Safar 15, 1442: Putting into action the sunnah of the Prophet s.a.w. (U)

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

Reflection

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

RECENTLY I attended a friend's 'kenduri kahwin' (wedding feast). I went there alone; after taking the food, my eyes searched around, hopping someone I knew was there. 

'Alhamdulilah' there was a group of my 'masjid friends' at a table, I joined them; while enjoying my food, the friend next to me, surprised me when he said: "Why are you eating with fork and spoon? It's a 'sunnah' (recommended) to use the hand when eating." 

My face became hot, perhaps blood started ozzing to it. 'Alhamdulillah' perhaps from the 'barakah' (blessing) from the hundreds of 'tazkirah' (lessons) I have had attended, I managed to put a calm face and repeated calmly the point mentioned by the friend...yes, it's 'sunnah'.

He then continued his 'lecture' by saying that during his army days (he is an ex soldier) he was 'masak' (used) to using 'fork and spoon' and even the 'knife' when eating especially during functions.

I just kept quiet, still enjoying the food with my 'sudu' and 'garpu'...in my heart saying "well it's only a 'sunnah'...there's nothing much in it...my mind raced back to my early days when I was taught some fine aspects of dining such as using fork, spoon and knife.

It was at one top residential school in Perak in the 70s...and since then I was in the habit of using fork and spoon when eating. Imagining the feeling I had when reminded about the usage of fork and spoon for the first time in public after all the years - to be exact more than 40 years.

Well, in the first place, it was true that wanted to 'left alone' my friend's remark about the 'sunnah', but at home, thinking about it, suddenly I remembered 'the event' happened in Rabiulawal, the month Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. was born - perhaps Allah SWT wanted me to reflect and refresh myself on my lifestyles based on the incident.

I was further convinced when during the night 'tazkirah' and next day 'kuliah subuh', both 'ustaz' reminded congregators to prove their love to  Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. by following his 'sunnah' (way of life) be it  regarding the 'wajib' (compulsory) obligations or the 'sunnah' (or sunat) ones. 

The former 'ustaz' mentioned the importance of us performing our five times 'solat fardhu' (obligatory prayers) in mass (jemaah) at the 'masjid' based on events shortly before the death of the Prophet s.a.w. while the latter reminded us to emulate him including in performing things we think are small such as using our right hand when eating or drinking and putting on the beard.

He said, "it may be a small thing to us but remember the order is from the Prophet s.a.w. himself and Allah SWT (The Greatest) thus it is the best thing and highest level of manners encompasses everything in the world."

The 'ustaz' said: "If in our life we choose other's people way of life (I remembered 'my love' of using the fork and spoon) and not fallen in love to the Prophet's s.a.w. way of life, I am afraid in the Hereafter where every human being would seek the 'syafaat' (blessing) of the Prophet s.a.w. we 'nauzubilah (God forbids), would not be recognized by him."

"What would happened to us if the Prophet s.a.w. uttered 'I do not recognize you' three times after we pleaded 'syafaat' three times to him in the Hereafter when the sun is only a span of our fingers from the sun and our bodies were soaked in flirty waters from excreting parts of our bodies.

In an another 'ceramah' (talk), the 'ustaz' said many of us did not know the life story of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and his struggle, thus how could we fall in love with him? He said the love for the Prophet s.a.w. was very, very, very important because he is the only one among Allah SWT's creations (makhluk) who could render us help in our journey in the Hereafter beginning with our lives in our graves (barzakh). 

He said, once inside our graves, the angels, Munkar and Nakir, would pose questions such as who is your Lord and who is your Prophet? What do you know about this man (Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.)? Based on this, the 'ustaz' said, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. would be beside us in our graves; but if in our lives we were ignorant of him and his teachings, then it would be difficult for us to have his 'syafaat'.

One way to get to know the Prophet s.a.w. is by following his 'sunnah'. Many 'sunnah' are so simple yet because of our ignorance, we just look it down or push it aside. He said, please do away with our ego and shyness in following the Prophet’s s.a.w. way of life.

On drinking and eating, the 'ustaz' said what a simple thing to emulate the Prophet.The general rule is to sit whenever one eats or drinks; begin with reciting 'Bismillah' (in the name of Allah) and when finished, recite 'Alhamdulillah' (all praises to Allah). Then one should drink or eat with one's right hand. 

"But this simple thing of the Prophet s.a.w. too people cannot follow...look around you, there are functions where even the ones organized by educated people and religious bodies where you find the guests drinking and worst of all, people eating whist standing." 

The 'ustaz' did not mentioned about using fork and spoon when eating, but I could feel the pang of it when he said those words. "I must change, I must change,"...I kept repeating this words in my mind.

Finally, now I use my hand almost 100 percent while eating including when taking fried mee, beehon, 'nasi lemak'...alhamdulillah it is only for the shake of the Prophet s.a.w. and his Lord, Allah SWT. Yes dear readers, 'salawat' a lot to him whats more during Rabiulawal, his 'birthday month' - 'Allahumma solli 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa 'ala ali Sayyidina Muhammad .." 

Safar 14, 1442: Trading pleasures of the world for...(U)

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

Reflection

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

AFTER graduating from the School of Mass Communication ITM (now known as UiTM) some 35 years ago, I worked as a stringer for NSTP in its branch office in Taman Melaka Raya, Melaka. There I befriended a young man who run a fruit stall at a corner of a 'lorong' (lane) just in front of the NSTP office.

I really admired him, not because of his good looks (he was always seen with his cowboy hat) but of 'this unique trait of him' - whenever the 'adzan' (call of prayers) was on air, he would leave his stall unattended - but 'his business' would be still on for he had left a bowl with small sign board with the word 'Maaf tauke pergi solat, sila layan diri' (Sorry I had gone for prayers, please serve yourself).

This friend of mine was not too concerned about his trade when he went do perform his 'solat'. He left his business including fruits and collection money into 'the hands of Allah SWT' and I had witnessed how honest were his regular customers putting their payments in the bowl (some even made changes) and 'the best part of it' nobody dared to steal money from his bowl.

During 'those youthful years' I was not concerned to perform my prayers at the 'masjid' and at the earliest time possible, but choose to do it later, especially during my 'free time' for example saying the 'zuhur' (mid day prayer) alone at 2:30 or 3:00 pm in the office 'surau'. 

Only years and years later that I 'was made to realize' that 'the best way' to perform all five obligatory prayers (subuh, zuhur, asar, maghrib and isyak) are in the masjid in 'jemaah' (congregation) and all Muslims male should stop their activities and headed to the masjid when the 'adzan' is on air.

'Subhanallah', only later on that I realized that the fruit seller which I befriended was indeed an example of an individual who choose to trade 'the pleasures of the world' to the promise of Allah SWT for a rewarding life in the Hereafter. 

After all, life in this world is nothing compared to the Hereafter. To the 'learned' the world 'is only a stepping stone' for one to gather as much as 'benefits' as possible to be taken to the Hereafter. It is only a place to sow seeds but the fruits shall be reaped in the Hereafter.

An 'ustaz' (religious teacher) during a 'tazkirah (lesson) at a masjid near my house said, the duration of our life in the world (say 60-70 years) is only about two and a half hours compared with the next world which is for eternity. So it is really a very big mistake we put so much effort for our worldly gains and benefits in this world but forget our share in the Hereafter.

The correct way is to follow the path shown by Allah SWT. From the Quran (Surah al-Baqarah 2:201), we recited this popular 'du'a': 'Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil 'akhirati hasanatan waqina 'adhaban-nar" with the meaning: "Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire."

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

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

If there are persons who traded their worldly lives for the Hereafter; there also persons who traded their Hereafter for the pleasures of the world which is too short. 

The 'ustaz' said examples of such persons are those who read the Qur'an only for worldly gains such as to be famous, rich, powerful and cured from illness. Then there are those who perform prayers such as 'solat hajat' just for worldly pleasures such as being successful in examinations for example scoring in UPSR and SPM. "Insya-Allah' (God willing) they would gain what they desired, but is that the reason for doing our religious obligations?" he asked.

Then there are people who seemed not to bother at all about their fate in the Hereafter. Many are madly in the 'rat race chase' - their lives are only to fulfill their desires; they work, eat and play and have no time even to say 'thank you' (Alhamdulillah) to their Creator such as performing the 'solat'. Look around us, we could see many people including 'tudung' clad ladies wasting 'the short period of maghrib prayers' at 'pasar malam' (night market) and eating places.

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

Come on brothers and sisters; we cannot trade the Hereafter for this temporary life which is just about two and a half hours. It is said that if one desires the Hereafter then this world will come rushing towards that person but the person who chases this world then they will only get what was meant for him and nothing more. 

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

True wealth belongs to those believers who never show an inner interest in possessions in this world and truly believe that only Allah gives everything to man. These are actually the really wealthy people in this world; they do not limit their lives to a mere 60-70 years. Believers engage in the best trade by obtaining paradise in exchange for this life. They prefer permanent instead of temporary wealth. Allah informs us about this in the following verse:

Allah has purchased from the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the Garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Taurah, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded: that is the achievement supreme. (Surat at-Taubah: 111)

Safar 13, 1442: Hidung ‘pemimpin Pinocchio’ semakin panjang…(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

BAGI orang berpegang kepada Islam hidup ini amat mudah. Hidup mereka berpandukan perintah dan larangan Allah SWT. Mereka patuh kepada hukum Allah. Hukum syara’ terbahagi kepada lima – wajib, sunat, harus, makruh dan haram. Perkara wajib mereka buat, yang sunat digalakkan membuatnya, yang harus terpulanglah kepada seseorang, yang makruh digalakkan untuk ditinggalkan manakala yang haram ditinggalkan terus kerana ia mengundang dosa. 

Berbohong atau berdusta adalah haram. Ia salah satu daripada tiga petanda bahawa seseorang itu bersifat munafik. Nabi Muhammad SAW bersabda maksudnya: “Tanda orang munafik itu ada tiga keadaan. Pertama, apabila berkata-kata ia berdusta. Kedua, apabila berjanji ia mengingkari. Ketiga, apabila diberikan amanah (kepercayaan) dia mengkhianatinya.” (Hadis Riwayat Imam Bukhari dan Muslim)

Jadi berbohong wajib dijauhkan. Namun pembohongan semakin menjadi-jadi di kalangan pemimpin tertentu, media massa dan rakyat. Pemimpin berbohong dalam isu salah tadbir, media massa menipu dalam laporan mereka manakala rakyat mengikut pemimpin menepati pepatah ‘guru kencing berdiri anak murid kencing berlari’.

Pemimpin sudah acap kali ‘ditangkap’ berbohong. Misalnya dalam isu ‘wang derma’, kenaikan harga petrol dan barangan keperluan (dijanjikan tidak naik tetapi naik juga) dan pemansuhan undang-undang tertentu tetapi menggantikannya dengan yang lebih ‘kejam’.

Jika seseorang itu beriman tentunya dia tidak membuat propaganda murahan bagi meraihkan kepentingan tertentu termasuk politik tetapi membuat penilaian berdasarkan hukum syara’ tadi – wajib, sunat, harus, makruh dan haram. Ya, haram untuk melakukan pembohongan dan kemudian menyebarkan pendustaan itu. Yalah, semua pihak yang bertarung termasuk dalam politik mahukan kemenangan tetapi matlamat tidak menghalalkan cara. Kaedah Machiavelli tidak terpakai dalam ajaran murni Islam. Semua orang bertanggungjawab di atas perbuatannya – tidak kira kecil atau besar semuanya akan dibalas bukan saja di akhirat tetapi kadang-kadang di dunia lagi Allah SWT sudah tunjukkan buktinya. 

Pembohongan bukan saja tidak dapat diterima oleh Islam tetapi semua masyarakat dunia. Bagi orang Barat, mereka ada watak Pinocchio yang jika  dia berbohong akan bertambah panjang hidungnya. Bagi ketua kerajaan, menteri dan ahli Parlimen di negara Barat, pembohongan akan menyebabkan mereka kena ‘grill’ (diselidiki secara terperinci) oleh jawatankuasa khas dan jika didapat bersalah, alamat berakhirlah karier politik masing-masing. Ini kerana melakukan pembohongan tidak dapat diterima sama sekali oleh masyarakat negara-negara maju ini. 

Penyakit ‘bohong’ di kalangan masyarakat kita terutama pemimpin politik tertentu semakin kronik. Yalah, jika ‘kadar’ pembohongan dapat diukur seperti Pinocchio yang hidungnya menjadi semakin panjang setiap kali dia berbohong, tentunya kita dapat tahu siapa di kalangan pemimpin yang paling kuat temberangnya.

Pembohongan sesetengah media massa kita amat menakutkan. Kalau tersilap lapor, boleh dimaafkan tetapi jika sengaja menyiarkan laporan tidak benar semata-mata untuk memuaskan pihak tertentu, ia akan 'melahirkan pembohong' dalam masyarakat kita. Pembohongan yang semakin menjadi-jadi ini ini akan mendatangkan kesan negatif kepada anak-anak. Jika orang tua sudah mengajar mereka berbohong, kita bimbang sifat buruk itu akan diteladani.

Hari ini politik negara kita menyaksikan pembohongan kronik. Misalnya, dari peringkat paling atas, cakap-cakap mengenai demokrasi dan hak asasi dihebohkan, tetapi setakat mana ia benar-benar dikotakan, tidaklah diketahui. Sifat hipokrit begitu ketara menjelang satu-satu pilihan raya. 

Bukankah semua ini menunjukkan sesetengah pihak terutama pemimpin amat hipokrit (munafik) dalam menjalani penghidupan. Mereka yang bersifat talam dua muka ini mendatangkan kebencian teramat sangat di kalangan rakyat.