Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 140
February 7, 2016
'To be fair give your boy, girl a songkok each...'
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection
The Declining Day (Al-'Asr)
1. By the declining day,
2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss,
3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort
one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.
***
DURING an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) 'tazkirah' (lessons) on 'nafkah' (livelihood allocation) at a 'masjid' near my house recently, he asked his audience what did they understood about fairness.
He then recalled a P Ramlee movie in which there was a scene where two thieves divided their shares on their loot - 'satu untuk engkau', satu untuk aku' (one for you, one for me) which made his audience burst into laughter.
"If you believe that the concept 'one for you, one for me' is fair, then think about this - you as a father when you go home after this 'tazkirah', stop at a store and buy a songkok each for your Ahmad and Aminah. Both get a songkok, that's fair isn't it?
"That's not fair. It is 'bangang' (foolish)," said the 'ustaz'. "For Ahmad it is great for him to have a songkok, but for Aminah, a 'tudung' (head covering) might please her.
"So what's the meaning of 'fairness'? It is to place something at a right (suitable) place and time," said the 'ustaz'. "If you agreed that buying a songkok each for Ahmad and Aminah was not a fair action but to be fair is to give him a songkok and her a 'tudung', let's us continue our discussion...
Regarding 'nafkah', the ustaz said a man has a very heavy responsibility towards his wife and family, his parents, his siblings and those under his care. Muslim man has been given the position of 'qawwaam' (protector and maintainer) over women.
It is because of the characteristics which Islam instills in him, the qualification it has given him and the conditions and limits it has imposed on him. Allah SWT says in the Qur'an with the meaning: "Men are 'qawwaam' of women, because of Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means..." (Qur'an 4:34)
Thus, regarding women's right of inheritance, Allah SWT, stated in the Glorious Qur'an, with the meaning: "Allah commands you as regards to your children's (inheritance); to the male, a portion equal to that of two females." (Qur'an 4:11)
Why two parts to the males an one part to the females? This is NOT FAIR shouted many women liberation movement. They wanted the concept of 'one for you, one for me'. For them that is fair, said the 'ustaz'.
Yes, to those who misunderstand Islam claim that Islam does injustice to women in terms of inheritance. They are in the opinion that it is unfair to grant the male a double to that of the female even though they are children of the same parents. Allah SWT, offered a full and detailed method of women's inheritance in the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Allah has determined all the shares of all the relatives in respect to their relationship to the deceased. As He the Most Wise said: "There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and those nearest related, whether the property is small or large, an obligatory share." (Qur'an 4:7)
The 'ustaz' explained that the responsibilities of men and women are different. A husband 'wajib' (must) provide 'nafkhah' to his wife and family members. If he failed to do so he would be 'berdosa' (being sinful) and would be punished not only in the Hereafter but also in the world such as loosing 'barakah' (blessing) in his life and he would be called by the 'Pejabat Agama' (Religion Department).
The husband must (wajib) provide for the necessities of his wife and family such as a place to shelter (house), clothing, food and needs for example living in this modern world, education for his children, medical expenses, transportation and so on, said the 'ustaz'.
"But a wife is not required to give 'nafkah'. If she owned some monies and properties or has an income, those are her's and her husband has no right to 'touch' them. What is required from her is to be obedience to her husband and she is 'in charge' of everything inside her husband's house," he said.
The 'ustaz' said in our society nowadays many husbands failed to provide for the 'nafkah' - some took it lightly, they thought it was right to share the responsibilities with the wives especially those who had jobs.
"If a husband failed to provide for the 'nafkah', a wife could even 'steal' from her husband," warned the 'ustaz' who cited the case of Hindun, the wife of Abu Suffian. Such as the case of Hindun during the time of the Prophet s.a.w. complained to the Prophet that her husband refused to give adequate maintenance to her and her child. The Prophet instructed to take of her husband’s property "what is sufficient for yourself and your child according to custom."
According to the 'ustaz', other than 'nafkah' for well-being of a family, a husband must also provide for a special 'nafkah' for his wife - for her to buy her personal necessities items such as toiletries and makeup, Many 'modern' husbands failed to do so, especially if their wives had their own incomes.
"The correct way for a husband to excuse himself from providing the personal 'nafkah' to his 'rich wife' is by asking her to 'halal' (forgive or to consider as settled)," said the 'ustaz'. "If she agrees than it is okay, but if she insists, the husband must pay the 'nafkah' to her."
Other than providing for his wife and family, a man is also entrusted to look after the welfare of his parents and siblings. A husband (man) responsibilities are too heavy, thus, demanding a 'fair', 'just' or 'equal' share of inheritance for both male and female Muslims, who do not have equal financial obligations and responsibilities, is an unfair and unjust demand.
It is only fair and just to give preference to a male heir, in light of his financial responsibilities, over the female heir from the inheritance of the father, mother or others. Considering all this, the fact that a female is still entitled by the Islamic law to a half share of the portion of inheritance received by the male, and sometimes an equal share, is indeed fair, just, and generous.
Islam views men and women to be equal in their humanity. The Holy Qur'an did not address men alone, when treating general issues in life; but meant both for men and women to hold due responsibilities in this regard. Thus, the Qur'an values the roles of male and female believers alike, for Allah says: “It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.”(Qur'an 33:36)
Men are men and women are women. Hence, both men and women, go along side by side practicing their duties before Allah, in accordance with His Messenger’s teachings, so that one’s life would be a portray of one’s sound actions… All that includes men and women; thus, male and female believers ought to abide by Allah’s holy decisive speech.
Yes men are men and women are women and to those who choose to equal men and women in every aspects of life; think why in sporting events even at the Olympics men and women are separated based on the sexes. Why not have men and women compete among themselves say in the 100 meter dash because they are equals...and that is 'fair' according to some of us!
Reflection
The Declining Day (Al-'Asr)
1. By the declining day,
2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss,
3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort
one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.
***
DURING an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) 'tazkirah' (lessons) on 'nafkah' (livelihood allocation) at a 'masjid' near my house recently, he asked his audience what did they understood about fairness.
He then recalled a P Ramlee movie in which there was a scene where two thieves divided their shares on their loot - 'satu untuk engkau', satu untuk aku' (one for you, one for me) which made his audience burst into laughter.
"If you believe that the concept 'one for you, one for me' is fair, then think about this - you as a father when you go home after this 'tazkirah', stop at a store and buy a songkok each for your Ahmad and Aminah. Both get a songkok, that's fair isn't it?
"That's not fair. It is 'bangang' (foolish)," said the 'ustaz'. "For Ahmad it is great for him to have a songkok, but for Aminah, a 'tudung' (head covering) might please her.
"So what's the meaning of 'fairness'? It is to place something at a right (suitable) place and time," said the 'ustaz'. "If you agreed that buying a songkok each for Ahmad and Aminah was not a fair action but to be fair is to give him a songkok and her a 'tudung', let's us continue our discussion...
Regarding 'nafkah', the ustaz said a man has a very heavy responsibility towards his wife and family, his parents, his siblings and those under his care. Muslim man has been given the position of 'qawwaam' (protector and maintainer) over women.
It is because of the characteristics which Islam instills in him, the qualification it has given him and the conditions and limits it has imposed on him. Allah SWT says in the Qur'an with the meaning: "Men are 'qawwaam' of women, because of Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means..." (Qur'an 4:34)
Thus, regarding women's right of inheritance, Allah SWT, stated in the Glorious Qur'an, with the meaning: "Allah commands you as regards to your children's (inheritance); to the male, a portion equal to that of two females." (Qur'an 4:11)
Why two parts to the males an one part to the females? This is NOT FAIR shouted many women liberation movement. They wanted the concept of 'one for you, one for me'. For them that is fair, said the 'ustaz'.
Yes, to those who misunderstand Islam claim that Islam does injustice to women in terms of inheritance. They are in the opinion that it is unfair to grant the male a double to that of the female even though they are children of the same parents. Allah SWT, offered a full and detailed method of women's inheritance in the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Allah has determined all the shares of all the relatives in respect to their relationship to the deceased. As He the Most Wise said: "There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and those nearest related, whether the property is small or large, an obligatory share." (Qur'an 4:7)
The 'ustaz' explained that the responsibilities of men and women are different. A husband 'wajib' (must) provide 'nafkhah' to his wife and family members. If he failed to do so he would be 'berdosa' (being sinful) and would be punished not only in the Hereafter but also in the world such as loosing 'barakah' (blessing) in his life and he would be called by the 'Pejabat Agama' (Religion Department).
The husband must (wajib) provide for the necessities of his wife and family such as a place to shelter (house), clothing, food and needs for example living in this modern world, education for his children, medical expenses, transportation and so on, said the 'ustaz'.
"But a wife is not required to give 'nafkah'. If she owned some monies and properties or has an income, those are her's and her husband has no right to 'touch' them. What is required from her is to be obedience to her husband and she is 'in charge' of everything inside her husband's house," he said.
The 'ustaz' said in our society nowadays many husbands failed to provide for the 'nafkah' - some took it lightly, they thought it was right to share the responsibilities with the wives especially those who had jobs.
"If a husband failed to provide for the 'nafkah', a wife could even 'steal' from her husband," warned the 'ustaz' who cited the case of Hindun, the wife of Abu Suffian. Such as the case of Hindun during the time of the Prophet s.a.w. complained to the Prophet that her husband refused to give adequate maintenance to her and her child. The Prophet instructed to take of her husband’s property "what is sufficient for yourself and your child according to custom."
According to the 'ustaz', other than 'nafkah' for well-being of a family, a husband must also provide for a special 'nafkah' for his wife - for her to buy her personal necessities items such as toiletries and makeup, Many 'modern' husbands failed to do so, especially if their wives had their own incomes.
"The correct way for a husband to excuse himself from providing the personal 'nafkah' to his 'rich wife' is by asking her to 'halal' (forgive or to consider as settled)," said the 'ustaz'. "If she agrees than it is okay, but if she insists, the husband must pay the 'nafkah' to her."
Other than providing for his wife and family, a man is also entrusted to look after the welfare of his parents and siblings. A husband (man) responsibilities are too heavy, thus, demanding a 'fair', 'just' or 'equal' share of inheritance for both male and female Muslims, who do not have equal financial obligations and responsibilities, is an unfair and unjust demand.
It is only fair and just to give preference to a male heir, in light of his financial responsibilities, over the female heir from the inheritance of the father, mother or others. Considering all this, the fact that a female is still entitled by the Islamic law to a half share of the portion of inheritance received by the male, and sometimes an equal share, is indeed fair, just, and generous.
Islam views men and women to be equal in their humanity. The Holy Qur'an did not address men alone, when treating general issues in life; but meant both for men and women to hold due responsibilities in this regard. Thus, the Qur'an values the roles of male and female believers alike, for Allah says: “It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.”(Qur'an 33:36)
Men are men and women are women. Hence, both men and women, go along side by side practicing their duties before Allah, in accordance with His Messenger’s teachings, so that one’s life would be a portray of one’s sound actions… All that includes men and women; thus, male and female believers ought to abide by Allah’s holy decisive speech.
Yes men are men and women are women and to those who choose to equal men and women in every aspects of life; think why in sporting events even at the Olympics men and women are separated based on the sexes. Why not have men and women compete among themselves say in the 100 meter dash because they are equals...and that is 'fair' according to some of us!
February 5, 2016
TPPA: '...air di tempayan dicurahkan'
***
Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan janganlah kamu menghampiri zina, sesungguhnya zina itu adalah satu perbuatan yang keji dan satu jalan yang jahat yang membawa kerosakan." - Maksud Ayat al-Quran Surah al-Israa': 32
***
DARIPADA 12 negara yang bakal menandatangani Perjanjian Perdagangan Trans-Pasifik (TPPA), hanya dua negara majoriti umat Islam iaitu Brunei Darussalam dan Malaysia. Kenapa negara teramai umat Islam di dunia yang juga jiran kita Indonesia, tidak berminat? Dengan lebih 220 juta penduduk, bukankah Indonesia antara negara pasaran terbesar di dunia?
Sebagai Muslim, kita sering diingatkan supaya mengutamakan muamalat sesama orang Islam. Ini termasuklah urusan perbankan agar semua urus niaga kita bertepatan dengan syariat Islam - tidak terjebak dengan perkara haram seperti riba.
Pemimpin kita yang beriya-iya mahu menandatangani TPPA juga sering mengingatkan 'ikutlah Islam sepenuhnya'...waduh, tersangatlah 'indah dan manis' cakap-cakap mereka, tetapi apakah yang dapat dikatakan kepada mereka yang 'bikin tidak seperti cakap' atau 'cakap tak serupa bikin ini'?
Hari ini ekonomi orang Islam bukan berada pada tahap membanggakan. Perdagangan sesama negara Islam juga jauh daripada kedudukan menggembirakan sekalipun kebanyakan negara Islam dilimpahi pelbagai sumber kekayaan semula jadi, peratusan perdagangan sesama negara Islam kecil saja.
Tidak lama dulu, dilaporkan hanya enam dan tujuh peratus saja perdagangan negara Islam dilaksanakan sesama sendiri daripada sejumlah besar urusan perdagangan mereka. Kini angka itu dipercayai tidak lebih 15 peratus. Pusat Islam Bagi Kemajuan Dagangan (ICDT) melaporkan perdagangan sesama negara Islam tidak melebihi RM500 bilion. ICDT ini terletak di bawah Pertubuhan Kerjasama Islam (OIC) yang memayungi 47 negara Islam.
Dalam menempuh cabaran di dunia tanpa sempadan dengan adanya konsep langit terbuka, sewajarnya negara Islam memperkukuhkan perdagangan sesama mereka yang akan membuka jalan bagi membangunkan ummah secara keseluruhan.
Adalah penting untuk negara Islam yang kaya dan berpengaruh berkerjasama mengumpul sumber kekayaan bagi menyumbang modal untuk membiayai projek pembangunan negara Islam yang miskin. Diharapkan negara Islam memberi tumpuan terhadap usaha mewujudkan kekayaan dan menggalakkan pembangunan ekonomi di kalangan negara Islam yang mundur dan dibelenggu masalah kelaparan, serangan penyakit dan kemiskinan.
Pemimpin kita sering mendabik dada Malaysia adalah negara contoh dan terbaik di kalangan negara-negara utama Islam. Berdasarkan dakwaan mereka ini, sewajarnya Malaysia mengorak langkah untuk mengetuai usaha memajukan ekonomi negara umat Islam. Sekali gus mereka dapat mengubah dan meningkatkan taraf hidup rakyat di negara-negara terbabit.
Usaha untuk memajukan dan meningkatkan taraf hidup umat Islam (bukan di Malaysia saja malah seluruh dunia) adalah 'jihad' seperti yang sering dilaungkan-laungkan oleh pemimpin kita. Mereka kerap mengelak daripada memperkatakan 'jihad di medan perang' tetapi menekankan 'jihad ekonomi'.
Subhanallah, dengan keadaan umat Islam global (dari Syria ke Indonesia) terumbang ambing, sekarang ini adalah masa terbaik untuk Malaysia 'menjadi juara' meningkatkan ekonomi umat dan negara umat Islam. Walaupun dari segi 'pulangan dunia' tidak seberapa, inilah pengertian jihad yang mesti dibuktikan semua pihak - daripada individu hingga negara umat Islam.
Namun, sayang seribu kali sayang...pemimpin kita yang mendabik dada 'wira dunia Islam', mengambil pendekatan untuk meraih apa yang dakwa keuntungan daripada menandatangani TPPA yang 'dikuasai' Amerika Syarikat. Mereka bertindak bagaikan menepati bidalan, mendengar guruh di langit, air di tempayan dicurahkan.
Jika kita menghayati kisah negara dan bangsa besar dunia, jiwa dan pemimpin rakyatnya tersangat kental. Kita ambil contoh Iran dan bangsa Parsi (ketepikan Syiah yang menjadi pegangan mereka), tidak sekali-sekali tunduk kepada kuasa asing; mereka tetap utuh sekalipun dikenakan pelbagai tekanan antarabangsa.
Demikian juga negara China atau Indonesia, semangat kebangsaan pemimpin dan rakyatnya tersangat hebat...jarang kita mendengar mereka akur kepada tekanan pihak lain.
Jika sebelum ditandatangani TPPA, kita dapat saksikan betapa dominannya syarikat gergasi Amerika seperti Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) dan McDonald's di seluruh dunia termasuk di negara umat Islam seperti Malaysia, tidak tahulah apa akan berlaku selepas perjanjian itu.
Malah, KFC 'sudah hadir' berhampiran pintu Masjidilharam. Ya, jika KFC dapat menembusi Tanah Suci orang Islam dan menjadi sebutan di kalangan jemaah haji, bolehkah syarikat-syarikat orang Islam mendapat pengiktirafan global dengan produknya aktif di pasarkan di negara maju dan kaya seperti Kumpulan G-7 termasuk Amerika Syarikat?
Kita harap boleh...kerana 'Malaysia boleh' dan melalui TPPA, Malaysia 'lagi boleh'...jadi selepas ditandatangani TPPA, akan wujudlah premis produk tempatan seperti 'Keropok Losong' bagaikan cendawan tumbuh selepas hujan di Amerika!
Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan janganlah kamu menghampiri zina, sesungguhnya zina itu adalah satu perbuatan yang keji dan satu jalan yang jahat yang membawa kerosakan." - Maksud Ayat al-Quran Surah al-Israa': 32
***
DARIPADA 12 negara yang bakal menandatangani Perjanjian Perdagangan Trans-Pasifik (TPPA), hanya dua negara majoriti umat Islam iaitu Brunei Darussalam dan Malaysia. Kenapa negara teramai umat Islam di dunia yang juga jiran kita Indonesia, tidak berminat? Dengan lebih 220 juta penduduk, bukankah Indonesia antara negara pasaran terbesar di dunia?
Sebagai Muslim, kita sering diingatkan supaya mengutamakan muamalat sesama orang Islam. Ini termasuklah urusan perbankan agar semua urus niaga kita bertepatan dengan syariat Islam - tidak terjebak dengan perkara haram seperti riba.
Pemimpin kita yang beriya-iya mahu menandatangani TPPA juga sering mengingatkan 'ikutlah Islam sepenuhnya'...waduh, tersangatlah 'indah dan manis' cakap-cakap mereka, tetapi apakah yang dapat dikatakan kepada mereka yang 'bikin tidak seperti cakap' atau 'cakap tak serupa bikin ini'?
Hari ini ekonomi orang Islam bukan berada pada tahap membanggakan. Perdagangan sesama negara Islam juga jauh daripada kedudukan menggembirakan sekalipun kebanyakan negara Islam dilimpahi pelbagai sumber kekayaan semula jadi, peratusan perdagangan sesama negara Islam kecil saja.
Tidak lama dulu, dilaporkan hanya enam dan tujuh peratus saja perdagangan negara Islam dilaksanakan sesama sendiri daripada sejumlah besar urusan perdagangan mereka. Kini angka itu dipercayai tidak lebih 15 peratus. Pusat Islam Bagi Kemajuan Dagangan (ICDT) melaporkan perdagangan sesama negara Islam tidak melebihi RM500 bilion. ICDT ini terletak di bawah Pertubuhan Kerjasama Islam (OIC) yang memayungi 47 negara Islam.
Dalam menempuh cabaran di dunia tanpa sempadan dengan adanya konsep langit terbuka, sewajarnya negara Islam memperkukuhkan perdagangan sesama mereka yang akan membuka jalan bagi membangunkan ummah secara keseluruhan.
Adalah penting untuk negara Islam yang kaya dan berpengaruh berkerjasama mengumpul sumber kekayaan bagi menyumbang modal untuk membiayai projek pembangunan negara Islam yang miskin. Diharapkan negara Islam memberi tumpuan terhadap usaha mewujudkan kekayaan dan menggalakkan pembangunan ekonomi di kalangan negara Islam yang mundur dan dibelenggu masalah kelaparan, serangan penyakit dan kemiskinan.
Pemimpin kita sering mendabik dada Malaysia adalah negara contoh dan terbaik di kalangan negara-negara utama Islam. Berdasarkan dakwaan mereka ini, sewajarnya Malaysia mengorak langkah untuk mengetuai usaha memajukan ekonomi negara umat Islam. Sekali gus mereka dapat mengubah dan meningkatkan taraf hidup rakyat di negara-negara terbabit.
Usaha untuk memajukan dan meningkatkan taraf hidup umat Islam (bukan di Malaysia saja malah seluruh dunia) adalah 'jihad' seperti yang sering dilaungkan-laungkan oleh pemimpin kita. Mereka kerap mengelak daripada memperkatakan 'jihad di medan perang' tetapi menekankan 'jihad ekonomi'.
Subhanallah, dengan keadaan umat Islam global (dari Syria ke Indonesia) terumbang ambing, sekarang ini adalah masa terbaik untuk Malaysia 'menjadi juara' meningkatkan ekonomi umat dan negara umat Islam. Walaupun dari segi 'pulangan dunia' tidak seberapa, inilah pengertian jihad yang mesti dibuktikan semua pihak - daripada individu hingga negara umat Islam.
Namun, sayang seribu kali sayang...pemimpin kita yang mendabik dada 'wira dunia Islam', mengambil pendekatan untuk meraih apa yang dakwa keuntungan daripada menandatangani TPPA yang 'dikuasai' Amerika Syarikat. Mereka bertindak bagaikan menepati bidalan, mendengar guruh di langit, air di tempayan dicurahkan.
Jika kita menghayati kisah negara dan bangsa besar dunia, jiwa dan pemimpin rakyatnya tersangat kental. Kita ambil contoh Iran dan bangsa Parsi (ketepikan Syiah yang menjadi pegangan mereka), tidak sekali-sekali tunduk kepada kuasa asing; mereka tetap utuh sekalipun dikenakan pelbagai tekanan antarabangsa.
Demikian juga negara China atau Indonesia, semangat kebangsaan pemimpin dan rakyatnya tersangat hebat...jarang kita mendengar mereka akur kepada tekanan pihak lain.
Jika sebelum ditandatangani TPPA, kita dapat saksikan betapa dominannya syarikat gergasi Amerika seperti Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) dan McDonald's di seluruh dunia termasuk di negara umat Islam seperti Malaysia, tidak tahulah apa akan berlaku selepas perjanjian itu.
Malah, KFC 'sudah hadir' berhampiran pintu Masjidilharam. Ya, jika KFC dapat menembusi Tanah Suci orang Islam dan menjadi sebutan di kalangan jemaah haji, bolehkah syarikat-syarikat orang Islam mendapat pengiktirafan global dengan produknya aktif di pasarkan di negara maju dan kaya seperti Kumpulan G-7 termasuk Amerika Syarikat?
Kita harap boleh...kerana 'Malaysia boleh' dan melalui TPPA, Malaysia 'lagi boleh'...jadi selepas ditandatangani TPPA, akan wujudlah premis produk tempatan seperti 'Keropok Losong' bagaikan cendawan tumbuh selepas hujan di Amerika!
February 2, 2016
Derita warga emas era GST
***
Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan janganlah kamu menghampiri zina, sesungguhnya zina itu adalah satu perbuatan yang keji dan satu jalan yang jahat yang membawa kerosakan." - Maksud Ayat al-Quran Surah al-Israa': 32
***WARGA emas termasuklah pesara kerajaan mengharapkan hidup mereka tenang pada akhir-akhir usia, tetapi akibat tekanan hidup seperti kenaikan harga barangan keperluan asas dan perkhidmatan sekarang ini, ramai yang mengeluh.
Biasanya mereka yang kembali 'hidup berdua-duan' suami isteri kerana anak-anak meneroka hidup sendiri selepas bekerja dan mempunyai anak isteri, dapat hidup dengan selesa kerana sudah tiada tanggungan berat manakala untuk keperluan sendiri mereka tidak perlu berbelanja besar.
Ya, 'orang tua' tidak banyak yang mereka makan, tidak lagi kerap bertukar pakaian cuma kos perubatan termasuk ubat-ubatan mungkin tinggi terutama bagi yang berpenyakit.
Namun kini, dengan pelbagai tekanan termasuklah Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) yang menyebabkan harga barangan dan perkhidmatan naik, 'orang veteran' menjadi semakin risau. Mereka mula berfikir apakah duit pencen mereka cukup dan bagi yang tiada sumber pendapatan tetap, mereka menjadi cemas.
Seorang bekas pesara guru yang menulis surat kepada saya menyatakan dulu bil bekalan airnya setiap bulan hanyalah belasan ringgit tetapi kini sudah berpuluh-puluh malah beratus-ratus ringgit. Malah cukai tanah dan pintu sudah meningkat lebih sekali ganda.
Warga emas ini juga merintih, menyatakan anak-anaknya semakin kurang kerap balik kampung - mungkin kehidupan mereka di bandar semakin terdesak kerana serba-serbinya perlukan wang. Beliau sempat menukilkan sebuah sajak bertajuk 'Keluhan Si Anak Perantau' untuk sama-sama kita fikir-fikirkankan.
Bukan anakanda tak mahu balik,Ayahanda, bonda,Wang negara terapung seperti buih sabun,Indah khabar dari rupa,Seperti buah kuini,Licin luar bau harum,Ulat bersarang di dalam,Benar, Pendapatan ribu-ribu,Macam lumayan,Perbelanjaan melebihi pendapatan,Selepas bayar itu ini,Nak balik kampung fikir dua tiga kali,Cukai demi cukai,Tol demi tol,Alahai tol,Petrol,Aduhai petrol,Naik selalu,Sara hidup menajak bak kaduk naik junjung,Kalau duit minyak duit tol,Beri mak bapak di kampung,Lepas sebulan belanja dapur,Oh, inilah tanah airku Malaysia...
Apabila anak-anak kesempitan hidup, salah satu natijahnya mereka jarang balik kampung. Mungkin anak-anak sekarang ini semakin kurang kerap 'menghulur' (wang) kepada emak ayah. Jika 'menghulur' pun, mungkin jumlahnya dikurangkan - maklumlah untuk menampung kos tol dan harga barangan yang mencanak naik.
Jika seorang pesara guru berpencen meluahkan keresahannya, tidak dapatlah dibayangkan keadaan golongan veteran yang dulunya adalah penoreh getah, petani dan nelayan. Jika dulu mereka menepati peribahawa 'kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang', bagaimana agaknya kehidupan mereka sekarang?
Bagi penoreh getah dan petani tua yang mempunyai kebun dan bendang bolehlah mereka 'membanting tulang tua' mereka bagi mendapatkan sesuap dua nasi, tetapi bagaimana pula nasib mereka di kawasan yang dilanda musibah seperti banjir tidak lama dulu?
Misalnya di sejumlah daerah di Kelantan seperti Gua Musang dan Kuala Krai, pokok getah mati manakala di kawasan tidak dilanda banjir dilanda kemarau pula. Dilaporkan daun getah gugur dan susu getah amat sedikit sekali. kerana daun muda. Hasil pekebun kecil kira-kira RM250-350 sebulan dengan harga getah serendah RM1.80-2.50/kg.
Itu kisah di luar bandar; bagaimana keadaan di bandar pula? Nampaknya tiada istilah pencen untuk orang yang telah pencen. Ramai yang masih bekerja, seorang rakan saya sudah lebih 70 tahun masih 'setia' dengan 'kerja keduanya' sekarang (selepas pencen pada usia 55 tahun) sekalipun kudratnya seperti sudah 'dipulas' habis. Ya, apa nak buat, kehidupan di kota segala-galanya memerlukan wang, hatta untuk ke tandas sekarang ini pun bayarannya sudah naik 50 sen!
Selain 'kerja biasa' sebagai 'guard' (pengawal), semakin ramai 'warga pencen' saya perhatikan cuba-cuba berniaga - ada yang buka bisnes nasi lemak, pisang goreng dan air minuman (mereka letak meja di tepi-tepi jalan)...tetapi kalau penjual sudah macam cendawan tumbuh selepas hujan, beratlah persaingan yang akan mereka hadapi bagi mencari sesuap dua nasi. Demikianlah warga emas pun terpaksa bersusah payah menyambung kehidupan dalam 'era GST' ini!
Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan janganlah kamu menghampiri zina, sesungguhnya zina itu adalah satu perbuatan yang keji dan satu jalan yang jahat yang membawa kerosakan." - Maksud Ayat al-Quran Surah al-Israa': 32
***WARGA emas termasuklah pesara kerajaan mengharapkan hidup mereka tenang pada akhir-akhir usia, tetapi akibat tekanan hidup seperti kenaikan harga barangan keperluan asas dan perkhidmatan sekarang ini, ramai yang mengeluh.
Biasanya mereka yang kembali 'hidup berdua-duan' suami isteri kerana anak-anak meneroka hidup sendiri selepas bekerja dan mempunyai anak isteri, dapat hidup dengan selesa kerana sudah tiada tanggungan berat manakala untuk keperluan sendiri mereka tidak perlu berbelanja besar.
Ya, 'orang tua' tidak banyak yang mereka makan, tidak lagi kerap bertukar pakaian cuma kos perubatan termasuk ubat-ubatan mungkin tinggi terutama bagi yang berpenyakit.
Namun kini, dengan pelbagai tekanan termasuklah Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) yang menyebabkan harga barangan dan perkhidmatan naik, 'orang veteran' menjadi semakin risau. Mereka mula berfikir apakah duit pencen mereka cukup dan bagi yang tiada sumber pendapatan tetap, mereka menjadi cemas.
Seorang bekas pesara guru yang menulis surat kepada saya menyatakan dulu bil bekalan airnya setiap bulan hanyalah belasan ringgit tetapi kini sudah berpuluh-puluh malah beratus-ratus ringgit. Malah cukai tanah dan pintu sudah meningkat lebih sekali ganda.
Warga emas ini juga merintih, menyatakan anak-anaknya semakin kurang kerap balik kampung - mungkin kehidupan mereka di bandar semakin terdesak kerana serba-serbinya perlukan wang. Beliau sempat menukilkan sebuah sajak bertajuk 'Keluhan Si Anak Perantau' untuk sama-sama kita fikir-fikirkankan.
Bukan anakanda tak mahu balik,Ayahanda, bonda,Wang negara terapung seperti buih sabun,Indah khabar dari rupa,Seperti buah kuini,Licin luar bau harum,Ulat bersarang di dalam,Benar, Pendapatan ribu-ribu,Macam lumayan,Perbelanjaan melebihi pendapatan,Selepas bayar itu ini,Nak balik kampung fikir dua tiga kali,Cukai demi cukai,Tol demi tol,Alahai tol,Petrol,Aduhai petrol,Naik selalu,Sara hidup menajak bak kaduk naik junjung,Kalau duit minyak duit tol,Beri mak bapak di kampung,Lepas sebulan belanja dapur,Oh, inilah tanah airku Malaysia...
Apabila anak-anak kesempitan hidup, salah satu natijahnya mereka jarang balik kampung. Mungkin anak-anak sekarang ini semakin kurang kerap 'menghulur' (wang) kepada emak ayah. Jika 'menghulur' pun, mungkin jumlahnya dikurangkan - maklumlah untuk menampung kos tol dan harga barangan yang mencanak naik.
Jika seorang pesara guru berpencen meluahkan keresahannya, tidak dapatlah dibayangkan keadaan golongan veteran yang dulunya adalah penoreh getah, petani dan nelayan. Jika dulu mereka menepati peribahawa 'kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang', bagaimana agaknya kehidupan mereka sekarang?
Bagi penoreh getah dan petani tua yang mempunyai kebun dan bendang bolehlah mereka 'membanting tulang tua' mereka bagi mendapatkan sesuap dua nasi, tetapi bagaimana pula nasib mereka di kawasan yang dilanda musibah seperti banjir tidak lama dulu?
Misalnya di sejumlah daerah di Kelantan seperti Gua Musang dan Kuala Krai, pokok getah mati manakala di kawasan tidak dilanda banjir dilanda kemarau pula. Dilaporkan daun getah gugur dan susu getah amat sedikit sekali. kerana daun muda. Hasil pekebun kecil kira-kira RM250-350 sebulan dengan harga getah serendah RM1.80-2.50/kg.
Itu kisah di luar bandar; bagaimana keadaan di bandar pula? Nampaknya tiada istilah pencen untuk orang yang telah pencen. Ramai yang masih bekerja, seorang rakan saya sudah lebih 70 tahun masih 'setia' dengan 'kerja keduanya' sekarang (selepas pencen pada usia 55 tahun) sekalipun kudratnya seperti sudah 'dipulas' habis. Ya, apa nak buat, kehidupan di kota segala-galanya memerlukan wang, hatta untuk ke tandas sekarang ini pun bayarannya sudah naik 50 sen!
Selain 'kerja biasa' sebagai 'guard' (pengawal), semakin ramai 'warga pencen' saya perhatikan cuba-cuba berniaga - ada yang buka bisnes nasi lemak, pisang goreng dan air minuman (mereka letak meja di tepi-tepi jalan)...tetapi kalau penjual sudah macam cendawan tumbuh selepas hujan, beratlah persaingan yang akan mereka hadapi bagi mencari sesuap dua nasi. Demikianlah warga emas pun terpaksa bersusah payah menyambung kehidupan dalam 'era GST' ini!
February 1, 2016
Longing for the law of Allah...
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.
***
A FEW weeks ago, a stallholder in Terengganu, Mohamad Zulkifli Ismail, spotted robbers in his house and in a struggle, killed one of them. He faced a murder charge for allegedly stabbing a man to death. Overall, is it self-defense or murder?
Legal experts argue that there is a fine line between self-defense and murder eventhough the law says a person has a right to defend himself/herself when he/she encounter a criminal and in the process unintentionally kill the attacker.
What's Islam has to say about this issue? During several 'tazkirah' (Islamic lessons) and after the talks at 'masjids' near my house, I managed to ask a few 'ustazs' (religious teachers) including those who practice law at 'syariah' courts regarding the matter.
An 'ustaz' who gave lessons on 'Fiqh Jinayat' at a 'masjid' on a weekly basis, explained that Islamic criminal laws comprises of 'hudud' (hodoud), 'qisas' (quisas) and 'ta'zir'. 'Hudud' is prescribed by Allah SWT in the Qur'an and 'hadith'. 'Hudud' is His Law and His Rights. In Ayah 229 Surah Al-Baqarah Allah SWT says with the meaning: "For whoso transgresseth Allah's limit: such are wrongdoers."
Examples of 'hudud' are punishment to those who committed illicit sex (zina or adultery), accusing people of illicit sex but failed to bring four witness (qazaf), taking alcoholic drinks, stealing, robbing, being apostate and fighting against an Islamic government (bughat).
"Ta' zir' is punishment for crime not measuring up to the strict requirements of 'hadd' (hudud) punishments, although they are of the same nature, or those for which specific punishments have not been fixed by the Qur'an.
Punishments range from the death penalty for espionage and heresy to flagellation, imprisonment, local banishment, and a variety of fines. Determination of punishment is left to the judge or chief executive, who can vary the punishment according to a number of criteria including who has inflicted the crime and upon whom.
'Qisas' means retaliation, in the case of murder, it means it is the right of their heirs of a murder victim to demand execution of the murderer. 'Qisas' literally means "'pursuing, seeking or to return like for like." From this it also acquired the meaning of "retribution, requital and punishment." The basic rules of 'qisas' are mentioned in the Qur'an.
Allah SWT says, "O you who believe, retribution is prescribed for you in the cases of killing; if a freeman is guilty then the freeman; if a slave is guilty then the slave; if a female is guilty then the female. But if something of the murderer's guilt is remitted by his brother then this should be adhered to in fairness, and payment be made in a proper manner. This is alleviation and a mercy from your Lord; and for him who transgresses after that is a painful chastisement. People of understanding, there is life for you in retribution that you may guard yourselves against violating the Law." (al-Baqarah 2:178-179)
'Qisas' is primarily the right of the family of the victim. Allah says, "...whosoever is wrongfully slain, We have given power to his heir, but let him not commit excess in killing. Lo, he will be helped." (al-Isra' 17:33)
Regarding the case of Mohamad Zulkifli Ismail, an 'ustaz' said, parties concerned must first look at the 'kertas pertuduhan' (charges). Unfortunately he was charged with murder which many people criticized saying that he had only been acting in self-defense.
The 'ustaz' said eventhough in Islam, one has the right to defend his safety, his family, his property and most importantly his 'agama' (religion) and 'nyawa' (life) but he must alert to act accordingly to the dangers posed by the intruder. If a person 'crashed' into a man's house without carrying any weapon, it would be wrong for him to pick a knife from the kitchen and stab the stranger. But if he uses a hockey stick to hit the intruder and in the event, the man dies, he would amounted to 'membunuh tanpa sengaja' (killing without intention).
The 'ustaz' cited examples of killing without intention such a person who throws a 'karipap' (curry-puff) to another person's head but unfortunately he dies or a hunter aim and shot his gun at a deer but instead his friend was killed - then the 'killers' are all subjected to 'hukum qisas' with the 'diat' applicable.
In the case of Mohamad Zulkifli, the 'ustaz' said he could be charged with killing without intention (depends on the charge) and he had to proved in court. He could be freed of the charge (if he only defended himself and his life in danger) or he have to pay 'diat' as killing unintentionally falls into category of wrongdoings that needed to do so.
In Islam, if a person is murdered, then according to the Shari'ah, it is the duty of the society and the state to purse the murderer and to bring him/her to justice. Once the murderer is found and it is proven beyond any doubt that the murderer is found and it is proven beyond any doubt that the murderer killed another person knowingly and offensively, as a premeditated murder, then he/she will be given capital punishment.
However, the nearest relatives or heirs of the victim have a right to make monetary compensation instead or to forgive the murderer. No one else has the right to forgive accept the nearest kith and kin of a person.
Since murder, according to the Shari'ah, is not only a crime against a family, but a crime against the society at large, the Muslims jurists have explained that even his the victim's family forgives the murderer, the Muslim judge is allowed to prescribe some punishment (other than the capital punishment) or imprisonment, if the judge sees that the offender needs that for his/her own correction or as a deterrence for others in society.
According to the Shari'ah, no one can forgive the murderer except the victim's family and nearest kith and kin. The state cannot forgive a murderer, but the state is allowed to punish the murderer if it is necessary to maintain the safely and security of the society, even if all the relatives of the victim are ready to forgive the murderer.
The Qur'an specifies the principle of qisas (ie, retaliation), but prescribes that one should seek compensation (diat) and not demand retribution.
What is actually diat? 'Diyya' (plural: diyyat; Arabic) is a compensation paid to the heirs of a victim. In Arabic the word means both blood money and ransom. The Qur'an directs us to pay diat just according to this law both in case of intentional as well as unintentional murder. A variation of diat was present in pre-Islamic Arabia, where it was paid in terms of goods or animals rather than cash.
Under Sharia law, diat should be paid in terms of cash to avoid possible fraud on the part of the criminal. In Islamic and Arab tradition, blood money is the fine paid by the killer or his family or clan to the family or the clan of the victim. It is unlawful for a believer to kill a believer except if it happens by accident. And he who kills a believer accidentally must pay diat to the heirs of the victim except if they forgive him.
The tradition finds repeated endorsement in Islamic tradition; several instances are recorded in the hadith, which are the acts of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. According to the ustaz, the rate for diat is based on the number of camels that is the most priced belonging. The full rate is 100 camels. Paying diat of 100 camels is no cheap said the ustaz. If a camel costs RM5,000; those who kill unintentionally had to pay RM500,000.
Killing intentionally was subjected to qisas and diat. Diat is only applicable if agreed by kin. If not qisas would be honoured.
Unfortunately and sadly, the 'ustaz' said the Islamic law mentioned are only for discussion, the truth is that Mohammad Zulkifli was charged in the civil courts...Subhanallah, are our leaders prepared to implement Islamic laws, which according to the ustaz are perfect on human beings because He who creates knows what's best for His subjects!
But based on events in our country, there was clear and positive indicator that human beings long for the law of The Most Powerful Allah SWT when they feel helpless just like the call for help to Allah SWT when one is thrown into the open sea when his/her ship capsizes.
But the sad part of it, when he/she is saved; his/her ‘clinging’ to Allah SWT vanishes and when he/she could stand on his/her own with ‘the world at his/her feet’, then Allah fades from his/her mind. But the longing of the practicing Muslims to see Allah's laws shine in this land must be nurtured and the struggle for it to be implemented must go on until we die or the world ends (Qiyamah)
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.
***
A FEW weeks ago, a stallholder in Terengganu, Mohamad Zulkifli Ismail, spotted robbers in his house and in a struggle, killed one of them. He faced a murder charge for allegedly stabbing a man to death. Overall, is it self-defense or murder?
Legal experts argue that there is a fine line between self-defense and murder eventhough the law says a person has a right to defend himself/herself when he/she encounter a criminal and in the process unintentionally kill the attacker.
What's Islam has to say about this issue? During several 'tazkirah' (Islamic lessons) and after the talks at 'masjids' near my house, I managed to ask a few 'ustazs' (religious teachers) including those who practice law at 'syariah' courts regarding the matter.
An 'ustaz' who gave lessons on 'Fiqh Jinayat' at a 'masjid' on a weekly basis, explained that Islamic criminal laws comprises of 'hudud' (hodoud), 'qisas' (quisas) and 'ta'zir'. 'Hudud' is prescribed by Allah SWT in the Qur'an and 'hadith'. 'Hudud' is His Law and His Rights. In Ayah 229 Surah Al-Baqarah Allah SWT says with the meaning: "For whoso transgresseth Allah's limit: such are wrongdoers."
Examples of 'hudud' are punishment to those who committed illicit sex (zina or adultery), accusing people of illicit sex but failed to bring four witness (qazaf), taking alcoholic drinks, stealing, robbing, being apostate and fighting against an Islamic government (bughat).
"Ta' zir' is punishment for crime not measuring up to the strict requirements of 'hadd' (hudud) punishments, although they are of the same nature, or those for which specific punishments have not been fixed by the Qur'an.
Punishments range from the death penalty for espionage and heresy to flagellation, imprisonment, local banishment, and a variety of fines. Determination of punishment is left to the judge or chief executive, who can vary the punishment according to a number of criteria including who has inflicted the crime and upon whom.
'Qisas' means retaliation, in the case of murder, it means it is the right of their heirs of a murder victim to demand execution of the murderer. 'Qisas' literally means "'pursuing, seeking or to return like for like." From this it also acquired the meaning of "retribution, requital and punishment." The basic rules of 'qisas' are mentioned in the Qur'an.
Allah SWT says, "O you who believe, retribution is prescribed for you in the cases of killing; if a freeman is guilty then the freeman; if a slave is guilty then the slave; if a female is guilty then the female. But if something of the murderer's guilt is remitted by his brother then this should be adhered to in fairness, and payment be made in a proper manner. This is alleviation and a mercy from your Lord; and for him who transgresses after that is a painful chastisement. People of understanding, there is life for you in retribution that you may guard yourselves against violating the Law." (al-Baqarah 2:178-179)
'Qisas' is primarily the right of the family of the victim. Allah says, "...whosoever is wrongfully slain, We have given power to his heir, but let him not commit excess in killing. Lo, he will be helped." (al-Isra' 17:33)
Regarding the case of Mohamad Zulkifli Ismail, an 'ustaz' said, parties concerned must first look at the 'kertas pertuduhan' (charges). Unfortunately he was charged with murder which many people criticized saying that he had only been acting in self-defense.
The 'ustaz' said eventhough in Islam, one has the right to defend his safety, his family, his property and most importantly his 'agama' (religion) and 'nyawa' (life) but he must alert to act accordingly to the dangers posed by the intruder. If a person 'crashed' into a man's house without carrying any weapon, it would be wrong for him to pick a knife from the kitchen and stab the stranger. But if he uses a hockey stick to hit the intruder and in the event, the man dies, he would amounted to 'membunuh tanpa sengaja' (killing without intention).
The 'ustaz' cited examples of killing without intention such a person who throws a 'karipap' (curry-puff) to another person's head but unfortunately he dies or a hunter aim and shot his gun at a deer but instead his friend was killed - then the 'killers' are all subjected to 'hukum qisas' with the 'diat' applicable.
In the case of Mohamad Zulkifli, the 'ustaz' said he could be charged with killing without intention (depends on the charge) and he had to proved in court. He could be freed of the charge (if he only defended himself and his life in danger) or he have to pay 'diat' as killing unintentionally falls into category of wrongdoings that needed to do so.
In Islam, if a person is murdered, then according to the Shari'ah, it is the duty of the society and the state to purse the murderer and to bring him/her to justice. Once the murderer is found and it is proven beyond any doubt that the murderer is found and it is proven beyond any doubt that the murderer killed another person knowingly and offensively, as a premeditated murder, then he/she will be given capital punishment.
However, the nearest relatives or heirs of the victim have a right to make monetary compensation instead or to forgive the murderer. No one else has the right to forgive accept the nearest kith and kin of a person.
Since murder, according to the Shari'ah, is not only a crime against a family, but a crime against the society at large, the Muslims jurists have explained that even his the victim's family forgives the murderer, the Muslim judge is allowed to prescribe some punishment (other than the capital punishment) or imprisonment, if the judge sees that the offender needs that for his/her own correction or as a deterrence for others in society.
According to the Shari'ah, no one can forgive the murderer except the victim's family and nearest kith and kin. The state cannot forgive a murderer, but the state is allowed to punish the murderer if it is necessary to maintain the safely and security of the society, even if all the relatives of the victim are ready to forgive the murderer.
The Qur'an specifies the principle of qisas (ie, retaliation), but prescribes that one should seek compensation (diat) and not demand retribution.
What is actually diat? 'Diyya' (plural: diyyat; Arabic) is a compensation paid to the heirs of a victim. In Arabic the word means both blood money and ransom. The Qur'an directs us to pay diat just according to this law both in case of intentional as well as unintentional murder. A variation of diat was present in pre-Islamic Arabia, where it was paid in terms of goods or animals rather than cash.
Under Sharia law, diat should be paid in terms of cash to avoid possible fraud on the part of the criminal. In Islamic and Arab tradition, blood money is the fine paid by the killer or his family or clan to the family or the clan of the victim. It is unlawful for a believer to kill a believer except if it happens by accident. And he who kills a believer accidentally must pay diat to the heirs of the victim except if they forgive him.
The tradition finds repeated endorsement in Islamic tradition; several instances are recorded in the hadith, which are the acts of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. According to the ustaz, the rate for diat is based on the number of camels that is the most priced belonging. The full rate is 100 camels. Paying diat of 100 camels is no cheap said the ustaz. If a camel costs RM5,000; those who kill unintentionally had to pay RM500,000.
Killing intentionally was subjected to qisas and diat. Diat is only applicable if agreed by kin. If not qisas would be honoured.
Unfortunately and sadly, the 'ustaz' said the Islamic law mentioned are only for discussion, the truth is that Mohammad Zulkifli was charged in the civil courts...Subhanallah, are our leaders prepared to implement Islamic laws, which according to the ustaz are perfect on human beings because He who creates knows what's best for His subjects!
But based on events in our country, there was clear and positive indicator that human beings long for the law of The Most Powerful Allah SWT when they feel helpless just like the call for help to Allah SWT when one is thrown into the open sea when his/her ship capsizes.
But the sad part of it, when he/she is saved; his/her ‘clinging’ to Allah SWT vanishes and when he/she could stand on his/her own with ‘the world at his/her feet’, then Allah fades from his/her mind. But the longing of the practicing Muslims to see Allah's laws shine in this land must be nurtured and the struggle for it to be implemented must go on until we die or the world ends (Qiyamah)
January 31, 2016
Cerita orang kecil di Padang Merbok...
***
Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan janganlah kamu menghampiri zina, sesungguhnya zina itu adalah satu perbuatan yang keji dan satu jalan yang jahat yang membawa kerosakan." - Maksud Ayat al-Quran Surah al-Israa': 32
***
SEMASA menjalani latihan praktikal kewartawanan di KL pada 1985 saya tinggal sementara di sebuah bangunan lama di Jalan Mahameru yang dijadikan ibu pejabat GPMS. Sewanya RM50 sebulan, sepadanlah dengan kemudahan diberikan iaitu sebuah katil dan almari dalam sebuah dormitori!
Lokasi bangunan ini berhampiran Padang Merbok. lantas ia menjadi salah satu tempat menyaksikan 'jatuh bangun' saya. Jadi pada petang Sabtu, 23 Januari lalu tidak mencari masalah untuk saya 'kembali' ke Padang Merbok bagi menyertai perhimpunan rakyat pembantah Perjanjian Perkongsian Trans-Pasifik (TPPA).
'Mengharung' tanah lembap Padang Merbok untuk mendekati pentas ucapan mendatangkan khuatir di hati saya, Sesekali kasut 'terbenam' di tanah lembek. Kalau hujanlah, jadi bendanglah Padang Merbok. Sekalipun cuaca mendung dengan awan hitam berarak di langit manakala sesekali angin bertiup kencang, syukurlah tiada hujan sehingga Timbalan Presiden PAS, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man sebagai pengucap terakhir mengakhiri amanah diberikan. Namun ketika Tuan Ibrahim berucap ramai sudah berbondong-bondong meninggalkan padang.
Di tengah-tengah padang 'bertanah lembek' itu, ramai duduk - ada menggalas punggung dengan helai surat khabar, plastik dan ada yang 'berkorban lebih', duduk tanpa alas. Kasihan saya perhatikan sekumpulan anak dara yang duduk-duduk itu dihurungi agas - ya agas yang tidak biasa lagi kita lihat sekarang ini. Budak sekarang agaknya tak kenal agas. Saya tahu 'binatang itu' adalah agas kerana semasa budak-budak puluhan tahun lalu, saya adalah 'tarzan bendang' - saya amat-amati agas banyak di sawah padi terutama menjelang senja dan suka pula menggerumuni kerbau dan lembu!
Subhanallah, kumpulan agas yang 'bertapa' di Padang Merbok 'keluar beramai-ramai' kerana gempar kawasan mereka 'diserang' manusia. "Ini sesuatu yang luar biasa...ini 'kerbau mengamukkah' atau apa agaknya yang berlaku?" mungkin perkara ini diperkatakan sesama agas-agas itu...ya 'kalaulah' agas-agas itu boleh berfikir dan bercakap.
Menukar atau terpaksa menukar lokasi bantahan TPPA daripada Dataran Merdeka ke Padang Merbok tentunya ada keburukan dan kebaikannya. Ia bergantung kepada pihak mana yang ditanya...pihak penguasa (kerajaan dan kerajaan tempatan), pihak penganjur, pihak keselamatan (polis), peniaga hatta kepada pengurusan masjid sekalipun. Misalnya 'tok imam' dan 'bilal' Masjid Jamek dan Masjid Negara pun agaknya kehairanan mengapa pula jemaah solat zuhur mereka hari itu terlalu ramai!
Namun apa yang hendak dicelotehkan di ruang ini adalah cerita orang kecil...yang datang dari jauh misalnya dari Kelantan dan Terengganu...apakah mereka 'berkecil hati' apabila lokasi bantahan dipindahkan daripada 'venue' bersejarah dan berdaulat (Dataran Merdeka) ke Padang Merbok yang menjadi 'tempat bertapa' agas-agas itu!
Seorang aktivis PAS berkata 'memaksa' pertukaran tapak perhimpunan bantahan daripada Dataran Merdeka adalah 'satu penghinaan' - pihak kerajaan nampaknya mahu 'menyembunyikan' luahan rakyatnya sendiri. Katanya, matlamat pihak berkuasa menukar lokasi perhimpunan berhasil; ternyata 'orang luar' tidak tahu pun ada bantahan malahan media massa arus perdana pun tidak ambil 'pot' untuk melaporkannya!
Ada pula berkata berlaku situasi 'menang-menang' kepada pihak-pihak terbabit...mereka berjaya memenuhi matlamat masing-masing, persoalannya apa yang rakyat biasa dapat apabila datang ke perhimpunan pada ketika kos kehidupan terus meningkat dari sehari ke sehari. Mungkin mereka (terutama orang luar) terpaksa 'berkorban' RM100-RM200 seorang untuk datang ke perhimpunan itu.
Benar pengalaman dan pengetahuan mereka mungkin bertambah (termasuk mengenai TPPA dan berpeluang pula 'bermesra' dengan agas-agas) tetapi apabila pihak penganjur akur untuk menukar 'venue' daripada Dataran Merdeka yang berprestij ke Padang Merbuk tempat 'jin bertendang', dengan jelas pihak penguasa (kerajaan) sudah menang 1-0 dan apabila Parlimen bersidang mereka akan menang 2-0, 3-0, 4-0 seterusnya termeterailah TPPA sebab tidak banyak pihak tahu ramai rakyat negara ini membantah perjanjian penjajahan bentuk baru itu!
Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan janganlah kamu menghampiri zina, sesungguhnya zina itu adalah satu perbuatan yang keji dan satu jalan yang jahat yang membawa kerosakan." - Maksud Ayat al-Quran Surah al-Israa': 32
***
SEMASA menjalani latihan praktikal kewartawanan di KL pada 1985 saya tinggal sementara di sebuah bangunan lama di Jalan Mahameru yang dijadikan ibu pejabat GPMS. Sewanya RM50 sebulan, sepadanlah dengan kemudahan diberikan iaitu sebuah katil dan almari dalam sebuah dormitori!
Lokasi bangunan ini berhampiran Padang Merbok. lantas ia menjadi salah satu tempat menyaksikan 'jatuh bangun' saya. Jadi pada petang Sabtu, 23 Januari lalu tidak mencari masalah untuk saya 'kembali' ke Padang Merbok bagi menyertai perhimpunan rakyat pembantah Perjanjian Perkongsian Trans-Pasifik (TPPA).
'Mengharung' tanah lembap Padang Merbok untuk mendekati pentas ucapan mendatangkan khuatir di hati saya, Sesekali kasut 'terbenam' di tanah lembek. Kalau hujanlah, jadi bendanglah Padang Merbok. Sekalipun cuaca mendung dengan awan hitam berarak di langit manakala sesekali angin bertiup kencang, syukurlah tiada hujan sehingga Timbalan Presiden PAS, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man sebagai pengucap terakhir mengakhiri amanah diberikan. Namun ketika Tuan Ibrahim berucap ramai sudah berbondong-bondong meninggalkan padang.
Di tengah-tengah padang 'bertanah lembek' itu, ramai duduk - ada menggalas punggung dengan helai surat khabar, plastik dan ada yang 'berkorban lebih', duduk tanpa alas. Kasihan saya perhatikan sekumpulan anak dara yang duduk-duduk itu dihurungi agas - ya agas yang tidak biasa lagi kita lihat sekarang ini. Budak sekarang agaknya tak kenal agas. Saya tahu 'binatang itu' adalah agas kerana semasa budak-budak puluhan tahun lalu, saya adalah 'tarzan bendang' - saya amat-amati agas banyak di sawah padi terutama menjelang senja dan suka pula menggerumuni kerbau dan lembu!
Subhanallah, kumpulan agas yang 'bertapa' di Padang Merbok 'keluar beramai-ramai' kerana gempar kawasan mereka 'diserang' manusia. "Ini sesuatu yang luar biasa...ini 'kerbau mengamukkah' atau apa agaknya yang berlaku?" mungkin perkara ini diperkatakan sesama agas-agas itu...ya 'kalaulah' agas-agas itu boleh berfikir dan bercakap.
Menukar atau terpaksa menukar lokasi bantahan TPPA daripada Dataran Merdeka ke Padang Merbok tentunya ada keburukan dan kebaikannya. Ia bergantung kepada pihak mana yang ditanya...pihak penguasa (kerajaan dan kerajaan tempatan), pihak penganjur, pihak keselamatan (polis), peniaga hatta kepada pengurusan masjid sekalipun. Misalnya 'tok imam' dan 'bilal' Masjid Jamek dan Masjid Negara pun agaknya kehairanan mengapa pula jemaah solat zuhur mereka hari itu terlalu ramai!
Namun apa yang hendak dicelotehkan di ruang ini adalah cerita orang kecil...yang datang dari jauh misalnya dari Kelantan dan Terengganu...apakah mereka 'berkecil hati' apabila lokasi bantahan dipindahkan daripada 'venue' bersejarah dan berdaulat (Dataran Merdeka) ke Padang Merbok yang menjadi 'tempat bertapa' agas-agas itu!
Seorang aktivis PAS berkata 'memaksa' pertukaran tapak perhimpunan bantahan daripada Dataran Merdeka adalah 'satu penghinaan' - pihak kerajaan nampaknya mahu 'menyembunyikan' luahan rakyatnya sendiri. Katanya, matlamat pihak berkuasa menukar lokasi perhimpunan berhasil; ternyata 'orang luar' tidak tahu pun ada bantahan malahan media massa arus perdana pun tidak ambil 'pot' untuk melaporkannya!
Ada pula berkata berlaku situasi 'menang-menang' kepada pihak-pihak terbabit...mereka berjaya memenuhi matlamat masing-masing, persoalannya apa yang rakyat biasa dapat apabila datang ke perhimpunan pada ketika kos kehidupan terus meningkat dari sehari ke sehari. Mungkin mereka (terutama orang luar) terpaksa 'berkorban' RM100-RM200 seorang untuk datang ke perhimpunan itu.
Benar pengalaman dan pengetahuan mereka mungkin bertambah (termasuk mengenai TPPA dan berpeluang pula 'bermesra' dengan agas-agas) tetapi apabila pihak penganjur akur untuk menukar 'venue' daripada Dataran Merdeka yang berprestij ke Padang Merbuk tempat 'jin bertendang', dengan jelas pihak penguasa (kerajaan) sudah menang 1-0 dan apabila Parlimen bersidang mereka akan menang 2-0, 3-0, 4-0 seterusnya termeterailah TPPA sebab tidak banyak pihak tahu ramai rakyat negara ini membantah perjanjian penjajahan bentuk baru itu!
January 30, 2016
Forget the expensive fares, enjoy the rides...
***
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)
***
SINCE I retired from office about four years ago, I rarely went out to town whats more to our capital city Kuala Lumpur. I spent most of my time at home, at my parents' home, in my 'kebun' (garden) and several 'masjids' near my house.
A few days ago I went to Kuala Lumpur as I longed to meet my old office colleagues. Subhanallah, what a shock awaited a 'katak bawah tempurung' (frog under a coconut shell) person like me when I was in the city for example the fares of the LRT had soared more than 100 percent!
I took several train rides - previously the LRT journey that cost me RM1.20 had increased to RM3 and the RM1.70 ones had been raised to RM3.80!
During my working years, I took the return train almost every day, my monthly allocation for the LRT rides amounted to about RM100...now with more than 100 percent raise in the fares, I dared not to think the consequences I had to face if I were still working in KL.
Well, to be mad or 'to run amok' about the expensive fares, it would be of no benefit but commuters had to think hard and fast how to solve their monies woes. A federal minister had already given his idea - why not 'the people of this country' have two jobs to beat the high cost of living!
Forget about the minister's 'brilliant idea', let's us relax our mind' by sharing some beautiful experiences I had while holidaying in Turkey recently. Summing up the nine days journey travelling by bus from Istanbul, Bursa, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia, Ankara, Bolu and back to Istanbul, I must admit that it fitted the tagline of our travel agent's in Turkey - Life is a journey...enjoy it!
Alhamdulillah, I enjoyed everything that 'was thrown upon me'; perhaps the best experience for me was flying in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia. Heritage Travel noted that Cappadocia is known around the world as one of the best places to fly with hot air balloons.
The spectacular surrealistic landscapes combined with excellent flying conditions allow the balloons to gently drift over and between fairy chimneys, pigeon houses hewn into the unique rock formations, orchards and vineyards – through impressive valleys, each with distinctive rock formations, colors and features – and then float up over rippled ravines for breathtaking views over the region.
To feel, perhaps the once in a life-time experience we try Royal with it's tagline 'Fly Royal - Feel Royal'. Yes, I felt royal...but with what cost, dear readers? The ride or flight of one hour burnt US$190 (nearly RM1,000) from each of our pockets. Yes, forget about the expensive fare...enjoy the ride, fly like a millionaire or better still pretend to be a king or queen!
During the flight I stood next to the person 'operating' (driver?) the hot air balloon, Seniz Tuzcu Timur, thus I had great opportunities to see her in action and course asked her questions. Her business card which she presented to me after the flight stated that her job was a 'pilot'...wow it was not 'an ordinary job'...she told me it needed five years for a person to learn the technical and art of flying at a special academy!
How did the balloon flew? I saw Seniz controlling the combustion of the burner which used propane gas to heat up the air in the envelope to move the balloon off the ground and into the air. She kept on firing the burner at regular intervals throughout the flight to ensure that the balloon continued to be stable.
When she was in action, she covered up her face; when she was in a relaxed situation, she briefed her 'passenger' about the journey; asked them about 'their welfare' and when the 'time was right', I asked about her work and how much was her pay.
She said she only flew only once in a day; that also depended on the weather. It was an hour flight...and her pay was 5,000 lira (around RM10,000) a month. Ooh, what a great job and a good pay!
Perhaps looking at the money...some of us would like to take the challenge to be a pilot of a hot air balloon as our second job in line with the suggestion that Malaysian took up a second job to fight the ever raising cost of living. Well, I was only joking...the truth was this job demanded 100 percent concentration!
Now we come back to our expensive public transport fares issue which many of us have no choice - but whether you are angry at it or not you have to face it. Instead of putting negative reactions such as putting on a sour face or keeping on grumbling why not change our thinking ways - accept things as they are and try to enjoy whatever that are thrown to us.
Thus try to enjoy the train rides...forget about the expensive fares. When we are on the train, sit back, relax and reflect on this soothing words of Allah SWT: "Verily, along with every hardship is relief, verily, along with hardship is relief. So when you have finished (your occupation), devote yourself for Allah’s worship. And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your) intentions and hopes.” [Qur'an 94:5-8]
Insya-Allah (God Willing) if we bank our hope to Him and pleaded for His help, He would make things easy for us. We must also believe His words that if we help others such as giving charity He wound rewarded us bountiful in this world and in the Hereafter. Also let's perform the recommended 'dhuha' (mid morning) prayers for 'insya-Allah' our lives would be blessed for example abundance in necessities.
About high fares for public transport such as the LRT , the 'rakyat' have to be united - do not give support to parties and leaders who had made our lives miserable. Please make full use of the 'people's power' - be united and work hard from now to make changes in the next election!
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)
***
SINCE I retired from office about four years ago, I rarely went out to town whats more to our capital city Kuala Lumpur. I spent most of my time at home, at my parents' home, in my 'kebun' (garden) and several 'masjids' near my house.
A few days ago I went to Kuala Lumpur as I longed to meet my old office colleagues. Subhanallah, what a shock awaited a 'katak bawah tempurung' (frog under a coconut shell) person like me when I was in the city for example the fares of the LRT had soared more than 100 percent!
I took several train rides - previously the LRT journey that cost me RM1.20 had increased to RM3 and the RM1.70 ones had been raised to RM3.80!
During my working years, I took the return train almost every day, my monthly allocation for the LRT rides amounted to about RM100...now with more than 100 percent raise in the fares, I dared not to think the consequences I had to face if I were still working in KL.
Well, to be mad or 'to run amok' about the expensive fares, it would be of no benefit but commuters had to think hard and fast how to solve their monies woes. A federal minister had already given his idea - why not 'the people of this country' have two jobs to beat the high cost of living!
Forget about the minister's 'brilliant idea', let's us relax our mind' by sharing some beautiful experiences I had while holidaying in Turkey recently. Summing up the nine days journey travelling by bus from Istanbul, Bursa, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia, Ankara, Bolu and back to Istanbul, I must admit that it fitted the tagline of our travel agent's in Turkey - Life is a journey...enjoy it!
Alhamdulillah, I enjoyed everything that 'was thrown upon me'; perhaps the best experience for me was flying in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia. Heritage Travel noted that Cappadocia is known around the world as one of the best places to fly with hot air balloons.
The spectacular surrealistic landscapes combined with excellent flying conditions allow the balloons to gently drift over and between fairy chimneys, pigeon houses hewn into the unique rock formations, orchards and vineyards – through impressive valleys, each with distinctive rock formations, colors and features – and then float up over rippled ravines for breathtaking views over the region.
To feel, perhaps the once in a life-time experience we try Royal with it's tagline 'Fly Royal - Feel Royal'. Yes, I felt royal...but with what cost, dear readers? The ride or flight of one hour burnt US$190 (nearly RM1,000) from each of our pockets. Yes, forget about the expensive fare...enjoy the ride, fly like a millionaire or better still pretend to be a king or queen!
During the flight I stood next to the person 'operating' (driver?) the hot air balloon, Seniz Tuzcu Timur, thus I had great opportunities to see her in action and course asked her questions. Her business card which she presented to me after the flight stated that her job was a 'pilot'...wow it was not 'an ordinary job'...she told me it needed five years for a person to learn the technical and art of flying at a special academy!
How did the balloon flew? I saw Seniz controlling the combustion of the burner which used propane gas to heat up the air in the envelope to move the balloon off the ground and into the air. She kept on firing the burner at regular intervals throughout the flight to ensure that the balloon continued to be stable.
When she was in action, she covered up her face; when she was in a relaxed situation, she briefed her 'passenger' about the journey; asked them about 'their welfare' and when the 'time was right', I asked about her work and how much was her pay.
She said she only flew only once in a day; that also depended on the weather. It was an hour flight...and her pay was 5,000 lira (around RM10,000) a month. Ooh, what a great job and a good pay!
Perhaps looking at the money...some of us would like to take the challenge to be a pilot of a hot air balloon as our second job in line with the suggestion that Malaysian took up a second job to fight the ever raising cost of living. Well, I was only joking...the truth was this job demanded 100 percent concentration!
Now we come back to our expensive public transport fares issue which many of us have no choice - but whether you are angry at it or not you have to face it. Instead of putting negative reactions such as putting on a sour face or keeping on grumbling why not change our thinking ways - accept things as they are and try to enjoy whatever that are thrown to us.
Thus try to enjoy the train rides...forget about the expensive fares. When we are on the train, sit back, relax and reflect on this soothing words of Allah SWT: "Verily, along with every hardship is relief, verily, along with hardship is relief. So when you have finished (your occupation), devote yourself for Allah’s worship. And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your) intentions and hopes.” [Qur'an 94:5-8]
Insya-Allah (God Willing) if we bank our hope to Him and pleaded for His help, He would make things easy for us. We must also believe His words that if we help others such as giving charity He wound rewarded us bountiful in this world and in the Hereafter. Also let's perform the recommended 'dhuha' (mid morning) prayers for 'insya-Allah' our lives would be blessed for example abundance in necessities.
About high fares for public transport such as the LRT , the 'rakyat' have to be united - do not give support to parties and leaders who had made our lives miserable. Please make full use of the 'people's power' - be united and work hard from now to make changes in the next election!
January 28, 2016
Prophet Muhammad the savior of mankind including those in US
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection
The Declining Day (Al-'Asr)
1. By the declining day,
2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss,
3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort
one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.
***
DURING this time when Muslims all over the world celebrated Prophet Muhammad's s.a.w. birthday (Maulidur Rasul), I remembered how American Republican's presidential hopeful, Donald Trump insulted Muslims by making a call to bar Muslims from entering the United States.
However Senator Lindsey Graham was quick to say that it's time for Republicans to rebuke Trump, urging his party to tell Trump to "go to hell." Graham on CNN's New Day said: “You know how you make America great again? Tell Donald Trump to go to hell."
When Trump insulted the Muslims, I was in Turkey; in this country with 70 million population of which 99 percent are Muslims, Trump's call was met by sharp criticsm, their leaders drew attention to the paradox that such an attitude demonstrates racism in a country of immigrants while also playing into the hands of radical Islamists.
Ibrahim Kalin, a spokesperson for and adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdorgan tweeted: "Mr @realDonaldTrump claims to 'make America great again' by going racist in a country of immigrants?!"
To insult Muslims such as claiming that the religion promotes terrorism, is to insult the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad s.a.w. If we were to look at the holy book, the Qur'an in was mentioned in Surah Al-Anbiya (21) verse 107 - "Wama arsalnaka illa rahmatan lil' alameen" - with the meaning Allah The Almighty says: {And We have sent you (O Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).} [Al-Anbiya 21:107]
An 'ustaz' (religious teacher) in his 'tazkirah' (Islamic lesson) at a 'masjid' near my house recently, said that the world not be created if not for Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. The prophet was, is and would be the mercy of all that exists as mentioned in the verse above. He would also be looked forward for his 'syafaat' (blessing) by all human beings from the time of the first man on earth, Adam a.s. to the last man.
The 'ustaz' said Islam is for all; Muslims and non-Muslims (including Mr Trump; this was not mentioned by the 'ustaz' but noted by the writer). In the Qur'an (the holy book for Muslims), there are ayahs (verses of the Holy Qur'an) which begin with ‘ya ayyuhannas’ which means ‘Oh people’ and ayahs begin with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’ yang means ‘Oh people who believe’.
There are a little over 90 ayahs in the Qur’an that begin with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’. Allah sent the Qur’an for all of mankind, not just for the people during the time of the Prophet peace be upon him (pbuh, s.a.w.) and only for Muslims.
The phrase ‘ya ayyuhannas which occurs 20 times in the holy Qur’an, has a general and collective meaning that envelops all human beings of any race, tribe, or colour. Example of an ayah beginning with ‘ya ayyuhannas’ is Ayah 21 of Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) with the meaning: “O’ mankind! Worship your Lord Who created you, and those before you, so that you may guard yourselves (against evil).”
And example of an ayah beginning with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’ is Ayah 183 of Surah Al-Baqarah with the meaning: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you that ye may ward off (evil).”
God, out of His abundant Love and Mercy for mankind, has not left us in darkness to discover the right path by trial and error alone. Coupled with our intellectual capability to reason, God bestowed upon us Divine Guidance that outlines the Criterion for truth and the knowledge and reality of our existence in this world and Hereafter.
From the beginning of mankind God sent Exemplers of Prophets to convey His revelation and to invite all mankind to the path of true peace and obedience in one true God. This is Islam. This message was conveyed to all nations and tribes in this world throughout successive generations through more than 124,000 prophets with Muhammad s.a.w. as the final Messenger – all inviting mankind to the same path. - The Light of Revelation (Islamic Outreach-ABIM)
Thus Islam is for all, but nobody can be forced to be a Muslim. Harun Yahya in his book ‘Learning from the Qur’an', quoted many ayahs regarding this matter, an example, Qur’an, 2:256 with the meaning; “There is no compulsion where the religion is concerned. Right guidance has become clearly distinct from error. Anyone who rejects false gods and believes in Allah has grasped the Firmest Handhold, which will never give way. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
Also notice that in performing the five pillars of Islam (Rukun Islam) such ‘solat’ (praying) and ‘puasa’ (fasting), it is stated that the first ‘syarat’ (requirement) for a person to perform the ‘ibadat’ (acts of devotion to Allah SWT) is that he or she must be a Muslim.
Why must the first ‘syarat’ for a person to do the ‘ibadat’ he or she must be a Muslim. Why must it be Muslim; isn’t the religion of Islam is for Muslim?
This religion of Islam is not only for Muslims, it is an universal religion for all. Yes Islam is for all, only Muslims were required to perform the special ‘ibadat’ such as ‘solat’ and ‘puasa’. For the non-Muslims, they were not required to perform this special ‘ibadat’.
If Islam is for all, then why must people be made to be scared of it as done by Mr Trump. Rasulullah (pbuh) as the the leader of 'ummah' changed their (the people of Makkah) corrupt and ignorant belief (idol-worshipping) and culture. They transformed from a society who worshipped 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.”
Regarding Prophet Isa (Jesus) pbuh, the book ‘Light of Revelation’ notes: “Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was as human as any man. He ate, slept, fought the Romans, worshipped God, wept and cried to God for assistance and salvation! If we read the Bible with an open heart, 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 worshipped 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).
Sincerely ponder over the above verse and Isaiah 43:10 (below) and ask yourself whether there is any place for the belief in Trinity. God says: “Besides Me there is no other god; there never was and never will be.” That God is Allah SWT, the Most Merciful to all of us, Muslims and non-Muslims!
As for you Mr Trump, do not loose hope; you do not have to go to hell as mentioned by Senator Graham - yes, your ignorance is understandable; there is still light at the end of tunnel...but only when Allah SWT guides you by giving you 'iman' (faith) - that's the highest reward (gift) from God to his subjects. If you had 'iman' only then you would realized that your richness, assets, power mean nothing to you!
If we were to look at the lives of those people who were against Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., some were worst than you Mr Trump but after they became Muslims, they were among the best. There were many examplers among them Umar Al-Khattab, Khalid Ibnu Walid, Ikrimah Abu Jahal, Hindun binti Abu Suffian and the list goes on and on until the end of the world.
Reflection
The Declining Day (Al-'Asr)
1. By the declining day,
2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss,
3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort
one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.
***
DURING this time when Muslims all over the world celebrated Prophet Muhammad's s.a.w. birthday (Maulidur Rasul), I remembered how American Republican's presidential hopeful, Donald Trump insulted Muslims by making a call to bar Muslims from entering the United States.
However Senator Lindsey Graham was quick to say that it's time for Republicans to rebuke Trump, urging his party to tell Trump to "go to hell." Graham on CNN's New Day said: “You know how you make America great again? Tell Donald Trump to go to hell."
When Trump insulted the Muslims, I was in Turkey; in this country with 70 million population of which 99 percent are Muslims, Trump's call was met by sharp criticsm, their leaders drew attention to the paradox that such an attitude demonstrates racism in a country of immigrants while also playing into the hands of radical Islamists.
Ibrahim Kalin, a spokesperson for and adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdorgan tweeted: "Mr @realDonaldTrump claims to 'make America great again' by going racist in a country of immigrants?!"
To insult Muslims such as claiming that the religion promotes terrorism, is to insult the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad s.a.w. If we were to look at the holy book, the Qur'an in was mentioned in Surah Al-Anbiya (21) verse 107 - "Wama arsalnaka illa rahmatan lil' alameen" - with the meaning Allah The Almighty says: {And We have sent you (O Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).} [Al-Anbiya 21:107]
An 'ustaz' (religious teacher) in his 'tazkirah' (Islamic lesson) at a 'masjid' near my house recently, said that the world not be created if not for Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. The prophet was, is and would be the mercy of all that exists as mentioned in the verse above. He would also be looked forward for his 'syafaat' (blessing) by all human beings from the time of the first man on earth, Adam a.s. to the last man.
The 'ustaz' said Islam is for all; Muslims and non-Muslims (including Mr Trump; this was not mentioned by the 'ustaz' but noted by the writer). In the Qur'an (the holy book for Muslims), there are ayahs (verses of the Holy Qur'an) which begin with ‘ya ayyuhannas’ which means ‘Oh people’ and ayahs begin with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’ yang means ‘Oh people who believe’.
There are a little over 90 ayahs in the Qur’an that begin with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’. Allah sent the Qur’an for all of mankind, not just for the people during the time of the Prophet peace be upon him (pbuh, s.a.w.) and only for Muslims.
The phrase ‘ya ayyuhannas which occurs 20 times in the holy Qur’an, has a general and collective meaning that envelops all human beings of any race, tribe, or colour. Example of an ayah beginning with ‘ya ayyuhannas’ is Ayah 21 of Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) with the meaning: “O’ mankind! Worship your Lord Who created you, and those before you, so that you may guard yourselves (against evil).”
And example of an ayah beginning with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’ is Ayah 183 of Surah Al-Baqarah with the meaning: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you that ye may ward off (evil).”
God, out of His abundant Love and Mercy for mankind, has not left us in darkness to discover the right path by trial and error alone. Coupled with our intellectual capability to reason, God bestowed upon us Divine Guidance that outlines the Criterion for truth and the knowledge and reality of our existence in this world and Hereafter.
From the beginning of mankind God sent Exemplers of Prophets to convey His revelation and to invite all mankind to the path of true peace and obedience in one true God. This is Islam. This message was conveyed to all nations and tribes in this world throughout successive generations through more than 124,000 prophets with Muhammad s.a.w. as the final Messenger – all inviting mankind to the same path. - The Light of Revelation (Islamic Outreach-ABIM)
Thus Islam is for all, but nobody can be forced to be a Muslim. Harun Yahya in his book ‘Learning from the Qur’an', quoted many ayahs regarding this matter, an example, Qur’an, 2:256 with the meaning; “There is no compulsion where the religion is concerned. Right guidance has become clearly distinct from error. Anyone who rejects false gods and believes in Allah has grasped the Firmest Handhold, which will never give way. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
Also notice that in performing the five pillars of Islam (Rukun Islam) such ‘solat’ (praying) and ‘puasa’ (fasting), it is stated that the first ‘syarat’ (requirement) for a person to perform the ‘ibadat’ (acts of devotion to Allah SWT) is that he or she must be a Muslim.
Why must the first ‘syarat’ for a person to do the ‘ibadat’ he or she must be a Muslim. Why must it be Muslim; isn’t the religion of Islam is for Muslim?
This religion of Islam is not only for Muslims, it is an universal religion for all. Yes Islam is for all, only Muslims were required to perform the special ‘ibadat’ such as ‘solat’ and ‘puasa’. For the non-Muslims, they were not required to perform this special ‘ibadat’.
If Islam is for all, then why must people be made to be scared of it as done by Mr Trump. Rasulullah (pbuh) as the the leader of 'ummah' changed their (the people of Makkah) corrupt and ignorant belief (idol-worshipping) and culture. They transformed from a society who worshipped 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.”
Regarding Prophet Isa (Jesus) pbuh, the book ‘Light of Revelation’ notes: “Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was as human as any man. He ate, slept, fought the Romans, worshipped God, wept and cried to God for assistance and salvation! If we read the Bible with an open heart, 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 worshipped 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).
Sincerely ponder over the above verse and Isaiah 43:10 (below) and ask yourself whether there is any place for the belief in Trinity. God says: “Besides Me there is no other god; there never was and never will be.” That God is Allah SWT, the Most Merciful to all of us, Muslims and non-Muslims!
As for you Mr Trump, do not loose hope; you do not have to go to hell as mentioned by Senator Graham - yes, your ignorance is understandable; there is still light at the end of tunnel...but only when Allah SWT guides you by giving you 'iman' (faith) - that's the highest reward (gift) from God to his subjects. If you had 'iman' only then you would realized that your richness, assets, power mean nothing to you!
If we were to look at the lives of those people who were against Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., some were worst than you Mr Trump but after they became Muslims, they were among the best. There were many examplers among them Umar Al-Khattab, Khalid Ibnu Walid, Ikrimah Abu Jahal, Hindun binti Abu Suffian and the list goes on and on until the end of the world.
January 27, 2016
Signifikan tanggal 17 dan 23 Januari...
***
Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan janganlah kamu menghampiri zina, sesungguhnya zina itu adalah satu perbuatan yang keji dan satu jalan yang jahat yang membawa kerosakan." - Maksud Ayat al-Quran Surah al-Israa': 32
***
SAYA menukil artikel ini pada hari Ahad, 17 Januari 2016. Tanggal ini 25 tahun lalu (1991) membawa pengertian besar kepada dunia dan juga saya. Pada tarikh inilah tentera bersekutu dikepali Amerika Syarikat menyerang Iraq selepas Presidennya, Saddam Hussein menggempur seterusnya menakluk Kuwait.
Perang Teluk yang dicanangkan oleh Presiden Amerika, George (Sr) Bush ini mempunyai kesan besar kepada media massa. Buat pertama kalinya orang awam boleh menyaksikan perang melalui skrin televisyen. Wartawan CNN, Peter Arnett berupaya membuat liputan perang dari Baghdad, kota yang menjadi sasaran tentera bersekutu selain Basrah.
Keghairahan membuat liputan berita perang turut menjangkiti media massa tempatan. Ketika itu penulis yang bertugas di sebuah akhbar harian turut membantu menerbitkan keluaran khas perang yang diedarkan pada sebelah petang. Akhbar itu dijual dengan harga rendah, hanya untuk menampung kos, mungkin 20 sen senaskhah (penulis tidak berapa ingat lagi).
Penulis teringat betapa petugas-petugas bersengkang mata - memulakan kerja jam 3.00 pagi dan menamatkannya kira-kira jam 7.00 pagi untuk membolehkan akhbar dicetak dan diedarkan pada sebelah tengah hari dan petang.
Selepas akhbar khas ini mendapat sambutan, lahirlah ilham untuk menerbitkan akhbar petang berbahasa Melayu pertama. Penulis yang turut termasuk dalam kumpulan perintis akhbar baru ini bekerja siang malam bagi menjayakan penerbitannya.
Dua bulan selepas bermula Perang Teluk, muncullah harian petang dalam bahasa Melayu di khalayak, dan kini selepas 25 tahun akhbar ini dikatakan sebagai akhbar paling besar jualannya di tanah air dengan edaran lebih 400,000 naskhah sehari dengan pembaca kira-kira sejuta orang.
Kini 25 tahun sudah berlalu, bagaimanakah senario terkini di Timur Tengah? Dulu sesekali ada penulis ke rantau ini tetapi sekarang ini maklumat diperolehi melalui pembacaan (dulu melalui akhbar, TV, radio dan agensi berita asing seperti Reuters, AP dan UPI tetapi sekarang meliputi internet); yang terbaharu dikhabarkan Iran telah bertindak terhadap seorang penyairnya yang dikatakan cuba menyedarkan pemimpin dan orang Syiah akan 'dosa-dosa' yang telah mereka lakukan. Perkhabaran ini tersebar di alam maya dan sudah dibaca banyak pihak tetapi menjadi tanggungjawab kita untuk memeriksa kesahihahnya.
Namun sudah menjadi pengetahuan umum sekarang ini berlaku pergeseran hebat antara Arab Saudi-Iran berikutan hukuman mati ke atas seorang ulama Syiah di Arab Saudi. Negara umat Islam termasuk Malaysia sendiri tersepit dalam pergeseran ini dengan sesetengah pihak mengesyorkan Kuala Lumpur mengambil sikap berkecuali.
Ini kerana hakikatnya Kuala Lumpur mempunyai hubungan baik malah intim dengan Riyadh dan juga Teheran. Namun hubungan dengan Riyadh lebih intim terutamanya kerana pemerintah Arab Saudi yang menggelar dirinya 'Khadam Dua Tanah Suci' (Makkah dan Madinah) 'mempunyai kuasa' dalam hal berkaitan haji dan umrah.
Kini 17 Januari muncul lagi, apa pengajaran peristiwa di Timur Tengah? Salah satu daripadanya ternyata kuasa Barat tidak boleh dipercayai atau diharapkan oleh umat dan negara Islam. Iraq (termasuk Saddam Hussein) sudah mereka 'lingkupkan'. Dunia Arab, dari Maghribi ke Syria seterusnya ke Yaman berberontakan; malahan Mesir yang rakyatnya pernah memilih pemimpin pro-Islam (Mohamad Morsi daripada Ikhwanul Muslimin) kini dikuasai sang diktator Abdel Fattah As-Sissi.
Kita tertanya-tanya mengapa Barat yang lantang dengan fahaman demokrasinya hanya berpeluk tubuh apabila pemimpin pilihan rakyat iaitu Morsi digulingkan; demikian juga pergerakan rakyat di sesetengah negara Arab tidak disokong, mereka sebaliknya rela bersahabat dengan raja, presiden dan diktator yang ternyata boleh dicucuk hidung bagi memberi keuntungan maksimum kepada kuasa Barat sendiri! Hakikatnya sekarang ini Amerika 'menunggang' sejumlah negara Arab yang sedia pula menjadi 'kuda tunggangan'.
Sehubungan sikap dan 'nafsu buas' Barat yang boleh dijangka ini, adalah kita sebagai Muslim dan rakyat negara umat Islam bernama Malaysia ini rela begitu saja dengan Perjanjian Perkongsian Trans-Pasifik (TPPA) tajaan Amerika? Sehubungan itu, marilah kita turun beramai-ramai ke Dataran Merdeka, KL pada Sabtu 23 Januari bagi menyatakan bantahan kita terhadap 'kaedah baharu penjajahan Barat' ini!
Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan janganlah kamu menghampiri zina, sesungguhnya zina itu adalah satu perbuatan yang keji dan satu jalan yang jahat yang membawa kerosakan." - Maksud Ayat al-Quran Surah al-Israa': 32
***
SAYA menukil artikel ini pada hari Ahad, 17 Januari 2016. Tanggal ini 25 tahun lalu (1991) membawa pengertian besar kepada dunia dan juga saya. Pada tarikh inilah tentera bersekutu dikepali Amerika Syarikat menyerang Iraq selepas Presidennya, Saddam Hussein menggempur seterusnya menakluk Kuwait.
Perang Teluk yang dicanangkan oleh Presiden Amerika, George (Sr) Bush ini mempunyai kesan besar kepada media massa. Buat pertama kalinya orang awam boleh menyaksikan perang melalui skrin televisyen. Wartawan CNN, Peter Arnett berupaya membuat liputan perang dari Baghdad, kota yang menjadi sasaran tentera bersekutu selain Basrah.
Keghairahan membuat liputan berita perang turut menjangkiti media massa tempatan. Ketika itu penulis yang bertugas di sebuah akhbar harian turut membantu menerbitkan keluaran khas perang yang diedarkan pada sebelah petang. Akhbar itu dijual dengan harga rendah, hanya untuk menampung kos, mungkin 20 sen senaskhah (penulis tidak berapa ingat lagi).
Penulis teringat betapa petugas-petugas bersengkang mata - memulakan kerja jam 3.00 pagi dan menamatkannya kira-kira jam 7.00 pagi untuk membolehkan akhbar dicetak dan diedarkan pada sebelah tengah hari dan petang.
Selepas akhbar khas ini mendapat sambutan, lahirlah ilham untuk menerbitkan akhbar petang berbahasa Melayu pertama. Penulis yang turut termasuk dalam kumpulan perintis akhbar baru ini bekerja siang malam bagi menjayakan penerbitannya.
Dua bulan selepas bermula Perang Teluk, muncullah harian petang dalam bahasa Melayu di khalayak, dan kini selepas 25 tahun akhbar ini dikatakan sebagai akhbar paling besar jualannya di tanah air dengan edaran lebih 400,000 naskhah sehari dengan pembaca kira-kira sejuta orang.
Kini 25 tahun sudah berlalu, bagaimanakah senario terkini di Timur Tengah? Dulu sesekali ada penulis ke rantau ini tetapi sekarang ini maklumat diperolehi melalui pembacaan (dulu melalui akhbar, TV, radio dan agensi berita asing seperti Reuters, AP dan UPI tetapi sekarang meliputi internet); yang terbaharu dikhabarkan Iran telah bertindak terhadap seorang penyairnya yang dikatakan cuba menyedarkan pemimpin dan orang Syiah akan 'dosa-dosa' yang telah mereka lakukan. Perkhabaran ini tersebar di alam maya dan sudah dibaca banyak pihak tetapi menjadi tanggungjawab kita untuk memeriksa kesahihahnya.
Namun sudah menjadi pengetahuan umum sekarang ini berlaku pergeseran hebat antara Arab Saudi-Iran berikutan hukuman mati ke atas seorang ulama Syiah di Arab Saudi. Negara umat Islam termasuk Malaysia sendiri tersepit dalam pergeseran ini dengan sesetengah pihak mengesyorkan Kuala Lumpur mengambil sikap berkecuali.
Ini kerana hakikatnya Kuala Lumpur mempunyai hubungan baik malah intim dengan Riyadh dan juga Teheran. Namun hubungan dengan Riyadh lebih intim terutamanya kerana pemerintah Arab Saudi yang menggelar dirinya 'Khadam Dua Tanah Suci' (Makkah dan Madinah) 'mempunyai kuasa' dalam hal berkaitan haji dan umrah.
Kini 17 Januari muncul lagi, apa pengajaran peristiwa di Timur Tengah? Salah satu daripadanya ternyata kuasa Barat tidak boleh dipercayai atau diharapkan oleh umat dan negara Islam. Iraq (termasuk Saddam Hussein) sudah mereka 'lingkupkan'. Dunia Arab, dari Maghribi ke Syria seterusnya ke Yaman berberontakan; malahan Mesir yang rakyatnya pernah memilih pemimpin pro-Islam (Mohamad Morsi daripada Ikhwanul Muslimin) kini dikuasai sang diktator Abdel Fattah As-Sissi.
Kita tertanya-tanya mengapa Barat yang lantang dengan fahaman demokrasinya hanya berpeluk tubuh apabila pemimpin pilihan rakyat iaitu Morsi digulingkan; demikian juga pergerakan rakyat di sesetengah negara Arab tidak disokong, mereka sebaliknya rela bersahabat dengan raja, presiden dan diktator yang ternyata boleh dicucuk hidung bagi memberi keuntungan maksimum kepada kuasa Barat sendiri! Hakikatnya sekarang ini Amerika 'menunggang' sejumlah negara Arab yang sedia pula menjadi 'kuda tunggangan'.
Sehubungan sikap dan 'nafsu buas' Barat yang boleh dijangka ini, adalah kita sebagai Muslim dan rakyat negara umat Islam bernama Malaysia ini rela begitu saja dengan Perjanjian Perkongsian Trans-Pasifik (TPPA) tajaan Amerika? Sehubungan itu, marilah kita turun beramai-ramai ke Dataran Merdeka, KL pada Sabtu 23 Januari bagi menyatakan bantahan kita terhadap 'kaedah baharu penjajahan Barat' ini!
January 25, 2016
Zahirkan keindahan Islam...
****************************** 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)
SEBAGAI penulis bebas, daripada sejumlah penerbitan yang saya ada hubungan, SUARA KEADILAN adalah yang terbaik dalam komunikasi sama ada dalam mengucapkan terima kasih apabila rencana sudah diterima atau mengumumkan pembayaran sudah dilunaskan.
Lihatlah contoh ini - (1) Bayaran rencana sudah masuk semalam, Linda SK. (2) As salam, hari ni dah 'bank in' RM200. Ni Wanti guna e-mel Linda. Bermula bulan depan Linda akan uruskan bayaran untuk honorium (honorarium) menggunakan e-mel ini. Saya dah 'tender resignation'. Terima kasih, Wanti. (3) Waalaikumusalam, terima kasih...(respons segera selepas menerima rencana). (4) Waalaikumusalam..awal ya minggu ni..trm kasih (maklum balas selepas saya hantar rencana awal sebab mahu pergi bercuti).
Suara Keadilan adalah yang terbaik dalam melunaskan pembayaran honorarium; rencana-rencana yang disiarkan pada satu-satu bulan dibayar pada bulan berikutnya, biasanya sebelum 10 haribulan. Saya seorang yang sukar membuat pujian, tetapi usaha Suara Keadilan berhak mendapat pujian ini sejajar dengan sebuah hadis; daripada Abdullah ibn Umar, katanya, Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. bersabda bermaksud: "Berikan kepada seorang pekerja upahnya sebelum keringatnya kering." (Riwayat Ibnu Majah, hadis ini shahih)
Ya, wahai pembaca...syabas kita ucapkan kepada petugas Suara Keadilan kerana menzahirkan nilai-nilai murni dalam Islam. Nilai-nilai Islam bersifat universal, untuk diamalkan oleh Muslim dan orang yang belum lagi Muslim. Apa yang diluahkan seperti ucapan 'Assalamualaikum', 'terima kasih', bertanya khabar, meminta maaf dan memaklumkan perkembangan nampak kecil bagi kebanyakan manusia tetapi hakikatnya adalah tersangat besar dalam pembinaan tamadun manusia apatah lagi di sisi Allah SWT.
Tamadun manusia yang hebat-hebat bermula daripada perkara-perkara yang dianggap kecil ini. Sekalipun tamadun Barat yang kita saksikan di ambang keruntuhan sekarang ini, jika kita berkunjung ke negara-negaranya seperti Britain kita tak lekang bertemu dengan orang yang memberikan ucapan 'good morning', 'thank you', 'excuse me', 'please' dan sebagainya sekalipun kita tidak kenal mereka.
Demikian juga dari segi disiplin, mereka masih hebat walaupun ramai yang sudah 'tersasar' seperti mabuk dan sebagainya. Beratur lurus membeli tiket, membuat pembayaran di kaunter, menaiki pengkangkutan awam adalah senario biasa...Ketepatan masa seperti mesyuarat dan perjalanan pengangkutan awam tetap menjadi amalan. Ya Barat masih hebat...dulu seorang sarjana Islam, ada mengungkapkan bahawa nilai Islam 'terzahir' di Barat tetapi tidak di negara umat Islam!
Sekarang ini kita masih di permulaan tahun baru, apa kata kita cuba ubah secara beransur-ansur sikap terutama kebiasaan kita. 'Kezahiran' nilai mulia tetapi mudah seperti ucapan 'terima kasih' oleh petugas Suara Keadilan perlu dicontohi semua pihak terutama organisasi dan syarikat hatta yang mendakwa Islamik sekalipun kerana mereka (maaf kata), jarang atau tidak pernah pun berbuat demikian. Panggilan telefon ke pejabat mereka begitu sukar 'masuk', jika ada yang mengangkat telefon, tiada ucapan ceria manakala layanannya 'bina tak bina saja'!
Demikian juga soal membabitkan kewangan seperti membuat pembayaran atau membayar hutang...banyak pihak culas dan lewat dalam membereskan hak-hak pihak dan orang lain. Banyak pihak melihat perkara ini remeh-temeh, kononnya matlamat mereka hebat-hebat belaka seperti mendapat kuasa, memperkasa agama, memajukan rakyat dan menggandakan keuntungan; hakikatnya kemuncak kejayaan hakiki wajiblah bermula daripada perkara paling dasar termasuklah betul dari segi akidah.
Sekarang ini kita perhatikan, ramai orang dan pihak lebih banyak beretorik daripada membuat pengamalan. Kononnya mereka akan 'berbuat begitu begini selepas mendapat kuasa', hakikatnya kebaikan boleh dilakukan oleh semua orang...takkan ucapan seperti ' Assalamualaikum', 'terima kasih' dan memberi senyuman pun tidak boleh diamalkan!
Malahan kita dapati ucapan 'minta maaf' pun sukar diucapkan oleh 'orang besar' hatta 'golongan agamawan' sekalipun, misalnya jika mereka terlewat sampai ke sesuatu majlis termasuk tazkirah sedangkan hadirin sudah lama menunggu! Jika ada 100 orang dan masa menunggu 30 minit, masa dihabiskan adalah 3,000 minit bersamaan 50 jam!
Mereka pandai bercakap..."demi masa, sesungguhnya manusia itu dalam kerugian" tetapi apabila mereka 'menghabiskan masa orang awam' mereka tak rasa bersalah pun! Ya, sukalah diingatkan kepada diri sendiri dan semua orang, bikinlah seperti mana yang dicakap (atau cakap serupa bikin), itulah salah satu daripada nilai-nilai murni dalam agama kita yang suci!
SEBAGAI penulis bebas, daripada sejumlah penerbitan yang saya ada hubungan, SUARA KEADILAN adalah yang terbaik dalam komunikasi sama ada dalam mengucapkan terima kasih apabila rencana sudah diterima atau mengumumkan pembayaran sudah dilunaskan.
Lihatlah contoh ini - (1) Bayaran rencana sudah masuk semalam, Linda SK. (2) As salam, hari ni dah 'bank in' RM200. Ni Wanti guna e-mel Linda. Bermula bulan depan Linda akan uruskan bayaran untuk honorium (honorarium) menggunakan e-mel ini. Saya dah 'tender resignation'. Terima kasih, Wanti. (3) Waalaikumusalam, terima kasih...(respons segera selepas menerima rencana). (4) Waalaikumusalam..awal ya minggu ni..trm kasih (maklum balas selepas saya hantar rencana awal sebab mahu pergi bercuti).
Suara Keadilan adalah yang terbaik dalam melunaskan pembayaran honorarium; rencana-rencana yang disiarkan pada satu-satu bulan dibayar pada bulan berikutnya, biasanya sebelum 10 haribulan. Saya seorang yang sukar membuat pujian, tetapi usaha Suara Keadilan berhak mendapat pujian ini sejajar dengan sebuah hadis; daripada Abdullah ibn Umar, katanya, Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. bersabda bermaksud: "Berikan kepada seorang pekerja upahnya sebelum keringatnya kering." (Riwayat Ibnu Majah, hadis ini shahih)
Ya, wahai pembaca...syabas kita ucapkan kepada petugas Suara Keadilan kerana menzahirkan nilai-nilai murni dalam Islam. Nilai-nilai Islam bersifat universal, untuk diamalkan oleh Muslim dan orang yang belum lagi Muslim. Apa yang diluahkan seperti ucapan 'Assalamualaikum', 'terima kasih', bertanya khabar, meminta maaf dan memaklumkan perkembangan nampak kecil bagi kebanyakan manusia tetapi hakikatnya adalah tersangat besar dalam pembinaan tamadun manusia apatah lagi di sisi Allah SWT.
Tamadun manusia yang hebat-hebat bermula daripada perkara-perkara yang dianggap kecil ini. Sekalipun tamadun Barat yang kita saksikan di ambang keruntuhan sekarang ini, jika kita berkunjung ke negara-negaranya seperti Britain kita tak lekang bertemu dengan orang yang memberikan ucapan 'good morning', 'thank you', 'excuse me', 'please' dan sebagainya sekalipun kita tidak kenal mereka.
Demikian juga dari segi disiplin, mereka masih hebat walaupun ramai yang sudah 'tersasar' seperti mabuk dan sebagainya. Beratur lurus membeli tiket, membuat pembayaran di kaunter, menaiki pengkangkutan awam adalah senario biasa...Ketepatan masa seperti mesyuarat dan perjalanan pengangkutan awam tetap menjadi amalan. Ya Barat masih hebat...dulu seorang sarjana Islam, ada mengungkapkan bahawa nilai Islam 'terzahir' di Barat tetapi tidak di negara umat Islam!
Sekarang ini kita masih di permulaan tahun baru, apa kata kita cuba ubah secara beransur-ansur sikap terutama kebiasaan kita. 'Kezahiran' nilai mulia tetapi mudah seperti ucapan 'terima kasih' oleh petugas Suara Keadilan perlu dicontohi semua pihak terutama organisasi dan syarikat hatta yang mendakwa Islamik sekalipun kerana mereka (maaf kata), jarang atau tidak pernah pun berbuat demikian. Panggilan telefon ke pejabat mereka begitu sukar 'masuk', jika ada yang mengangkat telefon, tiada ucapan ceria manakala layanannya 'bina tak bina saja'!
Demikian juga soal membabitkan kewangan seperti membuat pembayaran atau membayar hutang...banyak pihak culas dan lewat dalam membereskan hak-hak pihak dan orang lain. Banyak pihak melihat perkara ini remeh-temeh, kononnya matlamat mereka hebat-hebat belaka seperti mendapat kuasa, memperkasa agama, memajukan rakyat dan menggandakan keuntungan; hakikatnya kemuncak kejayaan hakiki wajiblah bermula daripada perkara paling dasar termasuklah betul dari segi akidah.
Sekarang ini kita perhatikan, ramai orang dan pihak lebih banyak beretorik daripada membuat pengamalan. Kononnya mereka akan 'berbuat begitu begini selepas mendapat kuasa', hakikatnya kebaikan boleh dilakukan oleh semua orang...takkan ucapan seperti ' Assalamualaikum', 'terima kasih' dan memberi senyuman pun tidak boleh diamalkan!
Malahan kita dapati ucapan 'minta maaf' pun sukar diucapkan oleh 'orang besar' hatta 'golongan agamawan' sekalipun, misalnya jika mereka terlewat sampai ke sesuatu majlis termasuk tazkirah sedangkan hadirin sudah lama menunggu! Jika ada 100 orang dan masa menunggu 30 minit, masa dihabiskan adalah 3,000 minit bersamaan 50 jam!
Mereka pandai bercakap..."demi masa, sesungguhnya manusia itu dalam kerugian" tetapi apabila mereka 'menghabiskan masa orang awam' mereka tak rasa bersalah pun! Ya, sukalah diingatkan kepada diri sendiri dan semua orang, bikinlah seperti mana yang dicakap (atau cakap serupa bikin), itulah salah satu daripada nilai-nilai murni dalam agama kita yang suci!
January 21, 2016
Silaturahim dunia Islam kian parah
********************* Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. *********************** Renungan **************************** "Patutkah aku menyembah beberapa tuhan yang lain daripada Allah? (Sudah tentu tidak patut, kerana) jika Allah Yang Maha Pemurah hendak menimpakan daku dengan sesuatu bahaya, mereka tidak dapat memberikan sebarang syafaat kepadaku dan mereka juga tidak dapat menyelamatkan daku." (Surah Yaasin, ayat 23) **************************
KETIKA ke Kelantan baru-baru ini saya solat Jumaat di Masjid An-Nur, Mukim Badak Melawi, Bachok. Selepas solat, sambil menunggu isteri dan anak-anak perempuan solat zuhur, seronok saya membaca beberapa kain pemidang tertera mutiara kata.
Termenung sejenak saya membaca satu daripadanya: "Ada orang kata, berkawanlah (dengan) orang baik dan tinggalkan orang yang kurang baik...Tapi kata hatiku, walaupun dia kurang baik, lihat kebaikannya dan abaikan keburukannya kerana bagiku tiada manusia yang sempurna." Fikir-fikirkanlah dan kaitkannya dengan isu antarabangsa ini.
Ya, kali ini saya 'terbang' ke luar negara, mencelotehkan perihal umat dan dunia Islam yang kian parah - yang terbaru adalah 'perang' Arab Saudi-Iran berikutan tindakan Riyadh menghukum mati pemimpin Syiah di Arab Saudi, Syeikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr.
Krisis Saudi-Iran sudah terlalu lama tetapi pada penghujung tahun 1997, Iran yang terpilih untuk mengadakan Sidang Kemuncak Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam (OIC), kini dikenali sebagai Pertubuhan Kerjasama Islam, menghulurkan salam persaudaraan dan disambut erat oleh Saudi.
Saya sebagai wartawan yang membuat liputan dapat merasai detik bersejarah itu yang antara deklarasinya menjanjikan masa depan gemilang untuk umat Islam sejagat pada abad ke-21. Ya, sidang kemuncak itu adalah yang terakhir pada kurun ke-20, apatah lagi ia diadakan pada pasca Perang Teluk Pertama yang menyaksikan Amerika 'mengganyang' semahu-mahunya Iraq namun tidaklah sampai menggulingkan diktator Iraq, Saddam Hussein.
Kini pada abad ke-21, mungkin umat Islam sedunia mendapati bahawa janji itu retorik semata-mata, hakikatnya mereka yang tinggal dari Libya ke Syria, dari Xinjiang (China) ke Indonesia menempuh kehidupan kian parah pada ketika siraturahim sesama negara Islam merudum ke peringkat terbawah.
Ya, sekarang ini di mana OIC? Pertubuhan ini seakan-akan sudah mati, tidak relevan dengan perkembangan semasa. Pada ketika negara umat Islam bercakaran, nasib umat Islam minoriti seperti Rohingya, Uighur, Chechnya dan sudah pasti Palestin 'dikerjakan' cukup-cukup oleh pemerintah kuffar! Malah di negara umat Islam sendiri seperti Syria, mereka disembelih beramai-ramai.
Percakaran dan krisis negara dan umat Islam sudah terlalu parah sehinggakan calon Presiden Amerika daripada Parti Republikan, Donald Trump berani menjeritkan - Orang Islam diharamkan memasuki Amerika!
Selepas sidang kemuncak OIC 1997, dunia menyaksikan kemunculan tokoh-tokoh 'zalim' yang mungkin mencambahkan kelahiran militan seperti Islamic State yang hari ini dicop dunia sebagai pengganas.
Antaranya, George Bush Jr yang 'menghancur-leburkan' dua negara majoriti umat Islam - Afghanistan dan Iraq. Kedua-duanya teruk 'dikerjakan' kuasa besar dunia, Amerika Syarikat selepas Tragedi 11 September 2001.
Di Afghanistan kerajaan Taliban digulingkan dengan alasan bagi menangkap Osama bin Laden manakala di Iraq, Saddam Hussein ditumbangkan dengan alasan rejim itu menyimpan dan mengeluarkan senjata pemusnah secara besar-besaran.
Bagi memulihkan Iraq dan Afghanistan, Amerika kononya menjanjikan bantuan berbilion-bilion dolar selain memaksa negara lain seperti Jepun, China dan Korea Selatan menunjukkan komitmen kewangan selain menghantar tentera dan pekerja.
Hakikatnya, janji bantuan berbilion-bilion dolar itu hanya manisan mulut bukan saja oleh Amerika tetapi juga oleh negara-negara bakal penyumbang seperti Jepun. Rakyat Afghanistan terus dibiarkan terkontang-kanting mengharungi hidup manakala di Iraq, penduduk awam terus sengsara. Mereka tersepit dalam pertempuran tidak kunjung akhir antara tentera penceroboh Amerika dan pejuang pembebasan. Kini muncul pula Islamic State yang entah dari mana asal mereka!
Penduduk Islam Iraq pada ketika suasana genting untuk meneruskan hidup menjadi sasaran kumpulan pendakwah Kristian yang dikatakan mengambil kesempatan. Mereka memikat penduduk terbiar tanpa pembelaan, termasuk anak-anak yatim yang bersepah di jalanan, rumah orang tua dan juga pusat rawatan. Dengan dana besar, menggununglah hasrat mereka memesongkan ummah yang lemah.
Malah menurut sebuah laporan berita, puluhan ribu rakyat Iraq berjaya di Kristiankan melalui penyiaran sebuah stesen televisyen satelit oleh sebuah kumpulan agama di Amerika Syarikat.
Bagi kita, perkembangan amat memedihkan berhubung nasib dan masa depan umat Islam di Iraq dan Afghanistan malah di serata dunia adalah cermin kegagalan ummah, negara dan organisasi yang memayunginya iaitu OIC. Berdoalah untuk mendapatkan pertolongan Yang Maha Kuasa.
Kini keadaan bertambah buruk kerana 'bisul' pergeseran Syiah-Sunnah sejak sekian lama sudah meletup dengan Arab Saudi dan Teheran menjuari dua blok dunia Islam - seolah-olah akan berlaku gegak gempita perang yang disaksikan penuh 'kehairanan' dan 'waspada' oleh dunia Barat. Saudi sudah mengambil inisiatif untuk mengheret tentera negara umat Islam lain menyertai paksinya sedangkan Iran dengan pengikut Syiah yang agresif termasuk yang ramai di dunia Arab sendiri seperti di Yaman, Bahrain, Iraq dan Qatar tidak akan berdiam diri.
Mungkinkah berdasarkan perkembangan buruk membabitkan negara dan umat Islam, kuasa besar Barat dan proksinya Israel sedang 'tersenyum lebar' - ya, tak payah kerja keras untuk menghancurkan umat Islam, mereka sendiri akan 'hancur-menghancurkan' satu sama lain!
KETIKA ke Kelantan baru-baru ini saya solat Jumaat di Masjid An-Nur, Mukim Badak Melawi, Bachok. Selepas solat, sambil menunggu isteri dan anak-anak perempuan solat zuhur, seronok saya membaca beberapa kain pemidang tertera mutiara kata.
Termenung sejenak saya membaca satu daripadanya: "Ada orang kata, berkawanlah (dengan) orang baik dan tinggalkan orang yang kurang baik...Tapi kata hatiku, walaupun dia kurang baik, lihat kebaikannya dan abaikan keburukannya kerana bagiku tiada manusia yang sempurna." Fikir-fikirkanlah dan kaitkannya dengan isu antarabangsa ini.
Ya, kali ini saya 'terbang' ke luar negara, mencelotehkan perihal umat dan dunia Islam yang kian parah - yang terbaru adalah 'perang' Arab Saudi-Iran berikutan tindakan Riyadh menghukum mati pemimpin Syiah di Arab Saudi, Syeikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr.
Krisis Saudi-Iran sudah terlalu lama tetapi pada penghujung tahun 1997, Iran yang terpilih untuk mengadakan Sidang Kemuncak Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam (OIC), kini dikenali sebagai Pertubuhan Kerjasama Islam, menghulurkan salam persaudaraan dan disambut erat oleh Saudi.
Saya sebagai wartawan yang membuat liputan dapat merasai detik bersejarah itu yang antara deklarasinya menjanjikan masa depan gemilang untuk umat Islam sejagat pada abad ke-21. Ya, sidang kemuncak itu adalah yang terakhir pada kurun ke-20, apatah lagi ia diadakan pada pasca Perang Teluk Pertama yang menyaksikan Amerika 'mengganyang' semahu-mahunya Iraq namun tidaklah sampai menggulingkan diktator Iraq, Saddam Hussein.
Kini pada abad ke-21, mungkin umat Islam sedunia mendapati bahawa janji itu retorik semata-mata, hakikatnya mereka yang tinggal dari Libya ke Syria, dari Xinjiang (China) ke Indonesia menempuh kehidupan kian parah pada ketika siraturahim sesama negara Islam merudum ke peringkat terbawah.
Ya, sekarang ini di mana OIC? Pertubuhan ini seakan-akan sudah mati, tidak relevan dengan perkembangan semasa. Pada ketika negara umat Islam bercakaran, nasib umat Islam minoriti seperti Rohingya, Uighur, Chechnya dan sudah pasti Palestin 'dikerjakan' cukup-cukup oleh pemerintah kuffar! Malah di negara umat Islam sendiri seperti Syria, mereka disembelih beramai-ramai.
Percakaran dan krisis negara dan umat Islam sudah terlalu parah sehinggakan calon Presiden Amerika daripada Parti Republikan, Donald Trump berani menjeritkan - Orang Islam diharamkan memasuki Amerika!
Selepas sidang kemuncak OIC 1997, dunia menyaksikan kemunculan tokoh-tokoh 'zalim' yang mungkin mencambahkan kelahiran militan seperti Islamic State yang hari ini dicop dunia sebagai pengganas.
Antaranya, George Bush Jr yang 'menghancur-leburkan' dua negara majoriti umat Islam - Afghanistan dan Iraq. Kedua-duanya teruk 'dikerjakan' kuasa besar dunia, Amerika Syarikat selepas Tragedi 11 September 2001.
Di Afghanistan kerajaan Taliban digulingkan dengan alasan bagi menangkap Osama bin Laden manakala di Iraq, Saddam Hussein ditumbangkan dengan alasan rejim itu menyimpan dan mengeluarkan senjata pemusnah secara besar-besaran.
Bagi memulihkan Iraq dan Afghanistan, Amerika kononya menjanjikan bantuan berbilion-bilion dolar selain memaksa negara lain seperti Jepun, China dan Korea Selatan menunjukkan komitmen kewangan selain menghantar tentera dan pekerja.
Hakikatnya, janji bantuan berbilion-bilion dolar itu hanya manisan mulut bukan saja oleh Amerika tetapi juga oleh negara-negara bakal penyumbang seperti Jepun. Rakyat Afghanistan terus dibiarkan terkontang-kanting mengharungi hidup manakala di Iraq, penduduk awam terus sengsara. Mereka tersepit dalam pertempuran tidak kunjung akhir antara tentera penceroboh Amerika dan pejuang pembebasan. Kini muncul pula Islamic State yang entah dari mana asal mereka!
Penduduk Islam Iraq pada ketika suasana genting untuk meneruskan hidup menjadi sasaran kumpulan pendakwah Kristian yang dikatakan mengambil kesempatan. Mereka memikat penduduk terbiar tanpa pembelaan, termasuk anak-anak yatim yang bersepah di jalanan, rumah orang tua dan juga pusat rawatan. Dengan dana besar, menggununglah hasrat mereka memesongkan ummah yang lemah.
Malah menurut sebuah laporan berita, puluhan ribu rakyat Iraq berjaya di Kristiankan melalui penyiaran sebuah stesen televisyen satelit oleh sebuah kumpulan agama di Amerika Syarikat.
Bagi kita, perkembangan amat memedihkan berhubung nasib dan masa depan umat Islam di Iraq dan Afghanistan malah di serata dunia adalah cermin kegagalan ummah, negara dan organisasi yang memayunginya iaitu OIC. Berdoalah untuk mendapatkan pertolongan Yang Maha Kuasa.
Kini keadaan bertambah buruk kerana 'bisul' pergeseran Syiah-Sunnah sejak sekian lama sudah meletup dengan Arab Saudi dan Teheran menjuari dua blok dunia Islam - seolah-olah akan berlaku gegak gempita perang yang disaksikan penuh 'kehairanan' dan 'waspada' oleh dunia Barat. Saudi sudah mengambil inisiatif untuk mengheret tentera negara umat Islam lain menyertai paksinya sedangkan Iran dengan pengikut Syiah yang agresif termasuk yang ramai di dunia Arab sendiri seperti di Yaman, Bahrain, Iraq dan Qatar tidak akan berdiam diri.
Mungkinkah berdasarkan perkembangan buruk membabitkan negara dan umat Islam, kuasa besar Barat dan proksinya Israel sedang 'tersenyum lebar' - ya, tak payah kerja keras untuk menghancurkan umat Islam, mereka sendiri akan 'hancur-menghancurkan' satu sama lain!
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