Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 136

Understanding Isra' Mi'raj as a layman

***
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)
***
“GLORY to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,- in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things).” - Al-Israa': 1
Subhanallah, how time flies...we are now observing Isra' (Israk) and Mi'raj (Mikraj) at the end of the month of Rajab; in a month time (after the month of Shaaban) it would be Ramadan (the fasting month) then it would be 'Hari Raya Aidilfitri'.
Isra' and Mi'raj was the miraculous night journey of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. (peace be upon him) from Makkah to al-Quds (Jerusalem) and from there he ascended to the upper heavens and Sidratul-Muntaha. This journey is believed to have taken place just over a year before Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. migrated from Makkah to Madinah, on the 27th of Rajab. 
In welcoming the month of Rajab, Shaaban and Ramadan, it is advisable for Muslims to increase their good deeds to get closer to Allah SWT. Ramadan is the month when good deeds will be rewarded multi-fold by Allah SWT. It it is ‘Lailatul Qadr’ (the Night of Destiny) where one would be rewarded for his/her deeds for that night better than a 1,000 months. 
However it is norm for some Muslim Malays in Malaysia to focus on 'Hari Raya' compared to Ramadan - nowadays stores, shops and other business identities are going all out to promote their wares. Perhaps 'Hari Raya' sales is synonym to some housewives (women) who would like not only themselves 'to be brand new' such as in dressing' but also their homes - they would change carpets, curtains and cushion covers.
Back to 'our Isra' and Mi'raj story' - in one of the 'tazkirah' (lessons) on the subject by an 'ustaz' (religious teacher), he made a comparison between the event and 'Hijra' that was Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. journey from Makkah to Madinah after 13 years propagating Islam in the city.
To his audience, the 'ustaz' stressed that Isra' and Mi'raj was a test to the human race regarding their faith (iman) where else 'Hijra' was clearly an example for Muslims to put into practice regarding their journey in life.
To the human mind, it was impossible for the Prophet s.a.w. to make the Isra' and Mi'raj journey in not more than a night because for the journey from Makkah to al Quds, Arab caravans travelling by camels at that time needed one month and another one month for the journey back. Nowadays travelling by plane for the same journey of some 1,000 kilometers takes a few hours.
And for the journey from Jerusalem to the upper heavens and Sidratul-Muntaha, only Prophet Muhammad s.a.w as the chosen one by Allah SWT could make it and he took a short period of time.
If Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. could went to Jerusalem, to Sidratul-Muntaha and back to Makkah 'just like lightning', then why his 'Hijra' journey of Makkah-Madinah which was only about 400 kilometers, he and his best companion, Abu Bakar took a long time? Why didn't he traveled 'like lightning' to the city?
The 'ustaz' said Isra' and Mi'raj was a 'mukjizat' (miracle) blessed by Allah SWT to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.. Allah SWT acknowledged so in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Israa': 1 with the meaning: “Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,- in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things).” - Al-Israa': 1
The  'ustaz'  said Allah SWT, The Almighty, The Most Powerful on everything and matters in the universe could do anything as He wish including taking Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. for a journey from Makkah to al-Quds and then to the upper heavens in a short span of time, that is not even a night.
It was Allah SWT that made the journey possible. Allah is The Creator of time and space. It is His wish to do anything including time. In Ayahs 80-81 Surah Yasin, Allah SWT says: “Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth Able to create the like of them? Aye, that He is! for He is the All-Wise Creator. But His command, when He intendeth a thing, is only that he saith unto it: Be! And it is.”
For the understanding of a layman (ordinary people); the 'ustaz' gave an example. You are bound for a journey to London from Kuala Lumpur. You wanted to spend a few days only. When you packed your suitcase, an ant accidently was trapped inside it. It went to London with you. 
When you were back, the ant went out of the bag and to some of his friends he told them he had gone to London, some 10,000 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur. Would the another ants believed that he had gone and back from London only for a few days? They would laughed at the ant and accused it as being mad but the fact was that the ant was telling the truth!
Isra' and Mi'raj was a miracle and all was needed from us was to believe it. It was a test of faith (imam) that is to surrender ourselves to Allah SWT, The Most Powerful Who could do anything He wishes. 
But what about 'Hijra'?, asked the 'ustaz' who continued: "The Prophet s.a.w. was setting an example for us lead our own life. We must strive, work hard, be patience, honest and most important be always be modest and humble among human beings and to Allah SWT surrender ourselves wholeheartedly. There is no short cut to success either in worldly matters or in the 'akhirah' (Hereafter).
Another ustaz in his talk on Isra' and Mi'raj, cautioned congregators, that time seemed and was being felt 'to be  shorter by each day'. "I am sure that many of us realize that time flies fast. After waking up in the morning, then its midday, and then its evening and then we are back in the morning..."
Regarding 'this feeling', Anas reported that the messenger of Allah said: "The hour (Doomsday) shall not come until time will be considered short, and a year will appear like a month, a month like a week, a week like a day, a day like an hour and an hour like a flash of fire." (Tirmidhi)
Thus, the ustaz reminded Muslims not to waste their time; there is a hadith which states: "Grasp five things before five others: your youth before your decrepitude, your health before you fall sick, your wealth before going into poverty, your free time before you get busy and lastly your life before your death. (Tirmidhi)
He said one aspect of importance regarding Isra' and Mi'raj was regarding 'solat' (prayers) which was ordered by Allah SWT directly to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w at Sidratul-Muntaha.
"Thus," said the ustaz. "Muslims must remember that their 'solat' are their 'mi'raj' to Allah SWT. By doing 'solat' they have a direct link to Allah SWT. If you remember Allah SWT, He will remember you, if you do not, then you are lost in this world and what more in the Hereafter."
Allah created time; hence He can do whatever He wants to with it. If the Prophet could travel, witness and experience many miracles during the short span of time (according to human being calculation) during Isra' and Mi'raj, Allah SWT out of His Mercy has also awarded Muslims bountiful rewards in the Hereafter if they perform their good deeds including performing 'solat' during special times and places.
For example when one performs his obligations and good deeds during ‘Lailatul Qadr’ (the Night of Destiny) during Ramadan, then he/she would be rewarded for his/her deeds for that night better than a thousand months (1 night = 83 years 4 months!).
Then if one performs his obligations for example saying his prayers in the Haram Masjid, then he would be rewarded 100,000 times more than the rewards at ordinary masjids. At the Prophet’s Masjid in Madinah it is 1,000 times and at the Al-Aqsa Masjid it is 500 times!
In conclusion, Allah SWT Is The Most Powerful; (remember Ayah 1 of Surah 17 (Al-Israa’) begins with 'Subhanallah' with the meaning Glory to Allah), thus He can  do whatever He wishes including those which contradict the law of nature such as Isra' and Mi'raj and turn the huge fire which was to burn Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) a.s. cold and the Prophet was saved from it and how He made seven youth sleep in a cave for more than 300 years as mentioned in Surah Al-Kahfi.

"My religion is Islam; not Sunnis, Shias..."

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.
***
TURKISH President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his opening speech at the annual summit meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul recently said: "My religion is not that of Sunnis, of Shias. My religion is Islam."
Surprised at 'this controversial remark' and curious to know whether I could be a Muslim only; not to be associated by any sect (such as Sunnis and Shias) I posed questions to several 'ustazs' (religious teachers) regarding what was being said by Erdogan in Istanbul, considered a symbolic host city because of its former status as the capital of the Ottoman Empire, whose rulers were considered the caliphs of Islam.  
An 'ustaz' said in his opinion the Turkish President was only making a political remark...he was addressing leaders of Islamic world including key guests such as Saudi Arabian King Salman and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who were looked upon as leaders of the Sunnis and Shias people of the world respectively. Both countries are now locked on opposing sides in the Syria and Yemen conflicts and on other issues.
Erdogan was quoted: “Sectarianism is the biggest source of danger facing the Muslim world. We must unite to solve these problem ourselves...We should be be uniting, not dividing. We should strengthened alliances, not disputes; fondness, not animosity. Out of the conflicts, the disputes, the hostility only the Muslims suffer, only Islam countries suffer. We should increase friends and decrease enemies."
Turkey, now chairman of OIC; an umbrella for more than 50 countries, for the next two years said it wanted to narrow differences between the world's estimated 1.7 billion Muslims. Thus it was a relief to hear Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stressing that his side was against any message that fuels division in the Islamic 'ummah' (Muslim community).
The presence of King Salman in the summit too speak volumes about the importance of unity among Muslims regardless they are from the Sunni or Shia sect, but analysts have warned that Turkey (as the new chairman of OIC) needs to tread carefully in its alliance with Saudi Arabia, which is also overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, so it is not seen as a sectarian alliance aimed at Shia-majority Iran, with whom Riyadh is locked in a diplomatic struggle for influence in the Gulf region.
Several months ago, Saudi Arabia-Iran relation was at the lowest level after Riyadh executed Syeikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, a senior Shia cleric in the kingdom. The dispute between both countries was for decades but in late 1997, Iran which was chosen to host the 8th OIC summit, opened up its arms to Muslims brothers worldwide and it was embraced by the Saudis.
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 a long time. It 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. 
As a journalist covering the event, I was touched by the declaration of the summit, among other things the OIC promised a bright future for the 'ummah' in the next century ((21st). Furthermore  the summit was the last in the 20th century, whats more it was held in the post era of the First Gulf War which saw the United States destroying Iraq but not to the extend of overthrowing Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein.
Now, we are in the 21st century but sadly the OIC promise was just a promise...the Muslim 'ummah' from Libya to Syria, from Xinjiang (China) to Kashmir (India), from Arakan (home of the Rohinga people of Myanmar) to Southern Philippines and of course in Palestine are living in dire conditions and situations and worst still relations between Islamic countries are fast escalating to the lowest level. 
Some analysts claimed that the Saudi Arabian-Iran and countries in their block are now at the brink of war; perhaps it was timely that Erdogan in his opening speech of the OIC summit declared that he is neither a Sunni or a Shia but a Muslim...well could we too claimed so?
Other than the 'ustaz' who said Erdogan's remark was only a political move, another 'ustaz' claimed that the Turkish President was right if we were to look at the meaning of his remark in the context of language and logic - for example when a person ask somebody about his/religion, automatically a Muslim would said he/she is of the Islamic faith; he/she would not be saying he/she is a Sunni or a Shia.
Erdogan was right in saying he is a Muslim not a Sunni or Shia because all the Muslims agree that Allah is One, Muhammad (s.a.w.) is His last Prophet, the Qur'an is His last Book for mankind, and one day Allah SWT will resurrect all human beings, and they will be questioned about the belief and actions but there are major disagreements between the two schools such as regarding political power.
More than 85 percent of the world’s 1.7 billion Muslims are Sunni. They live across the Arab world, as well as in countries like Turkey, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia. Iran, Iraq and Bahrain are largely Shias. The Saudi royal family, which practices an austere and conservative strand of Sunni Islam known as Wahhabism, controls Islam’s holiest shrines, Mecca and Medina. Karbala, Kufa and Najaf in Iraq are revered shrines for the Shias.
Saudi Arabia and Iran, the dominant Sunni and Shia powers in the Middle East, often take opposing sides in regional conflicts. In Yemen, Shia rebels from the north, the Houthis, overthrew a Sunni-dominated government, leading to an invasion by a Saudi-led coalition. In Syria, which has a Sunni majority, the Alawite Shias sect of President Bashar al-Assad, which has long dominated the government, clings to power amid a bloody civil war. And in Iraq, bitter resentments between the Shia-led government and Sunni communities have contributed to victories by the Islamic State. (NYT)
Finally could we declared that "my religion is not that of Sunnis, of Shias. My religion is Islam" as what had been said by Erdogan? The answer was a firm no by another 'ustaz' unless your knowledge on Islam surplus great Islamic scholars such as the four 'imams' (Ahmad Hambal, Malik, Shafie and Abu Hanifah), Imam Al-Ghazali, Imam Nawawi or during our time, Dr Yusof Al-Qaradhawi.
It was said Al-Qaradhawi worked hard for the better relationship and understanding between the Sunnis and Shias but sadly the result was as what we see today.
The 'ustaz' asked, why made it hard for ourselves in understanding religion for those great 'imams' and in this part of the world, our 'tok guru' had 'packaged' nicely the teaching of the Prophet s.a.w. for us to follow...our duty as an unlearned person with many shortcomings such as without knowledge of the Arabic language is to learn as much we could from 'respected teachers' and put into practice of what we had learned!

PM/KM seluruh rakyat; bukan BN saja

DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. 
Renungan
"Dan Dia yang menjadikan malam dan siang silih berganti bagi orang yang ingin mengambil pelajaran atau orang yang bersyukur." (Surah Al-Furqan; ayat 62) 
DI tepi sebuah persimpangan jalan berlampu trafik, saya lihat ada satu papan tanda gergasi memaparkan gambar Perdana Menteri (PM) Najib Razak. Perkataan yang ditulis menyatakan sokongan satu Umno Bahagian kepada PM. Di bawah sekali ada ditulis #Respect My PM (Hormati PM Saya).
Saya memikir-mikirkan maksud slogan itu. Ya, ada yang tak kena. 'Respect My PM' boleh bermaksud meminta seseorang atau sesuatu pihak itu 'menghormati PM saya'...orang atau pihak yang diminta menghormati PM itu seolah-olah ada PM mereka sendiri.
Pada pandangan hamba yang daif ini, slogan itu seharusnya ditulis 'Respect Our PM'. Barulah ia bermaksud 'saya' dan 'kamu' perlu menghormati PM kita. Sekalipun 'kesilapan' (maklum balas daripada pakar-pakar bahasa amat dialu-alukan) slogan itu dari segi bahasa dan kefahaman mungkin dianggap kecil sesetengah pihak, tetapi menyingkap bahawa ada di kalangan kita terlalu taksub berpolitik sehingga terlupa pemimpin yang menang dalam pilihan raya seterusnya dilantik untuk sesuatu jawatan dalam kerajaan seperti Perdana Menteri adalah PM untuk semua rakyat bukan PM Umno atau PM BN dan sebagainya.
Jadi, jika PM mewakili semua rakyat; adalah janggal untuk memakai slogan #Respect My PM. Seseorang itu mungkin berkata, "itu PM awak, awak punya pasallah...buat apa aku 'respect' sebab aku ada PM sendiri."
Bagi pilihan raya negeri Sarawak pada 7 Mei nanti, pemimpin yang dipilih sebagai KM perlulah ingat bahawa beliau adalah KM bagi seluruh rakyat Sarawak bukan KM BN atau KM Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
Tidak lama dulu Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Khairy Jamaluddin beriltizam menjadi Menteri Belia dan Sukan Malaysia dan bukan Menteri Belia BN. Permintaan Khairy untuk menjadi seorang menteri bagi seluruh rakyat Malaysia, mengukuhkan lagi dakwaan bahawa selama ini pemimpin BN termasuk PM dan anggota Kabinetnya berkhidmat untuk kepentingan BN. 
Berdasarkan situasi ini, wujudlah pelbagai masalah dan pihak paling teruk menerima akibatnya adalah rakyat. Ini kerana bukan semua rakyat mendapat perkhimatan sama rata - banyak pihak termasuk kerajaan negeri tersisih semata-mata kerana mereka tidak sealiran politik.
Keazaman Khairy untuk menjadi menteri bagi semua, adalah satu lonjakan ke arah politik baru yang insya-Allah akan membuka dimensi baru senario politik tanah air. Sekalipun PM dan anggota Kabinet selama ini banyak berkhidmat untuk kepentingan BN, kita tidak mengharapkan politik balas dendam sebaliknya mengesyorkan pemimpin BN bermuhasabah diri; Khairy sudah menunjukkan jalan, mulai sekarang berkhidmatlah sebagai PM dan menteri untuk semua rakyat.
Sebagai pemimpin semua rakyat, adalah wajar untuk mereka menghentikan segala amalan kurang sihat seperti menafikan hak kerajaan negeri dalam Persekutuan, hak ahli Parlimen dan Adun pembangkang mendapat peruntukan pembangunan dan mengamalkan politik peras ugut yang berleluasa ke atas agensi dan kakitangan kerajaan. Sewajarnya PM bertindak sebagai seorang negarawan dan bukan pemimpin parti politiknya. PM dan barisan kepimpinannya perlu dapat membezakan antara 'negara', 'kerajaan' dan 'parti politik'. 
Sesebuah masyarakat bakal mengundang krisis sekiranya gagal membezakan ketiga-tiga identiti ini. Misalnya Umno adalah sebuah parti politik dan jika ia dan gabungannya ditakdirkan diberi mandat oleh rakyat untuk menjadi sebuah kerajaan, maka kerajaan ini perlulah berkhidmat untuk semua rakyat termasuklah mereka yang menyokong dan menentangnya.
Sebarang kemudahan termasuk peruntukan disediakan adalah untuk semua rakyat; ini kerana dana awam diperolehi adalah sumber negara yang dimiliki semua rakyat. Penentang Umno tetap membayar cukai seandainya Umno-BN memerintah. Sesiapa sahaja boleh menegur dan menjatuhkan kerajaan sedia ada melalui pilihan raya bebas dan adil, tetapi menentang kerajaan tidak bermaksud antinegara. Rakyat menegur dan mengkritik kerajaan demi kebaikan negara. 
Namun apa yang berlaku selama ini, rakyat dikelirukan untuk mempercayai bahawa parti politik yang menang pilihan raya (Umno BN) adalah kerajaan dan negara; justeru itu siapa saja penentang Umno-BN dianggap sebagai pengkianat kepada kedua-dua identiti ini. 
Media massa arus perdana mempromosi seolah-olah Umno BN itu adalah kerajaan dan kerajaan itu adalah Umno BN. Sebarang percubaan mengkritik atau langkah untuk menggantikan Umno BN sekalipun melalui pilihan raya dilabelkan sebagai tindakan pengkhianat sedangkan pihak yang bertindak sedemikian melakukannya dalam kerangka demokrasi berperlembagaan yang menjadi teras sistem pemerintahan negara.

'Asalkan dari Barat, semuanya bagus'

DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. 
Renungan
"Kalau sekiranya perempuan ahli syurga (termasuk bidadari) datang kepada penduduk bumi, nescaya akan disinarinya dunia antara langit dan bumi dan terpenuhinya dengan bau harum semerbak. Sesungguhnya tutup kepalanya lebih baik daripada dunia dan isinya." (HR. Bukhari) 
KISAH warga Jerman, Christoph Mueller yang pada Disember 2014 dilantik Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Malaysia Airlines (MAS) dan kemudian meletakkan jawatan secara mendadak baru-baru ini (kontrak tiga tahunnya belum tamat) mengingatkan saya betapa masyarakat kita terlalu menyanjung apa saja dari Barat (termasuk orangnya).
Seolah-olah apa saja dari Barat 'bagus belaka'; orang Barat difikirkan mulia, hebat dan ada 'tongkat sakti' yang dapat membantu dalam apa saja pemasalahan kita. Teringat betapa saya juga menyanjungi orang Barat (ada perasaan rendah diri) dan ini salah satu daripada kisahnya.
Kira-kira 30 tahun lalu, ketika saya seorang wartawan pelatih di unit ekonomi sebuah akhbar harian, pengarangnya, seorang lelaki Tionghua, mengarahkan saya mewawancara sekumpulan pelabur British yang baru sampai di negara ini.
Melihat saya kurang yakin dengan diri sendiri, beliau berkata lebih kurang begini: "Kenapa kau? Kau takut? Hoi kawan, 'mat saleh' ini manusia jugak. Tidak ada beza dengan kau. 'Mat saleh' dengan kita, sama saja. Kau berakkan tahi, 'mat saleh' pun berak tahi. Depa tak berak emas! Usah takutlah. 'Go, go'!" 
Demikianlah, sebagai seorang Melayu, juga anak Timur yang sering kali dikaitkan dengan sifat lemah-lembut dan kerap memandang hebat bangsa dari Barat, secara jujur diakui perasaan gentar berhadapan dengan orang Barat (dan juga orang besar) sentiasa bersarang di hati. 
Saya percaya perasaan ini bukan saja bermain di hati saya seorang tetapi juga pada sebahagian besar penduduk rantau sebelah Timur. Apa saja didatangkan dari Barat dianggap hebat manakala pencapaian bangsa dan negara sendiri diperlekeh. Tidak cukup dengan itu, ada saja yang datang dari Timur dianggap 'koman' dan tidak diguna pakai. 
Anggapan kononnya Barat itu hebat adalah warisan peninggalan penjajah yang berjaya dikurangkan oleh Jepun yang pada awal abad lalu berjaya menewaskan kuasa besar dunia (Amerika dan Soviet Union) dalam beberapa pertempuran. Ia membawa kebangkitan rakyat di negara-negara terjajah, menyebabkan kebanyakannya mencapai kemerdekaan pada tahun 1940-an dan 50-an. 
Pada era mutakhir ini, kuasa Barat terutama Amerika Syarikat menampilkan kehebatannya dan hal ini tidak berani disanggah oleh mana-mana pihak. Amerikalah menjadi paksi dunia dengan semua negara, tidak kira kecil atau besar tunduk padanya.
Presiden Amerika bagaikan Presiden dunia dan tindakannya dilihat sebagai untuk mempertahan atau menyelamatkan dunia daripada segala ancaman termasuk daripada pihak digelar pengganas dan juga oleh makhluk jahat dari angkasa lepas. 
Disebabkan pengguasaan Amerika ke atas media massa, maka tersebarlah kehebatan watak-watak ini di seluruh dunia menyebabkan penduduk bumi kagum, terpesona dan tunduk kepada bangsa Amerika dan negara Barat lain yang difikirkan mereka begitu hebat sekali. 
Kehebatan Amerika benar-benar ditunjukkan kepada seluruh penduduk dunia dalam episodnya menghancurkan Afghanistan dan Iraq dengan senjata-senjata terkini yang sudah pasti di luar jangkauan negara lain untuk memilikinya. 
Demikianlah betapa hebatnya Amerika dari sudut pandangan penduduk dunia, apatah lagi di negara-negara Dunia Ketiga. Semua perkara termasuk dari segi agama perlu mendapat 'kelulusan' (approval) daripada Presiden di Washington. 
Amerika juga boleh menamakan negara Islam contoh, negara Islam radikal, negara Islam sederhana (wasatiyyah) malah ia boleh menentukan apa yang boleh dan tidak boleh dipelajari di Al-Azhar dan institusi Islam lain termasuk madrasah di seluruh dunia. 
Pembunuhan ratusan ribu rakyat Afghanistan dan Iraq sama ada melalui serangan udara atau kesan daripada peperangan, seolah-olah mahu menunjukkan bahawa nilai nyawa orang awam bukan Amerika adalah murah sekali sedangkan jika rakyat Amerika 'diusik' (seperti serangan ke atas WTC di New York yang menyebabkan lebih 2,700 warganya terbunuh), Presidennya akan menuntut bela, memburu pihak disyaki seperti Osama Ben Laden sampai ke lubang cacing. 
Berdasarkan ini, bolehlah diandaikan rakyat Amerika 'berdarah biru' sedangkan darah merah penduduk yang kerap mengalir di bumi Palestin, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Selatan Thai, Selatan Filipina, Bosnia, Chechnya tidak ada nilai langsung. 
Amerika terus dengan keangkuhannya manakala penduduk dunia memandangnya dengan penuh rasa takjub sehinggalah mereka dikejutkan dengan sejumlah bencana alam seperti taufan yang menyaksikan ramai orang Amerika mati.
Rupa-rupanya mereka manusia biasa juga, darah mereka pun merah. Penduduknya juga ada hati, ada perasaan. Mereka adalah manusia biasa. Jadi tidak benarlah gembar-gembur kehebatan Amerika yang dihebahkan di seluruh dunia. Kita tertanya-tanya mana dia Superman, mana dia Batman, mana dia Spiderman yang dapat membantu manusia yang sengsara. 
Satu pertanyaan besar, mana dia Presiden yang melalui filem-filem Hollywood digambarkan sebagai penyelamat dunia? Hairan juga kita kerana angkara bencana alam tidak dapat dikendalikannya bagaimana pula dia hendak menyelamatkan dunia daripada serangan makhluk angkasa lepas yang sering digambarkan dalam filem-filem Amerika.
Hakikatnya, rakyat Amerika dan penduduk negara Barat lain yang sesetengah daripada kita sanjung-sanjung itu ada sama dengan kita. Ertinya, manusia itu serupa. Tidak ada kelompok manusia lebih hebat daripada kelompok yang lain. Manusia saling perlu memerlukan antara satu sama lain untuk meneruskan kesinambungan hidup. 
Sebagai contoh mudah, setiap apa yang didambakan manusia adalah hasil kerja orang lain. Nasi yang disuap adalah daripada hasil kerja petani, ikan yang disuap datangnya daripada nelayan manakala sayur-mayurnya diusahakan oleh si petani. Demikianlah manusia itu serupa saja dan pada perkiraan Allah SWT, manusia itu dinilai dari segi takwanya. 
Rakyat Amerika perlu sedar jika pemerintah mereka dengan bongkaknya mengebom dunia dengan bom atom dan nuklear, dunia akan rosak dan akibatnya juga akan ditanggung oleh mereka. Tiada tempat di dunia akan selamat jika pemerintah zalim dibenarkan bertindak sesuka hatinya.
Bagi masyarakat kita pula, penyakit memandang hebat apa yang datang dari Barat sudah 'membarah' dalam kehidupan. Sebagai contoh, jika Presiden Amerika berkata kita adalah negara Islam contoh dengan wasatiyyahnya, kita bangga. 
Demikian juga pandangan pakar-pakar Barat mengenai negara kita akan disanjung dan disiarkan secara besar-besaran dalam media massa. Jika seorang pakar Amerika berkata, ekonomi kita adalah yang terbaik di rantau Asia Pasifik, kita pun mendabik bangga. 
Kebanggaan berdasarkan pujian orang Barat ini adalah bertepatan dengan istilah 'Third World mentality' (mentaliti Dunia Ketiga). Bagi mereka apa saja dari Barat adalah bagus. 
Jika pemimpin bergantung kepada apa pandangan dunia Barat terhadap kita, janganlah hairan jika orang kita terus mengganggap apa saja yang datang dari Barat adalah yang terbaik. Dan individu Barat seperti Christoph Mueller ada 'tongkat ajaib' yang dapat menyelamatkan kita! Benarkah begitu?

Islam in Malaysia comes from India?

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.
***
ALHAMDULILLAH, I managed to get a seat in Dewan Besar, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) on Sunday night, April 17 to follow Dr Zakir Naik's lecture entitled 'Islam - Problems and Solutions to Humanity'. 
The hall was 'full house', accommodating about 5,000 people including many 'not yet Muslims' while about 20,000 people thronged outside the hall; perhaps they had to be satisfied by watching the events via several large screens.
During the question and answer (dialogue) session which dominated the event which prolonged until past midnight, a 24-year-old student of UTeM recited the 'syahadah' (declaration of the Islamic faith). 
Senkiram Dharma, 24, who was previously a Hindu, among others said:  "I have been waiting for this (converting to Islam) for 24 years. I also have a twin who has already converted to Islam." 
He also told the audiences of the pack hall, he did so out of free will without being coerced or pressured by anyone. He had learned about Islam for many years. The Muslim-convert was later escorted to the main stage where he was embraced by the renowned Islamic preacher from India and was presented with a Qur'an. 
Before coming to Melaka, Dr Zakir in his series of talk in Terengganu and Kuala Lumpur attracted large crowds of people and it was reported that a student of the Christian faith declared the 'syahadah' in the turtle state while in the capital (the hockey stadium in Bukit Jalil), five individuals did so.
Dr Zakir is from India...well thinking about this I could not help from reflecting lessons I had learned for the Islamic History which I took as a part of the History paper in which I sat for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) examination in 1981.
On the topic of 'Islam in Nusantara (South East Asia)' there were discussion on the theories of the coming of Islam to this part of the world. In general three theories were forwarded by scholars namely 'Islam comes from the Arab world (namely Yemen or Hadhramaut) and Persia', 'Islam comes from India' and 'Islam comes from China'.
Among intellectuals who suggested that 'Islam comes from India' were Snouk Hurgronje, Thomas Arnold, GP Moquette and B Harrisson. They claimed Islam were from Gujerat, Malabar and Bengal. A favorite reading for the theory was 'Islam Comes to Malaysia' by Professor S.Q. Fatimi (Malaysian Sociological Research Institute Ltd., Singapore 1963).
In the three principal chapters of his book, Fatimi deals successively with the questions: From where, when and how did Islam come to Malaysia? His answer for the first question is Bengal. In support he draws heavily on Tome Pires' account of Pasai history around 1350 and on etymology. 
During my school days, heated arguments were often witnessed over the subject...Islam in Nusantara comes from where...the Arab world, India or China? Now, based on the way Dr Zakir Naik from India handled his talk and dialogue beautifully during his visit in Malaysia, am I wrong in supporting the theory that Islam in Nusantara comes from India? 
I could picture up how the Indian traders alias preachers used their wisdom and graceful manners during the old days of Malay empires and kingdom such as Melaka, Kedah, Pasai/Perlak, Palembang, Mataram, Aceh and Brunei to coaxed  kings and their high rank officials to accept Islam. In 'Sejarah Melayu' (Malay Annals), it was mentioned about the influence of some powerful Indians on some of the Melaka Sultans.
Now let us look back to Dr Zakir Naik and his series of lectures in Malaysia. As for me, I would like to focus on his event in UTeM Melaka where the 'not yet Muslims' were given priority during the question and answer session. To the 'not yet Muslims', Dr Zakir stressed that if they believe in the only one God and in Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.; then they were already Muslims; only they had not declared it officially that is by taking the 'syahadah'.
Why some of the 'no yet Muslims' taking part in the question and answer session believed in The Only One God and in Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.? In my opinion it was because Dr Zakir stressed that this fact derived from the holy books of of the non-Muslims themselves such as the Veda (Hinduism) and Bible (Christian).
"The Only One God do not have image, without idol, picture and drawing," he read a line or two from the Veda and from the Bible he noted not a verse which Jesus (Prophet Isa a.s.) mentioned that he is the son of God.
Dr Zakir also read from the holy books that mentioned the coming of the last Prophet...he was Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
The believe in The Only One God applies to peoples of other faith other then Islam. In Arabic The Only One God is Allah, thus Allah is not the private God of Muslims.
Allah in Arabic refers to The One and Only True, Universal God of all created things in the seen and unseen worlds. He created them to worship Him. The refusal of anyone to worship Him does not reduce His Majesty as He is independent of needs.
Arab Christians, Arab Jews and Muslims everywhere refer to God as ‘Allah’. The word for God in the Arabic Bible is ‘Allah’. Regarding this matter, Dr Zakir mentioned that it is the duty of every Muslim to refute the believe that Allah has a son...well it was because Allah who says so in the Qur'an: "Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten and there is none like unto Him (Ikhlas 112: 1-4)
It must be made clear in mind that man is incapable of knowing God on his own. He can know God only from what God has revealed about Himself. All the earlier revealed Books of God have either perished or been corrupted by alternations over time.
The only unaltered description of God is found in the Noble Qur’an which was revealed to the last of the prophets, Muhammad s.a.w. It contains the exact Words of God. God is the One and only, independent of all things, has no child or parents, nothing is comparable to Him, and beyond the grasp of human imagination. He calls Himself ‘Allah’ in The Qur’an. This Arabic name has no male or female equivalents, and has no plural.”
Prophet Muhammad s.a.w had shown us His correct path. Rasulullah s.a.w. changed their (the people of Makkah) corrupt and ignorant belief (idol-worshiping) and culture. They transformed from a society who worshiped gods created from stones to a society who worships only Allah; and they discarded all their culture and habits that were forbidden in Islam such as consuming alcohol, adultery, gambling,' ribaa'-based transactions, cheating, bribery, killing female infants and so on.
Allah SWT says in the Al-Qur’an: “And verily, we have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone) and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc, i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah.”
By reading and quoting from 'their holy books' (Bible, Veda etc), Dr Zakir succeeded in convincing some of the 'not yet Muslims' to believe that Allah is The Only One God and Prophet Muhammad is His Last Messenger.
He stressed that never had Jesus (Nabi Isa a.s.) in the Bible mentioned that he is God. In the Bible, we can find in not less then 60 verses, statements as clear as daylight, that God is one and that Jesus is a human being and a prophet. He was never worshiped as God by his Disciples. The mission of Prophet Jesus was the same as all the 124,000 prophets sent to mankind.
Jesus said of his and our God: “And Jesus answered him. The FIRST of all commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord OUR GOD is ONE Lord.” (Mark 12:29).
To those who were 'not yet Muslims' who were involved in the dialogue, Dr Zakir over and over again mentioned - if you believe in The Only One God and in Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., then you are already a Muslim.
"The only thing is that you had not declared it, well would you like to take the 'syahadah' now?  It is in Arabic, would you like to recite it by by following me..."

'Sayang Sarawak sungainya sempit'...

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

Renungan

"Wafatkanlah aku dan keadaan Islam dan gabungkanlah aku dengan orang-orang saleh." (Maksud Ayat 101 Surah Yusuf) 
SELEPAS dua kali mengunjungi Sarawak, saya masih tidak mengerti mengapa dinyatakan sungai di Sarawak sempit. Amat-amatilah lirik lagu Seri Sarawak - Sayang Sarawak sungainya sempit, berbuahnya nenas lamun-lamunan, hendaknya kubawa perahuku sempit, tinggallah emas, tinggallah kenangan.
Sungai-sungai di Sarawak, masya-Allah besar-besar belaka. Sungai (Batang) Rajang amat luas dan panjang (563 kilometer); demikian juga Batang Lupar malah Sungai Sarawak yang 'melewati' ibu negeri Kuching, pun luas dan panjang.
Sungai Rajang adalah terpanjang dan antara paling luas di Malaysia; jadi apa sebenarnya yang 'sempit' itu? Persoalan ini sukar dijawab tetapi mungkin ada yang mahu mengaitkannya dengan politik - al-maklumlah Sarawak akan mengadakan pilihan raya negeri dalam masa terdekat ini.
Penganalisis politik mungkin mahu mengaitkan 'sempit' itu dengan 'bertakhtanya' Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud sebagai Ketua Menteri Sarawak selama 32 tahun - ini satu rekod sukar dipecahkan mana-mana pemimpin apatah lagi pengganti Taib, Tan Sri Adenan Satem awal-awal lagi mendedahkan bahawa pilihan raya kali ini adalah yang terakhir baginya.
Adenan dilantik Ketua Menteri Sarawak pada Mac 2014 dan jika pada pilihan raya nanti, gabungan parti diketuainya menang dan dia dipilih lagi sebagai KM seterusnya berupaya berkhidmat lima tahun lagi, bermakna tempohnya sebagai peneraju kerajaan negeri hanya lapan tahun - tersangat jauh bagi menyaingi Taib Mahmud.
Bagi mana-mana pemerintah terlalu lama memenang kuasa, dikhuatiri 'menjumud'  serta 'menyempitkan' pemikiran rakyat. Rakyat hanya mengenal stail (style) dan pendekatannya saja sedangkan dunia sentiasa berubah. Adalah tidak munasabah untuk generasi baru menerima pandangan lama sepenuhnya...mereka mendambakan perubahan. Jika melihat kepantasan perubahan dalam dunia ICT sekarang ini pun kita tahu golongan lama tidak mampu mengejarnya...
Adenan ketika mula menjadi KM juga mahu keluar daripada 'suasana sempit' yang membelenggu rakyat berikutan cengkaman pemimpin terdahulu terlama lalu. Misalnya sebaik-baik dilantik KM, beliau menonjolkan usahanya meraih faedah untuk rakyat Sarawak iaitu mendapatkan lebih banyak royalti bagi minyak dan gas.
Pada 6 Mei 2014 semua anggota Dun Sarawak menyokong Rang Undang-Undang Penambahan Royalti daripada lima peratus kepada 20 peratus; persoalannya apakah tuntutan pemimpin dan rakyat Sarawak ini sudah terlaksana?
Usaha bagi mendapatkan penambahan royalti ini menjadi buah mulut rakyat Sarawak sehingga ada berfikir ke depan dengan membandingkan pencapaian pembangunan negeri ini dengan negeri-negeri lain di Semenanjung. Terkesan juga mereka dengan 'situasi sebuah negeri yang kaya raya dengan rakyat terutama nun di pedalaman miskin-miskin belaka'.
Ya, 'Sayang Sarawak sungainya sempit...' hanyalah antara seni kata sebuah lagu tetapi hakikatnya rakyat Sarawak berjiwa besar, mereka mahu melihat negeri mereka lebih maju atau setidak-tidak setara dengan negeri-negeri di Semenanjung. Kemajuan bukan bermaksud membabitkan negeri saja tetapi juga kehidupan rakyat tidak kiralah mereka yang tinggal di kota seperti Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu dan Miri atau jauh di pedalaman seperti Belaga, Long Banga dan Sungai Asap.
Kemajuan juga bukan hanya bermaksud dari segi fizikalnya tetapi juga spiritualnya. Sebagai contoh, bumi Sarawak kaya dengan hasil alam, misalnya balak (pada tahun 2013 eksport balak dan produknya bernilai RM7,057,890,230) manakala royalti daripada hasil hutan adalah RM544,805,073; tetapi rakyat kebanyakan 'terkebil-kebil saja' kerana kehidupan mereka tetap sama menepati satu ungkapan terkenal 'dulu, kini dan selama-lamanya' sedangkan perubahan di sekeliling mereka 'dahsyat sekali'. Di kota-kota, bangunan besar dan hebat termasuk masjid pun sungguh gah tetapi 'rakyat tak berdaya' semakin lama semakin hanyut dalam arus pembangunan.
Hal ini membawa maksud ada 'penyamun tarbus' di mana-mana dalam 'membaham' hasil negeri. Tidak guna negeri kaya raya tetapi ada ramai 'penyarmun tarbus' bermaharajalela. Ini termasuklah golongan yang bermuka-muka, hidup bagaikan gunting dalam lipatan atau dalam bahasa orang sekarang 'cakap tak serupa bikin'. Mereka berlagak bagaikan 'pemimpin alim dan suci', hakikatnya merekalah yang 'membaham' hasil negeri.
'Penyamun tarbus' yang 'meragut' hasil negeri termasuklah kayu balak, daripada serendah-rendah kedudukan sehinggalah 'yang menongkat langit dan tinggal dalam istana' perlu diheret ke muka pengadilan. Jika pemimpin sekarang tidak mampu melakukannya, usah gila untuk terus berkuasa...dan kepada rakyat yang sudah sedar akan 'cakap tak serupa bikin' pemimpin-pemimpin ini, 'humbankan' mereka dalam pilihan raya akan datang.
Sarawak, tanah bertuah kaya sumber alam yang keluasannya 124,450 kilometer persegi iaitu hampir sama luas dengan Semenanjung Malaysia dengan jumlah penduduk hanya kecil (2.5 juta), adalah medan berpotensi untuk melakar kejayaan fizikal dan spiritual....hanya jika rakyatnya bijak menggunakan 'kuasa' pada pilihan raya negeri Mei ini! 
Percayalah rakyat Sarawak tidak sempit pemikiran mereka sebagaimana mereka didoktrin dan didendangkan sejak sekian lama melalui pelbagai cara termasuklah pemimpin berkuasa lama dan seni kata lagu...Sayang Sarawak sungainya sempit!

Ini bumi Allah, bukan bumi manusia...

DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. 
Renungan
"Kalau sekiranya perempuan ahli syurga (termasuk bidadari) datang kepada penduduk bumi, nescaya akan disinarinya dunia antara langit dan bumi dan terpenuhinya dengan bau harum semerbak. Sesungguhnya tutup kepalanya lebih baik daripada dunia dan isinya." (HR. Bukhari) 
HARI Bumi disambut 22 April lalu pada ketika negara kita membahang panas. Di masjid tidak jauh dari rumah saya diadakan solat sunat istisqa' (memohon hujan) selepas kuliah subuh hari Ahad, 24 April. Pada kuliah subuh hari itu sang ustaz memberi penerangan mengenai solat istisqa' di samping hal-hal berkaitan keadaan yang membahang panas sekarang ini.
Kata ustaz, sekarang ini masyarakat kita terlalu banyak melakukan maksiat dan kezaliman, jadi bertaubatlah dan minta ampun kepada Allah SWT. Keadaan membahang yang kalau boleh dikatakan bahana diturunkan oleh Allah SWT itu baru sedikit tetapi sudah tidak tertanggungkan manusia, jadi marilah kita bersama-sama membulatkan hati, menekadkan keazaman bagi menjunjung segala perintah-Nya. 
Sesungguhnya ini bumi Allah, bukan bumi manusia yang membolehkan manusia membuat sesuka hati masing-masing dengan manusia mengamalkan hukum rimba; yang berkuasa menekan dan menindas yang lemah. Jika Allah SWT mahu menghancurkan umat manusia, hal ini boleh dilakukan mengikut kehendak-Nya, jadi masihkah kita mahu mendabik dada mengaku dunia ini kita punya?
Perilaku manusia yang degil, tidak mahu tunduk kepada perintah Allah SWT ini yang kemudian dimusnahkan dirakamkan oleh-Nya dalam al-Quran melalui kisah kaum Nabi Nuh, Ad, Tsamut, Lut dan sebagainya. Hari ini, manusia mengulangi kisah sama, membuat maksiat dan onar seolah-olah dunia ini milik mereka. 
Apabila kekufuran dan kemaksiatan sudah berleluasa, kita bimbang umat manusia hanya menunggu bala daripada-Nya. Inilah yang paling kita takuti, kerana bala itu tidak mengenal siapa, orang beriman dan tidak beriman sama-sama terkena akibatnya. 
Sesungguhnya bala daripada Allah SWT tersangat dekat, tetapi tertahan disebabkan adanya orang tua rukuk kepada-Nya, anak-anak muda yang taat kepada agama-Nya, bayi-bayi yang masih menyusu dan binatang melata di muka bumi. Kini dunia semakin dibakar kepanasan disebabkan maksiat manusia.
Apabila manusia menganggap dunia ini milik mereka, mereka berpesta bermaksiat di atasnya, mengetepikan sama sekali perintah-Nya. Tetapi itu hanyalah sementara, apabila Allah kehendaki, Dia akan lenyapkan segala-galanya kerana bumi ini milik-Nya. Manusia hanya menumpang, sejurus cuma, ibarat berteduh di bawah sebatang pokok sebelum pergi buat selamanya!
Demikianlah pandangan 'orang agama' mengenai punca bahana yang menimpa manusia seperti cuaca panas membayang sekarang ini. Namun ada pejuang alam sekitar termasuk yang mengaku Islam 'memperlekeh' pandangan berleluasa maksiat sebagai punca Allah SWT menurunkan bala kepada manusia. Mereka mengaku pejuang sedangkan kepentingan diri sendiri pun tak terjaga, misalnya yang perempuan mendedahkan rambut. 
Menurut mereka, perubahan alam sekarang ini disebabkan oleh kerakusan golongan kapitalis yang merosak dunia untuk kepentingan tembolok masing-masing seperti memusnahkan hutan (bagi mendapat kayu balak), membina empangan dan penggunaan kenderaan bermotor yang terlalu meluas. Hal inilah yang menyumbang kepada pemanasan global, ia tidak ada kaitan langsung dengan 'dosa-dosa' manusia.
Pada kuliah subuh itu, saya bertanyakan sang ustaz; apakah pandangan pejuang alam sekitar itu betul? Sang ustaz berkata, ia separuh betul lantas beliau membacakan ayat al-Quran yang bermaksud: "Telah tampak kerosakan di darat dan di laut, disebabkan perbuatan tangan manusia, supaya Allah merasakan kepada mereka sebahagian daripada (akibat) perbuatan mereka, agar mereka kembali (ke jalan yang benar). - Surah ar-Rum, ayat 41
Betul dunia menjadi rosak disebabkan tangan-tangan rakus manusia. Namun ia hanya sebahagian daripada dosa-dosa dilakukan manusia seperti berleluasanya zina dan kezaliman. Selain merosakkan alam seperti hutan dan lautan, manusia juga terlalu banyak bermaksiat dengan tidak mengikut jalan ditunjuki-Nya. Mereka menjalani  kehidupan termasuk berhukum berdasarkan 'kepala otak' masing-masing seperti 'menghalalkan' perkahwinan sejenis - tidakkah mereka 'mengundang' bala daripada Allah Taala yang telah menghancur-leburkan kaum Nabi Lut a.s.!

'Being a king for a day but the marriage is forever'

***
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)
***
MY wife and I are in the 50-s; now its our turn to marry off our children one by one and we too are receiving numerous wedding invitations from relatives, friends and 'kampung' folks which are usually held during weekends.
Perhaps for the Malaysian Muslims, 'kenduri kahwin' (marriage feasts) invitations would be pouring in until the end of 'Syaaban' (the 8th month of the Muslim calendar) before the coming of 'Ramadan' which is the fasting month. 
In a recently 'tazkirah' (Islamic lesson) in a 'masjid' near my 'kampung', an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) advised parents not marry off their children at the end of 'Syaaban' because the tendency of newly-weds to 'smear' the holy month of Ramadan were high!
He said 'ilmu kahwin' (knowledge about marriage) is a must to not only to would be husband and wife but also to 'veteran brides and bridegrooms' (parents) because marriage is an 'ibadah' (act of devotion to Allah SWT). We must know what is 'halal' (permissible) and 'haram' in weddings, thus wrongdoings such as fighting regarding 'wang hantaran' (dowry) which had happened in a 'masjid' di Kuala Lumpur recently could be checked.
A few days ago I stumbled upon a 'timely' old article entitled 'In good times, in tough time' by columnist Soo Ewe Jin in the Sunday Star (7 June 2015) in which he reminded all of us that a wedding is just a day, it is the marriage that is forever and one that we must focus on.
Among others he wrote: "Weddings can be simple or expensive, but however memorable that day may turn out to be, we have to acknowledge that is just one day. The marriage, however, is a different story altogether...
"In this current world of easy divorces, broken relationship and same-sex marriages, some may wonder if the original institution of marriage that brings a man and a woman together can really withstand the test of time. What then is the secret to a long and fulfilling marriage...?
"It is a question that cannot be easily answered because every relationship is unique. Bringing two different people - and probably also two families - together is a challenge in itself."
I agreed with Eve Jin that weddings are just a one day affair...in the Malay society the 'pengantin baru' (bride and bridegroom) are called 'Raja Sehari' - remember that you are 'king' and 'queen' for only a day...immediately after both of you had been made husband and wife in the 'majlis akad nikah' (marriage agreement ceremony) then your responsibilities and duties as a married couple begins.
Even most weddings are only a day, many 'pengantin baru' and their parents 'throw everything'  they have to make the event look grand, the Malay used the phrase 'bergolok gadai'. Nowadays weddings are an expensive affair, perhaps a simple one would burnt about RM30,000 from a groom's pocket money - for example for the 'hantaran' it is RM10,000 (which is considered low), the food for the feast is about RM10,000 and other requirements such as such as 'pakaian pengantin' (the newly wed robes), 'hadiah' (presents), tents, decorations and transportation would amounted to another RM10,000. Perhaps RM30,000 is not enough...
Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah SWT), after becoming 'Raja Sehari', your good times and tough times started to unroll..the husband is the 'captain' of the new ship while the wife is his 'assistant'. The ship would then sailed off in the open sea. Often there would be laughter when everything were okay, but when huge and 'angry' waves hit the ship, would the 'captain' hold on while his 'assistant' being 'royal' to him or always by his side?
As mentioned above, RM30,000 is not enough for a simple wedding...perhaps for their wedding, the newly weds had to borrow money 'heavily' from other sources...then when their honeymoon was over they had to face reality for example one factor that contributed to domestic violence is quarrels about money. It is common that couples fight over money...
Even though courting couples seldom think about their future regarding financial burden as they are absorbed in ‘cinta’ (love), when they are married and then have their own families, they will realize that they can’t have ‘cinta’ only, they have to have money to run a place name home. ‘Cinta’ cannot satisfy hunger; you need money to buy food to please your stomach!
A wedding is only a day but the marriage is forever...the question is why many among us plan 'like mad'  the wedding but take for granted preparation to be a good husband and wife in a holy knot named 'marriage'?
First of all, to have a ‘religious’ wife, you should be ‘religious’ too. A good man is for a good woman and vise versa. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him – s.a.w.) in a 'hadith' by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim said: “A woman may be married for four things: for her wealth, for her noble descent, for her beauty or for her religion. Choose the one who is religious, may your hands be rubbed with dust!” 
So to dear young men and women out there, remember that the character of a good husband is not the one who provided for all the material pleasures demanded by his wife but who was able to guide her for her safety in this world and more importantly in the Hereafter. 
The Qur’an says with the meaning: “O! You who believe, save yourself and your families from Hell-fire, whose fuel are humans and stones (idols) over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded.” (At-Tahrim 66: 6)
Yes, provide for and save your wife from Hell-fire; you are on the right track to be a good husband. Unfortunately in today’s material world, a man who could provide worldly pleasures and fulfill the lust of his wife is looked upon as a good husband. 
The wife’s crave for those pleasures are fulfilled. ‘High class’ women demand ‘high class taste of living'; perhaps these included shopping in top fashion and capital cities of the world such as New York, London and Paris looking for Birkin handbags, diamond rings and so on. She also demands to stay in top and exclusive hotels of the world and attending star-studded party. 
A religious wife is a precious treasure to a man for example  she would not demand from her husband worldly pleasures which are not within his means. She knows his limitation and acknowledges her obligation to obey and please him.
In Islam, the husband is the ‘qawwaam’ (maintainer) of his wife so that he will be a ‘real man’ knowing how to steer the ship of family life towards the shore of safety and guidance. 
Islam warns all men against the trail and ‘fitnah’ (temptation) of women, which may make them heedless and weak, and lessen their religious commitment, so that they turn a blind eye to the waywardness and unIslamic behaviour of their wives. 
In such a case a husband has no say: his wife is controlling everything in the home, so that he dare not disobey her, or answer to her back, or refuse any of her wimps. The Prophet (s.a.w.) was right when he said that this is the most damaging of trails and temptations that a man can be faced with: “There will be no ‘fitnah’ after my death that is worse for men than the ‘fitnah’ of women.” (Bukhari and Muslim) 
The Muslim husband is a man who is not weak in dealing with the trial of a wayward wife, no matter how difficult that ‘fitnah’ is. He gently makes it clear to her that no matter how much he loves her, he loves Allah and the Prophet (s.a.w.) more, and his desire to please Allah is stronger than his feelings for her: Say, [O Muhammad], "If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people." (Qur’an 9:24) 
In this way, the female waywardness which we see in many so-called Muslim homes will be done away with. The man who sees his wife, daughters and sisters going out in the street with make-up, uncovered heads and bare arms, clothed but seeming naked and does nothing to stop this disobedience in Islam, has surely lost his manhood, abandoned Islam and earned the wrath of Allah SWT. He is a ‘dayus’. There is no way out of this predicament but sincere repentance which will wake him up, restore his manhood and set him back in the straight path. 
Islam considers women to be a trust which has been given to men for safe-keeping. As the wife is usually influenced by her husband, he may take her with him to Paradise or lead her to Hell. Therefore Allah SWT ordered the believing men to protect both themselves and their families from the Fire and gave a terrifying picture of the awful fate that awaits them if they neglect their responsibilities towards their wives and families and fail to compel them to adhere to the truth. 
To achieve a harmonious family, what more blessing from Allah SWT The Almighty; scholars gave these advises:
1. Before being married, the future husband and wife would have to have the intention of being a good partner.
2. Thanks the Almighty for giving us a partner, the husband should think that his wife is the best for him and vice versa.
3. An exemplary husband makes his wife proud.
4. Smile when the husband returns home, the husband too should be jovial when returning from work.
5. Make sure husband and wife have time to talk to one another.
6. The husband and wife communicate with one another by SMS, telephoning etc.
7. Make the wife happy by telling her stories.
8. Have lunch or dinner together with family members.
9. Husband and wife are encouraged to take their bath together.
10. Help the wife in doing household chores such as mending shoes and shirts.
11. Practice having meetings with family members.
12. Do not divulge each other’s secret.
13. Be respectful on the wife’s family members.
14. Becoming a forgiving person.
15. Fulfill the wife’s need.
Not long ago, our government launched an ambitious program named ‘Rumahku, syurgaku’ (translated literally as ‘My home, my heaven) so that families could have homes that were peaceful heaven – like abode for them.
The most important requirement in making ‘My home, my heaven’ for Muslims is that family members should perform ‘solat berjemaah’ (hold congregational prayers). They too have to practice reading and understanding the Qur’an, reading and studying religious books and ready to help one another. 

Life is a journey...enjoy it

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.
***
'Life is a journey...enjoy it' was the tagline of a Turkish tour operator...well I used the service of this operator when I was in Turkey a few months ago. The question was how are we going to enjoy life, I used to ask myself.
Some time ago a friend asked me this 'wake up' question: "When do you feel tranquil...while performing 'solat' (prayers) or after solat?" to which I quickly answered; "after solat." 
He claimed that most people had a feeling of relief after they had performed their 'solat'. For example after performing their 'zuhr' (after midday prayers) some workers would said: "I can now have my lunch in peace; 'Alhamdulillah' (All praise is due to God alone) as I had already performed my prayers."
Also notice this situation - when we are about to embark for a journey; say to catch a bus at 1.30 pm at the bus station, we hurriedly perform our 'zuhr' prayers at 1.15 pm before rushing for the bus; we were in the nick of time...perhaps in the bus we were pleased about ourselves because we had performed our obligation.
'Subhanallah' (Glory be to God), many people feel good after performing 'solat' and not during 'solat'. The friend asked me to do some 'muhasabah' (reflections about oneself); he said we should work hard to have tranquility during 'solat'. How are we going to have that feeling?
He said those who felt good after performing 'solat' looked as though that obligation was a burden to them, thus after doing it they could feel the burden had been taken away from them...only then they were in a relief and relax condition.
The friend recommended me to change my attitude towards 'solat'. Please try to make 'solat' as an enjoyable activity, when you do something that you love then you are in a relax position, he said, "thus you could perform it a tranquil situation."
Take for example your hobbies such as gardening or fishing. When you are too engross in your hobbies thus there are occasions you forget about time. The same could be said about reading your favourite novels; you forget about time but the question is why when you are about to read the Qur'an, you feel sleepy...that's an indicator you must change your attitude to enjoy reading the Qur'an, advised the friend. 
Not only regarding 'solat' and reading the Qur'an, the friend said we must enjoy whatever we do; but the first thing we should determine is whether it is in line with the teaching of Islam. We must know whether our activities are 'halal' (permissible) or 'haram' (forbidden). Doing 'halal' activities give us the feeling of tranquility but engaging in the 'haram' ones make our life miserable.
A Saudi scholar, Dr Muhammad ‘Abd Al-Rahman Al-‘Arifi, in his book 'Enjoy Your Life' noted that life has its up and down. But for the majority of us, it is very hard to maintain our composure and feelings when we were down the drain. 
To wipe off this situation, Dr Muhammad has the answer. He wrote: “Enjoy your life, for it is brief and there is no time in it for anguish!” Yes, we have no time to be sad on thrifty matters but wake up and be alive to reap His giving and rewards in this world and the Hereafter.
But to enjoy His giving and rewards, we have to be in the straight path. Isn’t that are what we ask from Allah the Almighty in each ‘rakaat’ (units) in our prayers when we read an ‘ayat’ in the Surah Al-Fatihah (the Opening): “Guide us on the Straight Path.”
‘Enjoy Your Life’ is on the art of interacting with people, as deduced from a study of Prophet Muhammad’s (s.a.w.) life. Solutions to all problems are present in the life of Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) His life is an example for us to follow and a model for us to refer to at all times. No matter what problem arises in our lives, if we look to the Prophet’s Seerah for a solution, we will surely find it.
If all problems could be solved, then we could enjoy our life in this world and 'insya-Allah' (God willing) in the Hereafter since we live in accordance to what Allah and His prophet had revealed and ordered us in His Holy Book, the Qur’an. But we must work hard for it because 'everything has its price'.
For example in this world, if we wanted to use a public toilet or a tolled road, we must first make payment (have money); then whats more to enter 'jannah' (heaven)...we must have 'something' that would enable us to enter it.
Of course we could only enter 'jannah' on the mercy of Allah SWT but while living on earth we must perform good deeds as much we could and refrain from 'haram' things only to please Him. That good deeds would be transformed into 'pahala' (rewards from God); hopefully He would please to grant us His 'jannah'.
In the Qur'an, Allah told us to be successful in the world and Hereafter. Muslims recited this du'a over and over again: 'Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil 'akhirati hasanatan waqina 'adhaban-nar' (Our Lord! grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire." (2:201)
Well, what's the meaning of being successful in life? A local scholar, Dr Rozey Baba in his 'tazkirah' at a 'masjid' near my house not long time ago, illustrated what's the meaning of ‘kejayaan dalam hidup’. He said that we would make a very big mistake or blunder if we take 'successful' to only what we had achieved in this world.
He warned that our status, position, power, wealth and all worldly achievements would of no use when we were dead. Only our ‘iman’ (faith) and ‘amal’ (good deeds) would be able to help us. 
Dr Rozey said that the key to success is to take religion and practice all its teaching. “Those who upheld religion should have no worries but enjoy life because the world would be at his or her feet but those who are after the world, they would lose the world and worst of all, doomed in the Hereafter.
He gave 10 tips (keys) to have a successful life. They were:  
1. Be a good listener and if you don’t know, don’t hesitate to ask experts on the subjects such as an ‘ustaz’ (religious teacher) or a scholar. 
2. You have to practice ‘sabar’ (patience) and the ‘tonic’ to have this trait is to do ‘zikrullah’ (remember Allah SWT by reciting words in praise of Him). 
3. Always be thankful (syukur) and the key to it is to expand charity (sadaqah). 
4. Fear of Allah SWT (takwa). 
5. Make du’a (offer prayers). 
6. Do not be proud or arrogant (takabbur). 
7. Do not skip your ‘solat’ (prayers). 
8. Uphold to the truth, do good deeds as much as you can. 
9. Uphold the oneness of God (Tauhid). 
10. Perform hajj.
On the same topic, Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) listed 32 tips (ways and means) to be successful in this world and Hereafter. They are: 
1. Believe in Allah: The one and only Creator, Sustainer, Giver of Life, Owner, Inheritor and God of the universe. Allah has no peer, while the universe is a tiny speck in the grandeur of Allah. Also believing in all His prophets from Adam, the first man to the final prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him, s.a.w.) The Qur’an which was revealed to Muhammad s.a.w. is 100 percent Allah’s words. Only one version, the Qur’an is being translated by many translators and memorized by millions. (Qur’an 23:1 and 24:31) 
2. Sincerity: Doing good deeds to please only Allah and none else. Deeds done for other than Allah or along with Allah is not acceptable to Allah. Allah The Most Beautiful loves beauty. (Qur’an 30:38) 
3. Worship Allah alone: None has the right to be worshiped but Allah, the One-And-Only. (Qur’an 22:77) 
 4. Guidance from Allah: From the unadulterated Al-Qur’an and authentic ways/sunnah of Muhammad s.a.w., the last prophet. We can never go astray when we follow the Qur’an and sunnah. (Qur’an 2:5 and 31:5) 
5. Remember Allah always. Almighty Allah deserves to be remembered all the time. Only by remembering Allah, will our hearts experience true and lasting tranquility. (Qur’an 8:45 and 62:10)
6. Grateful to Allah: Be thankful and optimistic about everything Allah has prepared for us in this world by worshiping Allah zealously. A grateful person lives a meaningful life. (Qur’an 7:69) 
7. Fear Allah (takwa): Venerate, love, have hope in while being anxious and concerned of Allah. The most honourable in the sight of Allah are those who fear Allah most. (Qur’an 3:130) 
8. Perform regular worship of Allah (five times prayers) and duties like declaration of faith, fasting, tithe and hajj. (Qur’an Qur’an 22:77) 
9. Listen and obey Allah’s law. Allah’s and His messenger’s words will lead to a perfect life. 
10. Rationale: The Qur’an agrees very well with the sunnah of Muhammad s.a.w. matches well with the wise mind and fits the fitrah (innate instinct of humankind) – Qur’an 2:189 and 5: 100 
11. Gives preference to Allah’s choices Allah Sees, Hears and Knows everything. (Qur’an 2: 189 and 5:100) 
12. Scatter over the earth and seeks Allah’s bounty. Aren’t we Allah’s vicegerents on earth? (Qur’an 62:10) 
13. Avoid evil deeds; like consuming intoxicants, gambling and ascribing partners to Allah. Satan promotes lawlessness among us but succumbs among us but succumbs to those who trust and fear Allah. (Qur’an 5:90) 
14. Accumulate the rewards of the Hereafter: like the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the pious. They enjoy this life by doing good deeds and Allah’s paradise awaits them May all of us be among them. (Qur’an 7:8) 
15. Jihad (strive); with speech, wealth and life to spread the truth and Islamic monotheism. (Qur’an 9:88) 
16. Be generous for Allah’s sake, especially when in need of Allah’s Help. 
17. Invite to righteousness, enjoin good and forbid evil. Good deeds invite Allah’s Blessings. (Qur’an 3:104) 
18. Always be on Allah’s side. Unwavering dedication to Allah’s cause, wherever and whenever. (Quran 58:220 
19. Patience and steadfastness: Firm in upholding the truth and Islamic monotheism till the end of our life. (Qur’an 3:200) 
20. Repent from all sins and do righteous deeds: Only Allah is perfect and free from mistakes. (Qur’an 28:67)
21. Always be mindful of the enemy. For this reason we continuously seek and need Allah’s Help. (Qur’an 3:200) 
22. Honour, assist and follow scholars (ulama) who truly practice Islam. (7:157) 
23. Be charitable to oneself. A strong believer is dearer and more beloved to Almighty Allah. (Qur’an 64:16) 
24. Avoid usury and illegal income. Usury and illegally gained income lead to hell. (Qur’an 3:130)
25. Seeking means and ways to approach Allah. May we meet Allah at the best moment! Ameen. (Qur’an 5:35) 
26. Purifying our souls. Allah has given everyone a soul. A good soul will benefit oneself and others. (Qur’an 87:14 and 91:9) 
27. Give kindred (especially parents), the poor and wayfarer their dues for Allah’s sake. (Qur’an 30:38)\
28. Lower our gaze, protect our private parts and wear appropriate Islamic attire. Self respect is important in Islam. Insincerity and ignorance cause man to live in disunity, disarray and void of guidance. (Qur’an 24:31) 
29. Love each other and have no jealousy, for Allah’s sake: Like the Ansar and Muhajirin. (Qur’an 59:9) 
30. Choose friends who believe in the Last Day. Close friend influence our life. (Qur’an 58:22) 
31. Say the truth from Allah and His Messenger even if it is unpopular. Truth will prevail. (Qur’an 5:100) 
32. Ask the right people: Scholars, parents, experts, specialist, sincere friends and the like. (Qur’an 2: 189) 
'Insya-Allah' if we live according to Allah SWT prescriptions (be in His straight path such as obeying to His orders and refraining from doing things He forbids (haram) then we would lead a tranquil life. 'Insya-Allah' we would be safe in this world in the Hereafter; that's the true meaning of enjoying life! 

Pudu Sentral sudah hilang 'raya'nya

DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. 
Renungan
"Kalau sekiranya perempuan ahli syurga (termasuk bidadari) datang kepada penduduk bumi, nescaya akan disinarinya dunia antara langit dan bumi dan terpenuhinya dengan bau harum semerbak. Sesungguhnya tutup kepalanya lebih baik daripada dunia dan isinya." (HR. Bukhari) 
SELEPAS Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) di Bandar Tasik Selatan beroperasi pada Mac 2011 bagi pengendalian bas ekspres ke selatan tanah air, tiada keperluan untuk saya ke Pudu Sentral yang dulunya amat popular dengan nama Puduraya.
Pada 9 April lalu bagi menyertai perhimpunan membantah 'Dual Language Programme' (DLP) di Kuala Lumpur, saya berkesempatan berkunjung semula (revisited) ke Pudu Sentral. Terkejut saya melihat 'kesepian' di terminal bas yang dulunya mungkin paling sibuk di negara kita. 
Suasana 'muram' itu seakan-akan 'bertepatan' dengan tindakan pemimpin negara yang mengubah nama Puduraya kepada Pudu Sentral - hari ini suasana 'raya' (sibuk dan meriah) tidak wujud di terminal ini yang hanya mengendalikan perkhidmatan bas kawasan setempat dan berdekatan seperti Seremban, Tanjung Malim dan Genting Highlands. 
Ya, Pudu Sentral (bunyinya macam Pudu Jail) sudah hilang 'seri' dan 'raya'nya - sebahagian golongan yang terkesan dengan 'kemuraman'nya adalah peniaga kecil yang menjual makanan ringan, buah-buahan potong dan akhbar di tingkat satu yang mendakwa perniagaan mereka seperti hidup segan mati tak mahu.
Salah seorang penjual ditemui, Tini, berkata perniagaan merosot lebih 80 peratus berbanding ketika zaman gemilang Puduraya. Namun katanya, dia akan terus 'berjualan' seperti diarahkan 'bosnya' iaitu pemilik 'kiosk' itu. Jika zaman Puduraya dulu, tingkat satu penuh dengan gerai (termasuk gerai makan) dan kaunter tiket bas ekspres, hari ini hanya ada sejumlah 'kiosk' makanan ringan manakala sebahagian ruang menempatkan Kedai 1-Malaysia, Klinik 1-Malaysia dan premis Pusat Transformasi Bandar (UTC).
Terkejut dengan keadaan 'sepi' di tingkat satu, kunjungan ke tingkat berikutnya lebih memeranjatkan. Suasana di ruang menempatkan kaunter tiket 'menyeramkan' dengan hanya sebuah dua kaunter dibuka. Di situ ada cahaya sedangkan di kawasan lain, gelap saja keadaannya.
Penulis tidak berkesempatan berkunjung ke tingkat empat yang menempatkan gerai-gerai menjual makanan dan juga surau yang khabarnya pada 'zaman kegemilangan' dulu sesak dengan jemaah malah dapat didirikan solat Jumaat. Namun berdasarkan suasana 'muram' di tingkat satu, dapat dirumuskan Pudu Sentral sudah benar-benar hilang 'raya'nya. Maka bertepatanlah nama Puduraya itu digantikan dengan Pudu Sentral!
Namun satu persoalan timbul mengapa Pudu Sentral dibiarkan begitu sedangkan dulu pemimpin dan kerajaan 'bergolak-gadai' untuk melaksanakan projek pengubahsuaian dan pembaikan ke atas hab pengangkutan awam itu yang dirasmikan pembukaannya pada 2 Oktober 1978 oleh Perdana Menteri ketika itu, Dato’ (kini Tun dan Allahyarham) Hussein Onn. Hentian ini dibina di bawah projek dan daya usaha positif Perbadanan Kemajuan Bandar (UDA) dan agensi gabungan kerajaan lain seperti Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), Jabatan Polis, LLN, Air dan Telekom.
PM Najib Razak yang mengarahkan pertukaran nama Puduraya kepada Pudu Sentral pada 2011 sudah melakukan beberapa lawatan ke sana. Banyak wang sudah dibelanjakan untuk pembaikan Puduraya misalnya selepas lawatannya pada 2009, hentian itu diubah suai dan dinaikkan taraf dengan peruntukan RM44 juta - RM30 juta adalah untuk UDA membaik pulih bangunan dan RM14 juta bagi untuk Kementerian Wilayah untuk menceriakan kawasan sekeliling Puduraya.
Wang jutaan sudah 'dileburkan', tetapi kini Pudu Sentral dari sehari ke sehari semakin sepi. Kerja-kerja meningkatkan kemudahan awam seperti kaunter tiket lebih selesa, ruang menunggu yang lebih besar dan teratur, sistem pengudaraan (pendingin udara) menelan belanja yang besar (dikatakan RM32 juta) tetapi semuanya 'macam dibuang ke dalam longkang saja'. Ini kerana kemudahan itu tidak dapat digunakan secara maksimum disebabkan pengunjung Pudu Sentral amat kurang selepas kebanyakan perkhidmatan bas ekspres termasuk ke Utara dan Pantai Timur dipindahkan ke TBS baru-baru ini.
Demikianlah, jika pihak berkuasa dapat merancang dengan baik, tidaklah 'wang rakyat' dibuang begitu saja dengan ghairah membuat projek itu dan ini, tetapi akhirnya tidak dapat dimanfaatkan secara maksimum. Jika pemimpin daripada kerajaan Umno BN sekarang tidak dapat memanfaatkan sepenuhnya wang rakyat dengan melakukan pelbagai pembaziran, berundurlah...manakala kepada rakyat pilihlah kumpulan yang dapat mensejahterakan anda dan generasi masa depan!