Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 170

Antara deretan 'A' dan keikhlasan cuci tandas...

****************** DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ************************ Renungan ******************** "Dan Dia yang menjadikan malam dan siang silih berganti bagi orang yang ingin mengambil pelajaran atau orang yang bersyukur." (Surah Al-Furqan; ayat 62) ************************ KETIKA pelajar sekolah menengah sibuk menduduki peperiksaan awam sekarang ini - SPM dan STPM - seorang pembaca meminta saya 'mencelotehkan' perihal sistem Pentaksiran Berasaskan Sekolah (PBS) yang dakwanya telah memeningkan sejumlah guru sehingga ada yang termuntah-muntah dan mencetuskan pergaduhan 'laki-bini'. *************************** Pelaksanaan PBS yang dimulaikan dengan murid tingkatan satu pada 2011 adalah bermatlamat melahirkan modal insan holistik serta seimbang dari segi jasmani, emosi, rohani dan intelek seperti yang dihasratkan dalam Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan bagi menggantikan sistem pendidikan yang terlalu berorientaskan peperiksaan. ****************************** Menurut sesetengah guru terbabit, PBS membabitkan kerja-kerja pengkeranian yang terlalu banyak dan yang paling 'tension' sekali adalah untuk menghantar laporan pengredan dan penilaian melalui sistem komputer Kementerian Pendidikan. Kerap benar, dakwa sesetengah guru, sistemnya 'hang'; sehingga ramai guru yang bangun jam tiga pagi untuk memasukkan data dengan harapan 'line clear' pada masa kebanyakan orang sedang berdengkur! ************************ Penulis bukan arif untuk membincangkan mengenai PBS (malahan hal ehwal sekolah sekalipun), namun berharap masalah ini dapat diselesaikan segera agar tidak menjejaskan dengan teruk pembelajaran anak-anak kita yang banyak pihak mendakwa menjadi semakin buruk dari semasa ke semasa. ************************* Apa yang ingin penulis celotehkan kali ini adalah berdasarkan perkara yang ditazkirahkan oleh seorang tuan guru yang penulis ikuti baru-baru ini. Kata Tuan guru keberkatan ilmu adalah tersangat penting; untuk mendapatkannya perlulah menjaga adab-adab menuntut ilmu iaitu niat yang baik (betul) di samping mengikuti Sunah Rasul, 'menghinakan' diri (jangan sombong) pada guru dan yang akhirnya mengamalkan ilmu tersebut. ************************* Hal 'menghinakan diri' pada guru menarik perhatian penulis yang berpendapat kini ia hampir tidak wujud dalam sistem pendidikan kita hari ini. Kejayaan pendidikan (tepatnya persekolahan) kita hari ini diukur berdasarkan prestasi akademik, selalunya berkisar pada peratusan kelulusan dan gred dalam pepeperiksaan awam seperti SPM dan STPM dan jumlah pelajar yang mendapat semua 'A' (atau A+). ***************************** Malah seorang pelajar yang mendapat keputusan peperiksaan kerap ditanya: "Berapa 'A' kamu dapat?" Dengan memperolehi deretan 'A', dia menjadi kebanggaan sekolah, guru, ibu bapa dan masyarakat. Lagi banyak 'A' lagi bagus, seolah-olah inilah ukuran kejayaan mutlak seorang murid. **************************** 'Kegilaan' melahirkan pelajar dengan deretan 'A' ini telah menyebabkan 'berlaku jurang perbezaan besar' antara penuntut ilmu dulu dan sekarang. Dulu, kata tuan guru, anak-anak murid bersedia dengan ikhlas 'menghinakan diri' pada guru seperti melakukan khidmat kepada mereka seperti mengangkat air, membelah kayu api, membersihkan kawasan persekitaran tempat belajar dan mencuci tandas dan longkang. ****************************** Namun sekarang, apakah ada anak-anak murid bersifat seperti itu? Ya, kita boleh berdoa mereka berkelakuan begitu tetapi apa yang kita saksikan menyebabkan kita mengurut dada dan beristifar panjang. Apa, adakah pelajar sekarang (hatta anak-anak kita sendiri pun) ikhlas mencuci tandas dan longkang tanpa disuruh atau paksa? ****************************** Bagaimana mahu melahirkan penuntut yang menghinakan diri pada guru, hakikatnya sekarang ini murid-murid semakin kurang ajar pada guru; hendak meminta mereka menolong mengangkat buku latihan ke kereta cikgu pun banyak disoal mereka; malah kereta cikgu pun ada yang mencari peluang untuk dipancitkan tayar atau dicakar mereka. ***************************** Jika 'kebaikan' ringan pun enggan dibuat mereka, bagaimana hendak menyuruh mereka mencuci tandas atau longkang? Seorang guru pernah memberitahu penulis ketika disuruh seorang murid mengutip sampah, dia menjawab balik; "bukan saya yang dibuang cikgu" dan ketika diminta seorang lagi murid menyapu kelas, dia menjawab; "di rumah pun saya tak pernah menyapu." Seorang lagi murid ketika disuruh mengemas kelas menjawab: "Di rumah saya 'maid' (pembantu rumah) yang buat cikgu!" **************************** Sesuatu mesti dilakukan bagi 'menolong' anak-anak kita yang semakin tersasar ini dan tentunya kita tidak ingin keadaan menjadi terlalu buruk sehingga jika seseorang anak murid diminta untuk membersihkan bilik darjah akan menjadi terlalu kurang ajar sehingga memberitahu gurunya; "Lu (cikgu) bikinlah sendiri!"

How to stay 'safe' at old age...

****************** In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ********************** Reflection ********************** There is no god but He, Praise and glory to Him; Far is He from having the partners they associate unto Him. (Tauba 9:31) ************************** AFTER my batch of former college friends turned 50 (half a century!) last year, an old mate emailed an interesting article on how to stay 'safe' at old age: it reminded that "only you can save yourself safely at old age." It was a long article; here I extract some points raised by the writer. ************************** The articles gave ten tips; that are: (1) do not retire; (2) live in your own place to enjoy independence, privacy and a solo life; (3) hold on to your nest egg, bank deposits and assets; (4) don't believe your children's promise to care for you when you grow old priorities change; and (5) expand your circle of friends. ****************************** Next; (6) is be well groomed and smelling fresh of spring water all the time; (7) do not meddle in the life of your children; (8) do not use old age as your shield and justification for turning grumpy; (9) listen to what others may say; and lastly; (10) most important of all have MONEY - your last power in old age! ****************************** Regarding money, the writter emphasized: "If you are broke at old age, nobody, not even your children will come close to you. If you are broke at old age, not even your wife will respect you. If you are broke at old age, you become a parasite. Money buys you power when you need it most at old age. Remember: No money...no talk. *************************** "Sorry, but this is true! No money means: no "honey", no holidays, no wine, no friends, no social life, no phone calls, no email, Nothing!" ********************** Seeing the word WINE, I guessed this article was written by a person with 'a secular mind', perhaps we could only give a thought about his recommendations but think carefully and wisely before implementating them! ***************************** Well, I too was scared of becoming old. But can we stop it? The answer is no; there is no cure for old age. The Prophet s.a.w. (peace be upon him) said: "Allah has not created a disease except that He has created a cure for it; except for a single disease; old age (At-Tirmidhi) ********************** Last Tuesday (5th November) we celebrated the new Hijra year of 1435. Another year has gone; we are getting a year older. It also means that we are one step closer to our graves; as for me, perhaps I should start counting my balance years in life for example the Prophet s.a.w. dies at 60 (if we use the Hijra calender), thus if I were to 'follow the Prophet's footsteps', then my years of existence in this world would diminish from 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1...and into my own grave! *********************** Regarding loss of time time, Niyazi-i-Misri, one of the sufi scholars, put into these words: "Every day another stone has broken off from my life. My life is getting ruined! But why am I so heedless?" ********************* In Surah Al-Asr; Allah SWT says (translation): 1. By the essence of all time. 2. Verily, all humankind is in deep loss. 3. Except those who believed (in the oneness of Allah) and performed good work and reminded each other of the truth and reminded each other to be patient. ************************* In a hadith, `Abdullah bin Busr Al-Aslami (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. said, "The best of people is one whose life is long and his conduct is good." (At-Tirmidhi) ************************* Longevity of life is a blessing, provided it is accompanied by Faith and good deeds; otherwise, the longer life one has, the greater will be the number of sins. Such a long life is disastrous. *********************** A long life is associated with old age. And then it is death. Nobody could escape it. Perhaps, this lesson (tazkirah) which I followed from an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) and had a great impact on me, can 'spark' readers lives. ******************** The 'ustaz' asked why in our life we are crazy and busy heaping material wealth including money which we would not be using them but we would leave them sooner or later. ************************** But men are men, they are greedy for material wealth; in a hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik, the Prophet s.a.w. said: "If Adam's son had a valley full of gold, he would like to have two valleys, for nothing fills his mouth except dust. And Allah forgives him who repents to him." (Bukhary) ************************* Perhaps you have money at old age; but that would not help you to lead a peaceful, tranquil, happy and blessing life. One of the most wisest person in the world, Sayidina Ali bin Abi Talib said: "Learned men live after death; ignorant men are dead although alive." He also said that you need to guard your property and wealth but if you have knowledge it would protect you. ************************** If money and power could protect or of any help when we are at old age, then how come many world top leaders from Pharoahs and Hamman in ancient times to Ferdinand Marcos, Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi in modern times lead miserable lives at the end? ************************ Abu Hurairah narrates that once the Holy Prophet s.a.w. said: "Let us show you the reality of this world." I requested him to do that. He took me to a place of refuse outside Madinah. There I saw human skulls and bones sunk in filth with dirty rags scattered all around. *********************** Adressing me he said: "These are the human skulls that embodied brains filled with greed. These people were like many amongst you who live today. Like all of you they pinned their hopes on things worldly. These skulls are lying without skins and after a few days they will become part of the earth. ************************* "They struggled hard to eat the spicy dishes only to swallow this filth today. The state in which they exist now cannot be tolerably seen by those who have eyes to see. The very sight of those who enjoyed the fragnance of tasty food makes you hate them. ************************ "These dirty rags are the worn-outs of the gaudy dresses that made men proud. Now they are at the mercy of winds which move them the way they like. And these are the bones of those animals that carried human beings only to make them feel proud. Anyone can shed a tear or two at the tragic end." Abu Hurairah stated that the tears welled up in his eyes and he wept bitterly. ************************* We should, therefore, consider the passing life of this world as a means towards our ultimate goal. Yes, this material world is not the main object of our life but a means towards a higher goal. The purpose of man's life is 'service to Allah' and nothing else. - Pearls of the Prophet (Islamic Outreach-ABIM) ************************** This life is a preparation of what Allah has in store for us. The life of the Hereafter is eternal, and it is that which the believer should strive for. Hence let us not be deceived by the glamour and spendour around us. This life should never be wasted by merely seeking comfortable and rich life of worldly happiness (including having a lot of money at old age) because Allah tells us: "And surely the Hereafter is indeed better than this world." *********************** In conclusion, 'have Allah SWT (and not material wealth including money) in your heart' especially during old age, 'insa-Allah' (God willing) you would be sound and save in this world and Hereafter!

Apa guna berkopiah, berserban jika...

******************* Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ********************* Renungan **************************** "Sesungguhnya kamu berada dalam keadaan lalai daripada (hal) ini, maka Kami singkapkan daripadamu (yang menutupi) matamu, maka penglihatanmu pada hari itu amat tajam." (Maksud Ayat 22 Surah Qaf) **************************** SUATU pagi saya ke kedai motosikal yang biasa saya kunjungi. Pemiliknya, seorang Cina muda yang kenal benar saya kerana terlalu kerap dia membaiki motosikal lama saya yang selalu rosak, sehingga tidak bimbang dia mendedahkan sejumlah rahsia kepada saya. ************************** Pagi itu dia menyembur saya: "Tak guna punya haji-haji pakai kopiah, selalu sembahyang punya orang tapi hutang tak nak bayar. Dah buat hutang sini, ratus-ratus ringgit tapi tak nak bayar!" ********************* Aiii, ini sudah 'over'. Saya raba kepala, ada kopiah di situ. Mulalah terasa panas di muka. Tetapi disebabkan yakin 'semburannya' tidak ditujukan kepada saya (kerana saya berurusan secara 'cash'), saya mendengar saja bebelannya. **************************** Selepas merasakan dia sudah puas berleter, saya bertanya balik; "Ramai ke orang berkopiah buat perangai macam tu?" ************************ "Bebelapa olang (beberapa orang). Sikalang (sekarang) ini orang kopiah ke, orang serban ke, saya tak percaya. Besar punya serban dan selalu sembahyang pun saya tak percaya. Gua bisnes 'cash' saja," katanya. **************************** Bagi meyakinkan saya akan dakwaannya, dia memberi nama 'pak haji berkopiah dan berserban' yang disenaraihitamkannya. Syukur, nama saya tak tersenarai...heh, heh, heh. *********************** Demikianlah, apa guna berkopiah atau berserban jika kelakuan dan perangai buruk kita mempalit arang ke muka orang lain di samping memberi tanggapan buruk kepada agama kita sendiri. ************************ Berdasarkan ini sewajarnya 'orang berkopiah dan berserban' berhati-hati dalam tindak tanduk mereka, harap-harap kita tidak membawa dan memberi imej buruk kepada saudara seagama dan yang penting sekali Islam. *********************** Seorang penceramah juga mengkisahkan betapa buruk imej dipaparkan oleh segelintir orang berkopiah dan berserban. Ada seorang 'pak haji berkopiah' kerjanya jual air tebu di gerai tepi jalan. Ketika menanti pelanggan, di jarinya terjepit rokok berasap. Haiii, 'pak aji' merokok di tempat awam; buruk nampaknya. ************************** Kemudian dia ternampak seorang 'pak aji' memandu kereta cantik berhenti di persimpangan jalan berlampu isyarat. Pak Aji menurunkan cermin kereta, lantas membuang kulit rambutan. Aiii, 'pak aji' perbuatan seperti ini memalukan 'orang berkopiah dan berserban' lain. ********************* Ya, membuang sampah dari tingkap kenderaan sudah biasa kita lihat. Pelakunya bukan saja 'pak aji' tetapi semua golongan. Suatu hari saya lihat seorang 'amoi' dengan gaya bersahaja memberhentikan keretanya, membuka pintu dan meletakkan cawan kertas bekas minuman di atas jalan raya. Kemudian dia menutup pintu, menekan pedal minyak dan 'blah'. ****************************** Antara 'pak aji' dan 'si amoi', yang mana agaknya kita lebih marah? Tentunya si pak aji berkopiah, kerana dia yang mempamerkan imej Islamik, menjejaskan nama dan kesucian ajaran Islam. Bagi si amoi, orang boleh setakat berkata; "muka saja cantik tapi perangai teruk" dan ini tidaklah menjejaskan mana-mana agama atau pihak. ************************** Orang berkopiah sinomin dengan 'pak haji' termasuk yang baru balik dari Makkah musim ini. Sama seperti orang berkopiah atau berserban, orang berpangkalkan haji (dan juga hajah) pada nama mereka, perlu sentiasa menjaga maruah dan perlakuan masing-masing. **************************** Bagi orang yang ada cahaya keimanan; dia tahu kopiah di kepalanya atau jpanggilan haji oleh orang terhadap dirinya berupaya menghalangnya daripada melakukan perkara-perkara tak elok. Misalnya jika matanya asyik gatal nak melihat aurat perempuan, 'kopiah di kepalanya akan mengingatkannya'; "ehh malulah jika orang berkopiah (atau haji) buat perkara tak senonoh ni." ************************ Demikian juga jika mahu melangkah ke tempat maksiat seperti kedai ekor atau pentas dangdut dia terhalang apabila berfikir; "eh malulah takkan orang berkopiah mahu main ekor atau berjoget." Setidak-tidak dia akan 'campakkan' kopiahnya terlebih dulu sebelum masuk kedai ekor atau ke pentas dangdut. **************************** Jadi kepada mereka yang berkopiah atau berserban; kalau mahu pergi ke bengkel motosikal (atau pusat perniagaan lain) dan menimbunkan hutang dengan hajat tidak melunaskannya, tolonglah TANGGALKAN kopiah atau serban anda terlebih dahulu! ************************* Ini kerana dengan 'berkopiah atau berserban' tetapi berkelakuan jelek, anda telah memalukan 'pak aji-pak aji lain' dan agama Islam yang suci murni!

The Malays and Umar Abdul Aziz...

************************** 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." *********************** IN the year 100 Hijra (718 CE) the King of Srivijaya named Sri Indravarman sent a letter to the Caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz of the Umayyad Caliphate and requested the Caliph to send him a preacher who could explain the Islamic faith to him. ********************** The letter reads: "From the King of kings who is the descendant of a thousand kings, whose wife is also a granddaughter of a thousand kings, whose animal cages are (filled with) a thousand elephants, in whose territory there are two rivers that irrigate the aloe trees, spices, nutmeg and limes such that its fragrant aromas reach out to a distance of 12 miles. *************************** "To the Arab King who does not associate other gods with Allah. I have sent you a gift, which is actually a gift that is not so much, but just a token of friendship. I want you to send me someone who can teach Islam to me and explain to me about its laws." — Letter of Srivijayan King, Sri Indravarman for Caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz ******************************* While browsing the internet looking for information on Hazrat Umar Abdul Aziz, (682-719 AD) the celebrated Umayyad Caliph whose empire stretched from the shores of the Atlantic to the highlands of Pamir (India) and now looked upon as excellent example by a number of Pakatan Rakyat leaders such as Lim Guang Eng and Mohamad Sabu, I came across the above statement from Wikipedia. *********************** The short rule of Hazrat Umar Abdul Aziz (717-719 AD) was like an oasis in a vast desert -- a benevolent rain which had fallen on an arid soil. It was the brightest period in the 91-year Caliphate of the Umayyads, which, though short lived, had transformed the outlook of the State and had released such powerful democratic forces that after his death the attempts for the restoration of autocracy under Hishaam failed miserably and ultimately culminated in the fall of the Umayyads at the hands of the Abbasids. *************************** I was amazed with that information; how Umar Abdul Aziz who only ruled for two years and five months could have such an impact and much respected by leaders of the world including from the Malay Archipelago. ************************ Ancient Malay kingdoms such as Srivijaya which during its height occupied almost all areas of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsular, put interest to have close relationship with the Umayyad empire. ******************************* Srivijaya which centered in today's Palembang was said to be associated to the origin of many of the Malay Sultanates; Melaka included. ******************************* The offspring of the Malay king of Palembang then went and explored various parts of the Malay world such as Melaka and Johor-Riau. In ‘Sejarah Melayu’, Singapore (Singapura) was said to be found by Sang Nila Utama, also a prince from Palembang after he had seen sight of a lion. ***************************** From my previous readings, I only knew that the first Palembang king to adopt Islam was Ariodamar who ruled from 1455-1486. After converting to Islam, he used the name of ArioAbdillah or Aridillah. The coming of Islam to Palembang was late compared to other areas in Sumatra such as Pasai and Perlak which were said to accept Islam in the 7th century. *************************** When the great explorer, Marco Polo passed Pasai and Perlak in 1292 during his voyage back to Europe from China, he noted that the kings of Pasai and Perlak such as Malikul Saleh were Muslims. ************************* Even the kings of Palembang had became Muslims, the majority of their people were not Muslims, not until the formation of the state of Palembang Darussalam in 1659 headed by its Sultan, the famous of them was Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II who ruled from 1803 to 1821. ************************** This great Sultan choose not to be cooperative with the Dutch by accepting its adviser (the same status as the British Resident in the Malay states), but he was determined to push out the invader. War broke out, and at last the great city of Palembang fell in the hands of the Dutch. Today Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II had been declared as a national hero. ***************************** Back to the story of Srivijaya, even its king, Sri Indravarman had asked Umar Abdul Aziz to sent a preacher to Palembang (Srivijaya), the kings and people of his kingdom were said to be devout Hindus and Buddhists. ************************ It was noted that Mahayana Buddhism came to Srivijaya around the 7th century. A Chinese-Buddhist pilgrim, I-Tsing, who was going to India, arrived at Sriwijaya University in 671AD, and spent six months studying Sanskrit. He stayed here for four years writing his memoirs and giving a valuable description of the city of Palembang. **************************** The city was traditionally a trade center, and, for about 500 years up to the 13th century, Palembang was one of the principal ports of the world, meaning a central point for the bulk of the Indonesian islands trade. *********************** Palembang was believed to be the predatory power, and was once the capital of Sriwijaya Empire. There were regular ships that laid anchor here and it sent its mercenaries as far as Mesopotamia (land under the control of the Umayyad Caliph including Umar Abdul Aziz). There were many scholars and monks, and perhaps thousands of them, who learned Buddhist teaching and translated Sanskrit texts here. *************************** In Palembang, the earliest Malay/Sanskrit inscription (writing) was traced on the Prasasti Kedukan Bukit (683 AD) and Prasasti Talang Tuwo (684 AD or 608 Saka Year of the Sriwijayan calendar). The writing on the stone, proved the Sriwijayan had a great civilization. The Malay world covers a vast area. At the peak of the Sriwijayan empire, its sailors and travelers went as far as Madagasdar and Polynesia. ***************************** At the end of the 13th century, Sriwijaya had splintered into eight small kingdoms, the largest of which, Malayu, was centered on Jambi and became a strong power. But finally, with the rise of Melaka, in the 14th century, Sriwijaya became a remote backwater ************************** Perhaps from looking at the 'good relationship' of Srivijaya (an old Malay kingdom) and the Umayyad empire especially between Sri Indravarman and Umar Abdul Aziz, we could also think about making a comparison between our contemporary Malay leaders and the pious Caliph. ************************** Umar Abdul Aziz was a fine example of integrity. He was looked upon as a shining example of rulers that put the peoples' matters above their personal needs. In one story he was said to put off the state lamp and lighted his own private one when discussing family matters with his son! ********************** If 'ancient' Malay leaders such as Sri Indravarman of Srivijaya had asked the pious Caliph to sent someone to teach him about Islam, have our leaders 'mastered' the life story of Umar Abdul Aziz and readied themselves to emulate his sincere way of life? ************************* If Umar Abdul Aziz led a very down to earth lifestyle and very, very concerned not to misuse public funds that led to him asking his son to put out a lamp belonging to the state when discussing family matters; then why must be our Prime Minister's Seri Perdana residential complex's electricity bill chalk up to RM2,237,788.13 while the water bill comes to RM311,174.25 for last year? **************************** Even Kompleks Seri Setia, the official residence of the Deputy Prime Minister recorded an electricity bill of RM864,458.56 while its water bill at RM99,264.02. ****************************** Wow, that's a lot of money...unfortunately gathered from public funds; have not we, especially Malay leaders learnt something from Umar Abdul Aziz - please switch off 'government lights' when discussing family/personal matters!

Antara 'barang naik dan tak naik'...

****************** 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) *********************** KADANG-KADANG terlalu 'tension' (penuh tekanan) kita rasakan hidup ini. Sukar mendapatkan ketenangan. Sekarang ini dengan harga sejumlah barangan keperluan harian sudah naik berikutan pembentangan belanjawan oleh Perdana Menteri Najib Razak yang menyaksikan harga gula naik mencanak keesokan harinya, kita menjadi semakin 'tension'. ************************ Harga gula naik kepada RM2.84 sekilogram selepas subsidinya dihapuskan. Tetapi mana ada pekedai jual dengan harga itu kerana duit 1 sen sudah lama tak dipakai, jadi terpaksalah pengguna bayar RM2.85. Hairan juga, kalau belanjawan berwawasan takkan hari ini bentang, keesokan harinya harga barangan sudah naik. Ini bukan merancang belanjawan namanya, ini nak 'perkena' rakyat. ************************** Itulah hidup penuh 'tension'. Dalam menjalani hidup penuh 'tension' ini, pegangan agama banyak membantu kita. Kalau tak, dah lama kita mengamuk, kita jadi 'Hang Jebat'...kita hilang pertimbangan dan bertindak di luar kewarasan fikiran. ************************** Namun, apabila kita amat-amati, kehidupan penuh 'tension' sekarang ini menyebabkan masyarakat kita semakin huru-hara. Semakin ramai orang mengamuk (beberapa hari lalu seorang pemandu van rokok hilang pertimbangan dan menikam sejumlah orang awam menyebabkan dua orang terbunuh), seorang pengawal keselamatan menembak mati seorang pegawai bank wanita, sejumlah ibu bapa mendera anak dan kita percaya ada orang terbabit dalam 'eksiden' sengaja 'tempah bala' sebab mereka 'nak lepas geram'. ***************************** Geram, geram; mana tak geramnya hidup makin 'tension' apabila banyak masalah termasuklah harga barangan keperluan naik sedangkan gaji tak naik-naik. Namun syukur, kehidupan beragama menyelamatkan kita. Ya, apa yang Nabi s.a.w. ajar kita? Orang mukmin itu luar biasa kehidupannya - jika dia ditimpa kesusahan dan ujian dia bersabar dan apabila dia diberi kurnia walaupun sedikit dia bersyukur. ************************ Bersabar dan bersyukur itu nikmat kurniaan Allah kepada orang beriman. Sifat ini didatangkan oleh Allah SWT dan bukan dibuat-buat. Orang beriman selalu berdoa; yang antara lain bermaksud: "Ya Tuhanku, tolong jangan lepaskan diriku pada diriku sendiri." *********************** Sebenarnya Allah SWT-lah yang menghias diri kita dengan sifat sabar dan bersyukur itu. Jika Allah Taala tarik sifat sabar itu, kita yang perasaan kita orang sabar boleh naik angin dengan serta-merta. Selama ini kita sopan santun, tetapi disebabkan 'satu hal' kita tiba-tiba boleh meletup; demikian juga sifat bersyukur, ada kalanya kita menjadi takabur pula dengan kelebihan diri. ************************ Kalau Allah Taala tarik sifat-sifat baik yang ada pada diri kita, maka jadilah kita jahat. Jadi janganlah perasaan kita ini orang baik. Yang membuat kita baik atau suka beribadat kepada-Nya seperti solat adalah Allah. Jika Allah Taala 'lepaskan diri kita pada diri kita sendiri' dikhuatiri kita akan cenderung kepada yang jahat-jahat. ************************** Ulama menafsirkan bahawa Nabi Yusuf a.s. yang dapat menyelamatkan dirinya daripada godaan Zulaikha pun bersyukur kepada Allah SWT kerana Allah 'tidak melepaskan dirinya pada dirinya sendiri'. Kalau dilepaskan pada diri sendiri, Nabi Yusuf pun khuatir baginda tidak mampu menyelamatkan dirinya daripada godaan itu. Jadi Allah SWT-lah yang menolong kita dalam segala serbi. ***************************** Memang kita 'tension' dengan harga barangan yang naik termasuklah gula. Namun 'tension' kita bertambah lagi apabila pemimpin dengan gaya 'tersenyum mengejek' menyatakan itu adalah langkah untuk menjaga kesihatan rakyat. Kata mereka, selama ini rakyat sudah terlalu banyak makan gula, maka ramai yang 'kena' kencing manis, jadi penghapusan subsidi gula (menaikkan harga gulalah tu) adalah untuk mengurangkan pengambilan gula mereka. ************************* Malah PM Najib menambah 'tension' kita apabila pada konvensyen tahunan Parti Gerakan, 'memperli' rakyat kononnya pengambilan gula berlebihan akan mengurangkan tenaga batin kita. *********************** Nampaknya, 'lawak' ini sudah 'over'! Yang sebenarnya, wahai pemimpin yang bijak 'menggula-gulakan' rakyat, 'barang' rakyat tak naik (para suami tahulah ni) kerana terlalu 'tension' memikirkan masalah yang kamu bebankan ke bahu mereka! ********************************** Kalau dah terlalu 'tension' mana boleh naik!

Dignity: Its takes two to tango

************************** In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. *************************** Reflection ************************** "O mankind! Worship your Lord, Who hath created you and those before you, so that ye may ward off (evil). - Al-Baqarah (The Cow, 21) ************************** IF someone has dignity, it means they are worthy of respect. In commanding respect from the 'rakyat', leaders too have to play their part because 'it takes two to tango' which means if two people (or parties) are inolved in a situation (usually the bad ones), both must be reponsible. A tango which is a South American dance must be done in pairs. **************************** Well, in executing the 'old slogan' - 'Kepimpinan Melalui Teladan' (Leadership By Example) too needs the cooperation of the two sides involved; leaders and the people (rakyat) because it takes two to tango. ******************************* If leaders seek respect from the rakyat, they too must respect the rights of the rakyat. If they want the rakyat to have dignity, they too must portray that trait. ******************************* If they want the rakyat to love the country, they too must show and prove their love to the country; but some leaders act otherwise, they send their families overseas during hard times such as when haze hit the country. ***************************** In Islamic tradition, leaders such as Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab and Umar Abdul Aziz proved that pious leaders 'produced' pious rakyat; the 'old slogan' - Kepimpinan Melalui Teladan - fit in perfectly; but are we seeing any fine examples around? **************************** During a hike in petrol prices a few years ago, a leader came up with a 'very bright and innovative idea' on how to overcome the problem with his 'great slogan' - Ubah Gaya Hidup Anda - (Change Your Lifestyle). Yes, some rakyat had changed their lifestyles for example abandoning their private vehicles and adopting public transport but what about the leader himself? *************************** Perhaps he, his wife and family members have changed their lifestyles but unfortunately for the more extravaganza way such as shopping in top fashion cities of world, hunting for luxurious items such as Birkin handbags and so on! ************************* The Muslims have a superb example in Hadrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (may he be blessed, r.a.). It is written that Hadrat Umar r.a. was making his nighty rounds through the streets of Madinah when he heard voices coming from a nearby house. ************************** He drew nearer and heard a mother saying to her daughter; "People will come out to collect the milk in the morning. We don't have a lot - add some water so we can get a good price." **************************** The daughter refused, to which the mother said: "It is not a big thing, Umar isn't watching." *************************** The daughter replied: "Mother, if Umar isn't watching, then Umar's Creator is watching." *************************** Hadrat Umar r.a. returned home, impressed with the young lady's faith. Upon awaking the next morning, he sent a message to that house that he wanted the girl of that house as his daughter-in-law. *************************** It was said from the marriage of Umar's son and this pious young woman led to the birth of the grandfather of the Great Ummayad Caliph, Umar Abdul Aziz who was famous with his integrity; in one story he was said to put off the state lamp and lighted his own private one when discussing family matters with his son! ************************ These were times when people were evaluated on their basis of their sincerity and character, not in how many eduction degrees they had or how many houses they owned. *************************** On another occasion Hadrat Umar r.a. was travelling and came upon a shepherd herading sheep in what appeared to be a barren wasteland, with no settlement in sight. ************************** He asked whether the sheep belonged to the shepherd who replied that he had a master. Hadrat Umar r.a. offered him food but the shepherd said that he was fasting. ************************* Hadrat Umar r.a. was amazed that he was fasting in such heat and decided to test him. Hadrat Umar r.a.offered to pay for a sheep that they could sacrifice and eat, but the shepherd said that he must first ask permission from his master. ***************************** Hadrat Umar r.a. said; "Your master is not here, neither is he watching. The shepherd then replied; "My master may not be here, but Allah SWT is every where." ********************** Hadrat Umar r.a. was amazed at this man sincerity and steadfastness. We should reflect on whether such people are today and how we can become like them." ************************* In facing hard times such as during the price hike in necessary items leaders should adhere to their 'Kepimpinan Melalui Teladan' slogan. But in reality, are they following the footsteps of Umar al-Khattab or Umar Abdul Aziz? ***************************** Leaders keep on saying that the rakyat will have to sacrifice in facing difficulties in the future. They tell the rakyat to follow their many suggestions, among others spending wisely on necessities only and changing lifestyes like adopting car pooling and travelling on public transport. *************************** The question here is, does the slogan 'Ubah Gaya Hidup Anda' apply only on the rakyat; do leaders have 'special rights' not to abide to their very own recommendation? ************************* In true sense, everyone should make sacrifices during these hard times. ************************ Regarding the escalating prices of necessary items, undoubtedly the most badly hit are the people in the low income bracket. To these people I sympathize with them; perhaps by learning the Islamic way in dealling with such problems, it could sooth us in our lives. *************************** In life we have to be always grateful and thankful for the things we have and the blessings of Allah SWT would be showered upon us. Regarding 'the things' we have, these are categorized into two aspects - one worldly (material) matters and the other religious matters (obligations). ************************* If we are in the habit of making comparison with others, if is regarding worldly matters (such as having a hard time to fulfill our basic requirements that are food, clothing and shelter) we should look down to those less lucky than us so that we would feel grateful and thankful to Allah SWT; but if regarding religious obligations, it is the opposite. ********************** We should look up to those on the higher steps of the ladder (for example a person had performed hajj, we have not); only then calmness would be showered upon us. As for material matters to have calmness we must look down to those have not but regarding religious obligations we mut try our best to be closer to Allah SWT and His Prophet s.a.w. by each day. *************************** If you as a father had work hard to have food laid on the family table; be happy and grateful to The Almighty because you had seek them accordingly to 'syariah' (halal) and not through 'the crooked' (haram) way. ************************ Even the food is barely enough, be gratefuland thankful because Allah SWT promises increased favors for those who are grateful. He says (what means): “And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you (in favor); but if you deny, indeed My punishment is severe.'” (Quran 14: 7) ********************** By not bringing in 'haram' (forbidden) income including food into your home, than you are in His straight path because He says: "O! You who believe, save yourself and your families from Hell-fire, whose fuel are humans and stones (idols) over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded." (At-Tahrim 66:6) ************************** On why we were sent into this world, in 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." *************************** So as a reminder, serve Allah SWT well whether you are poor or rich; you are rakyat or leader because all are accountable to Him. ********************************** It takes two to tango - if leaders are like Umar al-Khattab and Umar Abdul Aziz, their rakyat will be like the pious young lady and the shepherd mentioned above but if they are murderers and corrupt leaders they would produce notorious rakyat!

'Apabila masuk tak boleh, keluar pun tak boleh'...

****************Dengan nama Allah Yang Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.********************Renungan***************Ingatlah ketika Tuhanmu berfirman kepada para malaikat: “Sesungguhnya Aku hendak menjadikan seorang khalifah di muka bumi”. Mereka berkata: “Mengapa Engkau hendak menjadikan (khalifah) di bumi itu orang yang akan membuat kerosakan padanya dan menumpahkan darah, padahal kami senantiasa bertasbih dengan memuji Engkau dan mensucikan Engkau?” Tuhan berfirman: “Sesungguhnya Aku mengetahui apa yang tidak kamu ketahui." (Al Baqarah: 30) ************************ BARU-BARU ini, penulis 'berkampung' di sebuah hospital hampir seminggu lamanya apabila ibu penulis yang disyaki menghidap denggi dimasukkan ke dalam sebuah wad besar yang kesemua penghuninya ada kaitan dengan penyakit itu! ************************* Berdasarkan ramainya penghuni wad denggi, tahulah penulis penyakit ini tersangat serius di bumi Hang Tuah. Seorang petugas kerajaan memberitahu Melaka kini muncul sebagai negeri ketiga di tanah air yang mempunyai kes denggi tertinggi. Itulah negeri kecil tetapi macam cili padi - yang baik dan buruk semuanya ada di sini - hampir menepati satu slogan kebanggaan negeri 'Di Melaka, segalanya bermula!' *********************** Pengalaman berada di hospital sungguh baik untuk 'orang mencari diri' seperti penulis. Dengan 'menyibuk' ke sana sini di kawasan hospital yang luas itu, dapatlah penulis belajar sedikit sebanyak erti kehidupan - menyaksikan kepayahan orang terutama pesakit cukup menginsafkan; akan terasalah betapa kita tidak cukup bersyukur kepada Yang Maha Berkuasa dan berterima kasih kepada sesama manusia terutama insan yang dekat dengan kita seperti ibu bapa, anak isteri, saudara-mara dan rakan taulan. ******************************* Mendekati sejumlah pesakit segera mendatangkan keinsafan. Seorang 'pakcik' yang disyaki menghidap kanser usus memberitahu: "Saya baru menjalani pembedahan, tebuk lubang di perut untuk buang najis. Kini saya saya pakai beg najis plastik. Masalah saya sekarang, apa yang saya makan dan minum semuanya terkeluar balik." ******************************* Ya, 'pakcik' ini menghadapi ujian sungguh berat. Nak 'masukkan makanan' pun tak boleh, 'nak keluarkan' pun azab. Berceloteh mengenai 'bab sukar nak mengeluarkan' ini, ada kaum kerabat saya yang terkena penyakit prostat dan batu karang memberitahu betapa 'seksa' apabila tidak boleh kencing. Bayangkan deritanya apabila terasa terlalu nak kencing tapi tak boleh kencing. Demikian juga penyakit seperti buasir dan sembelit, tak boleh nak berak-berak. Ughhh, sakitnya. ************************* Belas saya melihat melihat 'pakcik' pesakit kanser usus itu, tetapi apa nak dikata, demikian pusingan roda kehidupan - ada kalanya kita sakit dan ada kalanya kita sihat. Saya hanya mampu melihat dan mendoakan di samping mengingatkan diri bahawa nasib diri sendiri pun kita tak tahu; hari ini kita sihat mungkin esok lusa kita jatuh sakit. ********************************* Namun jika direnung-renungkan, masa sihat kita sebenarnya jauh lebih banyak daripada masa sakit kita. Sebelum jatuh sakit, tentunya kita sihat tetapi berapa ramai daripada kita dapat memanfaatkan masa sihat itu mematuhi perintah dan larangan Yang Maha Kuasa. Ada hadis menyebut jagalah lima perkara sebelum datang lima perkata; salah satunya ingatlah masa sihat sebelum datangnya sakit. **************************** Melihat pesakit-pesakit terlantar di katil cukup menginsafkan; apabila nikmat sihat 'digantung' oleh Allah SWT, sebahagian kita barulah teringat untuk buat kebaikan itu dan ini; teringat untuk ke masjid, teringat untuk ziarah menziarahi saudara mara dan sebagainya. Namun apakan daya, ketika berada di katil pesakit itu, usahkan nak buat amalan sunat, nak solat lima waktu pun terasa betapa sukar sekali. **************************** Demikianlah manusia akan hilang apa dia nikmati. Kebanyakan orang tidak menyedari nikmat dicurahi Illahi yang dianggap biasa seperti kemampuan bercakap, melihat dan berjalan hatta kencing dan berak sehingga ia ditarik balik. Manusia menang tidak menginsafinya sehinggalah ‘mulut mereka dipenuhi tanah’ (maksudnya sudah berada dalam kubur). Sesudah mati barulah diketahui nikmat hidup. ************************* Seorang ustaz dalam kuliah mingguannya di masjid berhampiran rumah penulis ketika membentangkan permasalahan nikmat ini menarik perhatian penulis. Katanya, nikmat itu hanya dapat dirasai apabila berlaku perkara bertentangan; misalnya nikmat sihat dirasai apabila seseorang itu sakit; nikmat membuang najis selepas tidak boleh berbuat demikian, nikmat berjalan selepas kaki tiada; nikmat kaya selepas jatuh miskin; dan nikmat berkeluarga selepas bercerai-berai. ***************************** Ustaz itu berkata nikmat Allah SWT tersangat banyak, tidak terhitung manusia. Beliau membawa kisah seorang lelaki bani Israil yang beribadat ratusan tahun, kemudian mendakwa dia memasuki syurga kerana banyaknya amalannya. Allah memerintahkan ditimbang amalan dia dengan nikmat sebelah matanya; ternyata timbangan mata itu lebih berat menyebabkan dia dilemparkan ke dalam neraka. ********************************** Seorang Muslim perlu menyedari nikmat terbesar Allah SWT kepadanya adalah Islam, iman dan tergolong umat Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. Kata ustaz tidak guna menjadi kaya atau berkuasa tetapi tidak termasuk dalam golongan ini. Katanya, umat Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. sangat beruntung kerana nabi-nabi pun mahu menjadi umat rasul akhir zaman tetapi tidak terlaksana. *********************** Jika kita masih ada ibu bapa, syukurilah nikmat ini kerana banyak orang ibu bapa mereka sudah meninggal dunia. Orang yang masih ada ibu bapa tidak menyedari nikmat ini sehinggalah mereka tiada. ************************ Seorang rakan memberitahu dia tersangat rindukan ibu bapanya. Malangnya mereka sudah tiada. “Apabila hari raya, berhajat jua pulang ke kampung tetapi untuk apa? Ayah dan ibu sudah tiada, jadi saya tidak terpanggil untuk pulang,” katanya sayu. ****************************** Perlu juga diingatkan; bukan saja ibu bapa kita sudah dan akan 'pergi', kita juga akhirnya akan pulang ke kampung halaman kita. Kampung apakah itu? Itulah kampung akhirat (kubur) yang tiada jalan untuk kita lari daripadanya. Kita dimasukkan ke dalamnya tetapi untuk keluar tidak sekali-kali! ************************** Jadi ingat-ingatlah masa hidup sebelum matinya kita!

Quality goods for the rich, cheap ones for the rakyat?

***************** In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ***************** Reflection ******************** "Do not spy one another, nor let any of you backbite others..." (Hujurat 49: 12) ************************ AS a 'pensioner' who has to cut on cost of living, I have opted cycling for short journeys such as going to the 'masjid' especially for 'subuh' (dawn) prayers when the air is cool and to buy grocery items and newspapers at shops in the neighborhood. ************************* After cycling for a few months, I realize one shortcoming using the bicycle; its tubes inside the wheels can easily deflate or puncture. *************************** When cycling on roadsides, the bicycle wheels are prone to hit sharp objects and broken glass usually located there. ************************* When luck is with me, a tube may last a month or more but there are times when I need to change the tubes every now and then. Once I had to change the tubes two times in a day - one in the morning and one in the late afternoon after the tube concerned punctured! ************************* I asked the Chinese 'towkay' who runs the bicycle repair shop why these tubes easily get punctured. ***************************** He answered; "Well business is like that. If the tubes punctured often; then our shop would be receiving many customers. If the tubes last long, then business would be difficult for us. *************************** "If 'lu' (you) want tubes that are hard to puncture, then buy the expensive ones. The ones that are often sold are 'koman' (of low quality) made in Malaysia at only RM7. The expensive one is at RM10 each; you want which one?" **************************** Since the 'towkay' was also trading motorcycles, I asked him about motorcycles tubes. He said the 'Made in Malaysia' one is RM8 each while the imported one would be RM15 each. He claimed that the imported ones from Thailand was of high quality; it was thick compared to the local product which was very thin. ****************************** "If you want tubes that are difficult to puncture, then buy the imported ones. You just add a few more ringgits, I 'guarenteed' you could used the tubes for a long period of time," suggested the shop owner. ***************************** "So you want which one? The RM7 one or RM10? Don't think too long. You better take the imported one. This time 'lu' (you) are lucky. Next month the price of this item would surely rise!" **************************** Talking about local and imported products; a friend who is an 'old timer' have this to say: "Products from this part of the world including our country are of 'low quality' - they were not at par with those from 'mat salih' (Western countries) such as England. For example bicycles with 'R' (Raleigh) trademark are 'robust', they could be used for years. It's steel still looked shinny even after 10 years. **************************** "But local produced bicycles or from countries in this region, their steel parts get rusty after a few years or even months usage. After being used a year or two, the bicycles broke down and were left to rust at trunks of trees including near the chicken scoop. **************************** The question is could we produce high quality products and most importantly at cheap prices? *************************** A friend quipped: "You want a 'high quality' product yet at a cheap price, then you produce it yourself-lah." *************************** Talking about 'cheap products' during the Eid Adha celebration I found out that there is no such item because prices of almost all necessities have soared to a very high level that sent shivers to ordinary housewives and part-time 'house-husbands' like me! ***************************** As buying pf fresh items such as fish and vegetables lays on my shoulder, I know the prices of those necessities are too expensive and keep on soaring. I found out that the most expensive product nowadays is 'udang' (prawns) which soared to RM30 per kilogram! Perhaps at this price, 'udang' is almost beyond the reach of the ordinary 'rakyat'. ******************************* Nowadays local 'daging lembu' (meat) is RM20 and above a kilogram, chicken is about RM9 a kilogram and even the humble 'ikan cencaru' which is labeled as the poor man's food is about RM12 per kilogram, For the rich man's diet such as 'ikan parang' and 'tenggiri', the prices would soar to around RM25-RM30 a kilogram. It is almost out of reach for the ordinary rakyat. ****************************** So expensive food is exclusively for the rich while poor food is exclusively for the poor? If this is the case, in which direction is actually our country heading? **************************** Perhaps with a daily budget of RM10 (an allocation of RM300 a month for wet items such as fish and vegetables), a housewife would face difficulties in running her kitchen. ******************************* The irony of it is when the people are suffering with this 'barang naik' (price raising) syndrome; some leaders keep on telling the people to spend on necessary items only and "please do it' at Kedai 1-Malaysia which offers goods at a very low price. **************************** I have never gone to any of these 'kedais' but I do hope they would offer quality goods at cheap prices. ********************************** I too hope that our leaders would go to these 'kedais' to do their shopping; so please cancel your wives planned extravaganza trips to Dubai, London and Paris. Perhaps items sold here including bags are at par with those sold in the three cities! ******************************** The truth is that fake Birkin handbags sold here are cheap but of low quality compared to the original one; so is the fake one specially made and designed for the 'rakyat' while the original one is only for the rich, famous and powerful few?

Pemimpin mewah tetapi rakyat derita

************************* DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. *************************** Renungan ************************** Dia-lah Yang Awal dan Yang Akhir, dan Yang Zahir serta Yang Batin; dan Dia-lah Yang Maha Mengetahui akan tiap-tiap sesuatu. (Surah Al-Hadid, ayat 3) **************************** Pembaziran melampau dan ketidak-tirisan dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara setiap tahun seolah-olah menunjukkan negara kita terlalu mewah namun sejumlah rakyat terutama pemimpin yang diamanahkan untuk mentadbir dan mengurus kewangan negara adalah pengkhianat kepada agama, negara dan bangsa. *********************** Bayangkan apa tidak membazirnya jika aktiviti lagha (kumpulan muzik K-pop Korea) dibayar jutaan ringgit untuk satu persembahan sedangkan masih ada rakyat di pedalaman terutama di Sabah dan Sarawak belum menikmati 'api dalam kaca' dan 'air dalam besi'! ******************************* Kini sesetengah pemimpin itu kerap kali mendabik dada dan dihebahkan secara-besaran oleh media massa tajaan mereka kononnya apa dinikmati sekarang ini (kekayaan dan kemewahan) adalah hasil kebijaksanaan mereka mentadbir negara termasuk mengurus ekonomi, pihak lain tidak pandai, justeru hanya mereka layak memerintah negara ini. ******************************* Tentunya jika dilihat secara zahir, seolah-olah benar apa yang direpekkan oleh pemimpin-pemimpin berkenaan. Benar sejumlah rakyat kelihatan hidup mewah tetapi persoalannya golongan manakah ini? Apakah 'golongan feudal' saja mahu kaya dulu, kini dan selamanya sedangkan rakyat bawahan hidupnya kais pagi makan pagi dan kais petang makan petang. ************************** Allah SWT telah melempahkan sumber alam yang cukup kaya kepada negara ini – petroleum, kelapa sawit, getah dan sebagainya – tetapi apakah kekayaan ini mendasar kepada kehidupan majoriti rakyat terutama yang tinggal di desa dan pedalaman? ************************** Jika dari segi ekonomi dan taraf hidup sesetengah rakyat ketinggalan terlalu jauh, kini masalah sosial pula menambah derita dan ketakutan rakyat kebanyakan. Jenayah seperti pembunuhan, perompakan, ragut, rogol, zina dan membuang bayi semakin menjadi-jadi. Daripada setinggi-tinggi jenayah berprofil tinggi termasuk pembunuhan warga asing termasuk dari Mongolia sehingga pembulian di sekolah, semuanya membimbangkan, membayangkan terlalu banyak perkara tidak beres dalam masyarakat kita. **************************** Jenayah kejam yang tidak terfikirkan dulu seperti anak membunuh bapa dan anggota keluarga lain termasuk suami isteri, perlu dimuhasabah; apa sebenarnya sudah menimpa masyarakat kita? Apa sebenarnya sudah berlaku kepada generasi muda yang kita didik di sekolah-sekolah kita hari ini? **************************** Kita percaya ada kaitan antara jenayah yang semakin menjadi-jadi dan moral masyarakat yang semakin buruk ini dengan kemewahan dalam negara yang didakwa pemimpin berkenaan. Kita bimbang jika berlaku istidraj, iaitu adalah pemberian nikmat Allah kepada manusia yang mana pemberian itu tidak diredai-Nya. ********************** Rasullulah s. a. w. bersabda: ”Apabila kamu melihat bahawa Allah Taala memberikan nikmat kepada hambanya yang selalu membuat maksiat(durhaka),ketahuilah bahawa orang itu telah diistidrajkan oleh Allah SWT.”(Diriwayatkan oleh At-Tabrani, Ahmad dan Al-Baihaqi) ************************ Tetapi, manusia termasuk pemimpin yang durhaka dan sering berbuat maksiat yang terkeliru dengan pemikirannya merasakan bahawa nikmat yang telah datang kepadanya dan pengampunya adalah kerana Allah berserta dan kasih dengan perbuatan maksiat mereka. ************************* Sekarang kita dapat saksikan betapa sejumlah pemimpin dan rakyat (pengampu) yang bermaksiat seperti terbabit dalam amalan rasuah, perjudian dan jenayah seksual, hidup mereka semakin senang dan masih berkuasa dan berkedudukan tinggi. Mereka masih memegang jawatan tinggi termasuk dalam parti politik. ************************ Sebagai kebalikannya, orang taat dan baik termasuk pemimpin, ramai yang hidup sederhana saja malah ada yang susah. Manusia istidraj adalah orang yang lupa daratan. Walaupun berbuat maksiat, dia merasa Allah menyayanginya. Mereka memandang hina kepada orang yang beramal, mereka tidak tahu sebenarnya, Allah memberikan nikmat yang banyak dengan tujuan untuk menghancurkan mereka. Manusia, apabila mendapat nikmat, cuba hendak melawan Allah SWT, termasuk hukum-Nya. Hukum hudud diperlekehkannya, ingatlah Firaun yang ada segala-galanya itu pun akhirnya binasa, apalah sangat pemimpin dan rakyat takabur negara ini! ******************* Buktinya, Firaun. Nikmatnya tak terkira, tidak pernah sakit, bersin pun tidak pernah kerana Allah berikannya nikmat kesihatan. Orang lain selalu sakit, tapi Firaun tidak, orang lain mati, namun dia masih belum mati-mati juga, sampai rasa angkuh dan besar diri lantas mengaku dirinya tuhan. Tapi dengan nikmat itulah Allah binasakan dia. ******************* Namrud pula cuba membakar Nabi Ibrahim. Betapa besar pangkat Namrud? Dia begitu sombong dengan Allah, akhirnya menemui ajalnya hanya disebabkan seekor nyamuk masuk ke dalam lubang hidungnya. ************************ Tidak ada manusia hari ini sekaya Qarun. Anak kunci gudang hartanya sahaja kena dibawa oleh 40 ekor unta. Akhirnya dia ditenggelamkan bersama-sama hartanya sekali akibat terlalu takbur. Jadi kalau kita kaya, jangan sangka Allah sayang, Qarun lagi kaya, akhirnya binasa juga. ************************** Jadi, jika kita kaji dan fikir betul-betul, maka terjawablah segala keraguan yang mengganggu fikiran kita. Mengapa orang kafir kaya, dan orang yang berbuat maksiat hidup senang /mewah. Pemberian yang diberikan oleh Allah pada mereka bukanlah yang diredai-Nya. Rupa-rupanya ianya adalah bertujuan untuk menghancurkannya. Untuk apa hidup ini tanpa keredaan-Nya? *************************** Tetapi jangan pula ada orang kaya beribadat, masuk masjid dengan kereta mewah kita katakan itu istidraj. Orang naik pangkat, istidraj. Orang-orang besar, istidraj. Jangan! Orang yang mengunakan nikmatnya untuk kebajikan untuk mengabdi kepada Allah bukan istidraj. Dan jangan pula kita tidak mahu kekayaan. Kalau hendak selamat, hidup kita mesti ada pegangan. Bukan kaya yang kita cari, juga bukan miskin yang kita cari. *************************** Tujuan hidup kita adalah mencari keredaan Allah. Bagaimana cara untuk menentukan nikmat yang diredai Allah? Seseorang itu dapat menyedari hakikat yang sebenarnya tentang nikmat yang diterimanya itu ialah apabila dia bersyukur nikmatnya. ************************* Dia akan mengunakan pemberian ke jalan kebaikan dan sentiasa redha dan ikhlas mengabdikan diri kepada Allah. Maka segala limpah kurnia yang diperolehi itu adalah nikmat pemberian yang diredai Allah. Apabila tujuan hidup kita untuk mencari keredaan Allah, niscaya selamatlah kita di dunia dan akhirat.

Sudah tua, tetapi menyimpan untuk masa depan?

***************************** Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ****************************** Renungan ******************************* Hadis riwayat Abu Hazim, daripada Abu Hurairah yang dikeluarkan oleh Muslim, bermaksud: "Tidak akan hancur dunia ini (kiamat) hingga ada seorang laki-laki yang melewati kuburan lalu ia berguling-guling di atasnya seraya berkata, 'alangkah baiknya sekiranya aku berada di tempat penghuni kubur ini.' Hal ini bukan kerana faktor agama tetapi kerana adanya musibah." ******************************* KADANG-KADANG saya menceritakan kepada rakan-rakan akan kisah ini yang membuat kami tergelak besar. Ada seorang tua bukan Islam, usianya lebih 70 tahun, tidak lama dulu dipilih sebagai penyimpan terbaik sebuah bank. Saya yang 'berfikiran jahat' berkata; "apa nak fikir masa depan lagi...kan kubur sudah kata mari!" ******************************* Secara kebetulan baru-baru ini saya ada menerima e-mel daripada seorang rakan yang memberi panduan bagaimana untuk 'terus selamat' pada usia tua yang pada penghujung artikel dinyatakan...paling penting sekali WANG! Inilah 'kuasa terakhir' anda ketika usia tua. ******************************* "Jika kamu tiada wang pada usia tua, tiada siapa, hatta anak kamu sekalipun tidak akan mendekati anda. Jika kamu tiada wang, isteri kamu pun tidak akan hormat kamu. Jika kamu tiada wang ketika usia tua kamulah parasit. Wang boleh 'membeli kuasa' apabila kamu sangat perlukannya masa tua kamu. Tiada wang, tiada bicara! ************************ "Maaf, tetapi ini adalah benar! Tiada wang bermakna tiada 'sayang', tiada percutian, tiada kawan, tiada kehidupan sosial, tiada panggilan telefon, tiada e-mel, tiada apa-apa dan tiada WAIN." Apabila disebut 'wain' fahamlah kita bahawa ini adalah panduan hidup untuk orang bukan Islam. Bagi sesetengah mereka, wang adalah segala-galanya apatah lagi ketika menghadapi usia tua. Tiada wang tiada bicara. Apakah ini bermakna jika artikel ini TIDAK DIBAYAR (tiada wang) maka saya akan berhenti setakat ini saja...'bye,bye'! **************************** ...namun saya menyambungnya semula. Ini kerana saya orang Islam yang panduan hidup saya adalah al-Quran dan hadis yang ditafsirkan dan dihuraikan oleh ulama. **************************** Berlawanan daripada apa disyorkan cendekiawan Barat mengenai kepentingan mempunyai wang yang banyak pada usia senja, sesetengah ulama mengesyorkan seseorang itu sentiasa mengingati mati dan berusaha keras menjalani kehidupan berpandukan perintah Allah SWT, apatah lagi apabila umur sudah lanjut. *************************** Ulama menegaskan bahawa usia tua adalah tanda hampir kematian. Namun tidak dinafikan ada 'putik kelapa pun jatuh'. Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ada bersabda bermaksud: "Masa penuaian umur umatku dari 60 hingga 70 tahun." (Riwayat Imam Muslim dan Nasai) *********************** Tidak kira si kaya atau si miskin, tua atau muda, raja atau perdana menteri berupaya mengelakkannya. Yang pasti kematian itu pasti datang dan inilah digeruni semua orang apatah lagi orang sudah tua. Tua adalah sinonim dengan kematian. *************************** Jadi, mempunyai WANG BANYAK pada masa tua bukanlah sesuatu yang berupaya mendamaikan anda. Ini adalah pandangan sarjana Barat, jadi marilah kita tinjau kehidupan orang tua di Barat bagi mengetahui sama ada mereka bahagia atau tidak. *************************** Pengalaman saya di negara Barat tidaklah banyak namun saya adunkan dengan apa yang dilihat dan alami oleh rakan-rakan yang tinggal di negara berkenaan bagi renungan kita bersama. **************************** Orang tua Barat zahirnya bahagia...tetapi kata sesetengah kawan saya hakikatnya tidak begitu. Mereka sebenarnya hidup kekosongan, tiada pegangan. *********************** Masa tua mereka dihabiskan dengan bersungguh-sungguh melakukan aktiviti keduniaan agar dapat melupakan kesepian dan kekosongan diri. Maka ramailah pasangan tua yang suka 'shopping'. Ada yang membeli sesuatu barang, tetapi tak lama kemudian menjualnya di 'car boot sale' sekalipun belum pernah menggunakannya. *************************** Jika orang Islam beriman ada matlamat kehidupan iaitu menuju keredaan Illahi, apakah yang dapat dilakukan oleh orang tak beragama yang tidak percaya kepada hari kebangkitan semula? **************************** Mereka percaya bahagia ada di dunia saja, selepas berlaku kematian tamatlah kisah hidup mereka; jadi mungkinkah sebab ini mereka mengatakan WANG adalah perkara terpenting pada masa tua. 'Tiada wang tiada bicara, jadi saya berhenti di sini sajalah!'