Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 174

Counting the dry days to 'gaji' time...

********************** In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ********************** Reflection *********************** “Invite to the way of your Rabb with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious, for your Rabb knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." (An-Nahl: 125) ************************** AS I am writing this article, it is only the 17th day of the month. 'Gaji' (pay time) is still a long way to go. ******************** But as I checked the monthly allowance on household daily items to be bought for my family that I put inside an envelope; I found a last note of RM50. ********************* That money quickly finished when I bought a cylinder of gas at RM28 and a whole fresh chicken at RM20 and the balance was barely enough to buy a newspaper! ********************** How are my family and I going to survive the remaining 'long dry days' before 'gaji' time? (I am still receiving payment at the end of the month for my work as a part time worker). Well readers, this scenario I believe is common amongst many families throughout the country. *********************** Many have to dig on their savings to meet end needs; and those who do not have any, sought help from family members, friends and some to the extent of borrowing money from those feared 'ah longs'! ************************ Why is our money fast dissapearing from our pockets or 'envelopes' (as in my case)? One reason is that the prices of necessities keep on soaring; for example the chicken that I bought was priced at RM9 a kilogram! Oh, it was too expensive; but I have not much choice; for example a few days before that I bought local beef at RM20 a kilogram and on another day I bought the 'humble' ikan cencaru at RM10 per kilogram. ********************** Nowadays, as buying of fresh items such as fish and vegetables lays on my shoulder, I know the prices of those necessities are expensive and keep on soaring; even 'ikan kembong' which is labeled as 'the poor man's food' is more than RM8 a kilogram. For 'the rich man's diet' such as 'ikan parang' and 'tenggiri', the prices would soar to around RM20-RM25 a kilogram. ************************** Perhaps a small family (consisting of a father, mother and one or two children) with a daily budget of RM10 (an allocation of RM300 a month for wet items such as fish and vegetables), a housewife or a 'house-husband' (nowadays some husbands have taken the role of the house-keeper!), would face difficulties in running her/his kitchen. *********************** In Malay, people wound say: "Tak berasaplah dapur" (no cooking because of insufficient items). ************************** This scenario might be the reason why some small families prefer to buy 'nasi bungkus' (wrapped rice) to their own cooking. If a 'nasi bungkus' costs RM5, then two 'nasi bungkus' for a husband and wife would just cost RM10 where else preparing one's food in the kitchen would costs more because of the high prices of fresh items and ingredients. But to get a 'nasi bungkus' for RM5 is difficult these days as most 'warongs' (food stalls) charge between RM6 to RM10 for a 'nasi bungkus' depending on the dish one chooses. ************************* Regarding the high prices of chicken; instead of searching for a way out, a federal minister was quoted as saying the people should boycott eating it. If the price of chicken is high, do not eat chicken, he said. Did the minister realize that compared to chicken, the prices of other fresh products such as beef and fish is much higher. Local beef is between RM20 to RM24 a kilogram while 'good quality' fish such as 'kerapu', 'siakap' and 'bawal' are outside the reach of the ordinary rakyat for their two times daily meals. ************************* If we keep on thinking that it would be difficult or troublesome to sustain our days, especially during the 'long dry days' before 'gaji' time, we woud always be having not enough on almost everything. *********************** But why not beginning this Ramadan we try a 'new approach' (to some people - including me) way out by doing away with the strereotyped mind that money is everything; without money we would not be able to do anything. Well, if you think as a layman that is true because to use toilets in town too you have to have money! ************************ Not long ago, I had read a book about 'the magic and miracle of 'sadaqa' (giving alms or charity). When one gives charity or sadaqa in the way of Allah for Allah’s Pleasure Alone, hoping to get His reward from Allah in the Hereafter, he is confirming with this action of his that Allah and the coming of the Last Day are ‘haqq’ and the truth. ************************ He believes with certainty in Allah and the Last Day, otherwise he would never give away his wealth, which he loves for nothing in return. By doing this he is confirming the truth. What he has said with his mouth, he has confirmed with his actions, and that is why Allah has promised to honor the person who gives sadaqa in His Way, in this World and the Hereafter. ************************ Even the renowned profesional speaker on motivation nowadays, Prof Dr Muhaya Muhammad often stressed this point - what you give is what you get. Allah says in the Glorious Quran, Chapter 2, Surah Baqarah, verse 261: The charity of those who expend their wealth in the way of Allah may be likened to a grain of corn, which produces seven ears and each ear yields a hundred grains. Likewise Allah develops manifold the charity of anyone He pleases, for He is All-Embracing, All-Wise. ************************** A preacher noted that Allah provides the formula for the minimum reward for the charity of a believer. If you spend RM1.00 in the way of Allah, has promised return is 7x100 = 700 times; ie. RM700.00 for a RM1.00 investment! For those of you who are accountants and businessmen, can you even imagine a 700% guaranteed return on investment and maybe even more! Allah is Most Gracious, Most Merciful. ***************************** Imam Ali Abi Thalib noted that the reward of charity is increased 10 times. So dear readers when you received your 'gaji' at the end of the month, why not allocate a small part of it for charity. Say your 'gaji' is RM2,000; after receiving the money why not immediately part away RM100 for 'sadaqah'. *************************** Also don't forget your parents share; perhaps you should give them RM200. And why not slot RM1 inside the 'Tabung Masjid' (Masjid Fund) every time you go to the masjid for 'subuh' (dawn) prayers? Remember there are angels praying for goodness upon those who give charity in the early mornings! *************************** If you do this things constantly (istiqamah); then you would realize that there would always be a 'helping hand' when you 'enter' your dry days. But the help is not always in the form of money or material gains but by other ways that you do not expect. In the Qur'an, Allah SWT promises: "And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him (his needs) from where he does not expect.” (At-Talaq, 65: 2,3) *********************** One very important reward that Allah SWT bestowes to those who do charity sincerely is the understanding of religion (knowledge). Regarding 'the have not situation' such as finishing our money at the middle of the month; if we have knowledge, we could feel that situation was nothing compared to what Allah SWT has in store for us whether in this world or Hereafter. ************************ You would realize that a good Muslim does not really need to toil to grap all worldly pleasures (ignoring its halal and haram status) including food because there are many verses of Allah and His prophet states so. For example; in a hadith from Abu Hurairah - Radi Allaahu anhu– who said the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said: "A Muslim eats for one stomach, and a non-Muslim eats for seven stomachs." (Collected by Malik, Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majah and others) ************************** In another hadith, from Al-Miqdad bin Ma’d Yakrib -Radhi Allaahu anhu - who said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- saying: "A human does not fill a more evil container than a stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat small portions by which his back can remain straight. If it is not possible, then he should reserve his stomach, a third for his food, third for his drink and a third for his breathing." (Collected by Tirmidhi and he declared it to be Hasan, and by Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibban & Albaani) ************************* What a good Muslim needs is so little, so why worry if all your 'gaji sudah habis' (your salary all gone) by the middle of the month. Insya-Allah (God willing), He would provides for you till the end of the month and more importantly during your lifetime in this world and the Hereafter. ***************************** You must believe this for He says: "And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him (his needs) from where he does not expect."

Ketika muda mahu ubah dunia, sudah tua...

**************** DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. *************** Renungan ****************** Daripada Aisyah r.a., berkata: "Saya mendengar Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda: 'Semua manusia dikumpulkan tanpa memakai alas kaki, telanjang dan belum dikhatan.' Aisyah bertanya; 'Apakah antara lelaki dan perempuan akan saling melihat antara satu dengan yang lain?' Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda: 'Urusan pada hari itu lebih dahsyat daripada mementingkan hal-hal seperti itu.'" (HR. Bukhari dan Muslim) ************* SEORANG cendekiawan tempatan mengungkapkan: "Semasa muda, saya bersemangat mengubah dunia, apabila dewasa saya kurangkan hasrat itu kepada mengubah negara, kemudian dikendurkan lagi kepada mengubah masyarakat dan kini dalam usia meniti tua, saya putuskan untuk mengubah diri sendiri setelah keluarga pun tidak mampu saya mengubahnya." ******************** Demikianlah semakin matang diri kita, kesedaran mula datang dalam diri bahawa sebenarnya kita tidak berupaya mengubah apa-apa - sebenarnya kita hanya boleh berusaha, yang mengubahnya adalah Yang Berkuasa! Perhatikan dalam usaha dakwahnya, Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. pun tidak mampu meng-Islamkan Abu Talib, bapa saudara baginda yang amat dikasihi malah Allah SWT memberi teguran kepada Nabi bahawa pemberian hidayah adalah milik-Nya. ******************* Namun amat-amatilah dalam usaha kita mengubah diri sendiri ke arah kebaikan, dengan izin-Nya (namun perlulah mematuhi perintah dan larangan-Nya termasuk mempertingkatkan doa), insya-Allah kita akan dapati orang di sekeliling kita 'malah dunia' turut berubah. Sebagai contoh mudah, jika dulu kita begitu liat untuk bersolat tetapi selepas cahaya keimanan memasuki diri, kita pun bersolat bersungguh-sungguh termasuk melakukan solat malam dan menangis mengenang dosa lampau; menangis mengenang nasib anak-anak yang tersasar, insya-Allah kita akan melihat anak isteri kita turut berubah. Hanya masa yang menentukan, jika kita tidak melihat mereka berubah semasa hayat kita, insya-Allah mereka akan berubah selepas kita meninggal dunia. Tidakkah kita beruntung mempunyai anak salih sebagai bekalan kita di alam kubur? ****************** Saya bawakan pandangan cendekiawan ini selepas terkesan dengan luahan seorang imam muda Palestin ketika tazkirah antara solat tarawih di masjid kampung saya baru-baru ini. Beliau mengkisahkan penderitaan rakyat Palestin akibat kezaliman rejim Zionis Yahudi dengan 'dunia buat tidak kisah saja'. Jika seorang askar Israel ditangkap dan dikurung oleh pejuang Palestin, seluruh dunia heboh tetapi apabila 1,000 rakyat Palestin termasuk kanak-kanak disembelih dunia tidak berkutik pun! ******************* Luahan imam Palestin itu membuatkan saya tak senang duduk. Benar seperti cendekiawan tempatan tadi, ketika muda saya pun ada semangat untuk mengubah dunia. Namun perubahan yang dimaksudkan itu adalah dalam kapasiti kemampuan seseorang itu. Sebagai wartawan, tentulah skop saya di bidang kewartawanan. Ditakdirkan saya diizinkan Allah untuk melihat konfik di sejumlah negara seperti Soviet Union, Afrika Selatan, Pakistan-Afghanistan, Iran dan Aceh (Indonesia) di mana saya berpeluang menemui sukarelawan dan ungkapan seorang daripada mereka benar-benar menyentuh hati saya. ********************* Katanya: "Janganlah perasan kita sudah menolong mangsa-mangsa ini. Kita sebenarnya hanya mahu merasakan sebahagian kecil daripada penderitaan mereka. Semuanya bagi membolehkan kita menjadi manusia lebih baik. Lebih memahami perasaan dan kesengsaraan orang. Kita akan tahu bagaimana rasanya berada dalam kedudukan mereka. Sebenarnya itu pun tak sama sebab kita boleh berangkat pulang sedangkan mereka..." ************************* Apa yang diluahkan oleh sukarelawan itu, pada pandangan saya ada kaitan dengan ibadat puasa yang kita jalani sekarang ini. Kita cuba memahami perasaan dan derita orang tidak berkemampuan. Orang yang tidak cukup makan atau tiada apa yang hendak dimakan. Bagi kita keadaan kita tidak makan itu akan berakhir pada waktu berbuka (iftar) tetapi mereka...? ******************* Dengan puasa sendirian kita tak mampu mengubah dunia; tetapi dengan berpuasa kita akan tahu dan sedar penderitaan orang lain termasuk di Palestin sana. Kita akan rasakan sebahagian kecil saja daripada apa yang orang Palestin rasakan. Jadi benarlah ungkapan cendekiawan tempatan tadi, kita tidak mampu mengubah dunia, tetapi insya-Allah dengan muhasabah dan muhajah, kita mampu mengubah diri kita sendiri. Jika dulu, kita tak berpuasa, berpuasalah sekarang kerana Allah. *********************** Apabila majoriti orang berubah ke arah kebaikan iaitu mengikuti semua hukum-hakam Islam termasuk berpuasa, tidakkah ia mendatangkan kesan cukup besar kepada masyarakat? Derita orang teraniaya termasuk orang Palestin akan terasa di hati orang benar-benar berpuasa kerana Allah; mereka akan bersama-sama bangkit untuk memperjuangkan nasib orang dizalimi. Insya-Allah, Dia akan memberi pertolongan. ******************* Jika kita tidak mampu dari segi persenjataan dan material, doa dan pengaduan kepada Yang Maha Berkuasa amat bermakna. Inilah sebenar senjata sebenar orang mukmin, sepanjang sejarah Islam, terbukti sudah banyak kali golongan kecil dapat menewaskan golongan besar salah satu contoh terhebat adalah Perang Badar di mana tentera Muslimin seramai 313 orang dapat menewaskan lebih 1,000 tentera Musyrikin yang lengkap bersenjata pada bulan Ramadan pula! ******************** Jadi, benarlah ungkapan cendekiawan tadi, ubahlah diri anda ke arah kebaikan, insya-Allah dunia akan berubah bersama anda, bukan anda mahu mengubah dunia!

Ramadan - Be moderate with food; put aside 'puasa yang yok...'

*************** 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. **************** ********************** AMONGST members of a Malay family, this tune might be popular to the oldies - 'puasa yang yok, bangun pagi bukak periuk' - which literaly means a person waking up in the morning looking up for food from the cooking pot during the fasting month of Ramadan! ********************* This catching saying is to redicule a person who failed to observe the compulsory fasting of Ramadan. For about 30 days, every Muslim must observe 'sawm' which is the third obligation from the Five Pillars of Islam (Rukun Islam) that are shahadah (declaration that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His prophet), salat (praying five times daily), sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan), zakat (paying tithe) and hajj (to make a pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in a lifetime). ******************* Neverthess, there are people who are exempted from fasting; they included those in condition such as illness or disabilities, insanity, travel, pregnancy and menstruation. Those who are unable to fast are obliged to make up for it later on. ******************** In ayah 184 Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow), Allah SWT (The Greatest) mentioned: "(Fast) a certain number of days; and (for) him who is sick among you, or on a journey, (the same) number of other days; and those who can afford it there is a ranson; the feeding of a man in need - But whoso doeth good of his own accord, it is better for him: and that ye fast is better for you if ye did not know..." *************************** "Puasa yang yok, bangun pagi bukak periuk' clearly testifies that the Malays are 'serious' on fasting - that they could not take lightly on people who do not fast; it is a common knowledge that parents would urge or guide their children to fast at a very young age but sadly to say that there are families who do not pay serious attention to their children performing the second 'Rukun Islam' that is salat. *********************** Thus in society there are bound to be individuals who fast but do not say their five times compulsory daily prayers. They seemed not to realize that without performing salat, their good deeds in performing 'sawm' would be put on hold by Allah SWT. In a ‘hadith’ narrated by Darimi: Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah s.a.w. said: “Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness.” ******************** Ustaz Muhamad Abdullah Al-Amin who anchors a talk show on family matters over Radio IKIM on every Monday mornings, often stresses that the Malays are good and keen in fasting, the Arabs in reading the Qur'an while the Indians and Pakistanis in performing prayers. The Arabs could be seen reading the Qur'an almost everywhere at anytime for long period of time whereas the Indians and Pakistanis are keen in performing many of the recommended salat. ********************* Well, while the Malays 'are good' in fasting but when it comes to iftar (breaking of fast) however, many misunderstand it. Nowadays, with the galore of Ramadan bazaars and buffets, enticing those who fast especially in the tail end of the day, Malays tend to over do it at iftar. It is absolutely against the spirit of Islam,. It is meant to be a time of simplicity and moderation. It is said that Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. broke fast with just three dates before he went for maghrib (evening) prayers. ******************* Ramadan is about taking less food (because you can only eat after sunset) but the irony of it, Ramadan is the month where some Malaysian Muslims especially the Malays spend so much money on it and it is the time of the year when one could have 'exotic food ' including ‘kuih’ (cakes) never found on any other time such as 'badak berendam', 'tahi itik' and 'tepung pelita'. ******************* Ramadan teaches Muslims to be trift on their spending. But it is normal for a Malaysian Muslim family spending more during Ramadan especially on food, clothing and decoration of the house. Ramadan is the best time of the year for Muslims to double or triple his or her good deeds as required by Islam, teaches us to feel the pangs of hunger of the poor people of the world. ****************** It has been reported that one person in the world dies every three seconds because of hunger. So wasting of food is criminal. But how is the situation in our country and other rich Muslim nations where the word ‘hunger’ seemed ‘quite unfamiliar’ to us, and seemingly is happening in far faraway lands. In United Arab Emirates (UAE) it was reported that 500 tons of food are thrown away each year in the holy month of Ramadan! ***************** Malaysia is a food heaven - but it is also one giant food dump. It generates about 15,000 tonnes of food and kitchen waste daily - enough to fill 7.5 football fields or to feed 7.5 million people a day. This is a hike from 2011, where about 930 tonnes of unconsumed food were thrown away every day. And that was double the 2009 figure. In Kuala Lumpur alone, the waste comes up to about 3,000 tonnes a day while the Consumers Association of Penang claimed that the island alone generated 355 tonnes of food waste every day.Of the amount wasted, between 10 per cent and 15 per cent comprised unconsumed and expired food. ******************** The lavish meal of iftar, many say dishonor the spirit of the Muslim holy month - and create an immense a mount of waste. Muslims should be reminded to be moderate with food, and this call could be made by ‘imams’ during ‘tazkirah’ (short religious talk) while doing the optional mass ‘tarawih’ prayers in masjids (special night prayers perform only during Ramadan) or when giving ‘khutbah’ (sermons) on the first Friday prayer of Ramadan. ******************** During a 'tazkirah' at a masjid near my house recently, the 'ustaz' stressed that Muslims especially housewives should not spend too much time in kitchen during Ramadan to prepare food of various recipies and luxurious spreads. He said the time spend should be used to perform 'ibadah' (good deeds) to make one closer to Allah SWT. So, please benefit time fully during Ramadan. ******************* Muslims should work hard to gain maximum benefits from the gifts of Allah SWT during Ramadan. In this holy month, one ‘sunat’ (optional) deed done would be rewarded like a ‘wajib’ or ‘fardu’ (obligatory) deed, and a ‘fardu’ deed would be rewarded 70 times or more than in other months. We should not waste any time including spending too much time in the kitchen during Ramadan because it is very precious. “Grab the oppourtunities given by The Almighty by considering this is our last Ramadan. ****************** If it is our last, then we should do our best to please our Creator, Allah SWT. Every second counts thus fulfill it with activities in accordance to the Creator’s wish. Our Ramadan days should not be wasted by doing unrewarded deeds. Housewives who spend time in the kitchen too are advised to do ‘zikir’ (dhikir that is eulogizing Allah in the words taught by the Prophet or in the words prescribed in the Qur’an). *********************** One’s tongue should be wet with words of praising Allah SWT with the chants of ‘Laa Ilaha IllAllah (there is no God except Allah) which is the heaviest in weight in the side of Allah SWT. Then there are many more ‘kalimah’ that should be read such as ‘Subhanallah, Walhamdulillah, Wala Ilaha Illallah, Wallahuakbar’, Astaghfirullah al Lazi La Ilaha ‘illa Hual Hayyul Qayyum Wa Atubu Illahi’, ‘La Haula Wala Quwwata Illa Billah’, and ‘Subhanallahi Wabihamdihi Subhanallahil ‘Azim’. ************************** There is a hadith saying that chanting ‘Subhanallahi Wabihamdihi’ once, a ‘nakhlah’ tree would be planted for that person in Paradise. In doing our daily chores such as being in the kitchen, paying bills, waiting for public transport and even when one is trapped in a massive traffic jam, why not use the time to recite the above ‘kalimah’. These ‘kalimah’ should be chanted in full concentration for the maximum rewards by Allah SWT but for the ‘zikir selawat’ (praises to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.) its reciters' would also be rewarded even if his mind is not on what they recite, what more if he pays full attention to it. Among the simplest ‘selawat’ is ‘Allahumma Salli Ala Saiyidina Muhammad, Wa’ ala Ali Saiyidina Muhammad’. ************************* Those who spend too much time in the kitchen should realize a simple meal for iftar is enough, this is shown by the simple life of the Prophet s.a.w. who would be satisfied with bread, dates and vinegar. It has been established that the Prophet s.a.w. led a simple life, free of all pretence. With regard to his food, he always ate whatever was available, criticizing nothing. *************************** If he did not like something, he did not eat it, saying nothing against it. He always expressed gratitude for having any type of food, making clear that no matter how simple or humble the food available, God was to be praised for having provided it. Umm Hani’ was a cousin of the Prophet s.a.w. whom he frequently visited. She reports: “The Prophet came to my house once and asked if I had anything to eat. I said: ‘No, I have nothing except dry bread and vinegar.’ He said: ‘Bring it. Blessed is the house that has vinegar to go with bread.’” (Related by Al-Tirmidhi.) ********************** The Prophet's s.a.w. young wife, Aisha' reports: “God’s Messenger (s.a.w.) used to like sweet food and honey.” (Related by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.) He ate of these whenever they were available, but if things were scarce, he was content to have anything, even if it consisted of nothing other than bread and vinegar. ************************ Note that at the Prophet's s.a.w. house, a fire was not lit for days even months, signalling there was no food in his house. He did not refuse good food, and he did not go out of his way to seek it, rather he would eat what was available, but if it was not available he would be patient, and he would tie a stone to his stomach because of hunger! ************************ But what we have here, during iftar luxurious, exotic, tasty and good food were spread on the table; only a portion of it went inside our stomachs; the rest thrown into dustbins and drains! *********************** In conclusion, please think about thoroughly consumption of food of your daily diet either in Ramadan especially during iftar, or normal days. Be moderate and proper cosumption including give to poor or needy people is the best amongst any sadqa (charity).

Jiwa muda terperangkap dalam badan tua...

******************** Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ******************** Renungan ********************* "Dan janganlah kamu menghampiri zina, sesungguhnya zina itu adalah satu perbuatan yang keji dan satu jalan yang jahat yang membawa kerosakan." - Maksud Ayat al-Quran Surah al-Israa': 32 ************************* TIDAK lama dulu, rakan-rakan lama saya mengadakan satu majlis 'reunion' (perjumpaan semula). Ketika perpisahan puluhan tahun lalu, kami remaja yang menginjak ke usia dewasa. Pada pertemuan semula ini ada yang 'berkelakuan gila-gila' bagaikan remaja, hakikatnya kami adalah lelaki dewasa yang menginjak ke usia tua - 'dunia kata pergi, kubur kata mari!' ********************************* Seorang rakan mendapat teguran daripada seorang lagi rakan di laman sosial, mengapa dia berlagak begitu. Jawapannya mencetuskan pelbagai reaksi. Ada yang merasakan lucu, tidak kurang mengambil sikap 'selamba' manakala ada menyatakan rasa meluat mereka kepada pengakuan bahawa; "well, I am a young man trapped inside an old body" (aku seorang muda yang terperangkap.dalam tubuh seorang lelaki tua). *********************** Ada yang memberi komen: "Saya dari pusat ke atas saja nampak tua, dari pinggang ke bawah muda weh!" Berfikirlah dengan keras untuk memahami apa maksud 'mamat' ini! **************************** Cis, sudah tua mengaku muda pula. Sudahlah tu, perhati dan telitilah bagaimana berbezanya 'rasa badan' kita ketika berusia 20-an dulu berbanding 50-an kini. Ada seorang bijak pandai merumuskan begini: "Oohh, alangkah malangnya nasibku ketika tua, ketika mataku diperlukan untuk dibuka (seperti di kelas pengajian masjid malah ketika solat) dia kerap tertutup pula (tidur) tetapi apabila diperlukan untuk ditutup pada dinihari (tidur) ia terbuka pula (terjaga). ************************** Terlalu banyak perbezaan itu seperti pada waktu tua ini badan kerap terasa sengal-sengal manakala pelbagai 'penyakit tidak berjangkit' seperti kencing manis, darah tinggi, lemah jantung dan gaut mula menyerang menyebabkan seseorang itu tidak boleh lagi bermewah-mewah menikmati makanan sedap seperti durian, rambutan, hasil laut dan daging sebaliknya mungkin terpaksa berpuas hati dengan memakan bijirin, biskut dan roti kering saja! Ya, asyik-asyik bijiran dan roti kering walaupun wang dalam akaun bank bertimbun-timbun! ************************** Pada bulan Ramadan mulia ini, ketika kita menjalani ibadah puasa, eloklah saya celoteh atau ingatkan pembaca terutama yang masih muda itu supaya mempergunakan sepenuhnya masa muda itu untuk melakukan ibadah semaksimumnya, yalah sebelum kamu menjadi tua. Ada sebuah hadis menyebut, pergunakan lima sebelum datang lima iaitu masa mudamu sebelum tuamu; masa lapangmu sebelum sibuk; masa beradamu sebelum papa, masa sihatmu sebelum sakit dan masa hidupmu sebelum mati. **************************** Ya, banyak ibadat memerlukan tenaga; misalnya Ramadan ini untuk bertarawih 20 rakaat dan witir tiga rakaat, tidak boleh mata kita asyik-asyik nak tutup saja (tidur). Ramai orang tua larat melakukannya mengalahkan orang muda, tetapi banyak juga orang tua yang bukan saja tak larat untuk bertarawih dengan banyak rakaat itu (walaupun mereka berhajat melakukannya) tetapi untuk berpuasa pun mereka dah tak larat. ************************** Apabila sudah tua, apatah apabila penyakit 'sudah datang', sukarlah kita untuk menunaikan ibadat dengan selesa. Misalnya, jika Allah SWT uji kita dengan 'kerap-kerap kencing' atau 'kencing tak tos' atau tak boleh kencing (kerana pembesaran prostat -atau ada batu karang, nauzubillah), tahulah kita tinggi rendah dunia ini. Demikian juga jika kita 'dianugerahkan' penyakit gaut, untuk bergerak sikit saja sendi-sendi rasa berbisa apatah lagi untuk berdiri lama dan berbongkok ketika solat. Kemudian, apatah lagi jika kita sudah terlantar di katil di rumah atau wad hospital. Untuk menunaikan solat waktu yang wajib itu pun ramai yang tak buat apatah lagi nak buat ibadat sunat. ************************* Untuk menunaikan ibadah haji, seseorang itu juga perlu sihat tubuh badannya termasuk dari segi fizikalnya. Terlalu banyak aktiviti yang memerlukan pergerakan tubuh badan malah untuk berulang alik antara tempat kediaman dan Masjidilharam untuk solat waktu lima kali sehari semalam juga memerlukan kemantapan tubuh apatah lagi bagi menjayakan rukun dan wajib haji dan umrah seperti berwukuf di Arafah, bermalam di Mudzalifah dan Mina serta melontar di Jamrah. ********************* Demikianlah, pergunakah masa muda untuk memaksimumkan ibadat kita. Namun sebagai manusia, kita (termasuklah diri penulis) sentiasa leka, masih mahu hidup berpegang kepada keyakinan salah seperti apa diungkapan sahabat lama saya: "I am a young man trapped inside an old body!" ******************* Itulah ada orang bijak pandai berkata bahawa dalam kehidupan ini mudah benar seseorang itu tersadung; ketika kanak-kanak dan remaja, ilmu tiada pengalaman pun tiada jadi tersadunglah kita; kemudian apabila muda, tenaga banyak, ilmu dan pengalaman kurang maka tersadung juga kita; kemudian apabila sudah tua, ilmu dan pengalaman sudah banyak, malangnya tenaga sudah habis, maka akhirnya tersadung juga kita. ********************* Ya, orang tua ini asam garam kehidupannya sudah banyak dilalui tetapi tenaga sudah habis, jadi bagaimana dia mahu hidup bagaikan seorang pemuda berusia 20-an? Demikianlah betapa kebanyakan manusia mahu kembali ke zaman silamnya tetapi semua itu adalah fantasi, tak mungkin semalam atau kelmarin akan kembali apatah lagi yang sudah berlaku 10, 20, 30, 40 atau 50 tahun lalu. Namun di akhirat nanti akan ditanya, di mana dan ke manakah usia muda itu kamu habiskan! ******************** Ilmuan agama sentiasa mengingatkan bahawa usah dikenang detik sudah berlalu, yang kita ada saat sekarang, pergunakanlah waktu ini sebaik mungkin untuk memperbanyak bekalan ke akhirat nanti. Esok usah difikir kerana belum pasti sang matahari akan muncul. Selamat menjalani ibadah Ramadan!

Ramadan - Highlighting the plight of the Rohingyas

********************** In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ********************** Reflection *********************** “Invite to the way of your Rabb with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious, for your Rabb knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." (An-Nahl: 125) ************************** When I was in Makkah performing hajj a few years ago; while shopping with my wife, we got to know a textile trader, Ahmed who claimed he had migrated from Burma a few years back. ******************** "Myanmar," I corrected and reminded him about the new name of his former homeland. *********************** "No," he said. "The name is still Burma. We are Burma Muslims. We do not recognize that name given by the military junta. We are proud to be Burmese!" ******************** Now, years later when the plight of Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar has taken centre stage, slowly I begin to understand why the trader I met in Makkah, refused to acknowledge the new name of his former country - Myanmar. *********************** To him Burma was the exact name, the military junta's move in giving the country a new name (Myanmar) was not recongnized by certain groups of Burmese especially those living overseas. ******************** Burma Muslims are proud about their history in Burma. The first Muslims arrived in Burma's Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River delta, on the Tanintharyi coast in Rakhine in the 9th century, prior to the establishment of the first Burmese empire in 1055 AD by King Anawrahta of Bagan. ********************** The early Muslim settlements and propagation of Islam were documented by Arab, Persian, European, and Chinese travellers of the 9th century. ********************** Burma Muslims are the descendants of Muslim peoples who settled and intermarried with the local Burmese ethnic groups. *********************** They arrived in Burma as traders or settlers, military personnel and prisoners of war, refugees, and as victims of slavery. However, many early Muslims also held positions of status as royal advisers, royal administrators, port authorities, mayors, and traditional medicine men. ********************* Browsing through the history of the Burmese Muslims can make us understand why former Burmese such as Ahmed prefer the old name of Burma rather than Myanmar which is often associated with the military junta. ************************* From 1962 to 2011, the country was ruled by the military junta that suppressed almost all dissent and wielded absolute power in the face of international condemnation and sanctions. The generals who ran the country stood accused of gross human rights abuses, including the forcible relocation of civilians and the widespread use of forced labour, including children. ************************ Myanmar was among the last country in South East Asia to be included in the regional grouping of Asean, in 1998. It was a well known fact that Asean countries tried not to interfere in the internal affairs of another country but surprisingly during the just concluded Asean foreign ministers' meeting in Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia through its Foreign Minister, Anifah Aman, urged Myanmar to take stronger action to prevent persecution of Muslims and bring the perpetrators to justice. **************************** Malaysian's actions was seen as the latest sign that the inter-communal violence is straining ties in Southeast Asia. Thousands of ethnic Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar to escape the violence and worsening living conditions, many of them making their way by boat or overland Malaysia. **************************** “Myanmar has to address the problem,” said Anifah. “I know it’s complex but they have to address the problem in a transparent manner so that we can see what actions had been taken … I think the perpetrators have to be brought to justice and so that it does not occur again.” ************************* The UN refugee agency says about 28,000 Rohingyas are registered as refugees in Malaysia, but groups representing them say the real number of Burma Muslim immigrants is much higher and has surged this year because of the violence. ************************ Critics say the Burmese government has done little to bring instigators of the violence to justice or to stem a growing anti-Muslim movement in the country, which returned to democracy in 2011 after a half century of military rule. ************************* Anifah said the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) had voiced concern that Asean’s Muslim-majority nations were not doing more to resolve the problem. ************************* If Muslims nations have been told to buck up in resolving the Rohingya's issue, as individual Muslims have we a thought for our brothers' plight especially in view of the coming holy month of Ramadan? *********************** The campaign to highlight the plight of Rohingyas is on going, and during a trip to a masjid recently, I found stacks of leaflets on the Burmese Muslim issue; perhaps this information might inspire readers to give a helping hand to them; at least we could have 'du'a' (pray) to SWT for their safety in their homeland and abroad. ********************** Casualities and destructions list of Rakhine state ************************ The genocidal attacks against unarmed defenseless Rohingya civilians resumed in Arakan from 8 June 2012. The military government that has kept quiet over the 60 million population of Burma for five decades, wisely pretends to be unable to control the situation while local media is still trying to neglect the ongoing violence by repeating a fabricated murder case of an individual. ************************* The list of casualties and destruction of Arakan is described as below in order to compare with the quasi-government's latest report that fancily balanced up by putting up: "the number of casualties on both sides at 77 dead and 109 injured, 4,822 houses, 17 mosques, 15 monasteries and three schools were destroyed, some 14,328 Arakanese Buddhists and 30,740 Rohingya Muslims have been effected and are currently living in 89 temporary camps." **************************** In reality between 8 June to 20 Oct 2012, the death toll was more than 10,000 people, burned and destructed about 16,000 homes plus 57 mosques from 70 Muslim villages across eight different towns of Arakan state. While the number of injuries, rapes, looting, arbitrary abuses is uncountable. There are about 90,000 homeless Rohingyas in Sittwe/Akyab alone but less than half of them have been listed in five refugee camps and are receiving very poor assistance. *************************** The rest about 50,000 shelterless Muslims victims comprising Rohingyas, Kaman and Rakhine Muslims in Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Pauktaw, Rambre, Myebon and Ponnagyuan towns are still compelled to die due to starvation. And no aid group has visited from the beginning of the crisis. Arakanese Muslims all over Arakan are also facing food shortage since the beginnng as a result of the government's imposition of confinement upon them. ************************** The displaced number of Rakhines is less than 500 people from burnt down houses and about 50 of Mingan village of Sittwe town and less than 1,000 people from about 100 houses of Maungdaw township. ***************************** It is very sad to know all reports still display poor calculation. Let us say that only at Sittwe town about 90,000 were displaced. Where they lived 22 persons to a house as every report mentioned about 4,000 houses have apparently been burnt down there? And how about 50,000 other displaced in seven different towns - Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Pauktaw, Rambre, Myebon and Ponnagyuan? And how many thousands houses have been destroyed in these regions? *********************** Additionally, from 20 Oct 2012, vigillant attacks by Rakhine Buddhist people caused about 6,000 houses plus 35 mosques to be burnt down and about 1,000 people including about 20 Rakhines has also died in six different towns - Minbya, Mrauk U, Kyaukpyu, Myebon, Pauktaw, and Rambre towns of Southern Arakan state. The dead bodies of 178 those found in Mrauk U town were buried in the graveyard of Yainetay (Zula Fara Village). *********************** Muslims countries of Asean and UN should form an ad hoc body to pressure Myanmar authority in all levels on the Rohingya's issue, otherwise the junta would just turn on a deaf ear. *************************** Some individuals and groups have called on Malaysia to boycott the coming 27th SEA Games to be held in Myanmar at the end of the year as a way to pressure the regime to settle the issue. ************************ The question is, have we done our part in helping our brothers, the Rohingyas, especially during this Ramadan?

Macam anjing dengan bayang-bayang...

**************** 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." ***************************** JIKA pada salah satu artikel lalu, saya membicarakan perkembangan politik berdasarkan peribahasa Melayu, yang dikejar tak dapat yang dikendong berciciran, kali ini saya ingin mengemukakan kisah terbaru yang terkena batang hidung saya sendiri yang saya anggap hampir menepati peribahasa ‘yang dikejar tak dapat yang dikendong berciciran’ malah ada persamaan dengan satu lagi peribahasa Melayu – ‘macam anjing dengan bayang-bayang’. ************************** Namun menjelang Ramadan yang mulia, adalah lebih bermakna jika disingkap pengalaman saya ini berdasarkan kaca mata Islam. Suatu malam selepas solat Isyak di masjid, anak saya yang sudah bekerja berhajat membelanja anggota keluarga menjamu selera makan ikan bakar di Muara Duyong. Dipendekkan cerita, disebabkan sudah makan pada sebelah petang, saya membungkus ikan bakar bahagian saya untuk dibawa pulang. Saya berhajat memakannya dengan nasi lemak baru pada pagi esoknya. ****************************** Pagi esoknya, saya tidak memakan ikan itu di rumah sebaliknya membawanya ke kebun. Saya bercadang memakan ikan itu ketika berehat selepas berpeluh menghayun cangkul. ************************ Saya letakkan ikan itu di tempat biasa saya berehat. Pagi itu tidak pula saya mencangkul tetapi menuju ke anak sungai di hujung kebun dengan satu jala ikan yang sudah lama tidak saya gunakan. *************************** Jala ini saya miliki sejak zaman bujang lagi. Jadi usianya mungkin lebih 30 tahun. Ketika baru membelinya dulu, kerap saya gunakannya tetapi pada setiap kali keluar menjala, hasilnya hambar, saya pun tinggalkan jala itu puluhan tahun dalam setor dan melupainya. Entah apa anginnya, pagi itu tergerak hati saya membawanya ke kebun. Selepas meneliti keutuhan jala itu, dengan lafaz ‘Bismillah’ saya pun menebarkannya ke permukaan anak sungai. ********************** Sungguh menakjubkan, selepas puluhan tahun tidak menjala ikan, hayunan kali pertama itu membuahkan hasil lumayan. Saya mengira ikan yang saya dapat – tujuh ekor ikan tilapia. Saya lemparkan kali kedua. Lumayan juga – lima ekor tilapia. *************************** Percubaan ketiga menghasilkan lima lagi ikan tilapia. Ertinya saya sudah dapat 17 ekor ikan tilapia dengan tiga kali tebaran saja! Selepas melempar jala tiga kali dan mendapat hasil lumayan yang saya yakin sudah cukup untuk dibuat satu hidangan, saya teringat pesanan orang tua...jangan tamak, nanti rugi macam anjing dengan bayang-bayang. Jadi saya pun berhenti daripada menjala; sebaliknya kembali ke kebun untuk menghayun cangkul. ************************* Sedang asyik bekerja, saya terdengar bunyi kucing ‘mengiau’, mata saya dengan pantas dihalakan ke tempat rehat di mana saya letakkan ikan bakar yang saya cadang ‘santap’ pagi itu. Menyirap darah saya tatkala melihat seekor kucing berbelang yang besar sedang menjilat-jilat lidah dan mulutnya. Sahlah kucing itu sudah ‘taram’ makanan yang membuatkan air liur saya tercekur. *************************** Mahu saja saya terkam kucing itu dan membaling cangkul yang berada dalam tangan saya. Tapi satu perasaan aneh membuatkan saya ‘stop’ (berhenti). ************************* Heiii, ‘manusia sombong’, Allah baru bagi kau 17 ekor ikan, sekerat ikan bakar kau dimakan oleh ‘hamba Allah lain’ (kucing) pun kau nak balas dendam. Apa punya manusia kau ni? Ikan bakar kau yang tak sampai seekor tu pun Allah Taala sudah balas dengan 17 ekor ikan; itu pun kau tak bersyukur. Apa lagi kau mahu? ******************************* Apa, tak mahukah ‘bersedekah’ habuan itu kepada si belang? Saya terpaku dengan batang cangkul masih di tangan, memerhatikan ‘penyamun tarbus’ itu menghabiskan hidangannya. ****************************** Selepas makan, ‘dia’ dengan langkah selamba pun pergi. Saya ke tempat itu, mendapati yang tinggal hanya tengkorak kepala ikan! Wahai kucing, kau ingat aku ini jenis makan tengkorak ikan ke? Namun aku halalkan apa yang kau dah makan tu. Ia sudah ditakdirkan bukan rezekiku tapi rezeki kau. Kata orang, kalau bukan rezeki kita, sudah berada dalam mulut pun, orang boleh rampas, apatah lagi dalam tangan. ***************************** Ya, saya relakan kucing itu makan ikan saya. Saya bersedekah kepadanya. Teringat saya, kata-kata beberapa ustaz yang berceramah menjelang Ramadan ini. Sesuatu sedekah akan dibalas dengan 10 kali ganda. Ada kisah Sayidina Ali dan isterinya Sayidatina Fatimah az-Zahra mengenai hal ini. Fatimah yang berkeinginan makan buah delima menyuruh Ali ke pasar; Ali mendapat sebiji delima. Di pertengahan jalan pulang, Ali telah menyedekahkan buah delima itu pada seseorang. Dia pulang dengan tangan kosong. Fatimah rela dengan perbuatan Ali, kalau isteri lain sudah lama mengamuk! ********************** Tiba-tiba seorang sahabat muncul di rumah Sayidina Ali membawa sembilan biji delima, katanya buah itu dihadiahkan seseorang kepadanya dan Fatimah. *********************** Ali bertanya, mana sebiji lagi, lantas buah itu dikeluarkan dari poketnya. Ya, Ali tahu janji Allah itu tepat, suatu sedekah akan dibalas 10 kali ganda. Kalau pada bulan Ramadan, lagi berlipat kali ganda banyaknya. ************************ Kata ustaz, jika bersedekah diberi ganjaran 10 kali ganda, memberi pinjaman lagi besar ganjarannya – sebanyak 18 kali ganda. Terfikir di benak saya, saya ‘bersedekah’ ikan bakar kepada sang kucing atau ‘memberinya pinjam’? Saya ingat, saya berinya ‘pinjam’ – sebab saya sudah dibalas dengan 17 ekor ikan. Tetapi mana seekor lagi, selayaknya saya dapat 18 ekor ikan. Perasaan tamak menguasai diri. ************************ Saya ingatkan ‘seekor lagi ikan saya’ masih berada dalam anak sungai. Saya pun menebarkan jala buat kali keempat. Betul saya mendapat dua lagi ikan tilapia, menjadikan jumlahnya 19 ekor tetapi jala saya mengangkut sampah sarap dan lumpur yang banyak menyebabkan saya menghadapi masalah lain pula. **************************** Lama saya termenung, bermuhasabah diri. Aku ini bagaikan anjing dengan bayangbayang atau apa? Mengapa perasaan tamak sentiasa menguasai diri? Tak pernah puas dengan apa yang dimiliki? *********************** Teringat saya sebuah hadis yang bermaksud, jika manusia diberikan dua lembah emas, itu masih tidak mencukupi, dia mahu lembah yang ketiga. Dia tidak akan puas sehingga tanah memenuhi mulutnya (matilah). *************************** Jadi sempena kedatangan Ramadan yang mulia ini, sukacita saya mengingatkan diri ini dan pembaca sekalian, sentiasalah ingat mati kerana ia akan mengendurkan nafsu yang menguasai diri termasuk sifat tamak seperti yang saya alami! *********************** Selamat menyambut Ramadan Almubarak. Semoga amalan kita diterima-Nya, insya-Allah!

Small acts of kindness

****************** 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) ******************** During the walk from Masjid Negara to Padang Merbok for the historic Blackout 505 gathering on the hazy afternoon of June 22th, the sight of a veteran in his wheelchair being pushed by a youth caught my eyes. ************************* He was cheerful; I quickened my pace and when I was walking alongside him, I took the opportunity to get to know him. ********************** Haji Marzuki Ibrahim, 78, from Sungai Petani, Kedah, said Blackout 505 was not his first 'outing' in Kuala Lumpur; he had taken part in all the main Bersih demonstrations and the peoples' gatherings in Stadium Merdeka on the 12th January. ************************* The former tin mining industry worker from Semeling, Kedah, said his heart was always with the 'rakyat'; he could just have sat at home but made an effort to join them at every opportunity he had. ********************** But since he was 'wheelchaired' because of old age, he depended on others for help; and during the Blackout 505 gathering he was lucky as one of his grandchildren, Muhammad Fakhrul Shafiq, 18, had time to spend with him. The young man was in high spirit; he looked jovial while pushing his grandfather's wheelchair. *********************** Haji Marzuki said they had taken a bus in Sungai Petani at 10.00 pm the previous day and arrived in Kuala Lumpur early in the morning. "Even the journey is hard for an old man like me, this is my small contribution for the well being of our younger generation. All things must be placed in order; the people's right must be respected by all but nowadays this aspect is being trampled by certain quarters." ******************** Looking at the 'smart dressed' veteran; I guessed he must be an 'Umno man' during his early days to which Haji Marzuki quickly admitted. He said as he matured through the years (he witnessed Merdeka in 1957 as an Umno member), he somehow realized Umno and Islam 'do not fit'; 'Alhamdulillah' (praise be to Allah) he had found solace in PAS. ********************* Haji Marzuki said he would contribute to the maximum of his capacity including strength for the struggle for Islam through PAS and attending the Blackout 505 gathering was one way to show his support to PAS's stand in fighting for the people's right in demanding for a clean and fair election supervised by a respected election commission (Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya). ************************* "I would like to spend the rest of my days as much as I can for Islam. Islam is for justice and this is why I am here," said the veteran, to whom I quickly added, "I 'du'a' (prayed) that Allah SWT would reward 'jannah' (heaven) to you, Haji Marzuki!" *********************** There was a moment of silence; Haji Marzuki stared at me and I stared at him back. Suddenly his body and head were shaking, tears started flowing from his eyes; I too was almost in tears. I quickly pulled myself up and ran into the crowd. I knew if I stayed longer with Haji Marzuki; 'the road would be flooded' with our tears! ************************** Later on, only did I realized that I had uttered 'a very heavy statement' which many of us take for granted. The words, "I prayed that Allah SWT would reward 'jannah' to you" looked so simple but it has the highest impact on a believer what more a pious person. It is a small act of kindness but with a maximum effect. ************************** I remembered an 'ustaz' during a class at a masjid near my house, saying that as Muslims we should practice uttering 'precious words' instead of using normal phrases such as 'selamat pagi' (good morning) and 'terima kasih'. For 'selamat pagi' or "petang" we should replace in with 'Assalamualaikum...' (peace be upon you) and 'terima kasih' with 'jazakallahu khayran (may Allah reward you with goodness). ************************ When we receive gifts and help, if we say 'terima kasih' it 'would end there' but if we say 'jazakallahu khayran' the rewards would last to the Hereafter, what more if we say "I 'du'a' you would get 'jannah'; the effect is so great, my 'encounter' with Haji Marzuki proved what the 'ustaz' had taught us. ************************* The 'ustaz' too taught us ought not to take for granted doing small acts of kindness; he told us about a great scholar who dreamed that in Hereafter all his good deeds were rejected by the Almighty but he was saved by a small act of kindness. Allah Azzawajal blessed him for the only reason that when he used to wet his pen in ink and would write with it, a house-fly would sit on the pen and drink from the ink and he would hold his pen still till it drank and quenched its thirst. For this small act of kindness, all his good deeds were blessed. **************************** He also told us about 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, 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) ************************ Then he mentioned about a few more hadiths such as: ************************* * Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "One day a man became very thirsty while walking down the road. He came across a well, went down into it, and drank and then climbed out. In front of him he found a dog panting, eating the dust out of thirst. The man said, 'This dog is as thirsty as I was.' He went back down into the well and filled his show, putting it into his mouth (in order to climb back up) and then gave the dog water. Therefore Allah thanked him and forgave him." They said, "Messenger of Allah, will we have a reward on account of animals?" He said, "There is a reward on account of every living thing." *********************** * 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A woman punished her cat by imprisoning it until it died of hunger and because of it, she entered the Fire. It was said ­ and Allah knows best: 'You did not feed it nor give it water when you imprisoned it nor did you release it and let it eat from the plants of the earth." ************************* So dear readers, remember small acts of kindness earning a great reward, for who knows the true value of a small kindness or small virtue? One may simply say Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) with such an intense feeling that it alone tilts the scale in his or her favor in the Hereafter. Helping a destitute person with small amount of money or just some kind words, greeting a stranger, visiting the sick, joining in the funeral, consoling someone going through difficulty, removing something harmful from the path, making a quiet prayer for someone in need of help, forgiving a person who has hurt us --- none of these will make big headlines but all of them can bring about major change in our lives. ************************* But remember what is true about good is also true about evil. What seems to be a minor evil may not be small in terms of its consequences both here and in the Hereafter. As the Qur'an mentions in Surah Al-Noor, 24:15 which means "You thought it to be a light matter while it was most serious in the sight of Allah."

Parti Islam diharapkan kembalikan maruah ummah

********************DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ***************** Renungan ****************** "Sesungguhnya Kami menghidupkan orang-orang mati dan Kami menuliskan apa yang telah mereka kerjakan dan atsar (bekas-bekas) yang mereka tinggalkan. Dan segala sesuatu Kami kumpulkan dalam kitab induk yang nyata. (Lauhul Mahfuzh)." - Surah Yasin, ayat 12) **************************** Bersyukur ke hadrat Illahi kerana kita dipanjangkan usia bagi memuzakarahkan isu-isu semasa. Di ambang Ramadan ini kita ingin mengucapkan tahniah di atas kemenangan parti-parti Islam termasuk yang telah berjaya membentuk kerajaan manakala yang lain semakin kukuh kedudukannya di persada negara masing-masing. ******************************** Rejim pro-Barat atau sosialis di negara umat Islam seperti Bangladesh dan Syria ternyata tidak dapat diharapkan pergantungan malah pemimpinnya sanggup membunuh rakyat sendiri terutama pejuang Islam secara besar-besaran semata-mata untuk mengekalkan kuasa. ********************************* Parti-parti Islam berjaya dalam pilihan raya di negara seperti Mahgribi (Parti Keadilan dan Pembangunan), Tunisia (Pergerakan Trend Islam, Ennahdha) dan gabungan Ikwanul Muslimin melalui partinya, Parti Kebebasan dan Keadilan (AJP) di Mesir manakala di negara kita sendiri PAS semakin kukuh kedudukannya. ******************************** Di samping bersyukur ke hadrat Illahi di atas nikmat kemenangan ini, kita berharap dan mendoakan parti-parti Islam yang membentuk kerajaan ini dapat menyemarakkan seterusnya mengembalikan maruah umat Islam yang telah dihina sejak sekian lama. Sejak zaman penjajahan dan jatuhnya kedaulatan kerajaan Islam terutama hancurnya pemerintahan Uthmaniyah pada tahun 1924, nasib umat Islam sebahagian besarnya bergantung kepada kuasa-kuasa besar yang mencatur dunia mengikut nafsu mereka. ********************** Hari ini legasi cengkaman Barat terus kukuh di dunia Islam; mereka bukan saja ‘membaham’ negara ummah seperti Palestin, Iraq dan Afghanistan tetapi meneruskan penjajahan pemikiran dan teknologi yang melumpuhkan umat Islam seluruhnya. Bukan saja umat Islam yang tunduk kepada apa didakwa kemajuan oleh dunia Barat tetapi pemerintah Islam juga tunduk akur kepada kehendak Washington, London dan Moscow. Agak mengusarkan apabila penguasa di Washington kononnya lebih tahu tentang Islam seterusnya mengarahkan bonekanya yang menerajui negara umat Islam pro-Barat mengamalkan Islam mengikut kehendak mereka. *************************** Kini dengan kesedaran tinggi umat Islam yang memberikan kemenangan kepada parti-parti Islam menerajui negara, adalah diharapkan pihak ini dapat kembali mengembalikan maruah ummah. Tidak guna pucuk kepimpinan bertukar tangan tetapi permasalahan umat Islam tetap sama. Kita menaruh harapan besar agar pemimpin baru ini dapat mengukuhkan ikatan perpaduan ummah sejagat yang sudah pun terasas melalui pembentukan Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam (OIC) untuk ke tahap lebih tinggi. ************************ Jika dulu OIC tiada kemampuan untuk menangani secara berkesan permasalahan umat Islam global seperti isu Palestin, Iraq, Afghanistan dan kezaliman dilakukan ke atas umat Islam minoriti seperti di Kashmir (India), Xinjiang (China), Pattani (Thailand), Mindanao (Filipina) dan Arakan (Myanmar-Burma), kini pemimpin-pemimpin parti Islam yang sudah menerajui negara diharapkan dapat melakukan tindakan berkesan. ************************* Jika dulu OIC, negara serta umat Islam hanya mendiamkan diri ketika Amerika menghancurkan bumi Iraq dan Afghanistan, kini kita menaruh harapan pemimpin parti Islam yang sudah menerajui negara ini menjalankan tanggungjawab mereka sebagai khalifah di bumi Allah ini. Jangan sesekali membiarkan umat ini dihina, lakukanlah sebagaimana Khalifah Al-Mutassim yang menghantar bala tenteranya hanya kerana seorang muslimah dijatuhkan maruahnya! ********************** Sekalipun kita menaruh harapan yang tinggi kepada pemerintah baru ini, kita berdoa agar apa yang berlaku di Afghanistan selepas kumpulan Mujahidin mendapat kuasa di Kabul selepas menewaskan tentera Soviet Union pada 1989 dulu tidak berulang. ******************************* Kumpulan Mujahidin berpeluang memakmurkan Afghanistan namun terus bertelagah, negara menjadi huru-hara, kemudian Taliban mendapat kuasa dan diakhiri oleh serangan dahsyat oleh penjarah Amerika Syarikat yang diketuai si laknatullah George W Bush. Afghanistan kembali dikuasai oleh rejim pro-Barat, ternyata pemimpin Islam telah mensia-siakan peluang; kita berdoa hal ini tidak berulang.

Yang dikejar tak dapat, yang dikendong berciciran...

***************Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ***************** Renungan ******************* "Lelaki yang tidak dilalaikan oleh perniagaan dan jual beli daripada mengingati Allah, dan daripada mendirikan sembahyang dan daripada mengeluarkan zakat. Mereka takut kepada suatu hari yang hati dan penglihatan mereka goncang!" (Surah Al-Nur, ayat 37) *********************** PERIBAHASA yang saya pilih sebagai tajuk celoteh kali ini bermaksud, keuntungan yang diharapkan tak didapati, sedangkan yang telah ada hilang pula. Itulah yang 'terbuai-buai' di hati saya tatkala pulang selepas menghadiri Perhimpunan 'Black Outout 505' di Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur pada hari Sabtu, 22 Jun lalu. *************************** Seperti perhimpunan bersejarah kebangkitan rakyat di Stadium Merdeka pada 12 Januari lalu (sebelum PRU13), peserta perhimpunan di Padang Merbok tidak dihadapkan dengan kehadiran anggota dan trak pasukan Unit Simpanan Persekutan (FRU) apatah lagi disemburkan dengan gas pemedih mata dan air kimia. Ketika berarak dari Masjid Negara ke Padang Merbok, kedengaran seorang peserta meneriak kepada seorang rakannya; "Tak 'trill' (tak ada cabaran)-lah, tak ada FRU; tak kena 'pancut'." ************************ Ya, pada ketika orang Cina dihadapkan dengan pertanyaan "apa lagi Cina mahu?" oleh pemimpin, akhbar, kumpulan dan puak rasis, pertanyaan yang sama mungkin boleh diajukan kepada Pakatan Rakyat; "apa lagi Pakatan Rakyat mahu?". Hakikatnya, Pakatan Rakyat sudah menang PRU13, hanya ia tidak dapat kuasa. Undi popular menunjukkan 51 peratus pengundi di seluruh negara memilih Pakatan Rakyat manakala tanpa Sabah dan Sarawak peratusannya lebih tinggi lagi. Amat ketara, Pakatan menguasai hampir semua kawasan bandar dan semi bandar di seluruh tanah air termasuk Sabah dan Sarawak. **************************** Demikianlah, hampir seluruh penduduk bandar sudah bersama Pakatan; rakyat sudah memberikan 'bahagian' (undi dan sokongan) untuk memenangkan Pakatan Rakyat, jadi dengan kemenangan ini, pada pandangan saya yang kurang arif ini, sudah tiba masanya untuk pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat (terutama yang terpilih sebagai Yang Berhormat) membalas pengorbanan rakyat itu. ******************************* Benar, kita boleh berterusan bercakap dan berdemonstrasi mengenai apa yang didakwa ketidakadilan dan penipuan dalam pilihan raya termasuk oleh pihak yang mengendalikannya seperti Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR); tetapi melakukan demikian tanpa pelan tindakan dan tindakan bagi mengisi kemenangan bakal mengundang apa yang diungkapkan bijak pandai Melayu, yang dikejar tak dapat, yang dikendong berciciran. ************************** Berdasarkan ucapan yang saya dengar pada perhimpunan antara kira-kira jam 2.00 hingga 6.00 petang di Padang Merbok tempoh hari; ada yang baik tetapi banyak juga yang 'merapu'! Demikianlah apabila diberi tempoh panjang (empat jam?) dengan terlalu ramai pengucap yang ada tidak diketahui latar belakang mereka (siapa-siapa agaknya), majlis menjadi hambar; banyak juga kata-kata yang tak baik dan manis diucapkan; bahkah akhbar-akhbar arus perdana mengecapnya sebagai lucah! ********************************* Terfikirlah di otak saya, adakah saya yang datang dari jauh dan perlu berkorban untuk bermalam di Kuala Lumpur; berbaloi untuk mendengar kata-kata umpatan melampau sedangkan ada pihak menyatakan kehadiran peserta adalah bagaikan 'jihad'? Saya bimbang, perjuangan melalui demonstrasi ini, jika tidak diuruskan dengan betul pada jalan yang benar, akan perlahan-lahan menyimpang dan tersasar jauh. ******************************* Perjuangan melalui demonstrasi, ada yang berjaya; saya mengambil contoh beberapa siri bantahan besar-besaran menentang pelaksanaan Pembelajaran dan Pengajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris (PPSMI) di ibu kota Kuala Lumpur, akhirnya kerajaan tunduk membatalkannya, tetapi persoalannya, bagaimana kita mengisi kemenangan itu? Saya tidak nampak (maaflah jika saya jahil) usaha kita untuk 'mensinomimkan' ilmu sains dan matematik ini dengan bahasa Melayu. Adakah bangsa dan bahasa Melayu kini berada di laluan yang betul dan pantas untuk dimartabatkan sebagai juara dunia dalam bidang ini. Atau kita terus melupakannya semata-mata kita sudah berjaya? Apakah setakat berjaya dalam demonstrasi saja? **************************** Berbalik kita kepada celoteh politik tadi; Pakatan Rakyat sudah menang tetapi belum dapat kuasa saja; sudah tiba masanya untuk kita berusaha keras mempertahan seterusnya mengisi kemenangan itu; jika tidak melakukannya sebaik mungkin, saya cukup bimbang, yang dikejar tidak dapat, yang dikendong berciciran. Sebagai pemustautin di Melaka apatah lagi di Bukit Katil, sukacitalah saya mencelotehkan kemungkinan akan berlaku selepas kemenangan bersejarah KeADILan dan PAS di kubu kuat Umno dan Ketua Menteri Melaka ke-9, Mohd Ali Rustam. ********************* Ya betul, Shamsul Iskandar Mat Akin daripada KeADILan (Pakatan) memberikan 'pukulan TKO' kepada Mohd Ali di Bukit Katil manakala calon PAS, Dr Mohd Khalid Kassim menang tipis di Dun Bukit Baru (dalam kawasan Parlimen Bukit Katil). Tetapi apa selepas ini? Daripada perbualan saya dengan orang-orang kampung, mereka sudah menunjukkan reaksi gelisah dengan Shamsul. Mereka bertanya, apa Shamsul buat? Mungkin Shamsul sudah membuat 'sesuatu' tetapi mereka sebagai orang kampung mahu melihatnya. Mereka mahu melihat dan menikmati hasil daripada kemenangan Pakatan Rakyat. ************************* Mungkin dulu, sebagai pemimpin tiada kerusi, bolehlah Shamsul mengetuai bantahan di sana sini, memprotes itu dan ini tetapi kini sebagai 'pemimpin mempunyai kerusi'. pendekatan sebegini (termasuk demonstrasi) tidak meyakinkan penduduk; orang kampung pun tahu mengenai "action speaks lounder than words" atau "cakap biar serupa bikin." Mereka mula membanding-bandingkan Shamsul dengan Ali Rustam; mereka berkata Ali Rustam banyak jasanya kepada mereka (saya tidak bercakap mengenai ketelusan) seperti memberi pelbagai bantuan tetapi apa Shamsul dapat berikan kepada mereka? Benar Shamsul tiada peruntukan kerana Pakatan bukan pemerintah; tetapi siapa mahu faham? *********************** Demikianlah; ini namakan 'politik kampung' yang menguasai hampir seluruh kawasan pedalaman di negara kita. Itulah punca Umno-BN menang besar. Umno-BN bijak memanfaatkan derita 'survival' (meneruskan kesinambungan hidup) kebanyakan orang miskin luar bandar; orang kampung tidak perlu kepada demonstrasi mengenai penipuan pilihan raya, rasuah dan sebagainya sebaliknya banyak keluarga memikirkan apa yang hendak diisi ke dalam perut anak-anak pagi ini, tengah hari dan malam nanti! Esok, minggu depan, bulan atau tahun depan, belum lagi dapat mereka fikirkan apatah lagi lima tahun lagi apabila PRU14 diadakan. ************************* Kesimpulannya jika Pakatan mahu berkuasa (bukan setakat menang) PRU14, fikir dan bertindaklah untuk memenangi hati pengundi kampung dan luar bandar; di samping mengekalkan sokongan penduduk bandar dan semi bandar seperti Bukit Katil; jika tidak yang dikejar tak dapat yang dikendong berciciran. PAS Negeri Sembilan sudah mendapat pengajaran, KeADILan dan PAS Melaka bagaimana?

Cycling for fitness,including to the masjid

********************** In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ********************** Reflection *********************** “Invite to the way of your Rabb with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious, for your Rabb knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." (An-Nahl: 125) ************************** The haze is back. Other than open burning that is often associated with this phenomenon, another factor that contributes to the unhealhty air and environment around us is the emmision of carbon, soot and smoke by motorized vehicles. **************************** But this factor is often swept under the carpet because if serious actions were to be taken, many would be effected in different ways such as people in the business world and thus jeopardize development of the nation. ************************* In certain countries especially European nations, they go for the green concept including promoting the usage of non motorized vehicles such as bicycles. Unfortunately our country is not serious about this concept but luckily there are groups of people who are aware about the importance of safeguarding the healthy environment and one way to contribute to the welfare of the country is by 'leaving behind' our cars or motorcycles and opting out for public transport or using the bicycle. ***************************** Frankly speaking, our country with its rather hot climate (different from those temperate Europen nations) makes the situation unconfortable for workers to cycle to and fro their workplace, but one thing for sure bicycles would be handy for short distances such as for going out to do some grocery at a shop next door in a 'taman' (housing estate) or visiting relatives living nearby. ************************ And as the writer found out, it is practical and quite economical to cycle to the kampung's masjid for the five times daily prayers. As a pensioner, I have opted for this mode of transport after my trustworthy 'Kapcai' of more than 20 years 'kaput' in March last year, and have found out that there are lot of benefits in cycling. But I do not depend solely on the bicycle to go to the masjid; at certain times for example when the wheather is too hot in the afternoon, I would rather take my car. *************************** But remember, short trips are no good for your car what more with the rising gas prices. So drive less, including not going on short trips. Cold starts are hard on engines, our gas mileage and the environment. Short trips can also significantly shorten the life of our cars. ******************************* So why should I take the car, if I could 'cover' the half kilometer journey to the masjid in under five minutes by my newly trustworthy 'friend' - a new Japanese bicycle? Well it was very light, I bought it for only RM200 and it has 'faithfully served' me for more than a year now. ************************** What benefit would I would get by cycling other than saving money and preserving the environment? A newspaper article published recently caught my attention. ************************** Among others it noted, cycling is a good cardiovascular exercise to take up as it involves low impact and controlled movement in a stable position. Much of your body weight is taken by the bicycle, so there is less strain on your lower back and hips. Cycling regulary at a moderate level will increase your heart rate and breathing. It is also a good way to improve your cardiovascular heath and strengthen your legs. ************************** Bicycling is an effective and enjoyable exercise. There are lots of great reasons to consider cycling as a way of maintaining and improving your fitness, below are other benefits: ************************ * A simple way to stay and get fit - Bicyling helps improve overall fitness, as the use of your legs, bottom, and abdominal muscles increase your metabolism and muscle tone. Cycling your bike regulary is also good for your heart. As you cycle, blood supply to your body increased, therefore increasing your heart rate. This will reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. ************************ A bike with several speeds allows you to increase your fitness level as your cardiovascular function improves. Begin by riding at an easy speed, over even ground. If you are looking for something more challenging, change your terrain and choose more difficult routes. For example, cycling up an incline is a great way to fitness. ************************ * Improve your balance - Building better balance is something best done on a bicycle. Balance is the heart of everything you do, especially when riding a bike. When you ride a bicycle, you stay upright and find a balance between your body and bike. ************************ By maintaining that balace, it strengthens the core muscles in your abdominal region. Tightening your core muscles will keep you from falling off and crashing your bike. As you progress, and become a better rider, you increase your balance over time. ********************* * Friendly exercise - Arthritis in the knee can put people off exercising, but inacativity. can lead to joint stiffness, muscle weakness, weight gain, and fatigue. Compaared to some forms of exercise, cycling is relatively knee-friendly and is often used in knee joint rehabilitation. The aerobic benefit is comparable to jogging, or running without the strain. ************************* It is best to avoid hills, if you have knee problems, and to shift gears to as low as possible. If you have had knee or hip replacement, check with your doctor or 'physiotherapist' before taking up bike riding. ************************** * Weight loss - With a calorie-controlled diet, cycling helps to burn excess fats, resulting in weight loss when you cycle regulary. *************************** * Stress release - Cycling is a great way to release your stress from daily work. You can take you bike out and enjoy nature. It can also be a great social activity, as families and friends can share the experience, which helps to foster closer ties and give you the opportunity to communicate with one another. ************************** Feeling good with yourself and with your loved ones is one of the greatest benefits you can get from this exercise. And at the same time, being able to please Allah, insya-Allah (God willing) by going frequently to the masjid for my prayers could be achieved by cycling so what more I am asking when ever we recited this 'du'a' (prayers) "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil 'akhirati hasanatan waqina 'adhaban-nar." (Our Lord! grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire) ***************************** Well, there are many benefits of riding bicycles, but why are our countrymen avoiding it in their daily lives except for a few groups of people such as school-children? Even students in universities shy away from using bicycles, the majority of them prefer motorcyles that contributed to unhealthy living and environment. ************************** In my my opinion this is because our society looks down upon those using bicycles but have high respect to those owning big and flashy cars and 'high powered motorcycles'. ************************ This mentality must be removed; the people must know that there are about one billion bicycles worldwide, twice as many as cars. The global bicycle market was US$60 billion (RM183 billion) in 2011 and some 130 million bicycles are sold every year globally. Why we only envy the confidence shown by stylish cyclists in far away countries such as Denmark, Belgium, Holland and even China but not put in in practise here? **************************** With the awareness for a healthy living and environment, in my opinion it is timely for the relevant authorities to project and promote the usage of bicycles; questions such as the safety of cylists should be of high pririoty. Are our roads safe for use by cyclists and if not, are there any plans to make them 'friendly' to cyclists or provide bicycle lanes for them? ************************ To our drivers, please 'open your eyes' for cyclists; they too have the right, like other vehicles users, to use the road and be shown courtesy and care by other road users. *************************** As for me, it is 'not stylish' for me to go a short distance for such purposes such as going to the masjid on my 'Japanese bicycle', but please do think of my contribution in helping the environment and better still help me in reducing my expenses from my meagre income since becoming a pensioner more than a year ago. Well, have bike, will travel!