What Is Assertiveness?:

Assertiveness is the ability to express one’s feelings and assert one’s rights while respecting the feelings and rights of others. Assertive communication is appropriately direct, open and honest, and clarifies one’s needs to the other person. Assertiveness comes naturally to some, but is a skill that can be learned. People who have mastered the skill of assertiveness are able to greatly reduce the level of interpersonal conflict in their lives, thereby reducing a major source of stress.

How Does Assertiveness Compare to Other Behavior?: Sometimes people confuse aggressiveness with assertiveness, seeing that both types of behavior involve standing up for one’s rights and expressing one’s needs. The key difference between the two styles is that individuals behaving assertively will express themselves in ways that respect the other person. They assume the best about people, respect themselves, and think “win-win” and try to compromise.


http://stress.about.com/od/relationships/p/profileassertiv.htm

Majalah PC sept. 2008

Storan luaran :

www.xdrive.com

www.divshare.com

www.box.net

www.lupopensuite.com


Radio internet :

www.last.fm

www.jango.com

http://musicovery.com

Komunikasi sosial :

facebook, friendster

suntngan foto tanpa perlu pasang perisian :

www.picnik.com

www.blibs.com

simpan dan kongsi gambar :

diflickr atau photobucket

mengesan siaran TV internet:

www.findinternettv.com


Mengenali komponen PC secara terperinci :

PCwizard2008

www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php

Menyingkir fail aplikasi yang tidak perlu :

Portable revo uninstaller

www.revouninstaller.com

Koleksi pintasan aplikasi pilihan:

www.skynergy.com/hotkeyz.html

Kemalangan.

Berikut adalah peristiwa penting yang berlaku dalam hidupku sepanjang bulan Ogos 2008 yang lalu:

1. Saya terlibat dalam kemalangan jalan raya pada 11.08.2008, dalam perjalanan balik ke Papar dari Kota kinabalu. Sebuah Van melanggar kereta saya dari belakang. Kereta Wira saya tertolak kehadapan lalu melanggar lori di hadapan. Impak ini menyebabkan kerusi tempat duduk saya patah dan saya terbaring kebelakang tempat duduk penumpang. Alhamdulillah saya dan isteri selamat. Kereta Wira saya setakat ini masih di bengkel dan kemungkinan 'total loss'

2. Mengambil kira faktor keselamatan, saya rasa perlunya membeli kereta yang agak besar, walaupun mahal tetapi wang boleh cari, keselamatan tidak boleh dipertaruhkan.

3. Berurusan dengan Kurnia Insuran Kota Kinabalu sangat membosankan. Hari pertama saya pergi ke kaunter tuntutan, saya disambut oleh staff lelaki yang kelihatan layu dan asyik mengantuk. Langsung tidak memberikan penerangan yang jelas kepada saya.

Demokrasi bukanlah sistem yang sesuai umtuk semua keadaan.

Sejak serangan pengganas Amerika dan sekutunya keatas negara seperti Afghanistan dan Iraq, keadaan semakin lebih buruk dari sebelumnya. Bacalah kisah dibawah;

Sex for Bread in New Afghanistan IslamOnline.net & News Agencies

..........................................................................................

Prostitution has become widespread in conservative Afghanistan since the 2001 US ouster of Taliban. (Reuters Photo) MAZAR-I-SHARIF — When Fatima returned home after years of living as a refugee, the teenage was aspiring to a promised better life in post-Taliban Afghanistan. She has since turned to selling her body to make a living. "I had no other way but prostitution," the 19-year-old told Reuters on Monday, May 19.
After returning from Iran, Fatima knocked every door in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif in quest for a job, but in vain.
Desperate to sustain her mother, two sisters and young brother, she eventually found no other option but prostitution.
Fatima now roams the streets every day, her face heavily painted with all sorts of make-up, in search for clients.
"I get up early in the morning and wander around the city," she said, dressed in tight blue jeans with a black veil pulled loosely over her head.
"My customers stop me and give me a lift and then we talk about the price."
Fatima is not alone.
According to RAWA, an independent organization of Afghan women, prostitution has become widespread in conservative Afghanistan since the 2001 US ouster of Taliban.
In the northern regions, more and more young women are turning to sex work.
Prostitution is even taking formal root, with brothels operating and pimps managing prostitutes openly in some cities.
Though "fornication" is a charge that carries a penalty of from 5 to 15 years in jail, bribes usually take care of unwanted police attention to the trade.
Inherited
Nasrin, a 24-year-old who lives in the northern city of Qhunduz, says prostitution was the legacy she bequeathed from her mother.
"My father died in the civil war, my mum was a widow and I did not know what she did for work," she explains.
"Later I understood she was a prostitute. One day she encouraged me to have sex with a man who came to our house."
Nasrin is now quite familiar with the world of prostitution, having sex with men for money sometimes several times a night.
"I really wanted to be a good lady and live with my husband, but now everyone sees me as a prostitute," she sobbed.
"My life is spoiled."
Women's rights activists are concerned about the rising tide, and lay the blame squarely with the government.
"Because of poverty, women are doing this," Malalai Usmani, head of Balkh organization that defends women’s rights, told Reuters.
"It is all because of poverty."
More than six years after the US ousted Taliban and installed a West-backed government, Afghans still lack the very basics of life.
The country is so destitute and undeveloped that most inhabitants have no central heating, electricity or running water.
According to the international policy think tank Senlis, more than 70 percent of Afghans are chronically malnourished, with less than a quarter having access to safe drinking water. http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1209357722181&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout

Pengalaman Tanah Suci 2007

Saya telah ke tanah suci dari 30 November 2007 hingga 18 January 2008. Selama sebulan di Makkah dan 18 hari di Madinah. Selain bertugas sebagai rombongan perubatan, saya juga dapat mengerjakan rukun Islam ke lima. Rasa penat bertugas dapat diubati dengan kesyukuran kerana dapat menunaikan ibadat haji yang menjadi impian setiap muslim yang beriman.

Penerbangan kami dari KLIA ke Lapangan terbang Jeddah memakan masa lebih kurang 8 jam, dengan berpakaian ihram. Masa yang lama dalam kapal boleh diisi dengan menonton video (bagi yang duduk di business class-MAS).

Kami tiba di Jeddah, pada waktu tengah malam waktu tempatan. Saya melalui pemeriksaan pasport dengan agak cepat, sebab ada seorang makcik yang semput (susah bernafas) dan perlu rawatan dengan segera di klinik Malaysia di lapangan terbang Jeddah. Keadaan makcik itu semakin baik setelah diberi rawatan nebuliser.

Kami menaiki coster ke Klinik Malaysia Syisyah. Sepanjang perjalan tiada pemandangan yang dapat dilihat, hanya kegelapan malam sahaja meliputi.

Mengerjakan umrah pada jam 6 pagi hingga 9 pagi. Oleh kerana pertama kali, agak teruja juga ingin melihat kaabah dihadapan mata. Selesai tawaf 7 kali, solat sunat, minum air zam-zam dan terus kerjakan sa'ei. Terpisah dengan rakan yang lain, terpaksa buat sendiri-sendiri. Selesai di Marwah dan tahalul dengan menggunting rambut. Leganya dah bebas dari ihram, bolehlah pakai pakaian biasa..

Saya bertugas di Maktab 99, hotel Savilla Barakath, antara hotel yang paling sibuk dengan jemaah. Saya bertugas di Klinik TH dan juga di Unit Kecemasan yang beroperasi 24 jam. Bertugas di sini tiada istilah hari sabtu atau ahad, kena bertugas tiap hari. Hatipun kena 'steady' sebab pesakit akan datang tidak mengira masa. Malampun mesti bertugas jika ada kes. Bagi saya, ini sudah lumrah kerana saya berpengalaman bertugas lebih 10 tahun di Unit Kecemasan. Cuma bezanya, disini saya lupa hari-hari yang berlalu, sebab tiada istilah 'hari rehat'. Kepada para petugas, hendaklah sanggup menghadapi situasi yang penuh cabaran ini.

Minggu pertama kerja, saya dah 'sore throat', kena minum banyak air dan makan ubat. Alhamdulillah, demam cuma satu hari, masih boleh berkhidmat kepada para jemaah. Kebanyakan jemaah mengalami URTI (demam selsema) dan 'dehydration'. Ramai pesakit yang terpaksa di pasang drip. Penyakit yang paling sukar nak sembuh ialah 'batuk', walaupun dah berbotol ubat diminum tetapi ramai jemaah mengadu tak ada perubahan langsung, seorang diktor berkata batuk ini hanya akan sembuh setelah sampai di Malaysia, dan ini terbukti benar kerana sayapun mengalami masalah yang sama.

Merujuk dan mengiringi pesakit dengan ambulan yang serba kekurangan ke hospital Syisya dan Aziziah adalah antara tugas kami. Kasihan melihat jemaah yang uzur dan berpenyakit, ada yang datang dengan kerusi roda dan ada yang terpaksa merangkak turun dari bas. Terharu melihatnya, mereka sanggup bersusah payah semata-mata untuk menyahut seruan dari Ilahi. Ada diantaranya yang terkial-kial dikerusi roda kerana datang tak ditemani saudara terdekat, cuma mengharapkan janji kawan semasa di tanah air. Saya terjumpa seorang makcik yang mengatakan ia datang sendiri dengan ditemani kawan, makcik ini seorang yang agak uzur dan terpaksa menggunakan kerusi roda untuk bergerak. Kawan makcik ini telah berjanji akan menemaninya semasa di Tanah Suci, tapi setibanya di Hotel, ia telah ditinggalkan seorang diri.

Arafah.

Kini tiba masanya kami ke Arafah.

Kami sebagai petugas perubatan akan menaiki bas yang terakhir ke Arafah. Semasa menunggu giliran, kami masih menjalankan tugas merawat pesakit yang memerlukan perkhidmatan. Dua kali saya mengiringi pesakit ke Klinik Syisa dan Aziziah. Hampir terlepas giliran ke Arafah, saya hanya berdoa sahaja semoga tidak ketinggalan.

Rombongan kami agak lewat tiba di Arafah. Lebih kurang jam 12 malam. Seronok juga suasana pagi di arafah...Dingin dan pemandangan indah, dihiasi dengan pandangan bukit batu.

Nak ambil air panas pun kena berbaris. Begitu juga bila nak ke bilik termenung, kena ikut giliran. Makanpun ala kadar sahaja.. menyesal tak bawa makanan ringan.

Bertolak ke Muzdalifah selepas maghrib, singgah mengutip batu.. Nasib baik dapat bas pada tengah malam. Tiba di Mina sebelah pagi. Tidur sekejap sebelum pergi melontar. Suasana di Mina lebih selesa, setiap khemah ada penghawa dingin, tapi masih berlantaikan pasir. Tikar dan bag galas menjadi bantal. Kalau tiba awal di Mina, lebih baik mandi dulu sebelum ramai jemaah yang akan tiba.

Seawal pagi saya dan dua orang rakan pergi melontar. Perjalanan agak jauh, lebih kurang 20 minit perjalanan. Kepenatan tidaklah terasa sangat sebab rasa 'enjoy' pergi melontar, cuma kalau first time, jangan sampai sesat.. pastikan tidak ditinggalkan kawan atau hafallah mana-mana mercu tanda yang ada..

Sekitar perkhemahan di Mina, ramai penjaja menjual cenderakenangan.. 'Made in China'.

Suasana dingin menusuk ke tulang pada hari-hari terakhir di Mina. Sejukknnyaa...

Konvo di PWTC Dec 2006

Akhirnya saya berjaya mencapai impian untuk mendapatkan segulung ijazah.. namun ini hanyalah titik permulaan, ijazah yang dimiliki hanyalah bererti bahawa kita telah berjaya melalui proses pembelajaran yang diiktiraf, peranan kita sebagai orang yang inginkan ilmu ialah mengamalkan proses itu dalam kehidupan seharian.. sekiranya kita berhenti belajar ia tidak akan menjadikan kita insan yang benar-benar berilmu..

Ikhwan

10 Freeware penting dan percuma.. cuba try..

10 freeware penting. Percuma jee...

avast home edition.
http://www.avast.com/

ad-aware se
http://www.lavasoft.com/

winsock xp fix, penyelesaian jika sambungan internet anda bermasalah akibat dari kerosakan atau pembuangan registry.
http://members.shaw.ca/techcd

kamus menarik
http://wordweb.info/WW5

ccleaner-internet cleanup tools
http://www.piriform.com/

spywareblaster-menghalang spyware
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

Perisian mengembalikan fail yang telah dipadamkan. Ia boleh mengembalikan fail-fail daripada kad flash atau cakera keras yang telah diformat.restoration-data recovery tools:
http://hccweb1.bai.ne.jp/~hcj58401/

http://www.focusenglish.com/

mengecilkan foto digital:

www.axiomx.com/picsizer.htm

atau cari dalam

http://www.snapfiles.com/

Lindungi PC anda :

Untuk mengelak spam atau phishing, gunakan earthlink,
www.earthlink.net/software

mcafee site advisor
www.siteadvisor.com

perisian pembersih disk cleaner
www.robertenfemke.nl/
www.ccleaner.com


menghapus fail sulit secara berkesan, dapat menghapus terus fail-fail dalam kategori sulit dan persendirian , gunakan mareew free eraser:
http://mareew.com/free_eraser/free_eraser.php

mencipta dokumen berciri keselamatan:
www.primopdf.com

mengunci koleksi fail peribadi gunakan kaka file
www.kakasoft.com



antivirus mudah alih, gunakan portable clamwin


laman web download yang boleh dipercayai :

www.download.com
www.snapfiles.com
www.softpedia.com

75 Tips to Keep Your Car in Top-Notch Condition

Operating Your Car
We've compiled our best expert advice, surprising tricks, and maintenance and fix-it tips to prolong the life of your car!
1. Be patient during the break-in periodYou've bought your dream car and now you want to make it last at long as possible in top condition. Here are some things to remember as you pull it out of the dealer's lot:
During the break-in period, typically the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km), keep your speed under 55 mph (88 kpm) or to the speed recommended by your car's manufacturer.
Avoid heavy loads on the drive train, such as towing trailers, and loading the roof rack or trunk with heavy construction materials.
Do not allow your new car to idle for long periods -- this is good advice for the life of your car, but especially during breakin. The oil pressure generated by doing so may not be sending oil to every part of your engine.
Use only light to medium acceleration, keeping the engine rpms below 3,000 for the first few hours of driving.
2. Drive with care everydayBeing car considerate shouldn't stop after the break-in. Drive with care every day and your car will reward you with longer intervals without repair. Do not race your car's engine during start-up.This is a quick way to add years of wear to your engine, especially if it's cold outside.
Accelerate slowly when you begin your drive.The most wear to the engine and drive train occurs in the first ten to twenty minutes of operation.
Warming the engine by letting it idle in the driveway is not a smart idea.The engine doesn't operate at its peak temperature, resulting in incomplete fuel combustion, soot deposits on cylinder walls, oil contamination, and ultimately damaged components.
Put less strain on your engine and automatic transmission by shifting to neutral at red lights. Otherwise, the engine is still working to push the car even while it's stopped.
Avoid driving at high speeds and accelerating quickly, especially when it's very hot or very cold outside. Such driving behavior will result in more frequent repairs.
Extend the life of your tires with careful driving. Observe posted speed limits. Avoid fast starts, stops, and turns. Avoid potholes and objects on the road. Don't run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking. And, of course, don't burn rubber.
When turning your steering wheel, don't hold it in an extreme right or left position for more than a few seconds. Doing so can damage the power-steering pump.
Consolidate your short driving trips. Most of the wear and tear -- as well as the pollution your car generates -- takes place in the first few minutes of driving. Doing several errands at once, during low traffic hours if possible, will keep your engine happier longer.
3. Buy gas at reputable service stationsAsk whether the gas you buy is filtered at the pump and if the station has a policy about changing the pump filters regularly. If you get a song and dance, find another gas station. Some stations don't have pump filters, making you more vulnerable to dirty gasoline. Other stations may not mix alcohol and fuel properly -- or worse, water down their product. Find a station you trust and stick to it.
4. Don't fill up if you see the tankerIf you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station's underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor forward to reverse repeatedly, as well as spinning tires at high speeds, can generate lots of heat and spell trouble for transmissions, clutches, and differentials. It may be cheaper in the long run to call the tow truck rather than risk big repair bills down the road. It's a good idea to carry a traction aid in the trunk, such as sand, gravel, or cat litter. performance and possibly necessitating repairs.
5. Go easy when you're stuckWhen stuck in mud or snow, don't make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as though you're really stuck, don't keep at it. Throwing your car from forward to reverse repeatedly, as well as spinning tires at high speeds, can generate lots of heat and spell trouble for transmissions, clutches, and differentials. It may be cheaper in the long run to call the tow truck rather than risk big repair bills down the road. It's a good idea to carry a traction aid in the trunk, such as sand, gravel, or cat litter.
6. Lighten up your key chainDoes your car key share a chain with a dozen or more other keys? That's a pretty heavy load hanging off the car key when it's in the ignition.The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure.To add years of service to your ignition switch, purchase a lightweight key chain that allows you to separate your ignition key from the others. Drive with only the ignition key in your ignition. If your ignition key "sticks" when you try to turn on the car, it's a warning that your ignition switch is about to fail. Replace it before you get stranded.
7. Choose a good car insurerSometimes, no matter how careful you are, disaster inevitably strikes -- typically in the form of an accident. Make sure that your car will be repaired to the best possible standard by finding an insurer that will pay for parts from the original manufacturer and guarantee the repairs it authorizes.
8. Keep an auto logKeep a pad and pencil in the glove compartment and use them to record your gas fill-ups and mileage. If you notice that your gas mileage worsens, mention it to your service man. It may be an early warning sign that something is wrong with your car.
9. Preserve your car during long-term storageIf you are not going to use your car for more than a month, store it properly to prevent unnecessary damage and repairs upon your return.
Fill the gas tank to help prevent condensation from accumulating in the gas tank. Add a fuel stabilizer and drive the car around a bit to distribute the additive to engine parts.
Wash and wax the car thoroughly to protect the finish.
Place a vapor barrier on your garage floor. A 4-mil polyethylene drop cloth will do.
Disengage the parking brake to help avoid brake corrosion.
Put the car on jack stands to take the weight of the vehicle off the wheels and tires.
Disconnect and remove the battery to keep it from draining. Place the battery on a trickletype charger. Or periodically drain the battery, using a small light bulb, and then recharge it with a low-volt charger.
Plug the tailpipe with a rag to prevent moist air from infiltrating into it.
http://www.rd.com/content/75-tips-to-keep-your-car-in-top-notch-condition/

Organ anak saya tidak sia-sia – Yusoff

Organ anak saya tidak sia-sia – Yusoff

MOHD. Tajol Rosli Ghazali menyampaikan sumbangan kepada Yusoff Hassan sambil diperhatikan isterinya, Sapiah Hamzah keluarga remaja Melayu yang menderma jantung untuk Tee Hui Yee di Hotel Legend, Kuala Lumpur, semalam. – Gambar ROY AZIS ABD. AZIZ.
KUALA LUMPUR 10 Okt. – Keluarga penderma jantung pertama kepada Tee Hui Yee yakin pengorbanan anaknya, Allahyarham Nur Mohammad Sahiduzzaman Yusoff, 15, tidak sia-sia walaupun organ berkenaan tidak sesuai untuk gadis tersebut.

Bapa Allahyarham, Yusoff Hassan berkata, ini kerana tiga lagi organ anaknya iaitu paru-paru, hati dan buah pinggang berjaya dipindahkan kepada pesakit yang memerlukan dan serasi dengan tubuh pesakit itu.

‘‘Saya reda walaupun jantung anak saya yang didermakan kepada Tee Hui Yee tidak sesuai dengannya.
‘‘Apalah daya saya untuk menolak perkara itu daripada berlaku. Saya cuma mahu membantu gadis itu selepas dimaklumkan oleh seorang doktor di Ipoh bahawa anak saya sudah tidak ada harapan untuk hidup lagi.

‘‘Sesungguhnya saya ikhlas dan tanpa mengambil masa yang lama, saya dan isteri terus bersetuju untuk mendermakan organ tersebut,’’ katanya ketika ditemui di Hotel Legend di sini hari ini.

Sebelum itu, beliau dan isteri, Sapiah Hamzah, menerima sumbangan sebanyak RM10,000 sebagai tanda penghargaan daripada Barisan Nasional (BN) Negeri Perak yang disampaikan oleh Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Mohd. Tajol Rosli Ghazali.

Yusoff berkata, keputusan untuk mendermakan organ anaknya itu merupakan satu tanggungjawab untuk membantu mereka yang memerlukan dan merupakan satu inisiatif untuk mendorong orang lain mendermakan organ.

Beliau berharap organ-organ lain anaknya yang turut didermakan dapat memberi manfaat kepada penerimanya.

Mengulas mengenai anaknya, Yusoff berkata, Nur Mohamad yang mempunyai tujuh orang adik-beradik berumur antara enam hingga 19 tahun merupakan seorang hafiz al-Quran.
Tambahnya, anaknya itu juga telah menghafal lebih 18 juzuk al-Quran selain menjadi imam bagi solat tarawih di Masjid Sungai Tiram, Batu 10 Lekir, Sitiawan di Perak.

Syabas Malaysia (angkasawan)

Syabas Malaysia

Daripada METRA SYAHRIL MOHAMED

Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor (kiri) dan Yuri Malenchenko dari Rusia dalam perjalanan ke Stesen Angkasa Antarabangsa (ISS) dengan roket Soyuz TMA-11 yang berlepas pada 7.21 malam tadi waktu tempatan (9.21 malam waktu Malaysia).

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan 10 Okt. – Dengan iringan doa, perasaan bangga serta kesedaran bahawa tiada lagi perkara mustahil yang tidak dapat dilakukan oleh rakyat Malaysia, angkasawan pertama negara, Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor meluncur ke angkasa dengan kapal angkasa Soyuz TMA-11 tepat pukul 7.21 malam waktu tempatan di sini malam ini.
Pelancaran roket Soyuz sepanjang 50 meter itu dilakukan dalam keadaan cuaca sejuk dan langit cerah tanpa awan.

Di Malaysia yang pada waktu itu pukul 9.21 malam, Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin dan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi bersama lebih 10 juta rakyat Malaysia terpaku di depan skrin televisyen menyaksikan detik-detik bersejarah itu.
Ketika imej Sheikh Muszaphar yang berada dalam Soyuz yang dipacu roket selaju 26,000 kilometer sejam terpapar di skrin televisyen, rakyat Malaysia bersorak kegembiraan kerana perjalanan angkasawan itu dianggap sebagai simbol kehebatan baru bangsa.

Kapal angkasa Rusia, Soyuz TMA-11 yang membawa Sheikh Muszaphar, 35, bersama dua krew lain dilancarkan dengan jaya dari tapak pelancar di Baikonur Cosmodrome dekat sini.
Roket itu menuju ke Stesen Angkasa Antarabangsa (ISS) yang terletak 333 kilometer dari muka Bumi. Soyuz mengambil masa selama dua hari perjalanan mengelilingi orbit sebelum dijangka tiba di limbungan ISS.


Soyuz dijadualkan mendarat di ISS pada pukul 8 malam 12 Oktober ini di mana Sheikh Muszaphar akan berada di sana selama sembilan hari sebelum kembali ke Bumi.
Dua krew lain dalam Soyuz yang dilancarkan malam ini ialah Yuri Malenchenko, 45, dari Rusia yang merupakan veteran ISS dan Peggy Whitson, 47, dari Amerika Syarikat, iaitu wanita pertama yang bakal mengetuai operasi di ISS apabila mereka tiba di sana nanti.
Whitson pernah tinggal di ISS selama enam bulan.

Di ISS, Sheikh Muszaphar, seorang doktor bedah ortopedik yang berasal dari Negeri Sembilan, akan menjalankan tiga eksperimen berkaitan sel barah, bakteria dan pengkristalan protein.
Beliau akan kembali ke Bumi pada 21 Oktober dengan dua angkasawan Rusia yang telah berada di stesen itu sejak enam bulan lalu iaitu komander Fyodor Yurchikin dan jurutera penerbangan Oleg Kotov.

Yurchikhin dan Kotov tiba di ISS pada 9 April lalu dengan Soyuz TMA-10 manakala seorang lagi angkawasan yang berada di situ, Clayton Anderson pula mendarat dengan kapal angkasa Atlantis milik Amerika Syarikat (AS) pada 10 Jun lalu.

Sheikh Muszaphar dijadualkan meninggalkan ISS bersama Yurchikhin dan Kotov pada 21 Oktober dengan kapal angkasa Soyuz TMA-10 yang ketika ini berlabuh di ISS.
Whitson dan Malenchenko akan terus berada di ISS sebagai krew baru stesen angkasa itu bersama Anderson yang berada di situ sejak Jun lalu.

Program angkasawan Malaysia yang menyaksikan Sheikh Muszaphar dapat menerokai angkasa merupakan persetujuan timbal balik pembelian 18 jet pejuang Sukhoi SU-30 MKM bernilai RM3.4 bilion dari Rusia yang ditandatangani pada 5 Ogos 2003.
Beliau dan Kapten Dr. Faiz Khaleed merupakan dua calon terakhir daripada 11,275 rakyat Malaysia yang memohon menjadi angkasawan pertama negara ketika tawaran dibuka pada 2003.

Malam ini semua stesen televisyen di Malaysia menayangkan pelancaran itu termasuk Astro, pengendali stesen televisyen satelit berbayar Malaysia, stesen Radio dan Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), TV3, CH9 dan TV8.

Delegasi Malaysia yang diketuai oleh Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi, Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis telah berada di Baikonur di sini sejak kelmarin bagi menyaksikan pelancaran roket Soyuz.

Baikonur Cosmodrome merupakan tapak pelancaran yang digunakan oleh Rusia untuk menghantar Yuri Gagarin ke angkasa lepas pada 1961.
Di Kuala Lumpur, Perdana Menteri, Abdullah dan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak turut menyaksikan siaran langsung pelancaran Soyuz TMA-11 dari Pusat Konvensyen Kuala Lumpur (KLCC).

Bercakap kepada pemberita, Abdullah berkata: “Dengan menerokai angkasa lepas, kita membuat pelaburan bagi anak-anak kita, masa depan kita, membina jambatan yang merapatkan bidang-bidang ini ke dalam imaginasi anak muda.
“Perjalanan hebat ini, yang kita semua secara tidak langsung bersama melakukannya dengan angkasawan kita, akan membolehkan anak-anak kita untuk memikirkan bahawa impian boleh menjadi realiti.”

– Utusan

Who wrote the holy Quran?

http://www.themodernreligion.com/basic/quran/quran_who_wrote.htm

Who Wrote the Holy Quran?
Quran, in Arabic, could only have been written by ONE of 3 possible sources:
1. the Arabs
2. Mohammad (peace be upon him)
3. God (Allah)
(NOTE: The first part is not meant to be a rigorous proof. It is something to ponder upon. However, the second part, about Mohammad [pbuh] wrote it' contains more extensive proof.)
Besides the above mentioned sources, Quran couldn't possibly have been written by ANYONE else.
No other source is possible, because Quran is written in pure, rich, and poetic Arabic, which was not known to anyone other than the above mentioned sources, at that time. The Arabic language was at its peak in expression, richness, vocabulary, artistic, and poetic value during the time the Quran was being revealed. Anyone speaking the classical Arabic ( the Arabic of Quran at the time it was revealed) would argue that a non-Arab entity couldn't possibly have written such an extensive and brilliant piece of literature in the Arabic language. Quran could only have been written by an Arabic speaking entity. An entity, who's knowledge, style, vocabulary, grammar, and way of expression was so powerful that it impacted the entire Arabian peninsula, the east, the west, and continues to impact people all over the globe today!
At no other time, in the history of Arabic language, had it ever achieved its peak in expression, literature, and development, than the time of Arabia during the 6th Century, the time when Quran was being revealed. At no other time in the history of Arabic language had the language ever achieved its highest potential than the time of Arabia during the 6th Century, the time when Quran was being revealed. The language reached its peak in richness, artistic value, and poetry, during that time. With the Arabic language at its peak, and the best of Arabic writers, poets present in Arabia, it is impossible that a non-Arabic speaking entity would write a book like Quran and have such a dynamite impact on the Arabs!
So only an Arabic speaking entity could have write Quran. With that in mind, we're left with three choies:
1 - the Arabs wrote it
2 - Mohammad (pbuh) wrote it
3 - Allah (swt) wrote it
Lets examine the three choces one by one.
(1) Arabs Wrote it?
What Quran teaches goes DIRECTLY against the pagan Arab culture, religion, and gods, that existed before the Quran was revealed. Quran condemns idol worshipping, but the Arabs, loved their idol gods, and worshipped them regularly. Quran raised the status of women; the Arabs treated women next to animals. The Arabs would never write something that goes against their most important belief of idol worshipping. Quran goes against most of the social habbits (such as backbiting, slandering, name calling, etc) which the Arabs were heavily indulged into. For example, the Arabs would call insulting nicknames such as Abu Jahal (the father of ignorance). Quran condemns and prohibits taking interest on money, whereas, the Arabs freely levied heavy interest rates in loans and businesses. Quran condemns and prohibits Alcohol drinking, whereas, the Arabs consumed alcohol freely. The Quran condemns and prohibits gambling, whereas, the Arabs were some of the worst gamblers. The Arabs would never write something so comprehensively against just about all of their customs and culture and religious beliefs, as the Quran is.
During the time of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), the Arabs would indulge in all the social habbits that the Quran condemns and prohibits. How can Arabs then write something that would negate their entire society's norms and ideologies?
Did a group of Arabs or an individual Arab write Quran? Perhaps a rebel Arab beduoin, or a society's misfit, or someone with different ideals and norms decided one day to write Quran? The answer to those questions are also 'no'. Because, if we read Quran, we notice that there is no author! No individual has his/her name written on the cover of Quran! Anytime an individual writes a book, he/she writes his/her name on the cover. The author's name always appears on his/her book, and there is always an author who is credited for writing that book. No one in the history of the world has EVER claimed to have written the Quran, nor anyone's name ever appeared in front of the Quran as bein the 'author'. This is the only book in the world without an author. No one in the world has ever been accused of writing the Holy Quran, except the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), by non-muslims.
Quran has no author, and no group or individual in Arabia ever claimed to have written it, nor any group or an indvidual recited, taught, and explained Quran except the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and his followers. The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) was the only Arabian who first practiced, explained, and preached Quran, and ended up making a lot of Arab tribes enemies. Any historian, Muslim or non-Muslim would argue that the only possible source of Quran can be the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), the man responsible to recite it, teach it, and expalin it to the people of Arabia. In fact, many historians today still think that only Mohammad (pbuh) could possibly have written it.
This leads one to conclude that the Prophet (pbuh) must have written it!
(2) Mohammad (pbuh) wrote it?
First, he was illiterate !! How can an illiterate person come up with such a rich, poetic, intellectual, and inspiring text that it rocked the entire Arabia?
Mohammad (pbuh) never went to school! No one taught him. He had no teacher of any kind in any subjects. How can he have the knowledge of all the science, astronomy, oceanography, etc that is contained in the Quran? (For example, the mention of ocean currents, stars, earth, moon, sun and their fixed paths in Soorah Rahman; and many other scientific statements that are found in Quran, that I cannot state in this short article)
When Quran was revealed, the Arabic language was at its peak in richness, poetic value, literature, etc. Quran came and challenged the best literature in Arabic, the best poetry in Arabic of the time. Mohammad (pbuh) being illiterate couldnt possibly have come up with something so immaculate that it even exceded the best of poetry, and literature in Arabic at the time of the language's PEAK development. Arabic language had never been so rich in expression, poetic value, vocabulary, and variety in literature, as it was in the time of Quran. At a time like this, Quran came and exceeded the best of Arabic in all aspects of the language: poetry, literature, expression, etc. Any classical Arabic speaker would appreciate the unbeatten, unchallenged, and unmatched beauty of the language of Quran.
An illiterate man is simply not capable of writing such a book.
Mohammad (pbuh) had no reason to come up with something like Quran, and cause the entire society of Arabia to become his enemy. Why would he do something like that? Why would he write something going against almost all of the norms of the society, and lose his family, relatives, friends, and other loved ones, and not to mention all the wealth he lost
Quran was revealed over a period of 23 years! A very long time! Is it possible for someone to maintain the same exact style of Arabic speech , as demonstrated in Quran, for over 23 years?
Also, what the prophet Mohammad (saaw) used to say is recorded in what we call his hadeeth (sunnah). If we look at the Arabic style of the hadeeth, and compare it with the style of Quran, we can clearly see that they are clearly DIFFERENT, and DISTINGUISHABLE Arabic styles. The prophet (saaw) spoke in public. It does not make sense that a man has two UNIQUE, Distinguishable, and completely different styles of speech in public. Yet another reason why Mohammad (saaw) couldn't possibly have written Quran.
Quran was revealed over a period of 23 years ! A very long time! Is it possible for someone to maintain the same exact style of Arabic speech , as demonstrated in Quran over 23 years?
Here's what our famous Muslim Scholar, Ahmad Deedat said:
WAS QURAN WRITTEN OR INSPIRED?
"Behold! The angels said: "O Mary! God has chosen you and purified you - Chosen you above the women of all nations." Qur'an-3:42
THE SOURCE OF HIS MESSAGE
"Chosen you above the women of all nations." Such an honour is not to be found given to Mary even in the Christian Bible!
Knowing full-well, and believing as we do, that the whole Quran is the veritable Word of God, we will nevertheless agree, for the sake of argument, with the enemies of Muhammed (pbuh) for a moment, that he wrote it. We can now expect some cooperation from the unbeliever.
Ask him, "Have you any qualms in agreeing that Muhammed (pbuh) was an Arab?" Only an opinionated fool will hesitate to agree. In that case there is no sense in pursuing any discussion. Cut short the talk. Close the book!
With the man of reason, we proceed. "That this Arab, in the first instance, was addressing other Arabs. He was not talking to Indian Muslims, Chinese Muslims, or Nigerian Muslims. He was addressing his own people - the Arabs. Whether they agreed with him or not, he told them in the most sublime form - words that were seared into the hearts and minds of his listeners that Mary the mother of Jesus -A JEWESS- was chosen above the women of all nations. Not his own mother, nor his wife nor his daughter, nor any other Arab woman, but a Jewess! Can one explain this? Because to everyone his own mother or wife, or daughter would come before other women.
Why would the Prophet of Islam honour a woman from his opposition! and a Jewess at that! belonging to a race which had been looking down upon his people for three thousand years? Just as they still look down upon their Arab brethren today.
SARAH AND HAGAR
The Jews get their cock-eyed racism from their Holy Bible, where they are told their father, Abraham, had two wives -Sarah and Hagar. They say that they are the children of Abraham through Sarah, his legitimate wife; that their Arab brethren have descended through Hagar, a "bondwoman", and that as such, the Arabs are inferior breed.
Will anyone please explain the anomaly as to why Muhammed (pbuh) (if he is the author) chose this Jewess for such honour? The answer is simple - HE HAD NO CHOICE - he had no right to speak of his own desire. "IT IS NO LESS THAN AN INSPIRATION SENT DOWN TO HIM." (Qur'an, 53:4).
SURA MARYAM
There is a Chapter in the Holy Quran, named Sura Maryam "Chapter Mary" (XIX) named in honour of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ (pbuh); again, such an honour is not to be found given to Mary in the Christian Bible. Out of the 66 books of the Protestants and 73 of the Roman Catholics, not one is named after Mary or her son. You will find books named after Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul and two score more obscure names, but not a single one is that of Jesus or Mary!
If Muhammed (pbuh) was the author of the Holy Quran, then he would not have failed to include in it with MARYAM, the mother of Jesus, his own mother - AMINA, his dear wife - KHADIJA, or his beloved daughter - FATIMA. But No! No! this can never be. The Quran is not his handiwork!
Another Muslim writes: From: Abu Abdullah; Subject: Re: Mohammad Wrote the Quran? [KORAN] Date: Sat, 05 Aug 95 12:44:14 EDT
I was reading about the charge that the prophet, Mohammed (pbuh), has written the Quran himself. Before you go any further in reading this post, please ask yourself whether you are a honest truth seeker or just another argumentative person, if the former, continue, otherwise, save your time and jump to the next post.
Islam is based on faith that is supported by a number of strong miracles such as knowing what events to take place ahead of time or coming up with supernatural deeds in front of people. The holy Quran has these signs and much more. First, The holy Quran predicted many events to take place ahead of the time of the revelation of that verse; for example, predicting the destruction of Persian empire at a time where the later had a monumental victory over Rome. If the prophet, as some people claim, has written the Quran, then he would have put his future in real jeopardy (50% chance) since neither satellite photos nor on-ground intelligence personnel were available to him at the revelation time. Further, numerous details about many natural phenomena were detailed in the Quran and, until recently, they were proven by experts to be amazingly accurate. For example of the physical development of the fetus inside the womb along with timing given by many verses matches exactly what leading authorities in Embryology are claiming to be recent discoveries. Moreover, verses that gives descriptions about the creation of the universe and the function of mountains in balancing earth and many other descriptions/explanations are available to be read and to be understood. If the prophet was the author, wouldn't he be prone to make weak inferences similar to those who claim that earth is square and whoever says otherwise should be killed?
The prophet also has demonstrated many supernatural miracles not by his own power, but by the power of the creator. He went to Jerasalem back in one night and gave a detailed description of the carnival that was traveling on that route and also specific accedint happend to them at that noght (in those days, it takes a month or so for a round-trip). In another ocasion, he provided water for an entire army from a small plate between his hands. There are many other miracles that require serious truth seeker to read about and to think about it.
From the above, it reasonable to conclude that the Quran is not the PROPHET CREATION. HE HAD NO WAY TO PREDICT ALL THESE EVENTS AND TO BE RIGHT ALL THE TIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN KNOWING THAT THE PROPHET HIMSELFE WAS ILLITERATE!
Embryology and Life Sciences in Quran "The Developing Human. Clinically Oriented Embryology" Keith L. Moore 5th Edition, Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders Co. (1982) ISBN 07216 4662-X $33.95
The work by Prof. Keith Moore is probably the most detailed study of the subject. Prof. Keith Moore is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Anatomy, University of Toronto.
His books on anatomy and on embryology are used at many medical school as standard instruction books. The Yale Medical school uses both his books. The Yale Bookstore phone number for Medical books is: (203) 772-2081. Their general information number is (203) 432-4771. (New Haven, Connecticut)
He is *the* authority on embryology. I strongly recommend the latest edition of the latter book as it mentions how accurately the Qur'an describes embryo development.
Prof. Moore has said: "It has been a great pleasure for me to help clarify statements in the Qur'an about human development. It is clear to me that these statements must have come to Muhammed from God or Allah because almost all of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later. This proves to me that Mohammed must have been a messenger of God or Allah."
Prof. Marshal Johnson, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Anatomy and Director of the Daniel Baugh Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
He says: "The Qur'an describes not only the development of external form but emphasizes also the internal stages -- the stages inside the embryo of its creation and development, emphasizing major events recognized by contemporary science.... If I were to transpose myself into that era, knowing what I know today and describing things, I could not describe the things that were described. I see no evidence to refute the concept that this individual Mohammed had to be developing this information from some place, so I see nothing in conflict with the concept that Divine Intervention was involved..."
To receive a copy of the article that Moore wrote about 'Highlights of Human Embryology in the Koran and Hadith' please e-mail Adam at adam3@netcom.com
That leaves us to our third option: God wrote it!
May Allah Guide Us All to Straight Path. Ameen.
QURAN: Chapter 4, Verse 82: "Do they not consider (ponder) on the Quran? If it had been from anyone except Allah, they would surely have found in it much discrepency (contradictions)."
Still unsure or doubtful? Quran is the word of Allah. Allah challenges to His creations:
Chapter 2, Verses 23 & 24: "And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed to our servant, Then produce a Chapter like thereunto; And call your witnesses or helpers besides Allah, If you are true. But if you cannot, and surely you cannot, Then fear the fire Whose fuel is men and stones, Which is prepared for those who reject."
Try reading and understanding the meaning with explanation of the following verses also! Chapter 10, verse 38 Chapter 11, verse 13 Chapter 17 verse 88
[The Holy Quran] [Mainpage] [What's New?]

Who wrote the bible

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbible4.html


As with the Old Testament, we just don't know who wrote most of the New Testament. Tradition has assigned the Gospels and most of the Epistles to certain authors, all of whom were important figures in Jesus' life or the early days of the faith. It was important for the early church to believe the authors wrote the works attributed to them, since their eminence lent the writings authority. But since we don't have the original signatures, none can be verified except through textual clues.
The first generation of Christians didn't see any need for a permanent written record of the sayings and stories of Jesus. Jesus' return and the restoration of the Kingdom of God on earth were imminent--why bother preserving stories if the world was about to end? Stories were simply passed along orally, primarily as a means of preaching and convincing outsiders. But as the first generation began to die off and hopes for the Second Coming dimmed, there was a need to preserve Jesus' words and deeds for posterity.
Quite a few collections of stories about Jesus circulated in the early church, among them The Gospel of Thomas, The Gospel of Mary, and the Secret Book of John. Some of these gave very different and in some cases conflicting accounts of the gospel and, most importantly, of Jesus' alleged resurrection. Some argued for the physical resurrection, with the mantle of leadership falling on those who had experienced it firsthand: the apostles. Others said the resurrection was a spiritual event that anyone could experience. Some thought this latter "heresy" would have led the church away from an organized entity into a situation where anyone could judge the truth for themselves. As Elaine Pagels points out in The Gnostic Gospel, this was no trivial matter. The decision on which interpretation was "correct" was central to the future of the church.
We'll return to the question of how the "canonical" books of the New Testament were determined in the fifth and last installment of this answer. For now we'll just say that Iraneus, the bishop of Lyons in 180 AD, decided that the validity of any work had to be judged by whether it was "apostolic." That is, it should have been written by or for one of the twelve apostles. But, as Pagels goes on to say, regardless of whether the names given to the Gospels are those of the actual authors or merely reflect a claim to apostolic authority, "we know virtually nothing about the persons who wrote the Gospels."
Recent scholarship or, more correctly, recent rethinking of previous scholarship has brought an intriguing possibility to the table. Matthew, Mark and Luke are termed the Synoptic Gospels, so called because they generally agree on the details and timeline of Jesus' life, sometimes even using the same words to describe the same events. Because of this similarity, quite a few scholars posit that there was a previous collection of Jesus' sayings and works which all three gospel writers relied on when compiling their histories. This collection, as yet just a theoretical construct, has been given the name "Q" (short for Quelle, German for "source").
It's a tempting idea. Mark is regarded as the earliest gospel and hence closest to Q. Of the 661 verses in Mark, only 24 aren't quoted in either Matthew or Luke. Matthew and Luke occasionally disagree with Mark regarding Jesus' words or the order of events, but they never both disagree on the same point.
Burton Mack in The Lost Gospel: The Book of Q and Christian Origins offers another conjecture. It's possible Q was the work not of a single person, but rather of a community trying to give written form and substance to what it believed. If that's the case, the question of authorship in the usual sense evaporates. But rather than have this discussion come to an abrupt end, we'll work on the assumption that the authors were individuals, not a committee.
Mark, not an apostle himself, was an associate of the apostle Paul for a short time, but the gospel bearing his name is (to some minds) based on the preaching of Peter. It's generally assumed to have been the first gospel written, coming in right before Matthew at about 65 AD.
The author of Matthew is traditionally held to be the tax collector mentioned in Matthew 9:9, sometimes referred to as Levi. However, Matthew borrows heavily from the Gospel of Mark. It's hard to believe someone who was in close contact with Jesus would have had to rely on secondary sources. Since this gospel has the most quotations from the Old Testament, sometimes going to ridiculous lengths to try to show that Jesus was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, it's assumed that Matthew was written for a Jewish audience. There is suspicion that it might have been originally written in Hebrew, although only Greek texts have ever been found. Scholars differ on the composition date, but most agree on roughly 65 - 70 AD with a few placing at as late as 100 - 134 AD.
The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts are assumed to have been written by the same person, since they are addressed to the same individual, a Roman named Theophilus. The author was a doctor, Paul notes in Colossians 4:14. If Mark represents the teachings of Peter about Jesus, Luke most likely represents the teachings of Paul. Luke claims to have researched his material, but his dating, especially in the early chapters regarding Jesus' birth, is inconsistent with other sources.
The book of Acts can be seen as a sequel to the gospel of Luke, starting where the previous book ends. But where in the earlier work Luke needed to research the story, in Acts he is a character in it. He was a companion of Paul on his missionary journeys and was present during his imprisonment. In this sense, Luke had more first-hand experience of Paul than he had of Jesus. Both books were probably written after Matthew and Mark, probably around 65-70 AD but before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
The Gospel of John differs markedly from the other three books both in tone and in some historical details. John does not follow the timeline in the other three and adds quite a few stories and details not found in them. For this reason, it's thought that John's gospel was not a child of Q, but a completely original work either by someone who knew Jesus directly or by one of his associates. The three letters of John found near the end of the New Testament are generally assumed to have been written by this same individual.
The identity of John has remained a mystery, although tradition has it that he is "the disciple that Jesus loved" mentioned in John 13:23. But here is a curious thing. In the entire gospel, John never mentions his own name (although he does mention other gospel writers). His purpose is to exalt the deity of Jesus. It seems out of character for him to pat himself on the back in that one verse, if in fact he was John the apostle.
William Barclay gives us an elegant answer. He states outright that even if John was not the direct author of the book, it was at least written under his authority. The book likely dates from about 100 AD, the last of the books to be written. If this dating is accurate, John would have been very old. Barclay posits that it was probably a group writing remembrances from John's fading memories, and it was they who described John as the disciple Jesus loved..
The letters to the Romans, the Corinthians, the Galatians, the Ephesians, the Philippians, the Colossians, the Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus and Philemon are widely assumed to have come from the hand of the apostle Paul and are called the Pauline epistles for that reason.
E. P. Sanders says it's fairly clear Paul was unaware of the four Gospels, and the authors of the Gospels didn't know of Paul's letters.
A few small stylistic variations in Colossians and Ephesians make some scholars suspect Paul didn't write them, but the evidence is sparse and unconvincing. The letters to Timothy and Titus are suspect as well, and some critics feel they were later edits of some of Paul's more personal correspondence to individual church leaders, or pastors. Hence, they are often referred to as the Pastoral epistles.
The author of the letter to the Hebrews is completely unknown. Stylistic or literary criticism has failed to match it with any known author, although it is usually included among the letters of Paul. Some names that have been bandied about are Barnabas (an associate of Paul), Apollos, or even a dual authorship of Aquilla and Priscilla, two Christians who ran a church out of their house in Rome. Early tradition knew that it was anonymous, but since it was such a popular work among the early Christians, it was included among the letters of Paul in order to insure its apostolicity and thus its place in the Bible.
The letter of James isn't anonymous, but it's not known who exactly James was. Five people named James are mentioned in the New Testament, one of whom was the brother of Jesus. It's this person whom tradition has accepted as the author, although the evidence is sketchy.
It's always been assumed the first and second letters of Peter were in fact written by Saint Peter. No real objection to that belief has been raised until rather recently, largely because few early church fathers quoted it as they did other canonically accepted books.
The Revelation is often called the Revelation of Saint John. Tradition says this is the same as the author of the fourth gospel, but that seems implausible. The style of the Greek is different, and while the gospel author avoids mentioning his own name in order to focus attention on Jesus, the author of Revelation mentions his own name repeatedly. He doesn't call himself an apostle, as would be his right, but merely a prophet. Exactly who the author was is open to conjecture. There is no real consensus, except that he was apparently a Jewish writer, writing in Greek to the Jewish believers after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Most critics put the date at about 95 - 100 AD.
RESOURCES:
The Literary Guide to the Bible, edited by Robert Alter and Frank Kermode, Belknap Press, 1987The Gospel of John, by William Barclay, Westminster John Knox Press, 1975The Unauthorized Version: Truth and Fiction in the Bible, by Robin Lane Fox, Knopf, 1992The Lost Gospel: The Book of Q and Christian Origins, by Burton Mack, HarperSanFrancisco, 1993Testament, by David Morell, Warner Books, 1993The Synoptic Gospels, by Keith F. Nickle, John Knox Press, 1980The Historical Figure of Jesus, by E.P. Sanders, Penguin Books, 1993The Catholic Encyclopedia - online at www.newadvent.org/cathen/
--SDSTAFF Dex and SDSTAFF EutychusStraight Dope Science Advisory Board
[Comment on this answer.]
Staff Reports are researched and written by members of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board, Cecil's online auxiliary. Although the SDSAB does its best, these articles are edited by Ed Zotti, not Cecil, so accuracywise you'd better keep your fingers crossed.
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Learning Forex

Monday, September 24, 2007
Sumber : http://cybermoney2u.blogspot.com/

Learning Forex Di Easy and Safe Ways Part 1
Learning Forex Di Easy and Safe Ways Part 1 Forex or money exchanging can be a profitable income. You need to know the fact, Forex will exposure you with a greater risks of losing your money due to high velocity of the high and low value of any currency. This high velocity also come with greater profit to be earn by invester.For a beginner, the risk losing the money to the Forex is higher. It is like gambling and all depend on luck.

The early rounds of buying and selling the currency, you might earn little profit or you might lose big. Dealing with Forex you need experince and with a lot of luck. You need to learn to recognize the situation when to buy or sell.The forex player will gain experince and practise make perfect. You will know, Forex is not really about luck. It's all about knowing when it is the right time to sell or the right time buy your currency.The high and low of the currency all depend on the economy and politic of the country of the money origin.

You need to know not only the country economy and politic to earn big profit from Forex, you also need to know the world economic. One country economic problem will expose to other countries with economic problems. This change effect will be felt accross the world.

For your Forex training, you can start by buying virtual dollar with virtual ringgit Malaysia five thousand (RM5000). Change ringgit Malaysia with your currency country of origin.Used http://www.maybank2u.com.my/ Forex exchange rates as your main Forex information.Get yourself a writing pad so you can write down the currency value. You need to write in the date, RM in saving, Dollar in saving, Dollar to RM in RM (Forex Selling),RM to Dolar in RM (Forex OD Buying) , Buy Dolar, Sell Dolar.

For Forex example :- On 19 September 2007, The Forex rate for USD to RM is 3.4553 Selling.On 20 September 2007, you used your RM saving and buy USD 1000 at the Forex selling rate of RM3.4770.

To sell your Dollar, you need to monitor to currency Forex of Dollar Buying OD (RM To Dollar).On 22 September 2007, You sell your USD 1000 in Saving at the Forex OD buying Rate of RM 3.480 and gain profit of RM3.In your writing padDate RM in Saving USD in Saving Dollar To RM RM To Dollar Buy Dollar(RM) Sell Dollar(RM)190907 5000 0 3.4553 3.382 0 0200907 1523 1000 3.4770 3.402 3477 0210907 1523 1000 3.4810 3.453 0 0220907 5003 0 3.4910 3.480 0 3480230907 5003 0 3.4813 3.469 0 0

To view the above table in the Internet visit our blog
http://cybermoney2u.blogspot.com/Practice yourself virtually for 3 or 4 months. This will help you to gain knowledge and experience. Remember when you involved with real money, you can gain a lot of profit but you should remember the risks of losing the money.Practice make perfect and you will gain more confident.More articles at my Blog

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SMSBimbit.http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smsbimbit/Update yourself with information about work from home and make money online through email and by visiting cybermoney2u.22Sep2007hafijaHarisfazillah JamelThis work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Malaysia License.

To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/my/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 543 Howard Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/my/deed.ms--- Advertisement

Basic options concepts: How Options work.

http://biz.yahoo.com/opt/basics1.html

Basic Options Concepts: How Options Work

Options are the most versatile trading instrument ever invented. Since options cost less than stock, they provide a high leverage approach to trading that can significantly limit the overall risk of a trade or provide additional income. Simply put, op tion buyers have rights and option sellers have obligations. Option buyers have the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call) or sell (put) the underlying stock (or futures contract) at a specified price until the 3rd Friday of their expiration month. There are two kinds of options: calls and puts. Call options give you the right to buy the underlying asset. Put options give you the right to sell the underlying asset. It is essential to become familiar with the inner workings of both. Every strategy you learn from this point on depends on your thorough understanding of these two kinds of options.

There are no margin requirements if you want to purchase an option because your risk is limited to the price of the option. In contrast, option sellers receive a credit in their account for selling an option and get to keep this amount if the option expires worthless. However, option sellers also have an obligation to buy (put) or sell (call) the underlying instrument if their option is exercised by an assigned option holder. Therefore, selling an option requires a healthy margin.
To trade options, you must be acquainted with the select terminology of the option market. The price at which an underlying stock can be purchased or sold if the option is exercised is called the strike price. Options are available in several strike prices above and below the current price of the underlying asset. Stocks priced below $25 per share usually have strike prices at 2 ½ dollar intervals. Stocks priced over $25 usually have strike prices at $5 dollar intervals.

The date the option expires is referred to as the expiration date. A stock option expires by close of business on the 3rd Friday of the expiration month. All listed options have options available for the current month and the next month as well as specific future months. Each stock has a corresponding cycle of months that they offer options in. There are three fixed expiration cycles available. Each cycle has a four-month interval:

A. January, April, July and October
B. February, May, August and November
C. March, June, September and December

The price of an option is called the premium. An option's premium is determined by a number of factors including the current price of the underlying asset, the strike price of the option, the time remaining until expiration, and volatility. An option premium is priced on a per share basis. Each option on a stock corresponds to 100 shares.

Therefore, if the premium of an option is priced at 2, the total premium for that option would be $200 (2 x 100 = $200). Buying an option creates a debit in the amount of the premium to the buyer's trading account. Selling an option creates a credit in the amount of the premium to the seller's trading account:

Example: Jane wants to buy a house. After a few weeks of searching, she discovers one she really likes. Unfortunately, she won't have enough money for a substantial down payment for another six months. So, she approaches the owner of the house and negotiates an option to buy the house within 6 months for $100,000. The owner agrees to sell her the option for $2,000.Scenario 1: During this 6-month period, Jane discovers an oil field underneath the property. The value of the house shoots up to $1,000,000.

However, the writer of the option (the owner) is obligated to sell the house to Jane for $100,000. Jan e buys the house for a total cost of $102,000-$100,000 for the house plus the $2,000 premium paid for the option. She promptly turns around and sells it for a million dollars for huge profit of $898,000 and lives happily ever after.Scenario 2: Jane discovers a toxic waste dump on the property. Now the value of the house drops to zero and she obviously decides not to exercise the option to buy the house. In this case, Jane loses the $2,000 premium paid for the option to the owner of the property.How Options Work Review

1. Options give you the right to buy or sell an underlying instrument.
2. If you buy an option, you are not obligated to buy or sell the underlying instrument; you simply have the right to.

3. If you sell an option and the option is exercised, you are obligated to deliver the underlying asset (call) or take delivery of the underlying asset (put) at the strike price of the option regardless of the current price of the underlying asset.
4. Options are good for a specified period of time, after which they expire and you lose your right to buy or sell the underlying instrument at the specified price.

5. Options when bought are done so at a debit to the buyer.
6. Options when sold are done so by giving a credit to the seller.
7. Options are available in several strike prices representing the price of the underlying instrument.

8. The cost of an option is referred to as the option premium. The price reflects a variety of factors including the current price of the underlying asset, the strike price of the option, the time remaining until expiration, and volatility.
9. Options are not available on every stock. There are approximately 2,200 stocks with tradable options. Each stock option represents 100 shares of a company's stock.

For more information on learning how to make money with options, go to the Optionetics.com full site! We empower investors through knowledge.

What to Do When You Hate Your Job

U.S.News & World ReportWhat to Do When You Hate Your JobFriday September 21, 3:21 pm ET
By Marty Nemko
http://biz.yahoo.com/usnews/070921/21_what_to_do_when_you_hate_your_job.html?.v=1&.pf=career-work
Do you dread going to the office on Monday morning? If so, you've got lots of company.With the unemployment rate quite low, you'd think job satisfaction would be high, since employers, theoretically, would have to coddle their workers to avoid losing them. But the opposite seems to be true. Employees are increasingly unhappy at work, according to the Conference Board, with only 50 percent of people satisfied with their jobs today. That's down from 79 percent in 1985. And if a recession is on the horizon, as many economists think it may be, the job market is sure to get tighter--and workers even edgier.
A few obvious factors, like low pay or excessive hours, drive down job satisfaction, but our global, technology-driven economy is also making it harder to find fulfilling work. Many of the pleasant parts of a job, such as dealing one-on-one with people, are being replaced by machines or more efficient processes. Sales junkets are being replaced by teleconferences, for instance; gut feeling is often overruled by computer modeling. Global competition often whittles down companies' profit margins, forcing them to ask their best professionals to work longer hours. Among people earning $100,000 or more, for instance, one third work more than 50 hours a week, according to polls by Zogby/MSN.
To get ahead, workers increasingly need multiple skills. In addition to a core competency--accounting, say, or software engineering--many companies expect their employees to be entrepreneurial and IT savvy and speak another language. To be able to keep up with all that, of course, you must be a master of stress management, too. And even talented employees are increasingly being hired as temps, dumped when a project is over or the job is shipped overseas. With employers demanding more, job security declining, and the need for efficiency squeezing fun out of the job, it's not surprising that ever more workers are unhappy.
So should you quit a job you hate? Maybe--but many disgruntled workers bail out too fast, mistakenly assuming there's nothing they can do to make their current job better. Simply switching jobs doesn't always make people happier, either. Sometimes it's not the job or the company that's the problem, but the individual. So before quitting, consider some practical steps to help deal with these common scenarios:
You're overwhelmed. Maybe the work is too hard, or there's just too much of it. Possible fixes: Hire a tutor or take a short, pragmatic course to help improve your knowledge. Ask for help--it sounds obvious, but many people don't do it. Trade some of your most onerous duties with a coworker who finds them easier. Avoid needless perfectionism and put aside the things that can wait (possibly forever). You can even hire a "virtual assistant"--usually, a live person in India--for $6 to $15 per hour, at sites like Brickwork India and Your Man in India.
You're not up to the job. Tempting as it is to blame others, sometimes employees just don't have the skills, smarts, or drive required to thrive at their jobs. But that doesn't mean solutions are out of reach. If tasks continually seem too difficult, for example, start or join an online professional group like those on Yahoo!, where people help each other solve thorny problems. Find a smart retiree who might tutor you. Tweak your job to make it more interesting; you'll be more likely to succeed. Ask trusted friends and coworkers to list your weaknesses--and insist that they be honest. Then gulp hard, and carefully consider their advice.
You have a nightmare boss. It often takes gumption--and humility--to work with someone like that, but it might be better than the alternatives. Instead of confronting a cranky boss, ask what you could do better; if nothing else, you'll earn a bit of respect for soliciting feedback. To deal with a hothead, have a tepid response ready so you don't react impulsively: "You make some good points. Can we meet later to discuss them?" If you feel you have to go over your boss's head, develop a face-saving premise for doing so: You'd like to approach a senior executive, say, because he's an expert in a subject you're working on.
If none of that works, and you've concluded that you have no choice but to quit, here's how to do it: Negotiate a layoff. It's better than just quitting. You might be able to negotiate a severance package, including a one-time payment of a portion of your annual salary and an extension of your health insurance. Plus, a layoff might make you eligible for unemployment benefits. In exchange, you'll probably have to agree not to claim wrongful termination.
Network for a new job--before you leave. Hit up your best contacts--sometimes, that can help land a new job quickly. Make the time to research jobs and careers that might best fit your skills or personality, to make your networking more effective. But if you're tempted to shirk at a job you know you'll be leaving, don't. It's unfair to your coworkers and could lower the quality of your references.
Prepare for a long job hunt. It might take a few months, so even though it's not ideal, you'll probably have to quit before you've lined up your next gig. Many people find that it's easier to stay upbeat by joining a job-seeker group. My favorite is the Five O'Clock Club.
Secure good references. If possible, get reference letters before you leave, so you can hand them out on the spot if necessary. Before asking your boss for a recommendation, set the stage by first finding something nice to say about him or her or the company. Reminisce about projects that worked well.
Hold your tongue. Don't bash your boss or your company in chats with coworkers, and try to stay positive in a resignation letter or exit interview--you never know when you'll need to ask for a favor. Don't bad-mouth your employer in job interviews either; it could get back to your former colleagues and ruin your reference. Besides, it's unseemly. If you can't resist dispensing a lecture on how to improve that asinine organization you used to work for, at least wait until you're firmly installed in your new job.

Make Millions From Thousands

Make Millions From Thousands
By Selena Maranjian September 21, 2007
3 Recommendations

I could write this article the usual way -- by showing you how you can turn your thousands into millions through investing in solid, growing companies familiar to most of us. Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT), for example, has grown by a compound average of 13% annually over the past 10 years, and Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) has averaged 38% over that same period. Not too shabby.
Will such returns turn your thousands into millions? Yes, eventually. An investment of merely $10,000 would turn into $1 million in 25 years if it grew at an annual average of 20%, but 20% is a fairly steep average to count on for your stock investments -- a number to which only a select few master investors can aspire. It's safer to have more conservative expectations -- perhaps closer to 10%, the stock market's historical average annual return over most of the past century.

A fine balance So what should you do if you don't want to wait 50 or more years to make millions? Here's one option: Take a few chances.
With most of your money, you shouldn't take crazy risks. You might want to sock much of it away in a broad-market index fund, such as the Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX). That low-cost fund should earn you close to the market's historical return over long periods of time. (One simple way to invest in the S&P 500 is through S&P 500 Depositary Receipts, also known as SPDRs.) Either of these options will instantly invest your money in 500 major American companies, including stalwarts such as Altria and Merck.

Meanwhile, take a few chances and supplement your index with some growth stock picks. That's what I'm doing in my own investment account. I don't want all my money in an index fund, because I'd like my portfolio to grow faster than average, so a chunk of my nest egg sits in a variety of individual stocks.

This strategy should help mute volatility, but it can also allow you to do well with some carefully chosen stocks -- as it did for me, when I turned $3,000 into $210,000.
Aiming for the stars That kind of return, which came from a classic Rule Breaking company, is too tempting for me to ignore. That's why I'm still on the lookout for young, dynamic companies that are breaking the rules as they grow and prosper. That said, I'll only invest a modest portion of my portfolio in them.

The kinds of companies I'm talking about are tomorrow's Google (Nasdaq: GOOG), Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN), and Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT). Think about how different the world was before them. We would have laughed at the thought of being able to look up almost anything online. We couldn't imagine buying books (and cookware and lawnmowers) on our computers. We wouldn't have been able to find low-cost discount stores in small towns across America. These are all companies that broke their industries' molds and introduced newer, better systems.

Even Ford was a rule-breaking company once, daring to make a luxury item available to the masses at an affordable price. Just imagine a world without cars -- it's not easy.
These companies broke their industries' molds and introduced newer, better systems.
Find some rockets The strategy of seeking out and investing in Rule Breakers certainly requires patience and entails risk, but just one growth rocket has the potential to supercharge an otherwise stodgy index strategy.

If you're interested in some rockets to add to your own portfolio, consider trying our Motley Fool Rule Breakers ultimate growth service free for 30 days. Headed by Fool co-founder David Gardner, who turned me on to an amazing 20-bagger a decade ago, Rule Breakers pays special attention to cutting-edge fields such as biotech, alternative energy, and nanotechnology. Check it out to learn more.

This article was originally published on July 7, 2006. It has been updated.
Longtime Fool contributor Selena Maranjian owns shares of Wal-Mart and an S&P 500 index fund. Wal-Mart is a Motley Fool Inside Value recommendation. Amazon.com is a Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendation. The Fool is investors writing for investors.

Keutamaan amalan hati keatas amalan badan

saya petik dari : http://www.al-ahkam.net/home/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=44406

(Fiqh al-Awlawiyyat, Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradhawi) DI ANTARA amalan yang sangat dianjurkan menurut pertimbangan agama ialah amalan batiniah yang dilakukan oleh hati manusia. Ia lebih diutamakan daripada amalan lahiriah yang dilakukan oleh anggota badan, dengan beberapa alasan:
Pertama: Kerana sesungguhnya amalan yang lahiriah itu tidak akan diterima oleh Allah SWT selama tidak disertai dengan amalan batin yang merupakan dasar bagi diterimanya amalan lahiriah itu, yaitu niat; sebagaimana disabdakan oleh Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam:
"Sesungguhnya amal perbuatan itu harus disertai dengan niat." [32]
Erti niat ini ialah niat yang terlepas dari cinta diri dan dunia. Niat yang murni untuk Allah SWT. Dia tidak akan menerima amalan seseorang kecuali amalan itu murni untuk-Nya; sebagaimana difirmankan-Nya:
"Padahal mereka tidak disuruh kecuali supaya menyembah Allah dengan memurnikan ketaatan kepada-Nya dalam (menjalankan) agama dengan lurus..." (al-Bayyinah: 5)
Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam bersabda, "Sesungguhnya Allah tidak menerima amalan kecuali yang murni, yang dilakukan hanya untuk-Nya." [33]
Dalam sebuah hadith qudsi diriwayatkan, Allah SWT berfirman, "Aku adalah sekutu yang paling tidak memerlukan persekutuan. Barangsiapa melakukan suatu amalan kemudian dia mempersekutukan diri-Ku dengan yang lain, maka Aku akan meninggalkannya dan meninggalkan sekutunya." Dalam riwayat yang lain disebutkan:
"Maka dia akan menjadi milik sekutunya dan Aku berlepas diri darinya." [34] Kedua: Kerana hati merupakan hakikat manusia, sekaligus menjadi punca kebaikan dan kerosakannya. Dalam Shahih Bukhari dan Muslim disebutkan bahawasanya Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam bersabda,
"Ketahuilah sesungguhnya di dalam tubuh manusia ada segumpal darah, apabila dia baik maka baiklah seluruh tubuhnya, dan apabila dia rosak, maka rosaklah seluruh tubuhnya. Ketahuilah bahwa segumpal darah itu ialah hati." [35]
Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam menjelaskan bahawasanya hati merupakan titik pusat pandangan Allah, dan perbuatan yang dilakukan oleh hatilah yang diakui (dihargai/dinilai) oleh-Nya. Kerananya, Allah hanya melihat hati seseorang, bila bersih niatnya, maka Allah akan menerima amalnya: dan bila kotor hatinya (niatnya tidak benar), maka automatik amalnya akan ditolak Allah, sebagaimana disabdakan oleh baginda,
"Sesungguhnya Allah SWT tidak melihat kepada tubuh dan bentuk kamu, tetapi Dia melihat kepada hati-hati kamu." [36]
Yang dimaksudkan di sini ialah diterima dan diperhatikannya amalan tersebut. Al-Qur'an menjelaskan bahawasanya keselamatan di akhirat kelak, dan perolehan syurga di sana, hanya dapat dicapai oleh orang yang hatinya bersih dari kemusyrikan, kemunafikan dan penyakit-penyakit hati yang menghancurkan. Yaitu orang yang hanya menggantungkan diri kepada Allah SWT, sebagaimana yang Dia firmankan melalui lidah nabi-Nya, Ibrahim al-Khalil a.s.
"Dan janganlah Engkau hinakan aku pada hari mereka dibangkitkan. (Yaitu) di hari harta dan anak-anak tidak berguna. Kecuali orang-orang yang menghadap Allah dengan hati yang bersih." (as-Syu'ara': 87-89)
"Dan didekatlah syurga itu kepada orang-orang yang bertaqwa pada tempat yang tiada jauh (dari mereka). Inilah yang dijanjikan kepadamu, (yaitu) kepada setiap hamba yang selalu kembali (kepada Allah) lagi memelihara (semua peraturan-peraturan-Nya). (Yaitu) orang yang takut kepada tuhan Yang Maha Pemurah sedang Dia tidak kelihatan (olehnya) dan dia datang dengan hati yang bertaubat." (Qaf: 31-33)
Keselamatan dari kehinaan pada hari kiamat kelak hanya diberikan kepada orang yang datang kepada Allah SWT dengan hati yang bersih. Dan surga hanya diberikan kepada orang yang datang kepada Tuhannya dengan hati yang pasrah.
Taqwa kepada Allah - yang merupakan wasiat bagi orang-orang terdahulu dan yang terkemudian, merupakan dasar perbuatan yang utama, kebajikan, kebaikan di dunia dan akhirat - pada hakikat dan intinya merupakan persoalan hati. Oleh karena itu Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam bersabda; "Taqwa itu ada di sini," sambil menunjuk ke dadanya sebanyak tiga kali. Beliau mengatakannya sebanyak tiga kali sambil memberikan isyarat dengan tangannya ke dadanya agar dapat dipahami oleh akal dan jiwa manusia. Sehubungan dengan hal ini, al-Qur'an memberi isyarat bahwa ketaqwaan itu dilakukan oleh hati manusia:
"Demikianlah (perintah Allah). Dan barangsiapa mengagungkan syiar-syiar Allah, maka sesungguhnya itu timbul dari ketaqwaan hati." (al-Hajj: 32) Semua tingkah laku dan perbuatan yang mulia, serta tingkatan amalan rabbaniyah yang menjadi perhatian para ahli suluk dan tasawuf, serta para penganjur pendidikan ruhaniah, merupakan perkara-perkara yang berkaitan dengan hati; seperti menjauhi dunia, memberi perhatian yang lebih kepada akhirat, keikhlasan kepada Allah, kecintaan kepada Allah dan Rasul-Nya, tawakkal kepada Allah, mengharapkan rahmat-Nya, takut kepada siksaan-Nya, mensyukuri nikmatNya, bersabar atas bencana, redha terhadap ketentuan-Nya, selalu mengingat-Nya, mengawasi diri sendiri dan lain-lain. Perkara-perkara ini merupakan inti dan ruh agama, sehingga barangsiapa yang tidak memiliki perhatian sama sekali terhadapnya maka dia akan merugi sendiri, dan juga rugi dari segi agamanya.
Sesiapa yang mensia-siakan umurnya, maka dia tidak akan mendapatkan apa-apapun.
Anas meriwayatkan dari Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam,
"Tiga hal yang bila siapapun berada di dalamnya, maka dia dapat menemukan manisnya rasa iman. Hendaknya Allah dan Rasul-Nya lebih ia cintai daripada yang lain; hendaknya ia mencintai seseorang yang ia tidak mencintainya kecuali karena Allah; dan hendaknya ia benci untuk kembali kepada kekafiran sebagaimana dia benci untuk dilemparkan ke dalam api neraka." [37] "Tidak beriman salah seorang di antara kamu sehingga aku lebih dicintainya daripada ibubapa dan anaknya, serta manusia seluruhnya." [38]
Diriwayatkan dari Anas bahwa ada seorang lelaki yang bertanya kepada Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam, "bilakah kiamat terjadi wahai Rasulullah?" Beliau balik bertanya: "Apakah yang telah engkau persiapkan?" Dia menjawab, "Aku tidak mempersiapkan banyak solat dan puasa, serta sedekah, tetapi aku mencintai Allah dan Rasul-Nya." Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam kemudian bersabda, "Engkau akan bersama orang yang engkau cintai." [39]
Hadith ini dikuatkan oleh hadith Abu Musa: Bahawa ada seseorang berkata kepada Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam, "Ada seseorang yang mencintai kaum Muslimin, tetapi dia tidak termasuk mereka."Nabi shallallahu‘alaihi wasallam menjawab, "Seseorang akan bersama dengan orang yang diacintai." [40]
Hadith-hadith tersebut menunjukkan bahwa cinta kepada Allah SWT dan Rasulullah, serta cinta kepada hamba-hamba-Nya yang soleh merupakan cara pendekatan yang paling baik kepada Allah SWT; walaupun tidak disertai dengan tambahan solat, puasa dan sedekah.
Hal ini tidak lain adalah karena cinta yang murni merupakan salah satu amalan hati, yang memiliki kedudukan tinggi di sisi Allah SWT. Atas dasar itulah beberapa ulama besar berkata,
"Aku cinta kepada orang-orang soleh walaupun aku tidak termasuk golongan mereka”. “Aku berharap bahawa aku akan mendapatkan syafaat (ilmu, dan kebaikan) dari mereka”.
“Aku tidak suka terhadap barang-barang maksiat, walaupun aku sama maksiatnya dengan barang-barang itu".
Cinta kepada Allah, benci kerana Allah merupakan salah satu bagian dari iman, dan keduanya merupakan amalan hati manusia.
Dalam sebuah hadith disebutkan,
"Barangsiapa mencintai kerana Allah, marah kerana Allah, memberi kerana Allah, menahan pemberian kerana Allah, maka dia termasuk orang yang sempurna imannya." [41]
"Ikatan iman yang paling kuat ialah berwala' kerana Allah, bermusuhan kerana Allah, mencintai kerana Allah, dan membenci kerana Allah SWT." [42]
Oleh sebab itu, kami sangat hairan terhadap tumpuan yang diberikan oleh sebagian pemeluk agama, khususnya para daie' yang menganjurkan amalan dan adab sopan santun yang berkaitan dengan perkara-perkara lahiriah lebih banyak daripada perkara-perkara batiniah; yang memperhatikan bentuk luar lebih banyak daripada intinya; misalnya memendekkan pakaian, memotong kumis dan memanjangkan janggut, bentuk hijab wanita, hitungan anak tangga mimbar, cara meletakkan kedua tangan atau kaki ketika solat, dan perkara-perkara lain yang berkaitan dengan bentuk luar lebih banyak daripada yang berkaitan dengan inti dan ruhnya. Perkara-perkara ini, bagaimanapun, tidak begitu diberi keutamaan dalam agama ini.
Saya sendiri memperhatikan - dengan amat menyayangkan - bahawa banyak sekali orang-orang yang menekankan kepada bentuk lahiriah ini dan hal-hal yang serupa dengannya - Saya tidak berkata mereka kesemuanya - mereka begitu mementingkan hal tersebut dan melupakan hal-hal lain yang jauh lebih penting dan lebih dahsyat pengaruhnya. Seperti berbuat baik kepada kedua ibubapa, silaturrahim, menyampaikan amanat, memelihara hak orang lain, bekerja yang baik, dan memberikan hak kepada orang yang harus memilikinya, kasih-sayang terhadap makhluk Allah SWT, apalagi terhadap yang lemah, menjauhi hal-hal yang jelas diharamkan dan lain-lain sebagaimana dijelaskan oleh Allah SWT kepada orang-orang yang beriman di dalam kitab-Nya; di awal surah al-Anfal, awal surah al-Mu'minun, akhir surah al-Furqan, dan lain-lain.
Saya tertarik dengan perkataan yang diucapkan oleh saudara kita, seorang daie' Muslim, Dr.Hassan Hathout yang tinggal di Amerika, yang sangat tidak suka kepada sebahagian saudara kita yang begitu ketat dan kaku dalam menerapkan hukum Islam yang berkaitan dengan daging halal yang telah disembelih menurut aturan syariat. Mereka begitu ketat meneliti daging-daging tersebut apakah ada kemungkinan bahawa daging tersebut tercampur dengan daging atau lemak babi, walaupun kemungkinan itu hanya benar 1% sahaja tetapi dalam masa yang sama dia tidak memperhatikan bahwa dia memakan bangkai saudaranya setiap hari beberapa kali (dengan fitnah dan mengumpat/ghibah), sehingga saudaranya dapat menjadi sasaran syubhat dan tuduhan, atau dia sendiri yang menciptakan tuduhan-tuduhan tersebut.
Allahu a’lam.. Catatan kaki: 32- Diriwayatkan dari 'Umar bin Al-Khaththab r.a.: Rasulullah SAW pernah bersabda, "Pahala untuk semua perbuatan bergantung kepada niatnya dan akan diberi pahala sesuai dengan tujuan dari perbuatannya. hadith dimuat dalam permulaan Shahih al-Bukhari 33- Diriwayatkan oleh Nasai dari Abu Umamah, dan dihasankan olehnya dalam Shahih al-Jami' as-Shaghir (1856) 34- Muslim meriwayatkannya dari Abu Hurairah r.a. dengan lafaz hadith yang pertama, sedangkan lafaz yang lainnya diriwayatkan oleh Ibn Majah. 35- Muttafaq 'Alaih, dari Nu'man bin Basyir, yang merupakan bagian daripada hadith, "Yang halal itu jelas, dan yang haram itu juga jelas" (Lihat al-Lu'lu' wa al-Marjan, 1028) 36- Diriwayatkan oleh Muslim dari Abu Hurairah r.a. (2564) 37- Muttafaq 'Alaih dari Anas (al-Lu'lu'wa al-Marjan, 26) 38- Muttafaq 'Alaih dari Anas (al-Lu'lu' wa al-Marjan, 27) 39- Muttafaq 'Alaih dari Anas (al-Lu'lu' wa al-Marjan, 1693) 40- Muttafaq 'Alaih dari Anas (al-Lu'lu' wa al- Marjan, 1694) 41- Diriwayatkan oleh Abu Dawud dalam kitab al-Sunnah dari Abu Umamah (4681), dan dalam al-Jami' as-Shaghir riwayat ini dinisbatkan kepada Dhiya' (Shahih al-Jami' as-Shaghir, 5965) 42- Diriwayatkan oleh al-Thayalisi, Hakim, dan Thabrani dalam al-Kabir, dan al-Awsath dari Ibn Mas'ud, Ahmad, dan Ibn Abi Syaibah dari Barra" dan juga diriwayatkan oleh Thabrani dari Ibn Abbas (Shahih al-Jami' as-Shaghir, 2539)

Berapa Jumlah rakaat solat tarawih?

Berikut adalah artikel mengenai soalt tarawih yang saya copy dari : http://www.dakwatuna.com/index.php/sunnah-nabawiyah/2007/berapa-jumlah-rakaat-shalat-tarawih/
Berapa Jumlah Rakaat Shalat Tarawih? Oleh: Mochamad Bugi --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rasulullah saw menganjurkan kepada kita untuk menghidupkan malam Ramadhan dengan memperbanyak sholat. Abu Hurairah r.a. menceritakan bahwa Nabi saw. Sangat mengajurkan qiyam ramadhan dengan tidak mewajibkannya. Kemudian Nabi saw. Bersabda, “Siapa yang mendirikan shalat di malam Ramadhan dengan penuh keimanan dan harapan, maka ia diampuni dosa-dosanya yang telah lampau.” (muttafaq alaih)
Dan fakta sejarah memberi bukti, sejak zaman Rasulullah saw. hingga kini, umat Islam secara turun temurun mengamalkan anjuran Rasulullah ini. Alhamdulillah. Tapi sayang, dalam pelaksanaannya terdapat perbedaan di beberapa hal yang kadang mengganggu ikatan ukhuwah di kalangan umat. Seharusnya itu tak boleh terjadi jika umat tahu sejarah disyariatkannya shalat tarawih.
Pada awalnya shalat tarawih dilaksanakan Nabi saw. dengan sebagian sahabat secara berjamaah di Masjid Nabawi. Namun setelah berjalan tiga malam, Nabi membiarkan para sahabat melakukan tarawih secara sendiri-sendiri. Hingga dikemudian hari, ketika menjadi Khalifah, Umar bin Khattab menyaksikan adanya fenomena shalat tarawih terpencar-pencar di dalam Masjid Nabawi. Terbersit di benak Umar untuk menyatukannya.Umar memerintahkan Ubay bin Kaab untuk memimpin para sahabat melaksanakan shalat tarawih secara berjamaah. ‘Aisyah menceritakan kisah ini seperti yang diriwayatkan oleh Bukhari dan Muslim. Untuk selengkapnya silahkan lihat Al-Lu’lu War Marjan: 436. berdasarkan riwayat itulah kemudian para ulama sepakat menetapkan bahwa shalat tarawih secara berjamaah adalah sunnah.
Bahkan, para wanita pun dibolehkan ikut berjamaah di masjid, padahal biasanya mereka dianjurkan untuk melaksanakan shalat wajib di rumah masing-masing. Tentu saja ada syarat: harus memperhatikan etika ketika di luar rumah. Yang pasti, jika tidak ke masjid ia tidak berkesempatan atau tidak melaksanakan shalat tarawih berjamaah, maka kepergiannya ke masjid tentu akan memperoleh kebaikan yang banyak.
Jumlah Rakaat
Berapa rakaat shalat tarawih para sahabat yang diimami oleh Ubay bin Kaab? Hadits tentang kisah itu yang diriwayatkan oleh Imam Bukhari tidak menjelaskan hal ini. Begitu juga hadits yang diriwayatkan oleh Aisyah. Hanya menyebut Rasulullah saw. shalat tarawih berjamaah bersama para sahabat selama tiga malam. Berapa rakaatnya, tidak dijelaskan. Hanya ditegaskan bahwa tidak ada perbedaan jumlah rakaat shalat malam yang dilakukan Rasulullah di bulan Ramadhan maupun di luar Ramadhan. Jadi, hadits ini konteksnya lebih kepada shalat malam secara umum. Maka tak heran jika para ulama menjadikan hadits ini sebagai dalil untuk shalat malam secara umum. Misalnya, Iman Bukhari memasukkan hadits ini ke dalam Bab Shalat Tahajjud. Iman Malik di Bab Shalat Witir Nabi saw. (Lihat Fathul Bari 4/250 dan Muwattha’ 141).
Inilah yang kemudian memunculkan perbedaan jumlah rakaat. Ada yang menyebut 11, 13, 21, 23, 36, bahkan 39. Ada yang berpegang pada hadits ‘Aisyah dalam Fathul Bari, “Nabi tidak pernah melakuka shalat malam lebih dari 11 rakaat baik di bulan Ramadhan maupun di luar Ramadhan.”
Sebagian berpegang pada riwayat bahwa Umar bin Khattab –seperti yang tertera di Muwattha’ Imam Malik—menyuruh Ubay bin Kaab dan Tamim Ad-Dari untuk melaksanakan shalat tarawih 11 rakaat dengan rakaat-rakaat yang panjang. Namun dalam riwayat Yazid bin Ar-Rumman dikabarkan jumlah rakaat shalat tarawih yang dilaksanakan di zaman Umar adalah 23 rakaat.
Dalam kitab Fiqh Sunnah karya Sayyid Sabiq, Imam At-Tirmidzi menyatakan bahwa Umar, Ali, dan sahabat lainnya melaksanakan shalat tarawih 20 rakaat selain witir. Pendapat ini didukung Imam At-Tsauri, Imam Ibnu Mubarak, dan Imam Asy-Syafi’i.
Di Fathul Bari ditulis bahwa di masa Umar bin Abdul Aziz, kaum muslimin shalat tarawih hingga 36 rakaat ditambah witir 3 rakaat. Imam Malik berkata bahwa hal itu telah lama dilaksanakan.
Masih di Fathul Bari, Imam Syafi’i dalam riwayat Az-Za’farani mengatakan bahwa ia sempat menyaksikan umat Islam melaksanakan shalat tarawih di Madinah dengan 39 rakaat dan di Makkah 33 rakaat. Menurut Imam Syafi’i, jumlah rakaat shalat tarawih memang memiliki kelonggaran.
Dari keterangan di atas, jelas akar persoalan shalat tarawih bukan pada jumlah rakaat. Tapi, pada kualitas rakaat yang akan dikerjakan. Ibnu Hajar berkata, “Perbedaan yang terjadi dalam jumlah rakaat tarawih mucul dikarenakan panjang dan pendeknya rakaat yang didirikan. Jika dalam mendirikannya dengan rakaat-rakaat yang panjang, maka berakibat pada sedikitnya jumlah rakaat; dan demikian sebaliknya.”
Imam Syafi’i berkata, “Jika shalatnya panjang dan jumlah rakaatnya sedikit itu baik menurutku. Dan jika shalatnya pendek, jumlah rakaatnya banyak itu juga baik menurutku, sekalipun aku lebih senang pada yang pertama.” Selanjutnya beliau mengatakan bahwa orang yang menjalankan tarawih 8 rakaat dengan 3 witir dia telah mencontoh Rasulullah, sedangkan yang menjalankan tarawih 23 rakaat mereka telah mencontoh Umar, generasi sahabat dan tabi’in. Bahkan, menurut Imam Malik, hal itu telah berjala lebih dari ratusan tahun.
Menurut Imam Ahmad, tidak ada pembatasan yang signifikan dalam jumlah rakaat tarawih, melainkan tergantung panjang dan pendeknya rakaat yang didirikan. Imam Az-Zarqani mengkutip pendapat Ibnu Hibban bahwa tarawih pada mulanya 11 rakaat dengan rakaat yang sangat panjang, kemudian bergeser menjadi 20 rakaat tanpa witir setelah melihat adanya fenomena keberatan umat dalam melaksanakannya. Bahkan kemudian dengan alasan yang sama bergeser menjadi 36 rakaat tanpa witir (lihat Hasyiyah Fiqh Sunnah: 1/195)
Jadi, tidak ada alasan sebenarnya bagi kita untuk memperselisihkan jumlah rakaat. Semua sudah selesai sejak zaman sahabat. Apalagi perpecahan adalah tercela dan persatuan umat wajib dibina. Isu besar dalam pelaksanaan shalat tarawih adalah kualitas shalatnya. Apakah benar-benar kita bisa memanfaatkan shalat tarawih menjadi media yang menghubungkan kita dengan Allah hingga ke derajat ihsan?
Cara Melaksanakan Tarawih
Hadits Bukhari yang diriwayatkan Aisyah menjelaskan cara Rasulullah saw. melaksanakan shalat malam adalah dengan tiga salam. Jadi, dimulai dengan 4 rakaat yang sangat panjang lalu ditambah 4 rakaat yang panjang lagi kemudian disusul 3 rakaat sebagai witir (penutup).
Boleh juga dilakukan dengan dua rakaat dua rakaat dan ditutup satu rakaat. Ini berdasarkan cerita Ibnu Umar bahwa ada sahabat bertanya kepada Rasulullah saw. tentang cara Rasulullah saw. mendirikan shalat malam. Rasulullah saw. menjawab, “Shalat malam didirikan dua rakaat dua rakaat, jika ia khawatir akan tibanya waktu subuh maka hendaknya menutup dengan satu rakaat (muttafaq alaih, lihat Al-Lu’lu War Marjan: 432). Rasulullah saw. sendiri juga melakukan cara ini (lihat Syarh Shahih Muslim 6/46-47 dan Muwattha’: 143-144).
Dari data-data di atas, Ibnu Hajar menyimpulkan bahwa Rasulullah saw. kadang melakukan witir dengan satu rakaat dan kadang tiga rakaat.
Jadi, sangat tidak pantas jika perbedaan jumlah rakaat shalat tarawih menjadi isu yang pemecah persatuan umat. []


Baca berikutnya, sumber: http://www.syariahonline.com/new_index.php/id/2/cn/11188


Hadits Tarawih 11 RakaatPertanyaan:Assalaamu'alaikum wr wb.Afwan Ustadz. Saya ingin klarifikasi soal sholat tarawih 11 rakaat yang diterangkan dibuku Fiqh Ramadhan karya Ustadz yang terbaru. Disana dijelaskan (hal.141) bahwa hadist tarawih yang 11 rakaat pun termasuk dhaif karena ada salah satu perawinya yang matruk ("Rasulullah melakukan shalat pada bulan Ramadhan sebanyak 8 rakaat & witir". Diriwayatkan oleh Dja'far bin Humaid sebagaimana diikuti oleh AlDzahabi dalam kitabnya Mizan Al I'tidhal & Imam Ibnu Hibban dalam kitabnya Shahih bin Hibban dari Japir bin Abdullah)Lalu, bagaimana dengan keterangan hadist dibawah ini :Dari Abi Salamah bin Abdir Rahman, bahwasanya ia pernah bertanya kepada 'Aisyah r.a. tentang bagaimana shalat Rasulullah SAW di bulan Ramadhan? Beliau menjawab, "Baik pada bulan Ramadhan maupun pada bulan-bulan yang lain, beliau SAW tidak pernah shalat malam melebihi sebelas raka'at. Beliau SAW shalat empat raka'at; jangan tanya soal bagus dan panjangnya. Kemudianbeliau shalat lagi empat raka'at; jangan tanya soal bagus dan panjangnya. Kemudian shalat (witir) tiga raka'at. (HR. Bukhari (II:25, IV:205), Muslim (II:166), Abu Uwanah (II:237), Abu Dawud (I:210), At-Tirmidzi (II:302-303 cetakan Ahmad Syakir), An-Nasa'i (I:248), Malik (I:134), Al Baihaqi II:495-496) dan Ahmad (VI:36,73,104).Bukankah apabila ada hadist yang serupa yang menerangkan hal yang sama ternyata tingkat keshahihannya adalah hasan, bukankah tetap dapat dijadikan hujjah ?Mohon pencerahannya Ustadz. Jazakallahu khairan.Wassalam.Ima


Jawaban:
Assalamu `alaikum Warahmatullahi WabaraktuhAlhamdulillahi rabbil `alamin, washshalatu wassalamu `ala sayyidil mursalin, wa ba`du,
Kami tidak mengatakan bahwa semua hadits yang menerangkan shalat 11 rakaat itu lemah. Banyak hadits yang shahih tentang itu, bukan sekedar hasan. Namun yang jadi masalah adalah ketika kita mengaitkan antara keterangan jumlah 11 rakaat itu dengan shalat tarawih. Pada titik inila para ulama berbeda pendapat. Sebagian mengatakan bahwa meski hadits yang 11 rakaat itu shahih dan kuat, namun tidak terkait dengan shalat tarawih. Hadits-hadits itu sebenarnya merujuk kepada bilangan rakaat shalat witir Rasulullah SAW, bukan shalat tarawih. Atau shalat malam alias tahajjud. Karena itulah mengapa ada keterangan dari Aisyah yang menyebutkan bahwa 11 rakaat itu dilakukan di bulan Ramadhan dan di luar bulan Ramadhan. Sebab apa yang dimaksud dalam hadits itu memang bukan shalat khusus di bulan Ramadhan (tarawih).Inilah pendapat yang umumnya dipegang oleh umumnya fuqaha mazhab. Yaitu mereka membedakan antara tarawih dengan shalat malam (tahajjud dan witir).Namun kita akui bahwa ada juga yang berpendapat bahwa antara shalat tarawih dan shalat malam itu tidak ada bedanya. Bagi mereka, shalat malam itu dinamakan tarawih bila dilakukan pada bulan Ramadhan. Dan bila diluar bulan ramadhan dinamakan shalat malam (tahajjud dan witir). Atas dasar itulah mereka menjadikan hadits-hadits shalat malamnya Rasulullah SAW yang 11 rakaat itu untuk menjadi bilangan rakaat shalat tarawih. Namun sebagaimana tertulis di sana, tidak ada satupun hadits shahih yang menyebutkan tentang bilangan rakaat tarawih yang dilakukan oleh Rasulullah SAW. Maksudnya, dengan disebutkan secara eksplisit bahwa shalat itu namanya shalat tarawih yang khusus dilakukan hanya di dalam bulan Ramadhan saja. Semua hadits tentang 11 rakaat itu hanya menyebutkan bilangan rakaat shalat malam secara umum, sama sekali tidak menyebutkan secara spesifik bahwa shalat itu adalah shalat tarawih yang hanya terjadi di bulan Ramadhan.Dan inilah pokok pangkal khilaf di kalangan ulama atas bilangan rakaat tarawih. Hadaanallahu Wa Iyyakum Ajma`in, Wallahu A`lam Bish-shawab,Wassalamu `Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.