BUANASENI

 

F@#£ Y%& Seem To Be Not The Hardest Words To Say

You say F@#£ Y%&

I'd say F@#£ Y%& too

You say F@#£ your mama

I'd say F@#£ your mama too

The truth is,

We are all F@#£ers

We say F@#£ Y%& to each other

It bounces back to us

Almost instantly

As if we are saying F@#£ me

At least then your opponents,

Would also say F@#£ me too

So, F@#£ it

F@#£ Y%& all

Mother F@#£ers!

By Jo Haq

31 December 2023

2:53 pm

Bukit Jelutong

 

Love

It is a disease with different faces

Anxiety,

..... when finding it

Fear,

..... of losing it

Depression,

..... when it leaves you

And afterwards

It is almost not repairable

Like a fully melted ice cube

Deformed of its shape

Sprawling on the floor

Contaminated by dirt and particles

How would you gather it?

Or even press a reset button

You are a fly that has lost a wing

A threadfin with a hook caught it its eye

An old car with no replacement carburettor

A lonely albino whale

Yet, 

It is unlike the ice

A twist of juxtapose

Your heart stops melting

It shall be frozen

Like the five million square mile of ice

Right there downunder

By Jo Haq

29 December 2023

21:55 pm

Bukit Jelutong

 

STAY STILL

Syahbandi Samat

2023

Ballpoint Pen on Canvas

59.5 cm X 69.5 cm

Solo Show "The Road Less Travelled"

Artemis Art / Harta Gallery

Acquisition Date: 24 December 2023

 

Should the Kid Care What Jeans to Wear Tomorrow?

The clock strikes twelve

The luna is hiding,

..... behind the clouds

Go to sleep!

Go to sleep!

Says the mother

As the kid swipes the phone

Amusing himself with,

..... TikTok shit

And stupid moronic,

..... Disney LBGT crap

So he went to sleep

Setting the alarm,

..... at precisely seven a.m.

As if not recognising

That Subuh ends exactly that

He dozed off to neverland

..... almost immediately

With nothing in mind to worry

A blissful soul so to speak

Not troubled by any weight

.... on his shoulders

But only to decide,

Which jeans to wear tomorrow

Meanwhile .....

Far, far, away .....

In the land of "Watermelon"

A kid sobs to the death

..... of his mother

..... of his family

..... of his people

..... of his nation

..... of his dignity

..... of his freedom

Hit by the blue star of David

By Jo Haq

21 December 2023

2:32 am

Shah Alam

 

I Am Going to Bed

The TV series is dead boring

Full of rubbish of today's thing

That seems quite annoying

Almost brain destroying

Whatever happened to creativity?

Stuff like Seinfeld type comedies

Or even the drama oldies

When Mom asks why JR dies?

Ahhh..... those years,

..... of no remote control

Switching a knob,

..... almost with a soul

And we leave for the bed,

..... when mysteries unfold

Satisfying of the stories told

Never were we enslaved

Like a madman in a cave

Binging away to our grave

The TV series is dead boring

I am going to bed

By Jo Haq

19 December 2023

23:01 pm

Shah Alam

 

The Ultimatum

The reset button on a Macbook

The final sweep of Corleone

The demise of Vader

The red pill of The Matrix

The exodus of the elfs

The wrath of Hittokiri Battousai

The finger snap of Thanos

The drop on Hiroshima

The Krakatoa eruption

The fall of Babylon

The big flood of Noah

The anti-matter suction

The release of Gog and Magog

The trumpet blow of Israfel

The armageddon

The End for a Beginning

By Jo Haq

15 December 2023

12:54 am

Shah Alam

 

Bila Boleh Berjumpa Sebelum Kita Mati?

Wahai Kawan!

Bila boleh berjumpa sebelum kita mati?

Sang Saka Harimau termenung

Dilihatnya awan kelabu

Berarak melintas langit

Seakan-akan menghalang

Jalur-jalur cahaya mentari

Daripada diterimanya nikmat

Makhluk di atas bumi

Mereka menunggu sakan

Agar mingirnya awan tebal itu

Semoga ianya tidak jatuh

Rebah membasahi tanah

Harapnya beredar jauh

Agar bersinar kembali

Cahaya-cahaya silaturrahim

Sesama insan-insan yang hina

Sang Saka Harimau mengaum lembut

Wahai Kawan!

Tunggu sahaja awan itu berlalu

Oleh Jo Haq

13 Disember 2023

17:52 petang

Shah Alam

 

Pergi Tiada Kembali

Apabila rebahnya langit ungu

Terjurailah rahsia alam

Jatuh menimpa bumi

Menghancurkan zat-zat

Yang selama ini dipersendakan

Maka bahlah tanah hijau

Diragutnya semua nikmat

Hilang, pergi dan menjauh

Ghaib tak tercapai apa pun

Seolah-olah alam ini yakin

Bahawa ia bermakrifat

Kerana semua yang diberi(Nya)

Nescaya akan diambil 

Pergi tiada kembali

Oleh Jo Haq

13 Disember 2023

15:15 petang

Shah Alam

 

Confession of an Epitome Pragmatist

I have become lazy

As lazy as a koala bear can be

And the sweet thing is

I embrace that laziness

A very liberating feeling

As if it is a pleasure

That I had never experienced before

I have become oblivious

As oblivious as a tabby cat can be

And the cool thing is

I enjoy that oblivion

A 'Don't Give a Fuck' feeling

As if it is a bliss

That I had never explored before

I have become 

What I should have become

Many moons ago

And if you people have issues

I do not give a damn

By Jo Haq

4 December 2023

1:37 pm

Bukit Jelutong

 

 

MCDONALD'S DI RUSSIA TUKAR NAMA?

Rujukan:

1. Ekstrak dari Facebook

Akaun Abu Raziq Ansorullah.

2. Sumber berita :

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/06/12/business-food/mcdonalds-restaurant-replacement-russia-ukraine-intl/index.html

Di Russia, McD telah berhenti dan diberhentikan operasi dan dijenamakan semula sebagai Вкусно — и точка (Vkusno i tochka) - hamba tak reti nak sebut 😄... tapi maknanya ialah 'Tasty! Period' atau 'Sedap! Noktah'.

Guna premis yang sama, menu yang sama dan pekerja semua sama, tiada siapa pun diberhentikan. Pengunjung-pengunjung pun sama.

Yang tak sama adalah logo dan royalti tak payah bayar kepada McD US.

Kat negara-negara Islam, tak berani dan banyak sangat kebimbangan yang bukan-bukan. Siap guna influencer Islam, Mufti dan orang-orang agama lagi untuk back up.

Anda berusaha hentikan support kepada yahudi, pasti dan pasti Allah SWT akan bantu Anda.

~ Bebas Palestina ! ~

 

GIBSON LES PAUL - MODEL APA NAK BELI KALAU FIRST TIMER?

Review oleh:

Johan Ishak

11 November 2023

STANDARD atau STANDARD 50's - OK best to start with kalau baru nak start Les Paul.  Nipis sikit neck dari yang lain and ada lengkung sikit on the edge. So, bila tukar dari Strat or Tele or PRS or Ibanez, tak ganggu playability. Nak angkuh sikit, ambik Slash edition of Standard :)

STUDIO / TRIBUTE / JUNIOR / P90 / MINI HUMBUCKER - Macam tak cukup pergi humbuckernya... rasa macam ada ruang2 kosong dalam bunyi... maybe kalau main blues ok kot. Kalau metal or rock & roll aku tak berapa puas.... baik single coil je macam strat.

MODERN - bunyi ada sikit digitalised ke arah Ibanez sikit. Tapi ringan sebab body dalam dia buang kayu ada rongga.. tak sakit bahu memikul.

CUSTOM / CLASSIC / SPECIAL / DELUXE / SUPREME - Ni dah harga mahal punya range.. ada yg sampai RM15k, RM18k RM20k ke atas.... sakit wallet. Macamana mahal pun, aku tak suka fretboard and neck dia sebab tak smooth especially edge of neck dan tebal. Bunyi baik sebab lagi full body dari Standard but terpulang pada telinga masing2. Baik Standard or Standard 50's sebab nipis sikit neck and ada lengkung sikit. So, bila tukar dari gitar brand lain, tak ganggu playability.

Apa-apa pun, tak payah kot beli Epiphone Les Paul. Tunggu sampai ada duit nak beli Gibson. Meanwhile, elok pakai je Ibanez RG Series or Fender Stratocaster/Telecaster Made in Japan pun ok.

Ok, tu je. Kalau tak setuju, ada aku kisah?

Hehehe.....

 

Staring at the Ceiling Above

I see stars shining up above

Their glitters not emitting hope

Shimmering an episode

Of what shall explode

And what will implode

What else I am to load?

For a blurry end of a road

Take a knife and slaughter a goat

Will God hand me a rope?

So that can I climb up the slope

Or get onto a boat

I see stars shining up above

Their glitters may still emit hope

I hope (so)

As I stare at the ceiling above

By Jo Haq

30 October 2023

9:42 pm

Bukit Jelutong

 

 

Hello! Kawan

Hello! Kawan

Lama tak dengar pesanan

Apa khabar gerangan?

Sihat lagikah ingatan?

Atau bermuram panjangan?

Jangan asyik terperuk sakan

Nanti tumbuh cendawan

Dan beranai-anai kekayuan

Janganlah hiraukan kuman

Atau pedulikan vaksin labunan

Ingat sahaja pahit kopi jantan

Berhirup cangkir dengan kawan (ini)

Berlawak dan bersembang-sembangan

Fasal keluarga, hari terdahulu dan Tuhan

Semoga sempat bermaafan

Kerana Dia penentu umur kita insan 

Yang asyik dalam renungan

Oleh Jo Haq

18 Oktober 2023

Brickfields

 

Kesabaran

Aku berjalan di lorong-lorong

Di malam yang murung

Memikirkan apa yang harus dilakukan

Untuk menebus apa yang diperlukan

Serabut kepala apabila dikepong

Dan aku benci dikongkong

Perlukah apa-apa rumusan?

Lorong itu tetap juga sama

Mungkin hanya ditukar nama

Maka tidak perlulah aku membuang masa

Kerana rindu itu membara

Kerana rindu itu sengsara

Kerana rindu itu sentiasa

Kerana dia milik Dia

Oleh Jo Haq

10 Oktober 2023

10:47 pagi

Brickfields

 

Satu Perenggan Kritikal Peringatan Kepada "Korang"

Janganlah "korang" lupa jasa kami dikala "korang" tinggalkan ibu pertiwi masing-masing untuk menjadi pekerja lombong dan estet di Tanah Bani Tamin, dan apabila Tuan Penjajah pergi meninggalkan "korang", tidakkah Raja-Raja kami membenarkan "korang" menghuni rumah baharu dimana sungai, hutan, ikan dan hasil buminya kaya bukan seperti tanah kontang bumi empat musim atau tanah sendat dan padat "korang" dahulu?

Oleh Jo Haq

4 October 2023

8:31 pagi

Bukit Jelutong

 

The Rhythm of Time

Time is .....

But the ultimate luxury

For us to savour

All of life's flavours

Yet that luxury becomes agony

When what had combusted

Burns and stains 

What is meant to live for

What is ordained to die for

When we listen

It seems superficially silent

But deep in that open air

We hear the metronome

Guiding the rhythm of the heart

Galloping us up a hill

So that we stand tall

Looking down the cliffs

Letting go,

..... of what should go

Letting past,

..... what shall come to past

Giving the narrative

In what sense we are to make

Of this colourful world

That often (life) is monochrome

But usually is melodious

Just because

We need that chorus

To reach that final chords

And strike that last note

That shall end

The rhythm of time

By Jo Haq

26 September 2023

12:26 am

Bukit Jelutong

 

Decompress

"Let the air out"

"Let the air out"

"Let me out"

Says the island boy

He wishes for him to breathe

"Go away you fucking typhoon"

He wants to break lose

From the underground bunker

His mind is jammed

Clusterphobia it is

Surrounded by demons

Of this pathetic world

"Let there be sun"

For he longed for its ray

And he doesn't mind

Even if he burns like vampires

At least the ashes can fly away

Away from madinsanity

Away from the clusterfuck

Of the doomed mankind

And their recalcitrance

Towards kindness

And considerations

"Fuck You! Humanity"

By Jo Haq

18 September 2023

11:32 pm

Bukit Jelutong

 

Bukan Milik Kita

Maka apabila diturunkan harta

Necaya manusia akan buta

Langsung melayang minda

Memikirkan 'handbag' apa

Merumus melancong belaka

Meramal model baru kereta

Nun dia di sana

Ada insan-insan yang merana

Sakit dan uzur menimpa

Diuji dengan sumpahan durjana

Miskinnya papa kedana

Maka apabila diturunkan harta

Adakah ianya milik kita?

Atau sekadar 'instrumen' Dia?

Agar kita zakatkan sebaiknya

Dan di jiwa ini harus redha

Yang bukannya semua

....... milik kita

Oleh Jo Haq

11 September 2023

1:25 pagi

Bukit Jelutong

24

 

Tajuk: Asmara Kita

Lagu: Jo Haq (Johan Ishak)

Lirik: Jo Haq

Vokal: ?

Produser: Tomok/Rudi

Penerbit: AMN Music and Talent

Link to YouTube for Demo

Asmara Kita 

 

Tajuk: Cinta

Lagu: Jo Haq (Johan Ishak)

Lirik: Jo Haq

Vokal: ?

Produser: Tomok/Rudi

Penerbit: AMN Music and Talent

Link to YouTube for Demo

CINTA

[Intro]

Em (with high G note)

D (All open string except 1st string F#)

Am

B7

[Verse 1]

Em                  D

Dalam pertemuan ini

Am            B7

Aku diberi Cinta

Em               D

Apa ada padaku......

Am                B7

Yang kau puja.... Oh! Cinta

[Verse 2]

Em                  D

Senyuman manismu itu

Am              B7

Merawat lara di jiwa

Em                D

Menghias hidupku ini......

Am                B7

Yang kau terima.... Oh! Cinta

[Bridge]

C                            B7

Ku berjanji 'kan setia padamu.....

C                            B7

Ku bersumpah 'kan hidup denganmu....

C           B7

Aku.... Cinta... Oooooo...

[Chorus]

Em  C       G               D

Cinta kaulah permata

Em  C                G           D

Cinta kau mempersona

Em  C          G           D

Cinta yang ku damba

C                                B7

Tiada yang lain dari mu

       Em     D     Am  B7

Cinta.... Ohhh.............

 

Jo Days Will Never End

He is Jo

He will take his time

Only so that he is comfortable

He doesn't care much

About bloody imberciles

Whether they are ministers

..... or professors

All he care is to be just

All he wants to see

..... is all to be merry

..... all to be happy

He is Jo

He ain't got time for bullshit

His reluctance is persistent

Because in his serebrum

There is not a slightest room

For superficial theatre

Of hypocrisy and deceit

So let him be

Let Jo be

Whatever he wants to be

By Jo Haq

21 August 2023

8:20pm

Bangsar

 

Gahnya Warna Itu

Dari cahaya itu berpecahlah tujuh

Merentas awan dan kabus

Di gunung-ganang sana

Puncaknya beku dan menggigil

Menutupi bebatuan keras

Menjadi ilham di kanan otak

Kerana dari bentangan asal

Bercoraklah warna-warna lukisan

Yang Sang Seniman pasti bersyukur

Dari kesucian itu juga

Terlarutlah khasiat alam

Ke tubuh-tubuh anak-anak

Menjanjikan lubuk ilmu

Membenarkan seruan yang tersampai

Maka berselempanglah manusia

Dengan kedua-dua helaian

Menonjolkan mangkornya

Tangan kanan perwira tauhid

Melontar jauh kehitaman dosa

Agar bersih dan jernih jiwa

Kerana di suatu masa yang pasti

Akan berbalut jua jasad kita ini

Ke dalam kegelapan ketakutan

Hanya dengan warna yang asal

Yang dahulunya duniawi bermula

Sebelum kita mempersetankan diri

Sehingga kita rakus mengotorkan

Warna yang sepatutnya gah

Oleh Jo Haq

1 Ogos 2023

12:12 pagi

Bukit Jelutong

 

Goodbye Ya! Rasul-Allah

by Johan Ishak

13 July 2023 / 25 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video

Masjid Nabawi, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

 

The Wheelchairs Leadership

by Johan Ishak

13 July 2023 / 25 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video

Masjid Nabawi, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

 

 

360 Degrees Inside Masjid Nabawi

by Johan Ishak

13 July 2023 / 25 Zulhijjah 1444

21 Seconds Video

Masjid Nabawi, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

 

Al-Khaif, Al-Quba' and Ar-Raudhah

by Johan Ishak

July 2023 / Zulhijjah 1444

Photography

 Mina, Quba' and Madinah

Saudi Arabia

 

Martyrs in Respect

by Johan Ishak

13 July 2023 / 25 Zulhijjah 1444

9 Seconds Video

Baqi', Madinah, Saudi Arabia

 

Gold, Garment, Souvenirs and Perfume

by Johan Ishak

12 July 2023 / 24 Zulhijjah 1444

Photography

Madinah, Saudi Arabia

 

The Magnificent Rooftop Marble that Does Not Absorb 47 Degrees Celsius

by Johan Ishak

12 July 2023 / 24 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video

Masjid Nabawi, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Visiting the 1st Mosque

by Johan Ishak

12 July 2023 / 24 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video and Photography

Masjid Quba', Out skirt of Madinah, Saudi Arabia

 

Assalamualaikum Ya! Rasulullah 

by Johan Ishak

11 July 2023 / 23 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video

Masjid Nabawi, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

 

Nasi Arab Qorban Madinah

by Johan Ishak

11 July 2023 / 23 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video - Qorban, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

 

Greetings Ya! Al-Amin

Walking the streets of a desert city

Under the scorching red hot sun

Gulping cups of water

Brought from the blessed well

Looking at the vast horizon

Of plain brown dry earth

That kept a thousand martyrs

Burried for everlasting peace

Men and women

Old and young

From the East and West

From the North and South

Covered in scarfs and skull caps

Whispering the holy words of praise

Counting a chain of beads

To thy Lord and his Messenger

They say, "Behold the Great Almighty"

and, "Assalamualaikum Ya! Rasul-Allah"

Madinah,

..... when will we see you again?

By Jo Haq

11 July 2023 / 23 Zulhijjah 1444

8:39pm

Madinah

 

Marching to Raudhah

by Johan Ishak

11 July 2023 / 23 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video

Masjid Nabawi, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

 

The Old Woman is Crossing

by Johan Ishak

6 July 2023 / 18 Zulhijjah 1444

20 Seconds Video

Masjidil Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

 

The Father and the Hidden Son

by Johan Ishak

5 July 2023 / 17 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video

Masjidil Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

 

The Gutter (Mizrab Al-Rahma) 

by Johan Ishak

5 July 2023 / 17 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video

Masjidil Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

 

Sesuap Nasi Panas

Lama tak 'jogging'

Berbulan-bulan

Hari ni pergi 'jogging'

Pasang iPod

Keluar Master of Puppet

'Damn'

Bengkak jantung

'Cardio' 'max'

Balik 'jogging'

Pening kepala

Makan 'No Rice Diet'

Tak hilang pening

Bila suap nasi panas

Terus hilang pening

Perut Melayu

'Damn'

Penat training tak makan nasi

'Ostrolia' 7 tahun

London 2 tahun

Perut Melayu

Terlentang atas katil

Esok meeting makan nasi lemak

Kah! kah! kah!

Serupa tak payah

Oleh Jo Haq

5 Julai 2017

Shah Alam

 

A Call for Success

by Johan Ishak

3 July 2023 / 15 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video

Masjidil Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

 

Lady in Green

by Johan Ishak

3 July 2023 / 15 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video

Masjidil Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

 

The Final Day of Hajj 1444H

by Johan Ishak

1 July 2023 / 13 Zulhijjah 1444

13 Seconds Video

Masjidil Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

 

The Path of the Green Light

by Johan Ishak

30 June 2023 / 12 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video

Masjidil Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

 

When Will I Visit You Again Mina?

by Johan Ishak

30 June 2023 / 12 Zulhijjah 1444

20 Seconds Video

Mina, Saudi Arabia

 

Behold the Abraham's Legacy

by Johan Ishak

26 June 2023 / 8 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video

Masjidil Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

 

Bismillahi-Allahu-Akbar

by Johan Ishak

26 June 2023 / 8 Zulhijjah 1444

30 Seconds Video

Masjidil Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

 

Prayers for the Dead Part 2

By Johan Ishak

1 July 2023 / 13 Zulhijjah 1444

Masjidil Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

20 seconds videos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A CAN OF SARDINES IN MINA

An old man with a cane

Sitting by the corner

Looking at the ceiling

As if he sees the angels 

He seems utterly agitated

He couldn't stand

He couldn't walk (by himself)

His belongings in the luggage

Tucked on a shelve far above

Surrounded by many people

Like sardines in the can

He picked up the Quran

Tried to read but his eyes squinting

He put the Quran back by his side

He looked around the camp

Everyone was sound asleep

..... except me

I smiled

I went to him

..... and I said, "You wanna smoke?"

He said, "Ohh! Yes!"

So, I held him one side

And the cane covered the other

We moved slowly

Out of the camp

Into the open air

And hence begun,

..... a cigarette session

..... and a chat about life

By Jo Haq

11:23pm

28 June 2023 / 11 Zulhijjah 1444H

Mina

Saudi Arabia

 

 

HAJJ 101 FOR BEGINNERS 

By Johan Ishak

26 June 2023 / 8 Zulhijjah 1444 Hijrah

10:00 pm

Mekkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia

Hajj, or Haji, is the fifth and the last of the pillars of Islam; after; first, Syahadah (Declaration of Acnowledging the One God, Allah and Muhammad s.a.w. as His Messenger); second, Solat (Praying 5 times a day); third, Fasting in the month of Ramadhan; and fourth, Zakat (giving money and food to the poor). Unlike Solat and Fasting where Muslims are required to do it daily non-stop and 30 consecutive days in a specific month yearly respectively; Hajj is only required to be done once in a lifetime only if you have the means to do it. This would be when we are in good of health and wealth to facilitate our journey to Mekkah in Saudi Arabia.

Hajj is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mekkah, Saudi Arabia, particularly at Arafah and the Kaabah. It is noted that in 2023, the headcount of Muslims from outside Saudi Arabia reached 3.5 million people, the highest record to date. Whilst it carries with it religious and spiritual necessity amongst Muslims, it provides two other social benefits, that are, economic trades as well as social networking.

Hajj has quite complicated yet simplistic set of procedures. When you understand it especially its sequence and running order, it becomes easy. To comprehend what is required, one will need to digest clearly the Rukun(s) and Wajib(s) of the Hajj. Rukuns are pillars of Hajj. Without them, the Hajj is incomplete. They are:

1. Niat - Before everything or anything, in your heart, be honest and acknowledge that you want to do the Hajj and comply with its requirement, the Ihram.

2. Wukuf in Arafah from Noon to Night on 9 Zulhijjah - While in Full Ihram (Ihram is explained later in this article). Wukuf means, to be present even for a while in Arafah. It is believed that in Arafah, Prophet Adam a.s. finally found Hawa (Eve) on Earth after a long search since they were expelled from Heaven. Wukuf is partly to remember this history as well as to emulate partly how hot and disomforting will Padang Mahsyar be when all of mankind is awaken from their graves to be judged after the Qiamat (Armageddon/End of Days). Wukuf is the core pillar for Hajj. During the prayer time Asar to Maghrib, it is strongly encouraged for Muslims to do'a (ask from Allah) for whatever they need in life especially to forgive their sins and to obtain Hidayah (light) from Allah to guide them in their lives. It is also customary for family and friends who are not going for Hajj to request a Hajj participant to do'a for them. Some of the usual generic ones would be to pray for wealth, health and peace and the more specific ones would be stuff like, to get a baby, to get a promotion, to get good exam grades, to get a wife, to be cured from a critical disease or even to pray for Liverpool to win football games. The day Wukuf is done is called Arafah Day, on 9 Zulhijjah, a date when Islam was perfected. The desert plain of Arafah is also where Prophet Muhammad s.a.w gave his last sermon to Muslims.

3. Tawaf to be done in 7 rounds on 12 Zulhijjah after Melontar - Not in Full Ihram. Tawaf is an anti-clockwise round around the Kaabah. It is believed that when Prophet Adam a.s. was lonely on Earth prior to his unity with Hawa, he wandered the Earth from a place now known as Sri Lanka to a place now known as Mekkah. In Mekkah, he saw a light in the desert. He went to the light and felt the presence of God Almighty, Allah. But yet he was also in doubt fearing that it may be one of the many tricks that the Iblis (Satan or Lucifer or Devil) may be playing on him - especially when Hawa and him were expelled from Heaven because they were fooled by Iblis to have eaten the forbidden fruit in Heaven. To ascertain himself that it was not Iblis, he circled the glooming light 7 times, after which, he was sure that it was indeed a medium that Allah wanted to connect with him. So he piled rocks at the spot to mark it as the subliminal House of Allah, which later became Kaabah when it was built properly by Prophet Ibrahim a.s. (Abraham) and his son, Prophet Ismail a.s. (Ishmael). Tawaf is obviously to mark these historical events.

4. Saei to be done 7 times between Safa Hill and Marwah Hill immediately after Tawaf - Not in Full Ihram. A trip from Safa to Marwah is counted as 1 and the return trip back to Safa from Marwah is counted as 2. It is believed that when Prophet Ibrahim a.s. left his second wife, Hajar (Hagar), and his infant son, Prophet Ismail a.s., at a rocky desert now known as Mekkah, Hajar and Ismail were in hunger and thirst. She, carrying Ismail, ran from one hill to another in a relay between two hills (now known as Safa and Marwah) searching for water. As she stopped running and settle to rest, Ismail's little feet knocked on the rock and out came abundance of water for their consumption. That exact point is now known as the Zam Zam Well. So, Saei is to remember this event.

5. Tahlul - This ends the Ihram fully. Tahlul is when you cut at least 3 strands of your hair. Many, typically men, would just shave their entire head bald. 

6. Tertib - All of the above are to be done in correct order of sequence as above as well as the below specifications on Wajibs.

Continuing from the Rukuns, there are also things you need to do but if you don't or breach them, you will have to pay Dam, a form of monetary penalty such as Saudi Rial of sixty (SR60) to be given equally to 6 poor people before you leave Mekkah. Different offence incurs different magnitides of Dams. These requitements are called Wajib(s). They are:

1. Ihram. A Full Ihram is basically to comply to 13 forbidden things, one of which is, men cannot wear normal clothes other than a pair of white cloth with a belt and a pair of slippers that does not cover the toes. So, underwears not allowed. Not in Full Ihram is when only 3 things forbidden, namely Sex, Foreplay and Nikah. So, when Not in Full Ihram, you can wear jeans if you want to, to Melontar rounds 2 to 7, Tawaf and Saei. However, Saudi Government compels men to still wear the pair of white cloth for Tawaf and Saei (but spiritually, you are not in full Ihram). Please do your own research to uncover the entire set of 13 rules / forbidden matters.

2. Mabit at Muzdalifah at midnight of 10 Zulhijjah. Mabit is to be present at a place or a passing by a place with a self acknowledgement of the place in your heart.

3. Mabit at Mina on 10 Zulhijjah after Muzdalifah.

4. Melontar (throwing stones) 7 rounds x 7 stones. Round 1 at Jamrah Qubro on 10 Zulhijjah after Mabit at Mina. Rounds 2 and 5 at Jamrah Sughra. Rounds 3 and 6 at Jamrah Wusta. Rounds 4 and 7 at Jamrah Qubro. Rounds 2, 3 and 4 on 11 Zulhijjah and Rounds 5, 6 & 7 on 12 Zulhijjah. The act of throwing stones at the Jamrahs is symbolism of leaving behind sinful deeds that needs to be honestly acknowledged in your heart. Jamrahs are simply the designated areas in Mina where the Melontar ritual is to be done.

I hope with this article, there is sufficient information for people to learn about what Hajj is from both Fiqah (Technicalities) and Tauhid (Faith) perspectives, along with the historical context to which Hajj had capitalised as its subliminal essence. I wrote this article in Mekkah on 8 Zulhijjah 1444 Hijrah (26 June 2023) while waiting for the bus to go to Arafah for us (me and my colleagues from Malaysia) to do Wukuf the next day on 9 Zulhijjah. Our bus had broken down and hence, we had to wait for hours before we could leave Mekkah in a replacement bus. 

So, this article was written while I was in Ihram. We were told that you should do Ibadah (good deeds) while in Ihram. Most people would read the Holy Quran or do more prayers. I chose to write this article so that I can share my knowledge to others in lay man terms. Hopefully not only Muslims, but also Non-Muslims can learn if they wish to do so. Sharing knowledge is also an Ibadah for how else would others do the Ibadah of Hajj when there is no one to educate them? I sincerely hope that this article will benefit many.

To my fellow Muslims around the globe, do consider to do this once in a life time pilgrimage when you still have the money, time, health, convenience and are still alive rather than when you are poor, busy, sick, in disorder or dead. To my fellow 3.5 milion Muslims who are doing Hajj now in Mekkah and specifically to my fellow 30,000 Malaysian Muslims who are also in Mekkah for Hajj for the year 1444 Hijrah (2023), I pray that Allah grants us all a Mabrur (Complete and Fulfilling) Hajj and acknowledges our prayers. Amin. Assalamualaikum. God bless you all.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on the author's experience during his Hajj pilgrimage in 2023 (1444 Hijrah) and it is not to be taken as the confirmed information to be used by others. Please consult the proper authorities such as Tabung Haji, Imams and/or Ulamaks if readers intend to craft their own planning for Hajj.