'Muhasabah' at the Royal Museum (2)

************************** In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ************************* Reflection ************************** "Do not spy one another, nor let any of you backbite others..." (Hujurat 49: 12) **************************** BEFORE leaving the Royal Museum (Old Royal Palace) at Jalan Istana during a visit recently, I was engaged in a long conversation with two youths - Hafiz a young man of 21 years old and a girl, Nor, 19, who worked as tourists guides inside the palace. ********************** I asked them what they thought about living in this world; based on what they saw almost everyday at the palace - worldly pleasures fit for kings and queens that were exhibited - but the irony of it, where had the majority of the 'subjects' gone to? They were no more among us, they were in their graves or 'alam barzakh' (the space between death and resurrection). ************************ In Surah Al-Hadid of the Qur'an, Allah SWT says: "Know that the life in this world is only play, and idle talk, and pageantry, and boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children; as the likeness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the husbandman, but afterward it drieth up and thou seest it turning yellow, then it becometh straw. And in the Hereafter there is grievous punishment, and only forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure, whereas the life of the world is but a matter of illusion." (57: 20) ******************************** Hafiz and Nor were almost speechless, I had expected that as my boys and girls (children) of the same age, would react the same way; thus I guided them slowly by explaining that in this world we have to live accordingly to what Allah SWT has prescribed to human beings. All the prescriptions contained in the book of Allah (Qur'an) and Prophet Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam who was sent for us to emulate; are to be strictly adhered. ******************************** I told them that when I was the same age as them, I 'was robust' to 'the new world of freedom' when I no longer lived with my parents but stayed by my own self. I 'was free' to do what ever I wish; it was okay for me to return home at the wee hours of night or do not come home at all. ****************************** Well, when there was no one to guard us (and we feel free from 'the eyes of Allah SWT'; we were liken to the saying 'born to be free' and I strongly believed that this is one factor that led to six youths died from drug overdose while catching the Future Music Festival Asia concert in Kuala Lumpur recently. ******************************* Imagine some of the youths were university students; in fact they were Muslim females! They who died were believed to have taken the drug methamphetamine before going to the concert. **************************** I told Hafiz and Nor that I had always reminded my five children who were in the age group of 12 to 25 years old to adhere this simple 'hadith' of the Prophet then they 'insya-Allah' (if God wills it) they would be in His straight path. **************************** On the authority of 'Umar, radiyallahu 'anhu, who said: "While we were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black hair. No traces of journeying were visible on him, and none of us knew him. ****************************** "He sat down close by the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, rested his knee against his thighs, and said, O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam." Said the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, "Islam is that you should testify that there is no deity save Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, that you should perform salah (ritual prayer), pay the zakah, fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah), if you can find a way to it (or find the means for making the journey to it)." Said he (the man), "You have spoken truly." ******************************* "We were astonished at his thus questioning him and telling him that he was right, but he went on to say, "Inform me about iman (faith)." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, "It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and in the Last Day, and in fate (qadar), both in its good and in its evil aspects." He said, "You have spoken truly." ******************************** "Then he (the man) said, "Inform me about Ihsan." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, " It is that you should serve Allah as though you could see Him, for though you cannot see Him yet He sees you." He said, "Inform me about the Hour." He (the Messenger of Allah) said, "About that the one questioned knows no more than the questioner." So he said, "Well, inform me about the signs thereof (i.e. of its coming)." Said he, "They are that the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, that you will see the barefooted ones, the naked, the destitute, the herdsmen of the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty buildings." Thereupon the man went off. ***************************** "I waited a while, and then he (the Messenger of Allah) said, "O 'Umar, do you know who that questioner was?" I replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better." He said, "That was Jibril. He came to teach you your religion." (Muslim) ****************************** To Hafiz and Nor, I said: "Believe in Rukun Iman and perform all articles under the Rukun Islam, I believed the majority of youths need only to perform their five times daily 'salah' (prayers) and fasting in the month of Ramadan, they are exempted from paying 'zakah' and performing 'hajj' as they had not fulfill the requirements." ******************************* "So as young men and women maintain in doing your 'wajib' (obligatory) prayers, but please do it the 'ihsan' (sincere) way, 'insya-Allah' as you grow older you would find pleasure in doing the 'sunnat' (recomended) ones such as praying the 'tahajud' (late night) prayers. And please, please do not dare to do what Allah SWT prohibits (haram) such as taking 'dadah' (drugs), alcoholic drinks and involved in illicit sex." **************************** Also please also take note on this 'hadith': Amar bin Maymoon Al-Audi (radhi Allahu anhu) narrates that once Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) gave the following advice to a Sahaabi: “Treasure five things before five: Your youth before old-age; your health before illness; your wealth before poverty; your free time before becoming occupied, and your life before death." (Tirmidhi) ****************************** Well, please do not waste your youth years. Yes I wished, I was still a youth and not 'an old man' of 52. If only I could go back to those youthful years with abundance of energy and spirit. **************************** Alas, it was only a dream because time flies quickly and never will be back. Scholars had divided time into three categories - yesterday (the past), now (present) and tomorrow ( the future).To the thinking group of people, we have only the present because yesterday has gone and tomorrow nobody knows what would happen. ****************************** Yesterday was too far because it was history. But I would like to recollect some of the things that I should have done during my youthful years as a guideline to youths such as Hafiz and Nor. *************************** I told them, please seek knowledge, because it is the key to success. If you know yourself and this only could be obtained by seeking knowledge, only then you will know Allah SWT and the heavy responsibilities you shoulder in this world. Our existence is not without purpose or to 'suka-suka saja' (for play only). Each and every one of us holds higher responsibilities to God, the human race and in fact everything. Everyone is accountable for his actions, even if it is as small as an atomic part of substance. *************************** So to youth out there, don't waste your time, grazing aimlessly at the empty sky, whats more taking prohibited drugs during concerts. Fulfill your days seeking knowledge, for with knowledge, you will understand that everything you do, is to seek God's forgiveness and acknowledge His Greatness. For example when you stare at the empty sky and acknowledge Allah SWT's greatness in creating without pillars and feel how small you are, then you are in the right direction to have His Blessing in this world and the Hereafter. ************************* When you realize this, you will understand, there is no such things as 'lepak-lepak' (wasting time) in Islam. There is so much to do and we are short of time to make them materialize. If we were to look at the Prophet as an example, he successfully preached Islam in 23 years - 13 years in Mecca and 10 years in Medina, and died at the age of 63. If we were to look back at our past, we will realize that we had been wasting our time.If we are now in our fifties and suppose we die at the same age as the Prophet, we have about 10 years left to spend our lives. If we had done 'practically nothing' during our past 50 years, just imagine what could be done in our last 10 years! ***************************** There were many more things I wish I had done in my youthful years like travelling (around Malaysia and the globe), writing books and polishing up my reading of the Qur'an, but I didn't take them seriously. During those youthful years, money was the setback, but wise man used to say, if you have the will, you will have the way. ****************************** Time passed, and after getting married and blessed with children, I found out that I too am 'burdened' with family's matters that I don't have enough time and energy to fulfill some of my dreams. **************************** So to youths out there including Hafiz and Nor who I met at the Royal Museum, please don't waste your precious time, fill them with your treasured dreams, for when time passes, it was gone forever. That precious time will never return!

'Muhasabah' at the Royal Museum (I)

************************** In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. *************************** Reflection ********************* Surat Adh-Dhariyat 55:56 (The Winnowing Winds) Allah SWT says, with the meaning; "I have only created jinn and men, that they may serve Me." ************************* RECENTLY while I was in Kuala Lumpur, I took the opportunity to visit 'Istana Negara Lama' (Old Royal Palace and nowadays being called the Royal Museum) at Jalan Istana. ******************** The entrance fee is RM5 for locals and for foreign tourists RM10 and it is open daily from 9am to 5 pm except on two days that are on 'Hari Raya Puasa' (Eid Fitr) and 'Hari Raya Haji' (Eid Adha). ************************** For years, I used to pass 'Istana Negara' on my way to and fro from work from my hometown in Melaka and my office in Jalan Pahang Barat and could never imagine how it looks like inside. ************************** Visitors too could only have glances of the palace from the main gate. However, that is history when the Royal Museum open its doors to the public in 2012. Since the opening of the new palace, the old palace has been turned into an exhibition hall thanks to the Museum Authority of Malaysia. **************************** After the 'Istana Negara' moved to the new palace at Jalan Duta in December 2011, 'Istana Negara Lama' was later used for a royal exhibition called 'Raja Kita' (Our King), in conjunction with the installation of Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, the Sultan of Kedah, as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2012. **************************** Visitors would have a great opportunity to experience and understand the history behind the old Royal Palace. Wikipedia noted that the palace was originally a double-storey mansion which called The Big House built in 1928 by a local Chinese millionaire, Chan Wing. ************************* During the Japanese occupation from 1942–1945, it was used as the residence of the Japanese Governor. After the surrender of the Japanese on 15 August 1945, the British Military Administration (BMA) commandeered it for a senior military officers mess from the rank of brigadier. ************************* With the formation of the Federation of Malaya in 1950, the Selangor State Government rented the residence from the owners for Straits Dollars 5,000 a month until Merdeka or Independence in 1957. It was renovated to become the palace of His Majesty the Sultan of Selangor. In 1957, the owners sold the property of 13 acres to the Federal Government at an agreed valuation of Straits Dollars 1.4 Million. *********************** The Federal Government then converted the residence into the Istana Negara for the newly created sovereign post of Yang di-Pertuan Agong of 'Tanah Melayu' (Malaya) which was about to achieve independence that August as scheduled. Since then it has undergone several renovations and extensions. ************************ But the most extensive upgrading was carried out in 1980, as it was the first time that the Installation Ceremony of His Majesty DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong was held at the Istana Negara. Prior to this the Installation Ceremonies were held at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur with the first one held in 1957. *********************** After spending about an hour inside the palace 'peeping' into royal rooms and other rooms such as 'Bilik Duta' (Ambassador Room), 'Bilik Menteri' (Minister Room) and 'Bilik Permaisuri' where the Queen receives her guests; its time for me to say goodbye, but the visitors' book placed on a table on the way out 'stopped' me from making 'a fast disappearance'. ************************** I took time to look at some comments written by visitors. Among others were: ************************* * Mrs Wulan, Indonesia - Amazing. ********************* * Dr Wulan Retno W, Indonesia - Nice indeed. ************************ * Shoko Miyoke, Japan - Awesome! Love it so much. ************************ * Hussein Al-Murib, Iraq - So nice palace, and simple and classic. I like the design and type of original material. *************************** * Razet, India - Museum are about stones! There is nobody to tell stories relating to the king's life. A very sad experience. ************************ Well, it was my turn; what did I write in the book? I wrote nothing; but in my heart I have 'something to say' about my 'muhasabah' (reflection) at the 'istana' - but I 'reserved' it to be shared with readers. ***************************** My mind 'race back' to the final exhibit on the first floor which I went - the Royal Bedchamber, the room where the King and Queen slept. It was posh and large with different sections or smaller rooms such as His Majesty Restroom, Her Majesty Restroom and Her Majesty Powder Room. The Royal Bedchamber had four different lighting systems which stimulated the change of seasons. ********************************** Just outside the Royal Bedchamber, on the walls there were a few large pictures; one that caught my attention was the picture of His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Rahman posing with Prime Minister, Tuanku Abdul Rahman. It was written that the picture was taken in 1955, but while staring at the smiling and jovial face of both statesmen, made me have the feeling that they are still among us today, but the real fact that both of them had passed away many, many years ago. ***************************** 'The jovial mode' that was captured in picture was just like yesterday, but the reality of it; the event was slipping further and further away in the name of time. The 'magic moment' captured on picture is still there, but where had the 'subjects' gone? *************************** Contradict to events whether they are happy or sad moments that are moving away from us, our own death is creeping nearer and nearer and perhaps in one, two, five, 10 or 15 years time, we would too be no longer in this temporary world where once we 'used our minds and strength' to the maximum to gather worldly gains such as power, ranks, status, wealth and perhaps women. **************************** But when death knocks at our doors, all that worldly pleasures had to be left behind - not even our much loved item would be buried with us in our graves. Everything would be separated from us, we would be left alone in the darkness of our own graves. We would be answerable to each and everything we did and owned in this world. ******************************* It is reported in a 'hadith' that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him - s.a.w.) said: "This world is captivatingly sweet and rosy; and Allah will make you rulers therein and will see how you act. Behold fear this world and fear your desire for woman." ************************************* When the Jews rose to power, sex, gold and fine dresses became their weakness. Think for yourself, O brethren, have we not fallen victim to the same malady as had befallen the Jews? - Pearls of the Prophet (Islamic-Outreach-ABIM) ************************************ We have been cautioned every now and then in the Qur'an to realize our folly and guard ourselves against pitfalls and illusions. We are told in Surah Al-Hadid very clearly: "Know that the life in this world is only play, and idle talk, and pageantry, and boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children; as the likeness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the husbandman, but afterward it drieth up and thou seest it turning yellow, then it becometh straw. ********************************** "And in the Hereafter there is grievous punishment, and only forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure, whereas the life of the world is but a matter of illusion." (57: 20)

LanH, please practise what you write...

************************** 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) ************************* IT is 10 years now since my first article (on a regular weekly basis) appeared in the English Section of Harakah. The 'anak sulung' (first child) was published in the 1-15 February 2004 issue with the title 'PAS is waiting for its 'anak sulung' in Malacca and as I checked my files of published articles, I found out that this article (if published) is the 391st. **************************** PAS Melaka has had its 'anak sulung' after its candidate, Dr Khalid Kassim created history to become the first PAS 'YB" (state assemblyman) in Melaka after winning the Bukit Baru state constituency in the recent General Election (GE) on 5th May 2013. ********************************** Ten years is a long period of time; one question is what have I gained or achieved from my writings? A few weeks ago, while following a 'tazkirah' (lessons) of an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) at a masjid near my house; I was stung by a point raised by the 'ustaz' when he asked congregators why lately lectures, lessons, speeches, sermons, talks, books and even articles published in magazines and newspapers failed to impact the masses; they are dry without souls in them! ********************************* He said one reason was that those people involved such as leaders, teachers and writers were merely doing their jobs - they only delivered their messages - but failed to adhere or put into practice what they preached, taught, talked and wrote. Even lessons by some ustaz too were taken for granted; as though 'masuk telinga kanan, keluar telinga kiri' (enter the right ear but quickly vanish through the left ear). *************************** It is a disturbing and alarming trend when more and more sectors of society especially the young generation are turning a deaf ear to suggestions from elders including leaders of the country. Why is it so? Perhaps the leaders are not sincere; they do not put their hearts to what they say and propose. ********************************* Some leaders in their speeches say "be moderate" but they and their family members themselves are 'big spenders' and lead extravaganza lives; some say "follow the rules of Islam" but they themselves promote an unIslamic way of life; some say "be extra careful on the road" but they themselves with their big cars and riders do not adhere to traffic rules - their motorcades 'buzz off' at high speed even when the traffic light is red! Perhaps to them, rules are only for the poor and weak; they are high class or chosen people who are above the law! ************************** The 'rakyat' (men on the street) especially youngsters who witness such scenes would be totally confused - in schools they are told to adhere to traffic rules; in 'real life' they see the opposite; where a set of people are not equal to others! ***************************** Regarding 'those above the law' or 'immune' leaders, I remember a 'hadith' of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. - "What destroyed the nations preceding you, was that if a noble amongst them stole, they would forgive him, and if a poor person amongst them stole, they would inflict Allah's legal punishment on him. By Allah, if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand." **************************** And about equality, in Ayah 8, Surah V (Al-Ma'idah or The Table Spread), Allah SWT says: "O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do". ************************* Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. whose career covered all possible spheres of life such as that of a preacher in a masjid, as a worldly man amongst family and friends, as a man of piety, as a leader, as a soldier, a reformer, politician, statesman, and administrator and finally as a ruler of a vast kingdom, he had the privilege therefore of not only laying down rules of guidance in all such capacities but also gave a practical illustration of these rules. *************************** His personality combined all that was best in morals and manners and he was the very embodiment of all that was preached and enjoy in the Holy Qur'an. "Certainly there is for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example." (XXXIII - Al-Ahzab, 21) ************************ When the Holy Qur'an affirms that the Prophet was the very embodiment of that which was best in life and was the perfect model to be followed, it was not mere idle talk but was a practical demonstration of it. To judge its truth, let us have a glance at his life. *********************** Taking for instance the injunctions laid down by the Qur'an for believers in respect of prayer, fasting and alms-giving, we notice that while Muslims were directed to pray five times a day, the Prophet himself, prayed eight times, superimposing on himself three extra prayers, twice after morning prayer, and the third beginning at midnight and sometimes extending right up to dawn thereby causing swelling in his feet. - Pearls of the Prophet (Islamic Outreach-ABIM) ************************ Mentioning about the midnight or late night prayer (tahajud), I heard the ustaz say: "How could an ustaz influence congregators at his session in the masjid to perform the 'tahajud' prayer if he himself did not perform it what more being consistent in its performance. A person who preaches the public to do good works, must perform it first and must be consistent in doing it." ************************ "The same too could be said of writers; please practice what you write. If you suggest something to readers, you too must do it. If not, you are like a 'munafik' (hypocrite); this is one reason why a large percentage of articles on Islam published in newspapers and magazines look dry, without soul and do not bring much impact on readers," said the ustaz. "The writers are only good at preaching to others but they totally forget about themselves. *************************** I knew the ustaz was not referring to me as he did not know me; but I could feel 'the pangs' from his statement. Yes, LanH please practise what you had written. At home, I quickly searched for some of my latest articles which were published in the English Section of Harakah. **************************** In one article I suggested to readers to 'free ourselves from the burden of carrying coins' (Harakah issue 17-20 February) in which I suggested to readers to 'dispose' all their loose coins in donation boxes while shopping and frequenting masjids to perform our five times daily prayers including 'solat Jumaat' (Friday prayer). ***************************** I must admit that 'this suggestion' kept 'ringing in my ears' every time I bought items at shops or went to the masjid. I must prove my worth, what I write must tally with my action...'Subhanallah' (Glory be to Allah) it worked...perhaps readers would like to share with me whether my writing have had any impact on them. Please email your comments to Lanh14@englishsection.com

Why OIC silence on the issue of Egypt?

************************ 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. ***************************** DURING my stint at a local daily many years ago; one subject that I was given to take charge was matters relating to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (then Conference) (OIC), an 'umbrella' for more than 50 Muslims countries. ************************* In December 1997, I was in Teheran, Iran, covering the 8th OIC summit, which featured deliberations and declarations of major significance for the development of Islamic states, for relations with Western countries, and for peace in the Middle East, namely Palestine. ************************** The summit was historical as it was 'a great avenue' when two main powers and leading countries in the organization - Saudi Arabia and Iran - paved way for better understanding between them which had a sour relationship for decades. **************************** At that time OIC's Secretary General was Azeddine Laraki from Morocco; and at present it is under the hands of Iyad Amin Madani from Saudi Arabia. ***************************** Perhaps, 'this' could explain why OIC is very, very quiet on matters regarding the 'turmoil' in Egypt - where recently an Egyptian court sentenced 529 members of the Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwanul Muslimin) to death after a one day mass trial that allowed no genuine defense. ************************ Before discussing this matter, allow me to admit that I was naive in not updating my knowledge regarding OIC after I left the local daily in 1998. Only recently did I know that OIC no more stands for Organization of Islamic Conference as on 28 June 2011 during the 38th Council of Foreign Ministers meeting (CFM) in Astana, Kazakhstan the organization changed its name to Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The OIC also changed its logo at this time. *************************** What's the difference between 'conference' and 'cooperation'? Perhaps the word 'cooperation' is more focus and meaningful than 'conference' and during 'the old days', critics lambasted that the OIC was only good at holding meeting after meeting and in issuing statement after statement but was slow in action or had failed in helping Muslims all over the world. *********************** For example OIC failed to shine when war broke in the Balkan (Bosnia-Herzegovina) or even rendered help to Muslims who were minorities in countries such as China (the Uighurs), Myanmar (the Rohingyas), India (the Kashmiris) and Thailand (the Malays). ************************** In recent months, thousands of Rohingyas had left their homeland in Arakan, while the Uighurs were subjected to ill treatment and human rights violation, but the OIC only issued statements expressing concern on the developments. *********************** Some critics lambasted OIC for being an 'Oh I See'; it's without any power to take appropriate action to defend Muslims and their lands. Perhaps, by changing its name, there's hope in the Muslim world under the 'umbrella' of the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations which was established in Rabat, Morocco on 25 September 1969. ************************ Alas, hope in OIC did not turn into action...the latest prosecution on members of Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt did not raise any eyebrow in OIC, the irony of it; it was in Egypt the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam was adopted and issued at the Nineteenth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Cairo on 5 August 1990. ************************* In it, the member states of the OIC; ************************** * Reaffirming the civilizing and historical role of the Islamic 'ummah' which God made the best nation that has given mankind a universal and well‐balanced civilization in which harmony is established between this life and the Hereafter and knowledge is combined with faith; and the role that this 'ummah' should play to guide a humanity confused by competing trends and ideologies and to provide solutions to the chronic problems of this materialistic civilization. ************************ * Wishing to contribute to the efforts of mankind to assert human rights, to protect man from exploitation and persecution, and to affirm his freedom and right to a dignified life in accordance with the Islamic Shari’ah. *********************** * Convinced that mankind which has reached an advanced stage in materialistic science is still, and shall remain, in dire need of faith to support its civilization and of a self‐motivating force to guard its rights. *************************** * Believing that fundamental rights and universal freedoms in Islam are an integral part of the Islamic religion and that no one as a matter of principle has the right to suspend them in whole or in part or violate or ignore them in as much as they are binding divine commandments, which are contained in the Revealed Books of God and were sent through the last of His Prophets to complete the preceding divine messages thereby making their observance an act of worship and their neglect or violation an abominable sin, and accordingly every person is individually responsible — and the 'ummah' collectively responsible — for their safeguard. **************************** Proceeding from the above‐mentioned principles, declare the following: ************************ Article 1 ************************* (a) All human beings form one family whose members are united by submission to God and descent from Adam. All men are equal in terms of basic human dignity and basic obligations and responsibilities, without any discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, language, sex, religious belief, political affiliation, social status or other considerations. True faith is the guarantee for enhancing such dignity along the path to human perfection. ************************** (b) All human beings are God’s subjects, and the most loved by him are those who are most useful to the rest of His subjects, and no one has superiority over another except on the basis of piety and good deeds. ************************* Article 2 ************************ (a) Life is a God‐given gift and the right to life is guaranteed to every human being. It is the duty of individuals,societies and states to protect this right from any violation, and it is prohibited to take away life except for a Shari’ah‐prescribed reason. ******************** (b) It is forbidden to resort to such means as may result in the genocidal annihilation of mankind. *************************** (c) The preservation of human life throughout the term of time willed by God is a duty prescribed by Shari’ah. *************************** (d) Safety from bodily harm is a guaranteed right. It is the duty of the state to safeguard it, and it is prohibited to breach it without a Shari’ah‐prescribed reason. *********************** Article 3 ************************ (a) In the event of the use of force and in case of armed conflict, it is not permissible to kill non‐belligerents such as old men, women and children. The wounded and the sick shall have the right to medical treatment; and prisoners of war shall have the right to be fed, sheltered and clothed. It is prohibited to mutilate dead bodies. It is a duty to exchange prisoners of war and to arrange visits or reunions of the families separated by the circumstances of war. ************************** (b) It is prohibited to fell trees, to damage crops or livestock, and to destroy the enemy’s civilian buildings and installations by shelling, blasting or any other means. ********************** I only noted three articles from the 25 mentioned in the Cairo Declaration but in my opinion it was enough to put OIC to shame for not taking any action including to those in power in Egypt to fully observe the declaration adopted and issued by itself in that country which is a leading member of the organization. *************************** To the Egyptian coup d' tat leaders, please take note that Article 23 of the Declaration among others declared that everyone shall have the right to participate, directly or indirectly in the administration of his country's public affairs. He shall also have the right to assume public office in accordance with the provisions of Shari'ah. So, why must President Mohammed Morsi ousted from power; the fact is he was chosen by the people? **************************** In Article 24, it is noted that all the rights and freedoms stipulated in this Declaration are subject to the Islamic Shari'ah and in Article 25 it is mentioned that the Islamic Shari'ah is the only source of reference for the explanation or clarification to any of the articles of this Declaration. ************************* The last question is why was OIC silent on the prosecution of leaders and members of the Muslim Brotherhood? As I had mentioned earlier, Saudi Arabia is now at the helm of OIC with Iyad Amin Madani as its Secretary General. On 7th March, Saudi Arabia had declared the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization and it was followed by almost all of the Gulf states except for Qatar. ******************************* Saudi Arabia was said to force Qatar to follow its steps; Riyadh was very much afraid that the Muslim Brotherhood which took power over Egypt for a year from June 30, 2012 to July 3, 2013, would 'export' its revolutionary ideas to take over one country after another beginning with Saudi Arabia. ******************************** So, the Muslim Brotherhood must be stopped at all costs - thus OIC until today had been totally silence on the Egyptian issue!

Sudah tua, suami mahu dipanggil 'Abang'...

******************** Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ******************* Renungan ********************* "Bahawasanya manusia itu dijadikan berkeluh kesah, apabila ditimpa kesusahan dia sangat resah gelisah, apabila beroleh kebajikan bersifat kikir dan menahan kebajikan, melainkan orang-orang yang mendirikan solat." (Al-Ma'arij: 19-22) ********************************** SAYA kenal rapat sepasang suami isteri. Mereka golongan veteran, 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 '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' baru 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 dikenderai 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 tidak sambut pun, air pun tak ada. 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." ***************************** Dulu 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 (baru berkahwin) mereka jahil agama, tidak tahu pun kisah Atiqah ini, selepas dah tua (apabila mengikuti pengajian agama) barulah 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 yang 'teringin sangat' isterinya memanggilnya 'Abang' pada usia senja, berkemungkinan besar tidak akan tercapai. Yalah, bukan mudah untuk menyebut 'Abang' selepas berpuluh-puluh tahun 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! ******************************* 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 30, 40, atau 50 tahun berkahwin, baru 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 selamat berbahagia kerana akhirnya hajatnya dipanggil 'Abang' tercapai jua!

The rewards for taking care of aging parents

************************ 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. ***************************** ONE Dr Safiah Osman once in a while in her email 'provoke' me to write about 'my part in helping' my aging parents and what 'worldly rewards' I get or witness from it. I am reluctant because I am very shy to talk about 'my help' to them as it was nothing to shout about. ************************* I mean 'nothing' because they; especially my mother had sacrificed everything for me; when she did everything that she did for me – she gave up her time, her pleasures, her health – she gave up everything she had to raise me as you see me today, but I have given her 'only a little helping hand and time'. Ooh, that's unthankful and disgraceful for me... *********************** But recently in my weekly 'kuliah subuh' (lectures after dawn prayers), the 'ustaz' involved gave a talk about seven rewards awaited those who devoted their 'everything' including time to look after their parents made my rethink about Dr Safiah's request and thought they might help in opening up minds of some readers. ************************* Dr Safiah who was a Professor of Language Education at the University of Malaya (UM) and at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) requested me to do so after reading my previous articles 'on mothers' including one with the title 'Love your mother, mother and mother' in which among others I wrote: "Since a few years back I was responsible for her well being, almost every Wednesday I had to take the day off to take her to the Melaka Hospital for her weekly consultation and appointment. Nowadays she needs to go to the hospital or community clinic almost daily and that this was one reason I decided to opt for an early retirement at the age of 50." **************************** Yes, there are bountiful rewards in this word and the Hereafter to those who take great care of their parents; what more when they are of old age but those who abandon them would see the doom in this world and Hereafter. ************************** Of course our parents (and we too) are getting older and older by each day. They too are getting weaker and weaker thus our help are very much needed. Regarding this, Allah SWT in the Qur'an does not advise us to offer physical help to them. Rather He says: “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.” (Qur’an Al-Isra' 17:23) ************************* In the following verse, Allah SWT goes on to explain further how we should treat them: “And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.’” (Qur’an Al-Isra' 17:24) ************************** 'Lowering the wings' is a saying used to express humility. It means that you have a chance to show your power, but you refrain out of humbleness. Similarly, the word “rahmah” or “mercy” gives a connotation of someone, despite having the upper-hand, still showing kindness. ************************** Dr Safiah herself had published several books mostly on education and not long ago she had sent me a copy of her work entitled 'Let Us Remember Allah for the Gift of Love in Our Hearts'. In her book, Dr Safiah began with reminding us to remember Allah and move on to love for parents and ending it with love for those who are not greedy and miserly. ************************* Regarding 'Love for Parents', Dr Safiah wrote in a beautiful poetic style prose; *********************** Allah SWT has given us the precious gift of life, the treasured gift of love. So He says: Love your parents and give them your endless devotion, Show a great deal of affection and let there be many beautiful tender moments, Treasure each precious moment that you are with them, Embrace them, take their trembling clasped hands and plant light kisses on them, Show kindness, gentleness and polite manners and use polite speech, And always, forgiveness from them you beseech, Beseech Allah's forgiveness for them. Respect them, do not give even one exasperated sigh or utter a single harsh word, Because if you do it will hurt you more for your prayers may not be heard, Also, it will be a cause of regret, Regret, your heart torn with regret, pierced with regret, Regret, deep regret, that it had been too little and too late, Regret that will rip your hearts to shreds... The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said: "Love your mother, love your mother, love your mother and then love your father." ************************** The 'ustaz' during the 'kuliah subuh' said the seven rewards to those who do good deeds to their parents according to various 'hadiths' are: ************************* 1. Those who take great care towards their parents, their deeds made Allah SWT happy and the reward in doing so is much more compared to the reward of going to a 'jihad' war. According to a report by both Bukhari and Muslim, a man came and asked the Prophet s.a.w. for permission to participate in jihad. He asked him; "Are your parents alive?" He said, "Yes," so the Prophet s.a.w. told him: "So perform jihad by taking care of them." ****************************** 2. The reward is equivalent to performing hajj and minor hajj (umra). *********************** 3. They would rewarded with the bounty of Paradise. *********************** 4. It is a reason to prolong our lives, having bounty and 'barakah' (blessed) in our properties. ********************* 5. A very great opportunity to be admitted to Paradise; those who dismiss this chance would be at a great loss. ************************** 6. Erasing all our sorrows and sadness but opening up to the feeling of goodness, and 'insya-Allah' (if Allah wills) we are on the road of success. *************************** 7. If our parents are please with us, then Allah SWT is also please to us; whats more we want in life other than His blessing! ************************** Our parents are like fields for us to gather rewards from Allah SWT. Doing good deeds to them are like opening up the gates to Paradise. He who wishes to enter Paradise through the best door must please his father and mother. **************************** The Prophetic tradition provides us with motivation when we find it hard to deal with our parents: In a famous narration, the Prophet s.a.w. said, “Ameen,” to three supplications made by Angel 'Jibrail' (Gabriel). One of them was, “Far away is the person whose parents, one or both of them, reach old age during his lifetime but he does not enter Paradise!” (Muslim) *************************** This person was given a chance to enter Paradise by being good to their parents, but they let the opportunity slip away. This person lost out because of how easy it can be to gain reward for helping them or staying in their company. The Prophet s.a.w. called out this person because it is the ultimate lack of mercy to leave your parents in their old age. ************************** The 'ustaz' said a son or daughter could still help his/her parents even after their death because there is a 'hadith' narrated by Abu Hurairah r.a. which said: "There are three things which continue to benefit a person after death, a recurring charitable act, knowledge which he has imparted to others from which people derive benefit and thirdly, pious off springs who continue to offer prayers invoking Mercy of Allah upon him."

Tegakkan hukum-hakam Allah yang ada kehidupan

********************* 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 ************************ Setiap Muslim tidak terlepas daripada ditanya usaha mereka dalam menunaikan segala kewajipan agama termasuklah menjayakan hukum jenayah Islam yang terbahagi kepada tiga iaitu hukum hudud, qisas dan takzir. ********************** Dalam menunaikan kewajipan beragama ini ada yang boleh dilakukan sendiri seperti solat dan ada yang tidak kerana ia membabitkan negara seperti melaksanakan hukum jenayah hudud, qisas dan takzir. Sekalipun ia membabitkan pihak berkuasa, tiada Muslim terlepas daripada ditanya oleh Allah SWT mengenai peranannya dalam pelaksanaan hukum jenayah ini. *************************** Sehubungan itu kita dukacita apabila Dewan Undangan Negeri Terengganu 15 April lalu menolak usul supaya melaksanakan Enakmen Kesalahan Jenayah Syariah (Hudud dan Qisas) Terengganu yang diluluskan oleh dewan itu pada 7 Julai 2002. Usul tersebut yang dibawa oleh Ustaz Mohd Nor Hamzah (PAS-Bukit Payong) di bawah peraturan mesyuarat Fasal 30 Peraturan-peraturan dan Perintah Tetap Dun bagaimanapun, ditolak oleh Yang Dipertua Dun, Mohd Zubir Embong. ************************ Ya, melaksanakan hukum jenayah Islam terletak di bahu pemerintah, tetapi apabila ia tidak dilaksanakan bagaimana orang awam dalam menghadapi pertanyaan Allah nanti? Pertama, kita mesti mengaku bahawa hukum-hakam ini wajib ke atas diri kita kerana ia difardukan Allah sama seperti sembahyang dan puasa. Kedua kita mesti berniat untuk melaksanakannya tetapi memohonlah keampunan bersungguh-sungguh kepada Allah kerana tidak ada daya untuk melakukannya. *************************** Ketiga kita hendaklah mendoakan agar pemimpin yang memerintah kita hari ini terbuka hatinya untuk melaksanakan hukum Allah ini. Kita berdoa bersungguh-sungguh agar mereka dapat menerima Islam sepenuhnya. ************************ Keempat, kita hendaklah membantu sedaya upaya jika ada pihak yang berusaha ke arah melaksanakan hukum-hakam ini, dan yang kelimanya kita tidak pula berusaha menggagalkan pihak yang mahu melaksanakannya termasuklah membantu pihak berkenaan. ************************ Selalulah berbuat kebajikan dan jika kita tidak boleh berbuat baik, janganlah berbuat jahat kerana itu sudah dikira ibadat juga. Jika kita tidak mampu membuat kebajikan, jangan pula menghalang orang yang mahu berbuat kebajikan. ********************** Hari ini kes jenayah berleluasa. Kenapa jenayah menjadi-jadi? Kenapa orang tidak takut melakukan jenayah? Kenapa suami tergamak mencurah asid atau mengelar kemaluan isteri? Mengapa orang tidak takut berzina dan membuang bayi? ********************** Jawapannya kerana hukam-hakam Allah SWT yang menciptakan manusia tidak tertegak. Dalam hukum-hakam Allah ada kehidupan, itu jaminan-Nya tetapi kita tidak mengendahkannya. Kita berlaku zalim, menggubal dan menuruti hukum-hakam berasaskan nafsu-nafsi manusia. Apabila manusia berani menolak hukum-hakam Allah, mereka sudah menempa kebinasaan diri. *********************** Ambil contoh ketegasan hukum qisas. Hukum qisas yang dari segi bahasanya bermaksud memotong dan dan dari segi syarak bererti hukuman yang ditetapkan oleh syarak melalui nas-nas al-Quran dan hadis-hadis Nabi s.a.w. kerana kesalahan-kesalahan melibatkan hak individu. ********************** Kesalahan-kesalahan yang diwajibkan hukuman qisas ialah membunuh dengan sengaja dan mencederakan anggota tubuh badan seperti mata, hidung dan telinga. Mengikut hukum qisas seseorang penjenayah mesti diikuti dengan hukuman yang sama sepertimana dia lakukan ke atas mangsanya. Kalau ia membunuh maka dia mesti dihukum bunuh. **************************** Allah SWT berfirman maksudnya: "Dan Kami telah tetapkan atas mereka di dalam Kitab Taurat itu, bahawa jiwa dibalas dengan jiwa, dan mata dibalas dengan mata, dan hidung dibalas dengan hidung, dan telinga dibalas dengan telinga, dan gigi dibalas dengan gigi dan luka-luka hendaklah dibalas (seimbang). Tetapi sesiapa yang melepaskan hak membalasnya maka menjadilah ia penebus dosa baginya." (Surah al-Maidah ayat 45) ************************* Dengan tidak tertegaknya hukum-hakam Allah ini, masyarakat tidak menjadi gerun; tidak ada ketakutan bagi mereka melakukan jenayah. Cuba bayangkan bagaimana gentarnya anggota masyarakat untuk membunuh jika mereka tahu pengakhiran mereka dibunuh juga, pencurah asid akan menerima pembalasan dicurah asid ke mukanya pula manakala yang mengelar tubuh mangsa, akan dikelar juga tubuhnya. **************************** Masyarakat juga perlu disedarkan akan mahalnya diat (denda) yang wajib dibayar kerana kesalahan jenayah sebagai ganti qisas. Kadar diat dikira mengikut bilangan unta iaitu harta paling bernilai. Kadar penuh diat 100 ekor unta; jika seekor unta RM3,000, nilaian diat adalah RM300,000! ********************** Bagi jenayah membunuh dengan sengaja, ada dua hukuman iaitu qisas dan diat. Diat hanya boleh dilaksanakan jika dipersetujui oleh waris. Jika tidak, qisas bunuh dikenakan. Pemerintah tidak ada kuasa dalam pengampunan. ********************* Demikianlah hukum-hakam Islam adalah untuk menjaga keselamatan semua; Islam menjaga lima perkara iaitu agama, nyawa, akal, harta dan keturunan. Apabila itu terjaga, terselamatlah semua, bukankah kedatangan Rasulullah s.a.w membawa rahmat kepada seluruh alam. Jadi mengapa kita menolak hukum-hakam-Nya? Tidak sombong dan takaburkah kita?

Pejam mata apabila tabung derma disorong depan mata...

************************ Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ************************ Renungan ************************ "Bahawasanya manusia itu dijadikan berkeluh kesah, apabila ditimpa kesusahan dia sangat resah gelisah, apabila beroleh kebajikan dia bersifat kikir dan menahan kebajikan, melainkan orang-orang yang mendirikan solat." (Al-Ma'arif: 19-22) Pejam mata apabila tabung derma disorong depan mata... ********************************** BEBERAPA minggu lalu, saya menunaikan solat Jumaat di sebuah masjid di Gombak, Selangor. Masjidnya besar dan selesa. Khutbah Jumaat disampaikan khatib penuh bersemangat, antara lain membidas seorang tokoh antihadis. ******************************* Sebelum itu, sesi tazkirah menjelang azan Jumaat juga menggetarkan jiwa, antaranya menyentuh perlakuan pemimpin yang menyalahi iktikad dan ucapan berhubung hukum Allah sedangkan perkara itu terkandung dalam kitab Mustika Hadith, terbitan Jabatan Perdana Menteri (JPM). ****************************** Contohnya ada pemimpin yang mengungkapkan kata-kata seperti "hukum apa ini" dan "kalau hendak sangat menurut hukum-hukum Islam sampai kiamat kita tak maju." ****************************** Terpegun saya mendengar khutbah dan tazkirah 'penuh bersemangat dan jitu itu' yang sudah pasti jarang atau lebih tepat lagi tidak pernah 'kedengaran' di masjid-masjid negeri yang belum lagi diperintah Pakatan Rakyat. ***************************** Syabas, saya ucapkan di atas 'keterbukaan' itu, namun 'ada satu hal' yang tidak berkenan di mata dan hati saya berlaku ketika khatib berkhutbah di mimbar. Saya amat-amati pada saat jemaah diperlukan untuk 'concentrate' (menumpukan sepenuh perhatian) kepada khutbah, seorang anak muda berjubah dan berserban bergerak dari satu saf ke satu saf dengan kantung besar di tangan. *************************** Dia berjalan sambil mengutip derma; 'kelibatnya' sahaja sudah cukup membuatkan jemaah mengalih tumpuan daripada khatib dan ketika dia melintasi jemaah, ada pelbagai aksi dilihat seperti jemaah terkial-kial mengeluarkan dompet, ada mengeluarkan wang dan ada yang seolah-olah 'menayangkan' wang kertas yang mahu didermakan. *************************** Perlakukan si pengutip derma dan gelagat penderma mungkin lebih teruk daripada mengungkapkan kata-kata 'diam' kepada rakan se-Jumaat. Kerap benar sebelum khutbah, bilal akan membacakan sebuah hadis daripada Imam Bukhari daripada Abu Hurairah r.a. yang bermaksud: "Apabila kamu berkata kepada rakan kamu untuk diam sedang imam berkhutbah, maka dikira sia-sia Jumaat kamu." ********************** Beberapa tahun lalu ketika saya menjadi jemaah Jumaat secara tetap di sebuah masjid di Wilayah Persekutuan, ada seorang tua 'terhinjut-hinjut' berjalan dari saf ke saf mengutip derma ketika khutbah; penampilannya begitu menyentuh hati. Saya pun turut sama menderma, fizikal sang pengutip derma membuatkan kita belas kepadanya, dan secara automatik tangan diseluk ke poket, mahu menderma. ********************************* Namun selepas disedarkan melalui kelas pengajian apabila ada ustaz memberitahu kaedah fiqh, mengutamakan perkara lebih utama daripada yang utama, barulah saya tahu perbuatan menderma ketika khutbah Jumaat itu tidak wajar - yalah menderma itu sunat sedangkan menumpukan konsentrasi kepada khutbah itu wajib, jadi tidak mungkin yang sunat dapat mengatasi yang wajib. Melakukan perkara sunat boleh jadi tidak sah kerana kita telah mengabaikan yang wajib. ***************************** Keyakinan saya mengenai perkara ini menjadi semakin jitu apabila saya 'terjumpa' sebuah buku panduan jabatan mufi sebuah negeri mengenai perbuatan menderma ketika Jumaat ini. Namun, apa yang saya musykilkan mengapa buku ini tidak disebarkan secara meluas, pembaca boleh memikirkannya sendiri. ******************************* Dalam buku yang bertajuk 'Garis Panduan Penggunaan Wang Masjid Dan Surah Negeri...' itu ada disebut mengenai hukum mengerakkan tabung derma antara jemaah ketika imam sedang berkhutbah: *************************** "Perbuatan mengerakkan tabung derma masjid semasa khatib sedang membaca khutbah sekiranya menyebabkan ahli Jumaat terganggu atau memalingkan mereka daripada mendengar khutbah maka ia termasuk perbuatan yang tidak digalakkan dan menghilangkan fadilat Jumaat. ************************** "Justeru, amalan tersebut walaupun mempunyai tujuan yang baik tetapi tidak digalakkan kerana pelaksanaannya boleh menimbulkan gangguan kepada jemaah. Jawatankuasa masjid dinasihatkan agar mencari kaeadah lain umpamanya mengedarkan tabung sebelum khutbah dimulakan, meletakkan tabung di setiap pintu masuk masjid, memperbanyakkan tabung untuk memudahkan jemaah menderma dan membuat pengumuman kepada jemaah agar menderma." ******************************** Selepas yakin bahawa perbuatan menderma ketika khutbah Jumaat adalah tidak wajar, apabila ada tabung derma yang disorongkan di depan saya, kerap benar saya pura-pura pejam mata, namun ada jemaah yang 'kuit' perut atau tangan saya, 'menyuruh' agar tabung itu dijalankan, maka mahu tidak mahu saya menolaknya! **************************** Ya saya bimbang perbuatan itu boleh menjejaskan Jumaat saya dan jemaah lain, tapi persoalannya apa yang boleh saya lakukan?

Wanita, 'berdemolah' jika lelaki pakai sutera, emas...

********************** Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. *********************** Renungan ************************* Hadis riwayat Abu Hazim, daripada Abu Hurairah yang dikeluarkan oleh Muslim, bermaksud: "Tidak akan hancur dunia ini (kiamat) hingga ada seorang laki-laki yang melewati kuburan lalu ia berguling-guling di atasnya seraya berkata, 'alangkah baiknya sekiranya aku berada di tempat penghuni kubur ini.' Hal ini bukan kerana faktor agama tetapi kerana adanya musibah." *********************** TUAN Guru pada kelas pengajian yang saya hadiri minggu lalu memuzakarahkan 99 Asma' Ul-Husna; memfokuskan kepada Al-Muqit iaitu Yang Maha Pemberi Kecukupan. Allah SWT-lah Yang Maha Memberi Kecukupan kepada makhluknya. ************************** Dalam saya 'termamai-mamai' (biasalah bagi orang tua seperti saya yang kerap mengantuk), terdengar tuan guru antara lain berkata, dalam dunia ini wanitalah paling beruntung kerana agama Allah telah menaikkan darjat mereka; antara lain kurniaan istimewa Allah SWT kepada wanita mereka di dunia lagi sudah diberikan hak memakai 'barangan syurga' yang diharamkan kepada lelaki iaitu sutera dan emas. ********************** Mendengar perkara menarik itu, saya tumpukan perhatian; tuan guru seterusnya membacakan ayat al-Quran yang menerangkan pakaian ahli syurga antaranya sutera dan perhiasan emas. *********************** Antaranya, Allah SWT berfirman maksudnya: "Mereka itu (orang yang) diberikan syurga 'Adn, yang mengalir sungai-sungai di bawahnya. Di dalam syurga itu, mereka dihiasi dengan gelang tangan emas dan memakai pakaian hijau daripada sundus dan istabraq (sutera halus dan sutera tebal). Mereka duduk sambil bersandar di atas pelamin-pelamin yang indah." (Surah al-Kahfi 18: 31) ************************** Dalam ayat lain, Allah SWT berfirman yang bermaksud: "Pakaian mereka adalah pakaian hijau yang diperbuat daripada sundus dan istabraq, serta dihiaskan mereka dengan gelang tangan daripada perak. Tuhan mereka memberikan mereka minuman yang sangat suci. (Surah al-Insan 76: 21) **************************** Demikianlah Allah SWT telah memberi penghormatan tertinggi kepada wanita sehingga ada satu surah dalam al-Quran dinamakan an-Nisa' (Wanita). Dan mengenai kehormatan wanita, Allah ada menyatakan dalam Surah an-Nuur, 24: 31 yang bermaksud: "“Hendaklah mereka (wanita yang beriman) menahan pandangan dan kemaluannya, dan janganlah mereka menampakkan perhiasannya, kecuali yang (biasa) nampak daripadanya. Dan hendaklah mereka mengenakan khumur dengan melabuhkan ke atas dadanya, dan janganlah dia menampakkan perhiasannya (aurat)... (kecuali kepada mahram mereka).” ************************** Kata Tuan Guru, Allah SWT memberi penghormatan kepada wanita dengan mengizinkan mereka memakai sutera dan emas tetapi mengharamkannya kepada lelaki. Namun apa yang berlaku hari ini, sebahagian wanita menukarkan penghormatan tertinggi itu sebaliknya mencari-cari penghinaan diri seperti memperjuangkan hak sama rata seperti lelaki. Wanita diberikan peluang menutup tubuh mereka hatta dengan sutera tetapi sesetengahnya memilih untuk tidak berpakaian atau berpakaian tetapi bertelanjang. *********************** Jika lelaki auratnya hanya anggota tubuh dari lutut hingga ke pusat, sesetengah wanita mahu berpenampilan lebih teruk lagi dengan hanya menutup dua anggota sulitnya, itupun ada yang bersedia mendedakan semuanya. ******************************** Mengenai berpakaian tetapi bertelanjang, ada satu satu hadis, Rasulullah s.a.w. telah bersabda; “Ada dua golongan daripada ahli neraka yang aku belum melihat kedua-duanya...yang keduanya adalah wanita-wanita yang berpakaian tetapi bertelanjang, yang cenderung kepada perbuatan maksiat dan mencederungkan orang lain kepadanya. Kepala-kepala mereka umpama bonggol-bonggol unta yang senget. Mereka ini tidak akan dapat memasuki syurga dan tidak akan mencium baunya di mana bau syurga dapat dicium dari jarak perjalanan sekian sekian jauh.” (Riwayat Imam Muslim) ****************************** Tuan Guru berkata Allah SWT telah memberikan keistimewaan kepada wanita seperti membolehkan mereka memakai sutera dan emas, jadi hak seperti inilah yang perlu dipertahankan dan perjuangkan. Pertahankan hak ini, 'berdemonstrasilah' bagi menyatakan bantahan terhadap golongan lelaki yang memakai sutera dan emas kerana mereka telah bersikap biadap kepada Allah dengan mencabul hukum-hakam-Nya. *************************** Jika dari segi pakaian saja lelaki sudah 'fail' (gagal) untuk mengikut hukum-hakam Allah (termasuk yang memakai seluar pendek), dibimbangi dalam urusan berat lain termasuklah melaksanakan hukum hudud mereka akan enggan tunduk kepada perintah Allah. *************************** Kata Tuan Guru, Allah SWT menghendaki sedikit saja daripada manusia seperti firman-Nya melalui ayat 56 Surah Az-Zariyat yang bermaksud: "Tidaklah Aku jadikan jin dan manusia, kecuali agar mereka beribadah kepada-Ku” tetapi pemberian-Nya kepada makhluk tersangat luas tetapi kebanyakan manusia tidak pandai bersyukur sebaliknya bersifat kufur. ************************** Mana tidak kufur, Allah beri keistimewaan kepada wanita memakai pakaian syurga (sutera) di dunia lagi, tetapi kebanyakannya kufur kerana 'syok' untuk bertelanjang, malah ada yang berpakaian tetapi bertelanjang seperti memakai tudung tetapi pakaiannya nipis, singkat, ketat, terbelah, menampakkan lengan dan sebagainya. **************************** Tanyalah diri sendiri, apakah kita bertindak betul dan adil apabila Allah SWT mengizinkan kita memakai pakaian ahli syurga, sebaliknya kita gunakan pakaian sejenis itu (sutera) untuk mendedahkan tubuh badan kita seperti memakai kain belah atau baju 'low cut'? ***************************** Sewajarnya kita menghargai penghormatan Allah itu dengan sebaik mungkin termasuklah mensyukuri nikmat itu dengan meningkatkan ibadat kepada-Nya. Dan jika ada lelaki yang memakai sutera atau mengenakan perhiasan emas, kita (golongan wanita) sewajarnya bersedia 'berdemonstrasi' kerana mereka telah merampas hak istimewa kita yang diberikan Allah SWT yang amat kita kasihi, demikian kata Tuan Guru. ************************* Inilah wanita sejati yang bersedia berkorban demi menegakkan hukum-hakam Allah bukan hanya terikut-ikut dengan tuntutan wanita Barat melalui 'Women's Lib' mereka!

Reaping the rewards of generosity

******************** 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) ****************** ONCE in a while, especially on Sunday mornings I would be called by an 'ustaz' to teach English and Mathematics to students at his 'tahfiz' school (school for memorizing the Qur'an). *********************** During the latest session (2nd March), when I arrived at the school compound at about 11.00 am, I saw a group of about 10 volunteers busily unloading goodies from a three ton lorry. Among items they carried from the lorry to a verandah of the Ustaz's house were fish, vegetables and fruits. ************************** All the volunteers were Chinese; their lorry had the word 'Lotus Light Charity Society' on it. They too came in some cars. As I was curious as to why a Chinese charity society was keen to lend a helping hand to a 'tahfiz' school, I delayed my class session to have a brief talk to its chairman, Choo Ah Sit, 55, and his deputy, Lai Swee Keong, 46. **************************** Choo said charity work knows no boundary. "We stretch our helping hands to all in need irrespective of race, religion and background. In Melaka, we deploy our team to give assistance to 15 centres such as orphanages and houses for handicapped children. ********************** "Three of those centres cater for Malay-Muslims, this school (the tahfiz school) in Duyong is one of them. The other two are in Ujong Pasir and Padang Temu." ************************ Lai said their team would make their rounds to distribute necessities on the first Sunday of every month. He said some of the goodies were bought with money contributed by members while the rest especially wet items such as fish and vegetables were donated by the Melaka Wholesale Market Association which is situated in Batu Berendam. *************************** "Lotus Light Charity Society is also based in Batu Berendam, so there's no problem for both societies to team up in helping the needy," said Lai. ************************ He said with the abundance of goodness in life, one must pay back by contributing something to society. ************************** "The more you contribute, the more you get the rewards. But mind you, these rewards should not be looked as material gains only but also the spiritual aspects of life including good health, vast and rich experiences, satisfaction in life and sound education." ************************ After being told that I was about to begin class with the 'tahfiz' students, Lai said: "That's good. If you impart knowledge to somebody, others would add to what you had learnt. You would be wiser by each day. You too would 'master' the subjects that you teach." ************************ Impressed with what I heard and learned from Choo and Lai, I googled for items on generosity to know more about this subject from the perspective of various peoples. Generosity is both a spiritual value and a spiritual practise. It is universal, taught around the world by all major world religions, wrote a blogger. ************************ He also wrote that generosity (paying 'zakat' –tithe- or giving charity) is one of the pillars of Islam (Rukun Islam). Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism also teach generosity as a core value and practice. ************************** In Buddhism, generosity is one of the Ten Perfections and is the antidote to the self-chosen poison called greed. ************************* Wikipedia notes that generosity is the habit of giving without expecting anything in return. It can involve offering time, assets or talents to aid someone in need. Often equated with charity as a virtue, generosity is widely accepted in society as a desirable trait. *************************** Since Choo, Lai and their friends were engaged in giving a helping hand to a 'tahfiz' school, I took the opportunity to ask the 'ustaz' of the school himself about their good work. *********************** Ustaz Rostami Abu Bakar Al-Hafiz welcomes all contributions to his school - even from non-Muslims. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all parties concerned, their help is very much appreciated." ************************** In Islam, the Qur'an states that whatever we give away generously, with the intention of pleasing God, He will replace it. God knows what is in the hearts of men. Say: “Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and also restricts it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in God’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.” (Qur'an 34:39) ************************** Whoever is kind to His creatures, God is kind to him; therefore be kind to man on earth, whether good or bad; and being kind to the bad is to withhold him from evil, thus in Heaven you will be treated kindly. He who is not kind to God's creatures, God will not be kind to him. ************************* Ustaz Rostami said that all, irrespective of their beliefs and religions would 'insha-Allah' (God willing) get rewards for their good deeds. But the 'ustaz' stressed that the rewards would be of use in this world only; for any good deed to be beneficial to the doers in the Hereafter the person or persons concerned must first be on His straight path, he must have the 'iman' (faith). ************************* Let us have a look at what Allah SWT has to say in Surah Al-'Asr (The Declining Day) with the meaning: 1. By the declining day, 2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss, 3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance. ***************************** Allah SWT says that everybody is in a state of loss except those who have 'iman'. This 'iman' (faith) is mentioned first, if you do not have 'the iman', then the rest of it is naught; you could do all the good deeds but they would not be looked upon what more counted by Allah SWT. ***************************** Those with 'iman' too would be in a state of loss if they do not do good works including rendering help to the poor and the needy. Those who 'cover' these two aspects too would be in a state of loss if they do not exhort one another to truth and endurance.

Arak dalam pesawat: Eloklah contohi GoAir

************************** 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 ****************************** SANG ustaz dalam kuliahnya di sebuah masjid berhampiran rumah penulis minggu lalu, memuzakarahkan ayat 90 Surah Al-Maa'idah yang bermaksud: "Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Bahawa sesungguhnya arak dan judi dan pemujaan berhala dan mengundi nasib dengan batang-batang anak panah, adalah (semuanya) kotor (keji) dari perbuatan syaitan. Oleh itu hendaklah kamu menjauhinya supaya kamu berjaya." ***************************** Memfokuskan pengajian kepada masalah arak, sang ustaz berkata laknat Allah bukan saja terkena kepada peminum arak tetapi juga kepada mereka yang mempunyai kaitan dengannya seperti penanam anggur (atau buah-buahan lain), pembuatnya, pembelinya, penghidangnya dan penghantarnya. *************************** Mengenai hukuman di akhirat terhadap orang yang terbabit dengan arak, sang ustaz berkata mereka akan dikeluarkan daripada kubur dalam keadaan hitam legam (kubur mereka adalah antara lubang neraka), lidah mereka terjelir hingga ke paras dada dengan nanah keluar daripada mulut mereka, mangkuk berat bekas minuman arak tergantung di leher mereka manakala kaki mereka dipakaikan kasut api neraka yang menyebabkan otak mereka menggelegak. ******************************** Semua makluk akan benci dan melarikan diri daripada mereka sedangkan di dunia mereka sudah dihina dengan perintah Allah jangan memberi salam kepada mereka, jangan ziarahi jika mereka sakit dan jika mati jangan disembahyangkan mayatnya. Juga jangan duduk dekat mereka. Tempat mereka di neraka Hawiyah adalah bersama Firaun dan Hamman dan penyembah berhala. ***************************** Orang yang minum arak walaupun setitis, solatnya tidak akan diterima selama 40 hari. Hadis yang dikeluarkan oleh Abu Isa At-Tirmidzi (Iman Tirmidzi) bermaksud: "Diriwayatkan oleh seorang sahabat Nabi s.a.w. namanya Abdullah bin Umar al-Khattab, katanya; telah bersabda Rasulullah s.a.w.: "Barangsiapa minum arak nescaya tidak diterima sembahyangnya 40 pagi." *************************** Berceloteh mengenai arak, penulis terpanggil mendedahkan pengalaman menyaksikan bagaimana bahan ini dihidangkan dengan 'lumayan' dalam kapal terbang oleh sejumlah syarikat penerbangan antarabangsa termasuklah dari negara umat Islam. **************************** Jika arak dihidangkan secara 'mewah' dalam pesawat termasuklah oleh petugas Islam kepada penumpang beragama Islam sendiri, apakah ada keberkatan dan jaminan sesuatu penerbangan itu sedangkan Allah SWT telah memberi amaran tersangat keras kepada semua golongan yang terbabit dengannya. *************************** Arak adalah ibu segala kejahatan, jadi bagaimana satu kejahatan dapat dibenarkan berlaku dalam sebuah kenderaan di udara yang Allah SWT boleh saja pada bila-bila masa boleh menghempaskannya. **************************** Namun ada syarikat penerbangan yang patut dipuji kerana tidak menyajikan arak malah memberi amaran agar penumpang tidak minum arak. Tidak lama dulu, ketika berkunjung ke India, penulis menaiki pesawat tambang murahnya GoAir. *************************** Sebelum perjalanan dari New Delhi ke Srinagar (Kashmir) berlepas, terdengar jelas pengumuman dalam bahasa Inggeris: “Tuan puan diingatkan bahawa meminum arak (drink) dan merokok adalah diharamkan dalam pesawat ini.” *************************** Terfikir di benak penulis jika sebuah pesawat komersial India, sebuah negara sekular, dapat mengeluarkan peraturan melarang penumpang daripada minum arak, mengapa syarikat penerbangan dari negara umat Islam tidak boleh melakukan perkara yang sama. ************************* Alangkah eloknya jika syarikat penerbangan dari negara-negara umat Islam, berhenti daripada menghidangkan arak dalam pesawat. Alangkah janggalnya sebuah negara umat Islam yang kerap mendakwa paling hebat di dunia, mempunyai syarikat penerbangan yang menghidangkan arak. ************************** Tak malukah umat, peneraju syarikat penerbangan dan pemimpin negara umat Islam kepada syarikat milik bukan Islam seperti GoAir yang boleh mengharamkan pengambilan minuman keras sedangkan mereka yang berdegar-degar bercakap mengenai Islam tidak berani 'mengusik' kecenderungan syarikat penerbangan negara mereka menghidangkan arak dalam pesawat? ************************ Sekalipun larangan GoAir itu difahami bertujuan memastikan keselamatan dalam pesawat, setidak-tidaknya ia boleh dicontohi bagi menjamin keharmonian dalam pesawat daripada digugat penumpang mabuk. ************************* Berceloteh mengenai penumpang mabuk, suatu hari dalam penerbangan dari Manchester (UK) ke Dubai, penulis saksikan seorang penumpang ‘mat salih’ terbongkang tidur di satu barisan kerusi selepas menikmati bergelas-gelas arak. *********************** Dia memang sah sudah mabuk, tetapi penulis yang duduk tidak jauh dari situ kecut perut memikirkan nasib jika Allah SWT mahu menghukum segera dengan menghempaskan pesawat itu. *********************** Jika itu berlaku (nauzubillah), maka hancurlah penulis; bagi mengelakkannya sekali lagi penulis rayu, wahai syarikat penerbangan dari negara umat Islam, hentikanlah segera daripada menghidang arak dalam pesawat; contohilah GoAir yang 'mengharamkan' arak!