Adab dan Seni dalam Bersahabat

Antara adab & seni dalam bersahabat adalah, bila berjumpa beramai-ramai, elakkan bercakap tentang perkara yg mana satu atau dua orang kwn akan rasa tersisih sbb perkara itu tiada kena mengena dgn mereka. Mereka mungkin tidak berani mencelah kerana takut dikatakan mengganggu atau tidak faham konteks perbincangan. Akibatnya, mereka rasa dipinggirkan dan tak diperlukan.

Sebagai contoh, ada kwn yg mungkin sedikit lemah dalam hal akademik, jadi bila berjumpa elakkan bercakap tentang hal yg terlalu advanced, tentang peluang kerja yg datang bertimbun, tentang tawaran utk buat Masters atau PhD, dan seumpamanya. Dah tentu dia akan rasa tersisih kerana dia tahu dia tidak sehebat itu (dlm konteks tersebut). Klu nak sembang pasal 'tawaran' utk masuk kubur terus takpe, sbb itu tajuk umum utk semua. Semua pakat ingat mati :p

Kena ingat, Allah dah bahagikan rezeki & nikmatnya secara adil untuk semua. Jumlahnya, di mana, bila dan bagaimana bentuknya itu hanya Dia yang tahu. Sama-sama kita lebih cakna, jaga hati kawan-kawan semampu yg boleh. Itu lah adab bersahabat namanya.

Saling mengingatkan. Teruskan tersenyum :)

Cerita tentang botol air & basikal

Seorang sahabat saya, hobinya berbasikal. Paling kurang pun, sudah menjadi rutin setiap hujung minggu dia akan berbasikal berpuluh kilometer demi mendapat kesihatan yang baik.

Suatu hari, sedang dia membasuh botol air yg biasa dibawa ketika berbasikal, isterinya menyapa dari belakang, "Hai bang, ikhlas ke basuh botol air tu?"

Soalan itu biasa, tapi sebenarnya sarat dengan pengajaran yang perlu difikirkan. Dia hanya tersenyum, tetapi jauh dibenaknya dia terfikir, ikhlas kah dia membasuh botol air tersebut.

Dia terus bermonolog: Ikhlas maksudnya melakukan sesuatu kerana Allah. Jadi adakah aku basuh botol air ni kerana Allah? Kebiasaanya orang akan kaitkan sifat ikhlas dengan amalan keagamaan atau perbuatan yg ada kaitan langsung dengan ganjaran pahala oleh Allah, i.e. menolong orang, memberi sedekah, dll.

Dia cuba keluar dari pemikiran sempit kepada konteks yg lebih luas. Kata hatinya, ikhlas itu tidak hanya kepada amalan ritual agama, tetapi mencakupi apa jua yang kita buat. Jika aku makan makanan yang sedap-sedap, pakai pakaian yang bersih dan cantik, atau berkereta mewah, itu juga termasuk dalam konteks ikhlas.

Bagaimana begitu, sedangkan makanan yang sedap-sedap sudah tentu untuk diri kita sendiri. Kita berpakaian segak, berkereta besar semuanya untuk diri kita. Bagaimana mahu kaitkan ini semua dengan ikhlas kerana Allah?

Oh senang saja. Makanan yang baik & sedap adalah supaya badan kita sihat. Pakaian yang bersih untuk kehidupan yang lebih baik & sihat, malah memberi imej yang baik kepada orang di sekeliling kita. Kereta mewah tentunya untuk keselesaan, tiada salahnya jika mampu, asalkan bukan niat kita untuk menunjuk-nunjuk kepada orang lain.

Bila kita punya kehidupan yang sihat dan baik, mudah-mudahan kita juga bakal menjadi hamba Allah yang baik. Kita akan lebih bersyukur kapada-Nya. Kesihatan yang baik, kehidupan yang selesa, kelebihan harta benda: bukankah itu juga boleh menjadi penyumbang kepada agama Allah, tidak kiralah dalam apa bentuk sekalipun.

Paling tidak pun ia menjadi penyumbang ke arah menjadi mukmin yg lebih baik.

Jadi aku basuh botol air ni pun sebenarnya kerana Allah. Botol ini perlu dibersihkan supaya ia bebas daripada bakteria atau apa saja elemen yang boleh membawa mudarat kepada kesihatan diri. Tambahan pula aku bawa botol air ni untuk berbasikal setiap hujung minggu demi mendapat badan yang sihat. Aku boleh gunakan badan yg sihat utk beribadat, bekerja mencari nafkah utk anak isteri. Bukankah itu semua amalan yang Allah suka?

Pendek kata, apa sahaja yang kita boleh manfaatkan untuk agama Allah walaupun kita tak nampak kaitan langsung perbuatan tersebut dengan Allah, itu semua termasuk dalam 'melakukan sesuatu kerana Allah'. Dan bila kita buat sesuatu kerana Allah, itulah namanya ikhlas.

Ramai orang mudah untuk kaitkan 'melakukan sesuatu kerana Allah' bila perbuatan itu memerlukan susah-payah & pengorbanan, i,e. berperang dgn rasa malas, lapar dahaga, hilang harta benda - cthnya solat, puasa, bersedekah, berjihad di medan perang, dll sebab kita tak nampak manfaat langsung perbuatan tersebut untuk diri kita.

Allah will never blame us for doing things for our own selves.

Perlukan contoh? Senang saja. Jika kita ada orang gaji di rumah, memang kita tahu kerja dia adalah berkhidmat untuk kita, kerana kitalah tuan dalam konteks ini. Dia lah yg akan sediakan makanan, basuh pakaian, kemas rumah, dll. Tapi dia tetap perlu juga makan makanan yang baik untuk dirinya sendiri utk kekal sihat & bertenaga, dia masih perlu bersihkan diri & pakaiannya supaya kelihatan sentiasa bersih, dia masih perlu membersihkan biliknya sendiri agar dia tidak dihinggapi penyakit jika tinggal dalam bilik yang kotor.

Adakah kita sebagai tuan akan memarahi orang gaji tersebut sebab dia melakukan sesuatu untuk dirinya sendiri, dan bukan untuk kita? Pastinya tidak, sebagaimana Allah tidak akan marah kita kerana melakukan sesuatu utk diri kita sendiri. Bila dia sihat, bersih & gembira, tentunya khidmat yang diberikan untuk kita juga akan bertambah baik. Begitu juga perumpamaan kita sebagai orang gaji & Allah sebagai Tuan.

---

Cerita pasal botol air saja, tapi panjang berjela pula jadinya.. Moga ada sedikit manfaat buat semua.

Teruskan tersenyum:)

- Friendship -

Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.

 .

24/7 isn't the only way

Wow, it has been a while since I last updated this blog.. and I'm not really sure whether there are still people willing to drop by. The tight schedule (konon2) has somehow prevented me from doing this so-called 'leasure' writing..

Anyway, I just found an interesting article published in Nature, and here are some excerpts of what the author has highlighted:

You expect high-quality work — but you do not measure someone's efforts by time spent in the lab in the evenings or on weekends, rather you measure them by the quality of their data.*

*Overbaugh, J. (2011) 24/7 isn't the only way: A healthy work–life balance can enhance research. Nature 477, p27–28

Indeed it is true. There's nothing wrong to work hard, to work at extra times in order to get good results as good results do not normally come by accident (though sometimes they do). It's just important that we spend some of our precious times with those that we love, or have a cup of tea with friends. Life is too short, so make use of every second of it..

Gambar hiasan ~ zaman muda remaja di lab bersama instrucror & demonstrator..

12.12 ~ Birthday Wish

I feel that I shouldn't forget 12.12 every year. Not simply because it's easy to remember,  but it was the date a very close companion of mine was born, 27 years ago. Definitely I wish I could remember every single date that marks the significant occurrence of every important person in my life.. 

During Engineering Dinner ~ 19th September 2006

To Kasfi Mohamed Nor, wishing you happy 27th birthday. Thank you for the support, encouragement and precious moment that we've spent together since the matriculation time, until today. And I do pray the friendship we have built will be lasting till herefater, Insya Allah.

.

Values of Friendship

Well, I’ve been going through the challenging moments since the last  few weeks, and hopefully it will come to the end in 1-2 weeks time. Sometimes, I simply forget to have my lunch on its right time, though I could still have it at 4 or 5 pm.

In fact, all of these challenging situations that I need to go through have taught me to be more systematic and well-organized. Apart from the physical fitness, it also requires mental strength, excellent environment with no external disturbance, as well as proper guide from the right person. I feel so lucky for having friends and seniors who are willing to offer their kind assistances and guidance to me, to ensure that I am on the right track.

Friends may not be able to pull you up
But friends will still think of ways not to let you fall
Friends are those with us in tears and joy.

Oo.. Allah, please make it easy for me, for the family and for all of my friends.. ameen.
.

Back again!

I noticed that my last few postings were about the word 'back'. And this time, I'm glad to announce that Bro. Firdaus is now back at the department after spending more than 2 years in Japan to complete his Masters degree. He reported his duty at the department last week, a week after Eid, but I just had the chance to meet him a few days later.

Bro. Firdaus was my senpai during my undergraduate study at IIUM. Then, we bacame colleagues when both of us joined the department, together with Illiey. Of course, in term of work also, he's still senior than us. Basically, je became of the departmental staff a year before me.

At BioMalaysia, KLCC (December 2006)
.. from left, Illiey, me, Shareef, Firdaus and Fakhrurazi

And yes, we do need young and energetic academicians to accomplish the missions and visions of the university, of course with the help and guidance from experienced staff. But, both of us will be again leaving the university soon. I just got a letter from the MSD, urging us to secure the place for PhD within 6 months from the appointment date..everything must be quick now.

Back to work

After more than 10 days of holiday, I am now back to work. We've spent the first 3 days of Eidul-Fitri at my hometown, Kota Bharu. Then on the 4th day, we headed back to Taiping to celebrate the Eid with our relatives there.

It was a tight schedule for us. But Alhamdulillah, we still managed to visit some relatives and friends that we have not seen for years, particularly in Kelantan. I was so delighted to meet again my former teacher while I was in SK Kor (1990-1995), Puan Norizam Ariffin, among the names that I'd never forget in my life. Then, on the way back to Taiping, we were able to visit one of my best companions, Ahmad Hasanuddin Hj. Mukri. It was also the first time for both Hasanuddins (senior and junior) had a face-to-face session.

Solat terawih di Masjid UIAM.. saat yg pasti ditunggu setiap tahun. Semoga bertemu lagi di Ramadhan yg akan datang..ameen.

It's all over, so now let's put aside the hari raya mood, and concentrate on the work. When I entered the office this morning, there were few more forms under my door that I have to go through and sign. Well, it's one of my jobs now, to make sure that all the shortlisted companies for EIT are relevant to the field biochemical/biotech engineering. Otherwise, it won't be approved. They're quite strict now since students are no longer allowed to undergo their training at research-based institutions. It's difficult for biotech students then..

Huh!

Time is Life

Time passes so fast, it waits for no one. When I was small, the favorite quote about time was "Time is Gold".. later, I heard another quote, "Time is like a sword, if you don't cut with it, it will cut you", or "Time is Money", and so forth.

But "Time is Life" (Masa adalah Kehidupan) is the quote that I like most.

The moment I joined USM in last July is still fresh in my mind. The seven of us were the pioneer batch for the MSc in Chemical Engineering (mixed-mode) here. We've been through challenging paths throughout the year. Alhamdulillah, at last we manage to graduate with MSc scroll in our hand.

From left (standing): Hafiza, Sa'aadah, Faraziehan, Nazri & Nurul;
(sitting) Tan & Kak Siti

To all my colleagues at USM, "Thank You" is the best word to show my appreciation to all of you. Every single minute that we've spent here will always be in my heart.

I wish that we shall see each other agian in the future. Wassalam.

Ahmad Fahmi's Wedding

Yesterday, we (me, Muiz, Anas, Deena & Hasanuddin) had a trip to Seremban, Negeri Sembilan to attend our friend's wedding reception there. It was a big day for Ahmad Fahmi and his wife, Siti Nursyazwani. Again, we'd like to extend our warmest congratulations to both of them. We pray that their marriage will last forever, live happily and being granted with cute babies soon, ameen..

The long journey has really exhausted us, but it was worth it. Lot of old friends have also attended the wedding. I would say that it was the wedding (that I attended) which has received the highest number of friends so far. Well, that's perhaps because of Fahmi's factor, for being one of the most significant characters while in UIA in terms of many things.

I was very happy to see friends whom I haven't seen for a while. At least, we had little time for the chit-chat, and updated the goings-on. Hope to see everyone again, insya Allah.

29th September 2008, 29th Ramadhan 1429H

Hari ke-29 umat Islam berpuasa bagi tahun 1429 H

Hari melihat anak bulan Syawal di Malaysia..tp klu ikut perkiraan tarikh, raya jatuh pd hari Rabu (lusa)

Kalau betul lusa raya, dapatlah sekali lg kita bersolat terawih malam ni..semoga bertemu lg dgn Ramadhan yg akan dtg...ameen

Hari ni genap 16 hari Ahmad Hasanuddin di lahirkan.. Alhamdulillah, dia sihat walafiat & menjadi penyeri keluarga kami, lebih-lebih lg dgn kedatangan Syawal tak lama lg

29 September 2008 juga hari ulangtahun kelahiran yg ke-25 bagi kawan saya, Noor Illiey yg kini berada di Manchester. Sekalung tahniah utk beliau kerana dengan rasminya telah bergelar PhD student di UMIST. Moga terus sukses & bahagia. Happy Birthday!!

Wassalam

2008-2008

Apakah maksud disebalik tajuk post di atas? Mungkin ada di kalangan anda yg terus dapat membaca apa maksudnya.

Ia sebenarnya satu tarikh, iaitu tarikh hari ini.. 20 August 2008, yg mana jika ditulis dlm bentuk angka, akan jd 20-08-2008. Ia sebenarnya satu tarikh yg cantik & unik. Jadi saya mengambil kesempatan ini utk mencoretkan sesuatu bersempena dengan tarikh ini.

Yang jelas, walaupun susunan tarikh ini kelihatan cantik, tp tiada apa keistimewaan atau maksud tersirat di dalamnya. Cuma bila direnungkan, tetiba teringat pd seorang sahabat. Lebih kurang 2 tahun yg lepas ketika di UIAM, beliau yg sebenarnya mula menyebut tarikh ini. Apa katanya? Dgn nada yg berseloroh, tp mungkin jg serius, katanya bhw dia bakal melangsungkan perkahwinannya pd tarikh ini.

Hmm..nampaknya tarikh ini hampir berakhir tatkala saya memulakan bicara ini. Dan adakah sahabat ini benar-benar mengotakan apa yg telah dikatakan? Suka diingatkan bhw ia bukanlah suatu janji yg perlu dikotakan sebenarnya. Namun andai kata beliau masih belum mengakhiri zaman bujangnya, maka nasihat saya utk beliau, jgnlah tunggu lagi kerana tarikh ini takkan kembali lg..tidak sekali-kali. Hari ini ia berlalu dalam lipatan sejarah. Janganlah ditunggu tarikh 20-09-2009 pula lepas ni. Lama lagi tu..

Akhir kalam, saya doakan sahabat ini akan dipertemukan dengan wanita idaman hati, juga memenuhi kehendak keluarga, dan yg paling penting memiliki ciri wanita mu'minah yg bakal menjadi penyeri hidupmu kelak. Hakikatnya, diri kita sendiri yg akan menjadikan sesuatu tarikh itu penuh makna & bersejarah, wlupun pd zahirya ia hanyalah susunan angka yg tidak begitu cantik.

Wassalam.

p/s: cuba teka siapakah sahabat itu;-)?

Farewell Gathering

Alhamdulillah, at last I managed to accomplish all the tasks (EIT Visits) assigned to me before my study leave period starts. But still I have to mark the report & submit all the necessary documents to EIT unit later. I went to Kelantan on last Saturday to visit all the five students currently doing their EIT there. I actually grabbed the chance to spend few days at my kampung before moving to Penang soon. I visited three students at Institute for Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Health Campus of USM on Sunday, and the other two students at Majlis Perbandaran Kota Bharu (MPKB) on Monday. Then, I went back to KL on Tuesday. Lot of things happened while I was in Kelantan (other than the visits), both good and terrible. I might have thought that it was better not to go back when I keep thinking about those terrible moments. Well, let’s not talk about it. At least it was worth enough when I saw my mom’s face, smiling and crying. Mom, Insya Allah, one day, your son will fulfill all your dreams and turn your tears to smile, no more crying and suffering.

On Friday, 20^th June 2008, 3:00 pm, we had a small farewell party at the Biomolecular Engineering Research Unit (Bio-MERU) meeting room. The party was actually initiated & organized by Syahida, Shima, Alawiyah, Husna & Ain for me, Deena & Amirul (hehe..I guessed so) since the three of us will be leaving IIUM by end of June. It was a surprise for us. We didn’t expect that they have planned the party for us. It was also the last day I met all of them because when I come back from EIT visit in Kelantan, they would have left to Terengganu for the BIOTEK Project Meeting there. Though simple, the word ‘thank you’ should be the best & most suitable word to express my gratitude for their kindness and advocacy that they have given. May our friendship remain forever, amin..

Some faces that will still stay in IIUM after my leave..the RAs

See you again!

I slightly feel that, eventually, I’m able to leave. It’s time for me to leave, enough of being left. Haha! There were few companions close to me have left before. It started with Faraz who left to Carnegie Mellon Uni, then Aimi to LGM, Kak Maya to UPSI, Illiey to UMIST, Shareef to NUS, Prof. Farouk to UBD, Kak Anis to UPM, and lastly Faizal to ASM. Syahida had joined the group just before Prof. Farouk left, and only Faizal, Kak Anis & Amirul were here at that time, not forgetting my dear wife too. After Dr. Hamzah took over the project as a leader, then Shima, Ain, Alawiyah & Husna came, to be part of the family. Yeah, this is life. Some people come into our lives and quickly go, and some stay for awhile. No one will stay at one place forever. Life is dynamic, rite? Wish everyone happy in their path, may the success be ours!

Thanks!

Tribute, Farewell to Dr. Anis Shobirin

Wednesday, 30th April 2008 was the last day for Dr. Anis Shobirin, a friend, elder sister, and mentor of mine, at UIAM. That day, we held a small farewell party for her.

Dr. Anis has been working as a Research Assistant for Prof. Dr. Farouk since August 2007 after she finished doing the lab works for her PhD degree. My warm congratulation to her for has successfully obtained the PhD in last March, and for has been appointed as a lecturer at UPM. Not forgotten, for her 4th coming soon baby, insya Allah.

I got to know her when I was doing my final year project, supervised by Prof. Dr. Farouk. We were working in a same lab, namely Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Lab. Lot of things I have learnt from her. Her advices, tips, and guides particularly in doing research would always be useful to me.

Chocolate Indulgence from Secret Recipe

Syahida, Shima, Faizal, Nazri, Dr. Anis, Dr. Hamzah

We wish her the very best in all future endeavors. May Allah's blessings be always with her and her family.