LanH, please practise what you write...

************************** In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ************************** Reflection ************************* "Anyone who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God..." (Nisaa 4:80) ************************* IT is 10 years now since my first article (on a regular weekly basis) appeared in the English Section of Harakah. The 'anak sulung' (first child) was published in the 1-15 February 2004 issue with the title 'PAS is waiting for its 'anak sulung' in Malacca and as I checked my files of published articles, I found out that this article (if published) is the 391st. **************************** PAS Melaka has had its 'anak sulung' after its candidate, Dr Khalid Kassim created history to become the first PAS 'YB" (state assemblyman) in Melaka after winning the Bukit Baru state constituency in the recent General Election (GE) on 5th May 2013. ********************************** Ten years is a long period of time; one question is what have I gained or achieved from my writings? A few weeks ago, while following a 'tazkirah' (lessons) of an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) at a masjid near my house; I was stung by a point raised by the 'ustaz' when he asked congregators why lately lectures, lessons, speeches, sermons, talks, books and even articles published in magazines and newspapers failed to impact the masses; they are dry without souls in them! ********************************* He said one reason was that those people involved such as leaders, teachers and writers were merely doing their jobs - they only delivered their messages - but failed to adhere or put into practice what they preached, taught, talked and wrote. Even lessons by some ustaz too were taken for granted; as though 'masuk telinga kanan, keluar telinga kiri' (enter the right ear but quickly vanish through the left ear). *************************** It is a disturbing and alarming trend when more and more sectors of society especially the young generation are turning a deaf ear to suggestions from elders including leaders of the country. Why is it so? Perhaps the leaders are not sincere; they do not put their hearts to what they say and propose. ********************************* Some leaders in their speeches say "be moderate" but they and their family members themselves are 'big spenders' and lead extravaganza lives; some say "follow the rules of Islam" but they themselves promote an unIslamic way of life; some say "be extra careful on the road" but they themselves with their big cars and riders do not adhere to traffic rules - their motorcades 'buzz off' at high speed even when the traffic light is red! Perhaps to them, rules are only for the poor and weak; they are high class or chosen people who are above the law! ************************** The 'rakyat' (men on the street) especially youngsters who witness such scenes would be totally confused - in schools they are told to adhere to traffic rules; in 'real life' they see the opposite; where a set of people are not equal to others! ***************************** Regarding 'those above the law' or 'immune' leaders, I remember a 'hadith' of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. - "What destroyed the nations preceding you, was that if a noble amongst them stole, they would forgive him, and if a poor person amongst them stole, they would inflict Allah's legal punishment on him. By Allah, if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand." **************************** And about equality, in Ayah 8, Surah V (Al-Ma'idah or The Table Spread), Allah SWT says: "O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do". ************************* Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. whose career covered all possible spheres of life such as that of a preacher in a masjid, as a worldly man amongst family and friends, as a man of piety, as a leader, as a soldier, a reformer, politician, statesman, and administrator and finally as a ruler of a vast kingdom, he had the privilege therefore of not only laying down rules of guidance in all such capacities but also gave a practical illustration of these rules. *************************** His personality combined all that was best in morals and manners and he was the very embodiment of all that was preached and enjoy in the Holy Qur'an. "Certainly there is for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example." (XXXIII - Al-Ahzab, 21) ************************ When the Holy Qur'an affirms that the Prophet was the very embodiment of that which was best in life and was the perfect model to be followed, it was not mere idle talk but was a practical demonstration of it. To judge its truth, let us have a glance at his life. *********************** Taking for instance the injunctions laid down by the Qur'an for believers in respect of prayer, fasting and alms-giving, we notice that while Muslims were directed to pray five times a day, the Prophet himself, prayed eight times, superimposing on himself three extra prayers, twice after morning prayer, and the third beginning at midnight and sometimes extending right up to dawn thereby causing swelling in his feet. - Pearls of the Prophet (Islamic Outreach-ABIM) ************************ Mentioning about the midnight or late night prayer (tahajud), I heard the ustaz say: "How could an ustaz influence congregators at his session in the masjid to perform the 'tahajud' prayer if he himself did not perform it what more being consistent in its performance. A person who preaches the public to do good works, must perform it first and must be consistent in doing it." ************************ "The same too could be said of writers; please practice what you write. If you suggest something to readers, you too must do it. If not, you are like a 'munafik' (hypocrite); this is one reason why a large percentage of articles on Islam published in newspapers and magazines look dry, without soul and do not bring much impact on readers," said the ustaz. "The writers are only good at preaching to others but they totally forget about themselves. *************************** I knew the ustaz was not referring to me as he did not know me; but I could feel 'the pangs' from his statement. Yes, LanH please practise what you had written. At home, I quickly searched for some of my latest articles which were published in the English Section of Harakah. **************************** In one article I suggested to readers to 'free ourselves from the burden of carrying coins' (Harakah issue 17-20 February) in which I suggested to readers to 'dispose' all their loose coins in donation boxes while shopping and frequenting masjids to perform our five times daily prayers including 'solat Jumaat' (Friday prayer). ***************************** I must admit that 'this suggestion' kept 'ringing in my ears' every time I bought items at shops or went to the masjid. I must prove my worth, what I write must tally with my action...'Subhanallah' (Glory be to Allah) it worked...perhaps readers would like to share with me whether my writing have had any impact on them. Please email your comments to Lanh14@englishsection.com