Melayu gagal dakwah Cina, mengapa?

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

Renungan

"Dan kahwinkanlah orang-orang bujang (lelaki dan perempuan) daripada kalangan kamu, dan orang-orang salih daripada hamba-hamba kamu, lelaki dan perempuan. Jika mereka miskin, Allah SWT akan memberi kekayaan kepada mereka daripada limpah kurniaan-Nya." (Maksud Surah Al-Nur, ayat 32)

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MAJLIS Aidilfitri kali ini menemukan saya dengan seorang pemimpin kanan Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia (Perkim). Organisasi ini sinonim dengan saudara kita (saudara baru) terutama di kalangan orang Cina. 

Banyak maklumat mengenai usaha dakwah Perkim diberitahu kepada saya. Namun disebabkan sekarang ini 'musim sesetengah orang Melayu ghairah' menyambut Aidilfitri selama sebulan, eloklah saya berceloteh usaha dakwah yang berkaitan Ramadan dan Aidilfitri sahaja.

Pemimpin Perkim berkenaan memberitahu, jumlah orang Cina Malaysia yang memeluk Islam kurang memberangsangkan. Katanya, ada lebih kurang 40,000 Cina Muslim di kalangan 28 juta rakyat negara ini sedangkan orang Cina sendiri berjumlah lebih 8 juta. 

Ya, angka ini sungguh kecil, mengapa tidak tertariknya orang Cina kepada Islam, mungkinkah orang Melayu-Islam yang merupakan kaum majoriti kurang atau gagal berdakwah kepada orang Cina? 

Pemimpin Perkim itu memberitahu saya ada dua kelompok orang Cina yang perlu difahami oleh pendakwah. Golongan pertama adalah di kalangan cerdik pandai (intelektual) dan kedua di kalangan orang umum.

Secara amnya, kata beliau golongan bijak pandai Cina tertarik dengan Islam kerana menyedari kebenaran Islam yang mencabar daya keintelektualan mereka sebaliknya di kalangan orang umum mereka melihat keindahan budaya dan cara hidup orang Melayu sebagai faktor mereka memeluk Islam.

Kata pemimpin berkenaan,ada bijak pandai Cina yang melihat cara sesetengah orang Melayu menyambut Ramadan dan Aidilfitri menyebabkan mereka tidak tertarik dengan Islam. Golongan orang Melayu ini kuat melakukan pembaziran sedangkan mereka difahamkan Islam menganjurkan umatnya bersederhana dalam semua soal termasuk makan minum tetapi sesetengah orang Melayu melampaui batas.

Bijak pandai Cina tertanya-tanya jika berpuasa itu adalah untuk mengurangkan nafsu makan tetapi mengapa pula orang Melayu Islam terutama di Malaysia 'makan sampai nak mati' ketika berbuka puasa. Daripada bazar Ramadan sampailah ke majlis moreh di masjid semuanya adalah berkaitan dengan makanan.

Demikian juga dalam bab berhari raya. Sesetengah orang Melayu berhari raya 'sampai nak mati' juga. Ada hari raya pertama, kedua, ketiga, keempat, kelima sehinggalah hari ke-30. Bingung sesetengah bijak pandai Cina ini memikirkan; mereka yang sudah mendapat hidayah Islam cuba melarikan diri daripada 'cara hidup orang Melayu ini' sebaliknya cuba mempraktikkan apa yang sebenarnya Islam anjurkan.

Berlawanan daripada orang Cina intelektual yang mendapat hidayah Islam selepas menyedari kehebatan agama langit itu dari segi keilmuan, kebanyakan golongan awam Cina pula mendapat nur akibat tertarik dengan budaya dan cara hidup orang Melayu yang lemah lembut selepas mereka berkawan dengan orang Melayu atau menjadi anak angkat mereka.

Pemimpin Perkim itu berkata, pembawaan sesetengah orang Melayu yang patuh kepada ajaran agama termasuk dari segi pemakaian dan pemakanan mereka yang sederhana menyebabkan mereka tertarik kepada Islam. Perayaan seperti hari raya yang menyaksikan semua golongan dapat merayakannya, menambat hati mereka. Apatah lagi jika wujud penambat hati 'dalam bentuk' seorang gadis atau pemuda!

Sesetengah watak dan sikap semula jadi orang Melayu itu seperti mudah tersenyum, peramah manakala anak-anak menunjukkan penghormatan kepada orang tua seperti mencium tangan ibu bapa juga menambat hati sesetengah individu Cina kepada Islam. Ada juga yang tertarik kepada suasana damai di masjid malah kepada alunan azan yang lima kali sehari semalam dikumandangkan dari menara masjid.

Hakikat hanya ada 40,000 Cina Muslim daripada 8 juta orang Cina di negara ini membimbangkan dan mencetuskan pelbagai pertanyaan. Ya, angka ini sungguh kecil, mengapa tidak tertariknya orang Cina kepada Islam, mungkinkah orang Melayu-Islam yang merupakan kaum majoriti kurang berdakwah kepada orang Cina? 

Namun, alhamdulillah, akhir-akhir ini kita dapat saksikan betapa ramai orang Cina cuba mendekati dan memahami Islam terutamanya melalui parti Islam, PAS. Kini sudah ada kelab penyokong PAS di kalangan 'non-Muslim' malah golongan intelektual termasuklah di kalangan pemimpin DAP cuba memahami dan mengalami sendiri cara hidup orang Islam seperti menyertai pemimpin PAS bersahur dan berbuka puasa. Mereka juga cuba 'mendekati' masjid, malah sesetengahnya mengikuti majlis ilmu di situ.

Ini peluang terbaik untuk pemimpin Islam menunjukkan kesederhanaan Islam dalam semua bidang kehidupan. Pada pandangan saya dalam majlis makan minum, tidak perlulah berlebih-lebih dalam menjamu mereka, 'biarkan mereka lihat sendiri kesederhanaan kehidupan yang umat Islam harungi setiap hari sebagai seorang Muslim sejati'. 

Insya-Allah mereka akan tertarik kepada Islam yang umatnya mempamerkan kesederhanaan dan bukan melayan mereka 'secara pura-pura' bagaikan 'raja' seperti dilakukan sesetengah Melayu. Kalau tidak masakan ada peribahasa berbunyi - kera dihutan disusukan, anak dikendong mati kelaparan!

Provide 'OKU' facilities at masjids

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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)

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A few weeks ago one of my 'tuan guru' (religious teacher) passed away. Please recite 'Al-Fatehah' for him. He was a diabetic and before his death, he had part of legs amputated but that did not stop him from giving lessons every Sunday night between 'maghrib' (dusk) and 'isyak' (late evening) prayers at a masjid near my house.

To accommodate his need, a special ramp (an inclined surface connecting different levels) was build at a side entrance of the masjid so that he could be pushed inside his wheelchair to the desk where he delivered his lessons. 'Alhamdulillah' (All praises to Allah) that was a good effort by the masjid committee members but alas the 'Tuan Guru' passed away. 

Since then the ramp was left alone, I noticed no disabled person or in Malay 'orang kelainan upaya' (OKU) using it. The question is why do OKUs shy away from our masjid?

Based on what I have witnessed, I do hope that those in power and position including masjid committee members could think and do something to create more disabled-friendly masjids in our country. Frankly speaking, almost 100 percent of our masjids are not disabled-friendly or in Malay 'tidak mesra OKU'.

In 2002 when I performed my hajj 'alone', I used my 'free time' to explore the vast compound of Masjidil Haram. During 'the exploration' I found a large area where they kept wheelchairs. Perhaps there were thousands of them; being readied to be rented and used by 'hajj OKUs'.

The Great Haram Masjid is a place where the OKUs could performed their obligations in comfort even though the situation is very tight at every available space and at at anytime. OKUs could used the services of helpers to push them in wheelchairs to perform 'tawaf' (circling the Kaabah seven times) and 'sa'y' (walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa) - but of course they had to dig money from their pockets to pay the boys and their rented wheelchairs. Lifts too are OKUs friendly.

Well, based on what I had witnessed, Masjidil Haram is a disabled friendly one and regarding this aspect I would like to suggest those in power and involve in planning and building masjids in our homeland to give a thought about the needs of our OKU brothers and sisters in Islam who are eager and roaring to perform their obligations there but are stopped by our almost non-existence facilities for them. 

Regarding our existing masjids, hopefully the authorities concerned would plan, renovate and build facilities to fulfill the needs of our OKUs.

In Malaysian masjids, until this day I had not come across any person in wheelchair performing their five times obligatory prayers with other congregators in mass. It is high time now our masjids' authorities find ways and means to cater the needs of the disabled.

Regarding performing their prayers; the disabled too are encouraged to go to the masjid. In a 'hadith' narrated by Muslim, it was stated that when a man asked a special permission to pray at home because he was blind, lived far away and did not have a suitable guide, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. replied: "I cannot find an excuse for you."

In building and readying facilities for OKU it is hoped that worshipers with disabilities as well as the elderly will be able to fulfill their religious obligations with greater comfort. They must be at ease from their specially designated covered parking lots, their passage to the masjid and to how they would go inside.

It would be appropriate if the parking lot is located near the main entrance where the ramp should be built. Some far sighted crusaders of OKU's rights applaud the move saying that if the ramp was hidden away at the back this could add on to the dignity of the disabled and elderly.

Other than making it ease for the OKU to go inside the main prayer room of a masjid, specially built restrooms and ablution points for both the sexes (men and women) should also be in consideration. A separate toilet for both sexes would further add to the dignity of the OKUs.

Like ordinary people, OKUs badly needed to inspire their spirits now and then and masjid is one place they could find solace and serenity especially by performing the five times daily prayers in mass. They too are eager to join the mass weekly Friday prayers. So why must be our OKUs denied the golden opportunity to be at the masjid without we providing them their basic necessities?

If OKUs could go to Madinah and Makkah which is more than 4,000 kilometers away and be able perform their prayers, hajj at other religious obligations at ease; thus 'being able to go to their 'kampung' or 'town' masjids would be like 'kacang putih'; but the problem is our masjids are not 'mesra OKU'!

After readying the said facilities for the disabled, it is high time for masjid's committee members to do their rounds in coaxing OKUs in their areas to join in all activities of the masjid including performing their five times compulsory prayers in mass there. 

This aspect is very important because it would be no point in having masjids with good facilities for OKUs but they are not aware about it or kept on distancing themselves from 'the house of Allah' and Allah SWT Himself.  Remember, the Prophet s.a.w. had said even the blind has no excuse not to go to the masjid for their five times daily prayers! Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir dan Batin. 

My 'small reflection' at the end of Ramadan...

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

Reflection

The Declining Day (Al-'Asr)

1. By the declining day,

2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss,

3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort 

one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.

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WHEN asked, "What is the best jihad?", Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him - s.a.w.) replied. "Telling the truth to a despotic ruler." (Bukhari)

In the wee hours of the night before taking my 'sahur' (meal before beginning fasting) on Thursday, 17th July or 19th Ramadan, I read Surah Ya Sin of the Qur'an and after that its translation in Malay. 

Reading the beginning part of the verse, suddenly it crept inside my mind to think over what seemed to be Allah SWT The Greatest was telling me regarding to the news I received via the social media earlier that a Malaysian plane was down in Ukraine after being shot by rebels. All more than 290 passengers and crew members of the ill-fated plane were feared dead.

While writing this article I refer to 'The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an (English Translation by Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall); in Surah Ya Sin, ayah 1 to 11 it reads: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

1. Ya Sin

2. By the wise Qur'an,

3. Lo! tho art of those sent

4. On a straight path,

5. A revelation of the Mighty, the Merciful,

6. That thou mayst warn a folk whose father were not warned, so they were heedless.

7. Already hath the word proved true of most of them, for they believe not.

8. Lo! we have put on their necks carcans reaching unto the chins, so that they are made stiff-necked.

9. And We have set a bar before them and a bar behind them, and (thus) have covered them so that they see not.

10. Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not, it is alike for them, for they believe not.

11. Thou warnest only him who followeth the Reminder and feareth the Beneficent in secret, To him bear tidings of forgiveness and a rich reward.

Ayah 5 and 6 reads: "A revelation of the Mighty, the Merciful, That thou mayst warn a folk whose father were not warned, so they were heedless."

The Qur'an was sent to us to guide us in life; it covers all aspects of life. Islam covers from the very small matter such as going into the toilets to the very top of what human beings thought such as governing or administrating a country or the world.

Regarding the culinary and hospitality aspects of our national airline, what the Qur'an has to tell us about some of it? In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219) it says: "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 profit."

"O you who believe. Approach not prayers, with a mind befogged, until you can understand all what you said." (4: 43)

"O you who believe. Intoxicants and gambling (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination of Satan's handiwork. Avoid such (abomination) thay you may prosper." (5: 90)

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

Allah has asked us; "Will you not then give up?" What is our answer to His question? If we could not answer or are 'too proud and ignorant to give a straight forward answer', then we (I included) should trembled to what He had said in Ayah 7 to 10 of Surah Ya Sin (with the meaning): "Already hath the word proved true of most of them, for they believe not. Lo! we have put on their necks carcans reaching unto the chins, so that they are made stiff-necked. And We have set a bar before them and a bar behind them, and (thus) have covered them so that they see not. Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not, it is alike for them, for they believe not."

While reading Surah Ya Sin, that was the feeling I had; but the question is that I am not a knowledgeable person whats more on religious matter; my reading of the Qur'an was poor and I know no Arabic. So was my feeling and understanding of the Qur'an correct? I have no choice but to see an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) for some explanation and elaboration of the surah.

Last Sunday (20th July), I attended a 'kuliah subuh' (early morning class) at a masjid near my house and after lesson I talked to the ustaz about my understanding to the message of Allah SWT and the attitude of many of us in ignoring and worst still go against Allah SWT's commands such as regarding alcoholic drinks served on planes.

The ustaz smiled, nodded and said that my understanding of the ayahs was correct. Allah SWT had given us the warning, be in His straight path (including putting aside alcoholic drinks) or you would see the doom. Ulamas, political parties, writers and man on the streets have advised our leaders and those at helm of the national carriers to do away with alcoholic drinks but it was just like 'mencurahkan air ke daun keladi' (pouring water on to yam leaves which means 'an aimless and fruitless effort'). 

The Qur'an warned us: "Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not, it is alike for them, for they believe not"  and in another ayah, "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 profit'."

Have we not learnt our lessons - two planes were lost in a span of not more than half a year? Pardon me if I sound too harsh in this article but that was the feeling I got and experienced while and after reading Surah Ya Sin. 

Are there still hope? In ayah 11 of Surah Ya Sin, Allah SWT says: "Thou warnest only him who followeth the Reminder and feareth the Beneficent in secret. To him bear tidings of forgiveness and a rich reward."

My heart is with the families and relatives of the decease of the down plane; only to Allah SWT we surrender our fate. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return). Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir Batin from LanH