Selamat Hari Raya Puasa

"Selamat Hari Raya Puasa, Maaf Zahir dan Batin" are phrases we normal heard the people say when the Muslim completed their fasting month of Ramadhan and the feast started.

But what actually happen during this month....

I did the same fasting during my schooling days in Kelantan.

I started fasting in the month of Ramadhan during Form One and quit fasting one year after Form Six. I am quitting as some kampong people said I am weird, fasting and yet I am not Muslim. Furthermore I am really exhausted working alone cutting down sago in the farm without food and water.

In the beginning, I know nothing of fasting and I fast because my Muslim friends are fasting. Our Ustaz and Ustazah at the school really helped in my understanding of what fasting really is. But my friend used to laugh at me for fasting without pahala (grace).

They used to say, "Ah! Ari, your fasting is worthless. You are not a Muslim"

But Ustaz told me that fasting is more than food alone, it include your eyes and your ears, your hands and your legs, your mouth, your tongue and your nose, your desire and your heart.

What a wonderful fast it can be?!

It trains my eyes to be impartial and merciful.

It trains my ears to be attentive to the goodness of others.

It trains my hands to be fast to help others.

It trains my legs to avoid bad hats but fast to go where the help is needed.

It trains my mouth to speak gracious words to encourage and uplift others who are down.

It trains my tongue to hold tight when bad word comes to my ears.

It trains my desire to be holy.

It trains my heart to have love and compassion towards others.

Wonder why they said it's worthless for me!!!!

Even when Allah do not give me anything as per my friend said but Fasting trained me to be a better person.

In a few days , we are having Hari Raya Puasa celebration  and I wish you, brothers and sisters,

"SELAMAT HARI RAYA PUASA. MAAF ZAHIR BATIN."

It's a day to celebrate the training is completed with flying colours. Fasting month is completed full heartedly and the new being emerge with purity of mind and heart and ready to walk amongst the wolves.

It's a celebration of victory over the Evil.

Once again,

"SELAMAT HARI RAYA PUASA. MAAF ZAHIR BATIN."

May Peace be with you.

Durian Time at SS2

It's Friday and I have taken a half day leave specially for this durian eating session at SS2 Petaling Jaya. 

Furthermore my Father-in-law is in town to accompany me eating durian which I never taste since a few yaers ago.

We chose the stall on the left next to the Nasi Lemak stall.

As the middle age man cracked open the first durian, "WOW!"

So inviting as if saying..."EAT ME!!!!"

My head was a bit headache when we arrived at the durian stall but I just ignore it. My mind was focused on tasting this King of Malaysia fruits and my headache gone by the time I took my first bite.

My father-in-law just smiled at me as I took picture of him and he said, "Makan lar!" which meant "Eat!"

Actually he is not eating but his wife is eating the durian with me.

His wife is enjoying her durian. I thought she really can eat durian but the end she is just an average durian eater like me.

While we were eating the sign on the stall, shout at us "EAT UNTIL YOU FULL for RM 9.90".

My wife said we should eat at least three durian each but by the 4th durian, we surrendered.

My wife ask for the camera to take my picture eating durian but I ignore her and took her picture instead.

For those who love durian, now is the good time to have a go at SS2 Durian stall which is just next to the Police station or next to my favourite Nasi Lemak Stall. Can't wait for the second round.