Sorry for the late post.. :)

Eid ul Adha : The Story of Great Trial of Sacrifice

Eid ul Adha is one of the precious moment for all Moslem. This is the best moment for them to share, to sacrifice, and bring the happiness toward others. Even though most of Moslem have been waiting for the celebration of Eid ul Adha, we’re pretty sure that some of them don’t know yet about what is actually the spirit of Eid ul Adha, the story behind it, and why do Moslem  need to sacrifice certain animal to commemorate this? To answer those questions, you need to check this information!

The History of Eid ul Adha

The history behind Eid-ul-Adha follows the story of the faithful Prophet Abraham (R.A). He was instructed in a dream by Allah  to raise the foundations of  the holy Kaaba, a black stone, the most sacred Muslim shrine in Mecca. Immediately responding to the Lord’s call, Prophet Abraham (R.A)   set off for Mecca along with his wife and son, Ishmael. Prophet Abraham (R.A) had to face a lot of hardships in his way . However, he supplicated Allah’s commands uncomplaining. In a divine dream, he also saw himself sacrificing his son Ishmael for Allah’s sake. When he told this to Ishmael, the latter immediately asked his father to carry out Lord’s commands without faltering and assured that he was completely ready to give up his life for God. Abraham could not bear to watch his son die so he covered his eyes by a blindfold. When he cut Ishmael’s throat and removed the blindfold,   miraculously enough  he was astonished to see that Ishmael was unharmed and instead, he found a dead lamb  which was slaughtered, And this is what Abraham ultimately sacrificed.

In remembrance of this outstanding act of sacrifice (qurbani) by Prophet Abraham(R.A), people sacrifice a lamb, goat, ram or any other animal on Eid-ul-Adha and give the meat to friends, neighbors, relatives and the needy. People who are away from the holy pilgrimage, Hajj, also carry out this traditional sacrifice.

 The spirit of Eid ul Adha

The spirit of Eid ul Adha is a direct result of the amount of sacrifices we make prior to it. In other words, investing our time, money, and wealth translates into not only self-contentment but also to a successful and joyous Eid.Thus, it is not surprising that even though we do not put in as much effort as we should in the month of Ramadhan, the little that we do has an impact on ourselves and makes us feel deserving of celebration when Eid ul Adha comes around.

 Why do Muslims sacrifice an animal on this day?

During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.

Allah has given us power over animals and allowed us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life. Muslims slaughter animals in the same way throughout the year. By saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred.

The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.

It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37)

The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.

 What else do Muslims do to celebrate the holiday?

 On the first morning of Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world attend morning prayers at their local mosques. Prayers are followed by visits with family and friends, and the exchange of greetings and gifts. At some point, members of the family will visit a local farm or otherwise will make arrangements for the slaughter of an animal. The meat is distributed during the days of the holiday or shortly thereafter.

Finally, by knowing the spirit of Eid ul Adha, hopefully , we as a moslem are aware of the meaning of our sacrifice, and having an eagerness to help others so that they can also be joyous on this occasion of Eid.

“We wish you a  very happy and joyous Eid”

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The Importance of Writing Academics Articles for University Students

Writing is an essential element of a strong undergraduate education. It contains the necessary and innovative features for the students to develop their academic skills. Since most of university students are required to make thesis as their passing grade, automatically, they are demanded to have knowledge of writing as well. Therefore, the students need to practice their writing skills from the simple thing in advance. One of the easiest exercises is writing the academic article. Writing academic article is a good beginning for the students not only in improving their writing skills but also in developing their academic argument as well as in conveying their aspiration trough it.

First of all, we have to know why writing an academic article can improve the students writing skill. Writing an academic article is not that easy as everyone can do it. However this is also not too difficult for university students to begin with. The main important thing that the students should know is the basic concept of writing. They should be able to organize good sentences so that they are able to make well organize article. In doing this process, the students should have a lot of vocabularies knowledge and mastering certain aspect like grammar and structure. Thus, by writing an academic article, the students are triggered to learn on how they can develop their vocabularies and making some ideas based on grammatical rule and well structured sentences. Finally, when they have those abilities already, their writing skill will be improved and getting better step by step.  

Second of all, writing an academic article also helps students to develop their academic arguments. In writing articles, the students not only expected to give their own opinion about certain issue, or showing their idea without logical analysis. That is why, they are also demanded to have ability in exploring their ideas and analyze an issue critically. Under this condition, it triggers the students to gain information as much as possible from many literatures, books, or other beneficial resources. They read a lot so that they have expansion of knowledge and finally, they are able to show their ideas and opinion intelligibly.

 Last but not least, writing academic article can be an appropriate media for the students to convey their aspirations. Since university students tend to like criticize something, writing an academic article is a smart way for the students to express their opinion and criticized certain phenomenon around them. For example, when they want to criticize government policy about education, they can express their feeling appropriately trough writing an article about education.  Instead of doing demonstration which cause a chaos, articles is more acceptable for society or government to get the message and values of what the students want to deliver so that government and society are aware of what exactly happened in their circumstances.

In conclusions, writing academic articles is a good way to get students to expand their knowledge, to improve their writing skill, to think seriously about the meanings of common elements in daily life and to frame academic discussion around them.

Intermezzo :D

Once, there was a millionaire who collected live alligators. He kept them in the pool in the back of his mansion. The millionaire also had  beautiful daughter who was single. One day he decided to throw a huge party, and during the party he announced

            “My dear guests... I have a proposition to every man here. I will give one million dollars or my daughter to the man who can swim across this pool full of alligators and emerge unharmed!”

As soon as he finished his last word, there was the sound of a large splash! There was one guy in the pool swimming with all he could. The crowd cheered him on as he kept stroking. Finally, he made it to the other side unharmed. The millionaire was impressed.

He said “My boy, that was incredible! Fantastic! I didn’t think it could be done! Well, I must keep my end of the bargain...which do you want, my daughter or the one million dollars?”

The guy said “Listen, I don’t want your money and I don’t want your daughter! I want the person who pushed me in that water!”

*** J***

A new business was opening and one of the owner’s friends wanted to send him flowers for the occasion. The flowers arrived at the new business site and the owner read the card “Rest in peace”. The owner was annoyed, and called to complain

“Sir, I’m really sorry for the mistake, and sorry you were offended” said the florist.

“But even worse, somewhere there is a funeral taking place today, and they have flowers with a note saying, “congratulation on your new location” “.

***:D***

Clever News Reporter

A car was involved in an accident in a street. As expected, a large crowd gathered. A newspaper reporter, anxious to get his story could not get near the car. Being a clever sort, he started shouting loudly

“Let me trough! Let me trough! I am the son of the victim”.

The crowd made way for him. Lying in front of the car was a donkey.

***:v***

Howdy guys, I've just learn how to make narrative text. Then..I start practice by making this short story. I believe it is not interesting story anymore, moreover there's so many grammatical error, but I hope that people will enjoy it. Even if not, at least I can get such kind of appreciation since I know how hard my struggle to make it, hehe..
#I don't know yet about the title anyway :D

Early morning, a young girl woke up from her tight sleep. She was really enjoy her night camp with her high school friends. Yeah, Tari, the name of the young girl is have a camping in a small village. She was really excited to wait this moment since he is such a uptown girl who lives in elite area. It means, she even never feel how people lives in out of her space. Nevertheless, even if she was overprotected by her parent, she is unlike the other rich girl who tend to act spoil, arrogant, and hedonist although actually her parent are such kind of those type. Her parents protect her a lot, they really care with whom does their daughter play with, considering someone’s background, and other action which most rich people are suppose to do. That is why it was no wonder Tari got a problem in making friendship because her parent really interfere on that. However, she has a close friend that she really trust in. Unfortunately, they were apart since they graduate in elementary school. Tari didn’t know where she is now, her parent didn’t allow her to meet her beloved friend at that time. After that, she even never heard information about her friend.

            In this small village where she camp has a very beautiful scenery and fresh air. Tari didn’t want to spend her time without enjoying this atmosphere. Then, she decided to take a walk for a moment. She was alone because some of her friends haven’t awaken yet. When she walked for a miles, she saw there was a young girl bringing a big tray while yelling

            “Mendoan, mendoan...would you like some mendoan ma’am? Don’t you want to try some sir?” the young girl offered her food which made from tempe which is already seasoning with flavor and well fried. From her physical appearance, the girl definitely from the poor background family. Her cloth was so old fashion, the skin was not treat well, perfectly bad looking. Tari was so impressed showing that young girl.

            “what the hell? Is there anyone who sincerely get up in this early morning in favor of getting some money? This is crazy. What a pity girl” she thought.

By the chance, Tari was hungry anyway after she walked for a miles. Then, she decided to buy some. She started to approach the girl.

            “Excuse me, can I have some please” she said.

The girl was so delighted “Sure, it’s still warm” she replied obviously.

            “ Wow...it’s really delicious”

            “Really? I made it by myself, so glad that you like it”

            “Yeah, I like it a lot” Tari just smile.

            “By the way, where are you from? it seems like you’re new comer here”

            “No, I’m not. I’m just students of Senior high school, my school having a camp here”

            “Oh..I see” the girl nodded.

While having a small conversation, Tari felt there was something weird with this girl. As long as they talked, she feel that this girl keep staring at her. Suddenly, the girl started to talk

            “Mmm..do you know? I guess I’ve known you from somewhere”

            “Really?” She didn’t know why she starting feel uncomfort now. Then she replied again

            “I don’t think so, have we ever met before?”

            “Yes we did, it has been long time” the girl smile. The situation makes Tari more curious.

            “I knew you won’t recognize me Tari” the girl smile. Tari was so surprise. She tried to collect every single pieces of her memory about the girl in front of her. “Who is she actually? How does she know my name?” she thought. She really can’t remember it.

            “I’m your old friend, Aisyah” the girl told Tari which make her really shock. Aisyah understood what did Tari think from her expression.

            “It was a long story Tar” she said. Still, Tari only looking at her old friend without saying anything. She is speechless. She can’t believe she could meet her old friend since many years they were apart. And now, after a long time, she found her friend in a worse condition as like this.

            “Did you remember the day we apart when elementary school graduation?” Aisyah begin the story because she knew that her friend really want to know what was happened to her. “ A few month after that, my father passed away. We have to move to this village where my mother was born in. But, since my mother don’t have any job, I decided stop my study to help her looking for a job. And as like you see, this is my job right now, there’s no other job that better than this for the girl who only graduate from elementary school like me”

It was really painful for Tari heard the reality. She cried a lot while hugging her old friend tightly. But, the most painful is, Tari didn’t know one thing. The truth is that, Aisyah didn’t move because of her father death, but the main reason is because she asked by Tari’s mother keep away from her as far as  possible. Until now, Aisyah actually still disappointed. But she knew that she shouldn’t blame her friend. And she decided to keep avoiding Tari even it hurts. In the other hand, Tari didn’t know what to do. She wanted to help her friend but she can’t do anything right now. Even if she asking for help to her parents, they won’t help her anymore.