Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 166

Women prefer perfection, men okay with 'nakedness'?

******************** 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) *************************** Until today I can't understand why must my wife 'pressed' me to buy 'kacang tanah' (peanuts) each time she wanted to cook 'nasi lemak' (rice cooked in coconut milk). Is 'kacang tanah goreng' (roasted peanuts) a must in a 'nasi lemak' dish? *************************** What is wrong with 'nasi lemak' minus 'kacang tanah goreng' or even fried anchovies, or even boiled eggs and slices of cucumber? In some 'nasi lemak' dish, 'fried kangkung' is used as a substitute to cucumber. ****************************** To me, only 'two things matter' in 'my nasi lemak' - the 'nasi' itself and the 'sambal' (gravy). Without 'those' roasted peanuts, fried anchovies, boiled eggs and cucumber, I can still enjoy my 'nasi lemak' - the most important thing is the 'nasi' and 'sambal' must taste good, 'insya-Allah' (if Allah wills), I would be satisfied with the food. ******************************** But wait, if I could have my 'nasi lemak' with only the rice and 'sambal', then it is only applicable to me! To my wife, whenever she cooks 'nasi lemak' she reminds me to get ready all the necessities such as 'kacang tanah', 'ikan bilis' (anchovies), eggs, cucumber and even 'daun pandan' (screw-pine leaves)! Of course the main items such as rice, coconut milk and ingredients to make the 'sambal' must be readied first hand. ********************************* To my wife and some Malaysians including the renowned chef, Chef Wan, 'nasi lemak' is incomplete without peanuts and anchovies. Thus when Chef Wan was served 'nasi lemak' without those servings on a Malaysia Airlines (MAS) economy flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok recently, he commented on Instagram that he received a 'nasi lemak telanjang' (naked nasi lemak) from the airline. ************************** It was reported that Chef Wan’s 'nasi lemak' only had half a hardboiled egg and some 'sambal' on the side, to which he remarked that the national carrier should show some pride in showcasing what is arguably one of Malaysia’s most popular dishes. ************************** Chef Wan and my wife and perhaps many women have a craving for perfection in the things they do or prepare - by the way the chef is a male but since he is a ‘master ' in the kitchen - he seemed not to be pleased to see a 'nasi lemak' dish without its ‘accessories' such as 'kacang goreng' and 'ikan bilis'. ************************ In a 'tazkirah' (religious talk) at a masjid near my house recently, an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) tried his best to explain the different ways of thinking and perception between women and men; "because if we have perhaps a little knowledge or information about it, then it would help us in our married lives." *********************** The 'ustaz' looked at the ceiling of the masjid and said: "Imagine there are ten down lights on the ceiling of our house. If one down light had ‘blown’ the woman of house (the wife-lah) would not be silent about it and would pester her husband to change it. *********************** "If the husband failed to adhere to her wish, the wife would get herself a ladder and change the bulb herself. That's the attitude of most women; they focus on the one down light that had kaput, but they fail to see that there are still nine down lights functioning excellently. ********************** "But to the husband, if one down light had been out, it would be of no problem. To him the lighting in the house would still be okay; there would be no point in making a fuss about a down light being kaput. Perhaps he would wait until all the 10 down lights were down before he made a move!" ************************ Yes, men are men; women are women. So, is there some truth in the saying that women prefer perfection while men are okay with 'nakedness'? For example in the 'ceiling story', the wife made it a point to have 10 out of 10 down lights functioning well but to her husband, it was still okay if one, two or even nine down lights were out. *********************** According to a Greek myth, men and women were from different planets. Men were from Mars while women were from Venus. I am not going to discuss further about this myth, but move on to suggest ways for a husband to make it easy for his wife who has a different way of thinking from him. ************************** So to all husbands, me included; please respect your wives whose thinking is different from us and try our best to please them. For example in my case, if my wife needs to have 'kacang tanah' for her 'nasi lemak', I 'do not open my mouth' to question her, but quickly go to the sundry shop nearby to buy it. Why prolong the issue, you just buy the 'kacang tanah' and 'the problem is settled'! You need not fight over 'this small matter'. ********************** Well, 'nasi lemak telanjang' (without roasted peanuts) is no problem for you, but it is a big issue to your wife. She is for perfection in all the things she does and matters regarding her belongings such as her attire. Perhaps one morning she would surprise you when she goes out to work 'all green' - from her shoes, her clothes, her 'tudung' and handbag to match her green car! ********************** When your 'butang baju Melayu' (buttons of the Malay traditional shirt) are lost, some of us (men) do not pay much attention to it but 'coolly' go the masjid for Friday prayers but to the womenfolk, if they lose a pin of their 'tudungs', some might cancel going to a function. ************************ Well, as I had mentioned earlier that until today I can't understand fully my wife's way of thinking or worse still her emotions, but I have tried my best to learn, acknowledge and respect the differences that exist in 'our thinking and ways'. There is an Indonesian song which stresses the difference; "kau suka keju, aku suka singkong" (you like butter, but I like tapioca). ************************ Despite all the difficulties faced by a husband in understanding his wife, Islam recommends men to treat women well, and gives them a status that they have never enjoyed in any other religion. ***************************** So we see the Prophet s.a.w. admonishing all men: "Treat women kindly, for woman was created from a rib. The part of it that is most bent is the top. If you try to straighten it you will break it, and if you leave it alone it would remain bent. So treat women kindly." (Bukhari and Muslim) *********************** In another hadith narrated by Muslim, the Prophet said: "Woman was created from a rib. She will be never be straight forward and consistent for you in any way. If you enjoy her (or your relationship with her), you will do so in spite of her crookedness. If you try to straighten her, you will break her, and her breaking is her divorce." ******************* This description given by the Prophet s.a.w. eloquently describes the reality and nature of the woman She would not remain consistent in the way her husband may wish, but the Muslim husband must understand that this is her nature, the way she has been created. *********************** When the Muslim husband truly follows this guidance of the Prophet s.a.w. which is based on a deep understanding of the psychology and nature of women, he will tolerate his wife's mistakes and turn a blind eye to her faults, recognizing that these are part of her nature. Thus the marital home will be safe and calm, free from shouting or arguments. - The Ideal Muslim by Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi, IIPH ******************** But despite differences in the thinking and emotions of men and women, a husband must be firm on all matters regarding religion in his family for Allah SWT has ordered the believing men to protect both themselves (husbands and wives) and their families from the Fire and gives a terrifying picture of the awful fate that awaits them if they neglect their responsibilities towards their wives and families and fail to compel them to adhere to the truth. ********************** Allah SWT says in the Qur'an 66: 6: "O' you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded."

Amati adab jika mahu nikah di masjid...

********************* DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ********************* Renungan ******************** "Sesungguhnya orang-orang yang beriman itu adalah mereka apabila disebut Allah, takutlah hati mereka, dan apabila dibacakan kepada mereka ayat-ayat-Nya, bertambahlah iman mereka dan kepada Tuhanlah mereka bertawakal." (Surah Al-A'raf: 2) ********************* KETIKA musim kemarau yang membahang sekarang ini saya amat-amati ada dua jenis pokok yang semakin segar bugar keadaannya. Hal ini berlawanannya dengan sejumlah tumbuhan lain seperti rumput malah lalang yang 'liat' itu pun kebanyakannya sudah bertukar menjadi perang atau coklat, bermakna meniti hari-hari kematian. *********************** Pohon bunga kertas kini mengeluarkan bunga aneka warna - oren, merah, putih, kuning dan sebagainya yang begitu lebat. Bermaya sungguh melihat kecantikan alam melalui bunga kertas pada musim kering, mungkin tanaman ini sesuai dengan cuaca panas kerana pada musim hujan saya perhatian bunga kertas kelihatan tidak bermaya dengan warnanya tidaklah 'garang' seperti sekarang. **************************** Kini hampir semua pokok mangga dan sejenisnya seperti bacang dan pauh saya temui mengeluarkan bunga yang sungguh lebat; pemandangannya sungguh mendamaikan. Untaian bunganya terbuai-buai ditiup angin kering, kedapatan serangga kecil berterbangan dari bunga ke bunga. Ooh, ini satu 'temasya', membayangkan akan berlakulah pendebungaan...ya bagi manusia ia dinamakan 'musim kahwin', maklumlah bukankah cuti sekolah sudah dekat? ************************* Menyebut mengenai kahwin, tidak lama dulu seorang saudara bau-bau bacang (pokok bacang sedang berbunga lebat sekarang ini) mengajak saya dan isteri menyertai rombongan pengantin lelaki ke majlis pernikahan yang dilangsungkan di sebuah masjid. Inilah kali pertama saya menghadiri majlis pernikahan di masjid. **************************** Akad nikah dijadualkan selepas solat asar. Sebelum azan asar, bakal pengantin dan anggota rombongan sudah ada di kawasan masjid. Ramai yang 'bersidai' di luar masjid, sebahagian kecil memasuki masjid untuk solat sunat tahiyatul masjid seterusnya beriktikaf - menunggu waktu asar masuk. ************************* Mereka yang 'bersidai' di luar masjid terdiri daripada lelaki dan perempuan. Orang perempuan yang tak mahu masuk masjid mungkin mereka 'uzur syarie' tetapi lelaki yang enggan masuk masjid tidak pula saya tahu sebabnya. ************************ Selepas mengambil tempat di bahagian depan ruang solat masjid, saya tidak tahu perkembangan selanjutnya; sehingga selesai solat asar berjemaah barulah saya kembali ke belakang, menunggu majlis nikah dijalankan. ************************** Saya ingatkan majlis itu dilangsungkan di kawasan luar daripada ruang solat utama tetapi tidak; ia diadakan tidak jauh dari mimbar. Jika sebelum waktu solat ramai wanita 'bersidai' di luar tetapi apabila majlis pernikahan mahu dilangsungkan hampir semua wanita yang hadir berada di ruang solat. *************************** Ketika berbual-bual dengan isteri selepas majlis itu, beliau berkata ketika solat jemaah asar hanya beberapa wanita menunaikannya; yang peliknya mengapa ketika majlis nikah, hampir semua wanita memasuki ruang solat. ********************** Orang perempuan jika mereka tidak dilihat solat, mungkin mereka uzur. Wanita uzur tidak boleh memasuki masjid tetapi persoalannya mengapa ramai sungguh wanita menghadap majlis nikah tetapi tidak pula bersolat. *********************** Ya, bersangka baiklah, mungkin wanita-wanita yang tidak uzur solat asar mereka kemudiankan - mereka tunaikannya di rumah. Maklumkan perempuan apabila sudah mengenakan mekap, tidak betah untuk mereka mengambil wuduk, nanti habislah hiasan muka mereka! ********************** Namun terasa juga pelik di hati. Majlis nikah bukan berlangsung cepat. Banyak atur cara dan adat istiadatnya. Waktu asar pun hampir luput, tetapi wanita-wanita itu terus setia di situ. Bagaimana mereka mahu solat di rumah sedangkan mereka adalah anggota rombongan yang datang dari jauh? ********************** Jadi ada dua kemungkinan saja - wanita-wanita itu memang tidak solat dan jika tidak solat kerana uzur telah membuat kesalahan besar pula kerana telah memasuki masjid, malah berada di ruang solat utama pula! ************************ Waduh, pakaian pengantin perempuan pula mengancam sungguh, ada assessori lip, lap. Mekapnya pun hebat. Untuk menata-hias pengantin seumpama ini memerlukan masa yang lama. Agak-agaknya sempat tak pengantin ini solat asar, dan jika dia tak solat kerana uzur, bagaimana dia boleh memasuki ruang solat utama masjid? ********************** Demikianlah, mengadakan majlis nikah di masjid adalah bagus kerana banyak kelebihannya namun pihak yang mengadakannya perlu berilmu dan membuat kerja tambahan seperti memberi taklimat kepada anggota rombongan. ********************** Mereka perlu memberi nasihat terutama kepada wanita mengenai peraturan dari segi penampilan dan pakaian dan hukum-hakam wanita memasuki masjid. Bukan semua orang boleh sesuka hati memasuki masjid - mereka yang berhadas besar diharamkan berbuat demikian, apatah lagi duduk di ruang solat utama. ********************** Seorang ustaz dalam satu majlis ceramah yang saya hadiri baru-baru ini meminta iman dan ahli jawatankuasa masjid peka dengan majlis nikah yang diadakan dalam masjid mereka. Jika ada AJK yang 'bengis' kepada jemaah Tabligh yang mahu beriktikaf di masjid mereka, mengapa mereka 'berlembut' pula membiarkan wanita berpakaian kurang sopan memasuki masjid? ******************* "Nikah di masjid bagus," katanya, "kerana orang tak kenal masjid akan kenal masjid tetapi kenalah kita menjaga adab-adabnya. Jika tidak dapat menjaga kesucian rumah Allah, lebih baik nikah di rumah saja. Itulah yang lebih baik."

Pemimpin guna taktik lempar tulang kepada anjing...

*************** DENGAN nama Allah Yang Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. **************** Renungan ****************** "Wahai sekalian orang-orang beriman! Mintalah pertolongan (untuk menghadapi susah payah dalam menyempurnakan sesuatu perintah Tuhan) dengan bersabar dan dengan (mengerjakan) sembahyang; kerana sesungguhnya Allah menyertai (menolong) orang-orang yang sabar." (Al-Baqarah 2:153) ********************* ADA satu ungkapan mahsyur dalam dunia kewartawanan yang kerap dijadikan panduan dalam penulisan terutamanya di kalangan wartawan baru - kalau anjing gigit posmen itu bukan berita; yang beritanya adalah posmen gigit anjing! ************************* Perkara 'berkaitan anjing ini' saya pelajari puluhan tahun lalu dalam kelas kewartawanan asas, tetapi kini ketika 'cuba-cuba belajar mengkoreksi diri' melalui kelas pengajian di masjid dan surau; sungguh terkesan di hati saya apabila pada suatu malam tok guru mengingatkan jemaah dengan berkata: "Kalau anjing gigit kita...kita gigit anjing balik. Macam posmen gigit anjing. Ini kerja bodoh. Sebaliknya berilah anjing makan tulang, lekalah dia, maka selamatlah kita!" *************************** Teringat pula saya satu lagi panduan ulama: "Kalau anjing mengancam kita, salah satu jalan penyelesaian ialah panggillah tuan anjing itu, tahulah dia untuk 'mententeramkan' anjingnya. ************************* Ulama mengaitkan perumpamaan ini tentang bagaimana kita mahu menyelamatkan diri daripada godaan dan gangguan iblis serta syaitan. Makhluk ini adalah hamba Allah SWT jua, maka kita memohonlah kepada Allah SWT untuk menyelamatkan diri kita daripada gangguan hamba-Nya yang jahat itu. *************************** Berdoalah kita kepada Allah SWT seperti membaca tauz (A'uzubillah). Kita pun memohon pada Allah agar melindungi kita daripada segala gangguan syaitan ketika menghadapi maut. "Ya Allah, aku berlindung dengan-Mu daripada kejahatan nafsuku dan daripada kejahatan sekalian makhluk yang melata di atas muka bumi yang hanya Engkau berkuasa ke atasnya." ************************** Apa dimaksudkan Tok Guru dengan 'kebodohan menggigit anjing yang menggigit kita'? Anjing diibaratkan orang berperangai jahat seperti gemar membuat fitnah dan mengumpat. Kalau orang membuat fitnah ke atas diri kita, apa yang patut kita buat? Apakah dengan memfitnahnya balik? Kalau begitu, kita pun 'sekelas' pembuat fitnah tadi, kita pun macam anjing jua... ********************** Tok Guru berkata, ulama besar jika tahu ada orang memfitnah atau mengumpatnya akan mengucapkan terima kasih kepada sang pemfitnah malah memberinya hadiah. Ini kerana tukang fitnah telah memberinya 'pahala percuma' di akhirat nanti. Malah jika pahalanya sudah habis, dosa si kena fitnah akan dipikulkan ke pundaknya. ************************* Senang cerita, jika anjing mahu gigit kita, lemparkan saja tulang, anjing itu akan meninggalkan kita sebaliknya mengejar tulang tadi. Masalahnya, kata tok guru, sebahagian besar daripada kita bukan melempar tulang tadi sebaliknya menyimpan tulang itu pada tubuh kita. Yalah, kita menyimpan tulang tadi - antara lain sifat jahat seperti riyak, takabur, bakhil, kedekut, dan syok sendiri kononnya diri baik. Apabila tulang sudah 'melekat' pada diri kita, maka 'anjing' (syaitan) akan sentiasa mengejar kita. Malah kita menjadi tumpuan syaitan dan segala bentuk kejahatan. ***************************** Berceloteh tentang anjing, teringat saya akan sahabat saya si Heng, tauke bengkel motosikal. Dia membela seekor anjing yang besar bagi menjaga bengkelnya terutama pada sebelah malam kerana dia tidak tinggal di situ. *********************** Anjing itu dirantainya. Saya amat-amati, salah satu sifat anjing ia amat setia pada tuannya. Anjing itu saya perhatikan rela apa saja diperbuat tuannya. Dirantai pun ia tak bantah, diberi tulang ia makan, selain itu ia duduk-duduk saja memerhatikan pelanggan di kedai itu. *********************** Anjing setia, rakyat pun ramai yang setia kepada parti pemerintah. Tidak lama dulu parti pemerintah sebaik dapat kuasa melalui pilihan raya terus menaikkan harga petrol, gula, tarif elektrik (mereka memain-mainkan istilah seperti menghapuskan subsidi dan melakukan penyelarasan harga) tetapi menangguhkan kenaikan kadar tol selepas 'mengesan' riak-riak kemarahan di kalangan rakyat. *********************** Pilihan raya berikutnya lambat lagi, jadi buat sementara untuk meredakan rakyat yang mulai marah, maka pemimpin 'yang bijaksana' mula mencampakkan tulang; 'lekalah kamu makan tulang itu'. Apabila dapat 'tulang', ramai rakyat lupa diri dengan memuji-muji melangit pemimpin yang pastinya melapah bahagian daging terbaik untuk mereka sendiri. **************************** Kini musim kemarau, ramai rakyat seperti penoreh getah, pesawah dan pekebun sayur menghadapi keperitan hidup maka jika pemimpin tidak amanah tetapi membuat sesuatu kerana ada udang di sebalik batu, bantuan mereka adalah ibarat melempar tulang kepada anjing. ************************** Hendaknya, pada pilihan raya kecil Kajang dan Balingian nanti janganlah pemimpin bersikap seperti melempar tulang kepada anjing kerana semata-mata untuk menang pilihan raya. *************************** Ya, pemimpin sudah sekian lama menggunakan taktik lempar tulang kepada anjing; rakyat bila lagi hendak insaf mereka sudah dijadikan anjing oleh pemimpin!

Muslim or non-Muslim?...

************************** 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. **************************** "LATELY there is a move to reclassify Islam; 'Hadhari', 'Wasatiyah' (moderates) etc. Islam is complete. No 'hadhari', no moderation and no extremism. Islam is Islam (full stop)." **************************** An old friend emailed this message to me recently. I pondered over his statement, thinking about it for days. To this day I have no answer for it, but lessons from 'tazkirahs' by a few 'ustazs' at several 'masjids' which I attended recently, hopefully or God willing (insya-Allah) could 'guide' us (me especially) on the ' finer aspects' of being Muslims. ****************************** During my younger days while studying at UiTM, there was one lecturer from the Islamic Centre who was fond of checking upon students in their room hostels an hour or so before the mass Jumaah prayers; questioning each student he met, especially those who were still in their beds: "Muslim or non-Muslim?" He seem to be sarcastic but 'it was his way' to get students performed their weekly compulsory obligations as Muslims. ************************* The lecturer's provocative way 'to wake up' students 'was a dead ended one'. From what I witnessed, no students gave an answer but quickly got up, prepared themselves and headed fo the nearby masjid. In those days in UiTM, 99 percent of the students were Muslims, only a few were non-Muslims especially Christians among the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak. Alhamdulillah (all praises to Allah) no Muslim students dared to say "I am a non-Muslim" just to escape 'the Jumaah episod'. ******************************* A few days ago, an 'ustaz' during his 'tazkirah' at a masjid near my house said, Muslims must perform all their obligations including their 'solat Jumaat' (Friday prayers) because if we fail to do so then our 'hati' (hearts) would be blackened and finally Allah SWT would put a seal upon it, thus we would not be able to differenciate what was bad and what was good for us. **************************** He said by not performing 'solat Jumaat' once, our hearts would be 'marked black' and for the second time it would be blacker and for the third time in a row, our 'iman' (faith) would be lifted from us by Allah SWT; we would be living just like animals for example a cow. A cow knows only to eat and drink and to have sex; and if we follow that trait, then we would also be one. ************************** Mind you, what is good and bad to us is from Allah SWT's view and not by us. For example having a lot of money is good for us but in Allah SWT's view it would do you more harm than good. Well, Allah SWT knows well! We would prefer not not fail in our examinations but when the results are out we failed; Allah knows it is the best for us because we would do correct ourselves (muhasabah) about it. Medicines (drugs) tastes bitter but sweets taste good, but which one you would take when you are ill for example down with fever? ****************************** In short we would not be shown His straight path (Ehdinas siratal mustaqeem which means 'guide us to the straight path') which we read at least 17 times daily during our compulsory (fardu) prayers i.e., subuh, zuhur, asar, maghrib and isyak and more in our recommended (sunat) prayers such as 'tahajud' (late night prayers). For Jummah prayers, we read it twice; this prayer is compulsory only to men. ***************************** Well, all Muslim men must (wajib) perform their Friday prayers; there is no exception about it; only those who fall into certain circumstances such as those on a journey (traveller) and the very sick and old; but they too had to perfom their zuhur prayer as to all women. Performing all the compulsory prayers (fardu) falls to every Muslim; no one is exempted be him or she is sick, is in a foreign land, in the plane or in outer space! ******************************* Performing our five daily prayers is part of 'Rukun Islam' (Principles of Islam). The other 'rukun' are the declaration of faith (kalimah shahadah), to distribute zakat (obligatory charity), to fast in the month of Ramadan and to make the pilgrimage to Makkah (hajj which is done once a lifetime). ********************************** Well, Islam is Islam -- you must perform all this 'Rukun Islam' according to the way of the Prophet s.a.w. You can't do it your way, if you would like to call yourself a moderate or any other names for example you only wanted to pay attention on four 'rukun', side stepping the fifth(going to Makkah to perfom hajj eventhough you have fulfill all the requirements) then your Islam is questionable. You would be already a non-Muslim if you belive in only one, two, three or four of the 'rukun'. You must belive in all five. ***************************** Here it is not just like an arithematic problem; such as 5 (rukun) minus 1 (rukun) = 4 (rukun) or 5 (rukun) minus 4 (rukun) = 1 (rukun). The problem is, if you do not believe in one rukun, then you are a 'kafir' (non-believer), 'nauzubillah min zalik' (I seek refuge from Allah from such thing). ***************************** Then performing your 'Rukun Islam' such as 'solat' (prayer) you must do it as shown by the Prophet s.a.w. For example 'solat zuhur' is perform with four 'rakaat' (or two when you are on a journey), you must perform it accordingly, you cannot choose to do it as you like such as with one 'rakaat' just to show that you are 'a moderate'. Or you perform it in six 'rakaat' just to show that your are very religious person. ************************ The same thing applies to 'Rukun Iman' (Articles of Faith in Islam) - you must belive in all the six articles. They are belive in Allah, His angels, His books, His prophets, in the Day of Judgement (Hari Kiamat) and His 'Qadha' and Qadr' (the power of doing actions good and bad comes from Allah SWT). ************************* A Muslim must belive in 'Rukun Iman' completely. He cannot have partial belief. True faith or 'iman' can be termed as 'your heart belives, you lips confess and your entire body acts towards obedience to Allah SWT'. Here, it is the same as in the case of 'Rukun Islam' -- 5 (rukun) minus 1 rukun, you are not left with 4 (four) rukun; but you are a 'kafir', 'nauzubillah min zalik'. ************************* Muslims should be very, very concerned about his/her 'akidah' (concerning Rukun Iman), and 'ibadah' (concerning Rukun Islam). Many of us think that simply bearing witness 'La illhaillaAllah' and Muhammadur Rasulullah' (the syahadah), plus performing the four fundamentals of Islam (solat, fasting, zakat and hajj) is sufficient for us to be called good practicing Muslims, and will have a great chance to be saved from Allah SWT punishments and earn his paradise. ************************* The 'syahadah' is a promise we make to Allah SWT on how to lead our daily lives. After making this promise (i.e. to submit ourselves and to obey all His Commands), we have no choice but to prove our commitment. Muslims should have no reservations in implementing all of Allah SWT commands including Hudud Law and preventing 'mungkar' (sins) as mentioned in the Qur'an (one of His books under Rukun Iman). Having reservation 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'. And Allah SWT has given us warning on this matter in one Quranic verse, where Allah SWT warns us not to become like the Children of Israel who disobey some of Allah SWT's commandments in the Taurah, as stated in Al-Baqarah: 85 "…Then is it only a part of the Book that ye believe in, and do ye reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? And on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty. For Allah is not unmindful of what ye do." ************************ Well, Islam is Islam. To take away 'a thing' such as hudud law from it, is in actual fact, straying away from it. It is no moderate or whatsoever you call it...perhaps our hearts are getting blacker and blacker by the day. It is getting harder and harder to clean a 'periuk' (cooking vessel) with all the 'arang' (soot and smog) and 'kerak' (crust) on its surface especially the bottom part. ************************ With a heart covered with all those 'arang' and 'kerak', how would we know what is good and what is bad? Regarding this matter we badly needed His guidance and not just according to our fancies. *************************** I am afraid, without His guidance, we would ourselves declare that we are moderates and so on without realizing we are straying away from His straight path. Hopefully all Muslims would realize, rectify and do some 'muhasabah' (correcting ourselves) before it would be too late when the Lord (Allah SWT) calls upon us. Wallahu'alam (only Allah SWT knows best).

Beri peluang pembayar zakat tunaikannya kepada keluarga...

************************** Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ***************************** Renungan *************************** "...dan Kami telah menurunkan kepadamu al-Kitab (al-Quran), untuk menjelaskan dan (juga memberi) petunjuk serta rahmat dan pengkhabaran gembira bagi orang-orang yang tunduk kepada-Nya." (Maksud Ayat 89 Surah an-Nahl) ****************** SANG ustaz pada kuliah subuh hujung minggu di kampung saya sedang membicarakan bahagian Kebaktian dan Perhubungan Silaturrahim daripada kitab Bahru Al-Madzi - Syarah Mukhtashar Shahih At-Tirmidzi (Juzu' 13) susunan Sheikh Muhammad Idris Al-Marbawi. *********************** Ketika membicarakan bab keutamaan membuat bakti, sang ustaz menyatakan kedudukan teratas sekali adalah ibu, kemudian ibu, kemudian ibu (tiga kali) dan selepas itu barulah bapa, kemudian anak, datuk, nenek, adik beradik lelaki, adik beradik perempuan, bapa saudara, ibu saudara dan seterusnya. ************************** Apa yang menariknya, beliau berulang kali menegaskan bahawa dalam membuat kebajikan termasuk menunaikan zakat hendaklah diutamakan kepada keluarga dulu dengan syarat anggota keluarga itu bukanlah dalam tanggungan kita seperti ibu bapa, isteri dan anak-anak tetapi termasuk dalam asnaf golongan layak menerima zakat seperti fakir dan miskin. ************************* "Jadi bukan semua wang zakat yang wajib ke atas kita, diserahkan kepada pusat zakat. Hal ini perlu orang awam ketahui dan orang yang menguruskan pusat zakat pun perlu mengetahuinya. Petugas pusat zakat sewajarnya memberitahu pembayar zakat bahawa mereka boleh memilih untuk mengambil sebahagian wang yang mereka mahu zakatkan itu untuk diberikan kepada anggota keluarga mereka yang layak," tegas sang ustaz. **************************** "Namun ini tidak berlaku, apa yang terjadi pusat zakat mengambil semua wang pembayar zakat dengan tidak memberi peluang kepada mereka untuk berbakti kepada kaum kerabat. Sewajarnya, pembayar zakat dinasihatkan agar mengambil sebahagian daripada wang zakat itu untuk mereka menunaikan kewajipan itu kepada kaum keluarga masing-masing," katanya. ******************************* Sang ustaz berkata adalah lebih afdal untuk berzakat kepada kaum kerabat kerana seseorang itu akan mendapatkan pahala lebih ketika dia salurkan zakatnya kepada kerabatnya daripada dia salurkan kepada orang lain. Ini kerana menyalurkan zakat ke keluarga nilainya berganda; selain dapat berzakat kita dapat mempererat silaturrahim. ************************** Hal menyerahkan zakat kepada orang miskin yang masih kerabat dinilai lebih afdal daripada diberikan kepada orang lain, berdasarkan sabda Nabi s.a.w. yang bermaksud: "Sesungguhnya zakat kepada orang miskin nilainya zakat (saja), sedangkan zakat kepada kerabat, nilainya dua: zakat dan silaturrahim.” (HR. Nasai, Dariri, Turmudzi, Ibnu Majah dan disahihkan al-Albani) - Majmu’ Fatawa Ibnu Utsaimin 18 nombor 301 *********************** Demikianlah, apa yang biasanya berlaku kepada pembayar zakat sekarang ini - mereka menyerahkan semua wang zakat itu kepada pusat zakat manakala anggota keluarga yang layak seperti miskin, fakir, terputus perbelanjaan dalam perjalanan atau sedang menuntut ilmu tidak disantuni. Maka, makin pudarlah hubungan siraturrahim sesama anggota keluarga, misalnya seorang pakcik yang kaya dilihat 'kedekut' kerana tidak membantu si anak buah yang benar-benar memerlukan bantuan untuk melanjutkan pelajaran. ************************* Apa yang lebih menghairankan pusat zakat tidak memberikan nasihat ini sebaliknya mereka cenderung mengambil semua wang yang mahu dizakatkan. Namun apa yang lebih dikesalkan, wang zakat ada kalanya digunakan untuk tujuan politik, misalnya pemimpin politik menyerahkannya pada asnaf yang layak pada saat-saat pilihan raya akan diadakan. **************************** Memang betul penerima adalah termasuk lapan golongan yang diistilahkan sebagai asnaf seperti firman Allah SWT dalam Surah At-Taubah Ayat 60 yang bermaksud: “Sesungguhnya sedekah-sedekah (zakat) itu hanyalah untuk orang-orang fakir, dan orang-orang miskin, dan amil-amil yang mengurusnya, dan orang-orang muallaf yang dijinakkan hatinya, dan untuk hamba-hamba yang hendak memerdekakan dirinya, dan orang-orang yang berhutang, dan untuk (dibelanjakan pada) jalan Allah, dan orang-orang musafir (yang keputusan) dalam perjalanan. (Ketetapan hukum yang demikian itu ialah) sebagai satu ketetapan (yang datangnya) daripada Allah. Dan (ingatlah) Allah Maha Mengetahui, lagi Maha Bijaksana.” ************************ Wang zakat ini perlu dikeluar dan diberikan kepada asnafnya apabila sudah cukup syarat-syaratnya. Ertinya keluarkan dan berikan saja kepada golongan yang berhak tanpa diambil kira musim dan sebagainya. Orang yang ada dalam simpanannya harta yang diwajib dikeluarkan zakat mengikut syaratnya, tetapi menangguh-nangguhkan pada masa yang kononnya sesuai mengikut jadual mereka seperti hari ulang tahun kelahiran atau hari kebesaran lain, mereka hanya mengundang ancaman daripada Allah SWT. Ertinya, dalam bab zakat ini, berikan saja kepada golongan yang berhak sebab mereka ada hak di atas harta itu, jangan banyak dolak-dalih. ************************** Sehubungan itu, pihak penyampai (bantuan) zakat (pihak berkuasa) janganlah menahan-nahan wang zakat ini dan hanya tergerak untuk memberikannya pada majlis-majlis yang mereka ada kepentingan seperti menjelang pilihan raya. Sedarlah wang zakat itu adalah hak asnaf berkaitan, jadi berikan hak mereka yang berhak tanpa cuba mengeksploitasinya untuk kepentingan diri, pemimpin dan parti politik kita. **************************** Berhubung dengan kehebatan zakat, alangkah eloknya projek-projek pembangunan dan bantuan daripada pihak berkuasa (berada) yang mahu disampaikan kepada rakyat, mencontohi falsafah zakat – berikan hak kepada mereka yang berhak tanpa mempedulikan imbalan yang mahu diraih, misalnya mencari keuntungan dalam kempen pilihan raya. *************************** Sehubungan itu adalah tidak perlu untuk menghebahkan projek itu dan projek ini dan menyibuk mengagih-agihan bantuan seperti zakat menjelang sesuatu pilihan raya. Apabila ini dilakukan maka akan timbul tanggapan bahawa perkara dilakukan tidak ikhlas, ada udang di sebalik batu atau terus terang dikatakan berlaku rasuah politik bagi menggula-gulakan rakyat. *************************** Alangkah indahnya jika dikuti falsafah zakat tadi, ada hak rakyat dalam perolehan pemerintah yang sesetengah pihak mendakwa berbilion-bilion ringgit yang perlu diberikan kepada yang berhak dengan segera. Tidak kiralah mereka menyokong kita atau tidak, selagi mereka berhak (jika dalam kes zakat disebut asnaf), berikan hak itu kepada mereka. Usahlah buat-buat sibuk mahu mengagih-agihan hak rakyat ini masa kempen pilihan raya, berikan kepada yang berhak akan hak mereka. ******************************** Kemudian kepada pembayar zakat, berikan hak kepada mereka untuk menunaikan zakat itu kepada anggota keluarga masing-masing yang layak! Mengapa tidak dihebahkan perkara yang tersangat baik ini yang ternyata dapat mempererat siraturrahim? Mengapa sekarang ini pusat zakat mahu membolot semua wang zakat?

Free ourselves from the burden of carrying coins…

************************** In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. *************************** Reflection ********************* Surat Adh-Dhariyat 55:56 (The Winnowing Winds) Allah SWT says, with the meaning; "I have only created jinn and men, that they may serve Me." ************************* A few days ago I paid a visit to the EPF headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur. I travelled to the city by bus from Melaka Sentral. Since I had not travelled to KL for a long time I was taken aback while checking at bus counters to find out that fares of all bus companies had risen by about 10 percent with the most expensive being Transnasional which was at RM13.80 and the lowest offered by Metro at RM10! ********************** At the EPF office, I heard a man grumbling about 'his difficulties in withdrawing his hard earned money which was stacked in EPF'. Of course if we could not fill in the requirements drawn up by EPF, 'we could not withdraw our money saved there because the money was simply for 'simpanan hari tua anda' (savings for your old age). ************************* While there, I pick up a booklet entitled 'EPF Savings and Your Retirement' and noted a few important messages from EPF with the first question being: "Are your retirements saving sufficient?" ************************* Then there was this question: "How much do you need for your retirement?" The answers given were: ************************* * It all depends on your needs and requirements, the state of your health and lifestyle. *************************** * If you wish to spend RM800 a month for a period of 20 years (55-75 years), you need to have savings of RM192,000. ************************ * If you wish to spend RM800 a month for the period of 15 years (assuming that you retire at the age of 60 years), you need to have savings of RM144,000. ****************************** Wow, that was a lot of money; I refrained myself from discussing further on matters regarding 'simpanan hari tua anda' but moved on to 'muzakarah' (exchange of ideas) on subjects regarding 'simpanan selepas anda mati' (savings for your life in the Hereafter, or in crude language - savings for your life in your grave!). ********************** A week ago I heard this story from a 'tok guru' (religious figure) while giving a 'tazkirah' (lessons) at a 'surau' (small masjid) near my house: "Once a great caliph asked the pious man, Hassan Al-Basri why he was not happy as power and wealth was already at his feet. The grand sufi gave a simple answer: "Your Majesty, you are only thinking on how to multiply your worldly gains such as building palace after palace but you have not built any palace for yourself in the Hereafter." *************************** Well, with the EPF money we are only thinking about our life after retirement, but what about our 'lives after our death'? If we assumed ourselves 'to go on' living for another 15 to 20 years after retiring at the age of 55 or 60 years and needed about RM150,000 to RM200,000 to 'sustain' life; then what would we have planned for life after death which is 'forever and forever' (eternal or in Malay 'abadi')? ********************************** Surely, if 'we have a sound mind', we know we need 'billions and trillions of ringgit (even that is not enough)' for our eternal life in the Hereafter. Unfortunately, dear readers and friends, in the Hereafter our ringgits or whatever you call it, such as dollars, pounds, riyals, bahts, rupiahs and rupees are of no use. ************************** The much sought after items would be 'iman' (faith with the most excellent saying 'La-Illaha-Illallah' - there is no God but Allah) and good deeds; unfortunately the Hereafter is not a place to do good deeds but a place to reap 'our best crops' grown on earth. **************************** If during our working days we have contributed to EPF, then at 'old age' we would reap our hard earned money; the same thing could be said about our life in the Hereafter -- if we have sowed 'a seed', during our existence on earth, 'in sha-Allah' (if Allah Wills) we would reap it the Hereafter. ***************************** The question is what is that seed? Dear brothers and sisters; here comes the importance of knowledge. Begin all things with knowledge, for he who knows his own self knows God. Since the beginning of this simple 'muzakarah', I mentioned about money and EPF, then I shall continue focusing only on 'our money'...how we could do charity even though it is 'ciput' (of a tiny amount). ****************************** 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) ********************* Since 'our money' (I am not talking about those rich 'fellas' -- tycoons, kings, queens, head of states, first ladies etc -- who could do big 'wakaf') is barely enough for us to survive in life, then how are we going to make 'those small amount of ringgits and even sens' as our very important source of help in the Hereafter. **************************** Never mind about the small amount, the most important aspect of doing good deeds is to be 'ikhlas' (sincere) and follow the way of the Prophet s.a.w. There is a 'hadith' which mentioned Aisha, the Prophet's young wife who one day donated a single grape to a beggar. Yahya related that Malik said: "I heard that a beggar asked for food from Aisha, umm al-muminin and she had some grapes. She told someone to take him one grape. He began to look in amazement. Aisha said, 'Are you amazed? How many atoms' weights do you see in this grape?" (referring to Sura 99 (Az-Zalzalah, ayah 7 - So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it) ****************************** One simple way for us 'orang hanya cukup makan', (barely enough for our basic necessities) to do charity is by 'dumping' away all loose coins in our pockets at 'every opportunity we come across'. Well, free ourselves from the burden of carrying 'those heavy' shillings. ********************** For example, while paying at shops and restaurant counters, drop all shillings you receive as returns into 'tabungs' (donation boxes) placed there. I am sure there are bound to be several 'tabungs' such as for poor orphans, for building 'tahfiz' (memorizing the Qur'an) schools and building masjids and suraus. ************************* Then whenever you are at a masjid, drop all your coins inside its donation boxes. If you go five times for your fardhu prayers, then you have five 'great opportunities' to 'wipe off' all the shillings from your pockets. If you happen to carry a lot of shillings, do not hesitate or look back but just 'dump in' all your shillings without much thinking. ****************************** And in case you fail to find those 'tabungs', give your shillings to primary school going children. But please do not give a child 10 sen, 20 sen or even 50 sen. These amounts are not enough for them to buy perhaps an ice-cream. So give them shillings amounting to RM1 or RM2. Please do not bring home any shillings. 'Dump' them all before going home. *********************** After 'dumping off all your shillings' you may feel the tranquility in you. You could feel the happiness in you. You feel lighter; you know you could do it. Ask any person who had performed hajj, they would tell you they were at ease without 'those shillings' because in the Holy Land during hajj, the lowest denomination is 1 riyal which is equalivent to RM1. Hujjaj do not burden themselves from carrying 'those heavy shillings'. **************************** Imagine if you 'dump' a total of RM5 in the form of shillings in a day, in a month it would be RM150, in a year in would be RM1,800 and in 10 years it would be RM18,000 and in 20 years (before you die) it would be RM36,000 -- more than enough for you to buy a simple home just like the PPRT (Projek Rumah Rakyat Termiskin) house. *************************** 'Insya-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

Agama dipermain, hanya hukum Allah penyelamat manusia

********************* DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ********************* Renungan ******************** "Sesungguhnya orang-orang yang beriman itu adalah mereka apabila disebut Allah, takutlah hati mereka, dan apabila dibacakan kepada mereka ayat-ayat-Nya, bertambahlah iman mereka dan kepada Tuhanlah mereka bertawakal." (Surah Al-A'raf: 2) *************************** Bersyukur ke hadrat Illahi kita dipanjangkan usia, maka dapatlah kita memuzakarahkan isu semasa; kali ini kita ingin menyentuh sensitiviti agama membabitkan individu dan pihak tertentu sehingga mengusarkan masyarakat manakala kita dibimbangi semakin jauh daripada rahmat Allah SWT. ***************************** Kita cemas dengan perkembangan semasa di mana agama dipermain sehingga ada kecenderungan individu dan pihak tertentu yang menyimpang jauh daripada akidah seperti menolak hadis, muncul individu mengaku rasul Melayu dan lebih dahsyat lagi tuhan Harun. Amat malang sekali golongan sesat atau sudah murtad ini mempunyai ramai pengikut malah diberi 'pengesahan' dan 'dibela' oleh tokoh besar dan diikuti cendekiawan termasuk dari pusat-pusat pengajian tinggi. **************************** Selain kesesatan ini, jenayah termasuk yang dahsyat seperti membunuh dan membunuh diri semakin menjadi-jadi, kita amat khuatir ini terjadi kerana kita semakin jauh daripada rahmat Allah SWT kerana gagal menjalankan hukum-hakamnya. Hukum Allah SWT adalah penyelamat manusia, menolaknya kita amat bimbang sudah termasuk golongan sesat manakala jika tidak melaksanakannya kita cemas kita semakin jauh daripada-Nya. ************************ Hakikatnya, setiap Muslim tidak akan terlepas daripada ditanya usaha mereka dalam menunaikan kewajipan agama termasuklah menjayakan hukum jenayah Islam yang terbahagi kepada tiga iaitu hukum hudud, qisas dan takzir. ************************** Jika individu Muslim akan ditanya, apa pula yang akan dijawab oleh pemimpin dan juga pemerintah jika gagal melaksanakan hukum-hakam-Nya. Ini kerana melaksanakan hukum jenayah hudud, qisas dan takzir terletak di tangan pemerintah atau negara. ***************************** Hari ini kes jenayah berleluasa. Kenapa jenayah menjadi-jadi? Kenapa orang tidak takut melakukan jenayah? Kenapa suami tergamak mencurah asid atau mengelar kemaluan isteri? Mengapa orang tidak takut berzina dan membuang bayi? Dan lebih dahsyat lagi, mengapa orang berani murtad dengan menolak hadis, mengaku nabi Melayu ataupun tuhan Harun? ***************************** Bukankah jenayah murtad ini termasuk dalam hukum hudud yang pelakunya wajar disuruh bertaubat dan sekiranya dia enggan bertaubat maka hukuman bunuh akan dikenakan ke atas mereka. Sabda Rasulullah s.a.w. bermaksud: “Sesiapa yang menukar agamanya (murtad),maka bunuhlah dia.” (Hadith Riwayat Bukhari) ******************************* Dalam hukum-hakam Allah ada kehidupan, itu jaminan-Nya tetapi kita tidak mengendahkannya. Kita berlaku zalim, menggubal dan menuruti hukum-hakam berasaskan nafsu-nafsi manusia. Apabila manusia berani menolak hukum-hakam Allah, mereka sudah menempa kebinasaan diri. *************************** Ambil contoh ketegasan hukum qisas. Hukum qisas yang dari segi bahasanya bermaksud memotong dan dan dari segi syarak bererti hukuman yang ditetapkan oleh syarak melalui nas-nas al-Quran dan hadis-hadis Nabi s.a.w. kerana kesalahan-kesalahan melibatkan hak individu. ************************** Kesalahan-kesalahan yang diwajibkan hukuman qisas ialah membunuh dengan sengaja dan mencederakan anggota tubuh badan seperti mata, hidung dan telinga. Mengikut hukum qisas seseorang penjenayah mesti diikuti dengan hukuman yang sama sepertimana dia lakukan ke atas mangsanya. Kalau ia membunuh maka dia mesti dihukum bunuh. ************************ Allah SWT berfirman maksudnya: " Dan Kami telah tetapkan atas mereka di dalam Kitab Taurat itu, bahawa jiwa dibalas dengan jiwa, dan mata dibalas dengan mata, dan hidung dibalas dengan hidung, dan telinga dibalas dengan telinga, dan gigi dibalas dengan gigi dan luka-luka hendaklah dibalas (seimbang). Tetapi sesiapa yang melepaskan hak membalasnya maka menjadilah ia penebus dosa baginya." (Surah al-Maidah ayat 45) ******************************* Dengan tidak tertegaknya hukum-hakam Allah ini, masyarakat tidak menjadi gerun; tidak ada ketakutan bagi mereka melakukan jenayah. Cuba bayangkan bagaimana gentarnya anggota masyarakat untuk membunuh jika mereka tahu pengakhiran mereka dibunuh juga, pencurah asid akan menerima pembalasan dicurah asid ke mukanya pula manakala yang mengelar tubuh mangsa, akan dikelar juga tubuhnya. *************************** Demikianlah hukum-hakam Islam adalah untuk menjaga keselamatan semua; Islam menjaga lima perkara iaitu agama, nyawa, akal, harta dan keturunan. Apabila itu terjaga, terselamatlah semua, bukankah kedatangan Rasulullah s.a.w membawa rahmat kepada seluruh alam. Jadi mengapa kita menolak daripada melaksanakan hukum-hakam-Nya? Tidak sombong dan takaburkah kita?

'Datuk...boleh tolong' - hadiah hari jadi 'terindah'...

********************** DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ********************* Renungan ********************* "...dan Allah tidak sekali-kali akan memberi jalan kepada orang kafir untuk membinasakan orang-orang beriman." (Surah al-Nisa' ayat 141) ********************** SEORANG anak lelaki saya, pelajar Tingkatan Lima di sebuah sekolah berasrama penuh kira-kira 50 kilometer dari rumah mengirim surat meminta saya (ibu bapa) datang ke sekolahnya pada hari Sabtu, 15 Februari lalu. Agendanya, mesyuarat agung PIBG dan paling penting pertemuan dengan guru kelasnya bagi membincangkan prestasi pelajaran. ************************** Saya tidak dapat mengelak. Disebabkan isteri ada kursus hari itu dan dia pergi dengan keretanya, terpaksalah saya pergi sendirian dengan menunggang motosikal. Menunggang motosikal buruk sejauh 50 kilometer? Ya nampaknya macam tak mampu saya lakukan pada usia 52 tahun (tarikh lahir saya 17 Februari), tetapi demi semangat orang muda (saya terbalikkan angka itu menjadi 25 tahun), saya memulakan perjalanan selepas solat subuh. ********************************** Biasanya dengan berkereta, perjalanan ke sekolah itu mengambil masa kira-kira 45 minit tetapi dengan motosikal tua, saya mengambil masa lebih tiga jam! Yalah, saya banyak berehat termasuklah singgah di sebuah surau untuk solat duha dan membereskan urusan alami. **************************** Ketika duduk-duduk di tangga surau, bersedia untuk 'blah', saya terpandang sampah sarap banyak bertaburan di halaman surau. Saya pun mengambil bungkusan plastik dan memulakan kerja mengutip sampah-sampah itu. ************************* Ketika asyik 'bekerja', kemunculan dua kanak-kanak lelaki dan seorang perempuan dalam usia 10 tahun begitu mengejutkan saya yang sedang terbongkok-bongkok, apabila salah seorang daripada mereka menegur saya: "Datuk, boleh tolong...?" Hiss, budak-budak ini, sudahlah dipanggilnya saya datuk, nak mintak tolong pulak tu... **************************** "Tolong apa?" tanya saya. "Tolong datuk kutip sampahlah..." Terasa panas muka saya menahan malu. Malu kerana tersalah sangka, saya ingatkan mereka mahu minta tolong tetapi mereka mahu menolong - sama-sama mengutip sampah sekeliling surau dan kemudian saya lihat mereka memberus longkang dan mengangkat bongkah batu dan ketulan kayu yang terbiar. ******************************* Tercengang saya di pagi cerah itu. Terasa betapa indahnya dunia. Matahari saya rasakan seakan-akan 'tersenyum', angin menderu lembut, rerumput dan tanah berbau harum sekalipun dunia dan isinya 'didera' dengan cuaca membahang setelah tidak hujan hampir dua bulan. ************************** Ya, inilah kali pertama dalam hidup saya menemui kanak-kanak secara spontan dan sukarela menawarkan diri membantu kerja-kerja 'orang tua' seperti saya. ************************* Oooh, saya tidak pernah menemui situasi ini, peri laku kanak-kanak itu sungguh menggembirakan saya pagi itu, bagi saya mereka telah memberikan harapan bahawa 'ada esok' sebenarnya dalam kehidupan ini pada ketika kita meniti hidup yang masyarakatnya semakin kasar dan kejam. Ya, kanak-kanak itu telah membuat saya riang sepanjang hari. *************************** Perbuatan mereka telah 'makes up my day'! Tak apalah jika mereka memanggil saya 'datuk'. Mudah-mudahan tak lama lagi saya akan bergelar datuk juga (jika anak saya berkahwin dan dapat anak) atau pun 'datuk yang satu lagi' iaitu Dato'. *************************** Di surau itu saya telah saksikan 'satu sinar' - sinar harapan. Bagi saya inilah hadiah hari jadi paling indah pernah saya dapat. 'Hadiah' ini membuatkan pemberian berbentuk material dan kata-kata indah pada kad ucapan yang saya terima selama ini kelihatan amat kecil malah mungkin tidak bermakna. Ya, apa ertinya jika ia hanya indah pada kata-kata tetapi tidak disertai perbuatan? *************************** Akhirnya saya telah ketemui keindahan kata-kata diterjemahkan menjadi perbuatan. Saya menyaksikan dengan mata kepala ini sendiri bagaimana kanak-kanak itu dapat menterjemahkan apa yang dipelajari di rumah dan sekolah; tentang budi bahasa, tentang sifat tolong menolong yang 'berbuih-buih' diajar oleh ibu bapa dan guru di sekolah secara praktik tanpa disuruh, tanpa dipaksa. ***************************** Menemuii insan dewasa apatah lagi kanak-kanak yang ikhlas membantu orang lain memang sukar. Ini kerana sejak kecil anak-anak kita dilatih dengan upah, mengharapkan ganjaran pada penghujung sesuatu usaha. Misalnya berpuasalah, nanti bapak bagi duit, belajarlah bersungguh-sungguh nanti anak akan dapat 5A dalam UPSR, 9A dalam PMR dan 11A dalam SPM. ************************* Semuanya menjanjikan ganjaran, tetapi peristiwa "datuk, boleh tolong...?" di sebuah surau nun di sebuah kawasan pedalaman, menyedarkan saya bahawa 'generasi muda kita masih boleh diselamatkan' - ayuh marilah kita, terutama orang yang terbabit terus dalam bidang pendidikan seperti 'cikgu' berusaha sepenuh jiwa membimbing generasi muda kita ke jalan-Nya yang lurus!

Kisah ulang tahun perkahwinan ke-25, 55...

************************** Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ***************************** Renungan *************************** "...dan Kami telah menurunkan kepadamu al-Kitab (al-Quran), untuk menjelaskan dan (juga memberi) petunjuk serta rahmat dan pengkhabaran gembira bagi orang-orang yang tunduk kepada-Nya." (Maksud Ayat 89 Surah an-Nahl) ****************************** FEBRUARI meninggalkan banyak kenangan pada saya. Namun harap tidak silap...mengaitkannya dengan sambutan Hari Valentine pada 14 Februari yang diasosiasikan dengan hari berkasih sayang atau kekasih oleh sesetengah pihak. ******************************* Pada tanggal 17 Februari saya dilahirkan, pada bulan Februari 1989 saya berkahwin dan baru-baru ini ibu bapa saya mengambil kesempatan cuti Tahun Baharu Cina untuk membuat kenduri kesyukuran perkahwinan mereka yang ke-55 tahun. ****************************** Saya dan isteri pula meraikan hari perkahwinan ke-25 tahun; dulu perkahwinan kami dilangsungkan pada masa cuti Tahun Baharu Cina yang kerap jatuh pada bulan Februari, jadi ia tidak ada kena mengena langsung dengan sambutan Hari Kekasih! ****************************** Namun kasih sayang adalah intipati sebuah cinta, sebuah perkahwinan. Selepas 25 tahun apa yang saya rasakan? Demikian juga dengan ibu bapa saya, apa yang mereka ingin luahkan selepas 55 tahun? ************************* Beberapa hari lalu, saya mengikuti kuliah seorang tok guru yang memuzakarahkan salah satu Asma al-Husna Allah SWT iaitu 'Al-Halim'. 'Al-Halim' bermaksud, Yang Maha Tetap Menahan Marah. Allah SWT menahan balasan seksa-Nya terhadap orang yang sepatut telah menerimanya. Balasan seksa ditangguhkan-Nya, ada kala tidak diberi seksaan langsung, ada kalanya dimaafkan ada kalanya disegerakan seksaan-Nya. Semua ini merupakan persoalan azali dan bergantung kepada iradat dan ilmu-Nya. ************************ Berdasarkan Al-Halim Allah SWT ini, seorang penzina terus sihat walafiat, seorang perasuah semakin kaya, seorang pemimpin zalim terus berkuasa; Allah menahan balasan seksa-Nya, termasuk memberi peluang pelaku maksiat bertaubat. *********************** "Namun, apa yang kita selalu saksikan dalam kehidupan manusia?" tanya tok guru. Seorang pemimpin zalim tak sabar-sabar menghukum rakyatnya yang dituduh bersalah, seorang guru besar berlagak 'diktator' di sekolah dan dalam rumah tangga, sang suami bagaikan raja singa, sedikit saja kesalahan anak isteri habis disepak terajangnya. Ya, kuasa baru ada ke atas seorang dua insan, tetapi lagaknya, nauzubillah... ************************** Itulah, Allah SWT bersifat Al-Halim, tetapi saya sebagai seorang suami dan bapa bagaimana keadaannya? Segala sifat yang negatif ada pada diri ini - panas baran, tidak sabar, tamak haloba, kikir, perasan baik, sentiasa mahu menang (terutama ketika masa muda dulu)...senarai ini panjang; dulu semasa muda kita terlalu sibuk (atau buat-buat sibuk) menyebabkan tiada masa memikirkannya. ************************** Bangun pagi, kita 'sudah berdesup' ke pejabat dan balik rumah sudah lewat malam atau dinihari ketika anak isteri sudah lama lena, jadi apa yang boleh kita fikirkan? Pada hujung minggu malah pada cuti awam pun bertungkus lumus di pejabat atau di lapangan...ya apa nak jadi dengan diri ini yang 24 jam kerja, kerja, kerja. Malah ada rakan-rakan kita solat pun tak ada masa, yang wajib pun tunggang-langang apatah lagi yang sunat... ************************* Kini, pejam pelik mata, sudah 25 tahun saya berkahwin...ini suatu tempoh masa yang panjang. Anak sulung pun sudah berusia 24 tahun; pemuda ini masih bujang namun ramai rakan-rakan seangkatan saya anak mereka sudah berkahwin malah ada sudah bergelar datuk manakala isteri mereka nenek atau opah...oh, ada seorang rakan saya melawak - akhirnya "aku tidur dengan seorang opah!" Dulu begitu mengerikan memikirkannya...kini sudah menjadi kenyataan. *************************** Demikianlah perasaan pasangan sudah berkahwin suku abad yang kini 'belajar-belajar' untuk menjadi datuk dan nenek, bagaimana pula perasaan ibu dan bapa saya yang menyambut ulang tahun perkahwinan mereka yang ke-55? ************************* Ibu saya sempena hari bertuah itu menukilkan sebuah nasihat untuk anak cucu yang antara lain berbunyi: "Selepas melalui zaman kanak-kanak, kita memasuki usia remaja sehingga 20 tahun, kemudian dewasa dan matang pada usia 40 tahun. Pada usia 60 tahun sudah menjadi tua. Saya bersyukur kepada Allah SWT yang memberikan rahmat dan nikmat-Nya ke atas saya menjangkau 70 tahun dan suami 77 tahun - hidup bersama selama 55 tahun. Emak dan bapak kamu sudah memasuki peringkat 'kun' (pikun?) umur lebih banyak daripada Nabi Muhammad s.a.w." *************************** Beliau lantas memetik maksud Surah Al-Asr yang bermaksud: "Demi masa sesungguhnya manusia itu dalam kerugian...(sehingga habis)." Kemudian menyambung: "Sesungguhnya beruntunglah orang yang menyucikan jiwanya dan rugilah orang yang mengotorinya..." ************************* Ya, semua orang jika tak mati muda, akan memasuki usia tua. Kata tok guru jika seseorang tidak membersihkan jiwanya sejak muda, apabila memasuki usia tua perangainya akan menjadi lebih teruk lagi. ************************** Jika dulu apabila baran, kaki dan tangannya 'cepat naik' ke muka dan badan orang terutama anak isteri namun apabila tua ketika tenaga hampir sudah habis dan badan sentiasa sakit-sakit dan tak kuat lagi, mulutnya akan menjadi jahat - itulah sebabnya orang tua yang kurang imannya akan selalu menghambur kata-kata kesat, memaki hamun dan sebagainya terhadap anak dan cucu. ******************************* Namun jika dibajai iman sejak muda...hati dan mulutnya akan sentiasa basah, berzikir mengingati Allah, Allah, Allah sehinggalah maut menjemput-Nya. Berusahalah untuk menjadi orang tua sebegini jika kita dipanjangkan usia oleh-Nya. Amin.

Getting RM200 after spending RM2, 000...

***************************** In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ******************************* Reflection **************************** The Declining Day (Al-'Asr) 1. By the declining day, 2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss, 3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance. ********************************* A few days ago, my Year Six 12-year old daughter proudly brought home a small envelope containing RM100 cash - an incentive by the government to each school going child. *************************** Since I did not turn up during handouts to parents a few days earlier because of an important appointment, the school authorities passed it to my child who before that insisted that I gave her a photocopy of my IC to take to school. *************************** Another child who was in a residential school told me he too received the RM100 cash incentive but during the Chinese New Year school break but he did not bring the money home, saying that it was 'absorbed' to pay 'certain fees' at school. ************************* "Alhamdulillah' (All praises to Allah SWT) and 'jazakallahu khayran ' (may Allah SWT reward you with goodness) to the government for the cash assistance but I must admit that providing for a child's education nowadays is a very, very expensive affair. ******************************* Well, I had received a cash incentive amounting to RM200 'for having two school going children' but before schools reopened in early January, I had forked out about RM2,000 to buy my children their school necessities such as uniforms and books and paid various bills and fees. ************************ If our boys and girls had to buy 'specific items' such as new spectacles (if they were broken) and blazers (if they were appointed prefects) then the money needed might have amounted to a very large amount. ****************************** And for transportation, one has to settle the school bus fares before one's child is allowed to step onto the bus on day one. The rule is pay first, only then would you be allowed to use its service! Nowadays, school bus operators are demanding the government to raise bus fares; about 10-30 percent of the present charges. ******************************* Yes the RM100 cash given to each child helped parents a lot; so thanks to the government; but to the authorities concerned especially top political leaders please do not go around boasting that education is free in Malaysia! **************************** During this Chinese New Year holiday, my Form Five boy brought home a set of notices and announcements from his boarding school ; and while going through its pages, I read the fee of his food amounted to RM750 per year. This amount is to be paid by parents whose monthly income exceeded RM4,999 per month while those with an income of less than that should pay RM250. *************************** The PIBG (Parents and Teachers Association) fees was not decided yet since its annual general meeting had not been called for but based on experience during previous years the amount should be around RM400. For last year it was RM350, which included about 15 items such as the PIBG annual contribution (RM50), computer fees (RM50), tuition classes (RM120) and dhobi RM60). ************************** In early January, my boy had bought his exercise books and other requirements such as name tag, outing T-shirt and extra reading materials but 'Alhamdulillah' nowadays all school children are given free textbooks. ****************************** From what I experience, education nowadays is too costly. It seems like a commodity. The high expenses in education do not begin at the highest level but even at pre-school. For registration in pre-school, it is normal for parents to pay about RM200 a child at any kindergarten including the PAS-run Pasti. The monthly fees differ from a low RM30 at the Pasti to hundreds of ringgit at the commercial and so-called elite kindergartens. ***************************** At the primary and secondary levels, as I had mentioned above judging from my children's needs, parents have had to pay hundreds of ringgit for every single child. A few years ago, the Ministry of Education announced that education was free in Malaysia, but the actual fact is that they only abolished the RM4.50 yearly school fees for primary pupils and RM9 for the secondary students. Luckily every child is now qualified for the school text book loan scheme. If not, parents involved would have to fork out even more. *************************** Several parents in conversation with the writer said on average they spent about RM500 for each child in primary schools. This included his/her uniforms, bags, and writing material. Other than that they had to keep aside about RM50 a month for pocket money and another RM50-RM100 for the bus fares. ******************************* For the secondary school students especially those in residential schools like the writer's Form Five child, the expenses double, amounting to about RM1,000. For these big boys and girls, their pocket money too has to be doubled from what they received at primary school level. ***************************** The cost of university education is even more exorbitant. For the public institutes of higher learning, it may be around RM1,500 each semester (not including food) but for the private ones, I was told it may exceed RM20,000 per semester (all inclusive). ************************** Since education is so expensive, several parents met said it was timely for young people to plan for their future by starting a special fund soon after a child is born. For example, the parents could put aside RM50 a month for the child’s education fund and when he/she was about to enter university, they would not be at a loss as to how to finance their children’s education. Or perhaps they should buy an education policy from insurance companies. ************************* Regarding the huge amount of money (about RM1,000) to be paid when a student enters a residential school, Deputy Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin who is also Education Minister some time ago said his ministry would study that development as the main objective of setting up ‘Sekolah Berasrama Penuh’ (SBP) was to have as many as possible underprivileged pupils especially from rural areas studying in such schools. ******************************* Prior to this, some children from poor families were said to reject offers to such residential schools, claiming they could not afford such exorbitant fees. Imagine how the poor parents had to fork out some RM1,000 a child during registration if they had a meager income of RM500-RM1,500 per month; an amount normally earned by paddy farmers, rubber tappers, fishermen, factory workers and labourers. ********************** To counter the high cost of education in residential schools, the ministry should think a way out; perhaps students from poor families should be exempted from paying food and hostel fees or even better begin a new concept of free education for all in all schools. **************************** Perhaps in a few years time, free education for all from kindergarten to first degree in universities could be available to the ‘rakyat’ in line with the government’s slogan ‘Rakyat didahulukan, pencapaian diutamakan’ (People first performance now). **************************** If the present government cannot fulfil or had failed in this task, why not give 'the other party', 'Pakatan Rakyat' to prove its worth. Well, 'they said' do not be afraid of changes; why not give 'Pakatan Rakyat' a chance?