An appointment with CM at 3.00 am...

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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BUKU TERBUKA UNTUK JUALAN

4. Tajuk: Di Dalam Lembah Kehidupan

Penulis: Prof Dr Hamka 

Penerbit: Pustaka Dini

Muka surat: 207 (Harga asal dibeli RM17)

Hanya RM10 (termasuk belanja hantaran pos biasa)

Penilaian LanH terhadap buku ini yang sudah dibaca beliau: Sangat bagus

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3. Tajuk: Keadilan Ilahi

Penulis: Prof Dr Hamka 

Penerbit: Pustaka Dini

Muka surat: 123 (Harga asal dibeli RM13)

Hanya RM10 (termasuk belanja hantaran pos biasa)

Penilaian LanH terhadap buku ini yang sudah dibaca beliau: Sangat bagus

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2. Tajuk: Rahsia Madinah (Jejak Rasul 2)-----------(XXXXXXXXX  MAAF, SUDAH DIJUAL)

Penulis: Khalil Ibrahim Mulla Khothir 

Penerbit: Al-Hidayah Publishers

Muka surat: 218 (Harga tertulis di buku RM14)

Hanya RM10 (termasuk belanja hantaran pos biasa)

Penilaian LanH terhadap buku ini yang sudah dibaca beliau: Sangat bagus

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1. Tajuk: Rahsia Mekah (Jejak Rasul 1)-------------(XXXXXXXXXXXX MAAF, SUDAH DIJUAL)

Penulis: 'Atiq bin Ghaits Al-Biladi

Penerbit: Al-Hidayah Publishers

Muka surat: 300 (Harga tertulis di buku RM15)

Hanya RM10 (termasuk belanja hantaran pos biasa)

Penilaian LanH terhadap buku ini yang sudah dibaca beliau: Sangat bagus

IMAGINE this scenario -  after attending a very late political 'ceramah' (talk) you were at a 'mamak' restaurant - at first you wanted to head straight home but your tummy ask 'for a refill' - there you saw an old friend sitting alone at a corner desk - you asked yourself quietly "what's he is up to at this wee hour of the night?"

You approached, greeted him and asked: "You seemed to be waiting for somebody...but it is 3.00 am now..." to which he answered: "Yes, I am waiting for the CM (Chief Minister). I had an appointment with him!"

Immediately your mind would grade high to that person. Subhanallah, this friend of mine must be someone of importance to the Chief Minister. He was so special in the eyes of the CM...because he had the 'power' to make the CM gave up his sleep just to see him.

And of course, the matter or matters they would discussed were very important and urgent...if not why the CM must see him in the wee hour of the night...can't he wait until tomorrow when he is in office?

Well, dear readers, if a person or persons who could set an appointment at 3.00 am with the Chief Minister are looked high in our eyes, just imagine the position of a pious person who have an 'appointment' with Allah SWT, Master of the Universe at the wee hours of the night - more amazingly if he could have the appointment being set at every night!

And if 'the appointment' is made during Ramadan which is the 'penghulu' (chief) of all months, then that person or persons, 'insya-Allah' (God Willing) would be in high ranks in the 'eyes' of Allah SWT.

This 'appointment with the CM story' was used by an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) during his 'kuliah subuh' (early morning lesson) at a 'masjid' near my house recently to 'inject' the spirit to perform 'ibadah malam' (acts of devotion to Allah SWT during the night) among Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.

"Let's make our night alive during this 'barakah' (blessed) month of Ramadan," said the 'ustaz'. He explained our 'night duties' begin with performing 'solat isyak' (late evening prayers) 'berjemaah' (in mass) followed by 'solat sunat tarawih' (the recommended prayers with eight or 20 'rakaat' which could be done alone or in mass) and ends with 'solat witir', a one or three 'rakaat' prayer.

Normally the above 'solat' at the masjid ends at about 10.00 pm and congregators head home to have a light supper or they could have it at the masjid itself which is called 'moreh'. Then we could continue with our work, mingling with our family members, do some reading or reciting the Qur'an before calling it a day; perhaps at 11.00 or 12.00 midnight.

At 3.00 or 4.00 am we could wake up with 'high spirits' to fulfill 'our 'appointment' with Allah SWT during the very calm and serene time of the night.

"One of the most important things to do is to perform your 'qiam' (night) prayers," said the ustaz. "There are many recommended prayers such as 'solat tahajud', 'tasbih', 'taubat', 'hajat' and 'witir'. If you had said your 'witir' prayes after your 'tarawih' then you need not repeat it.

"It is recommended to offer 11 rakaat of all the prayers mentioned; the time taken is up to you but it was reported that Sayidina Uthman bin Affan prayed a two rakaat prayer all night long (from after isyak and ended before dawn) finishing reciting the whole Quran from Surah Al-Fatehah to Surah An-Nas," said the ustaz.

After performing your prayers, you could use the time to read the Qur'an, said the ustaz. "If could recite the Qur'an in your solat (as what Sayidina Uthman did) that would be highly rewarded by Allah SWT; but if you could not, then reading it from the book would be a very good deed what more if you searched for its meaning and had a thought about it.

The next thing to do in the wee hours of night is 'berdoa' (do your supplication to Allah SWT). Remember, 'berdoa' is an 'ibadah'; so do it the correct way as suggested and showed by the Prophet, his 'sahabah' (companions) and renowned scholars. Begin it with praising Allah SWT (reading Surah Al-Fatehah would be highly recommended), 'saluting' (salawat and salam) to the Prophet and his family members and then ending it with the salawat dan salam.

Many of the well known supplications derived from the Qur'an; among them are 'Rabbana aatina fiddunya hasanatan wafil akhirati hasanatan waqina adhabannaar' (Our Lord, give us good in this life, and in the Hereafter, and protect us from the Hellfire). - Al-Baqarah or Cow, 201) and ayah 40-41 of Surah Ibrahim with the meaning: "My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and (many) from my descendants; Our Lord, and accept my supplication. Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established" and ayah 87 of Surah Al-Anbiya; 'La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka, inni kuntu mina z-zalimin' (there is no deity but You. Glory be to You! Verily, I have been among the wrongdoers) which was the supplication by Prophet Yunus.

The ustaz said the next 'ibadah' to be done would be the 'zikir' (dhikir that is eulogizing Allah in the words taught by the Prophet or in the words prescribed in the Qur’an). One’s tongue should be wet with words of praising Allah SWT with the chants of ‘Laa Ilaha IllAllah (there is no God except Allah) which is the heaviest in weight on the side of Allah SWT. Then there are many more ‘kalimah’ that should be read such as ‘Subhanallah, Walhamdulillah, Wala Ilaha Illallah, Wallahuakbar’, Astaghfirullah al Lazi La Ilaha ‘illa Hual Hayyul Qayyum Wa Atubu Illahi’, ‘La Haula Wala Quwwata Illa Billah’, and ‘Subhanallahi Wabihamdihi Subhanallahil ‘Azim’ (lofty words in His praise).

These ‘kalimah’ should be chanted in full concentration for the maximum rewards by Allah SWT and for the ‘zikir selawat’ (praises to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.) its reciters would also be rewarded even if their minds were not on what they recited, what more if they paid full attention to it. Among the simplest ‘selawat’ is ‘Allahumma Salli Ala Saiyidina Muhammad, Wa’ ala Ali Saiyidina Muhammad’.

After spending our night with the above ibadah (praying, reading the Qur'an, doing supplications and 'dhikir'), then it would be time for us to take our 'sahur' (meal before beginning our fast). This is also an 'ibadah'; it is recommended to take it late perhaps in Peninsular Malaysia at around 5.00 am before the 'azan' (call for prayers) at dawn (Subuh) at around 5.40 am.

Before the 'azan', men should already be in the masjid, performing their 'solat tahiyatul masjid' and after 'azan' their 'sunat' (recommended) prayers. Then perform the subuh prayer in congregation. After 'subuh', daylight would slowly come on; we are advised to seek our parts in the world (go to work).

But remember, we would be fasting on that day; Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah s.a.w. said: “Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except being awake.” - Darimi

Why is it that way...; the ustaz advised congregators that "fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink...We are also requested to 'fast' our tongues, eyes, ears and minds. If we only refrain ourselves from taking food and drink, but 'free' our eyes, ears and tongues, then at the end of the day, I am afraid we will be rewarded only with hunger, thirst and tiredness."

To beginners, of course it is hard to 'have an appointment with Allah SWT' at 3.00 am; scholars have given us tips on how to wake up for the 'tahajud' and other prayers; among others:

* It is preferred that what you eat is of high nutritional value and is not consumed for the sake of taste buds. Break you fast as soon as possible but for 'sahur' delayed it - say about 30 minutes before the 'adhan subuh'.

* Take a mid-day nap/siesta before 'zuhur' or after.

* Remain pure all day, i.e. in wudhu. 

* Praying 'fardu' (obligatory) prayers on time in 'jemaah' (mass) with maximum khushoo’ at the 'masjid'. 

* Go to sleep early and 'du'a' (supplicate) to Allah SWT 'to help you in waking up'! 

Politik wang juga rasuah...

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

Renungan
"Maafkanlah dan suruhlah (mengerjakan) yang makruf dan berpalinglah daripada orang-orang yang jahil." - Q.S. Al-A'raf: 199

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BUKU TERBUKA UNTUK JUALAN

4. Tajuk: Di Dalam Lembah Kehidupan

Penulis: Prof Dr Hamka 

Penerbit: Pustaka Dini

Muka surat: 207 (Harga asal dibeli RM17)

Hanya RM10 (termasuk belanja hantaran pos biasa)

Penilaian LanH terhadap buku ini yang sudah dibaca beliau: Sangat bagus

***********

3. Tajuk: Keadilan Ilahi

Penulis: Prof Dr Hamka 

Penerbit: Pustaka Dini

Muka surat: 123 (Harga asal dibeli RM13)

Hanya RM10 (termasuk belanja hantaran pos biasa)

Penilaian LanH terhadap buku ini yang sudah dibaca beliau: Sangat bagus

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2. Tajuk: Rahsia Madinah (Jejak Rasul 2)-----------(XXXXXXXXX  MAAF, SUDAH DIJUAL)

Penulis: Khalil Ibrahim Mulla Khothir 

Penerbit: Al-Hidayah Publishers

Muka surat: 218 (Harga tertulis di buku RM14)

Hanya RM10 (termasuk belanja hantaran pos biasa)

Penilaian LanH terhadap buku ini yang sudah dibaca beliau: Sangat bagus

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1. Tajuk: Rahsia Mekah (Jejak Rasul 1)-------------(XXXXXXXXXXXX MAAF, SUDAH DIJUAL)

Penulis: 'Atiq bin Ghaits Al-Biladi

Penerbit: Al-Hidayah Publishers

Muka surat: 300 (Harga tertulis di buku RM15)

Hanya RM10 (termasuk belanja hantaran pos biasa)

Penilaian LanH terhadap buku ini yang sudah dibaca beliau: Sangat bagus

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MEMBACA akhbar harian akhir-akhir ini ternyata terlalu banyak tangkapan membabitkan rasuah. Apa yang 'menarik' kebanyakan kes membabitkan penjawat awam termasuklah anggota polis, imigresen sehingga kepada guru sekolah dan pegawai zakat agama negeri...

Persoalannya, mengapa 'terlalu kurangnya' tangkapan ke atas orang atau lebih tepat lagi tokoh politik yang berterusan mengamalkan 'politik wang' dan menjelang pilihan raya bersikap lebih 'agresif' sehingga sanggup mengungkapkan 'I help you, you help me' (saya tolong awak, awak tolong saya).

Wikipedia Bahasa Melayu (ensiklopedia bebas) mendefiniskan politik wang sebagai RASUAH bagi perlakuan mengunakan wang ringgit dalam sesuatu pertandingan (seperti pilihan raya) atau dalam mempengaruhi seseorang ahli atau perwakilan bagi meraih sokongan terhadap seseorang calon yang bertanding merebut jawatan yang dipertandingkan.

Secara mudah politik wang adalah wang tunai diberikan kepada pengundi bagi mendorong mereka mengundi calon berkenaan. Selain wang, pemberian berbentuk hadiah, barangan 'mudah bawa' seperti kain pelikat / kain batik, dan pemberian tender atau kontrak tertentu jika bertujuan mempengaruhi pengundi, juga digolongkan sebagai politik wang. Malah akhir-akhir ini ada sanggup 'merasuah' dengan barangan berharga seperti peti sejuk dan televisyen!

Rasuah merupakan suatu jenayah atau kesalahan undang-undang di mana seseorang mendapat kebebasan, kontrak atau keistimewaan (favours) daripada pihak berkuasa atau sesebuah syarikat selepas memberi wang, hadiah, keraian kepada pihak-pihak tersebut.

Menurut Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) terdapat empat kesalahan rasuah yang utama:
* Meminta/Menerima Rasuah
* Menawar/Memberi Rasuah
* Membuat Tuntutan Palsu
* Menyalahguna Jawatan/Kedudukan

Pemberian rasuah jika tidak dibendung akan mengakibatkan banyak masalah sosial kerana undang-undang tidak akan dipatuhi dengan sepenuhnya. Maka kegiatan jenayah dan ketidakadilan akan berleluasa.

Jika politik wang adalah rasuah, maka mereka yang memberi wang politik adalah perasuah manakala mereka yang memakan wang politik adalah penerima rasuah. Perkara ini tersangat jelas, tetapi mengapa pihak-pihak tertentu begitu gemar menggunakan istilah politik wang, tidak rasuah.

Nampaknya begitulah keadaannya, seseorang yang telah pun didapati bersalah mengamalkan politik wang oleh partinya sendiri, kelihatan telah bersih kerana apalah salah sangat politik wang. Sedangkan kalau dia dicop sebagai perasuah, kesannya sangat besar, mungkin orang akan ingat kesalahannya sepanjang hayatnya.

Pemberian barangan kecil seperti kain pelikat dan batik juga diistilahkan sebagai politik wang, jadi tidak nampak sangat kesalahannya. Mengapa semua ini tidak dikatakan rasuah saja? Mengapa mesti bersembunyi di belakang istilah politik wang?

Orang kampung (pengundi) jika dikatakan dia dihadiahkan kain pelikat atau kain batik, dia tidak akan terasa apa-apa tetapi jika dikatakan dia dirasuah dengan kain batik, dia akan marah. Apatah lagi jika dikatakan dia makan duit rasuah.

Jika memberi kain batik saja sudah rasuah, apatah lagi janji-janji tender, kontrak, pembangunan, infrastuktur dan sebagainya. Tetapi perkara inilah yang terjadi pada setiap kali pilihan raya.

Orang politik bijak menipu rakyat, mereka bermain bahasa; mereka menamakan rasuah sebagai politik wang. Istilah politik wang telah mengurangkan kejijikan kepada rasuah; sesetengah orang dan pihak melihatnya sebagai tidak ada apa-apa (bukan satu kesalahan), jadi mereka yang terbabit masih kekal di jawatan tertinggi parti dan juga kerajaan.

Orang ramai juga tidak bertindak apa-apa walaupun pelaku rasuah politik kekal di jawatan tertinggi sedangkan di negara yang maruah dan harga diri amat dipentingkan seperti Jepun dan Korea Selatan sudah lama pemimpin terbabit meletakkan jawatan malah membunuh diri.

Islam memandang berat kesalahan rasuah. Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Ash menceritakan, bahawa dulu ada seorang dalam pasukan perang Rasulullah SAW seorang lelaki yang digelar ‘karkaroh’. Orang tersebut meninggal, lalu Nabi SAW bersabda: “Dia masuk neraka.” Pada sahabat pergi melihat orang tersebut, ternyata mendapati orang itu melakukan rasuah dengan mengambil rampasan perang.” (Hadis riwayat Imam Bukhari)

Hadis di atas menegaskan sesiapa pun yang melakukan rasuah kelak dia akan masuk neraka. Tidak peduli dia seorang pegawai kerajaan (seperti pegawai polis, imigresen, guru dan pegawai zakat) atau pemimpin masyarakat atau negara yang kononnya banyak berjasa. Ini kerana mereka, termasuklah menteri dan pegawai sudah dibayar gajinya dan menerima pelbagai kemudahan daripada negara.

Seorang yang turut berjuang dengan Rasulullah s.a.w. tanpa digaji saja, setelah terbukti rasuah dihukum masuk neraka. Mudah-mudahan hadis ini membangkitkan keinsafan kita untuk berhati-hati dalam mencari wang – usah makan harta orang terutama duit rakyat secara haram tidak kita sikit apatah lagi banyak sehingga berbilon-bilion ringgit! Persoalannya sekarang kenapa tangkap bilis dan tidak jerung di persada kuasa?

U Masjid (24): Kasihan imam, dia bagai tak cukup tangan...

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

Renungan
"Maafkanlah dan suruhlah (mengerjakan) yang makruf dan berpalinglah daripada orang-orang yang jahil." - Q.S. Al-A'raf: 199

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BUKU TERBUKA UNTUK JUALAN

4. Tajuk: Di Dalam Lembah Kehidupan

Penulis: Prof Dr Hamka 

Penerbit: Pustaka Dini

Muka surat: 207 (Harga asal dibeli RM17)

Hanya RM10 (termasuk belanja hantaran pos biasa)

Penilaian LanH terhadap buku ini yang sudah dibaca beliau: Sangat bagus

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3. Tajuk: Keadilan Ilahi

Penulis: Prof Dr Hamka 

Penerbit: Pustaka Dini

Muka surat: 123 (Harga asal dibeli RM13)

Hanya RM10 (termasuk belanja hantaran pos biasa)

Penilaian LanH terhadap buku ini yang sudah dibaca beliau: Sangat bagus

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2. Tajuk: Rahsia Madinah (Jejak Rasul 2)-----------(XXXXXXXXX  MAAF, SUDAH DIJUAL)

Penulis: Khalil Ibrahim Mulla Khothir 

Penerbit: Al-Hidayah Publishers

Muka surat: 218 (Harga tertulis di buku RM14)

Hanya RM10 (termasuk belanja hantaran pos biasa)

Penilaian LanH terhadap buku ini yang sudah dibaca beliau: Sangat bagus

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1. Tajuk: Rahsia Mekah (Jejak Rasul 1)-------------(XXXXXXXXXXXX MAAF, SUDAH DIJUAL)

Penulis: 'Atiq bin Ghaits Al-Biladi

Penerbit: Al-Hidayah Publishers

Muka surat: 300 (Harga tertulis di buku RM15)

Hanya RM10 (termasuk belanja hantaran pos biasa)

Penilaian LanH terhadap buku ini yang sudah dibaca beliau: Sangat bagus

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SABTU dan Ahad lalu (20 dan 21 Mei 2017) adalah hujung minggu terakhir sebelum Ramadan. Sungguh banyak kenduri di kalangan penduduk - ternyata pegawai syarak masjid terutama imam tidak cukup (menang) tangan dalam menjalankan tugas di rumah Allah dan menyantuni dan memenuhi hajat orang kampung.

Sebagai OTK (orang tak kerja/pencen) yang memanfaatkan banyak masa di masjid, kini tahulah saya betapa sukar dan beratnya tugas imam - berlainan daripada pandangan umum masyarakat bahawa kerja pegawai syarak terutama imam adalah mudah sedangkan mereka dapat elaun pula!

Disebabkan terlalu bertungkus-lumus dalam kerjanya, seorang imam saya perhatikan tetap mengimami solat lima waktu sedangkan dia sakit dengan suaranya sudah hampir hilang. Selama beberapa hari dia mengimami solat dengan nada suara tersekat-sekat - rasa simpati pun ada tetapi apa boleh buat sebab imam penggantinya tiada!

Elaun imam dan pegawai syarak lain tidaklah sebanyak mana; saya difahamkan mereka diberi tak lebih RM1,000 - dengan wang sebanyak ini tidak mungkin mereka 'boleh berterusan duduk' di masjid - sebahagian besar daripada mereka adalah pekerja atau menjalankan bisnes jadi tidaklah boleh mereka berada di masjid sepenuhnya.

Walaupun wujud kekekangan yang menghalang pegawai syarak masjid daripada 'memasyarakatkan' diri mereka secara lebih berkesan, kita berpendapat jalan keluar perlu dicari dan diusahakan agar mereka dapat membimbing penduduk menuju kejayaan dunia akhirat, apatah lagi pada Ramadan ini.

Ini kerana keadaan masyarakat sekarang ini dengan aneka jenayah dan maksiat sudah menjadi terlalu teruk sehinggakan ada kalanya tidak lagi terbendung. Di sinilah kita berpendapat pegawai dan petugas masjid, daripada pengerusinya sehinggalah kepada jawatan paling bawah berperanan mengikut kemampuan masing-masing bagi membendung salah laku masyarakat terutama generasi muda.

Namun apa yang dapat kita saksikan hari ini, berlaku kelesuan pentadbiran di sebahagian besar masjid sedangkan sumber dana masjid tidak putus-putus, misalnya adalah biasa bagi sesebuah masjid di bandar memperolehi pendapatan RM2,000 pada setiap kutipan hari Jumaat.

Kita tidak mahu pentadbiran masjid dikuasai golongan tertentu yang ada kepentingan politik. Amat dikesali tokoh politik tidak mesra agama dilantik sebagai penaung masjid manakala ahli jawatankuasa dibuat secara lantikan oleh pihak terbabit tidak melalui pungutan suara dan pengundian di kalangan ahli kariah seperti sebelum ini. Masalah bertambah rumit apabila AJK lantikan bukan ahli masjid; jika lantai masjid pun jarang mereka pijak, bagaimana mereka mahu membantu menyelesaikan masalah penduduk setempat?

Pentadbir yang lesu menambah masalah ahli kariah. Di sesetengah masjid berlaku kekangan sehingga bilal dan imam gagal menjalankan tugas dengan baik, kadang-kadang jemaah terkial-kial mencari orang yang boleh mengimamkan solat waktu.

Jika pegawai syarak (seperti imam) mahu diperkasakan, jangan lupa kebajikan mereka seperti meningkatkan jumlah elaun. Walaupun begitu diharapkan agar petugas masjid dapat mempertingkatkan iltizam bagi membina kehidupan beragama yang membahagiakan seluruh kariah. Selain meningkatkan pengurusan di masjid, pegawai masjid wajar turun padang ke seluruh kampung bagi memastikan kehidupan anak buah sejajar dengan kehendak Islam.

Kerja-kerja amal makruf nahi mungkar hendaklah dijalankan. Imam dan petugas lain perlu meluangkan masa menziarahi anggota kariah seterusnya mentarbiyah mereka, yang melanggar hukum-hakam perlu dinasihati manakala amalan beragama diperkukuhkan. Penting untuk petugas turun gelanggang kerana penduduk yang ke masjid untuk solat berjemaah dan majlis ilmu terlalu sedikit.

Imam perlu sedar bahawa tugas mereka sebagai pemimpin bukan setakat mengimamkan solat berjemaah di masjid yang mungkin berlangsung 5-10 minit setiap waktu tetapi berdasarkan perkembangan semasa yang amat negatif seperti berleluasanya zina, kelahiran anak luar nikah, pembunuhan, perompakan dan pergaduhan adalah wajar untuk mereka turun padang.

Selain mentalbiyah penduduk, imam-imam juga perlu mengusahakan jalan agar gejala tidak menyenangkan dalam masyarakat ini dapat dikurang seterusnya dibanteras sama sekali. Jalan utamanya adalah kembali kepada Islam, umat Islam perlu disedarkan bahawa dengan menegakkan hukum-hakam Islam akan tertegaklah keadilan yang membawa kesejahteraan dalam masyarakat.

Tentunya, jalan ini tidak mudah dirintis, pengorbanan imam-imam sebagai pemimpin amat diperlukan. Merekalah antara golongan paling dekat dengan masyarakat, misalnya pada setiap majlis di kampung seperti kenduri dan kematian, merekalah yang akan mengepalai upacaranya. Jadi adalah wajar imam menjadi agen perubahan, membawa masyarakat kepada pengamalan Islam sepenuhnya.

Time to service your car...oops stomach!

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.

*********

BUKU TERBUKA UNTUK JUALAN

4. Tajuk: Di Dalam Lembah Kehidupan

Penulis: Prof Dr Hamka 

Penerbit: Pustaka Dini

Muka surat: 207 (Harga asal dibeli RM17)

Hanya RM10 (termasuk belanja hantaran pos biasa)

Penilaian LanH terhadap buku ini yang sudah dibaca beliau: Sangat bagus

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3. Tajuk: Keadilan Ilahi

Penulis: Prof Dr Hamka 

Penerbit: Pustaka Dini

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2. Tajuk: Rahsia Madinah (Jejak Rasul 2)-----------(XXXXXXXXX  MAAF, SUDAH DIJUAL)

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CAR experts said there are numerous factors that should be considered when it comes to how often your car needs servicing. The general rule for most vehicle types is once per year, but if you’re an especially frequent driver, your car could benefit from a more regular service.

The age of your car and type of fuel will influence the servicing time period. The older your car is the more often it will need servicing. Newer models under four years old often have a servicing period of 12 months. For automatic cars, the recommended service period is 12 months or 20,000 km. 

An 'ustaz' (religious teacher) in his 'tazkirah' (Islamic lesson) at a 'masjid' near my house recently when discussing the subject of 'puasa' (fasting) for the coming Ramadan said our stomach (body) needs to be serviced just like our car. To service our stomach we need to rest it and for 'puasa' we stop eating and drinking for about 13 hours during the day.

If a car normally needs to be serviced once a year, then our stomach too needs to be serviced 'annually' that is during 'Ramadan' - the ninth month of the Hegira (Islamic) year. During this month, Muslim are required to fast during the day for the whole month.

The 'ustaz' said if we neglect in servicing our car, the tendency for it to break down is high - the same could be said about our stomach. "We put everything edible inside our stomach whether the food or drink is hot or cold - even 'our home faithful refrigerator' breaks down or of no use after 20 or 30 years in service.

"Subhanallah, for some of us our stomach is now 50, 60 or 70 years old...then of course it urgently needs to be serviced...so 'puasalah' (do the fasting)."

So during 'puasa' we stop from eating during daylight; hopefully it could help in 'repairing' our tear and wear 'parts' in the stomach. But 'puasa' is not just about abstaining from food and drinks. Scholars said we are also requested to 'fast' our tongues, eyes, ears and minds. If not, we would get nothing out of our 'puasa'. Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah SAW (peace be upon him) said: “Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness.” - Darimi

Ramadan is about taking less food because you can only eat after sunset but the irony of it, Ramadan is the month where some Malaysian Muslims spend so much money and time on it. Ramadan teaches Muslims to be thrift on their spending. But it is normal for a Malaysian Muslim family; I included, spending more during Ramadan especially on food, clothing and decoration of the house. 

Ramadan teaches us to feel the pangs of hunger of the poor people of the world. It has been reported that one person in the world dies every three seconds because of hunger. So wasting of food is criminal. But how is the situation in our country and other rich Muslim nations where the word ‘hunger’ seemed ‘quite unfamiliar’ to us, and seemingly is happening in far faraway lands. In United Arab Emirates (UAE) it was reported that 500 tons of food are thrown away each year in the holy month of Ramadan! 

True, we are taking our own halal food, but we have to adhere to the regulations when eating. For example fill only one third of the stomach with food, the next one third with drink and leave the rest empty for easier breathing as said by the Prophet. If not we would be too heavy to perform the night 'ibadah' (acts of devotion) such as 'solat tarawikh' (a recommended prayers normally performs at 'masjid' in mass for 8 or 20 'rakaat' (units).

Another aspect of wastage during Ramadan is regarding time. How many people waste their precious time of Ramadan for example playing ‘dam haji’ (checkers) and carom while waiting for the time for ‘berbuka puasa’ (breaking of the fast or iftar)? 

This ‘fine aspects’ of Ramadan was discussed by an ustaz while giving his weekly ‘tazkirah’ (talk) at a masjid near my house not long time ago. The ustaz reminded Muslims (congregators at the masjid) to gain maximum benefits from the gifts of Allah SWT during Ramadan. In this holy month, one ‘sunat’ (optional) deed done would be rewarded like a ‘wajib’ or ‘fardu’ (obligatory) deed, and a ‘fardu’ deed would be rewarded 70 times or more than in other months. 

He said we should not waste any time during Ramadan because it is very precious. “Grab the oppourtunities given by The Almighty by considering this is our last Ramadan. If it is our last, then we should do our best to please our Creator, Allah SWT. Every second counts thus fulfill it with activities in accordance to the Creator’s wish.

Ramadan and the noble Qur’an cannot be separated. It was in this month that the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet s.a.w. through Angel (Malaikat) Jibril a.s. So to Muslims brothers and sisters why not brought along a small Qur’an with you and recite it while you are waiting in a line or better still during long journeys on buses and trains. 

And when travelling don’t forget to bring along a packet of dates with you, so that when it is iftar time, pass the dates to person or persons next to you for you would be rewarded handsomely by Allah SWT as the Prophet s.a.w. had declared: “If a person gives iftar to a fasting person in this month, his sins would be forgiven. And he will be given as many rewards as has that fasting person.”

When servicing our car, we would be happy if 'the end product' is that our car is in a tip-top condition; by performing 'puasa' during Ramadan, 'the end product' is that a person gaining 'takwa' (piety); the question is had we archived it during the previous Ramadan?

A few days ago while driving my car, I heard an ‘ustaz’ (religious teacher) say in a radio programme, that one’s ‘puasa’ (fasting) in term of spiritual enhancement of the soul was considered a failure if one’s budget overshot the normal monthly expenditure. But he said it is okay if we use the money for the benefits of others such as sponsoring an 'iftar' (breaking of fast) gathering especially in 'masjids' or helping the poor. 

He also jokingly said that if one’s weight dropped a lot at the end of Ramadan, he or she had succeeded in his/her ‘puasa’ but what would be said if one’s weight increased at the end of the holy month?

The truth is that in our society, some folks were indulge in wastage activities during the holy month of Ramadan, they should be reminded that they are accountable for five things before the coming of five. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Take benefit of five before five - your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free-time before your preoccupation,and your life before your death." (Hakim)

So to Muslims brothers and sisters, do not indulge in such empty, hollow and unbeneficial deeds, for Allah SWT says in Surah Al-Asr: "Verily! Man is in loss, Except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth (i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden), and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allah's cause)."

Regarding the wastage of food and gluttony during Ramadan, President of Consumer Association of Penang (CAP), SM Mohamed Idris, previously had commented on the lavish spending of Muslims at Ramadan bazaars and the ‘merry iftars’ at restaurants and hotels. 

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to eat nutritious food during breaking fast and sahur (predawn meal) and prohibited from wasting. Unfortunately many tend to prepare many dishes or the easiest way is to buy food and drinks that are sold in abundance in Ramadan bazaars and markets that mushroom during the fasting month.

Remember Allah SWT decree in Surah Al A’raaf, sentence 3, "Eat and drink, but not in excess. Allah does not like people who are superfluous". Whereas Surah Al Israa’, sentences 26 and 27 states, "And do not waste, as those who waste are the devil’s friends".

Remember Prophet Muhamad SAW’s commandment, "Fight the yearning for food and withstand hunger and thirst as the reward is equivalent as jihad to Allah’s path. There is nothing greater to offer God than resisting hunger and thirst."

In relation to this and in the occasion of this good month, let us all return to true Islamic teachings and practices and not be influenced by wastefulness and guile.

Let it be known that Ramadan is a sacred month among all other months and Allah SWT wants all his servants to fulfill the month with obedience and 'taqarrub' (closeness) to Him. The continuous satiety of an individual’s life will fulfill and enhance the soul with obstinacy and extremity. We hope that Ramadan will help develop loving and caring Muslims.