Jamadilakhir 28, 1443: Sudah 60+ suami terpingin dipanggil 'Abang'

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

Renungan

"Sesungguhnya solat itu adalah fardu yang ditentukan waktunya atas orang-orang beriman." (Maksud Ayat 103 Surah An-Nisa')

SAYA kenal rapat sepasang suami isteri. Mereka golongan veteran (60+), sudah berkahwin puluhan tahun. Sekarang tinggal berdua selepas semua anak berkarier dan berumahtangga. Sepanjang tempoh perkahwinan mereka, si suami memanggil isteri dengan namanya, begitu juga dengan si isteri memanggil suami dengan namanya saja.

Memang ramai suami yang memanggil isteri mereka dengan nama masing-masing; misalnya Rosmah, Zuraidah, Kamariah dan lebih ramai yang memanggil dengan kependekannya seperti Ros, Mah, Idah, Zu, Yah dan Kam.

Namun ada yang 'terkeluar daripada kebiasaan' dengan memanggil isteri mereka 'panggilan manja seperti ''Ling' (Darling), 'Sayang', 'Manja', 'Sweetie' dan 'Adik'.

Bagi pasangan Melayu, adalah 'standard' untuk si isteri memanggil suaminya 'Abang' (Bang) atau 'mengandingkannya' dengan nama singkatan, maka menjadilah 'Bang Mat' atau 'Bang Aji'. Malah ada suami yang lebih muda daripada isteri turut dipanggil 'Abang'. Namun ada yang memanggil dengan nama saja, ada juga dengan gelaran manja seperti 'Abi' dan 'Ling'.

Apabila perkahwinan sudah 'memasuki usia senja', kerap berlaku perubahan negatif dari segi panggilan suami isteri ini, maka wujudlah panggilan kasar dan 'tidak romantik langsung' seperti 'mak kau', 'bapak kau' dan 'ayah kau'; yalah kalau dah veteran nampak kurang sesuai suami memanggil isterinya 'Ling', 'Sayang' dan 'Manja' apatah lagi di depan anak dan cucu.

Al-kisah, si isteri daripada pasangan veteran tadi mengadu kepada penulis suaminya sejak akhir-akhir ini 'komplen' mengapa dia tidak memanggil si suami dengan panggilan 'Abang'!

"Apalah, 'pakcik' kau tu, dah tua-tua teringin pula dipanggil 'Abang', dah puluhan tahun kahwin tak sebut pun perkara tu,sekarang mahu dipanggil 'Abang' pula.

Yalah, kata orang; orang lelaki ini makin tua makin menjadi-jadi dan mengada-ngada; saja nak bermanja dengan isteri sebab itulah dia minta dipanggil 'Abang'. Namun, kepada suami yang 'sudah veteran' baharu mahukan isterinya memanggilnya 'Abang', berdasarkan apa diberitahu 'tok-tok guru' pada kelas pengajian yang penulis ikuti, hajatnya untuk dipanggil 'Abang' oleh isteri berkemungkinan besar tidak akan terkabul!

Dalam kelas pengajian, tok guru bertanyakan jemaah (kebanyakannya golongan veteran) apakah isteri mereka hampir menepati watak Atiqah (ada meriwayatkannya sebagai Muti'ah), wanita pertama yang akan memasuki syurga mendahului Sayidatina Fatimah binti Rasulullah s.a.w.

Atiqah dikatakan akan memasuki syurga dulu sebab dia memegang tali unta yang dikendarai oleh Fatimah. Wanita salihah ini dikatakan terlalu taat kepada suaminya. Apabila suaminya balik, dia menyambut dengan muka manis berbekalkan segelas air, kain lap dan rotan. Rotan itu adalah untuk suaminya memukulnya jika khidmatnya kurang memuaskan.

Tanya tok guru, ramai suami termasuk yang veteran (seperti jemaah yang mengikuti pengajian) kurang puas hati di atas layanan isteri masing-masing. Apabila mereka balik rumah, isteri tak sambut pun, air pun tak dihidang. Isteri pun buat endah tak endah saja.

Tok guru bertanya, sebahagian besar ini salah siapa? "Ini salah suami sendiri sebab dia tidak didik isterinya sebaik-baiknya dengan ilmu dan amalan agama selepas bernikah, sebaliknya menyoal kenapa isteri tidak berperangai macam Atiqah selepas mereka berkahwin 30, 40, 50 atau 60 tahun."

Dahulu masa baru-baru berkahwin, kerana dok terlalu sayangkan isteri, suami tak ajar pun isteri dia buatkan air untuk dia, tak ajar pun isteri untuk sambut di pintu apabila dia balik, apatah lagi sediakan rotan untuk pukul isteri; jadi hasilnya dapatlah isteri begitu.

"Kita pun tak salahkan suami 100 peratus sebab dulu dulu semasa muda (baharu berkahwin) mereka jahil agama, tidak tahu pun kisah Atiqah ini, selepas dah tua (apabila mengikuti pengajian agama) baharulah mereka mahukan isteri macam Atiqah, tetapi nampaknya sudah terlambat. Isteri sudah 'lawan tauke', mana boleh nak suruh mereka jadi macam Atiqah lagi..."

Berdasarkan apa yang diutarakan tok guru; hajat suami veteran (60+) yang 'teringin sangat' isterinya memanggilnya 'Abang' pada usia senja, berkemungkinan besar tidak akan tercapai. Yalah, bukan mudah untuk menyebut 'Abang' selepas berpuluh-puluh tahun 'mulut' memanggil suami dengan namanya saja. Jika 'Abang' susah disebut, apatah lagi 'Sayang' atau 'Darling'...uhhh, rasanya amat teruk sangat untuk menyebutnya apabila usia sudah di penghujung ini! Apatah lagi mulut sudah lompong, bunyinya pun tak sedap didengar!

Kesimpulannya, kata tok guru, "wahai anak-anak muda 'mailah' (marilah) belajar ilmu agama sebelum berkahwin." Ketahuilah kisah Atiqah dan ramai lagi wanita salihah supaya kita dapat didik isteri kita sebaik saja kita menikahi mereka.

Ketika muda 'tang tang tang' tidak menjadi masalah jika kita suruh dia (si isteri) memanggil kita 'Abang', 'Mas' 'Sayang', atau 'Darling' dan suruh mereka tunggu kita di belakang pintu dengan air di tangan kerana 'dia tengah suka dan syokkan kita' tetapi selepas usia 60+ baharu kita nak suruh dia panggil kita 'Abang', ahh ini satu 'problem' besar!

Namun, 'kalau berani' kahwinlah satu lagi - ambil wanita muda 'tang tang tang', ajarlah dia panggil kita 'Abang' dan tunggu di belakang pintu macam Atiqah...kita doakan kepada suami tua (60+) selamat berbahagia kerana akhirnya hajatnya dipanggil 'Abang' tercapai jua!

Jamadilakhir 25, 1443: Azan, iqamah sudah, solatnya (mati) bila?...(U)

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) 

BAHARU-BAHARU ini terpesona saya mendengar seorang ustaz membuat huraian mengenai kehidupan dalam tazkirahnya di sebuah masjid berhampiran rumah saya.

Antara lain katanya, tempoh kehidupan kita terlalu singkat, jadi mengapa terus leka. Ya ramai daripada kita perasan nak hidup 'dulu, kini dan selamanya'.

Dulu, ketika dilahirkan kita sudah 'dibangkan' (diazankan) di sisi telinga kanan kita diikuti 'dikamatkan' (iqamah) di sisi telinga kiri. Kata sang ustaz, kalau azan dan iqamah sudah, bila solat akan dilangsungkan?

Biasanya, kata sang ustaz, tempoh waktu antara azan dan iqamah adalah antara 5-10 minit tetapi sebaik saja iqamah 'dilaungkan' oleh bilal, solat akan didirikan dengan segera. Tiada tempoh menunggu lagi.

Demikianlah bandingan kehidupan seseorang manusia. Dia sudah diazan dan diiqamahkan, menunggu masa saja untuk disolatkan (solat jenazah). Tentunya kehidupannya di dunia adalah tersangat pendek, jadi masih ada waktukah untuk terus berleka?

Ya apabila semakin tua diri ini, semakin terasa pula terlalu sikit bekalan untuk dibawa ke alam sana. Kadang-kadang terasa cemas di hati, diri ini sebenarnya tiada apa-apa bekalan untuk dibawa ke sana. Ringkasnya diri ini sebenarnya 'tiada apa-apa'.

Seorang ustaz lain kuliah dwi-bulanan di sebuah masjid berhampiran rumah saya, berkata 'orang yang hidup hatinya', ada yang mula 'menggulung tilam' mereka sebaik saja memasuki umur 40 tahun seterusnya 'membuat pecutan' terakhir sebelum ajal menjemput mereka.

Apakah makna 'menggulung tilam' itu? Ustaz membawa kisah Umar Abdul Aziz (hidup pada 682-719 Masihi) iaitu salah seorang khalifah Bani Umaiyah yang juga dianggap Khalifah Al-Rasyidin yang kelima selepas Abu Bakar r.a., Umar al-Khattab r.a., Uthman Affan r.a. dan Ali Abu Talib k.w.j. yang mengungkapkan kata-kata tegas penuh ketakutan kepada Allah SWT kepada isterinya, Fatimah selepas dilantik khalifah yang kerajaannya terbentang dari Lautan Atlantik di barat ke India di sebelah timur dalam usia 35 tahun.

Umar berkata dia tak ada masa lagi untuk berseronok-seronok dengan anak isterinya, masa yang ada termasuk waktu tidurnya di atas tilam empuk dalam istana indah, perlu dikorbankan seluruhnya untuk Allah SWT termasuk melayan keperluan rakyat. Kalau isterinya bersedia menjalani kehidupan begitu berpanjanganlah jodoh mereka, jika tidak suka, dia sedia menceraikannya "dan kamu carilah lelaki lain yang boleh membahagiakan kamu." 

Sungguh Umar Abdul Aziz telah menjalankan pemerintahan dengan penuh ketakutan kepada Allah SWT sehinggalah dia meninggal dunia dua setengah tahun kemudian dalam usia 37 tahun. Sungguhpun pemerintahannya tersangkat singkat, keadilannya disanjung Timur dan Barat, membolehkan namanya diletakkan sebaris dengan khalifah Al-Rasyidin yang empat.

Khalifah Umar Abdul Aziz telah 'menggulung tilamnya' sebelum berusia 40 tahun (baginda meninggal dalam usia 37 tahun) tetapi adakah kita ini (termasuk sayalah tu) yang telah tua ini (melebihi setengah abad itu) masih mahu berleka-leka dengan kehidupan dunia yang singkat ini? 

Masa yang berbaki terlalu pendek tetapi apa yang telah kita buat?  Ya, bagi diri ini nampaknya tiada apa yang saya sudah buat kerana masih leka dan lalai.

Jika kita menyumbang sesuatu untuk agama kita, ia mungkin kecil di sisi kita dan manusia tetapi percayalah jika dilakukan ikhas semata-mata kerana-Nya, insya-Allah kita akan melihat hasilnya, termasuk di dunia lagi. 

Amat-amatilah kisah si burung kecil yang berusaha memadamkan api besar yang dinyalakan untuk membakar Nabi Ibrahim a.s. dengan membawa air di paruhnya; usahanya mungkin dilihat kecil oleh makhluk tetapi besar di sisi-Nya. Hendaklah kita menjadi seperti burung itu yang tidak meminta jasanya dikenang tetapi hanya mengharapkan reda Illahi.

Akhir sekali sebagai insan yang menumpang di bumi-Nya (ada hadis menyebut kita di dunia ini ibarat seorang musafir yang menumpang teduh dan melepas lelah di bawah sebatang pohon sebelum berangkat pergi), janganlah sesekali lupa bahawa diri kita ini sudah diazankan dan diiqamahkan, hanya menunggu masa untuk disolatkan..

Jamadilakhir 24, 1443: 'Untuk kawal lembu, berdiri di belakang...' (U)

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

TIDAK lama dahulu, saya berada di Manipal, India. Selepas subuh hari itu, ketika menatap akhbar "Deccan Herald' agak 'terasa' saya melihat 'headline' (kepala beritanya) 'Peace hero Mandela passes away'. Di muka 15, ada belangkasuka bertajuk 'Mandela, the Gandhi of South Africa'.

Mengapa saya katakan saya 'terasa' dengan berita pemergian Mandela? Ini kerana saya sebagai wartawan pada April/Mei 1994 membuat liputan pilihan raya pelbagai kaum pertama Afrika Selatan yang membawa kehancuran dasar aparteid seterusnya menobatkan Mandela sebagai Presiden Afrika Selatan pertama di kalangan orang bukan kulit putih. 

Ya, sebagai wartawan mungkin saya telah berusaha membuat laporan sebaik mungkin mengenai pilihan raya bersejarah itu, tetapi sebagai individu yang mempunyai hati dan perasaan apa yang sudah saya pelajari daripada kisah hidup insan yang pernah terpenjara di Pulau Robben selama 27 tahun itu? 

Daripada pelbagai sumber bacaan, saya andaikan Mandela pada zaman mudanya adalah seorang pemberontak, melakukan tentangan agresif yang berakhirnya dengan dirinya meringkuk dalam penjara dan pengasingan - bukan setahun dua tetapi puluhan tahun. 

Penjara telah 'mematangkan' si pemberontak bernama Mandela. Dia mula menyedari taktik gerila (ganas) tidak akan membawa bangsanya dan negara Afrika Selatan yang dicintainya ke mana-mana.

Daripada seorang pejuang pembebasan, Mandela melalui 'transformasi' menjadi pemimpin sedia berunding, mendengar, berubah, melakukan pengubah-suaian, dan memperhalusi tindakannya. Dia sudah bersedia bersabar menempuh onak duri sepanjang perjalanan mencapai matlamat perjuangannya. 

Mandela 'yang matang' amat jitu dalam prinsip dan matlamat utama perjuangannya - membebaskan Afrika Selatan terutama orang kulit hitam daripada dasar penghambaan aparteid seterusnya membuka lembaran baru kepada semua warga Afrika Selatan tanpa mengira warna kulit dan kedudukan. Dan semua itu sudah diraihnya melalui pilihan raya 1994. 

Selepas berakhirnya pilihan raya bersejarah itu, saya jarang mengikuti perkembangan di Afrika Selatan sehinggalah negara itu bersiap sedia mengadakan pilihan raya kedua selepas berakhirnya aparteid pada 1999. Pada pilihan raya ini, Mandela sebagai pemimpin ulung Kongres Kebangsaan Afrika (ANC) berpeluang menang besar dan kembali menjadi presiden buat penggal kedua, memilih untuk berundur, membuka laluan kepada timbalannya, Thabo Mbeki menerajui negara. 

Mandela pernah berkata: "Untuk mengawal sekawan lembu, kamu berdiri di belakang dengan memegang ranting; lembu yang 'cerdik' akan ke depan untuk mengetuai kumpulan lembu itu." Ya, pemimpin yang cerdik, berdirilah di belakang, bukan gila untuk berada di depan selama-lamanya! 

Demikianlah, contoh hebat ditunjukkan negarawan hebat! Mandela enggan berada di puncak kuasa buat tempoh lama, tidak seperti banyak diktator dan presiden serta perdana menteri (bagi negara) dan CEO organisasi (bagi syarikat dan agensi) yang 'lapar' atau gila untuk berkuasa 'dulu, kini dan selama-lamanya'.

Orang yang berada di jalan lurus seperti nabi-nabi dan pada zaman moden ini Hasan Al-Banna, Syed Qutb dan Dr Mohamad Morsi terus harum nama mereka sedangkan pemimpin yang mahu berkuasa 'dulu, kini dan selama-lamanya' seperti Firaun, Namrud (zaman dulu) dan pada zaman moden, Marcos, Gaddafi serta Bush melalui pengakhiran yang penuh penghinaan.

Demikianlah, wahai insan terutama pemimpin; insaflah, ikutilah laluan yang telah dirintis dan ditunjuki negarawan termasyhur dunia abad ini, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela - 'pergilah (atau berundurlah) sebelum orang benci!'

Jamadilakhir 23, 1443: Hidup bagaikan putaran roda...(U)

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)

TIDAK lama dahulu, saya mengembara bersendirian dengan motosikal saya dari teratak kediaman di Melaka, singgah di beberapa masjid seperti Masjid Sultan Ismail di Muar, Masjid Sultan Ismail di Batu Pahat dan Masjid Dato' Noh Gadut di Kampung Serkat.

Pengembaraan sehingga ke Tanjung Piai iaitu kawasan paling selatan tanah besar Asia ini, menemukan saya dengan pelbagai orang dan kejadian yang tak disangka-sangka. Salah seorang watak menarik saya temui adalah seorang lelaki dalam usia 40-an yang seakan-akan menjadikan Masjid Sultan Ismail, Batu Pahat sebagai tempat untuk mengubat kesepian hatinya.

Perkenalan dengan lelaki ini (saya namakannya Ali bagi memudahkan penceritaan) bermula selepas saya menghadiahkannya sebungkus makanan pada suatu petang selepas solat Asar. Ketika itu Ali sedang berehat-rehat di sebuah pangkin konkrit bahagian sisi masjid yang menempatkan sebuah klinik wakaf, sebuah pusat dialisis dan tandas.

Ali cepat mesra...dia menceritakan perihal dirinya dan hampir tidak langsung bertanya akan diri saya. Pada saya keadaan ini bagus kerana kalaulah Ali tahu saya ini seorang penulis, dia akan 'kontrol' (kawal) apa yang dicakap. Jadi, luahannya mungkin 'kurang asli'.

Ali bercerita dalam beberapa hari lagi, dia akan menjalani 'interview' kerja di sebuah kilang milik orang Jepun di Johor Bahru. Jadi sambil baring-baring dia mengikuti 'adegan perbualan' termasuk temuduga kerja dalam bahasa Inggeris melalui 'handset'nya. 

Ali bukan 'baru' hendak bekerja...dulu dia mempunyai jawatan tinggi malah sudah berumah tangga. Namun katanya, beberapa tahun lalu dia terbabit dalam satu kemalangan jalan raya. Ada anggota tubuh badannya menjadi kurang upaya menyebabkan 'kehidupan aman bahagianya' yang jika diibaratkan sebuah roda kehidupan kini terperesok di bahagian bawah.

Mula-mula dia dibuang kerja, kemudian rumah tangganya berkecai...maka bermulalah tahun-tahun berdukacita yang menyaksikan dia meluangkan banyak masa di masjid. Katanya, dia suka suasana tenteram terutama di bahagian sisi masjid yang menempatkan klinik kerana kawasan itu menjadi sepi selepas waktu kerja; jadi dapatlah bermunajat kepada Allah SWT sepuas-puas hatinya.

Ali bertanya sama ada saya mahu bermalam di masjid itu. Apabila saya berkata ya, dia memberitahu siapa yang perlu saya maklumkan perkara itu, "Awak jumpa dia, tak ada masalah. Semua beres..."

Selepas solat isyak, Ali dan saya bertemu semula di pangkin tepi klinik. Kami berborak panjang. Macam sudah lama kenal satu sama lain. Ketika berbual, terjenguk dua ekor anak kucing sungguh comel, memandang kami. Ali tabur makanan kucingnya. Ternyata Ali dan anak kucing begitu 'ngam'!

Mengenai soal makan minum, Ali berkata kadang-kadang di masjid ada makanan...kawan-kawan dan penderma pun banyak membantu..."setakat ini taklah saya kebulur tetapi sampai bila? Saya sungguh-sugguh berharap dapat kerja di syarikat Jepun di JB itu. Doakan saya ya..."

Malam kian larut. Nyamuk kian banyak. Namun syukurlah malam itu saya tidur 'bertemankan' nyalaan selingkar ubat nyamuk sumbangan Ali...ohh alangkah baik budinya 'si mamat' ini yang roda kehidupannya kini berada di bahagian bawah! Sama-samalah kita berdoa dia akan kembali ke atas sekali lagi!

Jamadilakhir 22, 1443: For the love of Langkawi (U)

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.

MANY-MANY years ago I was in Langkawi for a holiday. I was in love, but don’t get me wrong. Other than the famous Mahsuri love story or tragedy, I had the oppourtunity to compile several other episodes of love, two of them I copied from inscriptions placed at strategic locations in Pulau Dayang Bunting (Island of Pregnant Maiden).

This was the first time I was in this island even though I had been to Langkawi several times, so I was a bit excited. But also don’t get me wrong, I was not excited about love but the dizzinesss from the rough speedboat ride from the jetty in Kuah to Pulau Dayang Bunting.

On the island, one would not miss this two ‘love’ signboards.

1. Hornbill’s Love Story

When a female hornbill is nesting, she will be totally depending on its male partner for food and love. During this time (for about 4 months), the female stays in her nest, usually in the tree-hollows. The birds would use a mix of mud/clay, droppings and saliva as cement to plaster the hole.

The hole will be sealed completely except for a small gap for feeding. Everyday with great loyalty the male hornbill will come to feed the female and their new chicks. That’s why, if the male died or killed, the new family will keep waiting in their hole until they eventually perish due to strarvation.

There are three species of hornbills in Langkawai – the Crest Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill and Wreathed Hornbill. Did you know that hornbills will mate and stay with only the same partner for life. – Langkawi Geopark

After climbing hundreds of steps up a hill and then moving down, before reaching the waters of Tasik Dayang Bunting, there was another signboard with this inscription.

2. The Legend of Pregnant Maiden Lake

According to a local legend, it began when a male elf (teruna bunian) named Mat Teja fell in love, at first sight, with Dayang, a female elf. Mat Teja won her heart by rubbing a mermaid’s tear drop on his face. Their romantic intimate relationship became complete with Dayang’s pregnany.

Dayang then decided to retire at Tasik Dayang Beranak (Maiden Giving Birth Lake). Nine months later, Dayang gave birth to a child but unfortunately, the child died after seven days. Saddened by the event, Dayang decided to bury her baby in the lake.

After the incident, the lake was known as Tasik Dayang Bunting (Pregnant Maiden Lake), as a way for the locals to pay their condolences to the couple.

During my stay in Langkawi, I frequented several masjids; the one I spent time the most was Masjid Nur Hidayah in Kampung Kelibang, some five kilometers away from Kuah town. In this masjid, I befriended a pensioner, 63 year old Pak Haji Lah Salleh. He was pleased to get to know me, and as a local, he provided me some latest information about the ordinary people of Langkawi.

“As I Malay and a Muslim, I must tell you the well being of our people. This is because I love Langkawi, insya-Allah (God willing) I will always be here and die here. Of course there are two sides of a coin. Development in Langkawi especially after it was declared a free-tax heaven in 1987 brought the good and the bad.

“The good news is that business especially in the tourism industry is flourishing, but the question is who benefits from it? The majority of the locals still live their old ways. I had a sad news. Recently some of my friends had been receiving letters from ‘Jabatan Hasil Dalam Negeri’ (Inland Revenue Department), asking them to pay penalties for their failure to settle taxes when they sold their lands many years ago.

“A friend was told to pay RM6,000, and another RM5,000 and another friend RM3,000. Can you imagine how they could raise that amount of money? Most of the lands sold were owned by their families (tanah pusaka) so they only got a small amount and as the years passed, the money finished. Why must thre be a delay of 10 to 20 years in collecting taxes?

“The majority of Malay/Muslims from the rural areas are still poor but now for the religious conscious residents, they have headaces in trying to educate their children in an environment they had no idea some 20 years ago. Nowadays entertainment outlets including bars and spas are just a stone’s throw away from their homes. Even tiny stores owned by Malays, have beers in their refrigerators for sale. I had seen and scolded some Malays teenagers when they tried to buy the drinks.

“On the beach, you could see ‘Mat Salih’ (English men and women) walking and lying down with only their private parts covered. I could not think how this scenario effects our young people. Perhaps after years, they become accustomed to it, but don’t be surprised if one day the Malays too act like the ‘Mat Salihs’.

After noticing I was keen in listening to the words he poured out from his heart (I had not mentioned to him that I am a writer), Pak Lah continued: “Have a look at the attendees of this mosque. We have only several congregators, all of them veterans. Where have the young men gone? I am sad with this development, are you?

Pak Lah claimed many of the successful people especially in businesses are from the mainland, it is difficult for the throughbred ordinary Langkawian to make it big.

“I don’t know what the futute holds for the ordinary Malays/Muslims in Langkawi, but for the love of this island, my birth place – I will never leave it, insya-Allah I'll die here.”

Jamadilakhir 21, 1443: Adakah gadis seksi dapat tingkatkan 'vrooom'?

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

Renungan

"Jika orang-orang yang berbuat zalim itu mengetahui ketika mereka melihat seksa (pada Hari Kiamat) bahawa kekuatan itu kepunyaan Allah semuanya (nescaya mereka menyesal)." - Al-Baqarah: 165

APABILA berkereta bersama anggota keluarga dalam perjalanan jauh, soal stesen dan jenama (syarikat) minyak yang bakal menjadi tempat persinggahan dibahaskan anak-anak. Saya dan isteri pun turut sama, jadi keadaan dalam kereta menjadi gamat. Setiap orang mahu menegakkan hujah (benang basah?) masing-masing.

Ada yang berkata RON-97 baguslah dengan prestasi hebat walaupun ia lebih mahal daripada RON-95. Kononnya RON-95 ‘minyak koman’ dan ‘mudah terbakar’. Macamlah dia jurutera minyak. Ada yang berkata minyak Petronas bagus, ada yang berkata minyak Shell ada kuasa ‘vrooom’. Ada yang mengingatkan Mobil, Caltex dan Esso adalah milik asing, jadi jangan singgahlah kerana “kita kena sokong perjuangan Palestin.”

Namun suatu hari ketika topik minyak ini hangat dibahaskan dalam kereta, saya terkedu mendengar hujah isteri saya: “Kita pilih Petronas kerana di stesen ini ada tempat solat yang bagus. Ada surau lelaki dan perempuan. Stesen minyak lain sukar untuk jumpa surau.

“Kita isi minyak di Petronas dengan niat dia dapat untung, dia akan laburkan sedikit daripada duit itu menambah selesa suraunya!”

Saya sangat setuju dengan pandangan isteri saya itu. Selain bersifat patriotik menyokong syarikat minyak nasional, kita dapat berbakti, menambah keuntungan Petronas agar perkhidmatannya kepada orang awam seperti penyediaan kemudahan surau dan bilik air dapat dipertingkatkan. Tentunya Petronas (peneraju, pegawai dan seluruh kakitangannya) dapat pahala kerana ada saham kebajikannya seperti penyediaan surau dan kemudahan awam lain.

Syabas kepada Petronas yang begitu hebat bukan saja di dalam negara tetapi juga di persada antarabangsa. Daripada pembacaan, saya tahu Petronas terbabit dalam cari gali minyak di negara-negara yang begitu jauh seperti Sudan dan negara Asia Tengah bekas republik Soviet Union seperti Turkmenistan dan Kazakhstan.

Namun di samping menambah koleksi pahalanya, saya kurang senang apabila Petronas yang kita bangga-banggakan itu turut sama terbabit dalam menaja gadis-gadis litar seksi sama seperti syarikat-syarikat minyak antarabangsa lain pada acara pemotoran.

Saya tidak pernah menyaksikan pertarungan secara langsung di Sepang, tetapi berdasarkan paparan di media massa, saya perhatikan Petronas juga tidak kurang hebatnya mempromosi gadis seksi sama seperti pihak lain. Bagaimana ya, Petronas yang saya sangka ‘alim’ dengan mendirikan banyak surau itu pun terbabit sama dalam mengeksploitasi wanita untuk tujuan komersialnya.

Bagi saya tiada kaitan langsung dengan gadis seksi dengan sukan pemotoran. Apakah dengan kehadiran gadis litar seksi dapat memperlajukan motosikal atau kereta lumba ditaja atau menggunakan minyak Petronas? Jika syarikat antarabangsa lain menggunakan gadis seksi, Petronas tidak perlu meniru-niru sebaliknya menggagahkan diri dengan ketegasan prinsip dan wibawa sendiri. Saya percaya Petronas tanpa gadis litar seksi akan mendapat kebarakahan Illahi yang akan menyebabkan ia dihormati kawan dan lawan.

Masih tidak yakin akan kehebatan golongan yang patuh kepada hukum hakam Illahi? Kajilah dan cuba dalami sejarah Islam bagaimana golongan yang dilihat lemah dan kecil dapat menewaskan pihak dipandang perkasa. Insaflah 313 (ada mengatakan 319) orang pejuang Islam dapat menewaskan lebih 1,000 tentera Musyrikin Makkah dalam Perang Badar; jadi jika Petronas patuhi hukum-hakam Allah, insya-Allah ‘vrooom’nya akan menjadi tersangat hebat!

Jamadilakhir 21, 1443: Money is the root of all evil? (U)

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. 

MANY, many years ago when I was in lower secondary school; I 'was aware' that during our inter class, house or school debates, one of the favourite topics was 'Money is the root of all evil'. 

Speakers supporting that suggestion tried to convince audiences and judges that money is indeed the root of all evil while those against it 'play around' the topic saying that only the love of money that can lead to evil. 

They claimed that money in itself is harmless. It is but a medium of exchange in trade. it is only the love of money that can lead to evil. 

Money becomes a person's master if that person values material possessions above everything else. At the same time, many people do not realize that they are enslaved by money. 

I did not pay much attention to the subject; not until recently when I attended a 'tazkirah' (Islamic lesson) by an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) saying it aloud and clear that 'drinking is the root of all evil'. 

Well, it took me years and years to realize that nobody among us (students of my good old days) have 'that thought' or 'have the courage' to say that 'drinking is the root of all evil' thus 'put into coffin' the thinking that 'money is the root of all evil'. 

Comparing mismanagement of money and killing a person, of course the latter is a more serious crime. But what 'offence' that could lead to such circumstances? The question is why in our society, drinking (alcohol) is look upon as 'a norm' and not a serious crime? 

To prove that drinking is the root of all evil, the 'ustaz' told congregators at our masjid about a story of a very religious person from 'Bani Israil' (the children of Jacob or Nabi Yaakob). He was given three choices; either drink alcohol, sleep with a woman, or murder a baby. 

The religious man thought that alcohol would be the lesser of the evils. So he drank alcohol, got high, slept with the woman and killed the baby. 

So, by drinking alcohol, he got it all wrong; went astray and in the Hereafter he would be thrown into Hellfire.

In a 'hadith' Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. says: "Jealousy, pride and alcohol are the roots of all the evils." 

Observing happenings around us, we would realize the truth that 'drinking (alcohol) is the root of all evil' but not many people; not even those in power were willing to admit it and take steps to recitify the problem. 

Please admit that alcohol not only destroys its consumer but everything of him – his house, family and wealth. 

Please note that Islam values the moral and spiritual health of the people as well as their physical well-being. This is why Islam considers anything which interferes with the normal working of the mind and senses or clouds or perception as harmful. It is because of this and several other reasons that Islam has totally prohibited substances like alcohol and all other intoxicants (drugs etc) which can destroy the clarity of mind. 

Unfortunately many Muslims today do not value their moral, spiritual or physical well being as they have turned to alcohol, drugs and other intoxicants which Islam has clearly prohibited. Now the Muslim ummah has morally decline. 

In Malaysia, ‘haram’ (forbidden) drinks are sold openly in convenience stores including those situated in Muslims densely populated areas. Nowadays 'our boys' could have their 'happy hours boozing away' and some 'add the kicks' by trying 'dadah' (drugs). Who actually cares about them?

Regarding alcohol and all other intoxicants; Allah SWT says in the Qur'an: 

 (1) “They ask you concerning wine and gambling. Say “in them there is great sin, and some profit for mankind, but the sin is greater than the profit.” (2:219)

(2) “O you who believe. Approach not prayers, with a mind befogged, until you can understand all that you say” (4:43) 

(3) “O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. Avoid such (abomination) that you may prosper” (5:90) 

(4) “Shaytaan’s plan is to show enmity and hatred amongst you with intoxicants and gambling, and to hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you not then give up?” (5:91) 

Hence all intoxicants which are drunk, smoked and chewed are forbidden by Allah SWT in every sense.

What Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has to say about wine and intoxicants? Anas r.a. said: “I was giving drink to people in the abode of Abu Talhah, and their wine at that time was made from dates. Then the Messenger of Allah, ordered a crier to make it known that wine was forbidden.” He added: “Abu Talhah said to me, ‘Get out and pour in out’. I poured it out, and it flowed in the streets of Medina.” 

In another 'hadith' the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Allah has cursed wine, its drinker, its server, its seller, its buyer, its presser, the one for whom it is pressed, the one who conveys it, and the one to whom it is conveyed.” (Bukhari: Book 26, Number 3666) 

‘A’isha said: “The Messenger of Allah was asked about it.” It is a drink made of honey and the people of Yemen used to drink it. So the Messenger of Allah said, “Every drink that intoxicates is prohibited.” 

Of whatever thing a large quantity intoxicates, even a small quantity is prohibited. Do not drink wine, for it is the root of all evil. 

Abu Hurairah relates that a drunkard was brought to the Holy Prophet who ordered people to beat him. Abu Hurairah says: “Some of us beat him with hands and others with shoes and still others with their clothes. When he was gone, some people cried; “May God harm him!’ The Holy Prophet said: “Do not say like that, and let not Satan overpower him.” 

Jamadilakhir 20, 1443: Jadilah si tua penyabar, penzikir...

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

TIDAK lama dahulu, saya mengikuti kuliah seorang tok guru yang memuzakarahkan salah satu Asma al-Husna Allah SWT iaitu 'Al-Halim'. 'Al-Halim' bermaksud, Yang Maha Tetap Menahan Marah.

Allah SWT menahan balasan seksa-Nya terhadap orang yang sepatut telah menerimanya. Balasan seksa ditangguhkan-Nya, ada kala tidak diberi seksaan langsung, ada kalanya dimaafkan ada kalanya disegerakan seksaan-Nya. Semua ini merupakan persoalan azali dan bergantung kepada iradat dan ilmu-Nya.

Berdasarkan Al-Halim Allah SWT ini, seorang penzina terus sihat walafiat, seorang perasuah semakin kaya, seorang pemimpin zalim terus berkuasa; Allah menahan balasan seksa-Nya, termasuk memberi peluang pelaku maksiat bertaubat.

Namun, apa yang kita selalu saksikan dalam kehidupan manusia?" tanya tok guru. Seorang pemimpin zalim tak sabar-sabar menghukum rakyatnya yang dituduh bersalah, seorang guru besar berlagak 'diktator' di sekolah dan dalam rumah tangga, sang suami bagaikan raja singa, sedikit saja kesalahan anak isteri habis disepak terajangnya. Ya, kuasa baru ada ke atas seorang dua insan, tetapi lagaknya, nauzubillah...

Itulah, Allah SWT bersifat Al-Halim, tetapi saya sebagai seorang suami dan bapa bagaimana keadaannya? Segala sifat yang negatif ada pada diri ini - panas baran, tidak sabar, tamak haloba, kikir, perasan baik, sentiasa mahu menang (terutama ketika masa muda dahulu)...senarai ini panjang; dahulu semasa muda kita terlalu sibuk (atau buat-buat sibuk) menyebabkan tiada masa memikirkannya.

Bangun pagi, kita 'sudah berdesup' ke pejabat dan balik rumah sudah lewat malam atau dinihari ketika anak isteri sudah lama lena, jadi apa yang boleh kita fikirkan? Pada hujung minggu malah pada cuti awam pun bertungkus lumus di pejabat atau di lapangan...ya apa nak jadi dengan diri ini yang 24 jam kerja, kerja, kerja. Malah ada rakan-rakan kita solat pun tak ada masa, yang wajib pun tunggang-langang apatah lagi yang sunat...

Kini, pejam pelik mata, sudah puluhan tahun kita berkahwin...ini suatu tempoh masa yang panjang, umur pun sudah 60+.

Anak-anak pun sudah beranak pinak, saya kini sudah bergelar datuk manakala isteri adalah nenek atau opah...oh, ada seorang rakan saya melawak - akhirnya "aku tidur dengan seorang opah!" Dulu begitu mengerikan memikirkannya...kini sudah menjadi kenyataan.

Selepas melalui zaman kanak-kanak, kita memasuki usia remaja sehingga 20 tahun, kemudian dewasa dan matang pada usia 40 tahun. Pada usia 60 tahun (had umur pencen) dan ke atas (60+) sudah menjadi tua. Umur lebih banyak daripada Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.

Ya, semua orang jika tak mati muda, akan memasuki usia tua. Kata tok guru jika seseorang tidak membersihkan jiwanya sejak muda, apabila memasuki usia tua perangainya akan menjadi lebih teruk lagi.

Jika dahulu apabila baran, kaki dan tangannya 'cepat naik' ke muka dan badan orang terutama anak isteri namun apabila tua ketika tenaga hampir sudah habis dan badan sentiasa sakit-sakit dan tak kuat lagi, mulutnya akan menjadi jahat - itulah sebabnya orang tua yang kurang imannya akan selalu menghambur kata-kata kesat, memaki hamun dan sebagainya terhadap anak dan cucu.

Apabila hendak sesuatu misalnya, minta nasi dan air daripada isteri dan anak-anak, tetapi tidak dilayan segera, si tua tak sabar (beriman) akan baling pinggan, mangkuk dan cawan ke dinding. Ertinya sabar tiada dalam kamus hidupnya. Walaupun dah tua, hati dan perangai masih baran.

Namun jika dibajai iman sejak muda...hati dan mulutnya akan sentiasa basah, berzikir mengingati Allah, Allah, Allah sehinggalah maut menjemput-Nya. Berusahalah untuk menjadi orang tua sebegini (BERIMAN dan BERAMAL) jika kita dipanjangkan usia oleh-Nya.

Jamadilakhir 19, 1443: Umar tiada masa berseronok...(U)

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

Renungan

"Masukkan kami dalam golongan hamba-Mu ya Allah, yang Kau sebut dalam al-Quran: 'Wahai jiwa yang tenang, kembalilah kepada Tuhan-Mu dalam keadaan reda dan diredai. Masukkan kami ke dalam syurga-Mu ya Allah'." (Maksud ayat 27-30 Surah Al-Fajr)

MENGENAI intergriti, ada pemimpin mengkisahkan tokoh-tokoh masyhur yang begitu prihatin nasib rakyat, antaranya Umar Abdul Aziz, seorang Khalifah Bani Umaiyah (memerintah 717-719 Masihi) yang kerap dianggap sebagai Khalifah Al-Rasyidin kelima selepas Abu Bakar, Umar, Uthman dan Ali.

Daripada percakapan mereka, seolah-olah mereka 'mahu menjadi' Umar Abdul Aziz atau setidak-tidak mencontohinya. Mungkin ada yang sudah lupa, jadi 'diputarkan' kembali sedikit sebanyak kisah Umar Abdul Aziz (hidup 682-719 Masihi). Ya, Umar Abdul Aziz hidup lebih kurang 37 tahun dan memerintah dua (2) tahun saja tetapi dapat menjadikan kebajikan rakyatnya yang terbaik pada zaman itu.

Umar Abdul Aziz masyhur dengan 'kisah lampunya' (integriti). Dia memadam lampu kerajaan tatkala melayan anaknya...dialah yang mengungkapkan kata-kata tegas penuh ketakutan kepada Allah SWT kepada isterinya, Fatimah selepas dilantik khalifah yang kerajaannya terbentang dari Lautan Atlantik di barat ke India di sebelah timur dalam usia 35 tahun.

Khalifah berkata dia tak ada masa lagi untuk berseronok-seronok dengan anak isterinya, masa yang ada termasuk waktu tidurnya di atas tilam empuk dalam istana indah, perlu dikorbankan seluruhnya untuk Allah SWT termasuk melayan keperluan rakyat. Kalau isterinya bersedia menjalani kehidupan begitu berpanjanganlah jodoh mereka, jika tidak suka, dia sedia menceraikannya "dan kamu carilah lelaki lain yang boleh membahagiakan kamu." 

Sungguh Umar Abdul Aziz telah menjalankan pemerintahan dengan penuh ketakutan kepada Allah SWT sehinggalah dia meninggal dunia pada usia 37 tahun. Sungguhpun pemerintahannya tersangkat singkat, keadilannya disanjung Timur dan Barat, membolehkan namanya diletakkan sebaris dengan Khalifah Al-Rasyidin yang empat.

Umar diiktiraf di peringkat antarabangsa. Wikipedia mencatatkan: The short rule of Hazrat Umar Abdul Aziz (717-719 AD) was like an oasis in a vast desert -- a benevolent rain which had fallen on an arid soil. It was the brightest period in the 91-year Caliphate of the Umayyads, which, though short lived, had transformed the outlook of the State and had released such powerful democratic forces that after his death the attempts for the restoration of autocracy under Hishaam failed miserably and ultimately culminated in the fall of the Umayyads at the hands of the Abbasids.  

Kehebatan dan keadilan Umar Abdul Aziz Bagi juga tersebar di Alam Melayu. Pada tahun 718 Masihi, Raja Srivijaya (empayar terbesar ketika itu), Sri Indravarman mengutus surat dengan hadiah-hadiah kepada Khalifah memohon dihantar wakil ke Palembang untuk diajar Islam kepada baginda dan rakyatnya.

Nah, kisah Umar Abdul Aziz yang menjadi 'basahan mulut' pihak tertentu suatu ketika dulu, sekarang ini perlu disemarakkan terus di kalangan pemimpin (yang sudah berkuasa) sekarang. Apabila mengingati Umar Abdul Aziz, sedarlah kita bahawa tokoh ini 'tidak diwariskan kebagusan' ketika mengambil alih pemerintahan.

Umar mewarisi sebuah pemerintahan yang korup, boros, bermewah-mewahan dengan sesetengah khalifah, pemimpin tertinggi termasuk gabenornya amat zalim. Mereka termasuklah Yazid bin Muawiyah dan Al-Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf Al-Thaqafi yang didakwa membunuh ribuan rakyat.

Jadi kepada mereka yang 'menjadikan Umar Abdul Aziz' sebagai rujukan masa lalu, adalah 'tidak bagus' untuk menyalahkan rejim lama yang banyak berhutang atau menjadikan  pemimpin lama yang korup dan perasuah sebagai alasan untuk melambat-lambatkan atau tidak langsung menunaikan 'janji-janji bagus' kepada rakyat. Mereka tidak boleh mendiamkan diri daripada 'bercakap' untuk mencontohi Umar Abdul Aziz.

Mereka juga tidak boleh menjadikan alasan tempoh pemerintahan masih awal atau singkat kerana tokoh yang mereka uar-uarkan dulu (Umar Abdul Aziz) dalam tempoh dua tahun sudah memberikan yang terbaik kepada rakyat.

Ya, kebajikan rakyat adalah keutamaan pemimin. Kisah Khalifah Harun Al-Rasyid (memerintah 786-803 Masihi) daripada bani Abasiyah ini wajar dijadikan teladan. Baginda bukan hanya terkenal gagah berani, namun sangat mencintai para ulama. Khalifah sering kali menziarahi para ulama untuk mendengar nasihat dan fatwa mereka.

Ketika menunaikan haji, baginda berjumpa  Abdul Aziz Al-'Umari. Beliau adalah seorang ulama alim dan zuhud, Khalifah segera menggunakan kesempatan itu untuk mendapatkan nasihat daripadanya.

Abdul Aziz bertanya: "Wahai Khalifah, adakah tuan melihat kumpulan manusia yang berkumpul di Baitulllah?"

"Ya," jawab Khalifah. "Berapa jumlah mereka?" "Mereka sangat ramai. Bilangan mereka tak terhitung." Al-'Umari berkata: "Ketahuilah wahai Khalifah, setiap orang daripada mereka pada hari kiamat nanti akan ditanya tentang diri mereka sendiri. Akan tetapi engkau akan ditanyakan tentang setiap orang daripada mereka semua."

Mendengar ucapan ini, Khalifah hampir pengsan. Baginda menangis membayangkan betapa beratnya hisab di akhirat bagi sesiapa yang menjadi pemimpin di dunia. Harun Al-Rasyid menangis tetapi bagaimana pemimpin kita termasuk diri ini sebagai pemimpin kecil (seperti mengepali rumah tangga)?

Jamadilakhir 18, 1443: Senyum doktor, jururawat pelu dibayar? (U)

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

Renungan

Ubaidillah bin Ubaid bin Umair mengatakan tentang jenazah; "Telah sampai padaku Rasululluah s.a.w. telah bersabda: 'Sesungguhnya mayat itu didudukkan dan mendengar langkah pengiringnya. Tidak ada yang berkata padanya kecuali kuburnya yang mengatakan, 'Celaka engkau hai manusia, bukankah aku telah menakutkanmu dengan kesempitanku, kebusukanku, kedahsyatanku dan cacing-cacingku? Lalu apa yang engkau siapkan untukku?'"

DAHULU ketika masih bekerja, pejabat penulis terdiri megah sebuah bangunan besar hospital swasta ternama yang baru siap. Hospital ini hanya menunggu masa dirasmikan. Ketika mendongak ke langit, melihat bangunan 10 tingkat itu, penulis terkenang lawak seorang kawan.

Beliau berkata seorang sahabatnya dihantar ke hospital itu (dulunya di bangunan lama) untuk menjalani rawatan. Apabila mengetahui deposit rawatan adalah sebanyak RM1,000; si pesakit tiba-tiba berkata dia sudah sihat dan tidak jadi dirawat di situ.

Penulis tidak memeriksa kesahihan perkara itu; tetapi baru-baru ini apabila ibu penulis dimasukkan ke sebuah hospital swasta, barulah penulis tahu ia bukan bahan lawak tetapi sesuatu yang serius kerana deposit untuk dirawat di situ juga RM1,000!

Selepas menjalani rawatan selama dua setengah hari, cajnya kira-kira RM4,500; membuat penulis mengakui bahawa rawatan perubatan sebenarnya sudah menjadi satu industri membuat duit. Kini semakin banyak pihak menggunakan istilah hospitaliti malah ada banyak kolej menawarkan kursus dalam bidang ini.

Berdasarkan situasi ini, penulis tidak terkejut apabila membaca sebuah berita baru-baru ini mengenai sebuah pusat rawatan swasta yang menolak kemasukan seorang wanita yang mahu bersalin sehingga akhirnya bayi beliau dilahirkan dalam kereta keluarga berkenaan yang diparkir berhampiran.

Kini dengan peningkatan taraf hidup rakyat di samping gaya hidup mereka yang berubah (seperti tidak mempunyai masa terluang untuk ke hospital kerajaan), pusat rawatan swasta bercambah bagaikan cendawan selepas hujan apatah lagi banyak syarikat menginsuranskan pekerja mereka dari segi kesihatan dan rawatan.

Ada pihak seperti kerajaan negeri sudah mengambil inisiatif memaju dan menggandingkan bidang perubatan dan rawatan ini dengan industri pelancongan; maka timbullah istilah rawatan pelancongan.

Berhubung bayaran tinggi hospital swasta ini, penulis teringat sebuah filem Inggeris yang penulis tonton di televisyen, mengisahkan bagaimana seorang bapa nekad menawan hospital tempat anaknya dirawat kerana dia tidak mampu menyediakan wang rawatan diminta.

Dalam filem yang tajuknya tidak lagi diingati penulis, si bapa selepas kecewa dengan sikap pengurusan hospital yang menangguh-nangguhkan pembedahan kerana dia gagal menyediakan ratusan ribu dolar yang diminta, akhirnya berjaya menyelamatkan si anak melalui pembedahan itu selepas dia mengacukan pistol ke kepalanya dan juga kepala doktor.

Nampaknya kisah ini sudah ‘menghampiri’ masyarakat kita. Perkhidmatan perubatan dan rawatan hampir menjadi satu industri; hospital dan klinik kerajaan semakin diabaikan dari segi mutunya; bukan saja pesakit ‘lari’ ke pusat rawatan swasta malah doktor-doktor turut berhijrah bagi mendapat pulangan lumayan.

Bimbang dengan bebanan yang bakal ditanggung rakyat kebanyakan ini, pelbagai pihak membantah cadangan menswastakan pusat rawatan dan kesihatan termasuklah Institut Jantung Negara (IJN).

Bayangkanlah jika IJN sudah diswastawakan, ke mana agaknya rakyat marhain mahu mendapatkan rawatan jantung jika bayaran yang dikenakan adalah puluhan dan ratusan ribu ringgit.

Mengenai hospital swasta, seorang rakan berlawak, setiap ‘pertolongan’ diberikan kepada pesakit, semuanya dicaj; jangan ingat ia sediakan percuma.

Misalnya, jika pesakit menekan loceng kecemasan memanggil jururawat, cajnya dimasukkan dalam bil. Demikian juga apabila memanggil petugas untuk membantu memapah pesakit ke bilik air, ia bukan percuma; semuanya disertakan dalam bil yang pada masa ‘check out’ (keluar) boleh menyebabkan jantung bagai mahu putus sebab bayarannya mencecah RM5,000, RM10,000, RM50,000 dan seterusnya.

Tidak lama dahulu, ada pemimpin mendesak kerajaan menyelia bayaran yang dikenakan pihak hospital swasta.

Seorang daripadanya bertanya,  “Adakah kementerian bertanggungjawab ke atas mengawal selia, memantau tentang harga rawatan yang dikenakan oleh hospital-hospital swasta ini? Ini adalah sebab yang akan menjadi mangsa ataupun yang akan terpaksa membayar ini pengguna, rakyat.”

Seorang pemimpin kerajaan mengakuinya, antara lain berkata: “Apabila masuk hospital swasta, sekali tekan, pakar datang RM75. Sepuluh kali tekan satu hari RM750. Dekat hospital awam, 10 kali tekan pun percuma dan caj itu dikenakan oleh pakar yang merawat.”

Demikianlah, segala kemudahan yang ada di pusat rawatan swasta sebenarnya dikenakan caj. Entah-entah senyuman doktor, jururawat dan petugas lain (macam senyuman pramugari) pun ada cajnya. Agak-agaknya berapa ringgit senyuman mereka?

Jamadilakhir 17, 1443: The empty nest syndrome...(U)

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)! 

Jamadilakhir 16, 1443: ‘Going to Heaven alone?’ (U)

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

Reflection

O ye who believe! Retalation is prescribed for you in the matter of the murdered; the freeman for the freeman, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. And for him who is forgiven somewhat by his (injured) brother, prosecution according to usage and payment unto him in kindness. This is an alleviation and a mercy from your Lord. He who transgresseth after this will have a painfull doom. (Al-Baqarah, 178)

In 'my masjid', a talk by one preacher, Ustaz Long Kechik moved my heart and I would like to share it with readers.

His talk and presentation with aid of a power point illustration was simple; it revolved on why we were sent into this world and where we are heading for. On why we were sent into this world, he quoted Surat Adh-Dhariyat 51:56 (The Winnowing Winds) with the meaning; “I have only created jinn and men, that they may serve Me.”

Yes, human being existence along with jinn are to worship Allah SWT, but Ustaz Long explained in this ‘ayah’, Allah SWT used the word ‘men or mankind’ and not Muslim, so the duty of Muslims is not confined only to worship Allah SWT, it is more than that.

So what are other duties of Muslims? To explain this, Ustaz Long discussed at length about Allah SWT's mercy in sending His prophets.

Allah SWT, out of His abundant Love and Mercy for mankind, has not left us in darkness to discover the right path by trial and error alone. Coupled with our intellectual capability to reason, Allah SWT bestowed upon us divine guidance that outlines the Criterion for truth and the knowledge and reality of our existence in this world and Hereafter.

From the beginning of mankind Allah SWT sent exemplars or prophets to convey His revelation and to invite all mankind to the path of true peace and obedience to one true God. This is Islam.

This message was conveyed to all nations and tribes in this world throughout successive generations through more than 124,000 prophets – all inviting mankind to the same path.

Ustaz Long said prophets before Muhammad s.a.w. were sent to their own people or tribe. Their followers were not given the duty to preach the religion and when the prophets died, they were replaced by other prophets.

But Prophet Muhammad being the ‘khatamah’ (final) Messenger of Allah; was not only sent for his own tribe (Quraisy and Arab) but for all mankind and even jinn at every corner of the planet and his teaching would valid until ‘kiamah’ (the end of the world).

“If Prophets before Muhammad s.a.w. died; their teachings would be upheld by their followers and when they swayed from the true religion, Allah SWT would send another prophet, but what would be the case of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.’s followers?” asked Ustaz Long.

He said, after Prophet Muhammad's demise; the duty to preach and uphold the religion falls on the shoulder of every Muslim. This is what the Prophet s.a.w. used to tell his Companions to do: “Convey (knowledge) from me if it is just one ‘ayah’.” (al-Bukhari)

In another hadith, the Prophet s.a.w. said: “Whoever calls people to the truth will have a reward like that of those who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.” (Sahih Muslim)

Based on this fact, Ustaz Long stressed that the duty of every Muslim (the followers of Muhammad) is to worship (serve) Allah SWT (as mentioned in Surat Adh-Dhariyat 51:56 “I have only created jinn and men, that they may serve Me”) and to do the ‘dakwah’ (be a ‘daie’ – preacher).

‘Umat’ (the followers of) Muhammad was in front and have special place in the eyes of Allah SWT compared to other Prophets’ followers because among others they were given the task to spread the message of the Final Prophet s.a.w.

“So do we carry out the two tasks given to us as the followers of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.?” asked Ustaz Long. “True some of us devote ourselves to worship Allah SWT and to refine it such as doing the ‘tahajud’ (late night prayers) or ‘iktikaf’ (spending much time in masjids; praying, reading the Qur’an or thinking about God or oneself) but sadly, many of us distance ourselves from doing the ‘dakwah’ work.

“I would like to give you some simple examples. I know during ‘subuh’ (dawn) prayers many of you dashed off to the masjid with your bike. Sure, you devout yourself to your Lord but sad to say some of us do not bother on whether our wives of children say their prayers or not. To some extent; some of us were not bothered to wake up our children to say their prayers especially during their school holidays.

“Then how many of us are concerned about our wives and daughters attires; do they comply with the Islamic code of dressing? Then there are cases where the mother wears the hijab but the daughter puts on sexily clad dress.

“Why this situation is rampant in our Muslim homes? One factor is we do not do our ‘dakwah’ job. The father thinks that he should be a good Muslim but forget about his wife and children.

“He should ‘dakwah’ not only himself but his dependents for Allah SWT says: "Believers! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are angels stern (and) severe as wardens, who flinch not (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded." (Qur’an 66:6)

“After doing ‘dakwah’ to one’s family, have a look at our neighbourhood. Are our neighbours good practising Muslim or if they were of a different belief, have we shown them good aspects of Islam so they would be interested in the religion. Have we talked about Islam to them?

“Then we have to look at problems of our society, our state, country, and globally and lend our hands in solving them.

“The problem with Muslims nowadays is that we do not do the dakwah work, we only concentrate on own ‘ibadah’ (acts of devotion to Allah SWT) only as though we are going to Heaven alone. Remember a man would be stopped from entering Heaven by his wife or wives, daughters, sisters and mother if they insisted he had not done enough in guiding them to the straight path,” said Ustaz Long.

Sadly, nowadays dakwah seemed so strange, said the ustaz. Malays must not forget that they become Muslim from the hard work of dakwah of Arab, Indian and Chinese preachers who were mostly traders and they efforts were rewarded when rulers of Pasai/Perlak, Melaka, Aceh, Palembang, Patani and almost all entities in the Malay Archipelago accepted Islam beginning from the 10th century and reached its peak in the 15 and 16th century.

“If not because of the dedication of these traders and preachers, Malays would still be pagans, Nauzubillah,” said the ustaz.

Centuries ago, the Chinese such as Laksamana (Admiral) Cheng Ho had their part in preaching Islam to the people of Melaka and Palembang. Nowadays have the Muslim Malays done their jobs in explaining Islam to the Chinese community? The same should be asked on the dakwah work of the Malays to the Indians community.

So, based on the fact that dakwah seemed to be left out these days, Ustaz Long suggested it should be rekindled; insya-Allah (God willing) the ills of society would be able to be checked and more non-Muslim becoming interested in the religion and insya-Allah become Muslims themselves.

Jamadilakhir 15, 1443: Signifikan tanggal 17 Januari...(U)

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

SAYA mengulang siar artikel ini pada hari  Isnin, 17 Januari 2022. Tanggal ini 31 tahun lalu (1991) membawa pengertian besar kepada dunia dan juga saya. Pada tarikh inilah tentera bersekutu dikepali Amerika Syarikat menyerang Iraq selepas Presidennya, Saddam Hussein menggempur seterusnya menakluk Kuwait.

Perang Teluk yang dicanangkan oleh Presiden Amerika, George (Sr) Bush ini mempunyai kesan besar kepada media massa. Buat pertama kalinya orang awam boleh menyaksikan perang melalui skrin televisyen. Wartawan CNN, Peter Arnett berupaya membuat liputan perang dari Baghdad, kota yang menjadi sasaran tentera bersekutu selain Basrah.

Keghairahan membuat liputan berita perang turut menjangkiti media massa tempatan. Ketika itu penulis yang bertugas di sebuah akhbar harian turut membantu menerbitkan keluaran khas perang yang diedarkan pada sebelah petang. Akhbar itu dijual dengan harga rendah, hanya untuk menampung kos, mungkin 20 sen senaskhah (penulis tidak berapa ingat lagi).

Penulis teringat betapa petugas-petugas bersengkang mata - memulakan kerja jam 3.00 pagi dan menamatkannya kira-kira jam 7.00 pagi untuk membolehkan akhbar dicetak dan diedarkan pada sebelah tengah hari dan petang.

Selepas akhbar khas ini mendapat sambutan, lahirlah ilham untuk menerbitkan akhbar petang berbahasa Melayu pertama. Penulis yang turut termasuk dalam kumpulan perintis akhbar baru ini bekerja siang malam bagi menjayakan penerbitannya.

Dua bulan selepas bermula Perang Teluk, muncullah harian petang dalam bahasa Melayu di khalayak, dan selepas puluhan tahun akhbar ini pernah dinobatkan sebagai akhbar paling besar jualannya di tanah air dengan edaran lebih 400,000 naskhah sehari dengan pembaca kira-kira sejuta orang.

Kini 30 tahun sudah berlalu, bagaimanakah senario terkini di Timur Tengah? Dulu sesekali ada penulis ke rantau ini tetapi sekarang ini maklumat diperolehi melalui pembacaan (dulu melalui akhbar, TV, radio dan agensi berita asing seperti Reuters, AP dan UPI tetapi sekarang meliputi internet).

Sudah menjadi pengetahuan umum berlaku pergeseran hebat antara Arab Saudi-Iran berikutan pelbagai isu dan dikhuatiri negara umat Islam lain termasuk Malaysia sendiri tersepit dalam pergeseran ini dengan sesetengah pihak mengesyorkan Kuala Lumpur mengambil sikap berkecuali. 

Ini kerana hakikatnya Kuala Lumpur mempunyai hubungan baik malah intim dengan Riyadh dan juga Teheran. Namun hubungan dengan Riyadh lebih intim terutamanya kerana pemerintah Arab Saudi yang menggelar dirinya 'Khadam Dua Tanah Suci' (Makkah dan Madinah) 'mempunyai kuasa' dalam hal berkaitan haji dan umrah.

Kini 17 Januari muncul lagi, apa pengajaran peristiwa di Timur Tengah? Salah satu daripadanya ternyata kuasa Barat tidak boleh dipercayai atau diharapkan oleh umat dan negara Islam. Iraq (termasuk Saddam Hussein) sudah mereka 'lingkupkan'. Dunia Arab, dari Maghribi ke Syria seterusnya ke Yaman berberontakan; malahan Mesir yang rakyatnya pernah memilih pemimpin pro-Islam (Mohamad Morsi daripada Ikhwanul Muslimin) kini dikuasai sang diktator Abdel Fattah As-Sissi. 

Kita tertanya-tanya mengapa Barat yang lantang dengan fahaman demokrasinya hanya berpeluk tubuh apabila pemimpin pilihan rakyat iaitu Morsi digulingkan; demikian juga pergerakan rakyat di sesetengah negara Arab tidak disokong, mereka sebaliknya rela bersahabat dengan raja, presiden dan diktator yang ternyata boleh dicucuk hidung bagi memberi keuntungan maksimum kepada kuasa Barat sendiri! Hakikatnya sekarang ini Amerika 'menunggang' sejumlah negara Arab yang sedia pula menjadi 'kuda tunggangan'.

Jamadilakhir 14, 1443: Pemisah hidup-mati tersangat dekat...

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

TIDAK lama dahulu seorang anak buah saya meninggal dunia. Ketika membantu menyempurnakan pengkebumian jenazah, terutama ketika menimbus kuburnya, insaflah saya bahawa keberadaan kita di atas dunia ini dan di bawah sana (dalam bumi) adalah tersangat dekat, jadi mengapa kadang-kala kita (termasuk penulis sendiri) begitu sombong dalam menjalani kehidupan.

Sebagaimana sebuah iklan biskut menyebut "kejap ada, kejap tiada" - demikianlah hidup kita di dunia ini terlalu singkat untuk kita berbuat zalim termasuklah dalam berpolitik. 

Mengapa kita terlalu terkejar-kejar akan matlamat kita hendak mendapat 'segala yang dilihat sebagai keindahan dunia' sedangkan jika direnungkan bersungguh-sungguh dengan hati terbuka, apa yang kita buru itu  bukanlah benar-benar kita perlukan.

Saya terpanggil untuk menukilkan kembali kisah yang kerap diulang-ulang ini - perbualan seorang hartawan dengan doktor peribadinya dalam satu sesi rawatan. Bertanyalah si hartawan yang menderita pelbagai penyakit termasuk kencing manis itu, "Boleh saya makan daging?" "Tak," kata si doktor. "Ayam?" "Tak boleh." "Durian?" "Tak boleh." "Burger?" "Tak boleh." "Ketam?" "Tak boleh." "Udang?" "Tak boleh." "Kambing?" "Apa tuan nak..."

"Habis apa boleh saya makan?" laung si hartawan geram. "Tu biskut kering sana," kata sang doktor selamba.

Berlawanan dengan si hartawan, seorang lelaki pokai pula boleh 'baham' apa saja. Ayam, durian, rambutan semuanya boleh 'dirembatnya'. Pantang jumpa, namun masalahnya duitnya tidak sentiasa cukup pula untuk membeli makanan tersebut.

Demikianlah, dunia ini bukanlah kita punya untuk kita berdabik dada bangga termasuk dalam politik sehingga kita membenarkan matlamat menghalalkan cara (kaedah Machiavelli) termasuklah menggunakan kaedah samseng, almaklum kuasa berada di tangan kita yang berada di puncak.

Kadang-kala ketika duduk sendirian atau memandu kereta termenung panjang saya selepas menghayati lagu 'Terbang Helang' nyanyian Allahyarham Dato' Sharifah Aini yang berkumandang di corong radio; saya berpendapat ia sangat tepat untuk ditujukan kepada orang dan pihak sombong termasuklah diri penulis ini.

Terbang helang

Di angkasa nan luas

Terbang sang helang bebas

Menebarkan sayapnya

Sungguh megah lagaknya

Helang mendabik dada

Membelahi angkasa

Dengan gaya perwira

Bila saja engkau menghampiri

Burung lain terbang lari

Kau merasakan dirimu gagah

Hak yang lain tak kau endah

Mengganas kau di angkasa

Dengan gaya perwira

Terbanglah engkau tinggi

Sampai ke mana lagi

Ingin engkau jelajahi

Sehingga kau terlupa

Yang tinggi jatuh jua

Bila tiba ketika

Kau ke tanah akhirnya

Usah kau lupa diri

Bahawa langit itu tinggi

Nanti lemas sendiri

Nanti lemas sendiri

Benar orang 60+ seperti saya, sudah berada di ambang kematian, persoalannya bagaimana anak-anak (generasi baharu) yang ditinggalkan. Dalam melayari kehidupan, adalah amat malang jika seseorang anak sama ada mereka berjaya dalam kerjaya atau tidak, bersikap sombong kepada ibu bapa sendiri. 

Saya ada membaca buku bertajuk ‘Air Mata Ibu’ (terbitan BSP) karya Norani Abd Hamid yang memaparkan sikap derhaka sesetengah anak. Mereka bagai helang bongkak terbang gagah mencari mangsa di angkasa sedangkan dahulunya 'tidak ada apa-apa'.

Apabila membaca kisah-kisah sedih mengenai nasib ibu yang dipaparkan penulis, perasanlah saya bahawa dalam banyak kes bukan seseorang anak itu menjadi sombong sejak azali tetapi dibentuk demikian. 

Antaranya, mereka menjadi sombong dan derhaka kerana pengaruh isteri (mahukan kehidupan mewah dan benci ibu mentua), kawan (terbabit dalam dunia dadah) dan pesona kehidupan duniawi. Kisah terbanyak dipaparkan adalah pengaruh isteri di atas kederhakaan seseorang anak.

Ya, ketika baharu memulakan hidup seperti melangkah menceburi dunia pekerjaan, insya-Allah kebanyakan anak-anak ‘baik-baik’ belaka, tetapi selepas berumah tangga dan meniti kejayaan demi kejayaan dan terpaksa mengharungi desakan hidup seperti kesuntukan masa dalam membina kerjaya dan kepenatan membesarkan anak-anak dan ditimbuni hutang piutang, dikhuatiri sedikit demi sedikit mereka mula menyisihkan ibu bapa masing-masing. 

Apatah lagi jika pasangan masing-masing adalah daripada ‘jenis sombong bodoh’, pengaruh mereka akan membuatkan si anak lupakan daratan. Kata orang, kerana isteri yang cantik punya hal, ibu bapa pun ditolak ke tepi. Itulah kisahnya yang dipaparkan melalui buku yang saya baca itu seperti ‘Si Tanggang Moden’, ‘Ikut Telunjuk Isteri’ dan ‘Buang Ibu di Rumah Kebajikan’. Si Tanggang dulunya adalah ‘anak ibu’ (anak baik) tetapi selepas berjaya dalam pelayaran dan memperisterikan wanita hartawan, tidak mahu mengaku ibunya sendiri.

Demikianlah kita berdoa bersungguh-sungguh agar anak-anak dijauhkan diri daripada sifat Si Tanggang itu (mulanya baik tetapi berakhir dengan menderhaka kepada ibu bapa sendiri) semata-mata kerana diri mula diulit dengan harta dunia, pasangan (isteri atau suami) cantik atau kacak, kemasyhuran dan kuasa. 

Jadi pada pandangan hamba yang daif ini, adalah penting untuk mengingatkan generasi muda sentiasa berbakti kepada orang tua sepanjang hayat mereka malah selepas kematian seperti mendoakan dan berbakti atas nama mereka. Ya, jangan sombong seperti helang di angkasa, sebaliknya praktikkan ajaran agama kerana pemisah hidup dan mati tersangat dekat. Orang tua mati, orang muda pun mati!

Jamadilakhir 13, 1443: Success in life (Kejayaan dalam hidup)

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

Reflection 

There is no god but He, Praise and glory to Him; Far is He from having the partners they associate unto Him. (Tauba 9:31) 

At a ‘masjid’ near my house during a 'tazkirah' recently, 'jemaah’ (congregators) were kept awake by a fiery orator by one local top motivator. He began his lesson by questioning the ‘jemaah’ what they understand with the phrase ‘kejayaan dalam hidup’ (success in life). 

"Is getting a lot of money an indicator as success in life? It’s sad when so many people shy away from ‘solat’ (prayers) just to gain those material gains. 

“Hey, brother; let’s me stress again and again that your ringgit (wealth) will of no use when you were buried in your grave. Only your ‘iman’ (faith) and ‘amal’ (good deeds) would be able to help you. So what’s the key to be successful in life?” 

The motivator said that the key to success is to take religion and practice all its teaching. “Those who upheld religion should have no worries because the world would be at his or her feet but those who are after the world, they would lose the world and worst of all, doomed in the Hereafter.”

He then gave 10 tips (keys) to have a successful life. They are: 

1. Be a good listener and if you don’t know, don’t hesitate to ask experts on the subjects such as an ‘ustaz’ (religious teacher) or a scholar. 

2. You have to practice ‘sabar’ (patience) and the ‘tonic’ to have this trait is to do ‘zikrullah’ (remember Allah SWT by reciting words in praise of Him). 

3. Always be thankful (syukur) and the key to it is to expand charity (sadaqah). 

4. Fear of Allah SWT (takwa). 

5. Make du’a (offer prayers). 6. Do not be proud or arrogant (takabbur) 

7. Do not skip your ‘solat’ (prayers). 

8. Uphold to the truth, do good deeds as much as you can. 

9. Uphold the oneness of God (Tauhid). 

10. Perform hajj. 

On the same topic, Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) listed 32 tips (ways and means) to be successful in this world and Hereafter. They are: 

1. Believe in Allah: The one and only Creator, Sustainer, Giver of Life, Owner, Inheritor and God of the universe. Allah has no peer, while the universe is a tiny speck in the grandeur of Allah. Also believing in all His prophets from Adam, the first man to the final prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him, s.a.w.) The Qur’an which was revealed to Muhammad s.a.w. is 100 percent Allah’s words. Only one version, the Qur’an is being translated by many translators and memorized by millions. (Qur’an 23:1 and 24:31) 

2. Sincerity: Doing good deeds to please only Allah and none else. Deeds done for other than Allah or along with Allah is not acceptable to Allah. Allah The Most Beautiful loves beauty. (Qur’an 30:38) 

3. Worship Allah alone: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the One-And-Only. (Qur’an 22:77) 

4. Guidance from Allah: From the unadulterated Al-Qur’an and authentic ways/sunnah of Muhammad s.a.w., the last prophet. We can never go astray when we follow the Qur’an and sunnah. (Qur’an 2:5 and 31:5) 

5. Remember Allah always. Almighty Allah deserves to be remembered all the time. Only by remembering Allah, will our hearts experience true and lasting tranquility. (Qur’an 8:45 and 62:10) 

6. Grateful to Allah: Be thankful and optimistic about everything Allah has prepared for us in this world by worshipping Allah zealously. A grateful person lives a meaningful life. (Qur’an 7:69) 

7. Fear Allah (takwa): Venerate, love, have hope in while being anxious and concerned of Allah. The most honourable in the sight of Allah are those who fear Allah most. (Qur’an 3:130) 

8. Perform regular worship of Allah (five times prayers) and duties like declaration of faith, fasting, tithe and hajj. (Qur’an Qur’an 22:77) 

9. Listen and obey Allah’s law. Allah’s and His messenger’s words will lead to a perfect life. 

10. Rationale: The Qur’an agrees very well with the sunnah of Muhammad s.a.w. matches well with the wise mind and fits the fitrah (innate instinct of humankind) – Qur’an 2:189 and 5: 100 

11. Gives preference to Allah’s choices Allah Sees, Hears and Knows everything. (Qur’an 2: 189 and 5:100) 

12. Scatter over the earth and seeks Allah’s bounty. Aren’t we Allah’s vicegerents on earth? (Qur’an 62:10) 

13. Avoid evil deeds; like consuming intoxicants, gambling and ascribing partners to Allah. Satan promotes lawlessness among us but succumbs among us but succumbs to those who trust and fear Allah. (Qur’an 5:90) 

14. Accumulate the rewards of the Hereafter: like the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the pious. They enjoy this life by doing good deeds and Allah’s paradise awaits them May all of us be among them. (Qur’an 7:8) 

15. Jihad (strive); with speech, wealth and life to spread the truth and Islamic monotheism. (Qur’an 9:88) 

16. Be generous for Allah’s sake, especially when in need of Allah’s Help. 

17. Invite to righteousness, enjoin good and forbid evil. Good deeds invite Allah’s Blessings. (Qur’an 3:104) 

18. Always be on Allah’s side. Unwavering dedication to Allah’s cause, wherever and whenever. (Quran 58:220 

19. Patience and steadfastness: Firm in upholding the truth and Islamic monotheism till the end of our life. (Qur’an 3:200) 

20. Repent from all sins and do righteous deeds: Only Allah is perfect and free from mistakes. (Qur’an 28:67) 

21. Always be mindful of the enemy. For this reason we continuously seek and need Allah’s Help. (Qur’an 3:200) 

22. Honour, assist and follow scholars (ulama) who truly practice Islam. (7:157) 

23. Be charitable to oneself. A strong believer is dearer and more beloved to Almighty Allah. (Qur’an 64:16) 

24. Avoid usury and illegal income. Usury and illegally gained income lead to hell. (Qur’an 3:130) 

25. Seeking means and ways to approach Allah. May we meet Allah at the best moment! Ameen. (Qur’an 5:35) 

26. Purifying our souls. Allah has given everyone a soul. A good soul will benefit oneself and others. (Qur’an 87:14 and 91:9) 

27. Give kindred (especially parents), the poor and wayfarer their dues for Allah’s sake. (Qur’an 30:38) 

28. Lower our gaze, protect our private parts and wear appropriate Islamic attire. Self respect is important in Islam. Insincerity and ignorance cause man to live in disunity, disarray and void of guidance. (Qur’an 24:31) 

29. Love each other and have no jealousy, for Allah’s sake: Like the Ansar and Muhajirin. (Qur’an 59:9) 

30. Choose friends who believe in the Last Day. Close friend influence our life. (Qur’an 58:22) 

31. Say the truth from Allah and His Messenger even if it is unpopular. Truth will prevail. (Qur’an 5:100) 

32. Ask the right people: Scholars, parents, experts, specialist, sincere friends and the like. (Qur’an 2: 189)

Jamadilakhir 12, 1443: Hang Tuah - history is whose story? (U)

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

Reflection

Praise be to God, the Sustainer of all the Worlds,

The Merciful, the Compassionate.

Lord of the Day of Judgement

Thee alone do we worship and Thee

Do we ask for help.

Guide us on the Straight Path.

The path of those on whom Thou has bestowed Thy Grace

Not of those upon whom is Thy Wrath,

Nor those who have gone astray.

Ameen. (O God! do grant us our request) - Al-Fatihah (The Opening)

HISTORY has become a topic of interest nowadays; and talking about history a reader has been sending me a few famous quotations about the subject.

Among the quotations are:

* Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunters. - African proverb

Under this proverb, the sender noted: “That is why we need to read history with an open mind, and read from those who differ too...a coin has two face..”

He also noted: “History is his story, when can we tell our story?”

He too said: “How sure are we that his story is true? So don't only read his story, but read her story, their story, our story...”

Another reader noted: “His, her, their or our story, all of them will be revealed in the judgment day. It is extremely important to our current story is going well.”

* I suggest that if you know history, then you might not be so easily fooled by the government when it tells you, you must go to war for this or that reason -- that history is a protective armor against being misled. - Howard Zinn

Well, from the above quotations and opinions, what do you think about history? I remember the days when I was in primary schools (in the late 1960s and early 70s), during ‘Tawarikh’ (History) lessons, we were taught about foreign and far away heros and heroins such as Alexander the Great, Joan of Arc and Florence Nightingle but not about our own ‘knights’ such as Hang Tuah, Mat Kilau and Tok Janggut.

Talking about Hang Tuah, I am keen to know about this hero, so I devoted some time a few days ago to visit a well said to have a connection with him in Kampung Duyong, Melaka. And what did I find there?

I read an inscription about the well on a board which was erected by the Melaka Museum Corporation. Perhaps this is ‘a part of history’ about Hang Tuah, I thought.

The inscription reads:

Hang Tuah Well

Hang Tuah himself was said to have dug this well and it has never dried-up even in the most severe of droughts.

Water from the well is said to be sacred and have healing properties.

Locals believe that Hang Tuah’s soul, which takes on the apparition of a white crocodile, dwells in this well.

The presence of this well also gave rise to the notion that Hang Tuah was from Duyong.

The locals however dispute the belief and said that he was from Duyong in East Sumatera, where a similar well also exists.

Further details and background on Hang Tuah is available at his mausoleum in Tanjung Kling. This site is under the care of the Melaka Museum Corporation.

The Hang Tuah Well was gazetted as an old monument and historical site under the Antiquation Act no 168/1976 on 29th September 1977.

Well, regarding the so called Hang Tuah Well, I have written an article entitled ‘Hang Tuah’s well or is it really?’ in the New Sunday Times (23 November 1986) questioning the belief that the well had any connection with the Malay legendary hero

In the article, I wrote: “The Hang Tuah Well in Kampung Duyong Melaka is believed to have been originated from the print of Hang Tuah’s foot sole left on a stone but many elders in the kampung have a different version of the story.

The elders said the Hang Tuah Well did not exist before the 20th century. According to them, even though Hang Tuah was said to be raised in Kampung Duyong according to the Hikayat Hng Tuah, he did not leave any mark in the kampung.

The elders said about 100 years ago, a child named Mat Segel went with a friend to fetch firewood near the site which is now known as the Hang Tuah Well Complex.

At that time, the Hang Tuah Well was not in existence. The area was swampy and was covered with sago plants. At the site he saw an unused well and a few puddles of water.

When Mat Segel returned home, he told his father Mat Koyan, what he had seen. Later, his father stated boasting that his son had found the Hang Tuah Well which was actually the unused well.

The villagers believed him and soon the news spread far and wide that Hang Tuah’s well was discovered.

They were even further convinced when a sick boy was cured of his illness after drinking some water from the well.

The Hang Tuah Well looked like an ordinary well until early in the 70s when a Chinese woman known by the kampung folk as Nyonya Lilin of Melaka (she was a sinseh), built a shelther for the well.

The State Government then recognized the well as the Hang Tuah Well and a modern complex with stalls, toilets and a ‘gelanggang silat’ (silat court) was built to attract tourists to the kampung where Hang Tuah was believed to have been brought up.” Then, there's the magnificent Hang Tuah's Museum.

Well, whose story are you going to believe? In my opinion during the British era (pre independence Malaya), the British administrators were not interested in preserving local interest and heritage but once when power shifted to the hands of ‘sons of the soil’, some of its leaders started soul searching and they found solace in ‘the arms’ of old folk heros such as Hang Tuah.

So before independence, the Malays did not bothered to have or restore heritage items and sites such as the Hang Tuah Well, but in modern Malaysia, their leaders made great efforts in doing such work and today as an example, the Hang Tuah Well Complex has been refurbished with extra buildings such as ‘gelanggang silat’ (silat mini stadium), and surau (small masjid).

So today’s ‘history’ glorifies Hang Tuah but tomorow who knows, because “until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunters.

Jamadilakhir 11, 1443: My favourite books from the Holy Land

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

Reflection

"O ye who believe! If ye keep your duty to Allah, He will give you discrimination (between right and wrong) and will rid you of your evil thoughts and deeds, and will forgive you. Allah is of infinite bonty." (Qur'an, Surah 8:29)

Labbayk, Allahumma, Labbayk, Labbayk, La Shareeka laka, Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan n’imata laka wal-mulk, La Shareekalaka. (Here I am at Your service, O Lord, here I am, no partner do You have, here I am, truly, the praise and favor is Yours and the dominion. No partner do You have).

This talbiyah (a Muslim prayer invoked by the pilgrims as a conviction that they intend to perform the hajj or umra) brought back my nostalgic time in the Holy Land when I performed hajj in 2002 and 2005/6 seasons. In Makkah and Madinah, sometimes I took break from precious moments doing ‘ibadah’ such as praying in the Prophet’s Mosque and al-Haram Mosque to be inside the cities bookstores and shops. While others might be crazy running for surveniors, I chose to spend hours in those shops.

Almost all the books were in Arabic, but fortunately in large bookstores, they had collections of books in English. In each hajj season, I bought about 20 books; they ‘contributed’ much in making my luggage exceeding the weight limit.

One book I liked best was ‘Don’t Be Sad’ by Dr Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni’. It was a translated version from an Arabic book by Faisal ibn Muhammad Shafeeq. For me this book could lift one’s spirit to face the challengers of life and peaceful road to the Hereafter.

During my stay for the 2005/6 season, I mananged to finish reading about 10 English books regarding Islam and after reading them, I realized how little I knew about the religion I was born in. If English books could steer one’s life, what could be said about Arabic books, in abundance here in the Holy Land.

Another book that had great impact on me was ‘Way to the Qur’an by Khurram Murad. This book published by The Islamic Foundation in London, told us about our duty to read and understand the Qur’an, and live by it. This contrasted with some of us, especially among the Malays who learn and read the Qur’an when they were children but after they had ‘khatam’ (completed) in reading it, they left aside the holy book only to look it back when they had became pensioners or at old age.

In the book’s Preface, among others, Khurram summarized: “First, our lives will remain meaningless and ruined ruined unless they are guided by the Qur’an, the word of God. Second, the Qur’an, being the eternal guidance given by the Ever-living God, is as relevant for us, today, as it was fourteen centuries ago, and will remain so forever.

“Third, therefore, we almost have a right, in some sense and measure, to receive its blessings today as its first believers did; provided, of course, that we come to it and move in it as is necessary in order to share its rich harvest. Fourth, every Muslim has a duty to devote himself to reading it, understanding it and memorizing it.

“Fifth, one must abandon oneself totally, in thoughts and deeds, to whatever the Qur’an has to offer him. Any pride, arrogance, sense of self-sufficency, reservation, or ingenuity that can read in it what it does not mean, is fatal to its understanding and would shut the door to its blessing.

“Sixth, the path of the Qur’an is the path of self-surrender, of practicing what it tells you, even if one learns only one Ayah. One Ayah learnt and acted upon is better than a thousand which are explained beautifully but which do not impart any beauty to the reader’s life. Obedience, after all, is the real key to understanding, too.”

Reading this section of the preface for the first time in the holy city of Makkah; I was in tears. Khurram words – “our lives will remain meaningless and ruined unless they are are guided by the Quran” – kept on ringing in my ears. Well, I told myself; all along I been living a ruined and meaningless life as I (and readers too) were not living in accordance to the words of The Almighty.

We were living a secular life; our country, our societies and our families were not governed by His laws. We were placing man’s made laws (whats more they were enemies of Allah SWT) in number one position; thus pushing Allah SWT’s laws aside. Who were we to do this sort of nonsense? Oooh, I felt so weak and afraid; so I cried and cried.

A book specially dedicated to Muslim women entitled ‘Seeds of Righteousness’ too had a great impact on me. Although my attention to buy it was to give it to my wife; it contents seemed suited me. This book written by Abdul Malik Muhammad and published by Darussalam Publishers and Distributors in Riyadh, gave tips and tools for Muslim women to spread Islam.

In his introduction, Abdul Malik among others wrote: “Since the job of da’wah is also obliged on Muslim women, they (from the earliest times of Islam) called to Allah’s religion and played a major role in spreading Islam among mankind…Trying to overcome the hindrances on the path of Allah carries good rewards and benefits from Him. Therefore, Dear Muslim Sister, discard the robe of lazinest, trust and rely on Allah dan fill your coming days with firmness and endurance…”

I must admit I had copied ‘some seeds’ written in the book and practiced it. One seeds read: “She carries a purse (handbag) just like other women, who usually stuff their purse with beauty items. However, her purse is full of Islamic books and pamphlets and wherever she goes; she leaves some of these books and pamphlets as a resource of righteousness for peope…”

For several years now, I have been carrying a bag with Islamic materials; be it newspapers, magazines, books, pamphlets, photocopies of them and so on. Other than distributing them in public places, I made a point to leave behind an item each time I left my seat in public transport such as buses and trains.

Another seed read: “Most Islamic books do not cost much to print and buy. There is a good collection of books in her house, which she buys on a regular basis and distributes to her relatives and neighbours, little by little over a period of months at a time.”

I have been subscribing an Islamic monthly magazine – Hidayah – since 2001. Instead of heaping or binding and storing them in my house, I gave them to relatives and neighbours. They seem eager and happy to read them; so I assumed the reading materials were beneficial to them. What made me happier was the interest shown by children of my relatives and neighbours in reading them.

I too gave away Islamic children magazines such as ‘Asuh’, ‘Sayang Muslim’ and ‘Aulad’ after they had been read by my children. I too have an old ‘pondok’ (small house) in which our neighbours’ children could spend their time reading books and magazines. But sadly, children of today are too busy attending to computer and electronics games and watching television, so only a few boys and girls turned up to read.

In doing these deeds in which I prayed were in line with Allah SWT orders, I must say Alhamdulillah (be thankful to Him) for showing me His way. An appreaciation must also be given to the writer of the book ‘Seeds of Righteousness’ and other Islamic books for giving me and perhaps thousands of readers inspirations and ideas how to contribute our small part in the Islamic dak’wah. Syukran.