Titipan Seorang Pesara (8): Ketika hidup lagi sudah didakwa isteri...

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

Renungan
Daripada Abu Hurairah r.a. katanya: Aku mendengar Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda; "Umatku akan ditimpa penyakit-penyakit yang pernah menimpa umt-umat dahulu." Sahabat bertanya, "Apakah penyakit-penyakit umat terdahulu itu?" Nabi s.a.w. menjawab, "Penyakit-penyakit it ialah: (1) terlalu banyak seronok, (2) terlalu mewah, (3) menghimpun harta sebanyak mungkin, (4) tipu menipu dalam merebut harta benda dunia, (5) saling memarahi, dan (6) hasut menghasut sehingga menjadi zalim menzalimi." (Hadis riwayat Hakim)

SEKARANG ini heboh isteri seorang negarawan mendakwa suaminya sebagai penyebab dia tidak bertudung. Berhubung perkara ini teringat saya syarahan seorang ustaz pada bulan Rabiulawal ketika ini betapa perlunya setiap orang mendapat syafaat Rasulullah s.a.w. yang mulia pada hari kiamat.

Katanya, pada hari itu, keadaan gegak gempita dan kelam kabut, setiap orang membawa hal masing-masing. Suami melarikan diri daripada isteri, sang isteri melarikan diri daripada suami, anak melarikan diri daripada ibu bapa - semua orang 'nafsu nafsi', berusaha menyelamatkan diri masing-masing. Saudara-mara, sahabat handai, semuanya tidak dipeduli lagi.

Hatta pada ketika itu Nabi-Nabi pun dalam ketakutan. Manusia mencari-cari sang penyelamat, insan mulia itu adalah Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. Namun adalah amat malang dan memilukan, pada saat-saat genting itu, Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. berkata kepada sesetengah manusia sebanyak tiga kali yang bermaksud: "Aku tak kenal kau..." disebabkan cara hidup kita di dunia termasuklah sombong (tak mahu) berselawat kepada baginda s.a.w.

Kata sang ustaz penanggungnan  orang lelaki tersangat dahsyat. Di dunia empat 'kategori' wanita perlu dibereskan tanggungjawabnya jika tidak dia akan dihumbankan ke neraka, nauzubilah. Mereka ialah ibunya, isteri, anak perempuan dan saudara perempuan yang belum atau tidak berkahwin.

Tanggungjawab kepada isteri amat berat. Kata ulama isteri terlahir daripada keluarga yang berbeza dengan suami. Jika isteri tidak mendapat didikan secara Islami, maka suamilah yang bertugas dan berkewajipan mendidik, mengarah dan membimbingnya sesuai dengan ajaran Islam. 

Suami memiliki tanggungjawab penuh atas segala perbuatan isterinya. Jika isteri dibiarkan tidak ibadah, tidak mahu menjaga lisan, dibiarkan memutus silaturahim dengan keluarga, tidak mampu mendidik anak-anaknya, maka suami pulalah yang bertanggungjawab atas dosa-dosa isterinya.

Maka kata ulama, bimbinglah isteri ke jalan yang Allah redai, nasihatilah dia ketika dia salah, ajaklah ia berbuat baik, didiklah dia menjadi ibu yang bertanggungjawab kepada anak-anak dan rumahnya, ajari dan tanamkan nilai-nilai agama pada dirinya. Jangan sampai berasa bosan dan lelah kerana ini adalah tugas dan kewajipan sang suami.

Kata sang ustaz, di akhirat nanti mereka yang ada hubungan akan mendakwa-dakwi sesama sendiri, Suami dakwa isteri, isteri dakwa suami, anak-anak dakwa ibu bapa dan sebagainya. 

Mengenai perkara ini, perkembangan terbaru politik tanah air kita, isteri seorang negawaran di dunia lagi sudah mendakwa suaminya tidak membenarkan dia bertudung. Siang-siang dia sudah letakkan kesalahan di pundak suami.

Di akhirat, dakwa-dakwi akan berlangsung di depan Allah SWT. Macam mana kita mahu jawab dan sorak muka kita. Itulah ingatan untuk kita semua, kalau kita mahu selamat dunia dan akhirat ikut dan amal ajaran Islam keseluruhannya termasuk hal membabitkan suami isteri.

Dalam al-Quran, Allah SWT berfirman, bermaksud: "Hai orang-orang yang beriman, peliharalah dirimu dan keluargamu daripada api neraka yang bahan bakarnya adalah manusia dan batu; penjaganya malaikat-malaikat yang kasar, keras, dan tidak mendurhakai Allah terhadap apa yang diperintahkan-Nya kepada mereka dan selalu mengerjakan apa yang diperintahkan." (QS. At-Tahrim: 6)

Ulama berkata, jika tidak ingin terseret oleh api neraka kerana perbuatan wanita-wanitamu maka, jadilah laki-laki yang berilmu dan beragama. Sehingga kau akan tahu betapa beratnya memikul segala dosa yang dilakukan wanita-wanita yang berada dalam tanggungjawabmu. Ibu, isteri, anak perempuan dan saudara perempuanmu adalah tanggungjawabmu yang kelak Allah akan minta pertanggungjawabanmu terhadap mereka selama hidup di dunia.

Seorang tok guru berkata didiklah isterimu dengan ilmu  dan cara hidup agama sebaik selepas menikah, kerana ketika itu dia amat menyayangimu lantas dia akan ikut apa saja tetapi kalau kamu baru mahu melenturnya selepas 10, 20, 30 tahun berkahwin, dia sudah keras lantas kamu memerlukan kesabaran dan pengorbanan tersangat besar.

Biasanya, ketika baru berkahwin, kita 'rock', isteri pun 'rock' (kedua-duanya kurang kefahaman agama) selepas 20, 30 tahun baru ada yang insaf seperti isteri mahu pakai tudung tetapi suami masih tak insaf-insaf, dia naik darah jika melihat isteri cuba menutup aurat sepenuhnya.

Kesimpulannya, kata tok guru, "wahai anak-anak muda 'mailah' (marilah) belajar ilmu agama sebelum berkahwin." Kalau si lelaki ada ilmu tentunya dia akan pastikan isterinya menutup aurat sepenuhnya manakala kalau perempuan berilmu tentu dia tahu tak boleh taat perintah suami jika disuruh bermaksiat seperti mendedahkan aurat!

Derita rakyat pada era 'paceklik' (GST)...

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

Renungan

"Kalau sekiranya perempuan ahli syurga (termasuk bidadari) datang kepada penduduk bumi, nescaya akan disinarinya dunia antara langit dan bumi dan terpenuhinya dengan bau harum semerbak. Sesungguhnya tutup kepalanya lebih baik daripada dunia dan isinya." (HR. Bukhari)

HARGA minyak naik lagi. Derita majoriti rakyat bertambah parah. Pada malam hari menjelang kenaikan harga minyak 7 sen (RON 95) tempoh hari (15 November), kelihatan kenderaan bersusun di stesen minyak; orang ramai berusaha menjimatkan seringgit dua kos petrol mereka...ya derita rakyat nampaknya tidak dipeduli pemerintah!

Beberapa hari lalu penulis menerima sepucuk surat daripada seorang sahabat lama, Asmaranda, seorang penulis prolifik dari Pontian, Johor yang mengkisahkan derita rakyat. Usaha beliau mengutus surat membayangkan keprihatinannya - jarang pada era ICT ini seseorang itu mengutus atau menerima surat jadi apabila menerima warkah beliau yang catatannya masih menggunakan mesin taip, saya menganggapnya sangat istimewa lantas mahu berkongsi rasa hati beliau dengan pembaca.

Antara lain beliau menulis: "Saya dah baca artikel (kolum) saudara di Suara Keadilan. Membaca artikel saudara, era GST (Gasak Sampai Tumbang tulis Asmaranda, hakikatnya adalah Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan), orang miskin pun kena cukai. Realitinya negara Malaysia kaya tapi rakyatnya terbeban hutang.

"Saya pernah berbual dengan seorang pesara pegawai JKR. Katanya, hidup sebagai seorang pesara sekarang, mesti cari duit tambahan. Wang pencen tak cukup untuk menyara hidup anak bini, terutama yang hidup di bandar. Anak pesara itu tiga orang. Masih bersekolah. Nilai RM10 sekarang bersamaan RM1 dulu.

"Pengangguran sekarang ini ada di mana-mana. Ini gambaran sebenar. Jika orang pencen hidup susah, betapalah kalau orang bergaji kecil. Atau orang tak ada kerja atau baru dibuang kerja. 

"Ibu-ibu (wanita) sudah lumrah kelihatan berjualan kuih dan nasi lemak di tepi-tepi jalan atau di simpang-simpang lorong. Mereka berusaha menambah duit dapur. Ini menunjukkan ekonomi negara teruk.

"Tetapi anehnya, orang kita masih diajak berpesta. Jom heboh sana, jom heboh sini. Mereka yang datang berduyun-duyun orang kita. Ini gula-gula melekakan orang kita. Seperti cerita belalang dengan semut. Sang belalang dilekakan dengan pesta dan hiburan tetapi sang semut terus mengukuhkan ekonominya menghadapi zaman 'paceklik' (susah atau kekurangan makanan).

Asmaranda melanjutkan coretannya dengan mengkisahkan cerita gembira dan duka Pak Mat yang salah seorang daripada empat orang anaknya dapat masuk sekolah berasrama. Dia gembira anak cemerlang dalam pelajaran tetapi berduka mengenangkan perbelanjaan persekolahan seorang anak saja sudah beratus-ratus ringgit. Pak Mat terpaksa pajakkan kebun sawit dua ekar dan tapak rumahnya kepada seorang kaya kampung demi menampung perbelanjaan anak-anak.

Anak Pak Mat di asrama 'menggodam' Pak Mat meminta wang untuk membayar yuran asrama, komputer, perpustakaan dan yuran persatuan. Buntu Pak Mat kerana dia tak ada duit. Bukan tak ada langsung, tapi 'ngam-ngam' untuk makan minum mereka sekeluarga!

Isteri Pak Mat, Mak Lijah walaupun berusaha membantu suami dengan membuat dan menjual makanan ringan seperti rempeyek dan kerepek pisang, tidak dapat menolong. Jualannya tidak seberapa tetapi harga bahan asas seperti  pisang malah minyak dan gas sudah melambung naik. 

Dalam masa tak berduit ini, mereka 'kena bayar' bil elektrik dan air. Kata Pak Mat semua kena bayar segera kalau tak nanti bekalan kena potong. Kalau nak sambung balik, kena bayar denda dan kos pemasangan.

Memikirkan desakan anak untuk membayar yuran di sekolah asrama, Pak Mat nekad cari petai di tepi kebun dan hutan. Caranya dengan mengait dan memanjat pokok. Ada pokok petai tinggi menjulang, syukurlah Pak Mat tak jatuh...kalau tak dah jadi allahyarham.

Pak Mat yang menunggang motosikal buruk menjual petai di luar sebuah pasar di pekan tidak jauh dari rumahnya. Dia juga berjualan dari rumah ke rumah di sebuah kawasan perumahan berhampiran. Alhamdulillah, habis petai Pak Mat.

Besoknya Pak Mat menunggang motosikal untuk menghantar wang yuran sekolah berasrama anaknya. Bukan dekat 'beb', 40 kilometer pergi balik. Mampu tak 'kuda tua' ini 'mengharung' perjalanan sejauh ini, fikir Pak Mat ragu-ragu tetapi apa lagi pilihan yang ada? Naik teksi atau sewa kereta...oh dia tak mampu...duit dalam tangannya 'ngam-ngam' untuk jelaskan yuran si anak di asrama.

Lijah melihat dengan sayu suaminya pergi. Dia hanya masuk rumah selepas kelibat suami dan motosikalnya lenyap daripada pandangan. Hakikatnya rasa sayu Lijah itu membawa pengertian lebih hebat - suaminya meninggal dalam kemalangan - duit yuran sekolah asrama si anak masih ada dalam dompet wangnya!

Demikianlah derita Pak Mat dan keluarganya pada era 'paceklik' (GST) ini, kata Asmaranda. Hakikatnya ada ramai lagi Pak Mat di luar sana...persoalannya adakah pemimpin-pemimpin kita ambil peduli? Ya harga minyak naik lagi, apa pula selepas ini?

Titipan Seorang Pesara (7): Kalau mahu makan durian sebakul...

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

Renungan

Daripada Aisyah r.a., berkata: "Saya mendengar Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda: 'Semua manusia dikumpulkan tanpa memakai alas kaki, telanjang dan belum dikhatan.' Aisyah bertanya; 'Apakah antara lelaki dan perempuan akan saling melihat antara satu dengan yang lain?' Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda: 'Urusan pada hari itu lebih dahsyat daripada mementingkan hal-hal seperti itu.'" (HR. Bukhari dan Muslim)

ADIK saya yang baru mencecah usia 40 tahun menghidap penyakit gaut (gout). Kasihan saya tengok dia tak boleh makan daging apatah lagi makanan laut yang sedap-sedap seperti udang, sotong dan ketam.

Saya yang berusia lebih 55 tahun, alhamdulillah tiada gaut tetapi diserang penyakit kencing manis dan darah tinggi sejak berusia 40 tahun. Maka tidak bolehlah saya makan makanan serta minuman manis berlebihan termasuklah durian, ooh ini buah 'favorit' (kesukaaan) saya.

Apabila membeli durian atau ada anggota keluarga membawanya pulang, saya hanya makan seulas dua - ya kata orang nak merasanya saja. Ada kalanya saya tidak dapat tahan nafsu, maka saya 'bedal' tiga, empat, lima ulas dan seterusnya...akibatnya kepala menjadi pening semacam manakala kekerapan kencing bertambah.

Kadang-kadang rasa macam mahu pengsan dan rebah ke bumi. Demikianlah nasib saya dan sebahagian besar insan lain yang sudah sampai ke usia senja (tua), apabila duit mulai lebat dalam poket malah boleh membeli sebakul atau selori durian, makan pula dah tidak berapa boleh lagi. Dulu masa muda ketika berselera makan durian sebanyak mungkin, duit pula tak banyak dalam poket, jadi terpaksalah terkebil-kebil biji mata.

Orang sufi berasa hairan mengapa manusia terlalu gila mahu menjadi kaya raya harta – bertimbun-timbun duit dalam bank. Duit itu bukan boleh digunakannya untuk makan sesuka hati, apabila semakin tua semakin kuranglah selera untuk makan apatah lagi selepas diserang penyakit biasa bagi kebanyakan orang veteran seperti diabetes (kencing manis), gaut, darah tinggi dan lemah jantung.

Orang tua makannya sedikit saja, jadi apa perlu duit bertimbun dalam bank. Ini kerana jika makan durian, dia boleh makan seulas dua saja; jika makan daging, juga secebis dua; dan jika minum, minum air kosong saja (tanpa gula). Ada pula yang lebih malang lagi, tak boleh makan makanan lazat-lazat termasuk nasi, yang boleh dimakannya roti kering saja. Malah ada tak boleh makan dan minum secara normal, terpaksa guna tiub, jadi untuk apa duit banyak-banyak di bank itu?

Ada orang lagi tua lagi ligat mengumpul harta, kononnya senanglah mereka berbuat itu dan ini termasuklah berkahwin muda. Mereka tetap mahu berkuasa di puncak, terlalu leka menikmati keindahan dunia yang bagaikan syurgawi itu. Orang tua kahwin wanita muda memang bagus, kata seorang pemikir kerana dakwanya, “kalau kelapa tua (santannya) dipadankan dengan sayur muda barulah sedap lauk masakan” tetapi ingat-ingatlah kerana seorang pemikir lain menyatakan betapa menyusahkan seorang tua 'berbinikan' wanita muda tang, tang, tang.

Pada usia tua ini, alhamdulillah sempat saya ke kelas pengajian di masjid terutama di antara maghrib dan isyak. Mengenai bab tua, kata sesetengah guru, perubahan yang berlaku kepada diri kita adalah perkhabaran dari langit, daripada Allah SWT yang mengingatkan kita akan kematian.

Seorang tok guru berkata dalam kebanyakan kes, kematian tidak berlaku secara mengejut seperti dakwaan sesetengah orang. Allah SWT telah menghantar utusannya, tetapi kebanyakan manusia tidak menyedarinya. Salah satu daripadanya adalah penyakit, apabila umur meningkat 40 tahun ke atas, pelbagai penyakit mula menyerang.

Kata tok guru, cerminlah diri sendiri. Rambut mulai putih, ada yang sudah botak; misai dan janggut juga sudah lebih banyak putih daripada hitam. Ini semua adalah utusan daripada Allah SWT, awak sebenarnya semakin hampir dengan kubur, tetapi mengapa tidak sedar-sedar diri?

Kemudian badan pula terasa lenguh-lenguh; sana sini sendi sakit; kemampuan dan kekuatan pun tidak seperti dulu. Berjalan sikit sudah letih; apatah lagi berlari atau mendaki tangga, tercunggap-cunggap dan mengah, bagai mahu putus nafas.

Suatu hari selepas tamat seorang tok guru memberi tazkirah, saya memberanikan diri bertanya beliau: "Tuan, bagaimana saya dapat reda dengan situasi ini - dulu masa muda saya boleh makan durian sebanyak-banyaknya tetapi masalahnya saya tiada duit, sekarang ini dengan duit yang ada saya boleh beli sebakul durian, tetapi tak boleh makan pula?"

Jawapan tok guru mudah sekali, membuatkan saya tercengang-cengang: "Dengan duit yang ada, awak belilah sebakul atau selori durian sekalipun. Ambillah sebiji dan rasalah seulas. Yang lain tu hantarlah ke sekolah budak tahfiz. Atau sedekahkan kepada orang muda yang boleh makan...di dunia ini awak tak boleh makan sebakul durian, insya-Allah kalau awak masuk syurga nanti awak boleh makan seberapa banyak durian yang awak suka kerana di sana tiada penghuninya yang berpenyakit kencing manis, darah tinggi dan sebagainya...!"

A reflection on the 'tudung' issue

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

Reflection
"Anyone who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God..." (Nisaa 4:80)

REGARDING the 'tudung' latest issue (Malaysian Association of Hotels - MAH - banning Muslim front staff members from wearing headscarves), a few days ago I read in a news piece this statement by a Muslim girl.

* Farisha, who has worked for a year as a receptionist at a five-star hotel in Putrajaya, said she removed her headscarf whenever she went to work.

“To be a receptionist at this hotel, you can’t wear the 'tudung'. They say that this is in line with the image of an international hotel.

“So after I finish work, I will put it back on. I just don’t wear it at work. What else can I do? It is not easy to find a job now,” said the 29-year-old. 

A few minutes before continuing writing this article today (Wednesday, November, 15th) I heard over Radio IKIM an 'ustaz' in his daily 'tafsir' (interpretation) of the Qur'an commented that human beings are more concerned and 'will go all out' for his 'rezeki' (rizq or sustenance) which is guaranteed by Allah SWT than to obey his Lord orders and things He forbids.

He referred the above statement from a quote from the famous 'kitab' (book) Hikam written by the renowned 'ulama', 'Atha'illah As-Sakandari - the majority of people have little or no faith to what Allah SWT has had promised such as the question of 'rizq'...we kowtow to the orders and fancies of fellow human beings rather than to submit to our Lord.

A scholar said: "We see in this capitalist society, everyone will do anything that is possible to gain their 'rizq'. People think they are expanding their 'rizq' by doing 'haram' (forbidden) activities and business, but they aren’t. Islam tells us the 'rizq' is assigned at our birth and on top of that Allah SWT made promises of 'rizq'." 

In the Qur'an, Allah SWT says: "And whoever fears Allah, for him Allah brings forth a way out, and gives him (her) provision (rizq) from where he (she) does not even imagine..." -Surah At-Talaq: 2/3

The outcry among Muslims and Muslim groups now is only focus on the hotel industry; why not we especially Muslims expand the 'tudung' issue or in the true sense regarding Muslim women 'awrah' (parts of body that should not be seen or be exposed according to Islamic law) as a whole in all aspects and fields of life including in sports, during gatherings and celebration such as weddings.

We had just witnessed KL2017 (South East Asia Games), did not we see Malaysian 'Muslimah' athletes especially gymnasts in skimpy outfits - of course this is not the Islamic way of life; but it seemed nobody take any hood! 

Malaysia became champion and almost everybody celebrated - a day was declared a holiday to the joyous of governments servants including those at helm or work in the 'Pejabat Agama' (Religious Office)...well don't we have guilty feelings that our 'Islamic government' and we as Muslims seem to agree to the 'maksiat' (sin) we had witnessed or worse still organised!

Well, in today's world, it is okay to expose one's body under the name of sports. It seemed that this phenomena is accepted by all even by Muslims countries and Muslims themselves. So that's it - Muslims nowadays perhaps were at the feet of 'those' Western 'masters' - we follow their sets of rules.

Regarding how the West treats women, an American woman convert, Iman Daglas in her book, ‘A Well-Guarded Treasure’ (Darussalam) wrote: “People are so eager to simulate the people of the West, while in America and Europe, morals have deteriorated to the point that they no longer exist.

“There people would give anything to reverse the moral decline, yet it is too late. Things have gotten so out of control that there is no turning back. It is truly the most overwhelming problem facing the 21st century.

“Women, especially, are treated with absolutely no respect. To so many men, women are nothing but objects, to use any way they choose. When he is done with her, he just throws her aside and goes on to the next women.

“Women have allowed this to happen, by giving up moral and modesty, by not guarding their chastity and virtue; they have allowed themselves to become nothing more than cheap objects of men's desires.”

Think, O women including gymnasts, air stewardess, models, singers, actress and front line hotels staff, when you are young with your ‘solid’ and beautiful bodies; they (the men) would put you in front, on the front cover of their magazines and newspapers or parade you on the red carpet or modeling or performing stage; but when your beauty fades away and skin wrinkle, your body wrecks and shrieks because of old age, only then you realize the truth.

The men would dump you; the same way the leaders of Western world treat women just like sex objects

As for pious Muslimah who feared Allah SWT dan His law; the ‘loss’ in this world (such as unable to work in hotels or take part in some sports because of the dress attire,is nothing because He who rules all the worlds has given this assurance: “And those who have fear of their Lord will be driven to the Garden in companies and when they arrive there, finding its gates open, its custodians will say to them, ‘Peace be upon you! You have done well so enter it timelessly, for ever’.” (Qur’an, 39:73)

Allah SWT also says: “Such people will be repaid for their steadfastness with the Highest Paradise, where they will meet with welcome and with ‘Peace’. (Qur’an 25:75)

Before ending this article, forgive me (the writer) for not being able to stop the urge to pose this question - in weddings we had seen some 'pengantin' (brides) at times such as during the 'nikah' ceremony (solemn of marriage) especially in 'masjid' wore their 'tudung' but during their receptions including in hotels their 'tudung' 'were no longer on their heads and some even dare to bare some parts of their bodies such as their shoulders - well who asked them to put away their 'tudung'...the Malaysian Association of Hotels or leaders or capitalist of the Western world? 

And among stewardess of MAS and Air Asia, could a Muslimah wears a 'tudung' (cover up completely) if she wish to 'berhijrah' (change for the better in religion)?

Ikan busuk daripada kepalanya...

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

Renungan
Daripada Abu Hurairah r.a. katanya: Aku mendengar Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda; "Umatku akan ditimpa penyakit-penyakit yang pernah menimpa umt-umat dahulu." Sahabat bertanya, "Apakah penyakit-penyakit umat terdahulu itu?" Nabi s.a.w. menjawab, "Penyakit-penyakit it ialah: (1) terlalu banyak seronok, (2) terlalu mewah, (3) menghimpun harta sebanyak mungkin, (4) tipu menipu dalam merebut harta benda dunia, (5) saling memarahi, dan (6) hasut menghasut sehingga menjadi zalim menzalimi." (Hadis riwayat Hakim)

ADA pepatah Cina berbunyi 'Ikan busuk biasanya daripada kepalanya'. Jika bahagian lain busuk, hampir pasti kepalanya sudah busuk. Jika pemimpin tertinggi busuk hampir pasti rakyatnya juga busuk. Namun harap-haraplah tidaklah begitu!

Jika pemimpin tertinggi bersih, yang di bawahnya insya-Allah akan mengikuti. Jika pemimpin tertinggi tidak bercakap sesuatu yang buruk mengenai 'kepala', insya-Allah rakyat juga tidak akan bercakap mengenainya.

 

Mengenai memburukkan 'kepala' ini, ada hadis menyebut menghina bapa orang lain termasuk dosa besar. Telah menceritakan kepada kami Qutaibah bin Sa’id telah menceritakan kepada kami al-Laits daripada Ibnu al-Had dari Sa’ad bin Ibrahim dari Humaid bin Abdurrahman dari Abdullah bin Amru bin al-Ash bahawa Rasulullah SAW bersabda:

“Antara dosa besar adalah seorang laki-laki mencela kedua-dua orang tuanya. Para sahabat bertanya, 'Wahai Rasulullah, ‘Apakah (mungkin) seorang laki-laki mencela orang tuanya?‘ Baginda menjawab: 'Ya. Dia mencela bapa seseorang lalu orang tersebut (membalas) mencela bapanya, lalu dia mencela ibunya, lalu orang tersebut (membalas) mencela ibunya'. - Hadis diriwayatkan Imam Muslim

Wahai semua, sedarlah bagaimana sikap dan perlakuan pemimpin, begitulah tindak tanduk rakyat terutama generasi muda. Jika pemimpin tergamak bercakap kotor, anak muda akan lebih dahsyat lagi. Pepatah Melayu ada menyatakan 'jika guru kencing berdiri, anak murid kencing berlari...'

Ya, kita berharapkan pemimpin kencing duduk (hakikatnya kencing bertinggung), maka rakyat pun kencing duduk. Syukur, jika guru kencing duduk, anak murid pun kencing duduk. Baik pemimpin, baiklah rakyat;  jahat pemimpin jahatlah rakyat.

Ada sebuah hadis diriwayatkan oleh Ibnul Abdul Barr dan Abu Naim bermaksud: "Telah bersabda Rasulullah SAW; 'Dua golongan daripada umatku, apabila mereka baik, baiklah manusia dan apabila mereka rosak, rosaklah manusia. Itulah dia pemimpin dan ahli fiqh (ulama)'.”

Anak-anak muda yang rosak akhlaknya, secara tidak langsung menggambarkan perihal pemimpinnya. Mereka cerminan pemimpin. 'Bapa borek anak rintik'; 'bagaimana acuan begitulah kuihnya', 'apa yang disemai itulah yang dituai'. 

Dewasa ini terserlah ramai pemimpin pandai cakap tetapi tak pandai bikin (tak praktikkan apa yang mereka syarahkan). Misalnya, mereka mengesyorkan rakyat hidup secara wasatiyyah (sederhana) tetapi mereka hidup boros, termasuk 'menghanguskan' wang kerajaan bagaikan harta milik sendiri. 

Apabila pemimpin cakap tak serupa bikin, rakyat pun cakap tak serupa bikin; jika pemimpin zalim, rakyat pun zalim kepada orang bawahan; apabila pemimpin berbohong rakyat pun jadi pembohong; dan apabila pemimpin pecah amanah dengan mengamalkan rasuah, rakyat pun terikut sama. 

Jika pemimpin melakukan pembunuhan; pembunuhan pun akan berleluasa dalam negara. Jika pemimpin kaki rasuah, rakyat juga gemarkan rasuah. Jika pemimpin kaki judi, kaki betina, rakyat pun mempunyai kecenderungan sama. 

Jika pemimpin negara dan politik tidak dapat menunjukkan contoh baik, bagaimana golongan muda dapat diharapkan menjadi warga baik pada masa depan. Jika pemimpin 'main kotor', maka anak muda pun belajar 'main kotor'. Jika pemimpin berdusta melalui media massa pengampu, rakyat juga akan berdusta melalui media sosial yang berlambak sekarang ini.

Jadi, ingatlah wahai diri sendiri dan semua terutama pemimpin, jika guru (pemimpin) kencing berdiri, anak murid (rakyat) kencing berlari, jika pemimpin kencing 'duduk' (bertinggung), insya-Allah, rakyat termasuklah generasi muda akan juga kencing duduk.

Akhir-akhir ini, menjelang PRU-14, semakin banyak pihak dan pemimpin gila untuk terus berkuasa atau sekurang-kurangnya menjadi calon pilihan raya. Mereka sanggup berbuat apa saja. Fitnah termasuk dalam hal-hal sangat jelik seperti tuduhan seks menjadi 'basahan' bagi mereka. 

Berdasarkan perkembangan politik semasa, kita berasa sedih dan jijik dengan perlakuan sesetengah pemimpin politik. Mereka seolah-olah mengesahkan tanggapan bahawa politik itu kotor; untuk berkuasa seseorang itu perlu bijak mencuri peluang sekalipun haram kerana matlamat menghalalkan cara (Machiavelli). Matlamat tidak menghalalkan cara. Buatlah apa sekalipun, yang hak tetap hak dan yang batil tetap batil. Yang haram tetap haram, yang halal tetap halal. 

Jika pemimpin 'main kotor', maka anak muda pun mula 'main kotor'. Jadi anak muda bercakap kotor termasuk membabitkan 'hal kepala' jangan hanya salahkan mereka. Mereka adalah cerminan pemimpin - jika guru kencing berdiri, anak murid kencing berlari!

Titipan Seorang Pesara (6): Carilah 'Rahmah' pada usia senja...

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

Renungan
Daripada Abu Hurairah r.a. katanya: Aku mendengar Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda; "Umatku akan ditimpa penyakit-penyakit yang pernah menimpa umt-umat dahulu." Sahabat bertanya, "Apakah penyakit-penyakit umat terdahulu itu?" Nabi s.a.w. menjawab, "Penyakit-penyakit it ialah: (1) terlalu banyak seronok, (2) terlalu mewah, (3) menghimpun harta sebanyak mungkin, (4) tipu menipu dalam merebut harta benda dunia, (5) saling memarahi, dan (6) hasut menghasut sehingga menjadi zalim menzalimi." (Hadis riwayat Hakim)

KISAH ini berlaku puluhan tahun lalu. Saya tinggal berjiran dengan seorang tok guru. Pada usia tua, isteri tok guru meninggal dunia. Tok guru kemudian berkahwin dengan seorang janda yang ada beberapa anak dan tinggal bersama-sama anaknya.

Selepas kahwin, isteri tok guru lebih suka duduk di rumah lamanya daripada rumah suami. Maka terpaksalah tok guru berulang ke rumah si isteri; kadang-kadang isterinya mengikuti beliau balik, selalunya tidak.

Sebagai jiran, kadang-kadang saya membawa tok guru ke rumah isterinya dengan kereta saya. Suatu ketika, tok guru membebel kepada saya: " Kalau macam ni lebih baik mufarakah saja." Masa itu saya 'muda benar' - saya tak berapa faham perkataan 'mufarakah' itu.

Tetapi apabila tok guru menyambung bebelannya, "tapi sebagai orang tua, kita jangan buat 'benda-benda' macam ini. Buat malu kepada anak cucu saja. Kita mesti tunjuk contoh baik", barulah saya faham bahawa jangan mudah nak bercerai...mungkin maksudnya teruskan ikatan perkahwinan sehingga ke akhir hayat. Ya, tok guru kekal dalam perkahwinannya sehingga beliau meninggal dunia.

Adat dunia, orang muda mahu berumah tangga manakala orang 'lama', tak kiralah siapa pun termasuk tok guru dan pemimpin apatah lagi artis, cabarannya adalah mengekalkan rumah tangga. Sekarang ini, terlalu kerap kedengaran kes cerai-berai, rekod JAKIM menunjukkan berlaku satu perceraian setiap 15 minit!

Sebagai insan biasa, kita juga cemaskan rumah tangga kita, berdoalah agar perkahwinan kita berkekalan hingga ke akhir hayat; bukan hingga ke anak cucu seperti diungkapkan sesetengah orang. Ini kerana ada juga pasangan veteran yang sudah beranak cucu terbabit dalam perceraian. Ertinya perkahwinan mereka berakhir selepas mereka mendapat anak cucu. 

Apakah rahsia perkahwinan sehingga boleh berkekalan ke akhir hayat? Seorang ustaz berkata Allah SWT kurniakan mawaddah dan rahmah kepada pasangan suami isteri. Apakah mawaddah dan rahmah itu? 

Dalam Surah Ar-Rum Ayat 21 Allah SWT berfirman, yang maksudnya: "Dan antara tanda-tanda yang membuktikan kekuasaan-Nya dan rahmat-Nya bahawa Dia menciptakan untukmu (wahai golongan lelaki) isteri-isteri daripada jenismu sendiri supaya kamu bersenang hati dan hidup mesra dengannya dan dijadikan antara kamu (suami isteri) kasih sayang dan belas kasihan, sesungguhnya yang demikian itu mengandungi keterangan-keterangan yang menimbulkan kesedaran bagi orang-orang yang berfikir." 

Perkara yang membolehkan perempuan dan lelaki bercampur jika sudah suka sama suka adalah nikah. Selepas itu buatlah apa yang kamu mahu. Kasih sayang pada waktu muda inilah (bergetah kata orang sekarang) namanya mawaddah. 

Semuanya indah, semuanya cantik. Pujian melangit diberikan kepada pasangan masing-masing. Si teruna akan berkata kepada si dara "Dinda adalah satu antara 1,000", manakala si dara akan berkata kepada si teruna, "Abanglah lelaki paling 'handsome'.

Mawaddah ini termasuklah keinginan seks yang membolehkan kesinambungan kepada zuriat manusia. Kasih dan sayang dan seks menjadi agenda; semuanya indah sebab kedua-duanya masih muda, masih bergetah. 

Namun manusia daripada muda menjadi tua. Daripada wajah dan 'body' yang 'solid' tadi, anggota badan sudah mulai kendur. Yang perempuan lagi cepat proses penuaannya. Pakailah alat mekap macam mana pun, tua tetap datang, kulit mulai berkedut, laki pun tidak lagi mengucapkan kata-kata hikmat "kau sentiasa di hatiku." "Untuk mengucapkan "I love you, atau aku cinta kamu", sudah terasa geli-geleman pada sesetengah orang. Apatah lagi jika kata-kata itu diucapkan di depan anak cucu, mereka akan berkata nanti, "orang tua ni dah buang tabiat ke?"

Jadi pada usia tua ini, apakah yang dapat menyelamatkan rumah tangga pasangan tadi. Itulah rahmah, kasih sayang peringkat tertinggi yang tidak mengenal lagi batasan fizikal  sekali pun kau sudah 'kondem' (tak boleh pakai), aku tetap menyayangimu! Allah Taala telah bukakan perasaan belas kasihan antara satu sama lain, antara suami dan isteri.

Bukalah mata dan hati kamu luas-luas, kamu akan dapati ada suami yang terus melayani si isteri sekalipun orang rumahnya itu telah 'tersadai' di atas katil kerana berpenyakit, demikian juga ada isteri yang terus setia sekalipun suami sudah terperosok di atas kerusi roda. 

Demikianlah betapa Pemurahnya Yang Maha Kuasa, dikurnikannya manusia itu mawaddah dan rahmah. Cinta yang meluap-luap dengan iringan nafsu ketika muda dan kemudian bertukar kepada rahmah, kemuncak cinta dan kasih sayang suami isteri yang berpegang teguh kepada janji untuk sama-sama mendapatkan syurga-Nya. Bukankah itu cita-cita setiap manusia beriman? Jelaslah iman yang dapat menyelamatkan sesebuah rumah tangga.

Jadi bagi pasangan suami isteri berusahalah untuk mendapatkan kasih sayang rahmah itu. Ini kerana makin lama sesebuah perkahwinan itu, makin hilanglah mawaddahnya (sebagai contoh keinginan seks semakin lama semakin menurun). 

Bagi si isterilah tambatlah suami anda dengan ciri-ciri hebat anda seperti melayan makan minum dan menyediakan pakaiannya manakala bagi si suami tunjukkan keprihatinan anda seperti merawatnya ketika dia sakit. 

Masakan sesuatu pasangan itu ada rahmah jika si isteri tidak mempedulikan makan minum dan rumah tangga kerana kerap berada di luar melayani kepentingan kerjayanya atau asyik bermain 'handset' manakala si suami asyik-asyik mengugut nak kahwin satu lagi kerana si isteri selalu sakit. 

Fikir-fikirkanlah, marilah kita (termasuk saya) mencari rahmah (bukan gadis bernama Rahmah) selepas era mawaddah berakhir akibat ketuaan diri. Semua orang akan tua kerana tua tidak diminta tetapi ia datang sendiri!

'If teachers pee standing up...'

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

Reflection
"Anyone who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God..." (Nisaa 4:80)

*************

EVERYBODY is a ‘cikgu’ or 'guru' (teacher); a father is a teacher to his wife and children, a boss is a guidance in his or her office; a ‘wakil rakyat’ (people’s representative) is entrusted for the well being of his or her constituents while top leaders are unanswerable to all matters regarding the country and its people. 

Regarding this, the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock (i.e. those over whom you have authority.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Ibn ‘Umar reported, “I heard the Messenger of Allah say: ‘Everyone of you is a ruler and everyone of you shall be questioned about those under his rule; the king is a ruler and he shall be questioned about his subjects; and the man is a ruler in his family and he shall be questioned about those under his care. 

‘The woman is a ruler in the house of her husband, and she shall be questioned about those under her care; and the servant is a ruler so far as the property of his master is concerned, and he shall be questioned about that which is entrusted to him’.”

Thus when the 'highest official' of the country cried 'Kepala bapak kau' which literally means; Your father's head; (pardon me for 'copying and pasting' this nasty remark here) in an important gathering recently, I couldn't help but kept on thinking about one famous Malay proverb - 'jika guru kencing berdiri, anak murid kencing berlari' (if teachers pee standing up, then their pupils would be running while urinating).

Nowadays teachers are facing huge troubles in disciplining pupils. They are entrusted in upbringing and molding children into good citizens but the challengers are getting harder and harder by each day...sadly we had now witnessed a leader who had forgotten his own government's concept i.e.'Kepimpinan Melalui Teladan' (Leading By Example).

A statesman had once coined this beautiful quotation: “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.” Well, everybody is a teacher, what's more if he/she is the leader of the country.

Those in the teaching profession are change agents, providing the impetus for the emergence of educated communities. Regarding this I quote extract from an article on World Teachers Day entitled ‘Recovery Begins with Teachers’ from National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP)’s newsletter ‘Guru Malaysia’ in its October 2010 issue: “Many teachers work in extremely challenging circumstances, serving in communities with high rates of poverty, coping with violence within and outside the classroom, or confronting the demoralizing impact of HIV and AIDS on colleagues, students and families.

“There are those who are seeking to ensure the right to education of 18.5 million refugees children throughout the world. In countries affected by conflict, teachers are instrumental to reconstruction and peace building. We take this opportunity to commend the efforts of teachers, especially female teachers, who accept to serve in high risk, deprived and disadvantaged areas, reaching out to the excluded, and bringing them the prospect of better life through education.

“…Recovery begins with teachers. We can best honour teachers by giving them decent working conditions to fulfill their mission of preparing the younger generation to become responsible citizens, equipped with knowledge and skills to shape a sustainable future.”

Teachers are look high upon by society, but could readers imagine if they 'kencing berdiri' ...they are giving bad example to their pupils...so do not be surprised when the children would be running when they urinate.

Not only a ‘cikgu’ or an ‘ustaz’ (religious teacher) is entrusted to give light to society but it is a duty for all including leaders. In Islam, it is an obligation for all to do the da’wah (calling to Islam) work. The Muslim does not think little of whatever knowledge he has if he is calling others to Allah. It is sufficient for him to convey whatever he has learned of the truth, even if it is just one aayah (sentence) from the Book of Allah.

This is what the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to tell his Companions to do: “Convey (knowledge) from me even if it is just one aayah…” (Bukhari). This is because whether or not a person is guided may depend on just one word of this aayah which will touch his heart and ignite the spark of faith, so that his heart and life will be illuminated with the light of guidance, and he will be a new man.

A fair leader or leaders who uphold justice are among seven groups of people that would be rewarded and sheltered in the Hereafter. The Prophet say: “There are seven whom Allah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade: A just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic; a man whose heart is attached to the mosques; two men who love each other for Allah's sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position [for illegal intercourse], but be says: 'I fear Allah', a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.' (Narrated by Abu Hurairah, Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim) 

A just leader should be fair to his/her inferiors in everything and if he upholds justice, then he is on the right track to get recognition for the Prophet s.a.w. say: "He who obeys me obeys Allah, and he disobeys me disobeys Allah; and he who obeys the Amir (leader) obeys me, and he disobeys the Amir disobeys me; and the Imam is an armour for protection, the battle is fought for his defence and through him protection is sought. So if he commands the doing of duty to Allah and does justice, he has a reward for it; and if he does otherwise he shall suffer the consequences of it."

'Ubadah ibn Samit said, "The Prophet invited us, so we swore all allegiance to him; and among the conditions which he laid down on us to follow was this, that he had a promise from us to hear and obey, whether we like or disliked and order and whether we were in adversity or ease, even if our rights were not granted; and that we should not dispute the authority of those entrusted with it, adding unless you see an act of open disbelief in which you have a dear argument from Allah."

When Caliph 'Umar appointed governors the condition laid down upon them were: "You shall not ride a horse that is not of Arabian breed; you shall not eat bread made from fine flour; you shall not wear fine clothes; and you shall not shut your doors against the needs of the people. If you do these things punishment shall descend on you." - Pearls of the Prophet (Islamic Outreach-ABIM) 

In Surah An-Nisa’ (Woman) 58, Allah SWT says. "Verily Allah commands you that you restore deposits to their owners, and when you judge between people, you judge with justice; verily good is the admonition Allah gives you; verily Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing."

Regarding judging between people, this verse points to a very important subject. It is the proposition of observing justice in government. The verse, conveying the command of Allah, says:"... and when you judge between people, you judge with justice; ..." 

Perhaps uttering derogatory remarks such as 'Kepala bapak kau' in public was a  sign of us being unable to control our anger; it is in the category of ''lowest nafs' - 'ammarah'; so let all of us, the writer included,  begin correcting ourselves before it is too late and when we are 'six feet underground' (dead). 

'What you give, is what you get'...

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.

ALHAMDULILLAH two of my boys (I have five children) are now professionals in their own chosen fields; one aspect that touched my heart about them was each of them gave their mother and me 'some money' immediately and 'religiously' after receiving their monthly salaries.

Regarding this matter, some time ago I had heard over Radio IKIM, a renowned motivator advised parents to 'teach' their children about this fine and beautiful aspect of life.

He asked listeners to reflect back the first thing they did with their money when they received their first salary years and years ago. I remembered mine - the first thing I did was to order some trays of 'bihun goreng' (fried beehon) and jugs of 'teh tarik' for a small 'kenduri' (feast) to celebrate with my office mates.

Of course almost all the office staff knew about my first pay, then naturally it was to 'belanja' (spend on) them, but in my mind I had already put aside 'some amount' to be given to my dearest 'FAMA' (father and mother).

The motivator asked parents to inculcate this good habit to their children from young; perhaps they should teach by example such as giving the money to their father and mother and even to their in-laws in the presence of the children.

"Even if their children had enter the working world, parents 'have the right' to remind them not to forget about the good habit...the amount of money given is not important but getting the 'barakah' (blessing) of it have to 'chase upon'," he said.

The motivator cum 'ustaz' said when a person receives his/her 'gaji' (wage) the first thing he/she should allocate is the portion to his/her parents and please do not indulge in giving 'spare money' to them after paying our other requirements.

Other than allocating money to parents first, a person too should allocate some amount (a little would do) for charity. Perhaps for a 'beginner' he/she could give the money to his/her school-going siblings, nieces or poor children in his area. Well, RM5, RM2 or R1 would do!

Not long ago, I had read a book about 'the magic and miracle of 'sadaqa' (giving alms or charity). When one gives charity or 'sadaqa' in the way of Allah for Allah’s Pleasure Alone, hoping to get His reward from Allah in the Hereafter, he is confirming with this action of his that Allah and the coming of the Last Day are ‘haqq’ and the truth. 

He believes with certainty in Allah and the Last Day, otherwise he would never give away his wealth, which he loves for nothing in return. By doing this he is confirming the truth. What he has said with his mouth, he has confirmed with his actions, and that is why Allah has promised to honor the person who gives 'sadaqa' in His Way, in this World and the Hereafter.

Even the renowned professional speaker on motivation nowadays, Prof Dr Muhaya Muhammad often stressed this point - what you give is what you get. Alhamdulillah, dear readers...I am now seeing and experiencing this 'beautiful' aspect of life - if I 'religiously' gave the first portion of my 'gaji' to my 'FAMA', then 'insya-Allah' and 'barakah-Allah' (with Allah's blessing) my children would do the same to me. Again, alhamdulillah, the amount each of them gave to me was many times to what I gave to my parents!

Allah says in the Glorious Quran, Chapter 2, Surah Baqarah, verse 261: The charity of those who expend their wealth in the way of Allah may be likened to a grain of corn, which produces seven ears and each ear yields a hundred grains. Likewise Allah develops manifold the charity of anyone He pleases, for He is All-Embracing, All-Wise. 

A preacher noted that Allah provides the formula for the minimum reward for the charity of a believer. If you spend RM1.00 in the way of Allah, has promised return is 7x100 = 700 times; ie. RM700.00 for a RM1.00 investment! For those of you who are accountants and businessmen, can you even imagine a 700% guaranteed return on investment and maybe even more! Allah is Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

Imam Ali Abi Thalib noted that the reward of charity is increased 10 times. So dear readers when you received your 'gaji' at the end of the month, why not allocate a small part of it for charity. Say your 'gaji' is RM2,000; after receiving the money why not immediately part away RM100 for 'sadaqa'. 

Do simple thing; such as why not slot RM1 inside the 'Tabung Masjid' (Masjid Fund) every time you go to the masjid for 'subuh' (dawn) prayers? Remember there are angels praying for goodness upon those who give charity in the early mornings! 

If you do this things constantly (istiqamah); then you would realize that there would always be a 'helping hand' when you 'enter' your dry days. But the help is not always in the form of money or material gains but by other ways that you do not expect. In the Qur'an, Allah SWT promises: "And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him (his needs) from where he does not expect.” (At-Talaq, 65: 2,3) 

One very important reward that Allah SWT bestowes to those who do charity sincerely is the understanding of religion (knowledge). Regarding 'the have not situation' such as finishing our money at the middle of the month; if we have knowledge, we could feel that situation was nothing compared to what Allah SWT has in store for us whether in this world or Hereafter. 

You would realize that a good Muslim does not really need to toil to grab all worldly pleasures (ignoring its halal and haram status) including food because there are many verses of Allah and His prophet states so. For example; in a hadith from Abu Hurairah - Radi Allaahu anhu– who said the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said: "A Muslim eats for one stomach, and a non-Muslim eats for seven stomachs." (Collected by Malik, Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majah and others) 

In another hadith, from Al-Miqdad bin Ma’d Yakrib -Radhi Allaahu anhu - who said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- saying: "A human does not fill a more evil container than a stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat small portions by which his back can remain straight. If it is not possible, then he should reserve his stomach, a third for his food, third for his drink and a third for his breathing." (Collected by Tirmidhi and he declared it to be Hasan, and by Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibban & Albaani) 

What a good Muslim needs is so little, so why worry if all your 'gaji sudah habis' (your salary all gone) by the middle of the month. Insya-Allah (God willing), He would provides for you till the end of the month and more importantly during your lifetime in this world and the Hereafter. 

You must believe this for He says: "And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him (his needs) from where he does not expect."

The more you contribute, the more you get the rewards. But mind you, these rewards should not be looked as material gains only but also the spiritual aspects of life including good health, vast and rich experiences, satisfaction in life and sound education.Generosity is both a spiritual value and a spiritual practice.

In the Qur'an states that whatever we give away generously, with the intention of pleasing God, He will replace it. God knows what is in the hearts of men. Say: “Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and also restricts it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in God’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.” (Qur'an 34:39) 

Whoever is kind to His creatures, God is kind to him; therefore be kind to man on earth, whether good or bad; and being kind to the bad is to withhold him from evil, thus in Heaven you will be treated kindly. He who is not kind to God's creatures, God will not be kind to him. 

Another 'ustaz' says that all, irrespective of their beliefs and religions would 'insha-Allah' (God willing) get rewards for their good deeds. But he stressed that the rewards would be of use in this world only; for any good deed to be beneficial to the doers in the Hereafter the person or persons concerned must first be on His straight path, he must have the 'iman' (faith). 

Let us have a look at what Allah SWT has to say in Surah Al-'Asr (The Declining Day) with the meaning: 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. 

Allah SWT says that everybody is in a state of loss except those who have 'iman'. This 'iman' (faith) is mentioned first, if you do not have 'the iman', then the rest of it is naught; you could do all the good deeds but they would not be looked upon what more counted by Allah SWT. 

Those with 'iman' too would be in a state of loss if they do not do good works including rendering help to the poor and the needy. Those who 'cover' these two aspects too would be in a state of loss if they do not exhort one another to truth and endurance.