The empty nest syndrome...

***
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.
***

IN a family's life, 'insya-Allah' (God Willing) our grown-up children would finally left home; one after another. Some went to boarding schools normally at  the age of 13, then to colleges at 18, to universities at 20, lived in a rented room once they started working, and after getting married they settled down in their own homes; some migrated to another states or even foreign countries.

Finally only mum and dad were left at home - our abode even if it was as large and magnificent as a palace - would be in the state of silence and some veteran couples would felt the loneliness and emptiness of life. If a partner, say the husband died, his widow feelings would be more melancholy.

Among the Malays, I had witnessed several widows and widowers spending much time looking out of the windows of their homes especially a few days before 'Hari Raya'; perhaps they were thinking about their own children or grandchildren - would they be back for the 'big day'?

 

During a 'tazkirah' (Islamic lesson) which I attended not long time ago, the 'ustaz' (religious teacher) involved tickled his audience, saying: "perhaps the old folks that had that longing feeling are here among us..." He kept on teasing his audience by singing a verse from a P Ramlee's song..."di Hari Raya terkenang daku akan si dia" (during Hari Raya I remembered my love, my special one...)

But the 'ustaz' was quick to end 'this sad story' by saying: "Dear 'bapak-bapak' ('daddy) and 'ibu-ibu' (mummy), please don't waste our precious time entertaining to that melancholic feeling; it is okay to to mediate but the correct way is to do 'tafakkur' (doing reflection) especially when one is at old age. This is because 'tafakkur' is an act of 'ibadah' (act of good deeds to Allah SWT) which would be rewarded richly by Him.

'Tafakkur' is in line with the purpose of man’s life that is to ‘service to Allah’ and nothing else. This life is a preparation of what Allah has in store for us. The life of the Hereafter is eternal, and it is that which the believer should strive for. He said every Muslim should make use of his/her time to the maximum...thus why not do the 'tafakkur' than to be involved in day-dreaming.

The 'ustaz' reminded his audience saying that the 'materials' to 'tafakkur' are already available; we are only required to pick it up and do our reflection. "For example, we have the Qur'an. Read a sentence or sentences from the Qur'an, search for the meaning and then do the 'tafakkur'. 

"For example in Surah LV (Rahman, The Beneficent), Allah had many, many times asked us; "Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?" Next, do the thinking...it was a guided one; thus it is unnecessary for us to think about improper things or things of our fancies."

The 'ustaz' said we too could 'tafakkur' over our sins, creation, ourselves and to take lessons from the things Allah SWT has created. When the good people are praised in the Qur'an, it is declared that "they always remember Allah while they are standing, sitting, lying on their sides, and they meditate over the creation of the heavens and earth. They say, “O our Lord! You did not create them in vain. You are far from it [from creating useless, meaningless things. Protect us from the torment of Hell." (Surah Ali ‘Imrân, 191)

The 'ustaz' said there are many hadiths that mentioned about the importance of 'tafakkur'. Among others, "A momentary meditation on Allahu Taala's Grandeur, Paradise, and Hell is better than spending a night in worship" and "meditating for a while is more valuable than one year’s (supererogatory) worship."

Regarding 'tafakkur', Imam Shafie said it sharpens one' intelligence while Wahb bin Munabbih said it makes a person knowledgeable and a knowledgeable person, in turn, does good deeds. Bishr-i-Hafi noted that a human being who contemplates Allahu Taala's grandeur cannot be disobedient to Him. 

Scholars said 'tafakkur' can be done in four ways that are pondering about the beautiful arts and benefits which manifest on Allahu Taala's creatures causes one to believe in Him and love Him; pondering about the rewards promised by Him for the worships causes one to perform those worships; pondering about the punishments informed by Him causes one to fear Him and thereby inhibits one from committing sins and wronging others; and pondering about one’s having enslaved oneself to one’s nafs and committing sins and living in a state of heedlessness regardless of all the blessings bestowed by Him causes one to have shame towards Allah Taala.

The 'ustaz' said Islam as a complete way of life provides us with guidance in everything we do (so that we would be in His straight path) including what we should think or reflect about (tafakkur).

If Islam suggests many good things to do including 'tafakkur' to beat our emptiness and loneliness feelings especially among 'veteran couples' when their children had 'gone for their own new lives', Western scholars too had suggestions to what they termed as empty nest syndrome...

Wikipedia noted that empty nest syndrome is a feeling of grief and loneliness parents or guardians may feel when their children leave home for the first time, such as to live on their own or to attend a college or university but it is not a clinical condition.

Since young adults' moving out from their families house is generally a normal and healthy event, the symptoms of empty nest syndrome often go unrecognized. This can result in depression and a loss of purpose for parents, since the departure of their children from 'the nest' leads to adjustments in parents' lives. Empty nest syndrome is especially common in full-time mothers.

Mayo Clinic explained that empty nest syndrome is a phenomenon in which parents experience feelings of sadness and loss when the last child leaves home. Although you might actively encourage your children to become independent, the experience of letting go can be painful. You might find it difficult to suddenly have no children at home who need your care. You might miss being a part of your children's daily lives — as well as the constant companionship.

You might also worry intensely about your children's safety and whether they'll be able to take care of themselves on their own. You might struggle with the transition if your last child leaves the nest a little earlier or later than you expected. If you have only one child or strongly identify with your role as parent, you might have a particularly difficult time adjusting to an empty nest.

In the past, research suggested that parents dealing with empty nest syndrome experienced a profound sense of loss that might make them vulnerable to depression, alcoholism, identity crisis and marital conflicts.

However, recent studies suggest that an empty nest might reduce work and family conflicts, and can provide parents with many other benefits. When the last child leaves home, parents have a new opportunity to reconnect with each other, improve the quality of their marriage and rekindle interests for which they previously might not have had time. And for the 'veteran Muslims couple' why not spend our 'little time left' to the 'masjid' including to seek knowledge!

Talking about our needs and wishes that keep on changing over the years (for example as a boy we wish to grow up fast so that we could have some worldly needs such as cars, houses and so on but as we grew older those worldly treasures were not our priority but it was love among family members and then it shifted to our health situation and when we laid on our death bed the most important thing that crossed our mind is to ask Allah SWT not to take our lives at that moment), another 'ustaz' warned that when we in our graves and the Hereafter, we would begged to Allah SWT so that we would be sent back to earth even for a moment to even say 'La ilaha illallah' but it would be a fruitless effort!

So to everyone of us including those who are experiencing the empty nest syndrome (feeling sad and emptiness) please do not 'kowtow' to our 'nafs' but do our best to please Allah SWT (please do (summit to) everything He commands us and refrain from what He prohibits us) because once we were 'pushed inside our graves' (die), we would not have 'any more chance at all' to go back to earth - only to two places we would go; either to His al-Jannah' (heaven) or His 'an-Naar' (hell)! 

Muda bau minyak wangi, tua minyak angin...

*********** Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ************* Renungan ************ "Dialah (Allah) yang menciptakan bagi kamu pasangan-pasangan (jodoh) daripada makhluk (jenis) kamu sendiri agar kamu condong kepadanya dan berasa tenteram dengannya. Kemudian Allah menciptakan kasih dan sayang antara kamu." (Surah Ar Rum: 21) ************************

ADA satu lawak mengenai pasangan kekasih atau suami isteri di kalangan rakan-rakan - ketika muda terutama yang sedang 'hangat bercintan', pasangan kita sentiasa berbau wangi tetapi 'dah tua-tua ni', bau minyak wangi sudah diganti minyak angin!

Bagi pengantin baru mungkin ada deretan minyak wangi di meja mekap kamar mereka tetapi bagi 'pengantin veteran', mungkin ada deretan minyak angin di tepi-tepi dinding. Mana tidak banyak minyak angin, badan 'pengantin tua' kerap sakit - sakit lututlah, sengal sana dan sengal sinilah - semuanya perlu diurut dengan minyak angin, takkan dengan minyak wangi!

Jika dulu apabila 'si abang' masuk kamar suami isteri, haruman semerbak menusuk hidung, sekarang terbau pula tengik minyak angin. Apa nak dikata, itulah perubahan dunia - yang muda bertukar tua dan yang tua masuk kubur! Maaf terkasar tulis pula, tetapi inilah realiti.

Baru-baru ini saya dan isteri ke Turki, percaya atau tidak, antara barangan yang banyak dibeli adalah pelbagai minyak zaitun - daripada minyak untuk urut sakit lutut, minyak urut kepala, minyak penyembuh luka, minyak menghaluskan kulitlah dan yang paling mahal adalah cebisan bunga saffron atau za'faran.

Perubahan kecenderungan daripada minyak wangi kepada minyak angin menepati pandangan cendekiawan yang mengingatkan bahawa kebanyakan manusia pada muda mereka gila untuk mengumpul harta tetapi selepas berkeluarga dan ada harta sedikit sebanyak mereka beransur tua di mana kesihatan mereka merosot dan ketika itulah kesihatan menjadi keutamaan.

Salah satu cara untuk melegakan kesakitan (lenguh-lenguh) pada tubuh adalah dengan mengurut anggota itu dengan minyak angin. Yalah macam diri saya ini, kesempatan berada di Turki digunakan untuk membeli pelbagai minyak (zaitun) - daripada minyak untuk diurut tubuh kepada untuk dimasukkan dalam makanan.

Zaitun mempunyai pelbagai keistimewaan kerana di dalam al-Quran, Allah SWT ada bersumpah dengan zaitun, demikian juga buah tiin. Demikian juga keistimewaan madu lebah diceritakan dalam al-Quran; sungguh menakjubkan di Turki, madu dihidangkan bersama dengan sarang-sarangnya sekali.

Daripada keutamaan atau 'kegilaan' pada harta pada masa muda, kemudian bertukar kepada kesihatan, akan datang ketikanya kasih sayang sesama anggota keluarga menjadi buruan. Tak percaya, rasakanlah pada waktu tua, ramai orang veteran pada musim-musim tertentu seperti hari raya akan termenung di muka pintu menanti anak cucu balik. Suami isteri veteran yang kembali hidup berdua kerana anak-anak sudah meninggalkan mereka kerana sudah bekerjaya dan berkeluarga, kerap benar terindu anak cucu dan menantu.

Pada penghujung hayat timbul pula kesedaran bahawa kehidupanlah yang amat kita perlukan sedangkan tempoh hayat kita hampir habis. Barulah kita sedar bahawa kita telah melakukan banyak pembaziran terutama dalam meraih kebajikan dan keredaan Allah, malangnya masanya sudah tamat (time is up) - kita sudah berada di ambang kubur!

Apabila balik dari Turki dan menyelongkar setor terjumpa saya barang-barang lama yang telah saya beli semasa berkesempatan ke luar negara pada masa 'muda' dulu. Antaranya replika unta hiasan yang saya beli di Emiriyah Arab Bersatu (UAE) pada 1992. Ada juga pinggan tembaga berukir hiasan yang dibeli di Uzbekistan. Ada pelbagai batu yang dibeli di Afrika Selatan pada 1994. Ada sejumlah lagi barangan hiasan yang dibeli di negara-negara lain.

Saya mengatur barangan itu berderet-deret dan kemudian memandangnya puas-puas. Melakukan tafakkur. Terdetik di hati saya...alangkah bodohnya kau LanH, kau susah payah membeli barangan ini buat apa? Kau susah payah menghabiskan wang, kemudian mengangkut barang itu untuk dinaikkan dalam kapal terbang, kemudian melepasi pemeriksaan kastam, tidakkah ini semua ini kerja bodoh; apa manfaat benda-benda ini. Semuanya sudah tercampak dalam setor, tak dihiraukan orang lagi.

Sedarlah saya masa muda kita dilalaikan (dilekakan) dengan membuat perkara lara termasuk membeli barang-barang yang tak perlu (tak banyak kegunaannya). Barang hiasan akan menjadi lama, fesyen (kegilaan orang) juga berubah, cita rasa orang sekarang tak sama seperti orang dulu. Ertinya kita banyak menghabiskan masa membuat perkara sia-sia.

Banyak duit, tenaga dan masa habis - apakah benda-benda ini dapat membawa keuntungan (memberi manfaat) kepada kita di akhirat nanti? Kepada pembaca, terutama yang masih muda-muda yang biasanya tergila-gila kepada harta dunia, waspadalah, gunakan segala kesempatan yang ada untuk menempa sesuatu yang bernilai di sisi-Nya! Ya, jangan jadi 'bodoh' macam saya!

'...and into the hole of the lizard we enter!'

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

Reflection
"Do not spy one another,
nor let any of you backbite others..." (Hujurat 49: 12)
***

AFTER the terrorist attacks in Paris, the world including its media was quick to put the blame on Muslims and surprisingly many Muslims felt offended and quickly work out PR efforts to tell the world that Islam is against terrorism.

The word ‘Muslim terrorists’ made us sad. It was used in the wrong place. Why must ‘they’ highlight and associate ‘Muslims’ with terrorism? 

What were some Western leaders and their media up to for exploiting the news to give negative and distorting image about Islam around the globe? 

The irony of it, some of our own media too followed suit - they were just like parrots! As a guideline to those who would still read and follow the main stream media, remember this word of Allah SWT: "O ye, who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done." (Al-Qur'an 49:6)

Recently during a 'tazkirah' (Islamic lesson) at a 'masjid' near my house, I heard the 'ustaz' (religious teacher) telling his audience that nowadays Muslims are living at the mercy of Westerners because 'they have won the war' - they are now in power to dictate the world 'on what is right and wrong'.

 

Perhaps what the 'ustaz' was trying 'to explain' to his audience had the truth because nowadays it seemed that the minds of many Muslims had been corrupted into believing and following the footsteps of non believers. Perhaps they even believed to the Western accusation that Islam promotes terrorism.

Regarding the tendency of Muslims to follow the footsteps of non-believers, a hadith from Bukhari and Muslim, narrated Abu Sa'id, r.a. noted the Prophet peace be upon him (pbuh) said, "Surely, you will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, in everything as one arrow resembles another, (i.e. just like them), so much so that even if they entered a hole of a sand-lizard, you would enter it." 

They said, "O Allaah’s Messenger! Do you mean to say that we will follow the Jews and the Christians?" The Prophet (pbuh) replied, "Whom else?" (By meaning the Jew and Christians) 

The 'ustaz' said the Western world especially the Jews are now vigorously exporting their way of life and thinking to the people of the world. The Jews did not conquer the world as the British, Spaniards, Dutch and Portuguese but their succeeded in capturing the minds of the people. They are up to destroy the people of the world other than the Jews themselves.

He claimed that the Jews were up to destroy the Muslim world with their '5-F strategy' that are lifestyles regarding 'film, family, fashion, fun and food'. For example, films produced in Hollywood which were dominated by Jews were accepted around the globe - lifestyles portrayed in Hollywood's films were totally against the teaching of Islam but they had been idolized world wide including in the Muslim world.

The Jews or Western way of life regarding family, fashion, fun and food too had destroyed the life of the new generation of Muslims...but Muslims especially their leaders choose not to fight the evil but to be part of them. Perhaps it was in line with what former US President, George W Bush had declared: "you are with us or we will fight you."

Thus, regarding the recent development of Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), Muslim countries such as Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam have no choice - they must sign it although the TPP suffers from a serious lack of transparency.

The 'ustaz' said, at this moment when power is held by the Western world, they had their hands on almost all 'world matters' but Muslims could overturned it by once again by becoming the 'superpower of the world' as they had proved it during the era of Abbasid where one of its greatest caliphate Harun Al-Rashid (786-803 AD) was much respected by the king of Franks, Charlemagne (771-814 AD). The Frank king even sent his special delegation to Baghdad which was known as the world's center of knowledge.

By sending his envoy to Baghdad, Charlemagne had high respect to the Muslims way of living including to live in peace with all the people of the world. Islam is a religion of 'Rahmatan Lil 'Alamin" (blessing to all mankind); in Ayah 107 of Surah al-Anbiya, Allah SWT notes:  "We have not sent thee, O Muhammad, but as a mercy to all mankind."

Islam is a mercy to all mankind but many people including those living the West, distort this statement to understandings that are mistaken. So that raises a lot of mistakes in the practice of religion even in a very fundamental thing, that in the matter of belief.

The ustaz said, cruelty has no place in Islam. Even when dealing with animals, such as slaughtering them for food, the rule is to attend to it accordingly such as mentioning the name of Allah (Bismillah), make the animals die swiftly and easily by using sharp knives but not by sharpening the knives in front of the animals.

Islam is a beautiful religion revealed by God that covers all aspects of life; even there are even laws regarding rearing and slaughtering of animals, what more when dealing with human lives such as the attack on Paris!

Islam covers all aspects of living not only to be safe in this world but in the Hereafter; the irony of it many Muslims choose to follow the way of the Jews and Westerners...well  into the hole of the lizard we would enter! 

'From zero back to zero'...

***
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.
***

LAST weekend my family and I visited my first son and his wife's house in Kertih, Terengganu. They were married two months ago and choose to begin a new life in the turtle state as they were both working there.

It was a terrace house in a quiet housing estate; they rented it for RM900 a month. Seeing a 'surau (small masjid) like situation' once inside the house (it was almost empty and there were barely a few necessities such a stove, a washing machine and a TV set while guests had to sleep on 'totos' (blankets) placed on floors), I remembered my own house in Wangsa Maju, KL when and my wife and I entered it for the first time as a married couple 26 years ago.

The house was a flat; we rented it from a friend for RM200 a month. I remembered that historic day when we drove to Kuala Lumpur from Melaka with my old faithful, an Opel Kadett with our belongings stored at the back seat and in the boot of the car! It was in February 1989.

For the few days our house was almost empty; we only had a TV set, a stove, a kettle, some cooking utensils and eating sets such as plates. We even slept on a 'toto' placed on the floor; there was no carpet at all. Only later on we had a fridge and other necessities.

Twenty-six years had passed...a few days ago, when I attended a 'tazkirah' (Islamic lesson), I heard the 'ustaz' (religious teacher) asked his audience - almost all of them were 'veterans' in their 50-s, 60-s and 70-s (I included) - "are you still busy chasing worldly pleasures after all those years...just look around and inside your house...if it is a car you had wanted before, you have had it now...some not only own one but several cars including the expensive ones...inside your house it was fully furnished perhaps with the high class 'jati' or Western-type furniture.

"Some homes are fully air-conditioned...and about money some have piles and piles of them at home or stashed in your bank accounts...or shares, some have thousands and thousands of them. And some of us have lands, estates and run businesses.

"Almost all of us have a wife or wives, children and grandchildren, And regarding position, status, title...some of us have or have had them; yes we have them all, only 'one thing' we had never tasted...well what is it? Yes it is death and life in our own graves and in the Hereafter!"

The 'ustaz' warned that if we were blessed with almost everything we had dreamed of when we were young but until now when we were at old age we keep on chasing those worldly pleasures, remember that life in this world is nothing compared to the Hereafter. 

He reminded that our 'worldly treasures' including houses, cars, money and businesses would of no use in the Hereafter. The much sought items there are ‘iman’ (faith) and good deeds; unfortunately the Hereafter is not a place to do good deeds but a place to reaped ‘our best crop’ grown on earth! 

The world 'is only a stepping stone' for one to gather as much as 'benefits' as possible to be taken to the Hereafter. It is only a place to sow seeds but the fruits shall be reaped in the Hereafter. The duration of our life in the world (say 60-70 years) is only about two and a half hours compared with the next world which is for eternity. 

Our temporary life here is only a life of probation, for perpetual life in the Hereafter. All life ends in death. Therefore, let us remember that a certain time is fixed for us when we will be abandoned to the darkness of our graves. We should be therefore, consider the passing life of this world as a means towards our ultimate goal. Yes, this material world is not the main object of our life but a means towards a higher goal, said the 'ustaz'.

So it is really a very big mistake we put so much effort for our worldly gains and benefits in this world but forget our share in the Hereafter. Everything we heaped in this world would be left behind. The correct way is to follow the path shown by Allah SWT. From the Quran (Surah al-Baqarah 2:201), we recited this popular 'du'a': 'Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil 'akhirati hasanatan waqina 'adhaban-nar" with the meaning: "Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire."

Two of the best companions of the Prophets traded their worldly pleasures for the Hereafter. During a war campaign when the Prophets asked Muslims to help to finance it, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq gave all his properties while Umar Al-Khattab donated half of his belongings. To Abu Bakr, the Prophet s.a.w. asked: "What did you leave for your family?" Abu Bakr answered: "God and His Prophet."

In the Qu'ran (Surah an-Nisa' 4.74), Allah SWT says: "So let those who trade the life of this world for the Hereafter fight in God's cause. Whoever fights in God's cause, whether he is killed or victorious, We will grant him a tremendous reward."

But there are people who seemed not to bother at all about their fate in the Hereafter. Many people even 'veterans' are madly in the 'rat race chase' - their lives are only to fulfill their worldly desires such as having a big house, a fleet of cars and lots of money stashed in banks.

Some seemed like animals; Allah SWT says in the Qur'an: They are like cattle, who only think about what it eats, and does not think about the future and prepare for another life. They are not only like cattle but even worse, because cattle obey Allah in reasons of its creation. This is reflected in Surah al-Furqan where it says: "They are only like cattle - nay, they are even further astray from the Path - even worse than cattle." (Al-Qur'an 25: 44)

Allah informs man about the insignificance and deceptive allure of the world in the Qur'an: "Know you (all), that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. Here is a similitude: how rain and the growth which it brings forth delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; you will see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong). And forgiveness from Allah and (His) good pleasure (for the devotees of Allah). And what is the life of this world, but goods and chattels of deception? (Surat al-Hadid: 20)

Regarding our existence in the world, I admired A Samad Said's poetry entitled 'Tetamu Senja' (Evening Guests). The first verse read: 'Kita datang ini hanya sebagai tetamu senja' (We are guests of the evening); 'Bila cukup detik kembalilah kita kepada-Nya' (When the time is up we returned to Him); 'Kita datang ini kosong tangan kosong dada' (We came with an empty hand, empty chest or heart); 'Bila pulang nanti bawa dosa bawa pahala' (When we returned we brought along our sins and rewards).

Subhanallah, in life we begun with nothing...we brought nothing along with us but as the days turn into weeks, months, years and decades our 'properties' increased; for example for shelter at first we stayed with our parents then we moved into a bachelor room.

After getting married we managed to rent a house, then we bought one, then had two or three houses or enlarge the former until the day when we die...we would be send to our 'deep and narrow graves' with nothing (worldly properties) attached to us...yes we were from zero and would be back to zero but this time around we would be answerable to all our actions in the world in the form of 'dosa' (sins) and 'pahala' (rewards)!

Lupakan 1MDB, RM2.6b; fokus Umno VS DAP!

********************* Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. *********************** Renungan **************************** "Patutkah aku menyembah beberapa tuhan yang lain daripada Allah? (Sudah tentu tidak patut, kerana) jika Allah Yang Maha Pemurah hendak menimpakan daku dengan sesuatu bahaya, mereka tidak dapat memberikan sebarang syafaat kepadaku dan mereka juga tidak dapat menyelamatkan daku." (Surah Yaasin, ayat 23) **************************

PRESIDEN Amanah, Mohamad Sabu ketika merasmikan Graha Amanah Melaka di Bukit Katil 13 Disember lalu mengingatkan bahawa pemimpin Umno melalui perhimpunan agungnya (PAU pada 8-12 Disember lalu) bagaikan mengisytiharkan isu perkauman sebagai senjata paling ampuh mereka bagi menghadapi PRU-14.

Melalui PAU itu Presiden Umno, Najib Razak seolah-olah mencabar orang Melayu mereka hanya ada satu pilihan sama ada untuk menyokong (mengundi) Barisan Nasional yang 'berketuakan' Umno atau barisan pembangkang yang 'diketuai' DAP. Ya kepada orang Melayu, mana satu pilihan anda...nak sokong (beri undi kepada) Umno atau DAP. Orang Melayu ditakutkan jika DAP memerintah, perkara ini dan hal begitu akan berlaku...

Hakikatnya, kata Mohamad Sabu, DAP tidak mungkin menjadi parti terkuat dalam Parlimen Malaysia kerana jumlah kerusi ditandinginya kecil, misalnya pada PRU-13 lalu, DAP hanya bertanding 51 kerusi sedangkan kerusi Parlimen semuanya 222.

Jadi, kata beliau mulai sekarang semua pihak dalam pakatan pembangkang hendaklah bekerja kuat untuk menafikan sentimen perkauman yang menjadi gendang perang Umno. Mereka menakutkan orang Melayu mengenai bahaya DAP sedangkan permasalahan besar yang membelenggu negara dan mereka seperti isu 1MDB dan wang RM2.6 bilion masuk ke akaun PM sengaja dilupakan!

Ya, mereka sengaja meneriakkan Umno VS DAP dengan harapan rakyat terutama orang Melayu termakan pancingan mereka dan pada masa sama mereka menghulurkan 'tali persaudaraan dan persabahatan' kepada PAS. Orang Melayu digambarkan kononnnya kecerahan masa depan mereka adalah di tangan Umno, kalau mereka tidak memilih Umno sebaliknya barisan pembangkang yang 'diketuai' DAP, maka punahlah masa depan mereka!

Maka apabila fikiran orang Melayu disesakkan dengan Umno VS DAP, sebahagiannya terlupalah akan derita ditanggung mereka gara-gara pentadbiran kurang amanah sesetengah pemimpin. Musuh mereka adalah DAP dan bukan pemimpin korup dan kaki songlap yang bagaikan lintah menghisap darah mangsanya.

Duit negara yang hilang berbilion-bilion ringgit melalui pelbagai skandal tidak lagi mereka kisahkan; demikian juga langkah 'brutal' pemimpin yang 'menyedut' duit mereka seperti pelaksanaan cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) sebanyak enam peratus dan kenaikan bayaran perkhidmatan seperti tol dan tambang pengangkutan awam pada ketika harga barangan keperluan juga mencanak naik disebabkan peniaga terkesan berikutan adanya GST dan berlaku kenaikan harga minyak.

Jika sesetengah pemimpin bangga melalui GST kerajaan meraih pendapatan RM30 bilion sejak pengenalannya pada 1 April lalu sehingga kini, hakikatnya ia ibarat 'merompak' wang rakyat (termasuk peniaga) untuk dipenuhkan kantung kerajaan. Jika zaman dulu, melalui filem-filem lama P Ramlee, kita dapat saksikan betapa penjahat mengutip cukai daripada orang ramai secara kekerasan, sekarang ia dilakukan secara sistematik. Jika orang dulu enggan bayar cukai, rumah mereka dibakar atau mereka dicampakkan ke laut, balasan untuk orang zaman sekarang mereka akan dihadapkan ke muka pengadilan.

Berdasarkan keadaan 'korup' sesetengah pemimpin dan pihak dalam negara, tentunya kita perlu lakukan perubahan. Pemimpin yang kurang amanah perlu digantikan dengan yang amanah. Mungkinkah dengan lahirnya parti Amanah, akan muncullah pemimpin amanah. 

Demikianlah harapan kita...lebih-lebih Presiden Amanah sendiri, Mohamad Sabu sudah meminta ahli dan penyokong partinya serta pakatan pembangkang untuk sama-sama bekerja kuat bagi menggagalkan sentimen perkauman mainan Umno kononnya pertarungan PRU-14 adalah antara parti pemerintah yang diketuai Umno dan pakatan pembangkang yang 'berketuakan' DAP! Ya, itu tidak benar sama sekali, kata Mohamad Sabu. Ayuh...buktikan mulai sekarang!

'Turki boleh, Malaysia lagi boleh...'

Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.

Renungan

"Orang-orang yang meninggal dunia di antara kamu dengan meninggalkan isteri-isteri (hendaklah para isteri itu) menangguhkan dirinya (beredah) empat bulan 10 hari." (Maksud ayat 234 Surah Al-Baqarah)

SEMASA berkunjung ke 'Grand Bazaar' dan 'Spice Market' di kota Istanbul beberapa hari lalu, saya dapati peniaga yang kebanyakannya anak-anak muda, mesra menyapa dalam bahasa Melayu dan antara ungkapan mereka adalah 'Malaysia boleh!'

Saya berpendapat ini berlaku mungkin kerana percakapan dalam bahasa Melayu mudah ditiru dan dipelajari, lebih-lebih lagi bahasa Melayu dan Turki berkongsi sejumlah perkataan seperti sabun manakala ejaan daripada perkataan pinjaman bahasa Inggeris seperti ekonomi, politeknik, lojistik dan klinik adalah sama.

Suatu ketika apabila seorang peniaga Turki menyebut 'Malaysia boleh', saya pun menyampuk, 'Turki pun boleh'; dia membalas balik dengan berkata 'Malaysia lagi boleh.' Terkejut saya dibuatnya!

Berdasarkan sketsa ini, mungkin boleh dirumuskan wujud hubungan sangat baik antara Turki-Malaysia, lebih-lebih lagi sesama rakyat kedua-dua negara. Pengunjung dari Malaysia ternyata ramai di Turki; kerap kita bertembung dengan kumpulan pelancong dari Malaysia sama ada di Istanbul atau kota-kota lain.

Menyebut mengenai 'Turki boleh, Malaysia lagi boleh' di sini saya celotehkan beberapa perkara yang orang Turki boleh buat dan sehubungan itu orang Malaysia atau pemimpinnya boleh buat. Ya, Turki boleh, Malaysia lagi boleh!'

Pertamanya mengenai jalan raya dan lebuh raya. Sepanjang perjalanan merentasi bumi Turki sejauh ribuan kilometer, saya dapai jalan raya dan lebuh raya Turki amat baik; setaraf dengan Malaysia. Sesuatu yang amat menakjubkan di sini tidak ada pondok tol pun pada sepanjang perjalanan kecuali di lebuh raya 'super' di antara Bolu (separuh perjalanan antara Ankara-Istanbul) dan Istanbul.

Ertinya hampir semua lebuh raya Turki tiada tol. 'Free of charge', kata orang putih. Sistem tol lebuh raya Bolu-Istanbul juga menghairankan 'budak kampung' dari Malaysia seperti saya. Apabila kenderaan melintasi gerbang lebuh raya, akan berbunyi 'tick' dan kemudian apabila keluar daripada lebuh raya, berbunyi 'tick' sekali lagi. Ertinya tol dibayar secara automatik dengan pemandu tidak payah memberhentikan kenderaan untuk membayar secara tunai atau kad seperti di Malaysia.

Apabila Turki boleh membuat perkara ini, saya yakin Malaysia juga boleh. Ya Turki boleh, Malaysia lagi boleh! Di Turki lebuh rayanya 'free', di Malaysia pun boleh. Namun buat masa sekarang jika pemerintah Malaysia berasa 'kurang mampu' mengadakan lebuh raya bebas tol, apa kata 'bertimbang rasalah' untuk tidak menaikkan kadar tol yang kerap dilakukan itu. 

Demikian juga dengan tambang pengangkutan awam, 'bertimbang rasalah' dengan penderitaan rakyat. Janganlah dinaikkan, kasihan orang miskin dan kurang berada! Derita rakyat ini bukan ditanggung 'orang pembangkang' saja tetapi juga 'orang Umno' yang kuat menyokong pemerintah Umno-BN. Ya, dalam PAU baru-baru ini, perwakilan Umno sendiri menjerit bahawa rakyat pun terpaksa makan nasi berlaukkan 'tokyu' (kicap) kerana harga barangan keperluan kerap naik sedangkan menteri mudah beralasan seperti "kalau ayam mahal, jangan makan ayam!"

Di sepanjang perjalanan menelusuri bumi Turki, di kemuncak bukit dan lereng gunungnya kelihatan kinci angin besar dan tinggi (wind powered generator) untuk menghasilkan bekalan elektrik - ertinya pemerintah dan orang Turki bijak memanfaatkan alam semula jadi untuk kemudahan rakyat. Demikian juga di sesetengah tempat ada kemudahan untuk memanfaatkan tenaga solar (matahari).

Jika Turki boleh memanfaatkan alam semula jadinya, Malaysia lagi boleh! Pancaran cahaya matahari di Malaysia kekal sepanjang tahun. Mengapa tak memanfaatkannya secara maksimum. Semasa berkunjung ke India, saya dapati ada bangunannya yang berbumbungkan bahan lutsinar (translucent) jadi tidaklah mereka menggunakan banyak lampu untuk menerangi ruang dalam bangunan. Begitu juga dengan penggunaan tingkap bagi memerangkap angin, tidaklah mereka terlalu bergantung kepada alat pendingin udara.

Demikianlah, orang Turki dan India bijak memanfaatkan alam semula jadi mereka. Jika orang Turki boleh, orang Malaysia lagi boleh...Jika orang Turki bijak berjimat, orang Malaysia lagi boleh. Dari segi pelancongan pula, jika orang Malaysia boleh beramai-ramai ke Turki, mengapa tidak 'dieksploitasi kesamaan Malaysia-Turki' untuk membolehkan pelancong Turki 'beramai-ramai' ke Malaysia.

Mungkin jika pelancong Turki sudah ramai di Malaysia, bolehlah peniaga Malaysia pula bercakap dalam bahasa Turki - misalnya bagaimana nak disebut 'jika Turki boleh, Malaysia lagi boleh!'

Pemimpin menjerit, rakyat tanggung beban...

********************* Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. *********************** Renungan **************************** "Patutkah aku menyembah beberapa tuhan yang lain daripada Allah? (Sudah tentu tidak patut, kerana) jika Allah Yang Maha Pemurah hendak menimpakan daku dengan sesuatu bahaya, mereka tidak dapat memberikan sebarang syafaat kepadaku dan mereka juga tidak dapat menyelamatkan daku." (Surah Yaasin, ayat 23) **************************

TAHNIAH Umno kerana melalui PAU ke-69, berjaya 'membuktikan' kepada rakyat bahawa ia benar-benar mengambil berat derita mereka. Pemimpinnya seperti Khairy Jamaluddin menjerit, memekik menyatakan bahawa betapa susahnya rakyat berikutan kenaikan harga barangan keperluan dan sebagainya. Ada pula menjerit menyatakan GST sebanyak 6 peratus tinggi, boleh tak turunkan kepada 4 peratus?

Namun sayang seribu kali sayang; setakat menjerit hampir semua orang boleh menjerit, Malah kanak-kanak baru lahir pun 'menjerit' (menangis); hendaknya rakyat marhain tidak digalaskan untuk terus menanggung beban kehidupan pada tahun baru 2015 Masihi  yang akan tiba tidak lama lagi.

Ya, kita lupakanlah 'sesi menjerit' orang Umno kerana tahun lalu mereka menjerit juga, misalnya dalam isu semakin pupusnya hartanah orang Melayu tapi semuanya wal hasil balik asal; masa perhimpunan cakap berdegar-degar selepas itu sunyi sepi, ironinya tahun depan mereka cakap lagi...ini apa 'punya budaya dah?'

Biarkan orang Umno 'terjun dengan labu-labunya'...kita lihat realiti depan mata ini. Seorang anak perempuan saya yang akan naik Tingkatan Dua sebelum cuti sekolah lalu membawa balik 'book list' (senarai keperluan sekolah) tahun 2016...berpinar-pinar 'bijik mata' saya melihat jumlah besar yang perlu dibayar adalah RM567.15!

Subhanallah. banyaknya duit perlu dikeluarkan. Risau juga saya memikirkannya kerana sebagai penulis sambilan (saya sudah pencen daripada tugas wartawan sepenuh masa) dalam akaun bank saya, perolehan (income) bulanan dicatatkan kadang-kadang ratusan ringgit saja (dan bukan berbilion-bilion ringgit), bagaimana saya 'nak cekau' bagi membayar kos keperluan hidup sekarang ini?

Ya, dalam keghairahan anak-anak menghabiskan cuti panjang yang berbaki beberapa hari lagi, apakah ibu bapa dan penjaga sudah bersedia termasuk dari segi kewangan untuk menanggung kepayahan tahun baru? Tahun baru bermakna banyak bayaran perlu dibereskan. Bagi mereka yang mempunyai sejumlah anak bersekolah, bersedialah kerana kos menghantar kembali anak-anak ke sekolah bukannya murah; jika seorang anak memerlukan RM500, empat orang anak sudah berjumlah RM2,000!

Penyediaan ini belum lagi membabitkan pakaian, kasut dan beg serta duit saku. Demikian juga dengan tambang bas sekolah yang dinaikkan - kalau seorang anaknya tambangnya RM50 sebulan; empat orang anak jumlahnya sudah RM200 sebulan...'hai mana nak cari duit banyak-banyak ni?'

Bagi anak yang bersekolah rendah , mereka juga perlu ke sekolah agama rakyat yang biasanya diadakan pada sebelah petang. Biasanya yuran dan buku tulis bagi sekolah agama ini mencecah RM200...ya bertambah peninglah ibu bapa, tapi apa nak buat...soal pendidikan 'tak boleh dibuat main-main'. Ya, berkorbanlah apa saja asal anak-anak kita pandai dan tidak mengulangi kehidupan susah seperti yang kita alami.

Bagi kakitangan kerajaan, mereka mungkin boleh berasa lega sikit kerana khabarnya akan mendapat imbuhan RM500 bagi menampung serba sedikit keperluan anak-anak, tetapi bagaimana pekerja swasta seperti buruh kilang? 

Pesawah, penoreh getah dan peneroka termasuk di kawasan di landa bencana seperti banjir tentunya akan menghadapi masalah rumit apabila tahun baru bermula. Hasil sawah tidak menjadi, jadi bagaimana mereka mahu memenuhi kehendak anak-anak yang mendayu-dayu meminta dibelikan peralatan dan kelengkapan persekolahan.

Biasanya apabila tahun baru menjelma, akan berlaku pelbagai kenaikan harga barangan dan perkhidmatan yang sudah pasti mencengkam rakyat marhain. Harga barangan keperluan harian seperti beras, tepung, gula, susu, minyak masak, ikan, ayam, daging dan sayur-sayuran dibimbangi akan naik, sekali gus membebankan golongan berpendapatan rendah.

Rakyat marhain juga khuatir jika bayaran perkhidmatan seperti tarif elektrik, air, tol, tambang pengangkutan awam dan aneka jenis cukai akan naik yang memerlukan mereka berbelanja lebih sedangkan pendapatan mereka tidak berubah sekalipun tahun sudah bertukar.

Terbuktilah rakyat berterusan menjerit sepanjang tahun kerana derita menanggung beban hidup tetapi anehnya sesetengah pemimpin negara dan parti menjerit hanya setahun sekali. Setiap kali perhimpunan parti mereka menjerit selepas itu senyap...tapi percayalah tahun depan mereka akan menjerit lagi!

Charity begins at home...

***
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.
***

RECENTLY former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was reported saying there was nothing in the Qur'an that said 'zakat' (tithe) payments should be made directly through the Government.

"I have read the Qur'an, and this was never mentioned. But I pay my 'zakat' through the Government because it's easier," he said.

The former PM commented on a top State Zakat Council official who recently said it was 'sinful' to pay 'zakat' directly to the poor instead of handing the contributions to the Government's 'zakat' collection centres.

Regarding Dr Mahathir's statement I remembered a proverb which reads 'charity begins at home'. Yes, you should take care of family and people close to you before you worry about helping others. If you really want to make the world a better place, start by being polite to members to your family, said a scholar.

Scholars recommended us to be generous to our families before helping others. They were against people who forgot the fact that charity begins at home; for example a young mother who spends hours and hours on volunteer work and neglects her own children.

Regarding 'charity begins at home', I remembered a 'tazkirah' (Islamic lesson) by an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) at a masjid near my house not long time ago that 'zakat' authorities should give opportunity to the public to pay 'zakat' to their own family members.

The 'ustaz' recommended to those at helm of 'zakat' authorities and their officials to brief would be payers of 'zakat' to whom should their 'zakat' be distributed. By doing so, Islamic knowledge especially regarding 'zakat' could be passed to the public. 

He said if 'zakat payers' have relatives who are among the eight group of people that have rights on the 'zakat', they could pay some of the 'zakat' money to them apart from making payment to the authorities.

He strengthened this by reading a 'hadith' with the meaning: "The Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him (s.a.w.) said: 'Charity given to the poor is charity and charity given to a relative is charity and upholding of family ties'.” (Imam Ahmad, al-Nasaa’i)

The 'ustaz' said by doing so, we are 'making two good deeds' at a time 'with the same amount of money' - we are performing our 'fardu' (compulsory) obligations (paying 'zakat' as one of the pillar of 'Rukun Islam') and strengthening family ties which is regarded a very important aspect in Islam.

He then read the Qur'an verse which describes eight categories of people who are to receive 'zakat' in Surah 9, verse 60. "As-Sadaqat (here it means 'zakat') are only for the Fuqara and Al-Masakin and those employed to collect the (funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah's Cause, and for the wayfarer; a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise."

But the 'ustaz' was quick to explain that relatives who could have the 'zakat' money are not the immediate ones such as our parents, spouses and children. "They are in our charge, but please give your 'zakat' to your extended family as this is both an act of charity and upholds family ties."

He then enlightened his audience on the beauty of such a move: "Imagine we have a niece whose parents are poor but she had made it to a university...'insya-Allah' (God Willing) if we give our 'zakat' money to this relative who is in need, we have done our part in pleasing Allah SWT...and win the hearts of our relatives and fellow brothers."

The 'ustaz' when discussing the subject regarding priority in doing good deeds said, on top of the list is one's mother. Next is also the mother and then it is also the mother.

He then read a 'hadith' narrated by Abu Hurairah with the meaning: "A man came to Allah's Messenger s.a.w. and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?' The Prophet s.a.w. said, 'Your mother'. The man said, 'Who next?' The Prophet s.a.w. said, 'Your mother'. The man further said, 'Who is next?' The Prophet s.a.w. said, 'Your mother'. The man asked (for the fourth time), 'Who is next?' The Prophet s.a.w. said, 'Your father'." (Iman Al-Bukhari)

Next on the line is our children, grandfather and grandmother, our siblings, our uncles and aunts..."some are our immediate family members whose well beings are in our hands...payments of our 'zakat' cannot be made to them but it could be made to our extended family members such as an aunt who is poor or a nephew who is about to enter a university but short of fund."

The 'ustaz' stressed many times that in doing good deeds we should give priority to our relatives but reminded his audience to make sure the person or persons who are to receive our 'zakat' must be among the eight groups of people mentioned in the al-Qu'ran such as the poor and those in high debts for a good cause such as supporting the needs of his or her family.

"Well, it looks that not all our of 'zakat' money that is compulsory for us to pay must be given to the government's 'zakat' collection centre. This fact must be made known to the public and those who are administrating the 'zakat' centres. 

"'Zakat' officials should not hesitate to explain to their clients that they may take some of the 'zakat' money to be given to their family members who falls into the categories of people stated other then making payment to the 'zakat' centres.

"Sadly this situation was not being practiced in our country. 'Zakat' centres took all of the money paid by the public without giving them opportunity to help their own family members. Those paying 'zakat' should be advised to take some of the 'zakat' money so that they could help their own relatives who are in need," said the 'ustaz'.

He also claimed that sometimes 'zakat' money was given away with hidden political motives - for example 'the money' was only distributed by top party leaders to those who qualified at certain times and period of the year such as in the time of election.

The 'ustaz' recommended that 'zakat' money should to given to those who qualified at any time of the year without waiting for the right time and season for the benefit of those who distribute them such as to gain support during elections.

"Yes, just give them away because those who delayed in handing the 'zakat' money to fulfill the political motives of those in power, would incur the wrath and anger of Allah SWT," he said.

Perjuangan secara aman pilihan Anwar

***
Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.

Renungan
"Dan janganlah kamu menghampiri zina, sesungguhnya zina itu adalah satu perbuatan yang keji dan satu jalan yang jahat yang membawa kerosakan." - Maksud Ayat al-Quran Surah al-Israa': 32
***

MENGINSAFI bahawa Kongres Nasional PKR (KEADILAN) kali ke-11 pada 27-29 November lalu adalah yang pertama diadakan tanpa kehadiran Ketua Umumnya, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, saya teringat apa yang pernah saya tulis mengenasi perjuangan beliau termasuk tuduhan kes liwatnya.

Ingatan itu semakin segar ketika menekuni kuliah Maghrib-Isyak di sebuah masjid di kampung saya di mana sang ustaz ketika membicarakan bab Fiqh Jinayah (Jenayah), mengingatkan jemaah bahawa antara kesalahan yang wajib dikenakan hukuman hudud adalah menuduh orang berzina (qazaf), iaitu membuat tuduhan zina ke atas orang baik lagi suci atau menafikan keturunannya dan tuduhannya tidak dapat dibuktikan dengan empat orang saksi.

Sang ustaz menegaskan bahawa empat orang saksi itu mesti melihat dengan mata kepala mereka sendiri akan perzinaan itu dengan beliau menggambarkannya bagaikan melihat 'gincu masuk ke dalam bekasnya' - kalau gincu 'terkeluar' dari bekasnya itu pun tidak boleh, kata sang ustaz membuatkan jemaah ketawa.

Demikian bukan mudah untuk menuduh atau mempersabitkan orang melakukan zina atau liwat; bagi penuduh yang gagal mengemukakan empat orang saksi itu, dia sudah melakukan kesalahan qazaf, dia boleh dikenakan sebatan 80 kali.

Anwar kini 'terpenjara' lima tahun di Sungai Buloh di atas tuduhan liwat, namun auranya tetap dirasakan ketika Kongres dan salah seorang pemimpin yang tanpa segan meluahkannya adalah Ketua AMK, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. 

Beliau ketika Kongres AMK, berkata Anwar sentiasa prihatin akan AMK dan kerajaan negeri Selangor yang kini 'bermenteri-besarkan' pemimpin KEADILAN iaitu Azmin Ali. Namun Anwar langsung tidak mengadu tentang keadaan dirinya di penjara.

"Langsung beliau tidak berkongsi apa yang dilalui oleh dirinya. Langsung tidak dikongsi penderitaan yang dilaluinya. Ini yang kita kata tokoh ketua umum kita, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Beliau tidak gentar, walau jasadnya di dalam penjara, memikirkan tentang kita semua, memikirkan tentang parti yang kita cintai, memikirkan tentang rakyat yang ramai," kata Nik Nazmi.

Bagi diri penulis pula, masih ternyiang-nyiang dan terbayang peristiwa di rumah keluarga Anwar di Bukit Damansara pada 31 Oktober 2004 selepas beliau kembali dari Makkah dan Jerman.

Jam 11 pagi, di pekarangan rumahnya, Anwar disambut dengan tarian singa, bunyi-bunyian gong dan gendang. Keadaan amat sesak. Sukar untuk penulis memasuki pekarangan rumah berkenaan. Tetapi apabila berada di dalam, keadaan amat terkawal dengan khemah dan kerusi disediakan. Kebanyakan kerusi sudah diduduki, sebahagian besarnya wanita. Mungkin mereka sudah bersedia lebih awal untuk menyambut Anwar. 

Sejumlah tokoh diberi peluang berucap. Kini di kalangan mereka ada yang sudah meninggal dunia, ada yang meninggalkan parti masing-masing dan ada yang sudah berada di kemuncak kuasa. Mereka termasuklah Karpal Singh, Mahfuz Omar, Dr Hasan Ali, Lim Guan Eng dan Presiden KEADILAN, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail yang juga isteri Anwar.

Apabila tiba gilirannya, Anwar yang tidak berhenti-henti mengucapkan terima kasih kepada supaya pihak yang mendoakan beliau, berkata beliau turut berdoa untuk kesejahteraan dan keselamatan mereka di depan Kaabah. 

Ketika Anwar berucap, penyokongnya menjunjung sekotak besar berisi jambangan bunga untuk disampaikan kepada Anwar dan sempat juga bekas Perdana Menteri itu berlawak - mereka membawa bunga dan bukannya peluru, jadi tidak ada apa yang hendak ditakutkan. 

Katanya, perjuangan beliau dan rakyat adalah secara 'aman' dan itulah yang akan diperjuangkan oleh beliau, parti politik sealiran dan NGO bagi mencorak landskap baru politik Malaysia! Ya, Anwar memilih berjuang secara aman, jauh daripada konfrontasi - harga yang perlu dibayarnya tersangat tinggi termasuklah dihumbankan ke dalam penjara!

'SPM, STPM penentu masa depan kamu!'...

Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.

Renungan

"Orang-orang yang meninggal dunia di antara kamu dengan meninggalkan isteri-isteri (hendaklah para isteri itu) menangguhkan dirinya (beredah) empat bulan 10 hari." (Maksud ayat 234 Surah Al-Baqarah)

SEORANG penceramah motivasi  yang diundang berucap di sebuah sekolah menengah beberapa bulan menjelang peperiksaan awam SPM dan STPM meluahkan 'rasa terkilan' apabila pengetua sekolah itu yang berucap bagi merumuskan perjumpaan menegaskan beberapa kali kepada pelajar: "Ingat SPM dan STPM ini adalah penentu masa depan kamu!"

Penceramah itu berkata kalaulah dia diberi peluang berucap selepas pengetua itu bolehlah dia 'secara lawak cuba-cuba membetulkan' kata-kata semangat "Ingat SPM dan STPM ini adalah penentu masa depan kamu!"

Beliau berkata dari segi akidah, ingatan itu sudah terpesong, tidak bolehlah kita sebagai manusia menyatakan kejayaan peperiksaan adalah penentu masa depan seseorang. "Sekalipun untuk memberi semangat kepada pelajar, kata-kata yang diucapkan perlu difikirkan secara mendalam akan maksudnya," katanya.

Penceramah itu berkata, bercakaplah secara benar bahawa kita ini makhluk lemah, jadi mintalah pertolongan kepada Allah SWT...apa, adakah kita malu untuk menyatakan bahawa Allah yang menentukan masa depan kita? Demikianlah, betapa banyak pelajar kurang cemerlang dalam SPM dan STPM berjaya dalam hidup dan tidak kurang juga pelajar terbaik kurang berjaya dalam kehidupan.

Kejayaan dalam kehidupan pula mempunyai pelbagai tafsiran...apakah berjaya itu bermaksud seseorang pelajar cemerlang dalam SPM atau STPM seterusnya memasuki universiti, mendapat pekerjaan baik bergaji besar seterusnya berpangkat tinggi serta berharta banyak?

Seorang ustaz dalam kuliah dwi-mingguannya yang sering saya hadiri, cukup kesal dengan sikap sesetengah anggota masyarakat yang meletakkan sijil sebagai penentu masa depan anak-anak. Mereka yakin lebih tinggi sijil diperolehi (daripada sijil UPSR kepada SPM, STPM seterusnya ijazah) maka cerahlah masa depan seseorang sebaliknya mengutuk anak-anak 'tak bersijil' seperti pelajar tahfiz kononnya tidak mempunyai masa depan.

"Sekarang ini budak-budak tahfiz sudah buktikan...ada yang sudah jadi 'lawyer' (peguam) dan pensyarah sedangkan kita tahu ribuan orang berijazah pun sedang menganggur. Ini menunjukkan sijil-sijil bukanlah penentu masa depan, yang berkuasa menentukan masa depan kita hanyalah Allah SWT," katanya.

Beliau mendakwa 'kegilaan' masyarakat bagi anak-anak mereka mendapatkan sijil cemerlang dengan deretan 'A' menyebabkan agama seolah-olah digunakan dalam keadaan dan masa-masa diperlukan saja. "Misalnya, menjelang peperiksaan, sekolah mengundang ibu bapa dan anak-anak untuk solat hajat dan baca Yassin...kita bimbang kerana ada kajian menunjukkan ramai anak-anak kita yang tidak cukup solat waktunya dalam sehari malah ada yang tidak solat sama sekali...jadi sewajarnya kita berusaha agar anak kita dapat menunaikan solat dengan sempurna setiap hari."

Akibat terlalu memberi penekanan kepada kejayaan akademik seperti meluahkan kata-kata "SPM, STPM penentu masa depan kamu" pelbagai kemungkinan buruk boleh berlaku. Tindakan meletakkan harapan yang terlalu tinggi dalam pelajaran memberikan tekanan bukan saja kepada pelajar malah ibu bapa, guru, sekolah dan masyarakat.

Baru-baru ini seorang pelajar dilaporkan membunuh diri dikatakan kecewa tidak dapat menjawab kertas peperiksaan Matematik Tambahan SPM yang didudukinya. Mana tidak 'tension' kerana sejak awal-awal lagi sudah dipasak ke minda murid "SPM ini penentu masa depan kamu."

Mungkin kerana takut masa depannya tiada lagi 'kerana SPM-nya sudah lingkup', pelajar berkenaan dikhuatiri mengambil jalan mudah dengan membunuh diri. Sehubungan itu, diharapkan 'orang kepercayaan' anak-anak seperti ibu bapa dan guru (termasuk pengetua) berhati-hati tatkala mereka memberi nasihat dan mengungkapkan kata-kata perangsang kepada pelajar!