Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 160

Celebrating 'Merdeka' as 'ibadah'

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. 
Reflection 

Surah 114, An-Nas, the second of the two cries for refuge and protection, takes its name from a recurring word which marks the rhythm in the Arabic. In this case protection is sought especially from the evil in a man's own heart in the hearts of other men. An early Meccan revelation 

MANKIND 

Revealed at Mecca 

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.  1. Say; I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,  2. The King of mankind, 3. The God of mankind, 4. From the evil of the sneaking whisperer,  5. Who whispereth in the hearts of mankind, 6. Of the jinn of mankind. 

(The Meaning of the GLORIOUS QUR'AN, The Final Revelation, An Explanaory Translation by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall) 


HOW often have we heard of 'ustazs' (religious teachers) advising us when performing our religious obligations such as saying our 'solat' (prayers) or 'siyam' (fasting) that we should treat these as though they were our last deeds because in this way we would put our maximum effort in doing them.
Other than religious obligations, in doing our routine chores such as a husband wishing goodbye to his beloved wife before going off to work; he and she should consider it their last tender moment because  nobody would know what would happen after that.
'Subhanallah' (Glory be to God) everything is in His hand. Perhaps in the early morning a wife would be in a cheerful mood while sending off her 'fresh and tidy' husband to work, but at the end of the day she may face her hardest and saddest moment if she receives news of her husband being killed in an accident.
If the thought of not having another opportunity to do certain good deeds such as praying, fasting or sending a spouse off to work as mentioned above, then we would have 'the power' and motivation to perform our best in all of our undertakings whether in our relations with Allah SWT such as praying and between human beings such as relations between a husband and wife.
In Islam all our actions are considered 'ibadah' (acts of worship) and would be rewarded by Allah The Greatest; be in small matters such as going to the toilet or of highly looked upon jobs such as administrating departments to governing states or countries. But one important aspect must be looked upon and that is our 'niat' (intention); if our 'niat' is in line with the teaching of Islam then we would be rewarded otherwise, our deeds would be wasted.
Even having sex with one's spouse is considered an 'ibadah' - a Muslim would be rewarded when he/she practices this act, as he/she is rewarded when he/she does any other acts of prescribed types of worship. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) alluded to this concept when he said, which reads as follows: “(A Muslim) would have intercourse with his spouse and would be rewarded for it. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: Oh Messenger of Allah! A person would be rewarded while satisfying his sexual need? Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied: Yes. Isn't it that he would be punished had he practiced sex illegally? The same applies if a Muslim practiced lawful intercourse with his spouse. As such, he would be rewarded.” (Ahmad)
Well, if doing 'small things' such as going to the toilet could be an 'ibadah', then what could be said about 'bigger and more important things' such as celebrating one’s country’s independence day or 'Hari Merdeka'. It is also an 'ibadah' if we fulfill the requirements stipulated in Islam.
First of all, what's the definition of 'merdeka'? The 'Kamus Dwibahasa Oxford Fajar' describes it as 'independent'; not dependent on or controlled by another person or thing while 'Kamus Perwira' defines it as 'bebas' or in English – independent/free. 'Kemerdekaan' means 'freedom or independence' and an example given is: "Malaya berjaya mencapai kemerdekaannya pada tahun 1957 - Malaya gained its independence in 1957."
Now, let us look at what renowned Muslims have said about 'merdeka'. At the height of the conquest of Persia, the Muslim general, Sa'ad ibn Waqqas carried out Caliph Umar Al-Khattab's will and sent to Rustum (or Rustam), the Persian great general, a number of his companions lead by Asim ibn Amir to call on him to follow Islam and Allah's path.
The conversation between them and the Persian leader lasted long. Finally they ended their talk by Asim telling him, "Allah has chosen us to turn whom He chooses of His creatures from paganism to monotheism, from the narrowness of life to its freedom, from the ruler's injustice to Islam's fairness. Whoever accepts our offer we will leave him alone and will refrain from hurting him. Whoever fights us, we will fight him until we fulfill Allah's promise."
The points elaborated by Asim to Rustum are looked upon as the meaning of 'merdeka' (freedom). It was regarding 'transforming' people from paganism to monotheism, from the limitations of life to freedom and from a ruler's injustice to the fairness in Islam.
Well, what's an example of Islam’s fairness?  'Aisha narrated this hadith: "Usama approached the Prophet on behalf of a woman (who had committed theft). The Prophet said, 'The people before you were destroyed because they used to inflict the legal punishments on the poor and forgive the rich. By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! If Fatima (the daughter of the Prophet) did that (i.e. stole), I would cut off her hand'." (Sahih Bukhari)
In Islam, each of us is equal in the eyes of Allah SWT. There is no difference between a rich and a poor man. Yes, only 'takwa' (fear of Allah) differentiates people for He says in the Qur'an: "O mankind! We have created you from a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is that who has At-Taqwa. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware." - (Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 13)
Back to the 'merdeka' question...are we 'fully merdeka'? Year after year and for 56 years we have celebrated 'Merdeka' with some events totally against the teachings of Islam. For example concerts were held where the sexes mixed freely; the next day workers from the City council would report finding hundreds of used condoms at the site...
Leaders too have taken part in the countdown fiesta where the sexes mixed freely - they and the people counted backwards, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and then shouted aloud 'Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!, again the question is; are we truly 'merdeka'?
For this year celebrations, it will be toned down as a mark of respect for the tragedies involving Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and MH370, including the cancellation of traditional events such as the Merdeka eve countdown, entertainment and fireworks display.
Well, it seems 'only tragedies' can teach us lessons on how to celebrate 'merdeka the civilized way'. For this year’s 'merdeka' celebration, religious gatherings such as 'solat hajat' (special prayers) and 'zikir munajat' (reciting verses praising Allah and His Prophet s.a.w.) would be held including on Dataran Merdeka where normally concerts would be staged as in previous years. And the good part of it is, the top leaders of the country would attend...they would be in the front row wearing white 'jubah' (long robe) and 'kopiah' (head skulls)!
Before ending this piece, as a Muslim allow me to pen my opinion about 'merdeka'. 'Merdeka' means that we are free to practice all our religious obligations and as Muslims we have the right to implement all of Allah SWT’s commands including hudud law (because it is mentioned in the Qur'an) and preventing ‘mungkar’ (sins).
Having reservations on any of Allah SWT’s commands is a clear violation of our oath, the ‘syahadah’, that we will submit and obey all of Allah SWT’s commands. Some scholars even say having such an attitude will nullify our ‘syahadah’ and is sufficient to make a person ‘kafir’ (a non-believer).
And Allah SWT has given us warning on this matter in Ayah 85 Surah al-Baqarah (...Believe ye in part of the Scripture and disbelive ye in part thereof?...) where Allah SWT warns us not to become like the Children of Israel who disobey some of Allah SWT’s commandments in the Taurah and reject the others.
Well, we are not fully 'merdeka' if we only practice some of what Allah orders us but refrain from the others. 'Insha-Allah (God Willing) we should tirelessly work our way (this is an 'ibadah') untill all His commands are put into practice on Earth! 

'Merdeka buat kali kedua'...

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

Renungan

"Wafatkanlah aku dan keadaan Islam dan gabungkanlah aku dengan orang-orang salih." (Maksud Ayat 101 Surah Yusuf) 
****KETIKA membaca fitnah media arus perdana mengenai gambar sekumpulan rakyat Malaysia yang berpakaian kuning dan mempamerkan kain pemidang sempena perhimpunan Bersih di seluruh dunia termasuk di Makkah dan Madinah beberapa tahun lalu, saya teringat sebuah hadis yang bermaksud: Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri r.a. berkata, Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda: "Setiap penipu mempunyai tanda-tanda yang ditancap di belakangnya, setinggi tipuannya. Ingatlah tiada penipu yang lebih besar daripada ketua negara atau pemimpin rakyat." (HR. Muslim) - sumber kitab Riadhus Shalihin. *
Sebagai seorang insan yang sudah beberapa kali ke Tanah Suci, saya percaya apa yang digembar-gemburkan mengenai sejumlah kecil rakyat Malaysia yang berkumpul bagi menyatakan sokongan kepada Bersih 3.0, adalah terlebih sudu daripada kuah.
Saya yakin aksi mereka tidak dipedulikan sangat oleh pihak berkuasa Saudi - kerana mereka hanya berpakaian kuning, kemudian ber'posing' dan membuka kain pemidang untuk diambil gambar; selepas itu semuanya selesai - mereka kembali beribadat di masjid atau kembali ke hotel masing-masing. Itu saja yang mereka lakukan, pihak berkuasa Arab Saudi pun tidak peduli sangat, lagikan kain pemidang pun dalam bahasa Melayu. 
Tetapi pemimpin di tanah air kita terlebih lagak, seolah-olah rakyat Malaysia berkenaan telah melakukan kesalahan sangat serius, mereka membuat aduan kepada pihak berkuasa Saudi (betulkah mereka telah buat laporan?) dan kemudian memaklumkan kepada seluruh rakyat melalui media massa pengampu mereka, kononnya pihak Arab Saudi begitu marah sekali dan mungkin mengambil tindakan drastik termasuklah menjejaskan kemasukan jemaah haji dan umrah Malaysia ke Tanah Suci. 
Saya umpamakan kehadiran jemaah berpakaian kuning itu bagaikan seorang makcik miskin peniaga kecil Melayu yang tiada lesen, dia menjual sedikit kuih-muih di tepi jalan; selama bertahun-tahun pihak berkuasa tempatan tidak mengambil peduli ke atas makcik itu tetapi suatu hari seorang Mat Dengki telah membuat aduan, menuduh yang bukan-bukan terhadap penjaja itu; jadi mahu tak mahu terpaksalah pihak berkuasa bertindak; sang penguat kuasa dengan berat hati terpaksa merobohkan gerai mak cik itu. Dalam kes di Makkah dan Madinah itu, mengapa dijolok sarang tebuan. Kata orang tak ada pasal, mengapa cari pasal. 
Beberapa hari lagi jemaah haji mula berangkat ke Tanah Suci dan tidak lama selepas itu kita akan menyambut Hari Raya Haji. Saban tahun umat Islam Malaysia dihidangkan dengan kisah pengorbanan Nabi Ibrahim a.s. dan anaknya, Nabi Ismail a.s. dan Nabi Muhammad yang melakukan pengorbanan lebih besar, namun satu persoalan penting adakah iktibar kisah mereka dapat diamalkan dalam kehidupan kita?
Sewajarnya umat manusia - Islam dan bukan Islam - mencontohi Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. dalam kehidupan mereka. 
Bagi yang bukan Islam boleh mengambil nilai-nilai universal seperti keadilan dan sebagainya, lebih-lebih lagi Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. adalah membawa rahmat kepada seluruh alam. 
Kejayaan Nabi Muhammad sebagai pemimpin duniawi dan kerohanian diiktiraf dunia sehingga Michael H Hart dalam bukunya, ‘The 100, A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History’, menulis: “My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may be surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religion and secular level." 
Berdasarkan kemelut politik negara kita sekarang ini, adalah penting untuk merujuk Sirah Nabi termasuklah perpindahan baginda (hijrah) daripada kota Makkah ke Madinah dan kemudian kembali semula ke Makkah untuk membebaskan tanah airnya sendiri. 
Persoalan besar di sini mengapa Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. dan mengikutnya perlu membebaskan bangsa dan tanah airnya sendiri? Bukankah kaum yang menguasai kota Makkah adalah sama seperti baginda sendiri, suku Quraisy daripada bangsa Arab. Buat apa Rasulullah s.a.w. memerdekakan bangsanya sedangkan yang berkuasa adalah bangsanya sendiri? 
Jika dibuat perbandingkan berdasarkan senario negara ini sekarang ini, buat apa dimerdekakan bangsa Melayu daripada kekuasaan orang Melayu sendiri sedangkan bangsa inilah yang berkuasa. Sebenarnya kemerdekaan bukan saja bermaksud mengakhiri penjajahan sesuatu bangsa ke atas bangsa lain atau kuasa asing ke atas umat yang lemah. 
Kemerdekaan juga bermaksud mengakhiri penjajahan sesuatu bangsa ke atas bangsanya sendiri. Rasulullah s.a.w. berjuang untuk membebaskan bangsa baginda (Quraisy) daripada penjajahan mental ketua suku kaumnya. 
Hampir 10 tahun selepas berhijrah ke Madinah, barulah baginda dapat memerdekakan penduduk Makkah daripada amalan datuk nenek moyang mereka seperti menyembah berhala, membunuh anak perempuan dan menilik (sihir). Selepas pembersihan kota suci Makkah, barulah Islam dapat berkembang dengan pesat di seluruh Jazirah Arab.
Bagi orang Melayu yang merdeka jiwanya, tentulah kemerdekaan itu tidak hanya bermaksud bebas daripada cengkaman penjajah British saja. Ramai yang berkata penjajahan dalam bentuk fizikal mungkin tidak berulang tetapi cengkaman kuasa asing dalam bentuk lain masih wujud. Contohnya penjajahan dari segi ekonomi dan budaya. 
Hari ini kita dapat saksikan kebenaran dakwaan ini. Dari segi ekonomi, kita masih bergantung kepada kuasa besar perdagangan yang bukan di kalangan negara membangun manakala globalisasi menyaksikan penduduk dunia amat mengenal KFC, MacDonald's, Coke dan sebagainya sehinggakan di kota suci Makkah pun terdapat premis perniagaan gergasi ini. 
Kita juga amat dipengaruhi dunia hiburan Hollywood dan Bollywood, sekali gus mengesahkan kita sebenarnya tidak merdeka dalam erti kata sebenarnya. 
Jika kita menghayati apa yang berlaku kepada bangsa Melayu sendiri, kita akan sedar dalam banyak segi kita masih jauh daripada maksud kemerdekaan itu. Orang Melayu masih hidup dalam kelompok-kelompok tertentu dengan kumpulan berkuasa menjajah kumpulan yang tiada kuasa. 
Kumpulan tiada kuasa berterusan ditekan, hatta dalam menyatakan pandangan masing-masing. Itulah sebabnya ada guru dipindahkan jauh-jauh, pegawai kerajaan disekat kenaikan pangkat dan pelajar dinafikan hak mereka jika mereka dikesan menyokong pembangkang. Jelaslah bangsa dan negara, dalam sesetengah hal, belum merdeka lagi. 
Penindasan dalam bentuk apa didakwa golongan Umnoputera ke atas orang Melayu lain adalah hebat, jadi tidak tepat untuk menyatakan kita sudah merdeka. Orang Melayu menjajah orang Melayu termasuk dari segi mentalnya. Jika Rasulullah s.a.w. berjuang bermati-matian memerdekaan bangsanya daripada penjajah jahiliah, adalah penting untuk orang Melayu dibebaskan daripada penjajahan kelompok orang Melayu feudal yang mahu mencengkam bangsanya 'dulu, kini dan selamanya'. 
Berdasarkan senario ini, adalah amat penting untuk anak-anak muda menimba ilmu sebanyak mungkin serta bersemangat waja bagi memerdekan bangsanya daripada terus dijajah termasuk oleh bangsanya sendiri. Janganlah asyik-asyik hendak lompat atau keluar parti demi memenuhi nafsu sendiri. 
Penjajahan sesama bangsa ini kerap diungkapkan oleh Timbalan Presiden PAS, Mohamad Sabu yang berkata rakyat perlukan kemerdekaan kedua, membebaskan mereka daripada cengkaman penguasa feudal yang sebangsa dengan mereka. Ayuh, gerakan usaha bagi kemerdekaan kedua ini! 

Send shivers to the Zionist regime right now...

***
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Reflection
"Anyone who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God..." (Nisaa 4:80)
***
SOME of my friends from 'Jemaah Tabligh' told me of this interesting development - Muslims in Sri Lanka and some parts of India are raring to practice the 'sunnah' (way of life) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him - s.a.w.) - for example masjids in those countries were filled to capacity during the five time obligatory prayers including the 'subuh' or Fajr (dawn) prayers.

They who have gone to those countries for their 40 day or three month mission, said the development was a positive indicator that Muslims worldwide would wake up from their long sleep - they are being belittled in every corner of the world especially in countries where they are a minority including in India and Sri Lanka.

Nowadays Muslims who suffer the most are the Palestinians (in Gaza and the occupied West Bank), Rohingyas (they have been forced out of their homes and homeland in Myanmar), the Uighurs of Xinjiang (China), the Kashmiris and the Malays in Southern Thailand.

Not only minority Muslims have been subjected to cruelty, those who live in Muslim lands too are ill treated by leaders and governments and society themselves who claim to be practicing Islam but in actual fact are living and leading lives which are against the teaching of Islam.

Take as an example; 'solat' (prayers) which many of us take for granted; without performing it based on what was shown by the Prophet s.a.w. then how are we going to live on His straight path what more in facing our enemies such as the Zionist regime of Israel?

Only by performing all our obligations including our 'solat' as shown by the Prophet s.a.w. as well as doing all the compulsory prayers in mass (jemaah) in masjids and 'suraus' (small masjid) then we would be successful in this world and the Hereafter, 'insha-Allah' (if Allah wills) including in our dealings against our enemies.

The question now is why our brothers from the 'Jemaah Tabligh' are delighted at the sight of Muslims in some parts of Sri Lanka and India performing the 'solat subuh' in mass in full capacity in the masjids there?

They were quick to point out that only by being committed to practicing the 'sunnah' of the Prophet s.a.w. such as performing all the five obligatory prayers in masjids would Muslims be successful in life. And to Muslims all over the world, performing the dawn prayers is the most difficult of all because at that time people prefer to sleep and rest.

Regarding this, the Prophet s.a.w. said: "The most burdensome prayers for the hypocrites are 'Salat al-'Isha' and Salat al-Fajr', but if they only knew what they contain, they would come even if they had to crawl." (Reported by Imam Ahmad, Al-Musnad, 2/424; Sahih al-Jami', 133)
It is hard to perform the 'subuh' prayers what more in mass in masjids, and if Muslims could make the 'subuh' prayers as grand as Friday prayers, then they would be on the road to success in this world and the Hereafter...and would send a shiver upon the enemies of Islam, including Zionist regime of Israel.

Why is performing of 'subuh' prayers in mass is very important? In a 'hadith' narrated by Ibu Majah, the Prophet s.a.w. mentioned that whoever performed the 'subuh' prayer in mass (jemaah) that he or she would be guarded and in the protection of Allah The Greatest and in another 'hadith' he said the best of prayers in the sight of Allah is the dawn prayer on Friday, in congregation. (Reported by Abu Na'im in Al-Hilyah, 7/207, and in Al-Silsilah as-Sahihah, 1566)
The Prophet s.a.w. also said: "Whoever prays Fajr is under the protection of Allah. Do not put yourselves in a situation where Allah has to call you to account for your negligence because whoever finds himself in this situation will be sorted out and then thrown on his face in the Fire of Hell." (Reported by At-Tabarani, 7/267; Sahih al-Jami', no. 6344)

By performing 'subuh' prayers in mass, Allah The Greatest has offered us His protection, thus it is a guaranteed way to face the brutality of the Zionist regime. Well, dear readers, every Muslim can do this...remember for tomorrow’s dawn let us go the masjid to say our 'subuh' prayers there.

We can send shivers down the spine of the Zionist regime right now...but the problem is can we do it? Perhaps we can answer this problem based on what the Prophet s.a.w. had said: "The most burdensome prayers for the hypocrites are 'Salat al-'Isha' and Salat al-Fajr'"...oh God, 'nauzubillah min zalik' (I seek refuge from Allah from that thing). So, Muslims should be aware about the seriousness of missing Salat al-Fajr!

Other prayers may be easier to do because they are more convenient to a person's circumstances and fit in with his work and his sleep schedule, but only those who are determined and sincere, people whom one hopes are good people, will be able to pray Fajr and 'Isha' regularly in congregation.

In my opinion it is okay to carry on our campaign to boycott products of Israel and America in facing the brutal acts of the Zionist regime, but many more important aspects regarding the Muslim way of life must be addressed first.

'Solat' as the second pillar in 'Rukun Islam' must be checked; it is disturbing and alarming to know that a research on school children in a certain state pointed out that 80 percent of them failed to perform  their five times daily prayers.

I am afraid that this statistic is also applicable to Muslim adults - dear brothers and sisters there is no way we can be successful if we fail to adhere to Allah SWT’s orders. In 'solat' there's success because in the 'adzan',(call for prayer)  the muezzin would recite among others -   Hayya las Salah  (let’s rush to prayer) and   Hayya lal Falah  (let’s rush to success).         
    
In the battle fields of Gaza, Hamas and its Al-Qassam wing had the Israelis in shock because they are very disciplined in the Islamic way of life and can make counter attacks when they are least expected.

Only by remembering Allah SWT, will we win our battle against His enemies including the Satan or devil and the Zionist for He says: "Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying, etc.). I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me. (al-Baqarah): 152)

If Allah SWT sends His help to us, nobody can stop us from achieving victory! So get committed to  Hayya las Salah  and   Hayya lal Falah. 

Di sini lahirnya sebuah cinta (bahasa)...

*****Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
“Dan keluarkanlah hartamu di jalan Allah serta janganlah kamu campakkan diri kamu sendiri ke dalam kebinasaan.”  -Al-Baqarah: 195
*****TEMA Hari Kemerdekaan ke-57 negara kita (1957-2014) adalah 'Di sini lahirnya sebuah cinta'. Sedap bunyinya, penuh nostalgia apabila dikenang-kenang lagu 'Warisan' nyanyian Allahyarham Sudirman Arshad, penyanyi 'top' ketika saya membesar pada tahun-tahun 1980-an dulu.
"Di sini lahirnya sebuah cinta, yang murni abadi sejati, di sini tersemai cita-cita, bercambah menjadi warisan"...demikian antara liriknya dan dan antara sambungannya adalah..."aku, bukanlah seorang perwira, gagah menjunjung senjata, namun hati rela berjuang, walau dengan cara sendiri, demi cinta ini."
Jika Allahyarham Sudirman berjuang dengan 'lagunya', saya pula dengan apa? Malu untuk saya nyatakan...namun terpaksa jua - 'aku berjuang dengan tulisan yang 'entah-entah diterima masyarakat atau tidak'. Sebagai penulis (malu saya mengaku sedemikian) tentunya soal bahasa menjadi 'modal dan senjata' saya.  
Bahasa adalah 'permainan penulis'. Dan tanggal 31 Ogos ini, selain memperingati ulang tahun Kemerdekaan negara yang ke-57, izinkan saya memperingatkan pembaca bahawa pada 31 Ogos 2011 adalah tarikh pulangnya ke rahmatullah seorang pejuang bahasa tulen, Dato' Dr Hassan Ahmad.
Bekas Ketua Pengarah Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) yang ternama ini pada usia senjanya (lebih 70 tahun) sanggup ke jalan raya bersama rakyat menyatakan penentangannya terhadap dasar Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris (PPSMI).
Sosok tubuh tua ini bersama Sasterawan Negara, Dato' A Samad Said melalui Gerakan Mansuhkan PPSMI (GMP) nekad mengetuai puluhan ribu rakyat mengadakan satu perhimpunan aman pada 7 Mac 2009 dan kemudian mereka berarak membawa memorandum bantahan PPSMI untuk dipersembahkan kepada Yang di-Pertuan Agong di Istana Negara.
Berikutan tekanan rakyat, Kabinet memutuskan PPSMI 'ditangguhkan' mulai 2012. Ya, bagi saya perkataan 'ditangguhkan' lebih sesuai digunakan berbanding 'dimansuhkan' kerana berdasarkan tinjauan saya, mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik di sesetengah sekolah diajar dalam bahasa Melayu manakala sesetengah sekolah masih dalam bahasa Inggeris. Kebanyakan 'sekolah Melayu' menggunakan bahasa Melayu manakala 'sekolah elit' (di bandar dan sekolah berasrama penuh) menggunakan bahasa Inggeris.
'Sungguh pelik' kaedah pembelajaran anak-anak kita sekarang ini. Begitu cacamarba sekali. Sekejap Inggeris sekejap Melayu. Bukan murid-murid saja 'pening', guru pun pening sama. Kertas soalan yang disediakan juga dalam dwi-bahasa. Murid boleh menjawab dalam bahasa Melayu atau bahasa Inggeris. 
Untuk menjawab sebahagian soalan dalam bahasa Melayu, sebahagian dalam bahasa Inggeris pun boleh, kata seorang guru. Seorang guru lagi memberitahu jika pelajar menjawab satu-satu soalan menggunakan bahasa Melayu dan Inggeris yang bercampur pun 'boleh diterima' jika jawapannya betul. Oohh, sungguh pening kita memikirkan nasib bahasa Melayu kita di sekolah sekarang ini.
Bahasa anak-anak kita sekarang ini sudah 'jadi rojak'. Bercampur baur. Teruk. Ditambah dengan ledakan teknologi dengan pengenalan gadget-gadget yang begitu cepat mengalami perubahan, bahasa anak-anak kita 'hancus' (ikut cakap 'dia orang' - budak-budaklah).
Kadang-kadang ketika duduk-duduk dengan budak-budak generasi baru ini mendengar perbualan mereka, sukar bagi saya memahami apa yang mereka pertuturkan. 
Mungkin zaman sudah berubah, bukankah Sayidina Ali k.w. ada berpesan kepada kita "didiklah anak-anak mengikut zamannya, bukan zaman kita." 
Namun sebagai penulis dan pencinta bahasa saya tertanya-tanya bagaimana harus saya berperanan menyemarakkan bahasa kerana 'di sini lahirnya sebuah cinta' terhadap bahasa Melayu sedangkan budak-budak sekarang tidak berminat lagi kepada ilmu karang mengarang (penulisan). Mesej mereka dalam medan interaksi sosial menggunakan pelbagai kependekan dan bahasa yang sukar difahami generasi lama.
Malah saya percaya hampir semuanya tidak pernah menulis surat kiriman (apatah lagi yang menggunakan ungkapan lama seperti 'ayahanda' dan 'bonda') sepanjang hayat mereka! Malah ada yang bertanya saya..."setem itu nak buat apa pakcik?"

Reaping the fruits of positive suggestions...

***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.***
IN our daily lives, how often do we come across suggestion boxes at strategic locations of important premises such as public transport terminals, masjids, government departments, universities and offices of non governmental organizations (NGOs). One question here is, have we at least once in our life time had try 'to push our so-called brilliant ideas' inside those boxes?
Many of us ignore this type of medium of interaction - we have negative thoughts about them. "Well 'they' (those in position or power at the said organizations) would do nothing to our suggestions - there's no point in us giving or posting our ideas into 'those dead boxes'," some of us tend to have that negative perception.
But from my own experience, 'those boxes should not be taken for granted' for they are actually 'kicking alive' - some of my suggestions have been taken up and have produced fast and positive results! But of course my suggestions were not of the 'big type' that could 'shake' our society, our country or our government, but they gave me some kind of satisfaction that could not be penned in words.
In one masjid, I noticed volumes of the Qur'an were being placed inside a rack placed just under the masjid 'mimbar' (pulpit). I thought it was not a proper place to place the holy book because when the 'khatib' (person who reads the sermon during Friday prayers) was on the 'mimbar' his foot would be facing the Qur'an and he himself would be above the holy book.
I write a letter and put it inside the masjid suggestion box, and to my surprise during my next visit to the masjid, the rack was taken away from under the 'mimbar'. Well, it was left an empty space, and nowadays whenever I visit the masjid, a feeling of satisfaction was in my heart whenever my eyes were on the 'mimbar'! Of course I did not write my name in the letter because 'aku menulis bukan kerana nama' (I write not to become famous or glamour).
At another masjid, I saw a new building housing several toilets (for men and women) was marked VIP - it was reserved for the usage of VIP whenever they had functions at the masjid. For almost the time I noticed it was closed because VIPS rarely turned up - so in my opinion 'it was a sheer wastage of public funds'.
Thus I wrote a letter and put it inside the suggestion box of the masjid. Among other things I noted: "Membazir adalah saudara syaitan" (wastage are brothers of 'syaytan') quoting from Ayah 27 of Surah Al-Israa' (17) with the meaning: "Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful."
I also wrote that ten thousands of ringgits were spend to build toilets which of no use - so please open up the facilities to all - whats wrong if a VIP too could used it for a minute or two if they happened to visit the masjid...there was no need for them to have 'a reserved place' just to answer the call of nature!
To my surprise, the following week the chairman of the masjid read my letter aloud to the masjid congregators before Friday prayers and in no time the toilet was opened to all after the sign VIP was torn down.
Readers of my column in Harakah would notice that from time to time I had written suggestions that insha-Allah (if Allah Wills) hopefully could open up our minds to do simple things that we hope to please Allah SWT and as our 'little and small contributions' to others.
In one article entitled 'Freeing ourselves from the burden of carrying coins', I encouraged readers to calculate a habit of putting away all our loose coins into donation boxes every time we do our shopping. The money is for 'simpanan selepas anda mati' (savings for your life in the Hereafter, or in crude language - savings for your life in your grave).
It was because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: " After the death of a person, his actions stop, except three things that he leaves behind: first, CONTINUOUS CHARITY, second, knowledge from which some benefit may be obtained, third, a virtuous son who makes dua (prays, supplicates) on his behalf." (Related by Muslim) 
If you 'dump' a total of RM2 in the form of shillings in a day, in a month it would be RM60, in a year in would be RM720 and in 10 years it would be RM7,200 and in 20 years (before you die) it would be RM14,400 -- perhaps enough for you to buy a simple home just like the PPRT (Projek Rumah Rakyat Termiskin) house.
'Insha-Allah' your 'rumah PPRT' would be converted into a grand palace 'or to a larger scale' in Paradise (which is eternal) for Allah SWT says: "Whatever you spend in the cause of Allah shall be paid to you in full and you shall not be treated unjustly." (Qur'an 8:60)
Another 'project' readers could think to embark is by acting as though we have one more school going son or daughter whom we have to give he/she pocket money - but for this purpose you put that 'pocket money' say RM3 every 'subuh' (early morning) to the 'Tabung Masjid' (masjid donation box) each time we go the masjid for our 'subuh' prayers.
It is great to begin your day with a 'sadaqah' (giving donation) as there is a hadith on it: Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased on him) reported: The Prophet s.a.w. said: “Two angels descend every morning, and one says: ‘O Allah, give him who spends something, in place of what he spends.’ The other one says: ‘O Allah, give destruction to him who withholds”. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
If you do that 'istiqamah' (consistently), in a month your 'acting son or daughter' ('tabung akhirat' - hereafter fund) would have RM90; in a year it would be RM1,080, in ten years it would be RM10,800 and in 20 years it would be RM21,600. Well, that amount in the eyes of some rich people may be small but if you are sincere it is big in the Eyes of Allah SWT if you do it sincerely.
Dear brothers and sisters, if you choose to donate nothing every morning (not even 10 sen); then I am afraid when you update your 'bank account of Tabung Akhirat' it would be nil (0) or 'had a negative figures' (for example you have borrowed money from someone but not repaid it) , you would be 'panicked' as you have 'no money' to spend for 'your life in the Hereafter'!  In this world you would feel bad when you have no RM, American dollars, pound sterling and whatsoever then what would be like when 'you have nothing' in the Hereafter.
In this world you could borrowed money from relatives and friends or worst still beg in the streets but it the Hereafter, there is no help; if you want help from Allah SWT, do it in this world because the Hereafter is a place to reap harvest of our good deeds sowed on earth and not a place to say our repent to Allah SWT or obey His orders.
Remember that once we were 'thrown' inside our graves, there is no way we could return back - it was a one way ticket journey - we would face all consequences ourselves - so dear readers be equipped with all requirements before embarking on that 'no returning journey'. If for a journey say to the United States for a month stay we readied the requirement such as passports and clothes months before, than whats are preparation for our 'never ending journey' of the Hereafter?
Lastly, regarding the effort of certain sectors to boycott products of Israel and America regarding the latest brutally act of the Zionist on the people of Palestine (Gaza), allow me to give 'my two sen worth' suggestion - please focus on boycotting on only one product - choose a product and have the 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide shy away from it.
In the open sky era, that message could be spread worldwide; 'insha-Allah' by focusing on one product, I believe it would sent shivers to the targeting company, it no time its parent company would cease operations. The question right now is what product we are going to boycott. It would be a great impact if we boycott a product compared to boycotting say 11 products as suggested by several organizations. So to Muslims leaders worldwide, please do cooperate and make a fast decision! 

Ada kucing ada tikus, sudah kencing tolong jirus...

**********Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan kahwinkanlah orang-orang bujang (lelaki dan perempuan) daripada kalangan kamu, dan orang-orang salih daripada hamba-hamba kamu, lelaki dan perempuan. Jika mereka miskin, Allah SWT akan memberi kekayaan kepada mereka daripada limpah kurniaan-Nya." (Maksud Surah Al-Nur, ayat 32)***********
SUATU subuh ketika bergegas ke masjid, terkejut saya apabila menemui selonggok lampin pakai buang berhampiran dinding tandas dan di dinding itu terlekat kertas yang ditulis dengan 'marker' merah - "Ini ke sikap orang yang mengaku Islam Melayu??? Kat mana otak anda?"
Sambil berjalan ke ruang solat masjid, ligat otak saya berfikir, mungkinkah petugas atau pencuci tandas 'sudah naik angin? Mungkinkah dia yang bertindak melonggokkan sejumlah lampin pakai buang yang dibiarkan bersepah dalam tandas masjid dan meletakkan 'tanda peringatan' itu.
Kat mana otak anda?...ya di mana 'kita meletakkan otak kita'? Saya berkata 'kita' kerana 'kita semua sama...berperangai jahat kecuali orang yang hatinya 24 jam sehari semalam bersama Allah SWT' - kita berperangai baik depan orang, tetapi apabila tiada orang memandang, kita meneruskan kebiasaan buruk kita seperti 'meninggalkan lampin pakai buang yang penuh dengan tahi dan air kencing anak-anak kita di lantai tandas, di atas dan dalam sinki.
Hari raya lalu ramailah orang singgah di masjid dalam perjalanan masing-masing. Ramai berniat murni, mereka berhenti untuk menunaikan solat. Selain solat ada yang membereskan 'panggilan azali' masing-masing. Ya, gunakanlah tandas tiada orang yang marah kerana tandas disediakan pun adalah untuk kemudahan orang ramai.
Namun apa yang dikesalkan dan menyedihkan ada sesetengah orang kita yang berperangai macam kera dapat bunga - tak tahu menghargai kemudahan yang ada. Ada tandas pakailah betul-betul; ini tidak, selepas 'berak' (maaf tulis) tak dibersihkan tandas, ada yang saja malas nak 'flush' dan jika najis 'melekit' tidak ada usaha pun untuk membersihkannya. 
Jika kencing, tiada usaha untuk menjirusnya. Kadang-kadang tandas berbau teruk - "aiii sapa pula dah makan petai ni, kencing tak tahu nak jirus pula" sehingga ada satu papan tanda di sebuah masjid yang saya kunjungi, ditulis - "Ada kucing ada tikus, sudah kencing tolong jirus!
Aiii, dah kencing pun nak diingatkan supaya menjirusnya? Wahai saudara-saudariku di kalangan orang-orang Islam sekalian; takkan dalam bab menjirus tandas pun kita nak serahkan kepada AJK masjid atau tukang cuci melakukannya? Sudah, sudahlah tu, bukankah kita sudah melalui sebulan tarbiyah Universiti Ramadan, nampaknya al hasil balik asal, sikap dan perangai kita kembali sama atau lebih teruk lagi sebelum Ramadan lalu.
Apa erti tarbiyah Ramadan, jika ibu-ibu (maaflah jika ada bapa-bapa terlibat) selepas menyalin lampin pakai buang anak masing-masing membiarkannya merata-rata tempat dalam tandas masjid membuatkan 'ada insan' yang 'terganggu' dan 'geram' sehingga bertindak melonggokkannya di depan tandas dan menulis: "Ini ke sikap orang yang mengaku Islam Melayu??? Kat mana otak anda?"
"Kat mana otak anda?" - masya-Allah; ini satu pertanyaan 'ngeri'.  Wahai orang Melayu Islam, adakah anda tidak terasa dengan cabaran ini? Tidak terusik hati anda? Tidak tersentuh jiwa anda? Apatah lagi jika anda orang yang melakukan 'jenayah' (membiarkan 'pampers' bersepah-sepah) tersebut! 
Namun saya percaya 'penjenayah' ini mana tahu dan perasan tulisan yang meluahkan kemarahan itu kerana kebanyakan pengunjung masjid yang menyalin 'pampers' anak-anak adalah daripada kalangan 'pengembara' - mereka hanya 'touch and go' saja di masjid itu.
Mungkin kerana tahu mereka tidak akan datang lagi ke masjid berkenaan, pengunjung berkenaan mengambil sikap 'malas' untuk mencari tong sampah yang mungkin jauh kedududukannya bagi membuang 'pampers' anak masing-masing. Jadi dibiarkannya di atas dan di dalam sinki serta di atas lantai.
Ada saya nyatakan pada awal celoteh ini; "kita semua berperangai jahat kecuali orang yang hatinya 24 jam sehari semalam (ketika tidur pun dia dikira beribadat kerana berniat demikian) bersama Allah SWT. Orang ini akan terasa dipantau Allah SWT jadi tidak mungkin (insya-Allah) dia bertindak melanggarkan kehendak Allah termasuk dari segi kebersihan. Jika melakukan kesalahan pun, dia cepat-cepat bertaubat...kesalahan kecil pun sudah nampak padanya macam gunung mahu menghempapnya.
Adapun orang selain ini perlukan pemantauan manusia kerana kesalahan (dosa) bagi mereka bagaikan lalat saja. Sebahagiannya 'berperangai baik jika dilihat orang'. Jadi bagus ada masjid ditulis peringatan 'Ada kucing ada tikus, sudah kencing tolong jirus'.
Bagi 'penjenayah pembuang pampers merata-rata' pula, mungkin mereka akan 'berkelakuan baik macam malaikat' jika dipasang CCTV dalam tandas dan ditulis perkataan besar dan merah pula, 'ANDA SEDANG DIAWASI'!

Kepentingan dua komponen parti yang kuat

*************DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. 
Renungan
"Ucapkanlah kepada mereka, kata-kata yang mulia dan rendahkan dirimu di hadapan kedua-dua ibu bapamu dengan penuh rasa sayang." (Maksud Surah al-Israk, ayat 23-24)
*****************
Bersyukur ke hadrat Illahi kita dipanjangkan usia  bagi memuzakarahkan isu semasa dan pada ketika Pakatan Rakyat menghadapi detik sukar sekarang ini, kita cuba menyorot kepentingan kewujudan dua komponen parti yang kuat dalam sesebuah negara pengamal demokrasi yang insya-Allah diyakini dapat membawa keuntungan (rahmat dan manfaat) kepada semua rakyat.
Hujah kita adalah berdasarkan contoh pilihan raya Amerika Syarikat dan Britain di mana hanya dua parti dominan bersaing untuk mentadbir negara. Di Amerika, persaingan adalah antara Republikan dan Demokrat manakala di Britain adalah antara Konservatif dan Buruh. 
Adalah menarik untuk melihat bagaimana sistem dua parti (Republikan dan Demokrat) mendominasi pemikiran rakyat Amerika. Tentunya sistem dua parti sukar terlaksana di Malaysia tetapi dengan terbentuknya Pakatan Rakyat yang disertai PAS, KeADILan dan DAP selepas PRU12 pada 2008, ia adalah komponen parti terbaik sejak Merdeka untuk menghadapi dominasi Perikatan (kemudian ditukar kepada Barisan Nasional, BN) yang terus memerintah negara ini sejak Merdeka pada 31 Ogos 1957.
Berdasarkan keputusan pilihan raya umum Mei 2013 (PRU13), jelas sebahagian besar rakyat sudah muak dengan legasi pemerintahan dan propaganda murahan BN. Kajian menunjukkan kira-kira 53 peratus sokongan pengundi (undi popular) adalah kepada Pakatan Rakyat manakala BN 47 peratus. Namun disebabkan sistem politik negara berasaskan perolehan jumlah kerusi Parlimen, BN terus mengekalkan kuasa tetapi dalam keadaan amat tertekan.
Rakyat pada alaf baru ini, terutama generasi muda adalah kaya maklumat yang tidak lagi mendapat menerima slogan-slogan murahan kompenan parti pemerintah seperti 'BN menang rakyat senang', 'Selamat, Aman dan Makmur' serta 'Umno - dulu, kini dan selamanya'. 
Rakyat bukan lagi dapat didendangkan dengan filem-filem Hindustan yang melekakan sebaliknya mahukan bukti. Sebagai contoh, jika 'BN menang rakyat senang', betulkan rakyat boleh senang pada ketika harga barangan, tol dan minyak semakin meningkat manakala cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) diperkenalkan awal tahun depan?
Apabila rakyat menolak propaganda murahan mainan Umno-BN dengan menafikan majoriti dua pertiganya di Parlimen di samping berkuasa di beberapa negeri, terbukalah ruang kepada situasi seakan sama dengan sistem politik dua parti di negara maju seperti Amerika Syarikat dan Britain.
Sesuai dengan negara kita yang mahu mencapai status negara maju pada 2020, persiapan wajar dilakukan ke arah sistem dua parti atau setidak-tidaknya komponen parti dua kumpulan seperti sekarang (BN dan Pakatan Rakyat). Berdasarkan perkembangan semasa termasuk di peringkat global, bukan parti saja perlu dievolusikan (seperti meniadakan sebutan parti pemerintah dan pembangkang), tetapi dalam hampir semua bidang kehidupan. 
Kewujudan dua parti (atau dua komponen parti) yang kuat adalah landasan ke arah usaha penambahbaikan kehidupan rakyat. Misalnya, semua institusi termasuk di bidang pendidikan seperti universiti boleh diusahakan untuk dibebaskan daripada cengkaman politik kepartian sebaliknya dijadikan pusat keilmuan dan keintelektualan. Akan timbul peluang terbaik untuk menghapuskan kegiatan pantau memantau yang hanya menjejaskan kesuburan keintelektualan sebaliknya menjumudkan modal insan (siswazah). 
Kewujudan dua komponen parti yang kuat juga boleh mengakhiri ketakutan, kejumudan dan 'ketololan' dalam bidang media massa. Media massa perlu bebas dalam laporan mereka. Tidak timbul lagi isu media massa menjadi budak suruhan BN, tetapi ia bebas memberi liputan kepada kedua-dua pihak kerana yang dipentingkan wibawa dan 'track record' calon dan parti. Media massa Amerika, British malah negara jiran Indonesia, mungkin dapat dijadikan sempadan. 
Kejayaan pemerintahan Pakatan Rakyat di negeri-negeri telah membantu menghapuskan ketakutan dan fobia di kalangan rakyat. Slogan-slogan seperti 'Hanya BN mampu memerintah', 'pembangkang cetus huru-hara' dan ugutan 'kalau pembangkang menang, rakyat makan ubi kayu' mula terhapus daripada minda rakyat. Sehubungan itu melalui pencapaian cemerlangnya pada PRU12 dan PRU13, gabungan PAS, KeADILan dan DAP perlu membuktikan kemampuan mereka memerintah lebih baik daripada BN.  Berdasarkan ini setiap parti perlu berusaha keras memberi yang terbaik kepada rakyat. 
Apabila gagal, mereka akan disingkirkan pada pilihan raya berikutnya. Perkembangan ini akan mewujudkan perimbangan (check and balance), memberi keuntungan kepada rakyat sepanjang masa. Inilah antara ciri-ciri negara demokrasi maju idaman rakyat namun amat malang seandainya cita-cita murni Pakatan Rakyat terburai di tengah jalan! Jadi berhati-hatilah!

Melayu gagal dakwah Cina, mengapa?

*****Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan kahwinkanlah orang-orang bujang (lelaki dan perempuan) daripada kalangan kamu, dan orang-orang salih daripada hamba-hamba kamu, lelaki dan perempuan. Jika mereka miskin, Allah SWT akan memberi kekayaan kepada mereka daripada limpah kurniaan-Nya." (Maksud Surah Al-Nur, ayat 32)
******MAJLIS Aidilfitri kali ini menemukan saya dengan seorang pemimpin kanan Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia (Perkim). Organisasi ini sinonim dengan saudara kita (saudara baru) terutama di kalangan orang Cina. 
Banyak maklumat mengenai usaha dakwah Perkim diberitahu kepada saya. Namun disebabkan sekarang ini 'musim sesetengah orang Melayu ghairah' menyambut Aidilfitri selama sebulan, eloklah saya berceloteh usaha dakwah yang berkaitan Ramadan dan Aidilfitri sahaja.
Pemimpin Perkim berkenaan memberitahu, jumlah orang Cina Malaysia yang memeluk Islam kurang memberangsangkan. Katanya, ada lebih kurang 40,000 Cina Muslim di kalangan 28 juta rakyat negara ini sedangkan orang Cina sendiri berjumlah lebih 8 juta. 
Ya, angka ini sungguh kecil, mengapa tidak tertariknya orang Cina kepada Islam, mungkinkah orang Melayu-Islam yang merupakan kaum majoriti kurang atau gagal berdakwah kepada orang Cina? 
Pemimpin Perkim itu memberitahu saya ada dua kelompok orang Cina yang perlu difahami oleh pendakwah. Golongan pertama adalah di kalangan cerdik pandai (intelektual) dan kedua di kalangan orang umum.
Secara amnya, kata beliau golongan bijak pandai Cina tertarik dengan Islam kerana menyedari kebenaran Islam yang mencabar daya keintelektualan mereka sebaliknya di kalangan orang umum mereka melihat keindahan budaya dan cara hidup orang Melayu sebagai faktor mereka memeluk Islam.
Kata pemimpin berkenaan,ada bijak pandai Cina yang melihat cara sesetengah orang Melayu menyambut Ramadan dan Aidilfitri menyebabkan mereka tidak tertarik dengan Islam. Golongan orang Melayu ini kuat melakukan pembaziran sedangkan mereka difahamkan Islam menganjurkan umatnya bersederhana dalam semua soal termasuk makan minum tetapi sesetengah orang Melayu melampaui batas.
Bijak pandai Cina tertanya-tanya jika berpuasa itu adalah untuk mengurangkan nafsu makan tetapi mengapa pula orang Melayu Islam terutama di Malaysia 'makan sampai nak mati' ketika berbuka puasa. Daripada bazar Ramadan sampailah ke majlis moreh di masjid semuanya adalah berkaitan dengan makanan.
Demikian juga dalam bab berhari raya. Sesetengah orang Melayu berhari raya 'sampai nak mati' juga. Ada hari raya pertama, kedua, ketiga, keempat, kelima sehinggalah hari ke-30. Bingung sesetengah bijak pandai Cina ini memikirkan; mereka yang sudah mendapat hidayah Islam cuba melarikan diri daripada 'cara hidup orang Melayu ini' sebaliknya cuba mempraktikkan apa yang sebenarnya Islam anjurkan.
Berlawanan daripada orang Cina intelektual yang mendapat hidayah Islam selepas menyedari kehebatan agama langit itu dari segi keilmuan, kebanyakan golongan awam Cina pula mendapat nur akibat tertarik dengan budaya dan cara hidup orang Melayu yang lemah lembut selepas mereka berkawan dengan orang Melayu atau menjadi anak angkat mereka.
Pemimpin Perkim itu berkata, pembawaan sesetengah orang Melayu yang patuh kepada ajaran agama termasuk dari segi pemakaian dan pemakanan mereka yang sederhana menyebabkan mereka tertarik kepada Islam. Perayaan seperti hari raya yang menyaksikan semua golongan dapat merayakannya, menambat hati mereka. Apatah lagi jika wujud penambat hati 'dalam bentuk' seorang gadis atau pemuda!
Sesetengah watak dan sikap semula jadi orang Melayu itu seperti mudah tersenyum, peramah manakala anak-anak menunjukkan penghormatan kepada orang tua seperti mencium tangan ibu bapa juga menambat hati sesetengah individu Cina kepada Islam. Ada juga yang tertarik kepada suasana damai di masjid malah kepada alunan azan yang lima kali sehari semalam dikumandangkan dari menara masjid.
Hakikat hanya ada 40,000 Cina Muslim daripada 8 juta orang Cina di negara ini membimbangkan dan mencetuskan pelbagai pertanyaan. Ya, angka ini sungguh kecil, mengapa tidak tertariknya orang Cina kepada Islam, mungkinkah orang Melayu-Islam yang merupakan kaum majoriti kurang berdakwah kepada orang Cina? 
Namun, alhamdulillah, akhir-akhir ini kita dapat saksikan betapa ramai orang Cina cuba mendekati dan memahami Islam terutamanya melalui parti Islam, PAS. Kini sudah ada kelab penyokong PAS di kalangan 'non-Muslim' malah golongan intelektual termasuklah di kalangan pemimpin DAP cuba memahami dan mengalami sendiri cara hidup orang Islam seperti menyertai pemimpin PAS bersahur dan berbuka puasa. Mereka juga cuba 'mendekati' masjid, malah sesetengahnya mengikuti majlis ilmu di situ.
Ini peluang terbaik untuk pemimpin Islam menunjukkan kesederhanaan Islam dalam semua bidang kehidupan. Pada pandangan saya dalam majlis makan minum, tidak perlulah berlebih-lebih dalam menjamu mereka, 'biarkan mereka lihat sendiri kesederhanaan kehidupan yang umat Islam harungi setiap hari sebagai seorang Muslim sejati'. 
Insya-Allah mereka akan tertarik kepada Islam yang umatnya mempamerkan kesederhanaan dan bukan melayan mereka 'secara pura-pura' bagaikan 'raja' seperti dilakukan sesetengah Melayu. Kalau tidak masakan ada peribahasa berbunyi - kera dihutan disusukan, anak dikendong mati kelaparan!

Provide 'OKU' facilities at masjids

***In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection"Anyone who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God..." (Nisaa 4:80)***

A few weeks ago one of my 'tuan guru' (religious teacher) passed away. Please recite 'Al-Fatehah' for him. He was a diabetic and before his death, he had part of legs amputated but that did not stop him from giving lessons every Sunday night between 'maghrib' (dusk) and 'isyak' (late evening) prayers at a masjid near my house.
To accommodate his need, a special ramp (an inclined surface connecting different levels) was build at a side entrance of the masjid so that he could be pushed inside his wheelchair to the desk where he delivered his lessons. 'Alhamdulillah' (All praises to Allah) that was a good effort by the masjid committee members but alas the 'Tuan Guru' passed away. 
Since then the ramp was left alone, I noticed no disabled person or in Malay 'orang kelainan upaya' (OKU) using it. The question is why do OKUs shy away from our masjid?
Based on what I have witnessed, I do hope that those in power and position including masjid committee members could think and do something to create more disabled-friendly masjids in our country. Frankly speaking, almost 100 percent of our masjids are not disabled-friendly or in Malay 'tidak mesra OKU'.
In 2002 when I performed my hajj 'alone', I used my 'free time' to explore the vast compound of Masjidil Haram. During 'the exploration' I found a large area where they kept wheelchairs. Perhaps there were thousands of them; being readied to be rented and used by 'hajj OKUs'.
The Great Haram Masjid is a place where the OKUs could performed their obligations in comfort even though the situation is very tight at every available space and at at anytime. OKUs could used the services of helpers to push them in wheelchairs to perform 'tawaf' (circling the Kaabah seven times) and 'sa'y' (walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa) - but of course they had to dig money from their pockets to pay the boys and their rented wheelchairs. Lifts too are OKUs friendly.
Well, based on what I had witnessed, Masjidil Haram is a disabled friendly one and regarding this aspect I would like to suggest those in power and involve in planning and building masjids in our homeland to give a thought about the needs of our OKU brothers and sisters in Islam who are eager and roaring to perform their obligations there but are stopped by our almost non-existence facilities for them. 
Regarding our existing masjids, hopefully the authorities concerned would plan, renovate and build facilities to fulfill the needs of our OKUs.
In Malaysian masjids, until this day I had not come across any person in wheelchair performing their five times obligatory prayers with other congregators in mass. It is high time now our masjids' authorities find ways and means to cater the needs of the disabled.
Regarding performing their prayers; the disabled too are encouraged to go to the masjid. In a 'hadith' narrated by Muslim, it was stated that when a man asked a special permission to pray at home because he was blind, lived far away and did not have a suitable guide, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. replied: "I cannot find an excuse for you."
In building and readying facilities for OKU it is hoped that worshipers with disabilities as well as the elderly will be able to fulfill their religious obligations with greater comfort. They must be at ease from their specially designated covered parking lots, their passage to the masjid and to how they would go inside.
It would be appropriate if the parking lot is located near the main entrance where the ramp should be built. Some far sighted crusaders of OKU's rights applaud the move saying that if the ramp was hidden away at the back this could add on to the dignity of the disabled and elderly.
Other than making it ease for the OKU to go inside the main prayer room of a masjid, specially built restrooms and ablution points for both the sexes (men and women) should also be in consideration. A separate toilet for both sexes would further add to the dignity of the OKUs.
Like ordinary people, OKUs badly needed to inspire their spirits now and then and masjid is one place they could find solace and serenity especially by performing the five times daily prayers in mass. They too are eager to join the mass weekly Friday prayers. So why must be our OKUs denied the golden opportunity to be at the masjid without we providing them their basic necessities?
If OKUs could go to Madinah and Makkah which is more than 4,000 kilometers away and be able perform their prayers, hajj at other religious obligations at ease; thus 'being able to go to their 'kampung' or 'town' masjids would be like 'kacang putih'; but the problem is our masjids are not 'mesra OKU'!
After readying the said facilities for the disabled, it is high time for masjid's committee members to do their rounds in coaxing OKUs in their areas to joint in all activities of the masjid including performing their five times compulsory prayers in mass there. 
This aspect is very important because it would be no point in having masjids with good facilities for OKUs but they are not aware about it or kept on distancing themselves from 'the house of Allah' and Allah SWT Himself.  Remember, the Prophet s.a.w. had said even the blind has no excuse not to go to the masjid for their five times daily prayers! Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir dan Batin. 

My 'small reflection' at the end of Ramadan...

***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.***
WHEN asked, "What is the best jihad?", Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him - s.a.w.) replied. "Telling the truth to a despotic ruler." (Bukhari)
In the wee hours of the night before taking my 'sahur' (meal before beginning fasting) on Thursday, 17th July or 19th Ramadan, I read Surah Ya Sin of the Qur'an and after that its translation in Malay. 
Reading the beginning part of the verse, suddenly it crept inside my mind to think over what seemed to be Allah SWT The Greatest was telling me regarding to the news I received via the social media earlier that a Malaysian plane was down in Ukraine after being shot by rebels. All more than 290 passengers and crew members of the ill-fated plane were feared dead.
While writing this article I refer to 'The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an (English Translation by Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall); in Surah Ya Sin, ayah 1 to 11 it reads: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.1. Ya Sin2. By the wise Qur'an,3. Lo! tho art of those sent4. On a straight path,5. A revelation of the Mighty, the Merciful,6. That thou mayst warn a folk whose father were not warned, so they were heedless.7. Already hath the word proved true of most of them, for they believe not.8. Lo! we have put on their necks carcans reaching unto the chins, so that they are made stiff-necked.9. And We have set a bar before them and a bar behind them, and (thus) have covered them so that they see not.10. Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not, it is alike for them, for they believe not.11. Thou warnest only him who followeth the Reminder and feareth the Beneficent in secret, To him bear tidings of forgiveness and a rich reward.
Ayah 5 and 6 reads: "A revelation of the Mighty, the Merciful, That thou mayst warn a folk whose father were not warned, so they were heedless."
The Qur'an was sent to us to guide us in life; it covers all aspects of life. Islam covers from the very small matter such as going into the toilets to the very top of what human beings thought such as governing or administrating a country or the world.
Regarding the culinary and hospitality aspects of our national airline, what the Qur'an has to tell us about some of it? In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219) it says: "They ask you concerning wine and gambling. Say "in them there is great sin, and some profit for mankind, but the sin is greater than profit."
"O you who believe. Approach not prayers, with a mind befogged, until you can understand all what you said." (4: 43)
"O you who believe. Intoxicants and gambling (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination of Satan's handiwork. Avoid such (abomination) thay you may prosper." (5: 90)
"Shaytaan's plan is to show enmity and hatred amongst you with intoxicants and gambling, and to hinder you from remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you not then give up?" (5:91)
Allah has asked us; "Will you not then give up?" What is our answer to His question? If we could not answer or are 'too proud and ignorant to give a straight forward answer', then we (I included) should trembled to what He had said in Ayah 7 to 10 of Surah Ya Sin (with the meaning): "Already hath the word proved true of most of them, for they believe not. Lo! we have put on their necks carcans reaching unto the chins, so that they are made stiff-necked. And We have set a bar before them and a bar behind them, and (thus) have covered them so that they see not. Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not, it is alike for them, for they believe not."
While reading Surah Ya Sin, that was the feeling I had; but the question is that I am not a knowledgeable person whats more on religious matter; my reading of the Qur'an was poor and I know no Arabic. So was my feeling and understanding of the Qur'an correct? I have no choice but to see an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) for some explanation and elaboration of the surah.
Last Sunday (20th July), I attended a 'kuliah subuh' (early morning class) at a masjid near my house and after lesson I talked to the ustaz about my understanding to the message of Allah SWT and the attitude of many of us in ignoring and worst still go against Allah SWT's commands such as regarding alcoholic drinks served on planes.
The ustaz smiled, nodded and said that my understanding of the ayahs was correct. Allah SWT had given us the warning, be in His straight path (including putting aside alcoholic drinks) or you would see the doom. Ulamas, political parties, writers and man on the streets have advised our leaders and those at helm of the national carriers to do away with alcoholic drinks but it was just like 'mencurahkan air ke daun keladi' (pouring water on to yam leaves which means 'an aimless and fruitless effort'). 
The Qur'an warned us: "Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not, it is alike for them, for they believe not"  and in another ayah, "They ask you concerning wine and gambling. Say 'in them there is great sin, and some profit for mankind, but the sin is greater than profit'."
Have we not learnt our lessons - two planes were lost in a span of not more than half a year? Pardon me if I sound too harsh in this article but that was the feeling I got and experienced while and after reading Surah Ya Sin. 
Are there still hope? In ayah 11 of Surah Ya Sin, Allah SWT says: "Thou warnest only him who followeth the Reminder and feareth the Beneficent in secret. To him bear tidings of forgiveness and a rich reward."
My heart is with the families and relatives of the decease of the down plane; only to Allah SWT we surrender our fate. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return). Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir Batin from LanH