Sunday, August 9, 2015

'Their problem is our problem'...

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, 'Selawat' (blessings) and 'salam' (peace be upon) Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.


Reflection

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me." (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51: 56-57)


* GIVE someone a meaning to life - MAKNA (National Cancer Council)

* The more you give, the more you would get - Prof Dr Muhaya Muhammad (a well-known local motivator)

* If a user is having a problem, it's our problem - Steve Jobs, Co-founder of Apple Inc.

If a Muslim is having a problem, it's our problem, says an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) in 'tazkirah' (Islamic lesson) which I attended recently.  His words instantly hit me hard on the head; I focused to what he has to elaborate on how to be calm and lead a tranquil or serene life. 

"A true Muslim is without a problem. If you claimed you don't have a problem, then look around you. If your neighbor have a problem such as not enough to eat then it is also your problem. Problematic youth around you is also your problem. If your countrymen are in trouble, then their problems are also your problems. If the administration of your country is full of corrupt people, then it is also your problem.

"Then on the international arena, the problems of the Rohingya Muslims or Uighur Muslims of China are our problems. The problems of the Palestinians are our problems...in short we are living with problems, then how to lead a tranquil life with all the problems around us?" asked the 'ustaz'.

He said problems are problems; each and everyone of us would be tested by Allah SWT with problems (tribulations). Allah SWT (Glory be to Him), says in the Quran: "Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, 'We believe,' and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false" (Quran, 29: 2-3)

The 'ustaz' said problems are to be faced. "Please don't run away from problems. But one thing that differentiate a person from another person in facing problems is their relationship to the Almighty. It is also on how he/she look at the problem. At times we look at a problem is like 'a mountain that would be about to fall open us but others look it as a 'kacang putih' (easy to handle and solve) one.

"A great scholar once said "if you 'have Allah SWT on your side' then your problem would be of no magnitude at all."

The 'ustaz' then said this aloud and clear: Only in the remembrance  of Allah do hearts find peace! Allah says: “Those who believe and whose hearts find tranquility in the remembrance of Allah, verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquility.” (Surah Ar-Radd: 28)

He also says: “Therefore remember me, I will remember you and be grateful to me and do not reject faith.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 152)

And from the hadith, on the authority of Abu Hurairah (r.a.), the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said that Allah said: “Indeed I Am as My servant presumes Me to be. And I Am with him when he remembers Me, so if he remembers Me to himself then I remember him to Myself. And if he remembers Me amongst a company, I remember him amongst a company greater than it and if he draws close to Me a span of a hand I draw near to him the span of an arm. And if he draws near Me the span of an arm, I draw near him the span of two outstretched arms. And if he takes a step towards Me, I quickly step towards him.” (Imam Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

In another hadith on the authority of Abu Musa al-Ash’aree (r.a.), the Messenger of Allah said: “The comparison of the one who remembers Allah and the one who doesn’t is like that of the living and the dead.” (Imam Al-Bukhari)

The 'ustaz' concluded his 'tazkirah' saying that to be calm in life the basic thing is to performed all orders from Allah SWT and refrain from doing all things forbidden by Him. For example, He orders us to 'solat' (prayers) just do it and He forbidden us from drinking liquor then leave it.

In the earlier part of this article, I quoted the wisdom words of Steve Jobs...what is the rational of it? By the way, who is Jobs?

Jobs, the Apple co-founder, who died at the age of 56 a few years ago, may just have been the most important innovator in the remarkable business history of the United States or perhaps the world. Among the icons of American design in the Museum of Modern Art are 45 of his products. Jobs was said to be the PC and everything good about it that has evolved. 

Even though Jobs and his inventions cannot be separated, he also left several messages such as how to lead a happy, rewarding and fullfulling life such as the above quotation - If a user is having a problem, it's our problem.

Yes, in life we must give first to be given back later on or not all all (for Allah SWT would stored the reward for you in the Hereafter). You must smile to people and they will smile back to you; you must give love first to be loved, you must do good things to people and 'insya-Allah' (God Willing) you will be rewarded handsomely.

Then when you want more rewards, remember the 'magic words' of Prof Dr Muhaya Muhammad - the more you give, the more you would get.

I guess Jobs must know this trait for if his company was good in solving users problems then they would get the maximum from people.

To be kind in life, we must give our best to all - including to animals and plants. MAKNA tagline, 'Give someone a meaning to life' speaks volumes about the importance of portraying and executing our kind-heartedness to all as mentioned by its founder, Dato' Mohd Farid Ariffin: "We choose no colour, no creed, no political belief and no race. Anybody who qualifies shall be helped. Not may be helped, but shall be helped."

In the past 20 years MAKNA has been able to deliver assistance to over 450,000 cases of cancer patients and disbursed thousands of ringgits in financial aid, thanks to donors...and if readers might get interested (remember what Prof Muhaya had said - the more you give the more you would get, - please do pay a visit to their website; www.makna.org.my

Who knows by doing 'this kind of charity' you would find tranquil in life! But rule Number One must be always be remembered - in life we must be in His straight path including doing what Allah SWT has ordered us and refrain from all He had forbids. 

Only then you would be safe in this world and the Hereafter (this brings about to tranquility) as we often supplicates in our 'dua' - "Rabbana atina fiddunya hasanah wa fil akhiroti hasanah waqina 'adzabannar" (Our Lord! grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire." (Al-Baqarah 2:201) - ES

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