Bringing people closer to Allah via politics...

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In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Reflection

The Declining Day (Al-'Asr)
1. By the declining day,
2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss,
3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort 
one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.
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IN life we need to be closer to Allah SWT (The Greatest) by each day. In doing so, we would be rewarded with the feeling of calmness, satisfaction and all goodness. 

If we fail to do so, we are heading for the doom because all negative feelings would crept inside us by each day because we know that just like a burning candle our life would come to an end. Well, I am scared of death, do you?

Being closer to Allah SWT means that we are getting more devoted to him by each day. We would sincerely and religiously carry out His orders and refrain from what He has forbidden us with all our might. As human beings we are not free from making mistakes, thus what is required from us is to 'taubat' (repent) at all times.

To be close to our Creator is a fundamental need of every human being and striving to achieve it can be the healing for our chaotic inner selves. The Our'an says: “…for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” (Surah Al-Rad, 13:28)

Pleasing Allah SWT (glorified and exalted be He) is to be His truthful servant. Obey Him in whats ever matter including in politics. Now that the Permatang Pauh and Rompin parliamentary by-elections are around the corner, every Muslim must make it a point to observe what actions are 'halal' (permissible) and 'haram' (forbidden) in his or her journey to be closer to the Almighty.

If you want to know your worth to Allah SWT, then see what you are doing with your life. Are you pleasing Allah or disappointing Him? During these elections are you doing things that would please Him such as keeping up with your five times daily prayers and refrain from 'haram' activities such as giving bribes or making empty promises?

We must remember Allah SWT at all times including when involving in politics. Abu Huraira (r.a.) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said that Allah SWT, the Exalted and Glorious said, “I am near to the thought of My servant as he thinks about Me, and I am with him as he remembers Me. And if he remembers Me in his heart, I also remember him in My heart, and if he remembers Me in assembly I remember him in assembly, better than his (remembrance), and if he draws near Me by the span of a palm, I draw near him by the cubit, and if he draws near me by the cubit I draw near him by the space (covered by) two hands. And if he walks towards Me, I rush towards him.” (Sahih Muslim).

For those out there especially party workers and volunteers in Permatang Pauh and Rompin, to be closer to Allah SWT at all time including during 'this trying time'  please do not forget our 'dua'a' (supplication) for Allah SWT says in the Qur'an: ”And when My servants ask you, (O Muhammad), concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me (by obedience) and believe in Me that they may be (rightly) guided.” (2:186)

If we want help from Allah SWT we must stay away from what He has forbidden us but to get to know Him through His 99 beautiful names. Ask Allah SWT with His 99 names. For example, He is the One who is closest to you (Qareeb). So ask Him to bring you closer to Him. Call on Him using the name Al-Wadud and ask Him to love you more and make you love Him more. Then we must also do the 'dhikir' (remembrance of Allah SWT), follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and stay connected to the Qur'an.

The problem among some of us today is that we refuse to emulate Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) in politics. We are arrogant - we do not wish to follow Allah's law stipulated in the Qur'an. Regarding this matter, I remember the words of wisdom by 'Allahyarham' (the late) Tok Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat - that when Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ‘hijrah’ (migrated) to Madinah, the first step he took was building Masjid Quba’ where all activities including politics were discussed there. So there’s no separation between religion and politics, contradict to claims by Umno leaders who were in favor of nationalism.

“Those who are for ‘politik suku, agama suku’ (separating politics from religion) are on the wrong course," said the Tok Guru. "PAS struggle is to uphold the Prophet’s teaching including in politics. Everyone is answerable to their deeds; even in voting, one is subjected to be rewarded and punished."

During his lifetime, the Tok Guru had work extremely hard to make the people being closer to Allah SWT including via politics. Nowadays some of his works had bear fruits (perhaps some of the fruits are not ripen yet) - the most significance is the passing of hudud law by the Kelantan State Assembly. More and more people including non-Muslims had been made to realized the existence of such laws and of its importance.

The fact is PAS including the Tok Guru were constant in their struggle to have the words of Allah implemented in this country thus making Muslims closer to Allah SWT that is by pleasing Him.

As Muslims we should obeyed all Allah SWT words in the Qur’an. Allah SWT has given us warning on this matter in one Qur’anic verse where He warns us not to become like the Children of Israel who disobey some of Allah SWT’s commandments in the Taurah, as stated in Ayah 85 Surah Al-Baqarah which reads; “…Then is it only a part of the Book that ye believe in, and do ye reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? And on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty. For Allah is not unmindful for what ye do.”