Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 179

Pemimpin pandai cakap tak serupa bikin...

**************************** 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 ****************************** SEJAK 'pencen' saya habiskan waktu pagi di kebun. Menebas dan bercucuk tanam. Sambil itu saya dengar-dengar siaran Radio IKIM. Bagus juga siaran radio ini, boleh tambahkan pengetahuan agama dan mendapatkan panduan hidup. Suatu pagi siaran radio ini menyiarkan ucapan secara langsung oleh seorang pemimpin pada majlis yang menghimpunkan umara (pemerintah) ulama dan asnaf (golongan penerima zakat). ********************************** Terpegun saya mendengar ucapan itu. Persis seorang ulama pemimpin itu bercakap. Memetik ayat-ayat al-Quran, hadis dan cendekiawan Islam hebat seperti Al-Ghazali. Kalaulah tidak disebutkan nama tokoh yang bercakap itu tentunya saranannya seperti amalan wasatiyah (hidup sederhana) amat mempesonakan. *********************************** Namun apabila diamati-amati cara hidup terutama isteri dan keluarganya serta merta kekaguman itu pudar. Ya, 'ada benda' dicakap tak sama dibikin. Kini ramai orang pandai cakap tetapi tidak patuh kepada apa yang dicakapnya. Kata orang mulut dan lidah padai bermain kata-kata, berbelit-belit ataupun lidah bagaikan ular atau biawak yang bercabang. ******************************** Sebenarnya saya pun takut diri saya jatuh dalam kategori ini. Pandai cakap (tulis) saja, diri sendiri pun tak terurus! Melalui ruangan ini pandai saya mengesyorkan kepada pembaca supaya mengamalkan nilai-nilai murni seperti menjaga kebersihan (terutama tandas masjid seperti diungkapkan dalam celoteh mengenai Masjid Keroh, Kuala Krai tidak lama dulu) tetapi bagaimana tandas di rumah sendiri? **************************** Bagi mengelak hal ini, saya membiasakan diri membasuh dan memberus tandas. Kata ulama perbuatan ini bagus kerana ia dapat membantu mengurangkan rasa takabur dalam diri kita. Membersihkan tandas adalah amalan sesetengah ahli sufi untuk mendidik nafsu masing-masing. Apabila nafsu sudah dididik barulah kita boleh menunggang nafsu, ini asyik-asyik nafsu yang menunggang kita. *************************** Orang yang pandai cakap (dan juga menulis) tetapi tak pandai buat (atau tak buat apa yang dia cakap atau tulis) telah membenarkan nafsu menunggang dirinya. Apabila nafsu (atau iblis dan syaitan) sudah menunggang diri, maka apa saja boleh berlaku. Termasuklah ketika berucap asyik mengungkapkan ayat-ayat Quran, hadis dan kata-kata ulama; tetapi realitinya dia tidak membuat perkara yang dicakapnya itu. Kata orang moden sekarang - cakap tak serupa bikin! ******************************** Pada ketika musim pilihan raya sekarang ini, maka makin ramailah orang (pemimpin) akan bercakap. Kerana sedar semakin ramai orang pandai cakap tapi tak sama bikin, ada kaedah untuk kita menilai seseorang itu, sama ada dia pemimpin tulen atau penipu. **************************** Pemimpin tulen boleh dilihat daripada seiringnya cakap dan perbuatannya. Jika dia mengesyorkan rakyat hidup sederhana, dia pun hidup secara sederhana. Tidak bolehlah seorang pemimpin meminta rakyat mengikat perut bagi menghadapi zaman inflasi sedangkan dia boros berbelanja seperti mengadakan majlis kahwin anak macam Raja Donan (tujuh hari tujuh malam) dengan dihadiri 100,000 tetamu. Lebih malang lagi jika wang perbelanjaan daripada sumber diragukan seperti membabitkan harta benda kerajaan. ***************************** Tidak bolehlah pemimpin bercakap beriya-iya mengajak rakyat "mengikut ajaran Islam sebenar" sedangkan anak isterinya pun tidak berpakaian menutup aurat sepenuhnya. Atau anak-anaknya terbabit dalam pesta maksiat seperti menogok minuman keras. Atau dia sendiri tidak dapat menahan nafsu untuk berjoget sekali dengan Psy atau Shah Rukh Khan dalam keadaan penyanyi dan penari pengiring seolah-olah tidak berpakaian. Jika ini berlaku, bermakna pemimpin berkenaan sudah membenarkan nafsu menunggangnya! ****************************** Orang bermuka-muka dipanggil hipokrit. Dalam istilah Islam, itulah munafik. Ada ciri untuk mengenal orang munafik. Antaranya jika bercakap dia bohong, jika berjanji dia mungkir. Mereka juga pandai bermain slogan tetapi jarang menunaikannya.Apabila slogan ini kerap diulang-ulang maka jadilah ia satu bentuk indoktrinasi yang sekarang ini semakin menjadi-jadi dalam masyarakat kita. ********************************* Hanya BN-Umno saja mampu buat itu dan ini. Hanya BN-Umno saja yang mampu perintah negara - demikian antara lain kita disogokkan dengan slogan berbentuk indoktrinasi ini. Bagi mereka yang telah termakan dakyah 'parti dulu, kini dan selamanya' akan percaya tetapi bagi golongan yang bersedia membuka gedung minda mereka untuk berfikir, akan menyedari hal ini tidak benar; ia temberang dan mengarut saja sebab di dunia ini apa saja boleh berlaku seperti mana yang dikehendaki oleh Yang Maha Kuasa!

If Pakatan Rakyat wins...

******************** 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. *************************** ONE disturbing issue among Muslims that was raised by several 'ustaz' and religious figures in their 'ceramah' (talk) in several masjids was a survey that showed only about 12 percent of Muslim school children performed religiously their five times daily prayers (solat). ***************************** Then is it correct to say 88 percent of Muslim boys and girls are not committed to performing this second pillar of 'Rukun Islam'? **************************** To test 'the truth' in that findings, I approached a group of boys who were on their way to school after I have said my 'subuh' (dawn) prayers at a masjid. One morning, I saw two primary school boys resting on their bicycles under a tree on their way to school. I greeted them with a 'salam' and after giving the boys RM1 each, I was having a good meaningful conversation with them. ***************************** Both boys admitted that they had not said their 'subuh' prayers on that day before cycling to school. One of the boy was in Year Six and the other one in Year Three. They also admitted that they did not perform 'solat' at all. I asked them why, they answered their parents too did not solat and never asked them to do so! **************************** The elder boy said he did not go for 'sekolah agama' (afternoon religious school) because Year Six was a busy year as he would be sitting for his UPSR at the end of the year. The other boy said he goes to 'sekolah agama' and admitted he learnt a lot about solat and other principles in Islam. ************************** During our conversation another boy joined in. The Year Four boy admitted that he did not say his subuh prayer. At home he said, he performed his daily prayers but it was not on a regular basis. ************************ After telling the boys about the important of solat and going to the 'sekolah agama', I was on my way home; my mind focussed on the finding said by the ustaz. I had talk to three boys, none of them had performed their 'subuh' prayers (100 percent); thus I must admit that the findings that 88 percent of our children had truth in it. *********************** On another morning, I talked to a group of secondary school boys who were walking on a dirt road on their way to school. Since some of them were puffing away their cigaretts, I did not mention on whether they had performed the subuh prayers but instead asked why they were smoking. ********************* "'Pakcik' (Uncle), 'ini rokok kita beli pakai duit kita orang' (we buy this cigaretts with our own money). 'Kita orang bekerjalah' (We worked to earn money). 'Pakcik menyibuk buat apa?' (Why must Uncle bother us?)" ************************ I sensed trouble ahead, so I picked up myself to distance away from them. In my mind, I kept on thinking; how were teachers coping to handle these boys in school; were their parents having knowledge about their children's bad manners and behaviour? ******************* At first I wanted to ask the boys whether they had said their subuh prayers or not but the situation did not permit; so I just assummed that they did not perform it; perhaps I was wrong... ************************* So dear readers, why are our young generation distancing itself from performing solat which is the most important aspect of life for Muslims? It is the second article in 'Rukun Islam' (pillars of faith) - where without performing solat, other good deeds done by a Muslim will not be accountable for by Allah SWT. ************************ Solat is the benchmark whether a person would be successful or not in the world and the Hereafter. Remember the mu'azzin would call for prayers five times daily and in the azan, he would recite twice "come to sucess" after saying "come to prayer." This means to be sucessfull in this life what more in the Hereafter, a person MUST perform his/her solat. In short, no solat, no success in a human being's life. ************************** Solat is so powerful in life that even some non-Muslims acknowledged that a Muslim who perform this duty religously is an honest person that could be trusted and depended upon. I have experienced this circumstance when the Chinese headmistres of my primary school son told me that she had no problem in deadling with her pupils who performed their solat; they were well disciplined and organized in their work. ************************** Thus solat is the key word to be a successful person. A sincere Muslim performs all obligatory deeds and adheres to the pillars of Islam, complety and devotedly. He does not slacken, do it halfheartedly or seek excuses not to do it. So he establishes prayer, performing each of the five daily prayers on time, for prayer is the pillar of faith - whoever establishes prayer establishes faith, and whoever neglect prayer destroys the faith. *************************** Prayer is the best of deeds, as is made clear in the hadith narrated by Ibn Mas'ood r.a. (may Allah be pleased with him) in which he said: "I asked the Messenger of Allah: 'What deed is most loved by Allah?' He said, 'To offer each prayer as soon as it is due...'" *************************** Prayer is so important because it is a direct link between the servant and his Lord, in which he distances himself from the concerns of daily life and focuses himself entirely on his Lord, asking Him for help, guidance and preseverance to continue along the Straight Path. So it is hardly surprising that prayer is considered to be the best of deeds, because it is the source from which the believer may replenish his 'taqwa' and the spring in whose pure water he may cleanse himself on his sins. - The Ideal Muslim (Muhammad Ali Al-Hashim, IIPH) ************************** Well, solat is the key to success but sadly our children were not keen in performing it. Only 12 percent of our young generation perform solat regulary; we must admit that a grave mistake has been done; perhaps previosly those in power were too concerned and focuses on those pillars that gave us economical gains such as paying zakat (tithe) and hajj programmes but left 'the issues of solat' alone. ****************************** So, if Pakatan Rakyat wins in the coming 13th general election and holds power in Putrajaya 'insya-Allah (God willing), let's hope its leaders especially from PAS and PKR would work hard in religious development so that the young generation will become people who are synonim with solat for solat is the key to be successful in this world in Hereafter!

The much awaited 'anak sulung'

*********************** 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) ****************** ALMOST every morning, I drive along Jalan Bukit Katil in Melaka Tengah and during the journey I realize there are special bicycle lanes on both sides of the road from the Tehel-Kampung Tun Razak junction right up to the junction of Jalan Gapam-Jasin. ************************** The dedicated bicycle lanes are about two kilometers long but the irony of it is, I have not seen any cyclist using them. Judging from ‘the non existence’ of cyclists, I am afraid to say that the three-metre-wide lanes are among the many white elephants projects in Melaka which its leaders claimed had reached a fully developed status in 2010. ************************* During his campaign to promote the setting of the bicycle lanes, State Education, Youth and Sport Committee chairman Dato’ Gan Tian Loo said the projects were designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and boost the ‘Go Green’ campaign. In fact the state had the longest slogan in the country that is, ‘Melaka Maju Negeriku Sayang Negeri Bandar Teknologi Hijau’ (Melaka Progressive, My Beloved State, State and Town with Green Technology). *************************** Gan said the special lanes that were built in Melaka Tengah, Alor Gajah and Jasin would encourage more Melaka people to opt for cycling as a mode of transport. In Melaka Tengah, the stretches include Kampung Tun Razak in Bukit Katil to Kompleks Seri Negeri in Ayer Keroh, Malacca International Trade Centre to Kompleks Seri Negeri, Bukit Cina roundabout to Jalan Hang Tuah near Avillion Legacy Hotel, Taman Rempah to Stadhuys and Jalan Ong Kim Wee to Mahkota Parade (via the flyover). ************************ In Alor Gajah district, the stretches are from SK Lesung Batu to SMK Seri Pengkalan in Taman Pengkalan, SK Alor Gajah to SM Teknik Datuk Seri Mohd Zin and Alor Gajah Municipal Council to SJKC Alor Gajah. The stretch between Taman Maju and SJKC Yu Hsien in Jasin will also have the dedicated bicycle lanes. ************************ Based on the ‘almost non existence cyclists’ on the dedicated lanes at Jalan Bukit Katil, I am afraid to say the choice of that route was a mistake. When the lane was made, I had talked to several residents of Kampung Tun Razak who grew their crops on government lands along the road and these crops were being slashed down. They said that that project was only to quench the thirst of a few selected contractors. ************************** Driving along the empty stretch of the dedicated bicycle lanes in Jalan Bukit Katil, I could not help but have a thought about a few more big and glamorous projects undertaken by the municipality and the state government with public money. ********************** If we enter the state by exiting at the Ayer Keroh Tol Plaza, if we open our eyes and ‘heart’ we could see for ourselves those glamorous but wasteful projects using public funds. ************************** After exiting the toll plaza, if one is observant, on the left near the road junction to Durian Tunggal, there stands the Melaka Go-Cart circuit which was built at the cost of RM9.9 milllion. ************************** It is now in ‘a confusion state’, the company in charge was said failed to settle rent amounting to RM210,000 to ‘Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Melaka’ (Melaka State Development Corporation). ************************* If one is to take the Ayer Keroh-Melaka road at night, one will notice the road is decorated with bright coloured lights all the way. Even some big trees were full of lights. For some it is okay to spend public money in this way but at some areas and buildings such as the Kota Cemerlang building, it is too much. **************************** On the grounds of the municipality building (Graha Makmur), one would notice a giant clock decorated with flowers. The locals called it ‘jam bunga’. It was said to cost the municipality RM500,000 to build. ********************* Down the road, after passing the ‘flower clock’, one will come across the Bukit Sebukor man-made waterfall. It cost the public RM1.78 million to build this so-called ‘highest man-made’ waterfall in the country. The RM1.78 million does not stop there however, as the people would have to continually fund for its electricity and maintenance. ************************ Other than the Ayer Keroh-Bukit Sebukor-Melaka route, road users to the historic city too could use the Ayer Keroh-Batu Berendam-Melaka road. On this road, one would notice the gleaming Melaka International Airport. ************************* This old Lapangan Terbang Batu Berendam has undergone a RM131 million project to extend the runaway with a second extension and upgrading works carried out to enable it to cater to Boeing 737A and Airbus 320A. ************************* Covering 7,000 square meters, the airport’s new terminal has facilities for domestic and international flights and can handle 1.5 million passengers annually. All went smoothly, so what’s the problem? ************************ The Chief Minister was ambitious with this (or his) project, but local and international carriers including the low cost ones such as AirAsia and Lion Air were not keen in using the airport because it was not far away from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) or the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang. *********************** From the Ayer Keroh Toll Plaza to these airports, traveling time is only about an hour, so it feasible for carriers to invest money by operating in this airport. Millions of ringgit has been spent to upgrade the airport facilities, and now it seems that it will become another white elephant in the state. *************************** About 15 minutes drive from the airport one would reach Melaka Sentral. This centre sits on 46.6 acres of land in Peringgit, cost RM53 million to build, consists of three main components – the bus and taxi terminals, the central market and the bazaar. It was opened by then Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on 14th May 2004. **************************** Not long ago ugly cracks could be seen along the bus boarding platforms at the bus terminal; tiles broken; their sharp edges posing danger to unsuspecting passengers. The uneven floor due to the sinking ground condition has made the condition worse. **************************** Some time ago the central market building too was declared unsafe and was closed to give way to repair works after cracks were found in the building. During that period traders had to do business in the market parking lot. ************************* Not far away from Melaka Sentral, the Sungai Melaka flows lazily downstream where rigorous, glamorous and big projects are already there or on going to be built or constructed. Among others were the beautifying and cleaning of the Melaka River with the first phase costing RM120 million and the second amounting to RM90 million. For the following phase, works are on going to clean the river from Pengkalan Rama Pantai to Melaka Sentral (near Pasaraya Maidin), a distance of about two kilometres. ************************** On the bank of Sungai Melaka at Kampung Morten, runs a monorail line of about one kilometer which cost the government some RM16.5 million to build. The joke that went around the state was that the tram broke down on its first day of service. It was of no benefit to the ordinary local commuters but to serve tourists who would pay a fare of RM10. ************************ Regarding the future of Muslims, several young Malay professionals interviewed said said Muslim must have Opposition representatives in the Melaka State Assembly to make sure that all matters regarding Islam are attended to. Matters involving ‘wakaf’ lands for example, must be dealt seriously and not handed over to anyone. ********************* Remember the mismanagement of properties (harta zakat) by Majlis Agama Islam (Melaka Islamic Religious Council, MAIM) as disclosed in the ‘Laporan Ketua Audit Negara’ (Auditor-General’s Report) for the Melaka state in 2009 resulting in the usage of ‘wang zakat’ (tithe money) amounting to RM13.8 million to complete Kompleks Perniagaan Al-Azim near the State Mosque (Masjid Al-Azim) in Bukit Palah? And what about the issues of MAIM properties being sold to third parties and the usage of another RM1.8 million tithe money for advance payment for the completion works of ‘Pejabat Agama Islam Melaka’ (Melaka Religious Department Office). ************************ Based on the ‘boros’ (lavish) attitude of the Umno-BN leaders in Melaka (the Auditor General’s Report 2011 notes that Malacca’s public debt has increased by RM12.87 million to RM865.94 million) , let us hope PAS Melaka would have an ‘anak sulung’ (first child) and it would be a bonus if it could captured at least nine out of 13 state seats which it would be contesting in the coming 13th general election, thus paving way for it to take helm of the historical state of Melaka with the help of its partners, PKR and DAP, 'insya-Allah' (God willing).

Bersopan santunlah hadapi pilihan raya...

******************** 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." *********************** HUJUNG minggu lalu (2-3 Mac) saya menginap di salah sebuah hotel di Segitiga Emas KL (berhampiran KLCC). Alhamdulillah pada subuh Ahad saya berpeluang bersolat berjemaah di Masjid Al-Syakirin KLCC. Jemaahnya tidak ramai, almaklumlah kawasan itu bukan penempatan penduduk apatah lagi orang Islam, sebaliknya kedapatan banyak pejabat, hotel, pusat beli-belah dan juga hiburan. ************************** Jika solat subuhnya jemaahnya sebaris, kuliah subuh yang diadakan selepas solat hanya dihadiri tidak sampai 10 orang. Itupun mereka (termasuk saya) berada nun jauh di belakang, termasuk di sebalik tiang. Di depan ustaz tiada orang tetapi senario itu tidak menghalang sang ustaz untuk bercakap penuh bersemangat mengenai sunnah-sunnah mudah Rasulullah s.a.w. untuk diamalkan oleh setiap orang Islam agar mereka disayangi bukan saja di dunia ini tetapi juga di kalangan 'makhluk langit'. ************************** Sayogia sunnah dikhabarkan sang ustaz itu dapat dimanfaatkan semua termasuklah calon pilihan raya agar mereka akan sentiasa disenangi; tetapi niatnya mestilah betul iaitu untuk mengikut sunnah Rasul seterusnya bagi mendapatkan keredaan Allah SWT. Soal disenangi manusia seterus menang pilihan raya itu adalah bonus, yang penting kita mahu sentiasa berada di jalan-Nya yang lurus. ************************ Ustaz itu sempat memberi tujuh sunnah saja; yang pertama sentiasalah senyum, mempamerkan wajah manis kepada sesiapa saja; yang kedua mendahuluilah memberi salam dan adalah lebih baik lagi dapat dijabat orang berkenaan; ketiganya banyakkan diam kerana diam itu adalah satu ibadah. *********************** Berkenaan hal diam ini, sang ustaz mengulas panjang; katanya, sewajarnya seseorang itu bercakap apabila perlu saja. Apabila seseorang itu diam dia akan dianggap hebat tetapi sebalik saja membuka mulut, dia akan dinilai lebih hebat jika buah cakapnya adalah mutiara sebaliknya nilaian dirinya jatuh terperosok jika mulutnya menuturkan 'hal longkang'. *********************** Sunnah keempat ialah kita menjadi seorang pendengar yang baik (beri tumpuan kepada orang yang bercakap dan jangan suka memotong cakapnya). Apabila kita sudah memberi dia peluang bercakap sepuas-puasnya, tentunya dia rela hati mendengar cakap kita pula. ************************** Sunnah kelima ialah sentiasa tampil menarik; katanya, Rasulullah s.a.w. apabila berjalan sentiasa membawa bekas (orang sekarang kata pouch) yang di dalamnya ada peralatan mendandan diri seperti minyak rambut, minyak wangi, kayu sugi dan gunting) untuk membolehkan baginda sentiasa menjaga penampilan diri. ********************** Yang keenamnya adalah sentiasa menyenangi orang lain (sebarkan salam). Adalah senang untuk kita menyenangi atau kasihi orang yang kita cintai dan dia mencintai kita tetapi bagaimana mahu mengasahi orang yang membenci kita? Inilah yang dilakukan oleh Rasul s.a.w.; baginda boleh mengasihi orang Yahudi yang setiap hari membuat onar kepadanya. Demikian juga perbuatan jahat seorang wanita tua dibalasnya dengan kebaikan sehingga ramai individu yang memeluk Islam dengan kaedah ini. *************************** Ketujuh, baginda Rasul sentiasa bersopan santun dalam sebarang tindak tanduknya. Jika kita bercakap cakaplah elok-elok sekalipun dengan lawan atau musuh kita. Demikianlah secara ringkas diberitahu oleh ustaz berkenaan dalam kuliah subuhnya suatu pagi dingin di Masjid As-Syakirin di tengah-tengah jantung ibu kota KL. ***************************** Berdasarkan ini, alangkah moleknya jika sunnah Rasul ini dapat kita (termasuk calon pilihan raya dan penyokong mereka) mempratikkannya dalam lapangan kehidupan seperti ketika berkempen. Alangkah buruknya jika menggunakan kaedah tidak mengikut sunnah seperti pendekatan samseng semata-mata untuk menang pilihan raya. ************************* Pendekatan politik samseng dan tipu daya bukan perkara baru dalam pilihan raya. Allahyarham Khatijah Sidek, pemimpin Muslimat PAS pertama yang menyertai pilihan raya pada tahun 1959, ada mengkisahkan hal ini dalam buku Memoir Khatijah Sidek - Puteri Kesateria Bangsa (UKM) 1995. Ambil iktibar apa yang dinyatakannya. ********************* Dalam Bab 12 - Malaya Merdeka, dalam buku itu ditulis: ************************ Di peringkat Parlimen pula dalam pilihan raya umum 1959, kami (PAS) memperolehi 13 kerusi. Akan tetapi Setiausaha Agung PAS, Othman Abdullah, keluar daripada PAS dan melompat ke pihak kerajaan. Kerana itu tinggal 12 kerusi PAS di Parlimen. *********************** Tuanku Abdul Rahman menghantar Othman naik haji ke Makkah untuk menaikkan namanya di kalangan rakyat. Untuk menjadi lebih popular, dia juga membuat kajian tentang kapal haji yang setiap tahun membawa jemaah haji Malaya ke Makkah. ************************ Setelah pulang dari Makkah, dia menyerang kami, dengan hebat sekali. Dia menuduh Yang Dipertua kami, Dr Burhanuddin, sebagai komunis, kerana pada masa Darurat pada 1948, beliau secara terbuka menyeru orang Melayu jangan menyerang kaum gerila Cina yang berjuang melawan British di dalam hutan, dan British telah menggunakan ini sebagai alasan untuk memenjarakannya. ************************* Sekarang Othman membangkitkan semula cerita lama untuk menuduh Dr Burhanuddin sebagai komunis. ************************* Kami dalam PAS tidak menduga akan memenangi Kelantan dan Terengganu pada 1959 itu sungguhpun kedua-dua negeri itu kuat dari segi agama. Kerajaan Perikatan pimpinan Tuanku Abdul Rahman memang sangat kuat dan mereka menggunakan banyak wang sumbangan tauke besar Cina untuk menentang kami, sebuah parti orang Melayu yang daif. *********************** Kami hanya bersandar pada orang kampung yang miskin yang untuk menyewa sebuah mikrofon pun mereka tidak mampu. Sering kali kami terpaksa buat ucapan tanpa mikrofon dan pembesar suara. Bukan saja kerajaan Umno yang menghalang kami; peniaga Cina juga buat begitu. Sekalipun kami dapat mikrofon, kami tak dapat pinjam bateri untuk alat pembesar suara. Kami tak dapat kereta untuk kempen pilihan raya. ******************** Dalam pilihan raya 1959, semua menteri Umno dan Perikatan menyerang kami sehebat-hebatnya, menuduh kami komunis untuk menakut-nakutkan orang kampung. Dakyah ini berjaya, akibatnya kami gagal di Perlis, sebuah kubu kuat PAS; dan rakyatnya kuat beragama. Kami bahkan lebih yakin dapat menawan Perlis daripada mana-mana negeri lain di Persekutuan. ************************ Tapi kerajaan menggunakan sepucuk surat yang ditulis oleh Dr Burhanuddin semasa pemerintahan BMA (Pentadbiran Tentera British - selepas tamat Perang Dunia Ke-2 pada 1945 hingga pertengahan 1946) sebagai senjata sulitnya. Pada masa itu beliau terlibat dalam penubuhan Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (PKMM) untuk memperjuangkan hak orang Melayu dan kemerdekaan Malaya. ********************** Semboyan mereka ialah 'merdeka' dengan landasan berjuang bersama Indonesia bagi penubuhan Melayu Raya, iaitu sebuah gagasan besar terdiri daripada Malaya, Filipina dan Indonesia serta menyatukan seluruh Nusantara. PKMM diharamkan pada 1948. ********************* Semua pemimpin PKMM ditahan dan dipenjara. Ahmad Boestamam, pemimpin sayap pemuda API, Ishak Haji Muhammad anggota Socialist Front, dan Dr Burhanuddin Helmi, Yang Dipertua PAS, semuanya dipenjarakan bersama anggota lain, khasnya ahli jawatankuasa. ************************ Pihak kerajaan membuat salinan surat yang dikatakan ditulis oleh Dr Burhanuddin; kemudian pada pukul 4.00 hari mengundi, orang Umno pergi mengetuk pintu rumah orang kampung menunjukkan surat itu kepada penghuni sambil memberi amaran: "Kalau kamu undi PAS, bererti kamu undi komunis dan akan masuk penjara serta-merta." ************************* Orang kampung sangat takut. Mereka tak ada masa untuk datang kepada kami bagi mendapatkan nasihat kerana hari itu hari mengundi dan ada beberapa jam saja lagi sebelum membuang undi. **************************** Kami juga tak ada masa untuk mengambil langkah menentangnya; kerana itu, kami kalah teruk di Perlis tanpa mendapat satu kerusi pun. Kedah juga terpengaruh oleh dakyah ini; maka kami hanya memenangi dua buah negeri, iaitu Terengganu dan Kelantan."

The old coconut…

************************* 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. ******************************* “DEAR Author, it is good to hear your helpful opinions (Ideas for masjid committees, previous posting), basically the reason of why I contact is that to share one more way of da`wah which is obligatory upon every Muslim. *********************** “There is one influential scholar called Bediuzzaman Said Nursi originated at Turkey. His way of teaching or training is unlikely so impressive and functional in this fast technology life, to some extent technology causes the people, especially youth, be away from integrating the consultation and conversation each other at all. In other words, every person remains himself or herself, called more individual life. *********************** “As regards of mentioned scholar training, fundamentally to closely deal with a person or group of people for long time by kindly attaching with sincerity and brotherhood because saving a belief of man is as equal as universe itself. Even throughout life of man is needed to be attached and engaged, not a certain time. ************************** “As a result of this, religious lessons in masjids held within this personal way of learning will produce more fruitful results. If you are more interested, we can do study and talk on more about it.” – Mustafa **************************** ‘Jazakallahu Khairan Kasira’ (may Allah bless you with goodness) Mr. Mustafa, for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "If good is done to someone and then they say "Jazakallahu khayran" to the one who did the good, they have indeed praised them well." (Tirmidhi). Thanks for e-mailing me this helpful information. It is kind of you to mention to me and readers about the method of da’wah propagated by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi. ****************************** Another writer noted that Shariah has not prescribed a special method for the da'wah work. The responsibility of da'wah will be discharged by using any method, whether this is by teaching religious knowledge to thirsty students, writing books, inviting people to Islam, going to peoples’ homes and calling them to the masjids (as the Jama'ah Tabligh does) or any other means. ************************* We need to realize that there are different methods of serving the deen of Allah. Some people are involved in teaching children Qur’an and basics of deen, some in teaching advanced sciences like tafsir, hadith and fiqh, others in doing charity work, some spending their night and day answering people’s questions and writing fatwas, some spending their whole time authoring beneficial books, and some in lecturing and advising people on how to reform their souls. These are all works of deen, and it is wrong to deem that a particular effort is better than the other. ************************* The meaning of da’wah is to invite. Da’wah has two dimensions; external and internal, External da’wah is to invite non-Muslims to Islam, and internal da’wah is to remind the Muslims about their duties to Allah and the teachings of Islam taught by our beloved Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). ********************** The person who does such a work is called a da’ee. Calling to Allah (ad-Da’wah ilallaah) is the way of the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and his followers, as Allah, the Most High, says: “Say, O Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam): This is my way, I call to Allah (i.e to the testification that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, with no partner) upon certain knowledge - I, and those who follow me. I declare Allah free and far removed from all that they associate as partners with Him, and I am free of those who worship anything else along with Him.” (Soorah Yoosuf 12:108)] *********************** Indeed calling to Allah was the mission of all the Messengers and their followers, in order to bring the people out of darkness and into light, from unbelief non believer to true Faith (eemaan), from shirk to tawheed, and from the Fire to Paradise. ************************ An important matter for Muslims to realise is that da`wah is an obligation upon them. Allah (subhaanahu wa ta`aalaa) says in the Qur’an: “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) ********************* He says: “You are the best of peoples, taken out for mankind. You enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allah.” (Al-Imran:110) ******************** “Let there be a group of people amongst you inviting to all that is good, enjoining al-ma`roof (i.e. Islamic monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are successful.” (al-Qur’an, Aal `Imraan (3):104) ********************** The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) has said: “Convey from me, even one verse.” ([al-Bukhaaree) Conveying the message therefore does not require a high level of scholarship, it is in fact a responsibility of each and every Muslim, according to his or her ability. ************************* There are numerous verses of the Quran and the Ahadith of Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that emphasizes on the importance of da’wah. *********************** All praise is for Allaah who has made it easy for us to take part in da’wah in this day and age with the barakah of da’wah and tabligh. ************************** Talking about the many da’wah groups in our country, I would like to share with readers a point raised by a member of a group to me regarding their shyness to get involved in politics. “Please brother; lets God decide who would lead the country. Why must you or your party busily trying to oust the present leaders? ************************ “Remember, you should not try to ‘jolok’ (to force down) a coconut from a tree. Just wait for when the right time comes, the coconut will fall down by itself. Not only old coconuts fall down, even at times the young ones too fall to the ground.” ************************* He said events and developments in the country clearly showed that the old coconut (the old party) is about to fall down. Its leaders made mistakes again and again and strangely they failed in their bid to cover up their mistakes. ******************************** If Allah the Almighty wished to have the old coconut (or even a bunch of them) fall down during this season, then who could stop it? Insya-Allah (God willing), the time has come. 'INI KALILAH' (This is the time)!

Masa depan rakyat gemilang apabila Pakatan bawa harapan

DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. Renungan "Bagi setiap orang ada malaikat yang sentiasa mengikutinya secara bergilir-gilir, baik di depan mahupun di belakangnya, mereka menjaga atas perintah Allah." - Al-Rad 13: 11 Bersyukur ke hadrat IIahi kita dipanjangkan usia dan diberi kesempatan bagi memuzakarahkan isu semasa; kali ini kita ingin menyentuh harapan rakyat berdasarkan Manifesto Rakyat oleh Pakatan Rakyat. Jika ada bijak pandai menghuraikan demokrasi sebagai kuasa rakyat kepada rakyat, kita mendoakan kebangkitan rakyat kali ini terutama bagi menghadapi pilihan raya umum ke-13 (PRU13) yang disifatkan sebagai 'ibu segala pilihan raya' iaitu yang paling getir dalam sejarah negara, selepas itu akan menyaksikan tertubuhnya sebuah kerajaan yang menepati definisi bijak pandai itu - kuasa rakyat kepada rakyat. Kita percaya Pakatan Rakyat sudah berada dalam laluan itu akan membuat yang terbaik untuk semua rakyat berdasarkan semangat yang sudah dilakar - Malaysia adalah negara berpotensi besar. Rakyatnya yang bersaudara gigih berusaha. Negara dibina atas landasan agama dan akar budaya diikat oleh muafakat Perlembagaan. Ya, sekaranglah masanya untuk mengakhiri keegoan kuasa golongan feudal yang bagaikan barah mengganas membaham rakyat sejak Merdeka lebih 50 tahun lalu. Cita-cita murni rakyat direncat oleh elit kekuasaan. Rasuah dan ketamakan membarah. Rakyat dibiarkan dengan kepayahan hidup. "Setiap daripada kita berhak mendapat yang terbaik. Pendidikan berkualiti, negara berkebajikan, peluang saksama dan pentadbiran beramanah menanti kita. Demi kita, demi rakyat, bersama-sama ubah sekarang untuk melakar masa depan Malaysia," demikian antara lain rumusan Manifesto Rakyat itu. Juga dinyataan: "Malaysia yang ditadbir secara amanah dan rakyat yang makmur kehidupannya akan melahirkan sebuah masyarakat yang bermaruah. Masyarakat bermaruah adalah sebuah masyarakat yang yakin dengan asal-usulnya, berpegang dengan prinsip agama dan nilai sejagat yang membela yang benar dan menentang yang zalim, saling percaya akan hubungan persaudaraan setiap insan, gigih berusaha memperbaiki diri, yang kuat membantu yang lemah tiada yang terpinggir, berlumba-lumba mengagungkan budaya ilmu dan istiqamah pada usaha amar ma’aruf nahi munkar. "Rekod pentadbiran kerajaan-kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat menjadi bukti iltizam kita terus membina kerajaan yang amanah demi memakmurkan rakyat. Pakatan Rakyat telah merakyatkan ekonomi. Jutaan penduduk Malaysia menikmati agihan kekayaan negara pada kala kekuatan kewangan negeri-negeri yang ditadbir terus digandakan. Pakatan Rakyat telah membudayakan amanah di dalam pentadbiran. Amalan rasuah dicegah dan laba dari pentadbiran beramanah ini disalurkan kembali untuk menjana kemakmuran rakyat." Demikianlah keadaan gemilang digambarkan apabila kuasa berada di tangan rakyat. Rakyatlah penentu masa depan negara, bukan di tangan segelintir pemimpin kroni yang membahagi-bahagi kekayaan (daging) sesama puak sendiri dan bagi menutup pekung di dada melemparkan sedikit 'tulang' agar tidak 'disalak' rakyat. Dan apabila mereka tersepit seperti ketika PRU13 ini, maka lebih banyak lagi 'tulang' (atau hampas) dilemparkan kepada rakyat. Namun kepada semua pemimpin, sukacita kita mengingatkan akan kata-kata bijak pandai yang menyebut 'power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely'. Sehubungan itu kita benar-benar berharap agar rakyat akan sentiasa terbela melalui sikap besar pemimpin yang sedia dikritik termasuklah melalui saluran umum seperti media massa. Memetik kata seorang pemimpin Pakatan yang bermaksud, "tidak guna kepemimpinan negara berubah, tetapi nasib rakyat tetap sama" marilah kita sama-sama berdoa bahawa masa depan gemilang yang diuar-uarkan itu akan menjadi milik semua rakyat!

Usah jadi samseng, pemisah hidup-mati tersangatlah dekat...

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

Renungan
"Apabila seorang manusia meninggal dunia, terputuslah semua amalnya kecuali tiga perkara iaitu sedekah jariah, ilmu yang bermanfaat dan anak soleh yang mendoakannya." (Hadis laporan Muslim)
HUJUNG minggu lalu seorang anak buah saya meninggal dunia. Ketika membantu menyempurnakan pengkebumian jenazah, terutama ketika menimbus kuburnya, insaflah saya bahawa keberadaan kita di atas dunia ini dan di bawah sana (dalam bumi) adalah tersangat dekat, jadi mengapa kadang-kala kita (termasuk penulis sendiri) begitu sombong dan samseng dalam menjalani kehidupan.
Sebagaimana sebuah iklan biskut menyebut "kejap ada, kejap tiada" - demikianlah hidup kita di dunia ini terlalu singkat untuk kita berbuat zalim termasuklah dalam berpolitik. Mengapa kita terlalu terkejar-kejar akan matlamat kita hendak mendapat 'segala yang dilihat sebagai keindahan dunia' sedangkan jika direnungkan bersungguh-sungguh dengan hati terbuka, apa yang kita buru itu  bukanlah benar-benar kita perlukan.
Saya terpanggil untuk menukilkan kembali kisah yang kerap diulang-ulang ini - perbualan seorang hartawan dengan doktor peribadinya dalam satu sesi rawatan. Bertanyalah si hartawan yang menderita pelbagai penyakit termasuk kencing manis itu, "Boleh saya makan daging?" "Tak," kata si doktor. "Ayam?" "Tak boleh." "Durian?" "Tak boleh." "Burger?" "Tak boleh." "Ketam?" "Tak boleh." "Udang?" "Tak boleh." "Kambing?" "Apa tuan nak..."
"Habis apa boleh saya makan?" laung si hartawan geram. "Tu biskut kering sana," kata sang doktor selamba.
Berlawanan dengan si hartawan, seorang lelaki pokai pula boleh 'baham' apa saja. Ayam, durian, rambutan semuanya boleh 'dirembatnya'. Pantang jumpa, namun masalahnya duitnya tidak sentiasa cukup pula untuk membeli makanan tersebut.
Demikianlah, dunia ini bukanlah kita punya untuk kita berdabik dada bangga termasuk dalam politik sehingga kita membenarkan matlamat menghalalkan cara (kaedah Machiavelli) termasuklah menggunakan kaedah samseng, almaklum kuasa berada di tangan kita yang berada di puncak.
Kadang-kala ketika duduk sendirian atau memandu kereta termenung panjang saya selepas menghayati lagu 'Terbang Helang' nyanyian Dato' Sharifah Aini yang berkumandang di corong radio; saya berpendapat ia sangat tepat untuk ditujukan kepada orang dan pihak sombong termasuklah diri penulis ini.
Terbang helang Di angkasa nan luas
Terbang sang helang bebas
Menebarkan sayapnya
Sungguh megah lagaknya
Helang mendabik dada
Membelahi angkasa
Dengan gaya perwira
Bila saja engkau menghampiri 
Burung lain terbang lari
Kau merasakan dirimu gagah
Hak yang lain tak kau endah
Mengganas kau di angkasa
Dengan gaya perwira

Terbanglah engkau tinggi 
Sampai ke mana lagi
Ingin engkau jelajahi
Sehingga kau terlupa
Yang tinggi jatuh jua
Bila tiba ketika
Kau ke tanah akhirnya

Usah kau lupa diri 
Bahawa langit itu tinggi
Nanti lemas sendiri
Nanti lemas sendiriSebagai pengakhiran celoteh ini, saya siarkan e-mel seorang pembaca (Labah-labah) sebagai renungan bersama.
"Assalamualaikum warahmatullahiwabarakatuh. Semoga tuan sekeluarga sentiasa dirahmati Allah SWT dan sihat walafiat dalam debaran musim pilihan raya. Saya sangat terkesan dengan celoteh tuan dan mohon agar diberi ruang untuk berkongsi pandangan dalam hal pemimpin perdana di tanah air tercinta ini.
Sejak 2006, apabila bersembang mengenai kes pembunuhan seorang warga Mongolia yang membabitkan penggunaan C4, setiap kali itu juga kumpulan kami akan menggeleng-gelengkan kepala lantas menamakan kes itu kes pembunuhan paling bengap dalam sejarah tanah air tercinta.
Kami dapat membayangkan aksi berguling-guling menekan perut kerana ketawa tidak terhingga si perancang dan pembunuh Mustakizah dan Norita. Kami akan mengulang lagi soalan yang sama. Mereka yang membunuh model Mongolia itu tidak pernah menyaksikan CSI? 
Kenapakah mereka tidak memasukkan mayat model Mongolia itu dalam tong dram, curahkan simen, tutup dan tolak tong dram itu ke dalam laut atau tasik? 
Kenapakah model itu mesti diletupkan? Dengan C4? Kenapakah model Mongolia itu diletupkan di dalam hutan simpan? Tidak di tengah laut? Apakah motif kedua-dua polis yang telah dituduh? Model Mongolia itu kekasih merekakah? Kenapakah mesti dipadamkan rekod imigresen model Mongolia itu?
Saya sangat berharap kepada pihak tuan agar terus menjadi jambatan informasi kepada masyarakat tanah air tercinta. Katakan kepada pemimpin perdana tersebut dan penasihat beliau, kami bukan masyarakat bodoh, dungu, kelabu asap, menganga di hadapan televisyen menelan apa saja sogokan berita kerajaan kini. 
Hentikanlah anggapan bahawa masyarakat terutama orang Melayu masih menyokong parti pemerintah. kami melaung kepada pemimpin perdana dan pengikutnya, bahawa puak jahil yang masih mendukung parti Pekembar adalah puak yang berkepentingan material.
Pakcik-makcik-datuk-nenek yang kononnya disanjung peranan mereka dalam peristiwa unjuk rasa Malayan Union dan 13 Mei serta suku-sakat Dr M masih berasa saat kematian masih belum tiba dan jauh lagi.
Buat semarak bangsa anak-anak muda yang mendapat pengalaman berharga di Pekan, Pahang, kami kirimkan lagu John Farnham - You're the Voice. (yang tidak akan disiarkan oleh radio/TV pemerintah). Kami sangat berbangga mempunyai generasi berani,seperti anda.
Buat tuan LanH, semoga pena bahasa sentiasa tajam menggegar rasa dan jiwa anak bangsa. Terima kasih. Wassalamualaikum warahmatullah." - Labah-labah

Ideas for masjid committees

****************** 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) ******************** Da’wah (calling) to Allah is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman, as long as he has certain knowledge of the issue at hand. The Prophet (peace be upon him - pbuh or s.a.w.) said: “Convey from me, even if it is one verse.” (Related by al-Bukhary from Abdullaah ibn Amr) ******************* In today’s world, Muslims can use modern technology to share the message of Islam; one good example is the internet. It’s a pity many Muslims do not recognize the unique opportunity the internet offers for conveying Islam. ******************** Muslims communities in Malaysia especially among the Malays in the 'kampungs' and outskirts of town, prefer the traditional way of preaching knowledge. Since starting frequenting masjids to follow the ‘tazkirah’ (Islamic lessons) which are usually held everyday between ‘maghrib’ (dusk) and ‘isyak’ (night) prayers more than 10 years ago, only a few times did I come across the speaker who make use of power point facilities. ****************** In those sessions, an ‘ustaz’ would normally sit on his chair with the desk in his front, near the ‘mimbar’ (pulpit), facing the ‘jemaah’ (congregation). He would sit in his chair from the beginning to the end of the lesson. ******************* Normally classes in masjids would be held between the ‘maghrib’ and ‘isyak’ prayers. The duration is not long, often not more than an hour. The ‘ustaz’ would talk from his chair and it would be always be one-way communication. ************************ From my own experience only one or two ‘ustazs’ would open to questions from the floor. No dialogue would be held even though at the beginning of the lesson, a few ‘ustazs’ would say they were having a ‘muzakarah’ (exchange of ideas) session. ****************** Religious lessons in masjids are held in traditional settings. I observe that there had been no changes, and no wonder those who attended the classes were from the veteran group, many of them pensioners. At times they were teased as 'ahli' (members of) KRU ('Kumpulan Rambut Uban' or Group of Silver Hairs) or worst still 'OKK' (Orang ke kubur or Those who are heading to their graves) and RTM (rehat tunggu mati, waiting to die). ******************* It is difficult to see a young man at any of these classes. Perhaps, young men were not keen or attracted to attend such a traditional class were only the ‘ustaz’ were in action, while the audience was passive. In 'kampungs masjids', the chances of 'veterans' attending prayers and functions are greater than those in towns and cities. ***************** Many of the old folks that came to classes did not bring any books and writing equipment’ they only listened, some of them were seen falling asleep during lessons. Since they were only listening, they would fall into the third group that Allah SWT rewards – that is those involved in knowledge discussions/ **************** The huge reward goes to those who study to gain knowledge. They come to masjids with suitable raquirements such as books, notebooks, pens and pencils. They jot down notes just like universities students. But in masjids seldom do we find persons who takes lessons seriously. If university students had to take notes, veteran ‘jemaah’ in masjids only lend their ears. ****************** The almost unchanged traditional religious classes reflect the slow learning process of Muslims which is against the fast moving information and communication technology (ICT). In my opinion this development is a setback for Muslims because the ICT leap is great for John Naisbitt (1990) had said: “In telecommunications we are moving to a single world wide information network, just as economically we are becoming one global market place. We are moving toward the capability to communicate anything to anyone, anywhere, by any form – voice, data, text, or image – at the speed of light.” ***************** If in masjids Muslim could not adapt to the new communication era what would be said about their ability to maximize the new technologies in the field of ‘da’wah’. Regarding the varieties of da'wah methods, I like the concept of the programme 'Tanyalah Ustaz' which is aired by TV9 at 7.30-8.30 every morning. In this programme, participants and even viewers from all over the country could ask questions on the topics chosen by the ustaz. ******************* Imported Islamic programmes also showed that there are always two way communication involving the speaker and his/her followers. If the imam of a masjid gives a talk, we could see an open discussion among them; attendees would probe questions and being answered by the imam. In my opinion, by following this method of da'wah, a person could easily broaden his knowledge as he would ask on the things he does not know. Perhaps committee members of our masjids could have a thought about this two way communication being held in their masjids especially during 'prime time hours' such as between maghrib and isyak prayers. ******************* The big question here is why are young men and women and even children shying away from masjids in Malaysia? In cities and big towns such as Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu, this phenomena is not abvious but in smaller towns and villagers, some masjids and ‘suraus’ (small masjids) , are idle, they might be used used once or a few times in a week. ******************** If masjids fail to attract the young masses, it is the duty of leaders including community and masjid officials to make the house of Allah appealing to them. In this aspect communication is very vital and important. ******************** Muslims should look into their shortcomings in the field of communication. ‘Da’wah’ is not only restricted to giving lessons and sermons by the traditional way in the masjids but also to use the new technologies so that knowledge could be transmitted to anyone at any point. ****************** Last year while visiting Masjid Khadijah in Geylang, Singapore, I noticed committee members of the masjid from its youth wing were very active in doing the da'wah work via ICT. They work hard to provide vital Islamic knowledge by using internet. A committee member said they realized that many youth do not have time to follow talks at masjids during 'the traditional learning hours' (between maghrib and isyak prayers) as they were at work or travelling, so they provide them alternatives via modern day technologies. **************** By utilizing the internet, knowledge and messages could reached audiences all over the world, as it allowed easy and inexpensive way of communicating with people from around the globe. With the internet, people are no longer totally dependent upon an 'ustaz' or attending the traditional lessons held in masjid between maghrib and isyak prayers. ****************** Internet users are growing a very fast rate in South East Asia; in Indonesia it was about 40 million online users while in Malaysia 15 million users. In today’s world of ICT, almost every office worker had a PC or a laptop or has access to it. Even, almost every home have one. ********************* Remember, everyone has a duty do da’wah work as it is an obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman. Duty of da-ee (those who do the da’wah work) is not only for people who spent their time in Islamic study field, but it include whole ummah of Islam and da’ wah to non-Muslim bringing them to the right way which is Islam. ***************** So anyone can start from basic ways such as writing Islamic article on web-site, conveying Islamic knowledge to our friends, including the non-Muslim and informing about Islamic web-sites or audios of Muslims lectures in order to make them know Islam in the positive way. ************* But a word of caution, you must be knowledgeable first for example on what is 'halal' (permissible' and 'haram' (forbidden) including when writting your 'masterpiece' - for a start why not attend every day the traditional lectures at masjids held between maghrib and isyak prayers? Be patient and don't complaint, then 'insya-Allah' (God willing) you are on the right track to have Allah's blessing!

Mahu dihimpunkan bersama penyemarak tarian kuda di akhirat nanti?

**************** 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 ***************** SERONOK benar saya mendengar celoteh Tuan Guru dalam kuliah maghrib-isyak di sebuah masjid berhampiran rumah saya baru-baru ini. Beliau mensyarahkan punca iblis laknatullah binasa dan sebab Nabi Adam a.s. bahagia. ****************** Iblis jatuh celaka kerana dia tidak mengaku sudah berbuat dosa, tak sedih selepas melakukan dosa, tak mencela diri sendiri, tidak ada niat serta azam bertaubat dan putus asa atas rahmat Allah. Ringkasnya iblis sombong dan takabur. ***************** Sebaliknya Nabi Adam a.s. berbahagia sebab mengaku buat silap, segera bertaubat, tidak putus asa, tawaduk lantas menjadi makluk pilihan. ***************** Nabi Adam a.s. tersilap melanggar perintah Tuhan dengan memakan buah kuldi. Kesilapan itu antara lain disebabkan oleh desakan dan rayuan isteri baginda, Hawa. Namun selepas dikeluarkan daripada syurga, Nabi Adam a.s. tak pun salahkan isterinya. Dia tidak berkata, “ini semua kau punya pasallah Hawa!” ********************* Tetapi Nabi Adam a.s. salahkan dirinya sendiri. Baginda bertaubat bersungguh-sungguh. Dia tidak berputus asa, taubatnya bukan setahun dua tetapi puluhan tahun. Akhirnya taubatnya diterima Allah, maka berbahagialah dia dan isterinya Hawa sehingga ‘membenihkan’ zuriat yang kini dinamakan manusia. ********************* Adam a.s. mengaku silap dan memohon keampunan Allah SWT sekalipun baginda seorang Nabi. Berhubung topik Nabi Adam a.s. secara kebetulan Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang dalam ruangan Tafsir al-Qurannya dalam Harakah Bilangan 1819 (18-21 Februari 2013) yang mengulas perkara yang sama antara lain menulis: “Qotadah berkata, Adam a.s. merayu kepada Allah SWT: ‘Wahai Tuhanku, apakah pendapat-Mu jika aku bertaubat dan minta ampun dengan-Mu atas keterlanjuran aku lakukan sebelum ini’?” ********************** Allah berfirman: “Kalau begitu Aku akan masukkan engkau ke dalam syurga (semula suatu hari nanti.” Adapun iblis, dia tidak pernah bertaubat kepada Allah SWT selepas insiden perintah sujud hormat kepada Adam a.s. Kerjanya hanya menghasut anak Adam a.s. supaya mereka sesat sebagaimana dirinya sesat. *********************** Nah, jika Adam a.s. mencela diri baginda dan tidak salahkah orang lain (isterinya); bagaimana pendirian pendirian dan sikap diri kita termasuk pemimpin dalam menangani kesilapan yang sudah kita lakukan? Kebanyakan daripada kita mencari kambing hitam dalam hal yang sepatutnya kita bertanggungjawab atau dipertanggungjawabkan. ********************** Dalam rumah tangga misalnya, si suami asyik menyalahkan si isteri jika anak-anak bermasalah; jarang benar dia mengaku tersilap lantas mencela dirinya sendiri seterusnya bertaubat. Begitu juga dalam negara, pemimpin asyik salahkan pihak lain jika berlaku masalah sedangkan ikhtibar daripada kisah Nabi Adam a.s., baginda tak salahkan sesiapa pun tetapi salahkan diri sendiri lantas bertaubat kepada Allah SWT. ********************** Negara kita kini dilanda masalah sosial tenat – daripada kes pembunuhan yang menjadi-jadi kepada kegiatan samseng parti politik – namun pemimpin tidak melihat apatah lagi mengaku bahawa perkara menyimpang ini puncanya terletak di tangan mereka. Apa yang berlaku dalam masyarakat adalah cerminan kehidupan pemimpin. Jika pemimpin baik, insya-Allah rakyatnya akan baik, begitulah sebaliknya. ********************* Dikatakan pada zaman Khalifah Umar Abdul Aziz yang amat warak, negara begitu aman damai sehinggakan serigala boleh menggembala kambing! Kutipan zakat sukar diagihkan kerana hampir tiada orang berhak menerimanya. ******************** Namun begitu jika pemimpin berperangai ‘macam syaitan’, rakyat lagi teruklah keadaannya. Kata pepatah Melayu, bapa borek anak rintik atau guru kencing berdiri anak murid kencing berlari. ********************** Pemimpin mempunyai saham dalam cara hidup negatif ini, jadi usahlah mereka menuding jari kepada pihak lain seperti menuduh pembangkang kerana apabila mereka berbuat begitu, tiga lagi jari menuding ke arah mereka sendiri. Insaflah kuasa kini di tangan awak bukan pembangkang! ********************* Ambil contoh semasa, pemimpinlah yang menyuburkan budaya berhibur dalam masyarakat sehingga seorang pembesar sanggup merendahkan martabatnya untuk menyertai rakyat menyaksikan tarian gangnam (kuda) oleh artis luar Psy dan bagi membolehkan hal ini berlaku jutaan ringgit terpaksa dihabiskan. Tak kiralah siapa membuat pembiayaan, hakikatnya rakyat mahu dilekakan dengan perkara yang jelas tiada kepentingan. ********************* Jika seseorang pemimpin tidak bijak membuat penilaian apa yang baik (menguntungkan) dan tidak baik (tidak menguntungkan) bagi dirinya dan orang dipimpinnya di sisi Allah SWT apatah lagi untuk mengaku kesilapannya dan bertaubat seperti dilakukan oleh Nabi Adam a.s., maka apakah sewajarnya dia terus dimartabatkan sebagai pemimpin? ********************** Perkara ini amat membahaya dan merugikan orang bawahan kerana di akhirat kelak seseorang itu akan dikumpulkan bersama orang dikasihinya termasuk pemimpin. Bertanya dan jawablah secara jujur kepada diri kita sendiri apakah di akhirat nanti kita mahu dikumpulkan dengan pemimpin yang menyemarakkan tarian kuda atau kita mahu menyertai pemimpin yang mengajak kita kepada pengamalan ajaran Islam sepenuhnya dalam kehidupan?

Berundurlah secara terhormat jika kalah pilihan raya

************************* DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. *********************** Renungan *********************** "Dan jika menghitung nikmat Allah, nescaya tidaklah dapat kamu menghitungnya." (Maksud ayat 34 Surah Ibrahim) *********************** Pemimpin kerap menguar-uarkan negara kita akan mencapai status negara maju pada 2020. Malah ada negeri seperti Melaka sudah pun membuat perisytiharan sebagai berstatus maju; kita tertarik untuk membuat perbandingan senario politik kepimpinan negara maju dan negara kita dalam menghadapi kekalahan dalam pilihan raya. **************************** Di negara maju adalah biasa untuk sesebuah parti politik itu silih berganti bagi menerajui negara. Di Amerika Syarikat pertarungannya adalah antara parti Demokrat dan Republikan.Pemimpin parti yang tewas akan berundur secara terhormat, tidak timbul langsung akan mempertahankan Rumah Putih ke titisan darah terakhir. **************************** Demikian juga di Britain; kita dapat saksikan bagaimana dengan terhormat perdana menterinya seperti Tony Blair melepaskan kuasa; demikian juga di Perancis, Nicolas Sarkozy menerima kekalahan dengan bergaya; dunia kini sudah melupakan bekas pemimpin Perancis dengan isteri glamornya, Carla Bruni. **************************** Sehubungan itu, sebagai negara di ambang status negara maju, kita berharapkan pemimpin kita dapat mencontohi kesediaan pemimpin negara maju berundur secara terhormat jika mereka tewas dalam pilihan raya. Demikian juga bebas pemimpin dan pemimpin politik lain - usahlah bercakap merapu seperti bermandi darah, menghasut penyokong melakukan keganasan jika kalah. Usahlah mencatat sejarah sebagai pemimpin yang memulakan ketidak-tentuan dalam negara dan menjadi kebencian rakyat. *********************** Pemimpin perlu menyedari sejarah mencatat mereka yang berada terlalu lama di puncak kuasa, menjadi kebencian orang. Ferdinand Marcos (Filipina), Suharto (Indonesia) dan Idi Amin (Uganda) adalah contohnya. Mereka disusuli diktator Zine el Abidine Ben Ali (Tunisia). Hosni Mubarak (Mesir) dan Muammar Gaddafi (Libya). Tidak lama lagi tentu ada tokoh dan parti lain seperti Bashar Al-Assad (Syria) mengikuti. **************************** Dalam dunia politik antarabangsa kontemporari, nama bekas Presiden Afrika Selatan, Nelson Mandela tetap terpelihara. Penerima Hadiah Nobel Keamanan ini hanya menjadi presiden sepenggal cuma (selama lima tahun selepas menang pilihan raya pelbagai kaum pertama Afrika Selatan pada April 1994). ********************** Pada pilihan raya umum Afrika Selatan 1999, Mandela yang memimpin Kongres Kebangsaan Afrika (ANC) berpeluang menang besar dan kembali menjadi presiden buat penggal kedua, tetapi tokoh yang pernah meringuk 27 tahun dalam penjara memilih untuk berundur, memberi peluang kepada timbalannya, Thabo Mbeki menerajui negara. ********************* Ya, Mandela adalah contoh negarawan hebat, beliau enggan berada di puncak kuasa buat tempoh masa lama, bagi beliau cukuplah sekadar meletakkan asas kepada pembentukan negara Afrika Selatan baru yang didirikan di atas kuburan dasar aparteid yang membelenggu negara itu berabad-abad lamanya. *********************** Hal ini amat berlainan dengan diktator-diktator dunia Arab yang mahu terus berkuasa ‘dulu, kini, dan selamanya’ semata-mata berdasarkan keputusan pilihan raya yang menunjukkan mereka dapat sokongan hebat – lebih daripada 90 peratus undi. ************************* Mubarak, Saddam Hussein (Iraq) dan Ali Abdullah Saleh (Yaman) bukannya tidak melalui pilihan raya malah setiap kali kemenangan lebih 90 peratus dicatatkan, menyakinkan mereka untuk terus berkuasa. Jelas rakyat tidak dapat mengubah mereka melalui pilihan raya tetapi cara lain termasuk melalui jalan raya. *********************** Tentunya kita tdak mahu hal ini berlaku di negara kita, oleh itu wahai pemimpin yang tewas, bersedialah berundur secara terhormat, usahlah bercakap ‘merapu’ dengan menyemarakkan penyokongan dengan ucapan seperti “mempertahankan Putrajaya sehingga ke titisan darah terakhir!” *************************** Berundurlah bagaikan ‘gentleman’ seperti ditunjukkan Blair, Sarkozy tetapi mengetepikan pemimpin yang mahu berkuasa dulu, kini dan selamanya seperti Bashar Al-Assad sekalipun ratusan ribu rakyatnya sudah mati dalam konflik berpanjangan hingga kini. Insya-Allah dia juga akan ditunjuk jalan keluar!