast for only five days. The rest of the days were disastrous. I was lying in my bed most of the time groaning in pain, feeling being squeezed with tremendous force. Strangely, the pain only occurred during a specific time frame. It was always during Asar that my right eardrum started to hurt tremendously due to the buzzing, distressing noise blowing into it. The pain stopped abruptly as soon as the azan Maghrib was heard. Suspected that black magic was performed on me, I sought Allah's protection. Through mid-night prayers, I prayed for Allah's guidance in handling the situation.


Then one night, I had a dream about the person who did the unspeakable act on me. In my vision, I saw her sitting in my room in front of my bed performing her witchcraft. I could see her face clearly chanting and holding some leaves with lots of smoke all over the place. I woke up, coughing uncontrollably. With Almighty Allah's guidance and mercy, I got through with the black magic performed on me.


Ramadhan is a blessed month in which true Muslims are chasing to earn rewarding deeds. However, the woman who put a spell on me chose to earn abundance of sins practicing Black Magic, making a pact with the Devils. All this while, she was hiding her evil intentions behind her Hijab mask, projecting herself as a true servant of Almighty Allah. According to Islam, practicing, believing and relying on Black Magic are Shirk - Magic has no place in Islam and learning it is Kufr.

Holding firmly to the Singapore Pledge

Today, Singapore celebrates the 44th year of Independence. Happy Birthday Singapore! Happy National Day Singaporeans! It is time to say the Singapore Pledge – ''Say what you mean. Mean what you say''.

The Singapore Pledge

We, the citizens of Singapore,

Pledge ourselves as one united people,

Regardless of race, language or religion,

To build a democratic society,

Based on justice and equality,

So as to achieve happiness,

Prosperity and progress for our nation.

The Singapore Pledge was written in 1966 by the late S.Rajaratnam. From that year onwards, students in primary, secondary and post-secondary recite the Singapore pledge after singing the National Anthem during flag ceremony at the beginning of every school day. Every year during the National Day Celebration, Singaporeans say the pledge at the National Day Parade.

 

Today, after more than four decades, the words in the pledge are still strong holding Singaporeans together as one united nation, continuing to work for prosperity and progress so as to keep on achieving peace, stability and happiness. The words need not be updated for they still speak strongly to the Singaporeans. Indeed, the Singapore pledge is the Singaporeans' National identity in which the ideas, sentiment and spirit in it speaks to the Singaporeans through the years.
 

Present days Singapore is greatly different from it's past. Singapore had progressed so much through the years; from a trading port into a city-state with strong reserves; from having a very small defence force, relying on the British during the early years, to having robust defence force that is one of the most modern and cohesive in the world. Indeed, Singaporeans had gone through hard times and good times together, moving beyond the three Ps; Peace, Prosperity and Progress to the five Cs; Cash, Credit Card, Career, Car, and Condo.

Singaporeans have been staying united since the early days of independence, building the country, fighting together as one nation against poverty in the 1960s, working hard for developments in 1970s, coping with economic recessions in the 1980s, combating the currency crisis in 1997, battling against SARs in 2003 and now continuing working together, staying vigilant against H1N1 while at the same time, together they are coping up with the economic recession.
 

Personally, the pledge had worked well for me. I am truly thankful to Almighty Allah for giving me the chance to be part of Singapore’s transformation into one of a World-Class city. I was born in Singapore during the 1960s when Singapore was struggling to rise up to build an independent country. I was there in the 1970s as a student with an aspiration to make a difference when Singapore was progressing and developing rapidly, moving forward leaving the other Third World countries. I was there in the 1980s and 1990s joining the work force in full swing contributing to the economy of Singapore. And now here I am, truly transformed and all grown-up as mature as my Singapore, living in it peacefully in total happiness enjoying the fruits of success.
 

Truly, Singapore is my homeland. I am proud to be called Singaporean. I am proud to hold a pink NRIC with ''Race: Boyanese" printed on it. I feel blessed to have forefathers, the immigrants from Bawean Island, who were brave to undertake the chances of many uncertainties against all odds in an attempt to make a difference, choosing Singapore as the homeland of their future generations. If these pioneer immigrants did not take the chances, Singaporeans of Baweanese descent, will not be what they are today! I will not be what I am today!

... my Singapore

This is home truly
Where I know I must be
Where my dreams wait for me
Where the river always flows

This is home surely
As my senses tell me
This is where I won't be alone
For this is where I know it's home

(Extracted from Singapore National Day Song – 'Home' by Kit Chan)