Ode to the MoonWalker

MJ's songs live on...

I shed tears when the late Princess Diana died

I shared my emotions at her accidental death

with my beloved mother then a decade or so ago

the dearly departed Princess of Hearts soothed

millions of worldly citizens to cry buckets then.

 

And now the final curtain has been drawn on

the late King of Pop — a legend in his own right

who only recently told his global fans, “This is it!”

I can never fathom what Michael Jackson meant

neither could the whole world understand the King.

 

Throughout his life, miseries sealed his unhappiness

troubles followed suit wherever the MoonWalker went

from slanderous to scandalous media frenzy and chaos

MJ had to withstand pressures so menial but tangible

yet he overcame them all and the  icon still stood tall.

 

50 live concerts at 50 years old does sound a tall order

but no, not to him, he’d have faced all the challenges

like a real macho man whose sincerity only God knows

the hardships and struggles toward the end of his days

only echoed and proved what the King of Pop is made of.

 

Guts of steel and icy cold snow-whitened familiar face

of the dearly departed, who’ll surely be missed in time

I shall not cry for you Michael Jackson and expect no

tears from me, the day your music died and got buried

millions mourn your passing, their hearts poured to you.

 

Your future brighter days lie ahead in the Hereafter

to be filled with infinite comforts and endless joy

minus paparazzis and blood-sucking human leeches

taking advantage of your gentle, soft-spoken naivety

but fret no more, my farewell King, you are on your own.

 

It’s time to enjoy everlasting beauties of the Heavens above

which befit the true legendary King of Pop from Planet Earth

from a small kid with a big golden voice to an adult performer

night in, night out you have sung to the world songs of hope

Ode to the King of Pop, the One Most Benevolent to welcome. 

PLK 

 

 

Criss Angel — A Black Magician?!

WAS THE video above part of a well-set up and pre-planned gimmicks? If the people in the video were paid actors and actresses, they sure did a great job at fooling people all the time!

Well, that’s the magic of illusions, I guess.

PLK

The passing of an iconic legend… :(

MAY GOD Bless the late Michael Jackson and may his soul Rest in Peace — Amin!

To quote Beyonce (as a representative reaction from amongst all worldly entertainers):

“This is such a tragic loss and a terrible day. The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music. He was magic. He was what we all strive to be. He will always be the King of Pop! Life is not about how many breaths you take, but about how many moments in life that take your breath away. For anyone who has ever seen, felt or heard his art, we are all honored to have been alive in this generation to experience the magic of Michael Jackson. I love you, Michael.”

YES, WE ALL LOVE YOU IN PEACE AND KINDNESS, MJ! I grew up with the late MJ (albeit the great distance). He was my idol, my inspiration. Many a time, MJ had been misunderstood throughout his musical career. I only see through his kindest of hearts to try to understand such a wonderful human being ever created by God the Almighty!

It was one of the most magical moments in my life to have got the chance to watch MJ perform his historical Live Concert in the Jerudong Park Amphitheatre (a FREE concert staged in Brunei more than a decade ago). After the late King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley and the legendary Beatles, MJ was my real ‘King of Pop’. In a way, I felt sad earlier this morning when I read about MJ’s death. At the same time, I felt kinda relieved that MJ did embrace the Islamic faith not too long ago. No matter how controversial, that particular Muslim conversion, turns out to be now that he’s gone to a much better destination in Paradise, only Allah the Lord of the Universe knows the Best! Wallahu a’lam bissawab.

 

P.S. I am going to the US Embassy to be the first Bruneian to sign a Condolence Book (even if His Excellency the Ambassador of the United States does not instruct his staff to produce one…)

PLK

Beyonce is beyond me^#@* Lucky Jay-Z 2b her Laki! Hehehhe :D

 

Ain’t we all being stressed out with daily chores and our personal lives’ ups and downs sometimes? So let’s have a kit-kat, take a break, break a leg and suss out this Diva of the new century of music.

Poetry in motion to go with Beyonce’s performance of  ”I’m A Survivor”… featuring Destiny’s Child:

Ninja Warrior Survivor

Just gotten over my blues

Some moments ago

Whole body shook

Sobs from heart’s deep

Brought tears swelling

In ugly eyebags, sleep

Deprivation takes its

Toll on Survivor’s soul

The Ninja Warrior roars

Thunderous strength of

Optimism and survival

Instincts in the jungle

Of triviality vs reality

No fear, babe, I am

My own worst enemy

Dear old silly cow me

But Beyonce sums it

Best: “I’m a Survivor!”

Can’t seem to never get enough of Beyonce — 2009 may just turn out to be her Golden Year, y’all listen up yo!

Mrs Bee feat. Usher &  L’il Wayne to “Love In This Club”

PLK (feat. Beyonce)

 

 

 

Israk Mikraj or the Night Journey

IN LESS THAN a month’s time, Muslims globally will commemorate the anniversary of the Night Journey or the “Israk Mikraj” or the miraculous Ascension of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam (Peace be upon him) to the Heavens:

Courtesy of http://uniqinc.wordpress.com/ (to read the full details) — “Lessons from Israk and Mikraj”

“May you all be blessed by Allah… Let us strive to increase our Taqwa (complete and full devotion) to Allah. Fulfill all our duties and responsibilities. Increase our taqwa with the trust and confidence that when we fulfil our duties, we will be blessed with a successful life both in this world and the hereafter. 

Translation of the first verse of Surah al-Israk: “Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,- in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who hear and see (all things).”

In the blessed Islamic calendar month of Rejab, a very important event that happened to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) more than 1400 years ago i.e. the event of Israk and Mikraj. Through this event, the five daily prayers were made an obligation upon all Muslims. Israk is the night journey of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) from Masjidil Haram in Mekah to Masjidil al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. Mikraj was his ascension from Masjidil al-Aqsa to the highest heavens. The journey is to become a miraculous event that was bestowed solely upon Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam (peace be upon him). He was given the sole privilege to meet Allah Subhannahu Wataala (the Lord of the Universe) at the Sidratil Muntaha, a place never reached by any man nor any angel before him.

It was through this miraculous journey that Allah emphasised further His revelations and teachings to the Prophet, and that what the Prophet had taught and preached to the Ummah (followers) all come from Allah Subhannahu Wataala as can be found in Surah an-Najm verse 1-4 of the Holy Quran:

“By the Star when it goes down. Your Companion (i.e. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.) is neither astray nor being misled. Nor does he speak out of desire. It is no less than inspiration sent down to him.”

It was during this ’rocket science-defying’  journey of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he was also shown several punishments for those who went against the guidance of Allah the Almighty. Those who neglect their prayers, those who did not pay the “Zakat” or Tithe, those who fornicate, those who misuse or abuse the property of the orphans, those who were not trustworthy and many others. As was narrated by a Hadith or a tradition of the  Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam (Peace be upon him):

Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 2: Belief Volume 1, Book 2, Number 28: Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas:
The Prophet (Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam) said: “I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful.” It was asked, “Do they disbelieve in Allah?” (or are they ungrateful to Allah?) He replied, “They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, ‘I have never received any good from you.”

(Heaven lies beneath the feet of a woman’s husband for Muslim wives — lest all wives forget!)

The above is only one of very severe punishments. Punishments that none of us at all would ever want to go through nor can we bear. But this is exactly where the mercy and “Rahmah” of Allah is. Though He punishes, but He informs the Ummah of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam well in advance. This is to deter us. This is to prevent us. This is to protect us. So that we may take heed. So that we will do our duties. So that we will be responsible individuals. So that we will not be punished for being neglectful.

Hopefully, when we fulfill all our duties, and we perform our prayers, and we remain patient and resilient in facing challenges, tests, trials and tribulations in life, Insya Allah (God Willing), we will become among those Believers who will succeed both in this temporary world and the Hereafter (much more permanent), Amin Ya Rabbal Aalamin.”

PLK

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all fathers globally

EARLY Sunday morning, I was really so very touched by my two kids who wished me Happy Father’s Day! I cried silent tears in my heart thinking to myself that I have not been such a good Dad to them both. All I could repay them with their kind thoughtfulness are my sincere, heartfelt prayers for them to succeed in this temporary life and the Hereafter… Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin.

 Watching CNN News on Father’s Day,  I could only sympathise with one Iranian father who lost her daughter, the late Neda, when she was shot to death during the street protests in Tehran.  As much as I don’t agree with the actions of dissident Iranians amongst the opposition to take to the streets to demand for their rights to democracy, I personally do not condone killings of Iranians from either side of the divided people of the Islamic Republic. Still, the opposition should have just demonstrated in peace without sacrificing innocent lives in spite of severe warnings from the Iranian Spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Iranian Government’s retaliation for the sake of national security. 

PLK

Happy Birthday, my love-lost soul…

Only in my heart

I offer you gifts

of love, peace, kindness

no material wealth

I could present you with

no matter all hopes lost

and all dreams shattered

love still prevails, hidden

deep in emotions, forbidden

by the truth of fortitude

PLK

Personal POV vis-a-vis Iranian political turmoil

Personally, I am on the side of re-elected President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of the Islamic Republic of Iran (whatever the final outcome of troubled events in Iran as they unfold day by day). If I were in President Ahmadinejad’s shoes right now, I would again fly out to Saudi Arabia (having returned from  an official visit to Russia most recently) to pay a courtesy call on King Abdullah in Riyadh. After a ‘four-eyes’ meeting with the Saudi King, I would then perform the small Haj or Umrah in Medinah and Mekah to seek help up close and personal from Allah Subhannahu Wataala.

While being away on such a spiritual sojourn, hopefully things will sort out themselves back home in Iran, Insya Allah (God Willing)… BUT I am not in the Iranian President’s shoes (hehehheh!)  :D :P  

Anyways, below is an extract of a wise advice from a fellow Muslim’s blog www.anwar-alawlaki.com:

12. Defending the mujahideen and standing up for them
The Messenger of Allah (saaws) says: “Whoever protects the reputation of his brother, Allah will protect his face from Hell Fire on the Day of Judgment” (Related by al Tirmithi)
He also says: “Any person who betrays a Muslim whose sanctity is being violated and reputation is being dishonored, Allah will betray him when he is in need of help and any person who protects a Muslim whose sanctity is being violated and reputation is being dishonored, Allah will assist him when he is in need of help” (Related by Abu Dawud)
It is therefore our Islamic duty to stand up for the ones who are defending us and our religion. As a rule of thumb, we should never side by word or deed against our brothers in Islam especially the ones who have given up their lives for Islam and we should never side by word or deed with the disbelievers who are the enemies of our most beloved, Allah subhanahu wa ta’aala.
And if one cannot speak the truth then at least they should remain silent.

13. Fighting the lies of the Western Media
The perceptions of many Muslims are formed by the Western media. Allah says: “O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one (fasiq) with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful” (49:6)
So what about when the news is coming from a kafir rather than a fasiq?!
The danger of the Western media stems from the fact that it puts on the cloak of truth and objectivity when in reality it is no more than the mouthpiece of the devil. Can’t you see that the Western media is constantly trying to underplay the atrocities committed by the West while exaggerating the violations – which are few and far in between – committed by Muslims? Can’t you see how the Western media succeeded in presenting the awlyaa’ (friends) of Allah, the ones who are fighting in His cause, as the followers of evil, while it presents the Pharaoh of this day and his armies as the army of good? The Western media is so good in its deception that its lies pass on a wide section of the Muslim ummah.
The fact is that this media demonizes the mujahideen, spreads lies about them, blows out of proportion their mistakes, tries to sow the seeds of disunity amongst them, attempts to ruin the reputations of their leaders, and ignores or demonizes the scholars of truth when on the other hand, it glorifies and promotes the scholars of falsehood.
So my dear brothers and sisters part of your duty is to campaign amongst Muslims to raise their awareness regarding this issue. You should encourage them to be careful and critical of the Western media. A Muslim should not believe Western sources unless they are confirmed by a trustworthy Muslim one. I say a “trustworthy” Muslim source because the verse was warning us from accepting the news of a disobeying Muslim. Now that is not to say that we should not believe the media in anything it says even in its weather forecasts! No, what we are saying is that you should not believe what they say about Islam and Muslims. A media source that could otherwise be very objective and truthful could become a fabricator when it comes to covering news on Muslims. That is how the disbelievers dealt with Muslims since the dawn of history…and there is no reason for us to believe why that would change.

14. Exposing the hypocrites
The hypocrites represented a great danger to the Muslim community during the time of the Prophet, and they still do. The Messenger of Allah would fight them by exposing their lies. If the battle with the kuffar was primarily a battle of swords, the battle against the hypocrites was primarily a battle of words. Since the hypocrites hide behind the cloak of religion to spread their poisonous ideas, the way to fight them is by revealing the truth and exposing their lies. Your weapon against them is Quran and Sunnah.
Some of these hypocrites could be very charismatic. They could appear to be very impressive, but they are fake. Allah says: “And when you see them, their forms please you, and if they speak, you listen to their speech. They are as if they were pieces of wood propped up – they think that every shout is against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?” (63:4)
The fake scholars and deviant ideologies need to be exposed for what they are.

PLK

Forever a poet-wannabe! :P

I hate to lose a couple more prose I posted in my tag some weeks back so I re-posted ‘em in here:

Human conflict

Human nature to agree to disagree

Petty quarrel leads to major conflicts

Wars break out when leaders clash

At the end of the day, relations suffer

Every person for himself or herself

No man is an island but I am my own I

You are you and don’t meet eye to eye 

That is the way most people treat others

Respect is a value that has gone awry

Great attitudes are things past gone by

 

Starving in Hunger

 

A scavenger for love

wanders the globe

a drifter in fantasy

lost in a time zone

meant for dreamers

of future unknown

hungry for fleshy

meat of easy prey

dying in starvation

yet working hard

a stranger surviving

alone but not lonely

in the coldness of

the wilderness country

searching for lost soul

looking for real sanity

in the world’s surreality

of a crazy uncertainty

months of travelling

came to a dead end

back to own roots

a soldier of fortune

shall return home

to waiting arms

of his family

in reunion.

 

PLK

Alone again, naturally

Once in a blue moon

shun God not, my son

think of Him, my daughter

in your every waking hour

always pray in your heart

remember His Greatness

His Kindness, Generosity

unrivalled by humane deed

just when you sit hopeless

a small token of fortune comes

your way when you least expect it

and you have only Him to thank for

at the crack of dawn, you may reflect

at all the glad tidings or misgivings

no two ways about it, slaves of the

Almighty Lord of the Universe

take it or leave it, think and think

again and again, God is the One!

 

PLK