The definition can be found in Al-Quran (al-Qadar:1-5).

In the name of God, the Benevolent, the Merciful.
1 Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Predestination.
2 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is!
3 The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
4 The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees.
5 (The night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn.

During the last ten days of Ramadan, Muslim do some retreat in the Mosque. They read Al-Quran and pray as they believe that Allah would grand those who pray out of sincere faith one night which is better than a thousand months (of praying).

One who is granted would feels a certain sensation or experience. However, those who don't might presume the coming of the beautiful night as there are visible signs such as the sun rises early in the morning without rays, rain may fall either during the night or during the day of that night, during night the sky will be lightly foggy,the sky will be slightly lighted without reflections and without rays.

Labels: islam

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In 2003, I got married to this wonderful husband named Hadi. Since then, my life has changed. Same thing with how I spend Idul Fitri.

Being his wife makes me have to go with him to his parents' house in the morning, right after we finish the Ied prayer. Of course, since we live close to my parents', we see them first, but only for a while.

In his parents' house, we have breakfast, then follow her mum and siblings to some of his family's houses like his aunties or elder cousins.

In each house, we 'must' taste cookies or even some meals they have prepared for the guesses. Normally, we go to 3 - 5 houses. After that, we go back to his parents' house, have lunch if we haven't then serve cookies and drinks for guesses coming to see his mother.

At 03.00 PM, we'd go back to my parents' house. There are my parents' siblings that we need to meet. Some of my parents' cousins, nieces and nephews come, too.

Before being a wife, I would be spending the whole first day of Idul Fitri at my parents' house and help them serve the guesses.

The second day stays almost the same before or after I got married. My parents and I (and sometimes along with my husband if he doesn't have to go with his family to some relatives' houses) go to our relatives' houses. Cookies and meals are everywhere...

We do celebrate this beautiful day...

Can't wait 'til it comes!

Labels: islam

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It's about mortifying the flesh. You must forbear your mondial desires and passions. Especially during the day, in between pre-dawn and after-sunset meals.

It is meant to turn you into a better person. Pure, right on the winning day, Iedul Fitri.

Holding your desire to eat reminds you of the unfortunate ones who might only have the chance to eat once in every two days or even longer.

Holding your desire of intercourse can forbear you from zina.

Holding your desire to get angry helps you be a gentle person.

Fasting also makes you closer to God. No one can tell whether you really fast or not. You can simply get into a restaurant without being seen by anyone you know to whom you claim your fasting. But, God sees you. It's simply between you and God. It's like a special 'relationship' containing honesty with your Creator.

Those who really understand how special fasting is feel as special.

Labels: islam

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I love them so much that whenever I'm in one, I want to go home!

Huh?

Why would I go home from a place that I love?

Whenever I'm in one, ideas come unstopably. First, some phrases, then some plots.

Oh yeah, I love bookstores.

They make me wanna go home and write.

I wish I had a laptop so I can start writing down those ideas anywhere, anytime.

Labels: books, writing

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Again, I've got my short story published in a magazine. For that particular magz, it is my 3rd. But, overall, this is my 6th short story in several magz.

I am sooo happy!

My first short story published in a magazine was in August 2004, the second one in December 2004 at the same magazine. The third one was in July 2005, fourth in April 2006, fifth in December 2007, all in the same magazine.

This 6th one is published in the same magazine as the first 2 ones. This magazine was once my favorite when I was a university student back then.

I hope the will be more...as I won't stop writing either.

Thanks, Femina!

Labels: writing

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Here are some of them:

• Muslim do not eat, starting from 10 minutes before their pre-dawn prayer (Subuh) up to their sunset prayer (Maghrib).


• After their last prayer of the day (around 1 hour after the sunset prayer), they will pray together for several rakaats (rakaat is a measure of a prayer, each consists of standing, bowing and prostrating and sitting). Some do it for 11 rakaat, others for 23 rakaat.


• They spend more time to read Al-Qur'an.


• During the day, husband and wife are not allowed to have intercourse.


• The pre-dawn meal is called sahur, and it is better for them to take it--although some think that they can still do their fasting without it--as the meal is blessed by Allah (God).


• When they break their fasting, normally they eat dates.


• They feel closer to Allah as this is the month where Allah rain on them bunches of love and mercy.
  

Labels: islam

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Currently, I'm working as a web content editor for http://astro-oasis.com/en/. What must I do? And, what makes me love this job?

Here are the answers:

1. I have to update the website at least four to five times a week.
2. I write articles on various Astro Oasis programs.
3. I have the chance to watch various excellent documentaries--because I have to write about them.
4. I prepare live chat events with various Indonesian prominent people.
5. I also have to do some reporting jobs should there be any interesting external or internal events.
6. I have to submit program schedules once a month--and that takes me about 2 whole days to complete.
7. I also have to submit daily praying time.
   
8. I prepare monthly report on visitors and hits.
9. I manage the whole content.
10. I have to connect with the website provider--which is quite challenging!
11. I love this job because it suits my passion (writing and web content editing)
12. It relates to my belief, so I tend to become more religious.
13. It broadens my knowledge.

Labels: job, thursday 13

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Please help. If you have a four year old kid, share your story with me here.

My daughter, Hana, has 20 teeth now (10 up, 10 down). But, last night she got a fever. And, I had this suspicion that the cause was another tooth that would be coming out anytime soon.

I touched her gum and it seemed to be different. As if a tooth is trying hard to show up.

Today, her temperature was getting normal. But, it seems like it's getting up again.

It's 9 PM here, and she's still awake. She insisted that she wasn't sleepy yet.

So, kindly share what you know to this panic Mama. Thanks!

Labels: hana, health

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Labels: hana, wordless wednesday

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