Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 145
October 8, 2015
PAS consistency on Islamic agenda appreciated...
***
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection
The Declining Day (Al-'Asr)
1. By the declining day,
2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss,
3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort
one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.
***
ALHAMDULILLAH (all praise and thanks be to Allah) last Tuesday; September 29th I was visited by a former high ranking government official and his friend; we took the opportunity to change news and ideas about the latest development of the country and one aspect I put in mind was the friend's appreciation of PAS consistency in its struggle for the Islamic agenda.
In analyzing political parties of the country, the official who had left the government service 10 years ago, said one main factor political parties survived and had support from members was that they have goals; for the 'old' parties of Umno. MCA and MIC their target was for the independence of Malaya...but nowadays the goals of these parties were not clear thus they were in the brink to collapse.
He said, after independence and especially after the May Thirteenth Tragedy, Umno goals were publicity made known; Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the second prime minister after Tunku Abdul Rahman had aggresive policies and he himself worked very hard towards the improvements of the people especially the Malays. His name was synonym to Felda settlements and he also championed for education of the Malays.
But nowadays Umno has no big and clear goals, claimed the former government top brass. It was now controlled by 'war lords' who he claimed used money to gain support. He asked what achievement could be tag with this 'new Umno'..."perhaps nothing, they were good at pointing to a few successful individuals for example 'this and this billionaire' who sadly were their own cronies and 'this and this top students'!"
"The truth is that our whole system is 'destroying' the Malays...for example in the business world...you told the Malays to do business yet until until today almost all transaction up from retailing jobs were controlled by non Malays...you name it; the wholesale market, the manufacturing side,the distribution network, the warehouses, transportation, import-export...yes almost all of them were not in the hands of the Malays...if this is the case, how is the Malay traders for example the Malay 'pekedai runcit' (grocer owner) could survive?" he asked.
Umno is fast moving towards its downfall; the same could be said about MCA and MIC - they are becoming less relevant by each day; they could not cope to needs of the new generations who are more vocal, aggresive and exposed to new ideas and technologies.
"But for PAS, I respected the party because it was consistent in its struggle; PAS, when I was in the government service was still the same 'old' PAS till this day. Perhaps this could explain why certain leaders in PAS especially among professionals and its supporters were fed up with 'the old way'; they pulled out and set up a new party that they think could suit the fast changing scenarios of the country.
"Yes, PAS is consistent in its Islamic agenda. It is its goal...to achieve success in this world and in the Hereafter. After more than 50 years, the goal is the same...for this consistency I have full respect for PAS," said the senior citizen who admitted that he has yet to become a PAS member.
Even it was registered as a political party, PAS is also a 'da'wah' movement, it opens its arms in various activities to upgrade the life of people such as involving in education and recently it have added a political wing for non-Muslims that is PAS Supporters Club and this help in introducing the fine aspects of Islam to non-Muslims.
Nowadays more and more people are interested in knowing more about Islam. Not long time ago, PAS had launched a very good and forward thinking campaign namely 'PAS for all' which actually derived from the fact that the great religion of Islam is for all.
The concept of 'Islam is for all' could be felt if we look at the book of Islam (Qur'an) with open hearts. The 'kitab' (book) gives guidelines to Muslims and to all human races. In the Qur'an, 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).”
Islam guides all mankind; and this fact was admitted by some non Muslims leaders; a good example was Chairman of PAS Supporters Club, N Balasubramanian who gave his support to 'hukum hudud' (Shariah laws).
He believes that the Islamic penal code could serve as a preventive law in reducing the crime rate in the country. He was quoted saying: "I believe that the hudud law is effective for the people. It is already enshrined in the holy book, there must be a reason why it is there."
The former government servant who visited me said he had high hopes for PAS's inspirational tagline 'Istiqamah Hingga Kemenangan' (Consistency Till Success) for there is a 'hadith' narrated by 'Aisha; Allah's Messenger s.a.w said, "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah's is the most regular and constant even though it were little." (Iman Al-Bukhari)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection
The Declining Day (Al-'Asr)
1. By the declining day,
2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss,
3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort
one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.
***
ALHAMDULILLAH (all praise and thanks be to Allah) last Tuesday; September 29th I was visited by a former high ranking government official and his friend; we took the opportunity to change news and ideas about the latest development of the country and one aspect I put in mind was the friend's appreciation of PAS consistency in its struggle for the Islamic agenda.
In analyzing political parties of the country, the official who had left the government service 10 years ago, said one main factor political parties survived and had support from members was that they have goals; for the 'old' parties of Umno. MCA and MIC their target was for the independence of Malaya...but nowadays the goals of these parties were not clear thus they were in the brink to collapse.
He said, after independence and especially after the May Thirteenth Tragedy, Umno goals were publicity made known; Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the second prime minister after Tunku Abdul Rahman had aggresive policies and he himself worked very hard towards the improvements of the people especially the Malays. His name was synonym to Felda settlements and he also championed for education of the Malays.
But nowadays Umno has no big and clear goals, claimed the former government top brass. It was now controlled by 'war lords' who he claimed used money to gain support. He asked what achievement could be tag with this 'new Umno'..."perhaps nothing, they were good at pointing to a few successful individuals for example 'this and this billionaire' who sadly were their own cronies and 'this and this top students'!"
"The truth is that our whole system is 'destroying' the Malays...for example in the business world...you told the Malays to do business yet until until today almost all transaction up from retailing jobs were controlled by non Malays...you name it; the wholesale market, the manufacturing side,the distribution network, the warehouses, transportation, import-export...yes almost all of them were not in the hands of the Malays...if this is the case, how is the Malay traders for example the Malay 'pekedai runcit' (grocer owner) could survive?" he asked.
Umno is fast moving towards its downfall; the same could be said about MCA and MIC - they are becoming less relevant by each day; they could not cope to needs of the new generations who are more vocal, aggresive and exposed to new ideas and technologies.
"But for PAS, I respected the party because it was consistent in its struggle; PAS, when I was in the government service was still the same 'old' PAS till this day. Perhaps this could explain why certain leaders in PAS especially among professionals and its supporters were fed up with 'the old way'; they pulled out and set up a new party that they think could suit the fast changing scenarios of the country.
"Yes, PAS is consistent in its Islamic agenda. It is its goal...to achieve success in this world and in the Hereafter. After more than 50 years, the goal is the same...for this consistency I have full respect for PAS," said the senior citizen who admitted that he has yet to become a PAS member.
Even it was registered as a political party, PAS is also a 'da'wah' movement, it opens its arms in various activities to upgrade the life of people such as involving in education and recently it have added a political wing for non-Muslims that is PAS Supporters Club and this help in introducing the fine aspects of Islam to non-Muslims.
Nowadays more and more people are interested in knowing more about Islam. Not long time ago, PAS had launched a very good and forward thinking campaign namely 'PAS for all' which actually derived from the fact that the great religion of Islam is for all.
The concept of 'Islam is for all' could be felt if we look at the book of Islam (Qur'an) with open hearts. The 'kitab' (book) gives guidelines to Muslims and to all human races. In the Qur'an, 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).”
Islam guides all mankind; and this fact was admitted by some non Muslims leaders; a good example was Chairman of PAS Supporters Club, N Balasubramanian who gave his support to 'hukum hudud' (Shariah laws).
He believes that the Islamic penal code could serve as a preventive law in reducing the crime rate in the country. He was quoted saying: "I believe that the hudud law is effective for the people. It is already enshrined in the holy book, there must be a reason why it is there."
The former government servant who visited me said he had high hopes for PAS's inspirational tagline 'Istiqamah Hingga Kemenangan' (Consistency Till Success) for there is a 'hadith' narrated by 'Aisha; Allah's Messenger s.a.w said, "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah's is the most regular and constant even though it were little." (Iman Al-Bukhari)
October 7, 2015
Eid (Al-Adha) Mubarak; a general reflection...
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, 'Selawat' (blessings) and 'salam' (peace be upon) Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection
"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me." (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51: 56-57)
DURING the celebration of 'Hari Malaysia' (September 16th), Harakahdaily carried this message: "Selamat Hari Malaysia, may our country and its people be in Allah's blessing, Ameen.
"Don't forget prayers and du'as for the safety of Muslims especially in the Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, the Rohingyas and of course the many in doing their hajj and in general in other countries where Muslims are persecuted and for the liberation of Masjid Al-Aqsa."
In the writer's opinion, this remembrance also suited for the occasion of Eid Al-Adha; this year it falls on Thursday, September 24. So to dear readers, Eid Mubarak.
According to the Muslim calendar (the Hijra year), Eid Al-Adha falls on the 10th Dhul-hijjah; the blessed month of Hajj. For this year, Dhul-hijjah, the 12th month of the Muslim calendar of Hijra began on Tuesday, September 15, 2015. This is the month Muslim perform hajj, with its peak when they do ‘wukuf’ (to stop or gather) in Arafah (or Arafat) on the 9th Dhul-hijjah (Wednesday, 23th September).
Wukuf, being the highest 'rukun' (component) of hajj must be rendered; without which hajj does not take place. The requirement is the presence in Arafat, regardless of whether the pilgrim is riding, walking, sitting or moving. In Arafat one is to spend the afternoon from dhuhr (midday) to maghrib (sunset) prayer times making du’as (supplications) and repenting to leave Arafat with all of one's sins forgiven.
For Muslims who are not performing hajj in their homelands, they are encouraged to perform recommended deeds during the first 10 days of Dhul-hijjah such as fasting especially on ‘Wukuf’ day and giving charity. Then during Eid Al-Adha (10th Dhul-Hijjah) when Muslims perform ‘solat’ (Eid prayers) and the days of Tashreek (11, 12, and 13th Dhul-Hijjah) they are recommended to do the slaughter or ‘korban’ (sacrifice) animals (such as sheep and cow).
Insya-Allah (God willing), during this first 10 days of Dhul-hijjah, I would like to write about 'various issues' that were being told to me during 'my rounds' and 'hang about' (presence) at masjids. Perhaps we could do some reflections about them.
A few days ago I visited a grand old man of my kampung. He was a retired teacher of more than 80 years of age. Haji Mat asked me what had befallen to our society - crime were on the raise while moral of the people especially the young generation were at the lowest level.
At one point, he raised the issue of abandoned babies and asked me: "Did you notice how cats and hens raised their offspring? The mother gave her best; but nowadays human beings have the heart to throw or abandoned or even kill their own babies. What had befallen our society? We are now worst than the 'jahiliah' period (times of ignorance)."
An 'ustaz' (religious teacher) in his 'tazkirah' (lessons) at a masjid near my house, when commenting on the current haze situation said: "This is nothing new. The question is why Allah SWT made the wind blew it to our country? There is a 'surah' in the Qur'an which mentioned about the haze...it is in Surah Al-Dukhan (Smoke).
In ayah 10 and 11 of the surah, Allah SWT says with the meaning: "But watch thou (O Muhammad) for the day when the sky will produce visible smoke. That will envelop the people. This will be a painful torment."
Why did Allah SWT gave that warning? In the earlier ayah (8 and 9), Allah SWT says with the meaning: "There is no God save Him. He quickeneth and giveth death; your Lord and Lord of your forefathers. Nay, but they play in doubt."
The 'ustaz' claimed that human values in our society and country is getting from bad to worse with those in power and with power portraying bad examples - there were certain leaders good at deceiving the people by projecting 'their clean image' but the truth was they were great liars and sinners.
Another 'ustaz' warned Muslims to be aware about 'jerebu hati' (haze of the heart) instead of focusing too much on the current haze. He said, haze of the heart is more difficult to cure than the 'actual haze' for "many of us do not realized that we were suffering from it' where else in the haze case, professionals could point to its source such as hot spots and work to find its solution.
'Haze of the heart' would destroyed us because we do not know which is right and wrong, good and bad; for example we could not differentiate between 'sumbangan' (donation) and 'rasuah' (bribery), said the 'ustaz'. Luckily the 'ustaz' did not use the term 'derma' (also donation)...well 'derma' is quiet sensitive to 'some of us'!
He said 'jerebu hati' would have implications upon us in the Hereafter compared to the 'actual haze' but the irony of it, people especially the top brass of the country put great concern on it but totally ignored the 'jerebu hati' syndrome that had even 'infected' some of them!
Regarding the hajj, this year about three million Muslims from all corners of the world were expected in the Holy Land to perform the hajj manasik (rites and ceremonies performed at hajj). After Arafah, the pilgrims would then proceed towards Muzdalifah and pick up pebbles there to be used when stoning the Pillar of Aqabah or Qubra on Eid Adha (10th Dhul-Hijjah).
In Mina, they are required to stay for three nights where they will stone the three ‘jamrahs’ beginning with the first Pillar (i.e. the one which is furthest from Makkah), followed by the middle Pillar and lastly the Pillar of Aqabah.
The pilgrims will also shave their heads or cut their hair and then proceed to Makkah to perform the Tawaf Al-Ifadah (circling the Kaabah seven times which is an essential part of Hajj) and then perform Sa’y (walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa). While waiting for the the big day (Wukuf this Wednesday, 23th September), pilgrims fulfill their days by performing prayers and 'tawaf' in the Grand Masjid of Makkah (Masjidil-Haram).
Some prefer to perform ‘umra’ (small hajj) again and again but they are advised not to it frequently as they needed a lot of energy to prepare for the hardship of hajj. It is advisable to perform hajj when one is at a young age. Perhaps the time is right when one is in his thirties or forties because physically and mentally he is fit to fulfil some ‘robust’ obligations that need strength and stamina such as stoning the devils at the jamrahs in Mina.
Furthermore pilgrims have to use the power of their legs for activities such as walking frequently (perhaps five times daily for 'fardu' prayers) from one’s hotel room to the Prophet's Masjid (in Madinah) and Al-Haram Masjid (in Makkah). During hajj, a distance of one or two kilometers from the hotels and the masjids are normal.
For hajj or umrah obligations such as tawaf and sa’y, one has to walk a distance; for example for sa’y when one has to walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, the distance could be more than four kilometers (600 meters x 7)! When performing the stoning of the devils, it is normal for pilgrims to walk quite a far distance, perhaps two to three kilometres from their tents in Mina to the jamrah.
Pilgrims are supposed to stay for four days and three nights in Mina (10, 11, 12 and 13 Dzul-hijjah) dan stone the three jamras everyday during the stay except during 10th Dzul-hijjah (Eid) when pilgrims only stone the main jamrah (Jamrah Al-Aqabah). Thus, to perform hajj one should be physically and mentally fit, so it is advisable to Muslim to take the necessary steps for example started saving from an early age, hoping and praying one could perform the fifth pillar of Islam at the earliest time possible and not at old age.
Writing about my own experience in the Holy Land after being there a few times, I loved to be ‘alone’ (without the presence of known companions near me) in places such as Majidil-Haram and while gathering in Plains of Arafah because I had the feeling of nearness to Allah SWT.
Without the presence of ‘a known person’ close to me, I could ‘freely’ pour out my heart to Allah SWT. I was free to shed tears without the feeling of being ‘observed’ by ‘close relatives and friends’.
When you are ‘alone’ it is easy for you to talk and admitted about your past sins and then beg forgiveness from the Almighty. In one such occasion, I was sobbing, lost for words.
I reached for my small du’aa book and read the supplications, among others: "O Allah! I ask of Your integrity and soundness in my religion, my life, my family, and my possessions.
O Allah! Cover my shame, pacify my fears, guard me from what is in front of me and behind me, from what is on my right and on my left, over my head and under my feet.
O Allah! Grant health to my body. O Allah grants health to my hearing.
O Allah! Grant heath to my sight. There is no deity except You.
O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no deity except You. You are my Creator and I am Your creature. I try to keep my covenant with You and to live in the hope of Your promise as well as I can. I seek refuge in You from my own evil deeds. I acknowledge Your favours to me, and I acknowledge my sins. Forgive me my sins, for there is no one who can forgive sins except You.
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from worry and sorrow. I seek refuge in You from impotence and sloth, from stinginess and cowardice, and I seek refuge in You from the burden of debt and from being humbled by men.
O Allah! Make the beginning of this day good, the middle prosperous, and the end successful. I ask You to grant me the good of this world and of the Hereafter. O Most Merciful of all Who show us mercy!
O Allah! You hear my words, You behold my situation, You know what is open and what is hidden within me; nothing is hidden from You. It is me alone who is in need, a humble seeker of Your forgiveness. I beseech You with humility in my heart, with trembling and fear, in prostration and utter helplessness.
O Allah! Grant me soundness of belief, goodness of character, forgiveness of my sins, and Your eternal pleasure in the Hereafter, Ameen.
Reflection
"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me." (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51: 56-57)
DURING the celebration of 'Hari Malaysia' (September 16th), Harakahdaily carried this message: "Selamat Hari Malaysia, may our country and its people be in Allah's blessing, Ameen.
"Don't forget prayers and du'as for the safety of Muslims especially in the Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, the Rohingyas and of course the many in doing their hajj and in general in other countries where Muslims are persecuted and for the liberation of Masjid Al-Aqsa."
In the writer's opinion, this remembrance also suited for the occasion of Eid Al-Adha; this year it falls on Thursday, September 24. So to dear readers, Eid Mubarak.
According to the Muslim calendar (the Hijra year), Eid Al-Adha falls on the 10th Dhul-hijjah; the blessed month of Hajj. For this year, Dhul-hijjah, the 12th month of the Muslim calendar of Hijra began on Tuesday, September 15, 2015. This is the month Muslim perform hajj, with its peak when they do ‘wukuf’ (to stop or gather) in Arafah (or Arafat) on the 9th Dhul-hijjah (Wednesday, 23th September).
Wukuf, being the highest 'rukun' (component) of hajj must be rendered; without which hajj does not take place. The requirement is the presence in Arafat, regardless of whether the pilgrim is riding, walking, sitting or moving. In Arafat one is to spend the afternoon from dhuhr (midday) to maghrib (sunset) prayer times making du’as (supplications) and repenting to leave Arafat with all of one's sins forgiven.
For Muslims who are not performing hajj in their homelands, they are encouraged to perform recommended deeds during the first 10 days of Dhul-hijjah such as fasting especially on ‘Wukuf’ day and giving charity. Then during Eid Al-Adha (10th Dhul-Hijjah) when Muslims perform ‘solat’ (Eid prayers) and the days of Tashreek (11, 12, and 13th Dhul-Hijjah) they are recommended to do the slaughter or ‘korban’ (sacrifice) animals (such as sheep and cow).
Insya-Allah (God willing), during this first 10 days of Dhul-hijjah, I would like to write about 'various issues' that were being told to me during 'my rounds' and 'hang about' (presence) at masjids. Perhaps we could do some reflections about them.
A few days ago I visited a grand old man of my kampung. He was a retired teacher of more than 80 years of age. Haji Mat asked me what had befallen to our society - crime were on the raise while moral of the people especially the young generation were at the lowest level.
At one point, he raised the issue of abandoned babies and asked me: "Did you notice how cats and hens raised their offspring? The mother gave her best; but nowadays human beings have the heart to throw or abandoned or even kill their own babies. What had befallen our society? We are now worst than the 'jahiliah' period (times of ignorance)."
An 'ustaz' (religious teacher) in his 'tazkirah' (lessons) at a masjid near my house, when commenting on the current haze situation said: "This is nothing new. The question is why Allah SWT made the wind blew it to our country? There is a 'surah' in the Qur'an which mentioned about the haze...it is in Surah Al-Dukhan (Smoke).
In ayah 10 and 11 of the surah, Allah SWT says with the meaning: "But watch thou (O Muhammad) for the day when the sky will produce visible smoke. That will envelop the people. This will be a painful torment."
Why did Allah SWT gave that warning? In the earlier ayah (8 and 9), Allah SWT says with the meaning: "There is no God save Him. He quickeneth and giveth death; your Lord and Lord of your forefathers. Nay, but they play in doubt."
The 'ustaz' claimed that human values in our society and country is getting from bad to worse with those in power and with power portraying bad examples - there were certain leaders good at deceiving the people by projecting 'their clean image' but the truth was they were great liars and sinners.
Another 'ustaz' warned Muslims to be aware about 'jerebu hati' (haze of the heart) instead of focusing too much on the current haze. He said, haze of the heart is more difficult to cure than the 'actual haze' for "many of us do not realized that we were suffering from it' where else in the haze case, professionals could point to its source such as hot spots and work to find its solution.
'Haze of the heart' would destroyed us because we do not know which is right and wrong, good and bad; for example we could not differentiate between 'sumbangan' (donation) and 'rasuah' (bribery), said the 'ustaz'. Luckily the 'ustaz' did not use the term 'derma' (also donation)...well 'derma' is quiet sensitive to 'some of us'!
He said 'jerebu hati' would have implications upon us in the Hereafter compared to the 'actual haze' but the irony of it, people especially the top brass of the country put great concern on it but totally ignored the 'jerebu hati' syndrome that had even 'infected' some of them!
Regarding the hajj, this year about three million Muslims from all corners of the world were expected in the Holy Land to perform the hajj manasik (rites and ceremonies performed at hajj). After Arafah, the pilgrims would then proceed towards Muzdalifah and pick up pebbles there to be used when stoning the Pillar of Aqabah or Qubra on Eid Adha (10th Dhul-Hijjah).
In Mina, they are required to stay for three nights where they will stone the three ‘jamrahs’ beginning with the first Pillar (i.e. the one which is furthest from Makkah), followed by the middle Pillar and lastly the Pillar of Aqabah.
The pilgrims will also shave their heads or cut their hair and then proceed to Makkah to perform the Tawaf Al-Ifadah (circling the Kaabah seven times which is an essential part of Hajj) and then perform Sa’y (walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa). While waiting for the the big day (Wukuf this Wednesday, 23th September), pilgrims fulfill their days by performing prayers and 'tawaf' in the Grand Masjid of Makkah (Masjidil-Haram).
Some prefer to perform ‘umra’ (small hajj) again and again but they are advised not to it frequently as they needed a lot of energy to prepare for the hardship of hajj. It is advisable to perform hajj when one is at a young age. Perhaps the time is right when one is in his thirties or forties because physically and mentally he is fit to fulfil some ‘robust’ obligations that need strength and stamina such as stoning the devils at the jamrahs in Mina.
Furthermore pilgrims have to use the power of their legs for activities such as walking frequently (perhaps five times daily for 'fardu' prayers) from one’s hotel room to the Prophet's Masjid (in Madinah) and Al-Haram Masjid (in Makkah). During hajj, a distance of one or two kilometers from the hotels and the masjids are normal.
For hajj or umrah obligations such as tawaf and sa’y, one has to walk a distance; for example for sa’y when one has to walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, the distance could be more than four kilometers (600 meters x 7)! When performing the stoning of the devils, it is normal for pilgrims to walk quite a far distance, perhaps two to three kilometres from their tents in Mina to the jamrah.
Pilgrims are supposed to stay for four days and three nights in Mina (10, 11, 12 and 13 Dzul-hijjah) dan stone the three jamras everyday during the stay except during 10th Dzul-hijjah (Eid) when pilgrims only stone the main jamrah (Jamrah Al-Aqabah). Thus, to perform hajj one should be physically and mentally fit, so it is advisable to Muslim to take the necessary steps for example started saving from an early age, hoping and praying one could perform the fifth pillar of Islam at the earliest time possible and not at old age.
Writing about my own experience in the Holy Land after being there a few times, I loved to be ‘alone’ (without the presence of known companions near me) in places such as Majidil-Haram and while gathering in Plains of Arafah because I had the feeling of nearness to Allah SWT.
Without the presence of ‘a known person’ close to me, I could ‘freely’ pour out my heart to Allah SWT. I was free to shed tears without the feeling of being ‘observed’ by ‘close relatives and friends’.
When you are ‘alone’ it is easy for you to talk and admitted about your past sins and then beg forgiveness from the Almighty. In one such occasion, I was sobbing, lost for words.
I reached for my small du’aa book and read the supplications, among others: "O Allah! I ask of Your integrity and soundness in my religion, my life, my family, and my possessions.
O Allah! Cover my shame, pacify my fears, guard me from what is in front of me and behind me, from what is on my right and on my left, over my head and under my feet.
O Allah! Grant health to my body. O Allah grants health to my hearing.
O Allah! Grant heath to my sight. There is no deity except You.
O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no deity except You. You are my Creator and I am Your creature. I try to keep my covenant with You and to live in the hope of Your promise as well as I can. I seek refuge in You from my own evil deeds. I acknowledge Your favours to me, and I acknowledge my sins. Forgive me my sins, for there is no one who can forgive sins except You.
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from worry and sorrow. I seek refuge in You from impotence and sloth, from stinginess and cowardice, and I seek refuge in You from the burden of debt and from being humbled by men.
O Allah! Make the beginning of this day good, the middle prosperous, and the end successful. I ask You to grant me the good of this world and of the Hereafter. O Most Merciful of all Who show us mercy!
O Allah! You hear my words, You behold my situation, You know what is open and what is hidden within me; nothing is hidden from You. It is me alone who is in need, a humble seeker of Your forgiveness. I beseech You with humility in my heart, with trembling and fear, in prostration and utter helplessness.
O Allah! Grant me soundness of belief, goodness of character, forgiveness of my sins, and Your eternal pleasure in the Hereafter, Ameen.
October 5, 2015
'Aku tak pinta dilahirkan Melayu, Cina...'
***
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
***
INGAT tak lagu 'Namunku Punya Hati' nyanyian kumpulan Revolvers; antara lirik lagunya adalah: "Tidakku minta, lahir ke dunia..." Lagu ini mengisahkan rasa hati seorang OKU; ya siapa yang meminta dilahirkan sedemikian? Namun semuanya adalah atas kehendak Yang Maha Kuasa.
Sebagaimana nasib OKU, seseorang itu tidak meminta dilahirkan sebagai Melayu, Cina, India, Iban, Kadazan, Melanau dan Bajau. Demikian juga Inggeris, Perancis, Arab, Parsi dan sebagainya. Bangsa-bangsa yang ada di muka bumi adalah atas kehendak Allah SWT, tiada siapa boleh memilih untuk menjadi Melayu, Cina, India, Arab, Inggeris atau Perancis.
Sehubungan itu adalah tidak tepat untuk berjuang berdasarkan bangsa yang semakin ghairah diusahakan pihak-pihak tertentu di negara kita. Hakikatnya perjuangan perkauman bukan ajaran Islam. Ya, bagaimana kita boleh berjuang berdasarkan sesuatu ketetapan yang telah ditentukan oleh Yang Maha Kuasa? Apakah kita mahu mencabar ketetapan-Nya?
Semua manusia, datuk dan nenek kita adalah Adam dan Hawa (Eve). Daripada kedua-duanya lahirlah generasi baharu yang berbangsa-bangsa; tiada siapa berupaya menentukan bangsanya sebelum dia lahir melainkan ia adalah ketentuan Yang Maha Kuasa, bukan atas usaha atau kehendak seseorang.
Berhubung ketidak-wajaran berjuang berdasarkan bangsa, dapat difahami daripada sebuah hadis di mana Nabi Muhammad SAW bersabda yang bermaksud: "Sesungguhnya Allah tidak memandang pada rupa dan tubuh kamu dan tidak pada harta kamu, tetapi Allah memandang hati dan amal kamu." (Hadis riwayat Imam Muslim)
Ya, Allah SWT tidak memandang sama ada kita ini Melayu, Cina, India, Inggeris, Arab atau Parsi. Sehubungan itu perjuangan berdasarkan bangsa adalah tidak wajar namun di negara kita sejak akhir-akhir ini ada pihak begitu lantang 'meneriakkan suara perkauman' dan lebih malang lagi ia seolah-olah mendapat lampu hijau sesetengah individu pemerintah tertinggi negara.
Amalan rasisme ini sekiranya terus disuburkan dikhuatiri akan membiakkan gejala ekstremisme yang sama sekali tidak akan menguntungkan sesuatu bangsa itu sebaliknya akan menjejaskan masa depan negara pada keseluruhannya.
Adalah amat malang jika semangat perkauman terus disemarakkan yang jika diperhalusi adalah untuk kepentingan pihak dan pemimpin tertentu untuk terus berkuasa dulu, kini dan selamanya. Kita bimbang mereka menggunakan sentimen perkauman untuk menutup 'jenayah' masing-masing seperti rasuah dan penyelewengan kuasa yang sudah keterlaluan. Masakan bangkai gajah dapat disorokkan dengan nyiru - pasti lambat laun terbongkar jua.
Di Malaysia, Islam sering dikatakan sebagai Melayu dan Melayu itu sebagai Islam. Dakwaan ini kurang tepat kerana Islam ada untuk semua (Islam for all) dan sehubungan itu, umat umat Melayu Islam sewajarnya menampilkan wajah dan citra hakiki Islam sebagai agama rahmat sejagat. Mereka sewajarnya mengangkat prinsip kemuliaan insan atau karamah insaniyah yang dijamin Allah ke atas seluruh anak Adam tanpa mengira bangsa dan agama.
Ya, manusia berbeza-beza dari segi bangsa dan bahasa, dan di negara kita ada Melayu, Cina, India, Kadazan dan sebagainya; persoalannya mengapa Yang Maha Berkuasa menjadikan sedemikan? Cendekiawan berkata Allah SWT menciptakan manusia berpuak-puak dan berbangsa-bangsa agar mereka saling kenal mengenali dan bermuafakat dan bukan untuk bergaduh apatah lagi berjuang berdasarkan bangsa dan keturunan.
Kata cendekiawan, perbezaan bangsa, bahasa, warna kulit dan pelbagai ciri lain seperti tabiat, kesukaan serta kebencian adalah kepelbagaian yang sewajarnya dimanfaatkan untuk saling lengkap-melengkapi antara satu sama lain dan bukan 'disalahgunakan' sebagai punca perbalahan serta permusuhan.
Ambil contoh mudah, misalnya dari segi makanan saja, alangkah beruntungnya warga Malaysia disebabkan diversiti bangsa, makanan sinonim dengan sesuatu kaum seperti nasi lemak, yong taufu, roti canai dan tom yom dapat dinikmati semua. Kalau sesuatu bangsa itu 'berlagak' kononnya apa yang ada pada mereka adalah yang terbaik sedangkan apa yang ada pada bangsa lain adalah terkeji, apa manfaat yang diperolehi?
Ya, kita tidak minta dilahirkan sebagai Melayu, Cina, India dan Iban tetapi kita boleh memanfaatkan sepenuhnya 'kemelayuan', 'kecinaan', 'keindianan' serta 'keibanan' kita untuk membina Malaysia dan dunia yang menjanjikan 1,001 harapan!
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
***
INGAT tak lagu 'Namunku Punya Hati' nyanyian kumpulan Revolvers; antara lirik lagunya adalah: "Tidakku minta, lahir ke dunia..." Lagu ini mengisahkan rasa hati seorang OKU; ya siapa yang meminta dilahirkan sedemikian? Namun semuanya adalah atas kehendak Yang Maha Kuasa.
Sebagaimana nasib OKU, seseorang itu tidak meminta dilahirkan sebagai Melayu, Cina, India, Iban, Kadazan, Melanau dan Bajau. Demikian juga Inggeris, Perancis, Arab, Parsi dan sebagainya. Bangsa-bangsa yang ada di muka bumi adalah atas kehendak Allah SWT, tiada siapa boleh memilih untuk menjadi Melayu, Cina, India, Arab, Inggeris atau Perancis.
Sehubungan itu adalah tidak tepat untuk berjuang berdasarkan bangsa yang semakin ghairah diusahakan pihak-pihak tertentu di negara kita. Hakikatnya perjuangan perkauman bukan ajaran Islam. Ya, bagaimana kita boleh berjuang berdasarkan sesuatu ketetapan yang telah ditentukan oleh Yang Maha Kuasa? Apakah kita mahu mencabar ketetapan-Nya?
Semua manusia, datuk dan nenek kita adalah Adam dan Hawa (Eve). Daripada kedua-duanya lahirlah generasi baharu yang berbangsa-bangsa; tiada siapa berupaya menentukan bangsanya sebelum dia lahir melainkan ia adalah ketentuan Yang Maha Kuasa, bukan atas usaha atau kehendak seseorang.
Berhubung ketidak-wajaran berjuang berdasarkan bangsa, dapat difahami daripada sebuah hadis di mana Nabi Muhammad SAW bersabda yang bermaksud: "Sesungguhnya Allah tidak memandang pada rupa dan tubuh kamu dan tidak pada harta kamu, tetapi Allah memandang hati dan amal kamu." (Hadis riwayat Imam Muslim)
Ya, Allah SWT tidak memandang sama ada kita ini Melayu, Cina, India, Inggeris, Arab atau Parsi. Sehubungan itu perjuangan berdasarkan bangsa adalah tidak wajar namun di negara kita sejak akhir-akhir ini ada pihak begitu lantang 'meneriakkan suara perkauman' dan lebih malang lagi ia seolah-olah mendapat lampu hijau sesetengah individu pemerintah tertinggi negara.
Amalan rasisme ini sekiranya terus disuburkan dikhuatiri akan membiakkan gejala ekstremisme yang sama sekali tidak akan menguntungkan sesuatu bangsa itu sebaliknya akan menjejaskan masa depan negara pada keseluruhannya.
Adalah amat malang jika semangat perkauman terus disemarakkan yang jika diperhalusi adalah untuk kepentingan pihak dan pemimpin tertentu untuk terus berkuasa dulu, kini dan selamanya. Kita bimbang mereka menggunakan sentimen perkauman untuk menutup 'jenayah' masing-masing seperti rasuah dan penyelewengan kuasa yang sudah keterlaluan. Masakan bangkai gajah dapat disorokkan dengan nyiru - pasti lambat laun terbongkar jua.
Di Malaysia, Islam sering dikatakan sebagai Melayu dan Melayu itu sebagai Islam. Dakwaan ini kurang tepat kerana Islam ada untuk semua (Islam for all) dan sehubungan itu, umat umat Melayu Islam sewajarnya menampilkan wajah dan citra hakiki Islam sebagai agama rahmat sejagat. Mereka sewajarnya mengangkat prinsip kemuliaan insan atau karamah insaniyah yang dijamin Allah ke atas seluruh anak Adam tanpa mengira bangsa dan agama.
Ya, manusia berbeza-beza dari segi bangsa dan bahasa, dan di negara kita ada Melayu, Cina, India, Kadazan dan sebagainya; persoalannya mengapa Yang Maha Berkuasa menjadikan sedemikan? Cendekiawan berkata Allah SWT menciptakan manusia berpuak-puak dan berbangsa-bangsa agar mereka saling kenal mengenali dan bermuafakat dan bukan untuk bergaduh apatah lagi berjuang berdasarkan bangsa dan keturunan.
Kata cendekiawan, perbezaan bangsa, bahasa, warna kulit dan pelbagai ciri lain seperti tabiat, kesukaan serta kebencian adalah kepelbagaian yang sewajarnya dimanfaatkan untuk saling lengkap-melengkapi antara satu sama lain dan bukan 'disalahgunakan' sebagai punca perbalahan serta permusuhan.
Ambil contoh mudah, misalnya dari segi makanan saja, alangkah beruntungnya warga Malaysia disebabkan diversiti bangsa, makanan sinonim dengan sesuatu kaum seperti nasi lemak, yong taufu, roti canai dan tom yom dapat dinikmati semua. Kalau sesuatu bangsa itu 'berlagak' kononnya apa yang ada pada mereka adalah yang terbaik sedangkan apa yang ada pada bangsa lain adalah terkeji, apa manfaat yang diperolehi?
Ya, kita tidak minta dilahirkan sebagai Melayu, Cina, India dan Iban tetapi kita boleh memanfaatkan sepenuhnya 'kemelayuan', 'kecinaan', 'keindianan' serta 'keibanan' kita untuk membina Malaysia dan dunia yang menjanjikan 1,001 harapan!
October 2, 2015
Dari UKM ke Harakah (34): Penat jika mencari 'keredaan' manusia...
DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.Renungan"Kalau sekiranya perempuan ahli syurga (termasuk bidadari) datang kepada penduduk bumi, nescaya akan disinarinya dunia antara langit dan bumi dan terpenuhinya dengan bau harum semerbak. Sesungguhnya tutup kepalanya lebih baik daripada dunia dan isinya." (HR. Bukhari)
PADA artikel sebelum ini (dalam siri rencana dari UKM ke Harakah) ada dikisahkan saya tidak sempat menamatkan pengajian peringkat Sarjana di UKM. Ada pelbagai faktor menyebabkan saya berhenti sekerat jalan. Saya mengakui kesilapan dan kelemahan diri ini...namun dapat saya rasakan saya bertindak berdasarkan naluri sendiri bukan berdasarkan faktor mahu memuaskan hati orang lain.Subhanallah, dalam hidup ini banyak tindak tanduk (perbuatan dan keputusan) yang kita buat adalah berdasarkan 'apa yang orang lain cakap'. Ertinya kita cuba untuk memuaskan hati orang lain.Sebagai Muslim saya sedar sewajarnya dalam membuat apa-apapun kita sewajarnya berusaha mendapat keredaan Allah dan bukan mendapat pujian manusia dan pada majlis perkahwinan anak sulung saya baru-baru ini, saya diperkukuh pengajaran bahawa 'tiada keuntungan' jika berbuat sesuatu bagi memuaskan hati manusia.Pada majlis perkahwinan itu, orang rumah saya menyediakan buah oren (limau) sebagai sebahagian 'door gift' (cenderamata); seorang tetamu ketika menerimanya di pintu masuk/keluar dewan perkahwinan mengomel: "ahh limau, di pasar malam pun ada limau!" Mungkin si tetamu berlawak tetapi ia bagai 'laser' menikam hati isteri saya yang sebelum itu saya lihat bekerja keras siang malam bersama anak-anak buahnya selama beberapa hari bagi menyediakannya. Bagi 'door gift' lain sudah banyak kalilah dia 'bershopping' di Nilai 3...yalah orang perempuan 'nak bermenantu' tahulah hal ini! Ada yang membuat persediaan menyediakan 'door gift' berbulan-bulan lamanya sebelum majlis perkahwinan!Ya, jika kita mahu memuaskan hati (mendapat pujian) manusia kita akan kecewa dan terasa kepenatan daripada sesesuatu pekerjaan, tetapi jika kita berusaha mendapatkan keredaan Allah, insya-Allah kita akan tenang...orang puji atau keji pun semuanya sama, yang penting Yang Maha Kuasa meredai kita - ganjaran keikhlasan sudah tersimpan di alam akhirat sana - itulah yang perlu kita buru. Hidup ini adalah bagi memuaskan-Nya bukan selain-Nya kerana makhluk termasuk manusia (kecuali orang beriman, bertakwa) tidak akan pernah puas. Menurut sebuah hadis, manusia tidak akan puas sehinggalah tanah memenuhi mulutnya (matilah). Jika diberi satu lembah emas, dia mahu yang kedua, yang ketiga dan seterusnya!Demikianlah selagi hayat masih di badan, manusia bebas dan akan bercakap apa saja mengikut 'kepala otak' masing-masing. Kalau kita mendengar sepenuhnya cakap manusia, kita hanya mencari kebinasaan diri...jadi carilah ilmu, timbalah khazanah yang tidak bertepian daripada Al-Quran, hadis dan cetusan ulama.Berhubung bahaya mengikut cakap-cakap orang ini ada digambarkan dalam kisah seorang tua, anaknya dan seekor keldai. Mula-mula si anak menunggang keldai dengan si bapa menarik tali keldai, orang kampung berkata "apa punya si anak ini, tenaga kuat dibiarkan bapa yang lemah berjalan"...kemudian apabila si bapa ada di atas keldai, orang kampung lain pula berkata: "apa si tua ni, dibiarkan anak yang lemah berjalan", apabila kedua-duanya menunggang keldai, orang kampung lain berkata: "punyalah zalim anak beranak ini menyeksa keldai", kemudian apabila mereka bertindak mengikat dan memikul keldai, orang kampung lain pula berkata: "apalah bodoh punya orang..."Subhanallah, demikianlah hati akan kecewa dan badan terasa kepenatannya jika kita cuba memuaskan hati manusia. Mereka akan terus bercakap dan bercakap sehingga mereka tidak boleh lagi bercakap. Di akhirat nanti mulut manusia akan dikunci sebaliknya semua anggota badan akan menjadi saksi akan apa-apa yang telah mereka lakukan di dunia. Ya tidak mungkin kita dapat memuaskan hati semua manusia...ada saja yang tak kena di hati mereka.Namun bagi mereka yang membuat apa saja bagi mendapat keredaan Allah, insya-Allah hati akan tenang - bagi mereka pandangan dan kata-kata manusia kurang penting; apa yang diutamakan adalah pandangan Allah SWT...mereka akan berusaha keras dan seikhlas mungkin bagi mendapat keredaan Allah. Orang puji atau orang tak puji 'tak menjadi hal bagi mereka'.Hatta mereka yang sudah sampai ke 'makam' tinggi - ucapan terima kasih pun tak diharapkan mereka sebagaimana digambarkan ulama daripada perlakuan Sayidina Ali Abu Thalib yang secara senyap-senyap meninggalkan barangan bantuan di pintu rumah orang miskin pada waktu malam dan rahsia ini hanya diketahui selepas beliau meninggal dunia!
PADA artikel sebelum ini (dalam siri rencana dari UKM ke Harakah) ada dikisahkan saya tidak sempat menamatkan pengajian peringkat Sarjana di UKM. Ada pelbagai faktor menyebabkan saya berhenti sekerat jalan. Saya mengakui kesilapan dan kelemahan diri ini...namun dapat saya rasakan saya bertindak berdasarkan naluri sendiri bukan berdasarkan faktor mahu memuaskan hati orang lain.Subhanallah, dalam hidup ini banyak tindak tanduk (perbuatan dan keputusan) yang kita buat adalah berdasarkan 'apa yang orang lain cakap'. Ertinya kita cuba untuk memuaskan hati orang lain.Sebagai Muslim saya sedar sewajarnya dalam membuat apa-apapun kita sewajarnya berusaha mendapat keredaan Allah dan bukan mendapat pujian manusia dan pada majlis perkahwinan anak sulung saya baru-baru ini, saya diperkukuh pengajaran bahawa 'tiada keuntungan' jika berbuat sesuatu bagi memuaskan hati manusia.Pada majlis perkahwinan itu, orang rumah saya menyediakan buah oren (limau) sebagai sebahagian 'door gift' (cenderamata); seorang tetamu ketika menerimanya di pintu masuk/keluar dewan perkahwinan mengomel: "ahh limau, di pasar malam pun ada limau!" Mungkin si tetamu berlawak tetapi ia bagai 'laser' menikam hati isteri saya yang sebelum itu saya lihat bekerja keras siang malam bersama anak-anak buahnya selama beberapa hari bagi menyediakannya. Bagi 'door gift' lain sudah banyak kalilah dia 'bershopping' di Nilai 3...yalah orang perempuan 'nak bermenantu' tahulah hal ini! Ada yang membuat persediaan menyediakan 'door gift' berbulan-bulan lamanya sebelum majlis perkahwinan!Ya, jika kita mahu memuaskan hati (mendapat pujian) manusia kita akan kecewa dan terasa kepenatan daripada sesesuatu pekerjaan, tetapi jika kita berusaha mendapatkan keredaan Allah, insya-Allah kita akan tenang...orang puji atau keji pun semuanya sama, yang penting Yang Maha Kuasa meredai kita - ganjaran keikhlasan sudah tersimpan di alam akhirat sana - itulah yang perlu kita buru. Hidup ini adalah bagi memuaskan-Nya bukan selain-Nya kerana makhluk termasuk manusia (kecuali orang beriman, bertakwa) tidak akan pernah puas. Menurut sebuah hadis, manusia tidak akan puas sehinggalah tanah memenuhi mulutnya (matilah). Jika diberi satu lembah emas, dia mahu yang kedua, yang ketiga dan seterusnya!Demikianlah selagi hayat masih di badan, manusia bebas dan akan bercakap apa saja mengikut 'kepala otak' masing-masing. Kalau kita mendengar sepenuhnya cakap manusia, kita hanya mencari kebinasaan diri...jadi carilah ilmu, timbalah khazanah yang tidak bertepian daripada Al-Quran, hadis dan cetusan ulama.Berhubung bahaya mengikut cakap-cakap orang ini ada digambarkan dalam kisah seorang tua, anaknya dan seekor keldai. Mula-mula si anak menunggang keldai dengan si bapa menarik tali keldai, orang kampung berkata "apa punya si anak ini, tenaga kuat dibiarkan bapa yang lemah berjalan"...kemudian apabila si bapa ada di atas keldai, orang kampung lain pula berkata: "apa si tua ni, dibiarkan anak yang lemah berjalan", apabila kedua-duanya menunggang keldai, orang kampung lain berkata: "punyalah zalim anak beranak ini menyeksa keldai", kemudian apabila mereka bertindak mengikat dan memikul keldai, orang kampung lain pula berkata: "apalah bodoh punya orang..."Subhanallah, demikianlah hati akan kecewa dan badan terasa kepenatannya jika kita cuba memuaskan hati manusia. Mereka akan terus bercakap dan bercakap sehingga mereka tidak boleh lagi bercakap. Di akhirat nanti mulut manusia akan dikunci sebaliknya semua anggota badan akan menjadi saksi akan apa-apa yang telah mereka lakukan di dunia. Ya tidak mungkin kita dapat memuaskan hati semua manusia...ada saja yang tak kena di hati mereka.Namun bagi mereka yang membuat apa saja bagi mendapat keredaan Allah, insya-Allah hati akan tenang - bagi mereka pandangan dan kata-kata manusia kurang penting; apa yang diutamakan adalah pandangan Allah SWT...mereka akan berusaha keras dan seikhlas mungkin bagi mendapat keredaan Allah. Orang puji atau orang tak puji 'tak menjadi hal bagi mereka'.Hatta mereka yang sudah sampai ke 'makam' tinggi - ucapan terima kasih pun tak diharapkan mereka sebagaimana digambarkan ulama daripada perlakuan Sayidina Ali Abu Thalib yang secara senyap-senyap meninggalkan barangan bantuan di pintu rumah orang miskin pada waktu malam dan rahsia ini hanya diketahui selepas beliau meninggal dunia!
Tanda-tanda kejatuhan 'sebuah empayar'...
*************
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
***************
Renungan
"...Sesungguhnya masjid yang didirikan atas dasar takwa (Masjid Quba'), sejak hari pertama adalah lebih patut kamu solat di dalamnya. Di dalam masjid itu ada orag-orang yang ingin membersihkan diri. Dan sesungguhnya Allah menyukai orang-orang yang bersih." (Maksud Ayat 108 Surah At-Taubah)
****************
MENYOKONG kepada sesuatu yang zalim adalah maksiat besar; Imam Al-Ghazali dalam kitabnya 'Bidayatul Hidayah' dalam bab 'Cara Meninggalkan Maksiat' yang menyentuh mengenai kepentingan menjaga dua kaki, mengingatkan bahawa hendaklah kita memelihara kaki daripada berjalan ke tempat diharamkan atau berjalan kepada sultan (pemerintah) yang zalim.
Ya, sekarang ini pelbagai pihak mengadakan perhimpunan namun sebagai orang mengaku beriman kita perlu berilmu dan terpandu sama ada 'penggunaan kaki' kita itu (dalam perhimpunan dan protes orang berarak di jalan raya) digunakan pada jalan yang diredai atau dimurkai-Nya.
Kata Imam Ghazali berjalan menuju kepada sultan (pemerintah) yang zalim itu tanpa ada darurat dan paksaan adalah maksiat yang besar kerana yang demikian itu dianggap 'tawadhu' atau merendahkan diri bagi mereka dan menghormati atas kezaliman mereka, sedangkan Allah menyuruh kita supaya berpaling daripada orang yang zalim, seperti firman-Nya yang bermaksud: "Dan janganlah engkau cenderung hati kepada orang yang zalim, nanti kamu akan disentuh oleh api neraka." (Surah Hud, ayat 113)
Kecenderungan menyokong kepada penguasa zalim adalah salah satu petanda bahawa sesebuah pemerintah (dulunya dirujuk sebagai empayar misalnya dalam sejarah Islam, dinasti Umaiyah, Abasiyah, Fatimiah, Uthmaniyah (Ottomon), Moghul dan di rantau kita, Melaka) sudah berada di peringkat nazak atau sesetengah bijak pandai menggelarnya zaman gerhana.
Jika kita rujuk kejatuhan empayar-empayar ini, satu daripada faktornya adalah penguasa-penguasa terakhirnya (termasuklah orang besar seperti menteri) tersungkur di kaki perempuan, korupsi berleluasa dalam negara manakala rakyat dizalimi dengan pelbagai tekanan termasuk dikenakan cukai melampau. Ada yang membiarkan permaisuri 'menguasai keadaan' - mereka bagikan tunggul atau 'yes man' saja kepada segala kehendak bini.
Selain itu terlalu ramai pemimpin menjadi 'kaki bodek' (mengiyakan apa saja kelakuan pemerintah iaitu tidak berani menegur mereka manakala sebahagian lagi menjadi pengkhianat - mereka menjadi gunting dalam lipatan, memberi bantuan kepada musuh pada saat-saat genting).
Bagi membicarakan isu ini, penulis hanya merujuk kepada zaman gerhana Kesultanan Melaka untuk dijadikan teladan - yang baik dijadikan ikutan yang tidak baik dijadikan sempadan.
Zaman gerhana Melaka kerap dirujuk kepada pemerintahan Sultan Mahmud Shah (1488-1511) iaitu pemerintah Melaka terakhir. Merujuk kepada sesetengah pengkaji, mereka mendakwa Sultan Mahmud tidak mementingkan kesejahteraan rakyatnya. Salah satu kelemahannya adalah berkenaan perempuan. Semua perempuan berdahi licin hendak dimilikinya.
Misalnya, Tun Fatimah, anak Bendahara Melaka yang cantik dicemburui sultan kerana telah berkahwin dengan Tun Ali. Akibat rasa cemburu dan tidak senang hati dengan tindakan Bendahara Tun Mutahir tidak mempersembahkan Tun Fatimah terlebih dahulu kepadanya, Sultan Mahmud murka. Terlebih dahulu Datuk Mandeliar dan Si Kitol telah menghasut Sultan Mahmud Shah – masuk jarum.. Alahai sultan, mudahnya terpengaruh. Akhirnya seluruh keluarga Tun Mutahir dibunuh, yang tinggal hanya Tun Fatimah untuk dijadikan isteri Sultan.
Kemaruk Sultan memuncak apabila 'tergilakan' Puteri Gunung Ledang. Puteri bijak menghelah dengan mengemukakan tujuh syarat peminangan termasuklah disediakan jambatan emas menghubungkan puncak gunung itu dengan Melaka dan semangkuk darah anakanda Sultan, Raja Ahmad. Disebutkan pada mula Sultan Melaka berhasrat memenuhi syarat itu - cukai ke atas rakyat ditingkatkan manakala ada menyebut harta mereka seperti emas dirampas. Namun faktor membabitkan kepentingan diri sendiri (semangkuk darah Raja Ahmad), Sultan membatalkan hasrat itu.
Kezaliman Sultan sudah keterlaluan, tetapi adakah orang berani menegur? Jawapan yang zahir adalah tidak kerana mereka tersangat takut kerana orang kanannya sendiri seperti Bendahara bukan saja disingkirkan tetapi seluruh keluarganya dibunuh. Menegur Sultan bermakna mati atau setidak-tidak dihumbankan ke dalam penjara atau 'dibuang ke luar daerah' (dihukum bunuh tetapi diselamatkan Bendahara Tun Perak) seperti dialami Laksamana Hang Tuah.
Menegur Sultan (mengkritik pemerintah) tidak berlaku pada zaman gerhana ini. Apa yang ada terdapat ramai pengampu dan tukang fitnah serta pengkhianat seperti Si Kitol dan Datuk Mendeliar. Sultan diberi 'gambaran indah-indah' - tidak mengetahui situasi sebenar dalam negara yang di ambang untuk jatuh. Ramai yang berarak menyatakan sokongan kepada Sultan, hakikatnya sokongan inilah yang membawa rebah. Ya pemerintah sudah nazak tetapi masih ramai rakyat berarak-arak di jalan raya...
Apabila Portugis menyerang Melaka pada 1511, dilaporkan angkatan perang Melaka terlalu gagah untuk dikalahkan. Tetapi angkara terlalu ramai pengkhianat (termasuk yang berarak di jalan raya menyatakan sokongan) yang memberi bantuan sama ada secara terang-terangan atau sembunyi-sembunyi, akhirnya tewaslah Melaka menyebabkan Sultan Mahmud terpaksa berpindah randah dan akhirnya mangkat di Sumatera pada 1528.
Demikianlah berakhirnya sebuah empayar, peristiwa dalam sejarah kerap berulang-ulang...adakah kita mahu terus membutakan mata dan memekakkan telinga daripada pengajaran sejarah ini. Faktor seperti pemerintah 'dikuasai bini', bersikap boros, menindas rakyat dengan cukai tinggi, membunuh (menyingkir) pesaing termasuk pembantu kanan adalah fenomena biasa pada zaman gerhana...ya fikir-fikirkanlah sejenak sama ada kita kini di zaman gerhana atau tidak!
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
***************
Renungan
"...Sesungguhnya masjid yang didirikan atas dasar takwa (Masjid Quba'), sejak hari pertama adalah lebih patut kamu solat di dalamnya. Di dalam masjid itu ada orag-orang yang ingin membersihkan diri. Dan sesungguhnya Allah menyukai orang-orang yang bersih." (Maksud Ayat 108 Surah At-Taubah)
****************
MENYOKONG kepada sesuatu yang zalim adalah maksiat besar; Imam Al-Ghazali dalam kitabnya 'Bidayatul Hidayah' dalam bab 'Cara Meninggalkan Maksiat' yang menyentuh mengenai kepentingan menjaga dua kaki, mengingatkan bahawa hendaklah kita memelihara kaki daripada berjalan ke tempat diharamkan atau berjalan kepada sultan (pemerintah) yang zalim.
Ya, sekarang ini pelbagai pihak mengadakan perhimpunan namun sebagai orang mengaku beriman kita perlu berilmu dan terpandu sama ada 'penggunaan kaki' kita itu (dalam perhimpunan dan protes orang berarak di jalan raya) digunakan pada jalan yang diredai atau dimurkai-Nya.
Kata Imam Ghazali berjalan menuju kepada sultan (pemerintah) yang zalim itu tanpa ada darurat dan paksaan adalah maksiat yang besar kerana yang demikian itu dianggap 'tawadhu' atau merendahkan diri bagi mereka dan menghormati atas kezaliman mereka, sedangkan Allah menyuruh kita supaya berpaling daripada orang yang zalim, seperti firman-Nya yang bermaksud: "Dan janganlah engkau cenderung hati kepada orang yang zalim, nanti kamu akan disentuh oleh api neraka." (Surah Hud, ayat 113)
Kecenderungan menyokong kepada penguasa zalim adalah salah satu petanda bahawa sesebuah pemerintah (dulunya dirujuk sebagai empayar misalnya dalam sejarah Islam, dinasti Umaiyah, Abasiyah, Fatimiah, Uthmaniyah (Ottomon), Moghul dan di rantau kita, Melaka) sudah berada di peringkat nazak atau sesetengah bijak pandai menggelarnya zaman gerhana.
Jika kita rujuk kejatuhan empayar-empayar ini, satu daripada faktornya adalah penguasa-penguasa terakhirnya (termasuklah orang besar seperti menteri) tersungkur di kaki perempuan, korupsi berleluasa dalam negara manakala rakyat dizalimi dengan pelbagai tekanan termasuk dikenakan cukai melampau. Ada yang membiarkan permaisuri 'menguasai keadaan' - mereka bagikan tunggul atau 'yes man' saja kepada segala kehendak bini.
Selain itu terlalu ramai pemimpin menjadi 'kaki bodek' (mengiyakan apa saja kelakuan pemerintah iaitu tidak berani menegur mereka manakala sebahagian lagi menjadi pengkhianat - mereka menjadi gunting dalam lipatan, memberi bantuan kepada musuh pada saat-saat genting).
Bagi membicarakan isu ini, penulis hanya merujuk kepada zaman gerhana Kesultanan Melaka untuk dijadikan teladan - yang baik dijadikan ikutan yang tidak baik dijadikan sempadan.
Zaman gerhana Melaka kerap dirujuk kepada pemerintahan Sultan Mahmud Shah (1488-1511) iaitu pemerintah Melaka terakhir. Merujuk kepada sesetengah pengkaji, mereka mendakwa Sultan Mahmud tidak mementingkan kesejahteraan rakyatnya. Salah satu kelemahannya adalah berkenaan perempuan. Semua perempuan berdahi licin hendak dimilikinya.
Misalnya, Tun Fatimah, anak Bendahara Melaka yang cantik dicemburui sultan kerana telah berkahwin dengan Tun Ali. Akibat rasa cemburu dan tidak senang hati dengan tindakan Bendahara Tun Mutahir tidak mempersembahkan Tun Fatimah terlebih dahulu kepadanya, Sultan Mahmud murka. Terlebih dahulu Datuk Mandeliar dan Si Kitol telah menghasut Sultan Mahmud Shah – masuk jarum.. Alahai sultan, mudahnya terpengaruh. Akhirnya seluruh keluarga Tun Mutahir dibunuh, yang tinggal hanya Tun Fatimah untuk dijadikan isteri Sultan.
Kemaruk Sultan memuncak apabila 'tergilakan' Puteri Gunung Ledang. Puteri bijak menghelah dengan mengemukakan tujuh syarat peminangan termasuklah disediakan jambatan emas menghubungkan puncak gunung itu dengan Melaka dan semangkuk darah anakanda Sultan, Raja Ahmad. Disebutkan pada mula Sultan Melaka berhasrat memenuhi syarat itu - cukai ke atas rakyat ditingkatkan manakala ada menyebut harta mereka seperti emas dirampas. Namun faktor membabitkan kepentingan diri sendiri (semangkuk darah Raja Ahmad), Sultan membatalkan hasrat itu.
Kezaliman Sultan sudah keterlaluan, tetapi adakah orang berani menegur? Jawapan yang zahir adalah tidak kerana mereka tersangat takut kerana orang kanannya sendiri seperti Bendahara bukan saja disingkirkan tetapi seluruh keluarganya dibunuh. Menegur Sultan bermakna mati atau setidak-tidak dihumbankan ke dalam penjara atau 'dibuang ke luar daerah' (dihukum bunuh tetapi diselamatkan Bendahara Tun Perak) seperti dialami Laksamana Hang Tuah.
Menegur Sultan (mengkritik pemerintah) tidak berlaku pada zaman gerhana ini. Apa yang ada terdapat ramai pengampu dan tukang fitnah serta pengkhianat seperti Si Kitol dan Datuk Mendeliar. Sultan diberi 'gambaran indah-indah' - tidak mengetahui situasi sebenar dalam negara yang di ambang untuk jatuh. Ramai yang berarak menyatakan sokongan kepada Sultan, hakikatnya sokongan inilah yang membawa rebah. Ya pemerintah sudah nazak tetapi masih ramai rakyat berarak-arak di jalan raya...
Apabila Portugis menyerang Melaka pada 1511, dilaporkan angkatan perang Melaka terlalu gagah untuk dikalahkan. Tetapi angkara terlalu ramai pengkhianat (termasuk yang berarak di jalan raya menyatakan sokongan) yang memberi bantuan sama ada secara terang-terangan atau sembunyi-sembunyi, akhirnya tewaslah Melaka menyebabkan Sultan Mahmud terpaksa berpindah randah dan akhirnya mangkat di Sumatera pada 1528.
Demikianlah berakhirnya sebuah empayar, peristiwa dalam sejarah kerap berulang-ulang...adakah kita mahu terus membutakan mata dan memekakkan telinga daripada pengajaran sejarah ini. Faktor seperti pemerintah 'dikuasai bini', bersikap boros, menindas rakyat dengan cukai tinggi, membunuh (menyingkir) pesaing termasuk pembantu kanan adalah fenomena biasa pada zaman gerhana...ya fikir-fikirkanlah sejenak sama ada kita kini di zaman gerhana atau tidak!
September 30, 2015
Hajj as a platform to encourage travel...
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, 'Selawat' (blessings) and 'salam' (peace be upon) Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection
"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me." (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51: 56-57)
LAST Saturday (September 5th) my family and I went to the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair in Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur. It was a big and busy event - thousands of people throng the moving staircases and pavilions; and outside PWTC, drivers scrambled to find parking lots; roads leading to the exhibition venue were chocked with vehicles.
Patrons had to buy a RM4 ticket each; they were then given a large green bag with the big MATTA logo and wording MATTA FAIR on one side and on the other side it was written 'Wonderful Indonesia' - oh what a sight seeing thousands of people carrying the green bags loaded with MATTA pamphlets and documents inside them, up and down the exhibition pavilions.
Sabah Chief Minister, Dato' Musa Aman who was honored to officiate the MATTA Fair, said it has grown over the years and is now the largest consumer fair in the country. The MATTA Fair brand has been established as the platform for Malaysian and foreign travelers alike to purchase value-for-money holiday packages.
He also said: "I am proud to see that MATTA Fair is moving forward and for the first time is dedicating Hall 1M as the pavilion selling 'umrah' (minor hajj) packages. This is a new focus where there will be a variety of 'umrah' packages to cater to pilgrims' schedules and budget."
MATTA President, Hamzah Rahmat in welcoming patrons said: "The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been implemented since April 2015. By now, we have gotten used to it. It is crystal clear now and it is no longer a mystery of sort."
Well, I came to the MATTA Fair to fulfill my wife wish to book 'two seats' to unable 'the two of us' to fly and travel to a 'romantic country' (lets the name of the country a secret for the moment) at the end of the year, but once there, one thing that bog my mind was that the event attracted not many Muslims.
Based on the poor attendance of Muslims at the MATTA Fair, perhaps we should try to seek for some answers. Perhaps travel has not become the culture of Muslims or was it the economically factor that prevent them from traveling?
Alhamdulillah (all praise only to Allah), Muslims have 'hajj and umrah travel' - this help to boost up travel among Muslims; this time around the MATTA Fair dedicated a 'special pavilion' for hajj and umrah travel agencies that was Hall 1M. But sadly it was located at the furthest end and it shared the floor with an arena where artists and models performed.
During my visit on that Saturday afternoon, the arena was crowded and on stage was live performance...yes even Hamzah Rahmat (MATTA President) in his remarks noted: "Running Man's Gary will be running around at Korea's stand at Hall 1 on Saturday..." Well, the hundreds of people who filled the arena, blocked Muslims visitors from going to the 'umrah and hajj section'...perhaps this explain why there were only a few visitors there at that time.
If not for 'hajj and umrah' perhaps not many Muslims seek to travel. Since we are about to celebrate Eid Adha, the writer would like to have a brief look how hajj and umrah encourage the spirit of travel among Muslims.
This year the holy month of Dhulhijja begins on September 15th. This is special month for Muslims around the world as some of them get merciful opportunity to implement the fifth pillar of Islam which is - hajj. The peak of hajj (wukuf, gathering at Arafah or Arafat on the 9th Dhulhijja) for this year would be on September 23th (Wednesday) and the next day Muslims all over the world would celebrate Eid Adha.
The hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah, is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey. Islam mandates that all Muslims who are financially and physically capable to perform the pilgrimage once in their lifetime.
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, s.a.w.) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, giving zakaah, hajj and fasting Ramadan.” - Narrated by Imam al-Bukhaari and Muslim
To perform hajj, one must have the financial and physical ability - thus he or she must strive hard to fulfill both requirements to make the journey. To perform hajj, one must travel; it showed that Islam encourages it followers to 'see' the world and not to be like 'katak di bawah tempurung' (a frog under a coconut shell, meaning that it only knows its own world).
Establishing prayer (solat) that is the five times daily prayers is most important required by a Muslim yet Islam provides ease and flexibility for Muslims to travel in comfort for example the prayers of Dhuhr and Asr can be shortened and combined within their stipulated time frame, and so can the prayers of Maghrib and Isha. This proved that Islam encourages its followers to travel.
A renowned Muslim writer, Maria Zain, said travelling is an important sunnah in Islam as the Prophet s.a.w. encouraged his followers to seek knowledge 'from the cradle to the grave' while Muslims scholars recommended them to do so even one has to travel to faraway lands such as to China, indicating that knowledge is borderless and travelling is a good way to expand the horizons of knowledge and experience.
Travelling like this can also be for leisure, as long as the underlying intention is a good one, like to recuperate before going back to work, to appreciate a new culture or country, or to spend time with family.
Imam Al-Bukhari relays in a hadith that Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. once said: “Be in the world as a traveler or stranger”, reminding Muslims that although the world is a temporary abode, the appreciation of beauty still falls as an obligation upon every Muslim: to seek the world in contentment and to appreciate the bounty of God in all things big and small.
In Islamic history, Arab traders were ardent travelers, crossing into multi-nations for business purposes. This was soon followed by Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and the first Muslims who migrated to different countries on different occasions and later worked hard in spreading 'da'wah' to different communities.
Even members of the companions were widely known to cross borders for the sake of Islam. They came as far as Abyssinia, Persia, amongst others, in order to seek knowledge from Prophet Muhammad and later crossed oceans to spread their love for Islam.
Travelling the world in the Islamic style is a good way to revive the important Sunnah of learning of other cultures, spreading a good image of Islam or simply enjoying the world from the lens of a Muslim, being reminded that diversity is indeed the will of God.
Reflection
"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me." (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51: 56-57)
LAST Saturday (September 5th) my family and I went to the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair in Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur. It was a big and busy event - thousands of people throng the moving staircases and pavilions; and outside PWTC, drivers scrambled to find parking lots; roads leading to the exhibition venue were chocked with vehicles.
Patrons had to buy a RM4 ticket each; they were then given a large green bag with the big MATTA logo and wording MATTA FAIR on one side and on the other side it was written 'Wonderful Indonesia' - oh what a sight seeing thousands of people carrying the green bags loaded with MATTA pamphlets and documents inside them, up and down the exhibition pavilions.
Sabah Chief Minister, Dato' Musa Aman who was honored to officiate the MATTA Fair, said it has grown over the years and is now the largest consumer fair in the country. The MATTA Fair brand has been established as the platform for Malaysian and foreign travelers alike to purchase value-for-money holiday packages.
He also said: "I am proud to see that MATTA Fair is moving forward and for the first time is dedicating Hall 1M as the pavilion selling 'umrah' (minor hajj) packages. This is a new focus where there will be a variety of 'umrah' packages to cater to pilgrims' schedules and budget."
MATTA President, Hamzah Rahmat in welcoming patrons said: "The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been implemented since April 2015. By now, we have gotten used to it. It is crystal clear now and it is no longer a mystery of sort."
Well, I came to the MATTA Fair to fulfill my wife wish to book 'two seats' to unable 'the two of us' to fly and travel to a 'romantic country' (lets the name of the country a secret for the moment) at the end of the year, but once there, one thing that bog my mind was that the event attracted not many Muslims.
Based on the poor attendance of Muslims at the MATTA Fair, perhaps we should try to seek for some answers. Perhaps travel has not become the culture of Muslims or was it the economically factor that prevent them from traveling?
Alhamdulillah (all praise only to Allah), Muslims have 'hajj and umrah travel' - this help to boost up travel among Muslims; this time around the MATTA Fair dedicated a 'special pavilion' for hajj and umrah travel agencies that was Hall 1M. But sadly it was located at the furthest end and it shared the floor with an arena where artists and models performed.
During my visit on that Saturday afternoon, the arena was crowded and on stage was live performance...yes even Hamzah Rahmat (MATTA President) in his remarks noted: "Running Man's Gary will be running around at Korea's stand at Hall 1 on Saturday..." Well, the hundreds of people who filled the arena, blocked Muslims visitors from going to the 'umrah and hajj section'...perhaps this explain why there were only a few visitors there at that time.
If not for 'hajj and umrah' perhaps not many Muslims seek to travel. Since we are about to celebrate Eid Adha, the writer would like to have a brief look how hajj and umrah encourage the spirit of travel among Muslims.
This year the holy month of Dhulhijja begins on September 15th. This is special month for Muslims around the world as some of them get merciful opportunity to implement the fifth pillar of Islam which is - hajj. The peak of hajj (wukuf, gathering at Arafah or Arafat on the 9th Dhulhijja) for this year would be on September 23th (Wednesday) and the next day Muslims all over the world would celebrate Eid Adha.
The hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah, is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey. Islam mandates that all Muslims who are financially and physically capable to perform the pilgrimage once in their lifetime.
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, s.a.w.) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, giving zakaah, hajj and fasting Ramadan.” - Narrated by Imam al-Bukhaari and Muslim
To perform hajj, one must have the financial and physical ability - thus he or she must strive hard to fulfill both requirements to make the journey. To perform hajj, one must travel; it showed that Islam encourages it followers to 'see' the world and not to be like 'katak di bawah tempurung' (a frog under a coconut shell, meaning that it only knows its own world).
Establishing prayer (solat) that is the five times daily prayers is most important required by a Muslim yet Islam provides ease and flexibility for Muslims to travel in comfort for example the prayers of Dhuhr and Asr can be shortened and combined within their stipulated time frame, and so can the prayers of Maghrib and Isha. This proved that Islam encourages its followers to travel.
A renowned Muslim writer, Maria Zain, said travelling is an important sunnah in Islam as the Prophet s.a.w. encouraged his followers to seek knowledge 'from the cradle to the grave' while Muslims scholars recommended them to do so even one has to travel to faraway lands such as to China, indicating that knowledge is borderless and travelling is a good way to expand the horizons of knowledge and experience.
Travelling like this can also be for leisure, as long as the underlying intention is a good one, like to recuperate before going back to work, to appreciate a new culture or country, or to spend time with family.
Imam Al-Bukhari relays in a hadith that Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. once said: “Be in the world as a traveler or stranger”, reminding Muslims that although the world is a temporary abode, the appreciation of beauty still falls as an obligation upon every Muslim: to seek the world in contentment and to appreciate the bounty of God in all things big and small.
In Islamic history, Arab traders were ardent travelers, crossing into multi-nations for business purposes. This was soon followed by Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and the first Muslims who migrated to different countries on different occasions and later worked hard in spreading 'da'wah' to different communities.
Even members of the companions were widely known to cross borders for the sake of Islam. They came as far as Abyssinia, Persia, amongst others, in order to seek knowledge from Prophet Muhammad and later crossed oceans to spread their love for Islam.
Travelling the world in the Islamic style is a good way to revive the important Sunnah of learning of other cultures, spreading a good image of Islam or simply enjoying the world from the lens of a Muslim, being reminded that diversity is indeed the will of God.
September 24, 2015
Dari UKM ke Harakah (33): Berkorban; tidak perlu menjadi sebatang lilin...
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)
SAYA menunaikan haji ketika masih bertugas di Harakah. Pada hari-hari menjelang Aidiladha ini terkenang saya nostalgia di Tanah Suci...Subhanallah bagi yang sudah menunaikan haji, bagaimana dapat dilupakan pengalaman mengusik jiwa di Masjidilharam, Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina dan sebagainya.
Seorang tokoh agama, Misbaha dalam bukunya 'Teman Anda Ke Tanah Suci' mengungkapkan: "Ibadat haji tidak dapat disempurnakan, melainkan setelah ada pengetahuan, persiapan dan kesanggupan menempuh berbagai kedukaan, kesusahan, kepahitan, tekanan perasaan hati yang pilu dengan kesabaran (seperti meninggalkan rumahtangga, dan saudara mara), pahit getir dan kepayahan dalam perjalanan sehingga tiba dan berada di bumi Arafah.
"Di Arafah ada perhimpunan lautan manusia yang datang dari seluruh pelosok dunia yang tiada tolok bandingnya dalam suatu keadaan yang sangat terharu dan istimewa, yang tidak boleh digambarkan oleh pandangan dan lemah lidah hendak melaporkan segala-galanya; berpakaian seragam putih (berihram), tidak ada darjat tinggi rendah, kaya miskin, raja dan rakyat, semuanya sama-sama bertalbiyah, bertakbir, bertahmid, berdoa ke hadrat Tuhan Rabbul'Alamin memohon keredaan, keampunan dan haji yang mabrur yang ganjarannya syurga."
Antara kelebihan orang mengerjakan haji adalah pengiktirafan bahawa dia utusan Allah. Ini berdasarkan hadis daripada Abu Hurairah yang bermaksud: 'Orang yang mengerjakan haji dan orang yang mengerjakan umrah adalah utusan Allah. Jika mereka berdoa, nescaya Allah menerima doa mereka dan jika mereka memohon ampun, maka Allah akan mengampuni mereka."
Mengerjakan haji 'satu hal', namun banyak orang terlepas pandang kehidupan selepas bergelar haji dan hajah. Hidup yang diteruskan penuh dengan ujian...kesabaran amat penting dan banyak orang berpegang kepada kata-kata bijak pandai - berkorban apa saja..harta atau nyawa; biarlah aku menjadi lilin membakar diri sendiri sehingga hangus asalkan orang lain dapat menikmati cahayanya.
Semakin 'tua diri ini', sedarlah saya bahawa 'berkorban bagai lilin' tidak boleh diamalkan dalam kehidupan ini. Hakikatnya, diri kita sendiri perlu mendapat 'nikmat' atau 'ganjaran' daripada sesuatu usaha itu dan pada yang sama orang lain turut sama merasakannya. Orang putih berkata 'win-win situation'.
Amat-amati bahawa dalam al-Quran ada dinyatakan supaya kita menyelamatkan diri sebelum menyelamatkan anak isteri daripada menjadi bahan api neraka. Allah Taala berfirman: "Wahai orang-orang beriman! Jagalah diri kamu dan keluarga kamu daripada neraka yang bahan bakarnya adalah manusia dan batu." (Surah al-Tahrim, ayat 6)
Subhanallah, perbaikilah diri sebelum memperbaiki orang lain termasuk anak isteri. Kita perlu 'menang' sebelum 'menangkan orang lain'. Dalam sesetengah kes, perkara ini kita terlepas pandang. Misalnya seorang bapa sanggup 'berkorban apa saja' bagi mendapatkan sesuap nasi untuk anak isterinya tetapi ketika 'menjadi lilin' itu dia terlupa kewajipan dirinya sendiri seperti solat. Jadi berbaloikah 'pengorbanan' itu jika dia tiada saham di akhirat?
Seorang ibu sanggup bersusah payah menghantar anaknya ke tahfiz al-Quran tetapi dia sendiri mendedahkan rambutnya. Dia rela berkorban apa saja demi masa depan dunia dan akhirat anaknya tetapi bagaimana nasib dirinya? Apakah dia mahu dirinya hangus bagaikan lilin demi menyinari orang lain?
Kepentingan untuk menyelamatkan diri sendiri dulu ada dinyatakan ketika kita menaiki pesawat. Dalam taklimat sebelum penerbangan, pramugari ada menerangkan jika berlaku kecemasan, kita hendaklah memakai alat bantuan penafasan sebelum memakaikan kepada orang di bawah tanggungan kita seperti anak-anak. Ya selamatkan diri kita dulu sebelum selamatkan orang lain.
Peri penting menyelamatkan diri sendiri dulu (menggunakan ganti nama aku) dapat dihayati jika kita membaca doa di Arafah...carilah tempat terpencil dalam lautan manusia itu 'seolah-olah kita bersendirian dengan Allah' dan mengadulah kepada-Nya..."Ya Allah, ya Allah, ya Allah, aku pohon kepada-Mu keampunan dan keselamatan dalam urusan agamaku, duniaku, keluargaku dan hartaku. Ya Allah, lindungi daku daripada segala yang memalukanku dan tenteramkan diriku daripada rasa takut (perhatikan diri sendiri diutamakan sebelum keluarga).
"Ya Allah, pelihara diriku dari hadapan dan belakangku, dari kanan dan kiriku serta atasku. Aku berlindung dengan keagungaan-Mu daripada ancaman yang datang dari bawahku."
Ya nanti dalam kubur, kita 'seorang-seorang'...kalau kita sendiri tak selamat (nauzubillah) amat malanglah diri kita itu. Oleh itu sinari diri kita dulu sebelum menyinari orang lain. Tak usahlah ikut lilin yang membakar dirinya hangus bagi memberi cahaya kepada orang lain!
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)
SAYA menunaikan haji ketika masih bertugas di Harakah. Pada hari-hari menjelang Aidiladha ini terkenang saya nostalgia di Tanah Suci...Subhanallah bagi yang sudah menunaikan haji, bagaimana dapat dilupakan pengalaman mengusik jiwa di Masjidilharam, Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina dan sebagainya.
Seorang tokoh agama, Misbaha dalam bukunya 'Teman Anda Ke Tanah Suci' mengungkapkan: "Ibadat haji tidak dapat disempurnakan, melainkan setelah ada pengetahuan, persiapan dan kesanggupan menempuh berbagai kedukaan, kesusahan, kepahitan, tekanan perasaan hati yang pilu dengan kesabaran (seperti meninggalkan rumahtangga, dan saudara mara), pahit getir dan kepayahan dalam perjalanan sehingga tiba dan berada di bumi Arafah.
"Di Arafah ada perhimpunan lautan manusia yang datang dari seluruh pelosok dunia yang tiada tolok bandingnya dalam suatu keadaan yang sangat terharu dan istimewa, yang tidak boleh digambarkan oleh pandangan dan lemah lidah hendak melaporkan segala-galanya; berpakaian seragam putih (berihram), tidak ada darjat tinggi rendah, kaya miskin, raja dan rakyat, semuanya sama-sama bertalbiyah, bertakbir, bertahmid, berdoa ke hadrat Tuhan Rabbul'Alamin memohon keredaan, keampunan dan haji yang mabrur yang ganjarannya syurga."
Antara kelebihan orang mengerjakan haji adalah pengiktirafan bahawa dia utusan Allah. Ini berdasarkan hadis daripada Abu Hurairah yang bermaksud: 'Orang yang mengerjakan haji dan orang yang mengerjakan umrah adalah utusan Allah. Jika mereka berdoa, nescaya Allah menerima doa mereka dan jika mereka memohon ampun, maka Allah akan mengampuni mereka."
Mengerjakan haji 'satu hal', namun banyak orang terlepas pandang kehidupan selepas bergelar haji dan hajah. Hidup yang diteruskan penuh dengan ujian...kesabaran amat penting dan banyak orang berpegang kepada kata-kata bijak pandai - berkorban apa saja..harta atau nyawa; biarlah aku menjadi lilin membakar diri sendiri sehingga hangus asalkan orang lain dapat menikmati cahayanya.
Semakin 'tua diri ini', sedarlah saya bahawa 'berkorban bagai lilin' tidak boleh diamalkan dalam kehidupan ini. Hakikatnya, diri kita sendiri perlu mendapat 'nikmat' atau 'ganjaran' daripada sesuatu usaha itu dan pada yang sama orang lain turut sama merasakannya. Orang putih berkata 'win-win situation'.
Amat-amati bahawa dalam al-Quran ada dinyatakan supaya kita menyelamatkan diri sebelum menyelamatkan anak isteri daripada menjadi bahan api neraka. Allah Taala berfirman: "Wahai orang-orang beriman! Jagalah diri kamu dan keluarga kamu daripada neraka yang bahan bakarnya adalah manusia dan batu." (Surah al-Tahrim, ayat 6)
Subhanallah, perbaikilah diri sebelum memperbaiki orang lain termasuk anak isteri. Kita perlu 'menang' sebelum 'menangkan orang lain'. Dalam sesetengah kes, perkara ini kita terlepas pandang. Misalnya seorang bapa sanggup 'berkorban apa saja' bagi mendapatkan sesuap nasi untuk anak isterinya tetapi ketika 'menjadi lilin' itu dia terlupa kewajipan dirinya sendiri seperti solat. Jadi berbaloikah 'pengorbanan' itu jika dia tiada saham di akhirat?
Seorang ibu sanggup bersusah payah menghantar anaknya ke tahfiz al-Quran tetapi dia sendiri mendedahkan rambutnya. Dia rela berkorban apa saja demi masa depan dunia dan akhirat anaknya tetapi bagaimana nasib dirinya? Apakah dia mahu dirinya hangus bagaikan lilin demi menyinari orang lain?
Kepentingan untuk menyelamatkan diri sendiri dulu ada dinyatakan ketika kita menaiki pesawat. Dalam taklimat sebelum penerbangan, pramugari ada menerangkan jika berlaku kecemasan, kita hendaklah memakai alat bantuan penafasan sebelum memakaikan kepada orang di bawah tanggungan kita seperti anak-anak. Ya selamatkan diri kita dulu sebelum selamatkan orang lain.
Peri penting menyelamatkan diri sendiri dulu (menggunakan ganti nama aku) dapat dihayati jika kita membaca doa di Arafah...carilah tempat terpencil dalam lautan manusia itu 'seolah-olah kita bersendirian dengan Allah' dan mengadulah kepada-Nya..."Ya Allah, ya Allah, ya Allah, aku pohon kepada-Mu keampunan dan keselamatan dalam urusan agamaku, duniaku, keluargaku dan hartaku. Ya Allah, lindungi daku daripada segala yang memalukanku dan tenteramkan diriku daripada rasa takut (perhatikan diri sendiri diutamakan sebelum keluarga).
"Ya Allah, pelihara diriku dari hadapan dan belakangku, dari kanan dan kiriku serta atasku. Aku berlindung dengan keagungaan-Mu daripada ancaman yang datang dari bawahku."
Ya nanti dalam kubur, kita 'seorang-seorang'...kalau kita sendiri tak selamat (nauzubillah) amat malanglah diri kita itu. Oleh itu sinari diri kita dulu sebelum menyinari orang lain. Tak usahlah ikut lilin yang membakar dirinya hangus bagi memberi cahaya kepada orang lain!
September 22, 2015
The hard working, polite 'Mat Salleh' girl...
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, 'Selawat' (blessings) and 'salam' (peace be upon) Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection
"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me." (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51: 56-57)
DURING my vacation di Langkawi recently I stayed at Ulam Inn in Pekan Padang Matsirat. Its owner, Hadi Yusof not only provided me with the best hospitality he could offered, but was ready to spend his priceless time with me - at times we were engaged in lengthy and deep conversations...well on what subject? Oh, it was about life!
During one of our discussions at the visitors' lounge, a 'Mat Salleh' teenage girl who was busy wiping away dusts from books in a rack, caught my attention. Hadi said she was Alice, a 18 year old teenage from Germany who could speak 'good' English.
Alice was so engrossed in her work; she seemed 'not bothered' with activities around her such as the loud conversation between Hadi and me or, perhaps she was a 'gadis pemalu' (a shy girl next door) - a Malay term to describe a 'very polite' young female. Well 'some Malays' said this trait was looked upon when old folks were in search for a 'calon menantu' (a candidate for their son spouse).
After she had finished her work, the girl raised up and asked Hadi if he had any more work for her. Her tone was 'very polite'...she did not forget to use the 'magic word' - please - oh, I dreamed 'what's a beautiful day' if my own teenage daughter would come over to me and said for example: "Dad, I had finished cleaning the toilet, please could I now mop the floors..."
Hadi answered that he has no more work for Alice; she could have a rest but the girl instead took a broom and began sweeping the floor. Oh, what 'a beautiful scenery' I saw that morning - a 'Mat Salleh' girl 'swaying' a broom up and down the floors which I had newer seen in my lifetime. Perhaps the 'Mat Salleh' girl fit perfectly to be my 'calon menantu'...well I was just dreaming and joking...
I asked Hadi who was that 'very polite girl'. He said she was from Walkaway - an international group that helped travelers to find accommodation in faraway lands - and in his case, Hadi provided free rooms to one or two such traveler at a time and during my stay at Ulam Inn, I was fortunate to see 'Alice in action'.
Hadi said as a mutual understanding for the free accommodation, the participants offered to do some work for a fixed hours in a day such as 'what Alice had done' - oh, perhaps that explained why the girl was seen so busy and engrossed in her work..it was an exchange for a 'free room'.
During our conversation, Hadi said "let us ignore about the 'rewards of free stay', but focus on the good traits shown by some 'Mat Sallehs' who stayed at his inn. Talking about Alice, Hadi said he was very impressed with the attitude of the girl.
"If she is given an hour to work, we would be guarantied the best from her...yes she would never 'main-main' (playful) and mind you she is sharp in time. If she is required to start work at 9:00 am, she is ready before the said time and at 9:00sharp she is on her job and then gave her full attention throughout the working hour," said Hadi.
Hadi said by involving in the Walkaway program, it could help him in his woes finding good workers among the local. "It is very difficult to have a trustworthy helper...youth in Langkawi is spoil for choice. They could jump from a work to another...there's a lot of opportunities here but sadly they become too choosy...if they did not like with their work or you as their 'boss', they just leave you just like that..."
Talking about the 'Mat Sallehs' who stayed at his inn, Hadi said many were of the disciplined types - they obeyed the inn rules and very concerned about time. And they were very punctual!
"If we organized a trip and agreed to meet at a certain place, they were sharp in their time. They too would never smoked and boozed at designated places...in short they know how to behave accordingly but of course there were some black sheep...well its normal in every society," said Hadi.
The Ulam Inn owner said his seven rooms traditional house attracted many 'Mat Sallehs' and one reason why they love it was because he did not fixed charges for the rooms - his tagline was 'Just pay how much you want'. But this service is available for weekday only.
He said based on his observation when some 'Mat Sallehs' brought along their children to stay at his inn, their parents inculcate manners and disciplines to their boys and girls. To inculcate is to teach through frequent instruction; for example the 'Mat Sallehs' children were told not to make noise in the guests room; then whoever made a slightest sound was reminded again and again.
The 'Mat Sallehs' too portrayed and showed good examples to their boys and girls. If there was a notice board which said that it was not allowed to smoke and drink at a designated place, the parents obliged and by doing so they taught their children to respect other people's way of life.
Hadi was in the opinion that the majority of 'Mat Sallehs' were successful in disciplining their young generation - they were known for the fine way of living such as being punctual about time, lining up while waiting and boarding public transportation and speaking up in 'good language' like saying 'please' and 'thank you' but sadly without 'iman' (faith) their civilizations are in the brink to collapse.
"A father could disciplined his son, but in many cases when the son became a grown up man, he could do ill things to his parents such as suing them in courts for their 'little mistake'. They adore freedom regarding all matters, so they think it was their rights do to anything they wish such as making love in public places...
"Yes, without religion (to be exact 'iman') that their worldly actions would carried consequences in the Hereafter, the majority of them think they are free to do whatever their wish...this contribute to the downfall of the Western civilization.
"Some of them realized their world of emptiness thus 'they go their own way' in searching for the meaning of life, perhaps this could explain why Alice is here," said Hadi.
After hearing Hadi's explanation, I reached for my bag...and then handed over to Alice an English translation of the Qur'an (The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an, The Final Revelation, An Explanatory Translation by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall) which at first she was reluctant to accept but finally gave in with a 'malu-malu kucing' (shyness overpowers wants) reaction!
Reflection
"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me." (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51: 56-57)
DURING my vacation di Langkawi recently I stayed at Ulam Inn in Pekan Padang Matsirat. Its owner, Hadi Yusof not only provided me with the best hospitality he could offered, but was ready to spend his priceless time with me - at times we were engaged in lengthy and deep conversations...well on what subject? Oh, it was about life!
During one of our discussions at the visitors' lounge, a 'Mat Salleh' teenage girl who was busy wiping away dusts from books in a rack, caught my attention. Hadi said she was Alice, a 18 year old teenage from Germany who could speak 'good' English.
Alice was so engrossed in her work; she seemed 'not bothered' with activities around her such as the loud conversation between Hadi and me or, perhaps she was a 'gadis pemalu' (a shy girl next door) - a Malay term to describe a 'very polite' young female. Well 'some Malays' said this trait was looked upon when old folks were in search for a 'calon menantu' (a candidate for their son spouse).
After she had finished her work, the girl raised up and asked Hadi if he had any more work for her. Her tone was 'very polite'...she did not forget to use the 'magic word' - please - oh, I dreamed 'what's a beautiful day' if my own teenage daughter would come over to me and said for example: "Dad, I had finished cleaning the toilet, please could I now mop the floors..."
Hadi answered that he has no more work for Alice; she could have a rest but the girl instead took a broom and began sweeping the floor. Oh, what 'a beautiful scenery' I saw that morning - a 'Mat Salleh' girl 'swaying' a broom up and down the floors which I had newer seen in my lifetime. Perhaps the 'Mat Salleh' girl fit perfectly to be my 'calon menantu'...well I was just dreaming and joking...
I asked Hadi who was that 'very polite girl'. He said she was from Walkaway - an international group that helped travelers to find accommodation in faraway lands - and in his case, Hadi provided free rooms to one or two such traveler at a time and during my stay at Ulam Inn, I was fortunate to see 'Alice in action'.
Hadi said as a mutual understanding for the free accommodation, the participants offered to do some work for a fixed hours in a day such as 'what Alice had done' - oh, perhaps that explained why the girl was seen so busy and engrossed in her work..it was an exchange for a 'free room'.
During our conversation, Hadi said "let us ignore about the 'rewards of free stay', but focus on the good traits shown by some 'Mat Sallehs' who stayed at his inn. Talking about Alice, Hadi said he was very impressed with the attitude of the girl.
"If she is given an hour to work, we would be guarantied the best from her...yes she would never 'main-main' (playful) and mind you she is sharp in time. If she is required to start work at 9:00 am, she is ready before the said time and at 9:00sharp she is on her job and then gave her full attention throughout the working hour," said Hadi.
Hadi said by involving in the Walkaway program, it could help him in his woes finding good workers among the local. "It is very difficult to have a trustworthy helper...youth in Langkawi is spoil for choice. They could jump from a work to another...there's a lot of opportunities here but sadly they become too choosy...if they did not like with their work or you as their 'boss', they just leave you just like that..."
Talking about the 'Mat Sallehs' who stayed at his inn, Hadi said many were of the disciplined types - they obeyed the inn rules and very concerned about time. And they were very punctual!
"If we organized a trip and agreed to meet at a certain place, they were sharp in their time. They too would never smoked and boozed at designated places...in short they know how to behave accordingly but of course there were some black sheep...well its normal in every society," said Hadi.
The Ulam Inn owner said his seven rooms traditional house attracted many 'Mat Sallehs' and one reason why they love it was because he did not fixed charges for the rooms - his tagline was 'Just pay how much you want'. But this service is available for weekday only.
He said based on his observation when some 'Mat Sallehs' brought along their children to stay at his inn, their parents inculcate manners and disciplines to their boys and girls. To inculcate is to teach through frequent instruction; for example the 'Mat Sallehs' children were told not to make noise in the guests room; then whoever made a slightest sound was reminded again and again.
The 'Mat Sallehs' too portrayed and showed good examples to their boys and girls. If there was a notice board which said that it was not allowed to smoke and drink at a designated place, the parents obliged and by doing so they taught their children to respect other people's way of life.
Hadi was in the opinion that the majority of 'Mat Sallehs' were successful in disciplining their young generation - they were known for the fine way of living such as being punctual about time, lining up while waiting and boarding public transportation and speaking up in 'good language' like saying 'please' and 'thank you' but sadly without 'iman' (faith) their civilizations are in the brink to collapse.
"A father could disciplined his son, but in many cases when the son became a grown up man, he could do ill things to his parents such as suing them in courts for their 'little mistake'. They adore freedom regarding all matters, so they think it was their rights do to anything they wish such as making love in public places...
"Yes, without religion (to be exact 'iman') that their worldly actions would carried consequences in the Hereafter, the majority of them think they are free to do whatever their wish...this contribute to the downfall of the Western civilization.
"Some of them realized their world of emptiness thus 'they go their own way' in searching for the meaning of life, perhaps this could explain why Alice is here," said Hadi.
After hearing Hadi's explanation, I reached for my bag...and then handed over to Alice an English translation of the Qur'an (The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an, The Final Revelation, An Explanatory Translation by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall) which at first she was reluctant to accept but finally gave in with a 'malu-malu kucing' (shyness overpowers wants) reaction!
September 20, 2015
Pastikan guna wang bersih tunai haji...
*************
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
***************
Renungan
"...Sesungguhnya masjid yang didirikan atas dasar takwa (Masjid Quba'), sejak hari pertama adalah lebih patut kamu solat di dalamnya. Di dalam masjid itu ada orag-orang yang ingin membersihkan diri. Dan sesungguhnya Allah menyukai orang-orang yang bersih." (Maksud Ayat 108 Surah At-Taubah)
****************
SEKARANG ini musim haji. Ribuan jemaah haji Malaysia sudah berada di Tanah Suci Makkah dan Madinah. Kemuncak ibadat haji akan berlangsung 23 September (9 Zulhijjah) apabila jemaah haji berwukuf di Arafah. Wukuf adalah rukun haji terpenting; tanpa melakukannya tiadalah haji bagi seseorang itu.
Sempena pemergian jemaah haji ke Tanah Suci, pengurusan masjid dan surau mengadakan majlis kesyukuran bagi bakal haji dan hajah. Biasanya pada majlis ini, ustaz akan menyentuh sedikit sebanyak mengenai bab haji sebelum bakal haji dan umrah diberi cenderamata seperti kain ihram dan telekong.
Ada ustaz mengingatkan adalah penting untuk jemaah menggunakan wang halal yang diperolehi daripada sumber bersih bagi menunaikan haji. Perkara ini amat ditekankan kerana haji adalah perkara kelima dalam Rukun Islam, jika ditunaikan dengan wang haram, maka tertolaklah haji seseorang itu.
Dia dikhuatiri akan mendapat haji mardud (maz'ur) sedangkan matlamat seseorang Muslim dalam menunaikan Rukun Islam kelima itu adalah bagi mendapat haji mabrur (yang diterima) yang balasannya tiada lain melainkan mendapat syurga Allah SWT.
Ketika menunaikan haji, jemaah akan bertalbiyah: "Labbayk, Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayk. La shareeka laka. Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk. La shareeka lak" yang bermaksud: "Hamba-Mu datang menyahut panggilan- Mu, Ya Allah hamba-Mu datang menyahut panggilan-Mu. Hamba-Mu datang menyahut panggilan-Mu Tuhan yang tidak ada sekutu bagi-Mu. Hamba datang menyahut panggilan-Mu. Sesungguhnya segala pujian dan nikmat serta kerajaan adalah kepunyaan-Mu, tidak ada sekutu bagi-Mu."
Bagi jemaah yang mendapat keredaan Allah, Allah SWT akan mengalu-alukannya sebagai tetamu-Nya tetapi bagi yang melakukannya dengan banyak dicampuri dosa dan keharaman, misalnya mengerjakan haji dengan perbekalan daripada usaha haram seperti rasuah tidak ada pahala bagi mereka yang mengerjakan haji daripada hasil yang haram.
Dalam menunaikan haji seperti ini, Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. bersabda yang bermaksud: ...ketika orang haji dengan nafkah haram keluar, kemudian dia berseru: Aku datang memenuhi panggilan-Mu, maka datanglah jawapan dari langit: "Tidak engkau tidak memenuhi panggilan, perbekalanmu haram, nafkahmu haram, hajimu penuh dosa, tidak berpahala."
Demikianlah dalam menunaikan haji, wang digunakan untuk perbekalan seperti tambang kapal terbang, bayaran penginapan dan makan minum perlulah dari sumber yang bersih (halal).
Namun satu masalah yang timbul dalam masyarakat kita sekarang ini adalah penyalahgunaan istilah. Misalnya istilah 'derma' - jika dirujuk kepada Kamus Perwira 'derma' diertikan sebagai 'bantuan, pemberian' manakala 'mendermakan' diertikan sebagai memberikan sesuatu dengan ikhlas atau dalam bahasa Inggeris "to give something sincerely".
Berdasarkan pengertian ini, tentunya wang derma hatta bagi digunakan untuk menunaikan haji adalah sumber bersih (halal) tetapi jika istilah ini digunakan untuk 'menutup' sesuatu yang meragukan...persoalannya apakah wang ini halal dan jika digunakan untuk mengerjakan haji atau menaja orang lain pergi haji, bagaimana natijah haji seseorang itu?
Bercakap mengenai penajaan haji, kita tertarik dengan laporan baru-baru ini bahawa Yayasan 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) menaja 1,200 jemaah haji tahun ini. Ini hanyalah satu laporan berita, kita tidak menyentuh mengenai status atau kedudukan sumber penajaan.
PM Najib Razak ketika menyerahkan surat tawaran haji di Masjid Tuanku Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin di Putrajaya, merayu jemaah haji tajaan 1MDB agar mendoakan keselamatan negara daripada campur tangan pihak luar sewaktu menyempurnakan rukun Islam kelima itu.
Beliau memohon jemaah tersebut agar berdoa di tempat-tempat yang dikenali ramai sebagai tempat mustajab untuk berdoa dan sebagai balasan, beliau akan mendoakan keselamatan mereka pergi dan balik dari Tanah Suci itu.
"Tolong doakan. Doa di tempat mustajab doanya. Insya-Allah di Masjidil Haram, di sudut pancuran emas, di Madinah, dalam Raudah, di Arafah.
"Tolong doakan supaya negara selamat, doa supaya kepimpinan kerajaan negara kita, kita yang tentukan, bukan orang luar, bukan orang asing yang boleh jadi penentu siapa dalam kerajaan, siapa yang dia mahu jatuhkan. "Oleh itu, moga Allah beri kekuatan pada tuan-tuan mengerjakan ibadah haji selama 40 hari. Saya tahu ia perlu kekuatan stamina," kata Najib.
Sekali lagi kita peringatkan bahawa ini hanyalah laporan berita namun terpulanglah kepada pembaca untuk membuat penilaian dan penafsiran!
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
***************
Renungan
"...Sesungguhnya masjid yang didirikan atas dasar takwa (Masjid Quba'), sejak hari pertama adalah lebih patut kamu solat di dalamnya. Di dalam masjid itu ada orag-orang yang ingin membersihkan diri. Dan sesungguhnya Allah menyukai orang-orang yang bersih." (Maksud Ayat 108 Surah At-Taubah)
****************
SEKARANG ini musim haji. Ribuan jemaah haji Malaysia sudah berada di Tanah Suci Makkah dan Madinah. Kemuncak ibadat haji akan berlangsung 23 September (9 Zulhijjah) apabila jemaah haji berwukuf di Arafah. Wukuf adalah rukun haji terpenting; tanpa melakukannya tiadalah haji bagi seseorang itu.
Sempena pemergian jemaah haji ke Tanah Suci, pengurusan masjid dan surau mengadakan majlis kesyukuran bagi bakal haji dan hajah. Biasanya pada majlis ini, ustaz akan menyentuh sedikit sebanyak mengenai bab haji sebelum bakal haji dan umrah diberi cenderamata seperti kain ihram dan telekong.
Ada ustaz mengingatkan adalah penting untuk jemaah menggunakan wang halal yang diperolehi daripada sumber bersih bagi menunaikan haji. Perkara ini amat ditekankan kerana haji adalah perkara kelima dalam Rukun Islam, jika ditunaikan dengan wang haram, maka tertolaklah haji seseorang itu.
Dia dikhuatiri akan mendapat haji mardud (maz'ur) sedangkan matlamat seseorang Muslim dalam menunaikan Rukun Islam kelima itu adalah bagi mendapat haji mabrur (yang diterima) yang balasannya tiada lain melainkan mendapat syurga Allah SWT.
Ketika menunaikan haji, jemaah akan bertalbiyah: "Labbayk, Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayk. La shareeka laka. Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk. La shareeka lak" yang bermaksud: "Hamba-Mu datang menyahut panggilan- Mu, Ya Allah hamba-Mu datang menyahut panggilan-Mu. Hamba-Mu datang menyahut panggilan-Mu Tuhan yang tidak ada sekutu bagi-Mu. Hamba datang menyahut panggilan-Mu. Sesungguhnya segala pujian dan nikmat serta kerajaan adalah kepunyaan-Mu, tidak ada sekutu bagi-Mu."
Bagi jemaah yang mendapat keredaan Allah, Allah SWT akan mengalu-alukannya sebagai tetamu-Nya tetapi bagi yang melakukannya dengan banyak dicampuri dosa dan keharaman, misalnya mengerjakan haji dengan perbekalan daripada usaha haram seperti rasuah tidak ada pahala bagi mereka yang mengerjakan haji daripada hasil yang haram.
Dalam menunaikan haji seperti ini, Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. bersabda yang bermaksud: ...ketika orang haji dengan nafkah haram keluar, kemudian dia berseru: Aku datang memenuhi panggilan-Mu, maka datanglah jawapan dari langit: "Tidak engkau tidak memenuhi panggilan, perbekalanmu haram, nafkahmu haram, hajimu penuh dosa, tidak berpahala."
Demikianlah dalam menunaikan haji, wang digunakan untuk perbekalan seperti tambang kapal terbang, bayaran penginapan dan makan minum perlulah dari sumber yang bersih (halal).
Namun satu masalah yang timbul dalam masyarakat kita sekarang ini adalah penyalahgunaan istilah. Misalnya istilah 'derma' - jika dirujuk kepada Kamus Perwira 'derma' diertikan sebagai 'bantuan, pemberian' manakala 'mendermakan' diertikan sebagai memberikan sesuatu dengan ikhlas atau dalam bahasa Inggeris "to give something sincerely".
Berdasarkan pengertian ini, tentunya wang derma hatta bagi digunakan untuk menunaikan haji adalah sumber bersih (halal) tetapi jika istilah ini digunakan untuk 'menutup' sesuatu yang meragukan...persoalannya apakah wang ini halal dan jika digunakan untuk mengerjakan haji atau menaja orang lain pergi haji, bagaimana natijah haji seseorang itu?
Bercakap mengenai penajaan haji, kita tertarik dengan laporan baru-baru ini bahawa Yayasan 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) menaja 1,200 jemaah haji tahun ini. Ini hanyalah satu laporan berita, kita tidak menyentuh mengenai status atau kedudukan sumber penajaan.
PM Najib Razak ketika menyerahkan surat tawaran haji di Masjid Tuanku Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin di Putrajaya, merayu jemaah haji tajaan 1MDB agar mendoakan keselamatan negara daripada campur tangan pihak luar sewaktu menyempurnakan rukun Islam kelima itu.
Beliau memohon jemaah tersebut agar berdoa di tempat-tempat yang dikenali ramai sebagai tempat mustajab untuk berdoa dan sebagai balasan, beliau akan mendoakan keselamatan mereka pergi dan balik dari Tanah Suci itu.
"Tolong doakan. Doa di tempat mustajab doanya. Insya-Allah di Masjidil Haram, di sudut pancuran emas, di Madinah, dalam Raudah, di Arafah.
"Tolong doakan supaya negara selamat, doa supaya kepimpinan kerajaan negara kita, kita yang tentukan, bukan orang luar, bukan orang asing yang boleh jadi penentu siapa dalam kerajaan, siapa yang dia mahu jatuhkan. "Oleh itu, moga Allah beri kekuatan pada tuan-tuan mengerjakan ibadah haji selama 40 hari. Saya tahu ia perlu kekuatan stamina," kata Najib.
Sekali lagi kita peringatkan bahawa ini hanyalah laporan berita namun terpulanglah kepada pembaca untuk membuat penilaian dan penafsiran!
September 18, 2015
Dari UKM ke Harakah (32): Batu bergolek tak kumpul lumut
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.RenunganDemi masa, sesungguhnya manusia itu dalam kerugian kecuali orang beriman, beramal salih, berpesan-pesan dengan kebenaran dan berpesan-pesan dengan kesabaran. (Maksud Al-Asr ayat 1-3)
DI luar rumah saya ada sejumlah kucing menumpang tinggal. Kucing-kucing ini tidak dibela di dalam rumah sebaliknya berlindung di bangsal dan pondok. Hampir setiap pagi ketika membuka pintu untuk ke masjid untuk solat subuh, kucing ini sudah berada di muka pintu...menunggu makanan. Seekor dua meluru mahu masuk ke dalam rumah tetapi saya menahan dan memberikan makanan di lantai bangsal.
Setelah sekian lama mengamat-amati 'perangai' kucing, sedarlah saya hanya seekor kucing jantan 'berkuasa' di sesebuah kawasan. Kucing 'perkasa' ini adalah raja - jantan-jantan lain diburunya keluar dari kawasannya; jadi dia menguasai semua kucing betina dan kucing kecil.
Mula-mula saya perhatikan seekor kucing jantan besar yang kami gelar Momok menguasai keadaan. Dialah raja. Jantan lain diperhambatnya keluar termasuklah Si Oren yang lebih kecil. Dalam pertarungan, selalunya Si Oren tewas; badannya luka-luka. Suatu ketika Oren hilang berhari-hari lamanya. Anak-anak saya berkata Oren, pergi 'berguru' untuk meningkatkan 'power'nya.
Oren kembali dan kembali bertarung dengan Momok. Oren tewas dan hilang lagi. Lama kemudian Si Oren muncul lagi, bertarung sekali lagi, dan kali ini ia menang! Tersungkur Si Momok dalam parit dikerjakannya. Kini muncullah Si Oren sebagai raja baharu. Si Momok yang tewas, makin lama makin lemah (mungkin sudah tua) dan baru-baru ini terbujur kaku (mati).
Kini Oren adalah raja; satu pengajaran saya dapati daripada mengamat-amati 'gelagat' kucing-kucing adalah kita perlu tekun (istiqamah) dalam sesuatu pekerjaan apatah lagi perjuangan kita. Oren tidak mungkin jadi raja jika dia jenis 'pengecut' - lari daripada medan perjuangan. Ya, ia mungkin hilang untuk sekian lama; tetapi tidak selama-lamanya sebaliknya seperti yang diperkatakan anak-anak saya "ia pergi berguru untuk meningkatkan 'power'!"
Berhubung 'istiqamah' ini, mungkin peribahasa-peribahasa Melayu ini dapat memberi serba sedikit kefahaman kepada kita. Orang tua-tua menjelaskan bahawa batu yang bergolek tidak akan mengumpulkan lumut. Namun kita disyorkan bahawa 'alang-alang menyeluk perkasam biar sampai ke pangkal lengan'. Mandi biar basah, makan biar kencang; ya mungkin tidak ada gunanya atau tidak membawa hasil yang bagus jika kita tidak bersungguh-sungguh dalam pekerjaan kita.
Berceloteh perihal kisah 'Dari UKM ke Harakah' ini (membabitkan dunia persuratkhabaran), dulu ketika 'berhenti mengejut' daripada jawatan pengarang di sebuah akhbar perdana, saya ingat tindakan saya itu 'sudah cukup bagus' tetapi akhirnya saya termenung memikirkannya setelah 'dibedal' oleh seorang rakan.
Antara lain katanya, melarikan diri daripada perjuangan adalah tindakan 'orang pengecut'. Mengapa melarikan diri (meletakkan jawatan) jika cadangan kita tidak dipersetujui oleh pihak atasan. Misalnya jika kita berjuang tidak mahukan nombor ekor disiarkan dalam akhbar, berjuanglah terus sampai sama ada perjuangan kita itu berhasil atau kita disingkirkan. Ini tak, belum lagi pihak atasan 'membuat apa-apa' kepada kita, kita sendiri sudah mengundurkan diri. Ini pengecut namanya, katanya membuatkan hati saya 'terbakar'!
Subhanallah, itu kisah semasa saya muda, yalah ketika meletakkan jawatan di akhbar itu, umur saya masih muda - dalam lingkungan 30-an. Orang muda, berdarah panas. Tetapi sekarang ini selepas melepasi usia 50 tahun, saya mengakui sebenarnya kita perlu istiqamah dalam kehidupan ini. Ingatlah pesanan bijak pandai Melayu itu - batu yang bergolek tidak akan mengumpulkan lumut. Kalau kita melompat ke sana ke sini, tidak banyak manfaat dapat kita kumpulkan dalam hidup kita.
Mungkin ada orang berkata, jika di sesuatu tempat itu tidak lagi kondusif untuk kita, maka langkah terbaik adalah berhijrah. Ya, berhijrahlah, tiada siapa yang menghalangnya; tetapi kita mesti ingat ada pepatah Melayu berbunyi - tempat jatuh lagikan dikenang, inikan pula tempat bermain.
Nabi kita Muhammad s.a.w. adalah contoh ikutan terbaik - baginda s.a.w. berhijrah ke Madinah selepas 12 tahun berdakwah di Makkah tanpa hasil memberangsangkan tetapi selepas 10 tahun di Madinah, baginda s.a.w. kembali semula ke tanah airnya yang tercinta, Makkah...lokasi dakwah berbeza tetapi perjuangan baginda tetap sama...iaitu meletakkan seluruh manusia tunduk hanya kepada Yang Maha Kuasa!
Click here to Reply, Reply to all, or Forward
DI luar rumah saya ada sejumlah kucing menumpang tinggal. Kucing-kucing ini tidak dibela di dalam rumah sebaliknya berlindung di bangsal dan pondok. Hampir setiap pagi ketika membuka pintu untuk ke masjid untuk solat subuh, kucing ini sudah berada di muka pintu...menunggu makanan. Seekor dua meluru mahu masuk ke dalam rumah tetapi saya menahan dan memberikan makanan di lantai bangsal.
Setelah sekian lama mengamat-amati 'perangai' kucing, sedarlah saya hanya seekor kucing jantan 'berkuasa' di sesebuah kawasan. Kucing 'perkasa' ini adalah raja - jantan-jantan lain diburunya keluar dari kawasannya; jadi dia menguasai semua kucing betina dan kucing kecil.
Mula-mula saya perhatikan seekor kucing jantan besar yang kami gelar Momok menguasai keadaan. Dialah raja. Jantan lain diperhambatnya keluar termasuklah Si Oren yang lebih kecil. Dalam pertarungan, selalunya Si Oren tewas; badannya luka-luka. Suatu ketika Oren hilang berhari-hari lamanya. Anak-anak saya berkata Oren, pergi 'berguru' untuk meningkatkan 'power'nya.
Oren kembali dan kembali bertarung dengan Momok. Oren tewas dan hilang lagi. Lama kemudian Si Oren muncul lagi, bertarung sekali lagi, dan kali ini ia menang! Tersungkur Si Momok dalam parit dikerjakannya. Kini muncullah Si Oren sebagai raja baharu. Si Momok yang tewas, makin lama makin lemah (mungkin sudah tua) dan baru-baru ini terbujur kaku (mati).
Kini Oren adalah raja; satu pengajaran saya dapati daripada mengamat-amati 'gelagat' kucing-kucing adalah kita perlu tekun (istiqamah) dalam sesuatu pekerjaan apatah lagi perjuangan kita. Oren tidak mungkin jadi raja jika dia jenis 'pengecut' - lari daripada medan perjuangan. Ya, ia mungkin hilang untuk sekian lama; tetapi tidak selama-lamanya sebaliknya seperti yang diperkatakan anak-anak saya "ia pergi berguru untuk meningkatkan 'power'!"
Berhubung 'istiqamah' ini, mungkin peribahasa-peribahasa Melayu ini dapat memberi serba sedikit kefahaman kepada kita. Orang tua-tua menjelaskan bahawa batu yang bergolek tidak akan mengumpulkan lumut. Namun kita disyorkan bahawa 'alang-alang menyeluk perkasam biar sampai ke pangkal lengan'. Mandi biar basah, makan biar kencang; ya mungkin tidak ada gunanya atau tidak membawa hasil yang bagus jika kita tidak bersungguh-sungguh dalam pekerjaan kita.
Berceloteh perihal kisah 'Dari UKM ke Harakah' ini (membabitkan dunia persuratkhabaran), dulu ketika 'berhenti mengejut' daripada jawatan pengarang di sebuah akhbar perdana, saya ingat tindakan saya itu 'sudah cukup bagus' tetapi akhirnya saya termenung memikirkannya setelah 'dibedal' oleh seorang rakan.
Antara lain katanya, melarikan diri daripada perjuangan adalah tindakan 'orang pengecut'. Mengapa melarikan diri (meletakkan jawatan) jika cadangan kita tidak dipersetujui oleh pihak atasan. Misalnya jika kita berjuang tidak mahukan nombor ekor disiarkan dalam akhbar, berjuanglah terus sampai sama ada perjuangan kita itu berhasil atau kita disingkirkan. Ini tak, belum lagi pihak atasan 'membuat apa-apa' kepada kita, kita sendiri sudah mengundurkan diri. Ini pengecut namanya, katanya membuatkan hati saya 'terbakar'!
Subhanallah, itu kisah semasa saya muda, yalah ketika meletakkan jawatan di akhbar itu, umur saya masih muda - dalam lingkungan 30-an. Orang muda, berdarah panas. Tetapi sekarang ini selepas melepasi usia 50 tahun, saya mengakui sebenarnya kita perlu istiqamah dalam kehidupan ini. Ingatlah pesanan bijak pandai Melayu itu - batu yang bergolek tidak akan mengumpulkan lumut. Kalau kita melompat ke sana ke sini, tidak banyak manfaat dapat kita kumpulkan dalam hidup kita.
Mungkin ada orang berkata, jika di sesuatu tempat itu tidak lagi kondusif untuk kita, maka langkah terbaik adalah berhijrah. Ya, berhijrahlah, tiada siapa yang menghalangnya; tetapi kita mesti ingat ada pepatah Melayu berbunyi - tempat jatuh lagikan dikenang, inikan pula tempat bermain.
Nabi kita Muhammad s.a.w. adalah contoh ikutan terbaik - baginda s.a.w. berhijrah ke Madinah selepas 12 tahun berdakwah di Makkah tanpa hasil memberangsangkan tetapi selepas 10 tahun di Madinah, baginda s.a.w. kembali semula ke tanah airnya yang tercinta, Makkah...lokasi dakwah berbeza tetapi perjuangan baginda tetap sama...iaitu meletakkan seluruh manusia tunduk hanya kepada Yang Maha Kuasa!
Click here to Reply, Reply to all, or Forward
Roslan Hamid's Blog
- Roslan Hamid's profile
- 2 followers
Roslan Hamid isn't a Goodreads Author
(yet),
but they
do have a blog,
so here are some recent posts imported from
their feed.
