Ramadan 4, 1443: The 'real superman'

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.

WHILE visiting my daughter at her hostel in UIAM Kuantan, I noticed 'these beautiful phrases' written on its noticeboard. 

* When you have friends, don't expect your friends to fulfill your emptiness.

* When you get married, don't expect your spouse to fill your every need.

* When you're an activist, don't put your hope in the results.

* Don't depend on people. - Yasmin Mogahed (Writer of 'Reclaim Your Heart - Best Selling Islamic Book 2013)

Then, to whom we should depend to? As Muslim, we know the answer is Allah SWT - Creator of all the worlds and universe and of course we ourselves. But the question is how are we going 'to put into action' His orders and 'to stay away' from the things that He had forbidden? For example, Allah SWT through a 'hadith' by the Prophet s.a.w. had asked us not to get angry easily but how are we going to follow it without having the proper knowledge? 

Regarding this matter, I was amazed while listening to a 'tazkirah' by an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) recently when he said 'great people'  are not those who had being bestowed powers or with powers but rather a person 'who have the power to limit his desires and all sorts of worldly pleasures'.

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. said: “The strong man is not the one who wrestles others; rather, the strong man is the one who controls himself at times of anger.” (Imam Muslim)

That is why we see that people with weak characters suppress their anger when dealing with their superiors but take it out on those weaker than them. A weak man will take his frustrations out on his family, a woman on her children, the rich on the poor. 

Giving free rein to one’s anger results only in crime against Allah’s creatures. It is natural to feel anger in certain situations but the successful person is he who is able to control the expression of his anger. Not all crimes in Islam are recognized as crimes in secular law, but what matters to a Muslim is how their action is viewed by Allah. Anger is justified when the crime is against Allah and his Messenger, but even then it is best handled with a cool mind. 

Sayidina Ali Abu Talib (radi Allahu anhu) said: “A moment of patience in a moment of anger prevents a thousand moments of regret.”

The point here is that 'great individual' or 'superman' if you wish to call him so, is a person who could control himself of his desires including his 'nafsu' (nafs). The 'ustaz' went on to elaborate by giving a simple example regarding the taking of food by an individual. He said when the food is delicious and our appetite good, then we could finish off plates after plates of the food and nobody could stop us.

But the 'real superman' is the person who knows when to stop - perhaps after having 'a small plate of food' he or she concedes that he (she) had enough...'subhanallah' (Glory be to Allah SWT) it is a very difficult thing to do.

Remember, a person who does not moderate his eating and drinking would be exposed to greed which would have the effect of spoiling his body and health. 

A Muslim is ordered to eat and drink, making sure he does not waste or exceed the right limit for Allah SWT said: "...and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance,..." (Qur'an 7:31), do not eat and drink what is harmful, especially if it is forbidden and to eat and drink moderately.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. in a 'hadtih' said: "Man has not filled a container worse than his stomach; he should be satisfied with a few bites to survive. However, if his appetite beats him, let it be a third (of his stomach space) for his food and a third for his drink and a third for his breath." (Ahmad)

The 'ustaz' then went to tell his audience the story of Talut (Saul) who took his army through a series of tests in order to assure that his fighting force was made up only of pious yet strong willed men. From an initial recruitment of 80,000, the army that faced Jalut (Goliath) and the Philistines was a mere 300.  

One of the test was a decree by Talut that when his army passed by a river, they could only quench their thirst by taking only 'a scoop' of water with their bare hands but obviously the majority of his men failed. Yes, there was much water; the undisciplined ones drank as much they could, then they became heavy and could not continued their journey and mission.

When the two armies came face to face, Jalut challenged any man from Talut army to single, mortal combat, but the only volunteer was a small, agile youth named Daud (David).  When it became clear to Talut that no other man was willing to volunteer, he gave the young Daud permission to face the giant Jalut.  Jalut roared with laughter at the sight of the small youth, and even Talut's own army looked incredulously at the sight.

But it was Daud who came out winner. He was a 'superman'. Jalut was killed and later on the young Daud became the new king. He was none other than Prophet Daud a.s. The Qur'an says: “So they routed them by Allah’s leave and Daud killed Jalut, and God gave him (Daud) the kingdom and Prophethood, and taught him of that which He willed.  And if Allah did not check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief.  But Allah is full of Bounty to mankind and all that exists.”  (Qur'an 2:251)

The 'ustaz' reminded his audience that each and everyone of us must have limitations in our action (doings). From the story of Talut, Jalut and Daud; we could learned something - for example 'to be great' we must have disciplined in ourselves. Of course, it is hard to do so, but we must have the 'muhajadah' (struggle in rejecting vicious desires).

For Muslims the third article in 'Rukun Islam' that is fasting helps us in controlling our desires; one example is regarding food or drink. Consumption of these items are 'haram' (forbidden) during the stipulated time eventhough they are 'our own and halal belongings'. During Ramadan we are put on test - food and drinks cannot be taken during the day - and during breaking of fast, we too we told not to be a gluttonous - yes please control ourselves.

Other than 'to limit or check ourselves' in taking food and drinks, it is also required to be rational in everything we do for example when we go shopping. True it is your money and you could follow the Western concept of shopping that is 'shop till you drop' but again as a Muslim we should check again what Islam tells us about spending our money.

Yes dear readers, be rational in buying. For example buying clothes, furniture, and luxury that are not necessary is waste of money. Buy if you have or need to do them because Islam forbids stinginess but you must know the difference between economy and stinginess which the religion forbids.

To parents, be moderates in bringing up our children. Don't be too harsh or to lenient. Follow the Islamic way of bringing them up. You are allowed to use the cane, but please know and observe the 'limit'. You don't just cane your child just to 'lepas geram' (releasing your anger ) but do it in the name of Allah SWT, then you would know when to begin and to stop it. Yes, know the limitation.

'Subhanallah', dear readers; Islam teaches us to be moderate in everything we do - it is called 'wasatiyah' - choosing to be in the middle of each and every consequences. But the problem among some of us today especially among our leaders are that when they called for the 'wasatiyah' way of living, they are the ones including their wives do things such as spending money (including public money) like there is no tomorrow and the saddest part of it - like their own hard-earned money!

Ramadan 3, 1443: Jualan langsung: Satu pandangan kritis (U)

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

Renungan

"Sesungguhnya Kami telah mengemukakan amanah kepada langit, bumi dan gunung-gunung, maka semuanya tidak mahu untuk memikul amanah itu dan mereka khuatir akan mengkhianatinya, dan amanah itu dipikul oleh manusia. Sesungguhnya manusia itu amat zalim dan amat bodoh." (Al-Quran, Al-Ahzab: 72)

TIDAK lama dahulu saya menghadiri Malam Penganugerahan tahunan sebuah syarikat jualan langsung terkemuka. Terpegun saya menyaksikannya, termasuklah acara persembahan; tepat jangkaan saya sebahagian besar insan yang bertugas di firma swasta mempunyai idea sangat kreatif kerana itulah salah satu modal dalam persaingan sengit dunia korporat.

Pada peringkat awal majlis yang bermula jam 7.00 malam itu, antara lain mengetengahkan rombongan perarakan kereta mewah, sekali gus menepati salah satu cirri berjaya yang dicanangkan syarikat iaitu kaya, berwang, memiliki kereta mewah dan percutian ke destinasi antarabangsa .

Bagi pemimpin syarikat berkenaan semua ini boleh menjadi kenyataan dengan mereka yang sudah berada di kemuncak kejayaan, berusaha membantu insan-insan yang berimpian agar sama-sama menikmati pencapaian tahap tertinggi.

Namun penerajunya sendiri mengaku di sebalik malam mengiktiraf kekayaan itu, bukan semua peserta syarikat jualan langsung berjaya ke kemuncak takhta; ada yang hanya setakat suka-suka, lemah semangat dan patah hati, lantas terus dilupakan berdasarkan peredaran masa.

Terpegun saya menyaksikan perarakan masuk ratusan para pengedar yang sudah mencipta nama; kebanyakan mereka berpasang-pasangan, berpakaian hebat, berpimpinan tangan, mungkin suami isteri, dengan wajah berseri-seri jelas kelihatan apabila lampu sorot dihalakan ke arah mereka.

Peserta lelaki kebanyakannya berkot hitam manaka pasangan mereka mengenakan pakaian bergemerlapan sama ada fesyen potongan moden, berbaju kurung atau berkebaya. Hampir semuanya bertudung litup, menunjukkan mereka orang Melayu/Islam.

Apabila semua sudah mengambil kedudukan masing-masing, majlis diisi dengan ucapan oleh beberapa pemimpin syarikat yang semuanya daripada satu bangsa saja. Antara ungkapan yang tertancap dalam minda saya adalah: “……masukkan dalam jiwa anda,” dan “percayalah kepada……”

Begitu berkocak hati saya mendengar pesanan itu, setahu saya yang patut ditanam dalam jiwa kita terutama anak-anak kecil adalah “masuk dan tanamkan kebesaran Allah dalam jiwa (hati) kita dan “tidak ada apa lain yang aku percaya melainkan kepada apa yang dibawa oleh junjungan Rasul” dan bukannya benda-benda material dan bersifat baharu (boleh musnah) seperti disebutkan.

Selepas ucapan pemilik dan peneraju syarikat dan beberapa persembahan, tibalah giliran pengedar yang mendapat pengiktirafan tertinggi memberikan ucapan. Seorang hajah menceritakan bagaimana beliau sanggup meninggalkan profesion perguruan bagi mengejar impiannya dalam dunia jualan langsung.

Katanya, jika dulu pendapatannya RM3,000 sebulan, kini dia meraih RM30,000. Katanya; “Saya memang mampu, tuah ayam nampak di kaki, tua manusia perlu diusahakan. Apabila kita lakukan yang biasa-biasa saja kita tidak akan jadi luar biasa.”

Memang, bekas pendidik ini sudah berada dalam kedudukan luar biasa. “Pasir yang kugenggam, kini sudah menjadi permata,” katanya. Yalah, apa yang tidak jadi permata kerana sekarang beliau sudah mempunyai kereta BMW dan Mercedes, pendapatan lima angka dan saban bercuti ke luar negara.

Demikianlah, bukan saja guru; kakitangan kerajaan, pekerja kilang, malah doktor pun ramai yang meninggalkan pekerjaan asal mereka untuk membabitkan diri dalam jualan langsung kerana ia menjanjikan kekayaan dan kemewahan.

Ya, setiap orang mempunyai matlamat, cita-cita dan impian masing-masing. Lantas, lakukan apa saja asalkan ia tidak menyalahi hukum negara apatah lagi hukum agama. Setiap orang berhak berada di puncak jaya – berwang ‘lebat’ ataupun hidup mewah, tetapi pada pandangan hamba (penulis) yang fakir ini, kebahagiaan bukanlah berpaksikan kepada perkara-perkara material yang dinyatakan.

Ambil contoh seorang guru yang telah meninggalkan tugas mulianya bagi mendidik anak bangsa. Segala material yang diraih sebenarnya tidak dapat menandingi kebahagiaan duniawi dan akhirat yang dijanjikan bagi membuka minda manusia daripada kegelapan kepada cahaya. Apapun seorang guru yang meninggalkan terus profesion perguruan adalah lebih baik daripada mereka yang masih bergelar pendidik tetapi mencuri-curi masa terbabit dalam dunia jualan langsung. Sekalipun masa digunakan mungkin di luar waktu persekolahan, namun tumpuan mendidik anak murid sudah tersasar kerana keletihan.

Akhir sekali, sedarlah wahai saudara-saudariku, siapa sebenarnya yang anda untungkan daripada jualan langsung ini? Anda menjayakan impian kapitalis non-Muslim yang jelas meracuni pemikiran anda dengan persembahan dan penampilan gadis –gadis dedah belakang sedangkan kebanyakan anda (muslimah) bertudung litup.

Anda tidak menambah produk Muslim di pasaran atau memajukan ekonomi orang dan dunia Islam sebaliknya meraih kekayaan dan kemasyhuran untuk diri sendiri dan orang-orang sealiran di sekeliling anda. Maaflah, jika hamba yang fakir ini tersilap dan terkasar bahasa dalam menegakkan hujah usang ini semata-mata kerana ingin melihat orang Islam berjaya di dunia dan akhirat, insya-Allah.

Ramadan 2, 1443: The 'marathon' goes on...'istiqamah' in being His servant! (U)

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.

The 'marathon' to do good deeds goes on, said an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) during his 'tazkirah' (lesson) at a 'masjid' near my house recently. He reminded congregators to remain 'istiqamah' (steadfast) in performing their duties to Allah SWT until their last breath on earth. 

But according to the 'ustaz', our ability to perform the good deeds and refrain from the bad ones depended on Him, thus we must always 'isytifar' (ask for His forgiveness) and seek 'du'a' (supplication) to enable us to be in His straight path as what we recite 'Ihdinas-Siraat-Al-Mustaqeem' (guide us upon the straight path) for at least 17 times every day in our 'solat'.

As human beings, we always make mistakes, and the best among us are those who repent and seek forgiveness from God. Mistakes against Allah SWT can be wiped off if we repent to Him because of His kindness, forgiveness and merciful but sins related to other human beings can only be erased if we repent and seek forgiveness from that person. 

In making mistakes, our hearts would be blackened little by little - we should be afraid we would be able to see and to be guided in His true path; thus always repent and mostly importantly we should never, never miss our five times 'fardu' (obligatory or compulsory) 'solat' where we pleaded to Him among others 'Ihdinas-Siraat-Al-Mustaqeem' in every 'rakaat' (unit) of our prayers.

The 'marathon' to do good needs and to refrain from the bad ones continues...it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, s.a.w.), said to his companions when they returned from a military campaign, “We have come back from the lesser jihaad to the greater jihaad.” They said, “Is there any greater jihaad than jihaad against the kuffaar?” he said, “Yes, jihaad al-nafs (jihaad against the self).”

Ibn al-Qayyim said: “Jihaad is of four stages: jihaad al-nafs (striving against the self), jihaad al-shayaateen (striving against the shayaateen or devils), jihaad al-kuffaar (striving against the disbelievers) and jihaad al-munaafiqeen (striving against the hypocrites). 

Jihaad al-nafs means striving to make oneself learn true guidance, and to follow it after coming to know it, calling others to it, and bearing with patience the difficulties of calling others to Allah. Jihaad al-Shaytaan means striving against him and warding off the doubts and desires that he throws at a person, and the doubts that undermine faith, and striving against the corrupt desires that he tries to inspire in a person.

Jihaad against the kuffaar and munaafiqeen is done in the heart and on the tongue, with one’s wealth and oneself. Jihaad against the kuffaar mostly takes the form of physical action, and jihaad against the munaafiqeen mostly takes the form of words… The most perfect of people are those who have completed all the stages of jihaad. People vary in their status before Allah according to their status in jihaad.” (Zaad al-Ma’aad 3/9-12)

Jihaad to perform good needs to go on whether it is during Ramadan or the other 11 months but what are seeing and experiencing in our own society? Sometimes ago I wrote about this scenario, and now are witnessing the same scene.While readying myself for the mass 'isyak' (late evening) prayers at a 'masjid' near my house, I glanced at the attendees; congregators only filled the first 'saf' (row), perhaps there were only 15 men.

That scenario contradicted with the merry atmosphere of Ramadan especially during its early stage. During  'isyak' mass prayers congregators filled every space in the 'masjid'; one night I turned up when the 'azan isyak' (call of prayers for 'isyak') was on air but failed to get a place in the 'masjid'. After a 'frantic search' I only managed to find a space at its veranda.

If during Ramadan there were hundreds perhaps a few thousands of congregators but nowadays for the five times 'fardu' (compulsory) prayers attendees were very poor...the question is 'where have all those people gone to'?

During Ramadan, for 'isyak' prayers the 'masjid' was full capacity, sometimes congregators 'spilled' to the ground area but nowadays as many as 95 percent of the congregators failed to turn up for the same 'fardhu' prayers; why it is so?

Perhaps during Ramadan, the people wanted to perform the yearly 'solat sunat tarawih' (recommended tarawih prayers) which was held in mass soon after 'solat isyak' thus they have no choice but to perform 'solat isyak' in mass first but after Ramadan, many people were back to square on.

Another 'ustaz' (religious teacher) during his 'tazkirah' (lessons) recently which I attended, claimed that many of us perform our religious obligations without having proper knowledge about it. 

Many were from the 'ikut-ikutan' (following others) type; they went to the 'masjid' at night during Ramadan, they follow suit. People said Ramadan is a 'barakah' (blessed) month, they too would like to seek for that 'barakah' but they failed to understand which of the 'solat' is more important that the other.

"Of course 'solat isyak' which is a 'fardu' must be paid more attention than the recommended 'solat tawarih'. A 'sunat' obligation cannot surplus a 'fardu' one. Men are supposed to perform 'solat isyak' in mass at the 'masjid' during Ramadan and outside Ramadan, but many of us concentrate doing so in Ramadan but 'forget' it altogether in the remaining 11 months.

"Thus it is a must for a Muslim to seek for knowledge; Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. always encouraged Muslims to acquire knowledge as is clear by his famous statement: “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave,” said the 'ustaz'.

So what happened? Where have all those people gone? No sooner is Ramadan over than we have gone back to the way it was before.

Many people were attracted to do 'solat tarawih' because it is an annually event - people get exited to 'new things'- for example people's appetite are good if we serve them KFC once in a while but "who could eat KFC for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday?

People too 'get excited and attracted' to perform the 'solat sunat Aidilfiitri and Aidiladha' (Eid recommended prayers) but many distance themselves from performing the weekly compulsory 'solat Jumaat' (Friday prayers) whats more the five times daily prayers. We could witnessed congregators spilled out of 'masjids' during Eid prayers. 

People get bored eating or doing the same things over and over again. As for the daily five times compulsory prayers (subuh, zuhur, asar, maghrib and isyak), not many people could tirelessly perform them whats more at earliest time possible and at the 'masjid' in mass.

Perhaps you could not take KFC every time you are at the dinner table but you could have rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yes you could eat it and the next day you still crave for rice. You do not feel bored with rice; you need it everyday...

'Solat tarawih' is like taking KFC while the five times daily prayers is like taking rice...if your body is designed to take rice a few times in a day, you soul too needs to be 'refresh' every now and then...then 'solat' (prayers) is the answer to calm up your soul...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)

Another first 'ustaz' explained 'the phenomena' by saying that many Muslims lack 'istiqamah' (consistently) in their 'ibadah' (acts of devotion to Allah SWT). "We must maintain our good deeds even small at all times until we were called by Allah SWT. There is no such thing such as boring in performing good deeds."

He said, other than the compulsory 'ibadah' such as performing our five times 'fardu prayers'  and giving 'zakat', there are many other 'sunat' (recommended) good deeds - say if we were tired of performing recommended prayers we could switch to reading the Qur'an and then change to saying our 'zikir' (dhikr). We can also go out of our home to visit unfortunate people and give away money as part of our recommended good deeds (sadaqah).

The 'ustaz' also recommended all Muslims to go to 'masjids' to see for themselves what activities are in store for them other than the mass five times daily prayers. It it might include works of charity and if there is not an existing group perhaps you could suggest to other congregators or to the 'imam' that you would like to start one.

During Ramadan, 'masjids' have 'successfully' attracted a good number of people during 'isyak', but outside the holy month, where have they all gone to...? 

Another 'ustaz' said: "Don't be a 'hamba' (servant) of Ramadan but always be 'istiqamah' in being Allah's servant!