Auditing ourselves before the Hijra year ends

********************** In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ************************ Reflection ********************** Surah 114 ******************* An-Nas, the second of the two cries for refuge and protection, takes its name from a recurring word which marks the rhythm in the Arabic. In this case protection is sought especially from the evil in a man's own heart in the hearts of other men. An early Meccan revelation ****************** MANKIND ****************** Revealed at Mecca ***************** In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. **************************** 1. Say; I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, ************************ 2. The King of mankind, ************************ 3. The God of mankind, ************************* 4. From the evil of the sneaking whisperer, *************************** 5. Who whispereth in the hearts of mankind, ******************************* 6. Of the jinn of mankind. ****************** (The Meaning of the GLORIOUS QUR'AN, The Final Revelation, An Explanaory Translation by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall) ***************** DHUL-HIJJAH, the 12th (last) month of the Muslim calendar of Hijra began Sunday, October 6, 2013. This is the month Muslim perform hajj, with its peak when they do ‘wukuf’ (to stop or gather) in Arafah (or Arafat) on the 9th Dhul-hijjah (Monday, 14th October). *************************** Wukuf, being the highest 'rukun' (component) of hajj must be rendered; without which hajj does not take place. The requirement is the presence in Arafah, regardless of whether the pilgrim is riding, walking, sitting or moving. In Arafah one is to spend at least a moment from dhuhr (midday) to before subuh (dawn) prayer times making du’aa (supplications) and repenting to leave Arafah with all of one's sins forgiven. **************************** For Muslims who are not performing hajj in their homelands, they are encouraged to perform recommended deeds during the first 10 days of Dhul-hijjah such as fasting especially on ‘Wukuf’ day, giving charity, performing voluntary prayers, helping one's parents and chanting 'zikr'. Then during Eid Adha (10th Dhul-Hijjah) when Muslims perform ‘solat’ (Eid prayers) and the days of Tashreek (11, 12, and 13th Dhul-Hijjah) they are recommended to do the slaughter or ‘korban’ (sacrifice) animals (such as sheep and cow). ************************* Almost all of 22,000 Malaysian pilgrims are now in Makkah; they are among more than three million Muslims from all corners of the world gathered in the Holy Land to perform the hajj manasik (rites and ceremonies performed at hajj). After Arafah, the pilgrims would then proceed towards Muzdalifah and pick up pebbles there to be used when stoning the Pillar of Aqabah or Qubra on Eid Adha (10th Dhul-Hijjah). ************************* In Mina, they are required to stay for three nights where they will stone the three ‘jamrahs’ beginning with the first Pillar (i.e. the one which is furthest from Makkah), followed by the middle Pillar and lastly the Pillar of Aqabah. ********************** The pilgrims will also shave their heads or cut their hair and then proceed to Makkah to perform the Tawaf Al-Ifadah (circling the Kaabah seven times which is an essential part of Hajj) and then perform Sa’y (walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa). While waiting for the the big day (Wukuf), pilgrims fulfill their days by performing prayers and 'tawaf' in the Grand Masjid of Makkah (Masjidil-Haram). ************************ As the other articles under the Principles of Islam or 'Rukun Islam' (to do the declaration of faith - kalimah syahadah, to perform the five daily obligatory prayers, to fast in the month of Ramadan and to distribute zakat or obligatory charity), the main purpose of performing hajj is that one is to be closer to Allah The Greatest (SWT). ************************ So, the main aim is to increase our 'takqa' (piety) to Him. Muslims, especially those performing hajj should never come home the same way they began their journey to the Holly Land. It is an opportunity to audit ourselves both at the beginning and the end. If our life is no way better than before performing hajj, then we have to do a lot of reflection. ************************ And with the new Hijra year of 1435 (beginning Tuesday 5th November 2013) approaching in a few weeks time; it is timely for us as Muslims to audit (have a thought) about ourselves on our performance through out the year. If our country could produce the Auditor-General's Report, then we too could have one for ourselves in valuing our duties as Muslims. *************************** It is reported that Hasan al-Basree, a renowned Islamic scholar once said,” A believer is a guardian over himself: He audits himself for Allah. Those who take account of themselves in this world will be audited lightly in the hereafter. Those who take this issue lightly will find their auditing very difficult.” ************************ So, what is our duty as a human being? In Surat Adh-Dhariyat 51:56 (The Winnowing Winds) Allah SWT says; “I have only created jinn and men, that they may serve Me.” ************************** So from time to time, it’s good to sit back and ask yourself a few questions. Perhaps here’s a starting point. Refer back to the Principles of Islam and ask yourself sincerely what is the score for your obligatory duties as a Muslim such as 'solat' (performing prayers), fasting in the month of Ramadan and distribute zakat. And have you perform hajj, the last articles under 'Rukun Islam'? ***************************** One of the most important things that we can do individually as Muslims is to ponder our own selves and to reflect upon whether or not we have improved, remained stagnant, or have regressed in our overall practice of Islam. For example how is our 'solat' nowadays - is the 'quality' of our 'solat' at 50 years of age the same as our 'solat' when we were 15 years old - that was 35 years ago? **************************** The same could be said about our 'puasa' - is it the same as the yesteryear when we refrained ourselves from only eating and drinking or 'puasa yang yok' (cheating by eating or drinking when one is alone) but keep our eyes open seeing 'haram' (forbidden) things and open our ears to all sort of gossips and our tongues lash out bad and 'laser' words. ************************* Well, what about our 'zakat' - is it the same old you ‘that only pay for tithes during Ramadan' and forget the compulsory zakat for incomes, agriculture yields, gold and livestock such as cows and sheep? ***************************** And how's our daily chores going on for example things we take for granted such wasting of money and food, spending on unnecessary items and involving in immoral activities such as going to pubs and disco and involving in smoking, gambling and drinking. ************************* And how's our time being spend? People tend to waste time; only a few 'veterans' prefer to seek knowledge including attending 'tazkirah' (lessons) at masjids, the rest waste their time doing unnecessary and unproductive activities such as spending long hours chatting or playing 'dam haji' (checkers) in 'warong kopi' (coffee shop). ************************* The question is, have we been auditing ourselves? We tend not to look at ourselves but waste our precious time on others. Over the course of the year, we can easily fall into the habit of focusing too much on the affairs of others. ************************** In true sense, our time could be better spent working to improve ourselves in the religion and seeking the Mercy of Allah and seeking His pardon for our own errors and mistakes. Remember our time left is too short; perhaps the Lord would called for us in a year time, tomorrow or even today or after reading this article! ***************************** Allah says; "O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do." (59 (Exile):18) **************************** The interpreters of Qur’an have said that this verse is calling on the believers to take account of themselves before they are taken to account by Allah on the Day of Accounting, i.e., The Day of Judgment. ************************* Since it is the hajj season, let us have a thought about 'Wukuf' in Arafah which some 'ulama' (Islamic scholar) said that Allah SWT 'is very, very near' to His servant. It is said that when Allah, Great and Glorious is He, forgives a sin for one person in Arafah, He forgives it for everyone there who is guilty of it. ********************** There are millions of pilgrims in Arafah yet if you have His blessings, you could feel that you are left alone with the Almighty. When you have 'that feeling' it is easy for you to talk and admitted about your past sins and then beg forgiveness from Him. ************************** "O Allah! I ask of Your integrity and soundness in my religion, my life, my family, and my possessions. ********************** O Allah! Cover my shame, pacify my fears, guard me from what is in front of me and behind me, from what is on my right and on my left, over my head and under my feet. *********************** O Allah! Grant health to my body. O Allah grants health to my hearing. O Allah! Grant heath to my sight. There is no deity except You. *********************** O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no deity except You. You are my Creator and I am Your creature. I try to keep my covenant with You and to live in the hope of Your promise as well as I can. I seek refuge in You from my own evil deeds. I acknowledge Your favors to me, and I acknowledge my sins. Forgive me my sins, for there is no one who can forgive sins except You. ******************** O Allah! I seek refuge in You from worry and sorrow. I seek refuge in You from impotence and sloth, from stinginess and cowardice, and I seek refuge in You from the burden of debt and from being humbled by men. *********************** O Allah! Make the beginning of this day good, the middle prosperous, and the end successful. I ask You to grant me the good of this world and of the Hereafter. O Most Merciful of all Who show us mercy! ******************** O Allah! You hear my words, You behold my situation, You know what is open and what is hidden within me; nothing is hidden from You. It is me alone who is in need, a humble seeker of Your forgiveness. I beseech You with humility in my heart, with trembling and fear, in prostration and utter helplessness. *********************** O Allah! Grant me soundness of belief, goodness of character, forgiveness of my sins, and Your eternal pleasure in the Hereafter. ***************************** Labbayk, Allahumma, Labbayk, Labbayk, La Shareeka laka, Labbayk Innal-hamda wan n’mata laka wal-mulk, La shareekala – (Here I am at Your service, O Lord here I am, No partner do You have, Here I am, Truly the praise and the favor is Yours and the dominion. No partner do You have). Happy Eid Adha

Anak sungai lagikan berubah...

******************Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ******************* Renungan ******************** “Sesungguhnya Allah mengasihi orang yang banyak bertaubat, dan mengasihi orang yang sentiasa mensucikan diri”. (Surah Al-Baqarah, ayat 222) *********************** KINI kemuncak musim haji. Bagi jemaah di Tanah Suci, mereka menunggu detik bertolak dan wukuf di Arafah pada 9 Zulhijah, seterusnya melengkapkan manasik haji seperti mabit di Mudzalifah, melontar di jamrah dan bermalam di Mina. ************************ Bagi mereka yang tidak menunaikan haji; tempoh 10 hari pertama Zulhijah amat berharga untuk diisi amalan mendekatkan diri kepada Allah SWT seperti sentiasa solat berjemaah, memperbanyakkan amalan sunat seperti berpuasa (terutama pada hari wukuf), qiyamullail, bersedekah, membaca Quran dan berzikir. *********************** Ketika meraikan pemergian jemaah haji di sebuah masjid berhampiran kampung saya baru-baru ini, saya amat tertarik dengan peringatan seorang ustaz dalam tazkirah ringkasnya akan bahana besar menanti orang enggan atau melambat-lambatkan menunaikan Rukun Islam kelima itu jika mereka sudah memenuhi syaratnya termasuk dari segi kewangan. ************************* Beliau lantas membacakan sebuah hadis yang bermaksud: "Sesiapa yang mempunyai bekalan dan kenderaan yang boleh menyampaikannya ke Baitullah, tetapi dia masih tidak menunaikan haji (dengan ketiadaan uzur syarie sehingga dia meninggal dunia) maka tiada halangan baginya mati sebagai seorang Yahudi atau Nasrani." (Riwayat Imam At-Tirmizi dan Al-Baihaqi) *********************** Sang ustaz berkata antara sebab sesetengah orang terlalu berat untuk menyahut seruan haji kerana terlalu cinta kepada kelazatan dan asyik mahsyuk dunia seperti anak isteri, harta benda termasuk sawah ladang, pendapatan, jawatan dan pangkat lantas enggan meninggalkannya. ************************ Beliau mengingatkan pemergian ke Tanah Suci bermakna berpisah dengan kesenangan dunia itu buat sementara saja; cukup masa insya-Allah seseorang itu akan kembali ke tanah air, jadi tiada apa perlu dibimbangkan. *************************** Namun, katanya, jika ada perasaan terlalu sayang untuk meninggalkan semua kesenangan itu, ingatlah suatu hari nanti segala-galanya "akan direntap" daripada kita. Mahu atau tidak mahu kita terpaksa "mengucapkan selamat jalan" kepada segala apa yang kita miliki apabila nyawa kita dicabut dan jasad kita diusung ke tanah perkuburan. ************************** Kata sang ustaz: "Apabila kita berada dalam kubur, jawatan dan kedudukan yang kita sandang sudah berada di tangan orang lain atau menjadi rebutan; demikian juga harta benda termasuk sawah ladang sudah difaraidkan dan lebih malang lagi isteri (atau suami) kita sudah berada dalam pelukan orang lain. **************************** "Isteri (atau suami) kita akan gunakan sebahagian wang dan harta tinggalan kita untuk meneruskan hidup bersama pasangan masing-masing. Misalnya mereka akan beli kereta baru dengan 'duit kita'...apabila mereka lalu di jalan raya depan kubur kita, pedal minyak ditekan kuat-kuat...Brommmmm, brommmmm, bunyi kereta...kita dalam kubur 'terkulat-kulatlah'. Apa nak buat, dah nasib badan!" ************************* "Oleh itu," kata ustaz, "janganlah sayang kepada apa kita miliki di dunia ini secara berlebih-lebihan. "Apabila sampai masa dan cukup kemampuan buatlah apa yang Allah SWT perintahkan seperti tunaikan haji, bayar zakat dan berkorban di jalan-Nya termasuklah berwakaf. Ini semua sebagai modal kita di alam kubur dan akhirat nanti." *************************** Berceloteh mengenai suami atau isteri berkahwin lain selepas pasangan mereka meninggal dunia, teringat saya akan satu pasangan suami isteri yang saya kenali ketika saya menunaikan haji pada tahun 2002 dulu. ************************* Wah, di Tanah Suci sungguh intim mereka. Kerap benar saya melihat mereka berpegangan tangan; di Mina lagilah mereka rapat sebab di sini banyak ujiannya. Bolehlah diklasifikasikan pasangan sejoli ini bagai "tidak hendak berpisah" layaknya. Pendeknya, kaulah intan, kaulah permata - kaulah yang pertama dan terakhir untukku...! **************************** Ditakdirkan si suami meninggal dunia tidak lama selepas kembali. Biasanya orang perempuan 'tidak kuasa' untuk 'berjodoh lagi' (yang cepat benar mahu berkahwin selepas pasangan meninggal adalah orang lelaki malah ada yang isterinya belum mati pun dia sudah menambah cawangan) tetapi si perempuan ini cepat benar dapat ganti suami baru...yalah anak sungai lagikan berubah ini pula hati manusia... **************************** Nasib baiklah perubahan hati berlaku dalam 'kes cerai mati' kalau dalam 'kes cerai hidup' tidakkah terbeban bekas pasangan dari segi mental? Namun itulah dinamakan 'roda kehidupan'. Jika itu berlaku, ingatlah 'asal kapas menjadi benang, dari benang dibuat kain, barang lepas jangan dikenang, sudah menjadi hak orang lain'!

Leave your 'toys' behind...

****************** 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. *********************** SEVERAL years ago when I was on a train (LRT) on the way to work; an European elderly couple who were seated next to me showed surprised looks on their faces at the way and how busy our people were especially youths in the coach handling and playing with their electronic gadgets including smart phones. ************************ The man look up and whispered: "Aahh, these 'toys'; sometimes they are nuisance. In Europe, we call them 'toys'...at certain times we leave them alone; we want to free ourselves from this madness..." ************************** And in the train; he and his 'partner' (I did not know her status; whether she was his wife or girlfriend or just a friend) were 'free from having those nuisance gadgets''...and they seemed to enjoy that situation but what they witnessed in the train seemed to displease them. ********************** So dear friends and readers; can we free ourselves from those electronic gadgets perhaps for only a day or two. It would be a good idea if we could one day purposely leave our phones at home and learn how to live without it. And you are open to discover the new in you... ************************* Readers might be nervous and afraid trying this, but please do try it and find the 'pleasures and tranquility' of life without having 'those nuisance gadgets'. ************************* One of my friends once said: "I can't live without my handset. If I had left it at home, I (would) have no choice but return home to collect it." See, how these 'toys' have conquered and 'destroyed' our lives! It's scary for the friend to say; "I can't live without it!" as if the phone is a must in our life! Is it true nowadays we are 'hamba' (slaves) of these modern invention? ************************ Last Tuesday (1st October) I attended a funeral one of my nephews. When his body was lowered inside his grave (remember one day we too would be buried inside our graves), he had nothing on him except for his white 'kain kapan' (shroud). So when we were lowered into our graves one day (that day would surely come) where were our worldly belongings including those much sought and treasured 'toys' that we have the guts to say that "we can't live without them?" ************************ Scholars have reminded us again and again that our 'worldly treasures' including money, what more those electronic gadgets, would of no use in the Hereafter. The much sought items there are ‘iman’ (faith) and good deeds; unfortunately the Hereafter is not a place to do good deeds but a place to reaped ‘our best crop’ grown on earth! ********************* Dear brothers and sisters, begin all things with knowledge, for he who knows his own self knows God. So acquire knowledge. It enables its possessor to distinguish right from wrong; it lights the way to heaven; it is our friend in the desert, our society in solitude, our companion when friendless; it guides us in happiness; it sustains us in misery; it is an ornament amongst friends, and an armour against enemies. ************************** With knowledge we would know that our life in this world is not for the sake of material enjoyments of this world alone. Our temporary life here is only a life of probation, for perpetual life in the Hereafter. As we sow here, we shall reap in the Hereafter. ************************* To quote a saying of the Holy Prophet: “This world is the tillage for the Hereafter” i.e. we plough and sow here to reap in the next world. We, Muslims, therefore, cannot afford to live an irresponsible and reckless life. ************************ All life ends in death. Therefore, let us remember that a certain time is fixed for us when we will be abandoned to the darkness of our graves. We should be therefore, consider the passing life of this world as a means towards our ultimate goal. Yes, this material world is not the main object of our life but a means towards a higher goal. The purpose of man’s life is ‘service to Allah’ and nothing else. ************************ This life is a preparation of what Allah has in store for us. The life of the Hereafter is eternal, and it is that which the believer should strive for. Hence let us not be deceived by the glamour and splendour around us. This life should never be wasted by merely seeking a comfortable and rice life of worldly happiness because Allah SWT tells us: “And surely the Hereafter is indeed better than this world.” ********************** Again says the Qur’an, “Every soul shall taste of death” – none shall be made to wander this world for ever. ((Pearls of the Prophet, Islamic Outreah-ABIM) ********************** A few days ago over Radio IKIM.fm I heard the renowned intellectual and motivator, Prof Dr Muhaya Muhammad as saying that nowadays almost everybody are busy with their material wealth including their up to date electronic gadgets (toys) and forget about their direct relationship with their Creator, Allah SWT. ********************** We are always busy with our 'toys'; in fact sometimes during our five times daily mass prayers (solat berjemaah) in the masjid, there are bound to be phones ringing with various tones including Gangnam style music. ********************** Oh, it just robs congregators of their 'khusyuk' (concentration); and to those concerned have you not seen Telekom Malaysia (TM) stickers on walls of some masjid, reminding that there are "Tiada Panggilan Sepenting Seruan Illahi" (No Calls Are More Important Than God's Call). So why not just leave your 'toys' behind or at least put them into silent mode? ****************** Prof Muhaya reminded that to have a good relationship with Allah SWT; the key word is to have knowledge. So gain knowledge; but the sad thing about almost all of us is that we spend (or waste?) almost our entire life chasing material wealth and do a lot of aimless thing such as; "how high (how many storeys) is your bungalow; in which country do you spend your holidays, how much money or shares do you have or how many 'As' does your son scored in his SPM examination?" *********************** She said almost all of us are busy or hungry for news and not knowledge "That's why we are eager to know the news posted on the internet; our gadgets are being used to seek for news...what's the latest about this artiste; whose marriage is on the brink of collapsing and so on..." ************************ Prof Muhaya stressed that if we can't feel good when we are alone and have the feeling of tranquility in such situation; it is a sign we do not love ourselves and have problems in our relationship with the Creator, Allah SWT. **************************** Other than friends who are always by our sides, we too need electronic gadgets as though we can't live without them. Frankly speaking; who can go to work or travel without the said items with them? ************************* If we can free ourselves from depending on relatives, friends and of course those gadgets, then we are 'on the open to the straight path' including surrendering ourselves 100 percent to Allah SWT. Isn't that we say at least 17 times during our 'solat' when we recite Surah Al-Fatihah (The Opening) with 'ayah' (sentence) 4 with the meaning "Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help." ************************ So find the new in you by starting not to depend on those 'toys'... ************************* Speaking about quality time, we can spend hour after hour reading newspapers and watching TV and nowadays busy 'working' (or playing?) with our electronic gadgets but have we any time to read and try to understand the words of Allah SWT in the Qur'an? Oh, it is a sad thing, we don't have the time for it and the saddest part of our life as His servant is that some of us have the cheek to say that we have no time even to perform or five time daily prayers (solat)! ************************* And with our electronic gadgets, some families go on the brink of collapsing...imagine a husband who is always busy around the clock (at his office) when at home is busy chatting while his wife is 'lost' with her Facebook and their children are away in their own rooms playing games! Well, it what direction we are actually heading? ************************* During the last raya (Aidilfitri), I realized a 'new graze' had taken over our previous joyous and meaningful celebration - boys and girls of the young generation (including many of my nieces) were seen very busy with their electronic gadgets; they were playing games, busily texting, e-mailing, chatting and so on, totally ignoring visitors and well-wishers! ********************** Nowadays almost all children have a gadget each; even one niece who is eight years old had 'mastered' 'downloading' items! She also uses terms that I have no idea or heard before. ********************** Hello, readers especially my friends; 'the eagles have landed'; so what have we in store to face 'this new type of invasion'? ********************** Well, I 'dunno', I leave it to the experts; but as a 'start' of not becoming a 'hamba' of those electronics gadgets why not leave them behind or at least try not to bring them to masjids or while performing prayers. ****************************** Surely we would not like to hear anymore Gangnam style ring tones during our 'solat'!