Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Qasidah Burdah by Habib Hassan al Kaff


Sout Ilaahi present Qasidah Burdah CD album by Habib Hassan al Kaff. This recitation of the Burdah is unique, as it infuses into your heart the atmospheric ambience of the Nusantara, without forgetting its Middle-eastern essence. This particular Burdah is a must add to your Burdah collection.

Biography:


Habib Hassan alKaff was born in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, where many famous Ulama bore roots since early history.He grew up studying Religious knowledge while receiving tremendous support from his family. After graduating from a local Pesantren, he ventured onwards to Darul Mustafa in Yemen, to further his studies.After the completion of his studies, he promptly returned to Indonesia. Now, he is residing in Solo and teaching at Al Hidayah. At times, he lead the Majlis Burdah together with Ahabbul Mukhtar.

For sales and ordering, please contact Khalid Ajmain at khalid_ajmain@yahoo.com.sg or call +65 90687106. or check out http://soutilaahi.blogspot.com/

The cost of this Burdah CD is $13.00.Singapore dollars. Insha'Allah the Burdah CD will be on sale this saturday 03 may at the life of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.Seminar at Masjid Al Kaff. And we are hoping Wardah Books will be able to sell the CD too.

Friday, April 25, 2008

The new age of music for the youth





Recently, I have been hearing criticism from the majority of our local Muslims on Whirling and hadrah. It seems like our Muslim society lack of exposure and understanding the spiritual concept of knowledge and culture. It saddened me to see the state we are in. We are cursing and labeling others who we don't understand their actions with words which our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. wont even want to utter it. Its time, we discover our lost spiritual culture and heritage, this include music, poetry and arts. We are in the need of reviving the spirit of love, tolerance and humanity. We are becoming ruthless and arrogance. We have the mentality of "Holier than thou" attitude. We measure progress by materialism while the number of social issues and stress are increasing day by day. But in actual fact, we are backdated.

The youth of today are more into spiritual arts and culture. It fascinate them, awaking their hearts to understand God by exploring the subject of spirituality. They felt the sense of belonging to the Tariqa groups because of music, love, remembrance of God and many spiritual activities. This will lead them to righteous path, to contribute their efforts and sincerity to the development and progression of our society. And We are able to have social cohesion. As in spiritual teachings, we learn to love one another and respect Allah's creation, whoever they could be. Ever since bands such as Dewa, Padi, Ungu, Opick, Haddad Alwi, Habib Syech and Ahabul Mustafa, Rabbani band, Debu and many more in Indonesia are making impact in the society life, it shows how important the spiritual culture is to us today.

While the days of Nasheed are completely gone, Rabbani band and another sufi bands or ensemble concerts attract thousand crowds from youth to adults. Most of the youth are no longer inclining towards nasheed. The likes of Nowsweetheart and other nasheed groups found it difficult to have youngsters as their followers. Raihan was the last nasheed group to achieve success on various platform. The last time, we have such nasheed group was Al jawher back in the early 70s. We don't know when nasheed will be popular again in this region. However, the rising number of fusion groups like Rabbani band, Opick, Debu will make an immediate impact to the youth. Therefore, we have to open our mind and hearts so that we are able to feel the inner spirit of the music. When the music is play with the hearts of sincerity, it brings harmony to ourselves and our society.

1 Pic Rabbani Band concert
2 pic Taking baiyah Session after concert

Friday, April 11, 2008

Smoking cigarette

One cigarette already supports Satan kingdom. Did you know that? It is a very simple example which will wake you up. People are burning trillions of dollars for that every day. All for the honour of satan, or did you think they are doing it for Allah? Then they cry about an economical crisis. If they would just stop smoking for one day, it would finish every economical crisis in the world. What can we say?

Mawlana Shaykh Nazim Adil Haqqani
taken from Wake Up The World is Burning

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

The Jakarta trip


The Jakarta trip was awesomely spiritualy amazing experience for me. I didnt have any proper plan, just felt like visiting the Awliyah, somehow i managed to go despite several news about the city was still recovering from flood and having problem with pollution .Being alone traveling is nothing new for me, in fact its something which I always look out for. When you are alone reaching to your destine places, you tend to contemplate on yourself, examine your negative traits, mazmumah although there is a form of anxiety and worry in your heart cause you may not know what to expect in a foreign country especially when you are alone, I always have this certainty when you travel for the sake of Allah, HE will take care of you though, my tawakkal is not to the level of certainty yet.


This is not the first time I'm alone in Jakarta, I have been traveling alone for the past few years. As usual, have to be wary with the pickpockets and daylight robbers. I often pray with the baraqah of the Awliyah, I am protected. I felt comfortable over there perhaps because I look like the locals and able to speak bahasa Indonesia well and they really thought I am their fellow country man. Thank god! Bro Verdino would deny I look like typical Javanese, he said I am more of Sumatran mix with other races. Well, in every places you go be it the holy land, west or even Singapore i am sure there are good and evil trying to conquer each one of us. It just that we have the tendency of looking down on the 3rd world countries society. People said Indonesia is the land of Supernatural league, how about Singapore then? We label them with various name and making ourselves proud of being the most progressive nations yet we are far behind from their good characteristic.


The biggest problem in Jakarta is the traffic congestion. It begins in the morning and till the wee hours. I have to admit, I cant take the long hours being stuck on the road. I tend to lose my patience. Luckily, during the visit of maqam Shaykh Abdul Rauf ride me. I believe it solve our problem in traveling from one place to another. Thanks to him and other Naqshbandi Haqqani brothers from jakarta for their help and hospitality in serving me, masha'Allah they are indeed like what Mawlana Shaykh Nazim describe them: "The people with jewel hearts". We managed to Ziyarah the maqam of Habib Ahmad al Haddad, Kuchong together after the khatm khawajagan. We had mawlid and tahlil in the late night, nevertheless, still feel the amazing spiritual vibes. SubahanAllah. I would like to thanks Abdul Rauf, Rizal (chairman), Hidayat, Pak Toni, Pak Aweng, Bro Bahaudin, Verdino and those who keep me company while i was there, I am sorry if I forgot your name. I wont be able to travel smoothly if not for you guys. may Allah bless you and forgive me.

pic: Abdul Rauf at the office of YaYasan Haqqani Indonesia
by Khalid Ajmain

Monday, April 7, 2008

Habib Hassan al Khatib (caretaker of Maqam Habib Noh al Habshi)

Innalillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji`uun. The sad news about the demise of Habib Hassan al Khatib is still on our minds today. In life, we should always expect the unexpected. We miss his voice, salam, love and humility whenever we met him while visiting the Maqam of Habib Noh al Habshi. A simple man, yet kind-hearted, devoting his whole life to being a caretaker of the Maqam of Habib Noh al Habsyi. He often treated his guests well whether they are Scholars, forgeiners or any commoners. He would welcome them with an open heart. May Allah bless his soul.