Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 190

Do not become like the Children of Israel…

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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.
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RECENTLY the topics on Jews popped up and turned into a heated argument among certain quarters. There are some 'hadith' proving that our beloved Prophet, Muhammad s.a.w. had dealings with the Jews.

It is related that 'A'isha said, "The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, bought some food from a Jew on credit and left his armour as security." (Narated by Al-Bukhary)

In another hadith narrated by Jabir bin 'Abdullah: A funeral procession passed in front of us and the Prophet stood up and we too stood up. We said, 'O Allah's Apostle! This is the funeral procession of a Jew." He said, "Whenever you see a funeral procession, you should stand up." (Bukhari Book #23, Hadith #398)

Based on these hadiths, it is not correct to say Muslims cannot have dealings including businesses with the Jews, but what Muslims are told is that they should not follow or imitate the brutality of the Jews; today in the form of the Zionist regime.

As Muslims we should obeyed all Allah SWT words in the Qur'an. Allah SWT has given us warning on this matter in one Qur'anic verse where He warns us not to become like the Children of Israel who disobey some of Allah SWT's commandments in the Taurah, as stated in Ayah 85 Surah Al-Baqarah which reads; "…Then is it only a part of the Book that ye believe in, and do ye reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? And on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty. For Allah is not unmindful for what ye do."

In the following verse (Ayah 86 Al-Baqarah), Allah SWT says: "Such are those who buy the life of the world at the price of the Hereafter. Their punishment will not be lightened, neither will they have support."

Are our lives truly guided by the Qur'an? Or are we good in taking what we think are good to us and ignoring what we feel bad? Regarding this, Allah the Almighty warns in Surah al-Baqarah 2:85, that to accept some part of the Qur'an and to reject some is to reject all of it. There is no room for partial acceptance in your relationship with the Qur'an; there cannot logical be.

Have a good look at Ayah (Ayat) 178 and 183 of Surah Al-Baqarah (Cow); why we fully accepted God's commandments regarding fasting but we were reluctant to his laws of 'qisas'. Ayah 183 reads; "O ye who believe! Fasing is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you that ye may ward off (evil)," while Ayah 178 reads; "O ye who believe! Retalation is prescribed for you in the matter of the murdered; the freeman for the freeman, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. And for him who is forgiven somewhat by his (injured) brother, prosecution according to usage and payment unto him in kindness. This is an alleviation and a mercy from your Lord. He who transgresseth after this will have a painfull doom." (The Meaning of the Glorious Qu'an, translation by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall)

Muslims should have no reservations in implementing all of Allah SWT commands including hudud law and preventing 'mungkar' (sins). Having reservation on any of Allah SWT's commands is a clear violation of our oath, the 'syahadah', that we will submit and obey all of Allah SWT's commands.

Some scholars even say having such an attitude will nullify our 'syahadah' and is sufficient to make a person 'kafir' (a non-believer). And Allah SWT has given us warning on this matter in Ayah 85 Surah al-Baqarah (stated above) where Allah SWT warns us not to become like the Children of Israel who disobey some of Allah SWT's commandments in the Taurah.

Regarding accepting Islam fully as the only way of life including non separation of politics and religion, I am glad to highlight this e-mel from a reader.

May this e-mail find you in peace.

Part one

I wish to refer to your previous article 'Seeking the 'correct path' in life'. The e-mail from your reader, a Malay female university student, which you shared was indeed very heart moving. Firstly, interestingly enough, her awakening to her own religion is inspired through the noble newspaper Harakah which, for the uninitiated, is basically a political publication, say like the Rocket, Suara Keadilan and others, or even if they be pro-Umno-BN.

As for me (a slight digression towards myself), even though I have been a Harakah reader for than two years now, trying to assimilate and accept previously unacceptable concepts such as non-separation between politics and religion is something that can only happen with the significant passage of time.

The truth about this non-separation is that it is actually true for all religions (and very much in Sikhism) but here in Malaysia this truth seems to have survived only in Islam. So, for all practical purposes I have decided to consider myself a non-Muslim Islamist if I have to, just to propagate the idea of this non-separation.

Okay, back to the girl. Of the many experiences she shared I think the most horrific was that of having to witness or to be in the know of the wild sex and pleasure life of some of her campus mates. I felt most tearfully grateful that she was saved from it.

Then there are other personal attitudes and views described that she had to deal with which completely split her mind into two such as praying to Allah and yet missing out on prayers, listening / reading the Qu'ran and then also listening to the latest music and so on.

These descriptions are so typical of all humans facing what might be generally referred to as a morality crisis. A morality crisis is mentally and emotionally very taxing leading to a sense of helplessness which then culminates in what she so aptly described as a severe depression. This was when she decided to run away from the hectic environment and the hypocrisy of other people.

A morality crisis, you might say, is one where one needs to organise one's thoughts, words and deeds and compartmentalise them into the very black and white groups of good and evil. Then further soul searching brings up the not so obviously black and white areas, or perhaps the grey areas which need a lot more effort, maturity and understanding and also the need to be well versed with one's religious teachings.

I think that you have indeed picked a very suitable e-mail with very meaningful content for the young generation to ponder upon.

Part two

On Sunday 25th March I heard the winding up lecture by PAS President Dato Sri Hadi Awang at the Kajang Town Council Hall building.

The hall was filled to capacity by anak Terengganu. His lecture was probably the longest (there were three other speakers) but he never seemed to run out of important and yet very interesting subject matter, even for me, a non-Malay listener (probably the only one), despite the Terengganu dialect that he sometimes used. (What a coincidence that the aforementioned Harakah reader whose e-mail you shared has her maternal routes in Terengganu.)

What really got my attention were the pain and the passion with which he was delivering himself. It took me some time to try to put this delivery into perspective as I asked someone sitting next to me whether Dato Hadi Awang was himself an anak jati. Then it all fell into place. He was also the former MB who lost his precious state to the Federal Umno goons. He was speaking with the pain of a 'mangsa penjajahan' (victim of domination).

I don't have a recording of his speech so I will be quite vulnerable to mistakes and misquotes but certainly not to the spirit of his delivery.

So, carrying on, the next thing I felt was the change in my perception of the state of Terengganu. I had always thought it as a second-to-Kelantan PAS-state (even if it is currently ex-PAS), or perhaps a third after Kedah (currently PAS).

I can't fully remember nor fully understand the depth of the political history of the state that he described but right now in my mind, the roots of Terengganu seem to be more PAS then those of Kelantan. For me this was a startling shift in paradigm.

This also includes my perception of the PAS President himself. Was it not just recently that some media headlines were highlighting how Tuan Guru Nik Aziz scolded Dato' Hadi for wanting to step down to concentrate on being a religious teacher?

There was anger in his voice as he mentioned certain Federal projects (maybe one or maybe more, I can't quite recall) which were carried out using State funds. Then of course there is the infamous oil royalty issue.

He then went on to elaborate on the vast resources available. There were so many rivers in Terengganu, for instance, one of which could easily support a hydro-electric plant. Then there were the coastal towns which could become seaports with shipping routes right across the Pacific Ocean up until the Americas.

He then asked the sixty-four billion dollar question; why is Terengganu not competing neck and neck with Selangor. What gargantuan implications this question has. We may as well ask why aren't all the thirteen states not competing neck and neck with one other? - Your comrade in PAS.

Ubah gaya hidup; cakap biar serupa bikin

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

Renungan

Janganlah memuji dirimu

Janganlah anda memuji-muji diri anda sebagai orang yang suci dan bersih daripada dosa. Dengarlah firman Allah SWT yang bermaksud: "Ia (Allah) lebih mengetahui akan keadaan kamu semenjak Ia menciptakan kamu (berasal) daripada tanah, dan semasa kamu berupa anak yang sedang melalui berbagai-bagai peringkat kejadian dalam perut ibu kamu; maka janganlah kamu memuji-muji diri kamu (bahawa kamu suci bersih daripada dosa). Dialah saja yang mengetahui akan orang-orang yang bertakwa." (An-Najm:32) - Hidayah Rabiulawal 1433/Februari 2012
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TERINGAT saya sewaktu menyertai bantahan kebaikan harga minyak di jalan raya berhampiran KLCC pada awal tahun 2006 dulu, peserta perhimpunan diikejar anggota FRU.

Mereka melarikan diri macam anjing kurap dibaling batu. Namun sebelum anggota polis bertindak, hadirian dihiburkan oleh seorang pembantah yang memakai topeng wajah Timbalan Perdana Menteri ketika itu, Najib Razak dengan slogan bertulis besar 'Ubah Gaya Hidup'. Dia ke hulu ke hilir mempamerkan wajah lucu seorang pemimpin negara.

Untuk menangani kesan kenaikan harga minyak sebanyak 30 sen seliter itu, TPM Najib mengesyorkan 'Ubah Gaya Hidup'. Berhubung hal ini, Najib dipetik sebagai berkata: ""Kita perlu terima hakikat bahawa kenaikan ini tidak dapat dielakkan. Jika sudah terima hakikat, lebih mudah untuk kita membuat penyesuaian, cara hidup dan berbelanja supaya walaupun harga naik, kita dapat mengekalkan kualiti hidup. Yang penting, kita perlu sedar bahawa dengan langkah penjimatan ini, kerajaan meletakkan asas ekonomi dan kewangan yang lebih kukuh untuk masa depan."

Ya, ubah gaya hidup…bunyinya sedap tetapi bagi rakyat kebanyakan hakikatnya pahit. Jika orang kaya dan berkuasa mempunyai pelbagai kehendak, orang miskin hanya mahu memenuhi tiga keperluan asas manusia iaitu makanan, pakaian dan tempat tinggal. Pada zaman moden ini, ada beberapa lagi keperluan asas seperti pendidikan anak-anak. Jadi apa erti ubah gaya hidup dalam memenuhi keperluan asas ini?

Apakah dari segi makanan; jika dulu makan tiga hari sekali, mahu dikurangkan kepada dua kali sehari? Dari segi pakaian pula, jika dulu pakaian hanya berganti pada musim perayaan atau permulaan persekolahan (bagi anak-anak) apakah tak perlu diganti, cukuplah untuk menerima pakaian terpakai pemberian organisasi kebajikan? Dari segi tempat tinggal pula, apakah ubah gaya hidup bermakna teruslah menyewa atau tinggal di kawasan setinggan, jangan cuba-cuba membeli rumah kerana tidak mampu membayar bayaran muka atau bulanan.

Tak apalah, bagi menyahut 'seruan suci' itu, rakyat bersedia berkorban untuk mengubah cara hidup. Jika dulu naik kereta buruk, juallah kenderaan itu dan mulalah naik bas. Menggunakan bas awam boleh berjimat, lagi pun TPM sudah berjanji memperbaiki mutu pengangkutan awam kerana katanya, pendapatan daripada pengurangan subsidi minyak dimasukkan ke dalam Kumpulan Wang Amanah bagi penambahbaikan sistem berkenaan. Duitnya tentu banyak sebab Najib ada berkata jika harga minyak tidak dinaikkan, subsidi dan pengecualian cukai adalah sebanyak RM6 bilion.

Masa berlalu dengan begitu pantas. TPM yang begitu pandai mengubah gaya hidup akhirnya menjadi PM. Malangnya mereka yang mengikut syornya mengubah gaya hidup tidak pula bersinar hidupnya. Bagi yang mengubah hidup dengan menjual kereta buruk untuk menaiki bas, nasib sesetengah mereka begitu buruk, pengangkutan awam terutama di luar bandar dan kawasan pedalaman menjadi semakin teruk. Banyak syarikat bas gulung tikar, kini orang yang tidak mempunyai pengangkutan sendiri, derita mereka makin parah.

Perkhidmatan bas pinggir bandar amat teruk sekali. Seorang pengguna memberitahu dia terpaksa menunggu berjam-jam di tepi jalan untuk mendapatkan bas. Suatu hari katanya, dia terpaksa balik saja selepas menunggu dari jam 10.00 pagi tetapi bas tidak datang sehingga jam 1.00 tengah hari. Di sesetengah tempat, perkhidmatan bas awam sudah tidak wujud lagi. Nasiblah rakyat, itulah jangan cepat-cepat hendak ubah gaya hidup dengan menjual kereta atau motosikal buruk itu. Orang yang mengesyorkan ubah gaya hidup makin bergaya hidupnya, awak sendiri jadi papa kedana!

Ya, rakyat makin derita kerana menyahut seruan pemimpin untuk ubah gaya hidup. Tetapi adakah pemimpin sudah ubah gaya hidup mereka? Maksudnya ubah gaya hidup ke arah kehidupan sederhana (wasatiyyah seperti digembar-gemburkan PM sendiri) dan bukan sebaliknya iaitu ubah gaya hidup kea rah kehidupan bermewah-mewahan seperti mengadakan majlis pertunangan anak dengan kos setengah juta ringgit atau sambutan hari jadi RM10,000?

Nampaknya, pemimpin 'auta' cakap berdegar-degar. Minta rakyat berkorbanlah untuk negara; mempertahankan negara ke titisan darah terakhirlah, berjimat cermatlah dan ubah gaya hidup. Malangnya, mereka memperagakan gaya hidup mewah seperti mengadakan majlis seperti 'pesta kahwin puteri kayangan' atau macam anak Raja Donan - 40 hari 40 malam.

Mereka terus boros berbelanja sedangkan rakyat disuruh 'jimat, jimat, jimat' dan pada masa yang sama surat khabar dan TV menyiarkan tuduhan mereka kononnya pemimpin pembangkang sebagai 'auta'.

Ya siapa yang 'kaki auta' kerana apabila dekat dengan pilihan raya ini ramai pemimpin yang 'auta' rakyat - mereka bagi duit dan bantuan itu dan ini tetapi berkata ia tidak ada kena mengena dengan pilihan raya.

Ada pula yang 'gian' nak bertanding atau yang sudah menjadi calon, ketika kempen pilihan raya tiba-tiba pandai menoreh getah, menggoreng mi, menjual ikan dan berkain pelikat sambil menghirup kopi. Tolonglah, jangan nak auta rakyat. Cakaplah serupa bikin, jangan cakap tak serupa bikin!

Sikap, lagak Yahudi makin jadi amalan

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

Renungan

"Siapakah yang lebih baik perkataannya daripada orang yang menyeru kepada Allah, mengerjakan amal yang saleh dan berkata: "Sesungguhnya aku termasuk orang-orang yang berserah diri?" (QS. Fushilat: 33)
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Bersyukur kita ke hadrat Ilahi kerana dipanjangkan usia, maka dapatlah kita bertemu bagi memuzakarahkan isu semasa membabitkan umat Islam.

Subjek Yahudi kini menjadi perbahasan semasa dan dalam penelitian kita terdapat sejumlah hadis yang menunjukkan bahawa Nabi junjungan kita Muhammad s.a.w. pernah berhubungan dengan orang Yahudi.

Antara lain sebuah hadis yang bermaksud: "Bahawasanya Nabi s.a.w. menggadaikan (Rahn) diran (baju besi) kepada seorang Yahudi yang bernama Abusy Syahmi atas pinjamannya sebanyah 30 sha gandum untuk keluarganya." - Riwayat Al-Bukhari dan Muslim

Sebuah lagi hadis bermaksud: "Daripada Aisyah r.a. berkata Nabi s.a.w pernah membeli makanan daripada seorang Yahudi dengan harga yang dihutang. Sebagai tanggungan atas hutangnya itu Nabi s.a.w. menyerahkan baju besinya." - Riwayat Al-Bukhari

Sahl bin Hunaif dan Qees bin Saad melaporkan: Sesungguhnya Nabi s.a.w. dilintasi di hadapannya oleh satu jenazah, lalu baginda berdiri. Diberitakan kepada baginda bahawa ia adalah jenazah seorang Yahudi. Lalu baginda bersabda: "Tidakkah ia satu jiwa?" - Direkod oleh Bukhari (no: 1250) dan Muslim (no: 961)

Berdasarkan ini, adalah tidak benar untuk menyatakan tidak boleh berhubungan (termasuk bermuamalat) dengan orang Yahudi; tetapi yang tidak bolehnya meniru perangai dan sikap orang Yahudi yang kini terkenal dengan rejim Zionisnya yang membelasah penduduk Palestin semahu-mahunya.

Kita pun jangan tersilap faham. Ada orang Yahudi beragama Islam atau sudah memeluk Islam dan amat baik sekali perangai mereka. Dua gadis Muslim di Perancis (Leila dan Alma) yang menentang larangan pihak berkuasa mengharamkan hijab adalah orang Yahudi. Bapa mereka adalah Laurent Levy, seorang Yahudi tidak beragama (ateis). Namun dia tidak membantah apabila anak-anaknya memilih Islam.

Cakaplah apa saja mengenai Yahudi Zionis, sombong, jahat, zalim, pembunuh dan sebagainya, mereka buat 'dek aje' (tak tahu). Mereka tidak ambil 'pot' (kisah) jika seluruh dunia mengutuk mereka, yang mereka tahu kepentingan bangsa mereka didahulukan, diutamakan.

Namun sikap dan perangai Yahudi inilah yang semakin menular dalam masyarakat kita termasuk pemimpinnya. Katakan dan tuduh apa saja kepada mereka; pembunuhkah, meletupkan orangkah, berjoli katak dengan wang rakyatkah, penzinakah, perasuahkah, mereka buat pekak saja. Mereka tidak ambil 'pot' atas tuduhan itu, apa yang mereka tahu cita-cita mereka untuk ke puncak kemasyhuran dunia tercapai.

Sama seperti orang Yahudi (Zionis), orang Malaysia juga mula tidak ambil peduli apabila dilempar pelbagai tuduhan seperti meletupkan orang, mencuri laki orang, berzina dan merasuah. Mereka tidak pun berusaha untuk membersihkan nama mereka melalui langkah menyaman si penuduh. Orang Yahudi, biarlah apa dikatakan terhadap mereka, perangai mereka tetap sama sejak dulu, kini dan mungkin selamanya. Orang Malaysia pun mulai sama macam mereka, keras hati dan keras kepala, dulu, kini dan selamanya.

Sepanjang sejarahnya, Yahudi adalah bangsa yang melawan Rasul. Nabi Musa a.s. dilawan mereka, ada Nabi diusir mereka dan sesetengah Nabi seperti Nabi Yahya a.s. digergaji sampai mati oleh mereka. Orang Malaysia sekarang ini pun apa kurangnya, orang yang perjuangkan hak rakyat mereka kenakan pelbagai tindakan.

Kenapa orang Malaysia kini berperangai macam Yahudi? Orang Yahudi tidak menjajah dunia seperti British, Sepanyol, Belanda, Portugis dan sebagainya. Tetapi mereka menjajah pemikiran penduduk seluruh dunia.

Shakespeare melalui karyanya 'The Merchant of Venice' atau juga dikenali sebagai 'The Jew of Venice' mengingatkan betapa liciknya orang Yahudi melalui watak Shylock yang mahukan mengerat daging Antonio selepas dia gagal membayar balik pinjaman yang diberikan si Yahudi.

Jadi Yahudi hari ini telah berjaya menerbos mereka yang tubuhnya bersifat bangsa Malaysia (Melayu, Cina, India, Iban dan sebagainya) dengan 'meyahudikan' pemikiran dan perangai mereka. Mungkinkah mereka melakukan ini melalui suntikan beracun yang kini semakin diheboh-hebohkan melalui pembabitan Apco Worldwide?

Benar batang tubuh orang Malaysia dilihat sebagai bersifat kebangsaan. Mereka bangga memperkenalkan tarian tradisional termasuk dikir barat di Washington, tetapi pemikiran dan perangai mereka menyerupai orang Yahudi.

Sebagai contoh mereka buat pekak badak sahaja, suara rakyat yang mempersoalkan pembaziran mereka ke sana tidak dipedulikan langsung, yang penting mereka perlu dilihat terhebat di seantero dunia.

Apabila perangai Yahudi diamalkan pemimpin, dikhuatiri penyakit amat bahaya ini menjangkiti rakyat. Tengoklah perangai rakyat sekarang ini sudah macam Yahudi. Bunuh orang, tetak orang, simbah asid, buang bayi malah bakar bayi, semakin menjadi-jadi. Siapa ajar semua ini?

Kebanyakan orang yang melakukan jenayah ini sudah buta dan keras hati. Mereka buat 'dek aje' sama seperti pemimpin yang didakwa melakukan pelbagai jenayah termasuk meletupkan orang. Semuanya buat-buat pekak, buta dan bisu samalah seperti sikap orang Yahudi.

Rakyat yang telah buta hati ini, cakaplah apa saja pada mereka, mereka tidak peduli lagi. Cakaplah rasuah berbilion ringgit, skandal itu skandal ini, mereka tidak ambil 'pot' pun. Cakaplah pemimpin itu dan ini (termasuk presiden parti kedua terbasar dalam BN) ada skandal seks, mereka tidak ambil peduli pun. Kalau ada pilihan raya, mereka tetap undi parti yang itu juga. Cakaplah apa saja, mereka tetap tang tu tang tu jugak.

Betullah rakyat sudah berjaya diyahudikan sikap dan perangai mereka!

Jadi selama ini apabila berlaku majlis untuk meraih simpati kepada rakyat Palestin atau menunjukkan tentangan kepada rejim Zionis, kebanyakan pemimpin yang hadir hanya bersandiwa saja. Ini kerana merekalah yang memberi projek kepada perunding Yahudi seperti Apco International bagi menggilap kehebatan masing-masing.

Apa yang diajar oleh perunding Yahudi mereka terapkan kepada rakyat. Kini rakyat pun sudah sama berperangai Yahudi macam mereka. Itulah sebabnya rakyat begitu bangga apabila dua pemimpin sekutu Zionis bersalaman erat di Washington!

Perbankan Islam okey, bagaimana Kewartawanan Islam?

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

Renungan

Jalan Mudah Menuju Syurga

Abu Darda' r.a. menyatakan, Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda, bermaksud: "Barang siapa yang menempuh jalan untuk mencari ilmu, maka Allah mempermudahkan baginya suatu jalan menuju syurga. Sesungguhnya para malaikat meletakkan sayapnya bagi orang yang menuntut ilmu kerana redanya dengan apa yang mereka perbuat.

"Sesungguhnya orang yang berilmu itu dimohonkan ampun oleh makhluk yang ada di langit dan yang ada di bumi termasuk ikan-ikan di dalam air. Dan kelebihan orang berilmu daripada orang yang beribadah (tanpa ilmu) itu adalah bagaikan kelebihan bulan daripada seluruh bintang yang lain.

"Sesungguhnya ulama itu adalah pewaris para nabi. Para nabi itu tidak mewariskan dinar atau dirham. Mereka hanya mewariskan ilmu. Barang siapa mengambilnya, maka dia mengambil bahagian yang baik." (HR. Abu Daud dan Termizi) - Hidayah Rabiulakhir 1433/Mac 2012

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Teruja sungguh saya mendengar taklimat mengenai Perbankan Islam di sebuah masjid berhampiran rumah saya baru-baru ini. Ceramah dengan tajuk 'Perbankan Islam: Satu Kewajipan' oleh seorang pegawai kanan Bank Muamalat itu antara lain menyentuh perjuangan getir umat Islam negara ini menegakkan sistem perbankan mengikut syariah terutama bagi membendung amalan riba yang membawa kepada penubuhan Bank Islam pada 1983.

Perjuangan ini berterusan sehinggalah bank konvensional juga akhirnya menawarkan produk-produk Islam dan kini lesen sudah diberikan kepada 17 institusi kewangan bagi menjalankan Perbankan Islam. Kini banyak IPT menawarkan pengajian Perniagaan Islam, Kewangan Islam dan Perbankan Islam. Semua ini bagi menyelamatkan umat Islam daripada bahana menjalani kehidupan menyimpang daripada ajaran Islam terutama amalan riba yang orang berterusan mengamalkannya diberi amaran bahawa Allah dan Rasul-Nya mengisytiharkan perang terhadap mereka.

Syabas kepada 'orang bank' yang menjalankan peranan dan menjayakan tugas mereka. Dalam kehidupan singkat ini, saya percaya setiap orang hanya mampu berperanan dalam bidang masing-masing. Jika 'orang bank' boleh tersenyum dengan kejayaan Perbankan Islam, bagaimana pula dengan 'orang surat khabar (media)', apakah kini sudah wujud 'Kewartawanan Islam'. Sebagai seorang wartawan inilah bidang saya, apa yang sudah dilakukan oleh wartawan Islam termasuk diri ini dalam memurnikan amalan dunia kewartawanan sehingga ia sejajar dengan kehendak Allah dan Rasul-Nya?

Beberapa artikel saya sebelum ini menyentuh mengenai penubuhan Sekolah Kewartawanan Islam yang lulusannya diharapkan dapat mengimbangi graduan-graduan keluaran sekolah kewartawanan sekular yang berkiblatkan dunia ilmu Amerika dan Eropah, tetapi usaha melahirkan wartawan tawaduk yang tunduk kepada halal dan haram nampaknya bergerak terlalu perlahan.

Malah dunia kewartawanan tanah air semakin dicemari paparan dan amalan tidak beretika; tidak payahlah kita bercakap mengenai Kewartawanan Islam, etika kewartawanan yang dipelajari di sekolah-sekolah kewartawanan sekular pun dilanggar semahu-mahunya. Wartawan bukan lagi bersifat pelapor; tetapi menyebelahi pihak-pihak yang disokong dan mahu dimenangkannya.

Tataplah paparan akhbar harian yang dikatakan media arus perdana itu atau ikuti buletin TV dan radio, hampir semua bahannya menyokong satu pihak dan mencerca pihak lawannya. Pihak disokong diberi liputan meluas untuk membelasah lawannya, malangnya yang dibelasah tidak diberi ruang sedikit pun untuk membela diri. Apakah perkara seperti ini diajar di sekolah-sekolah kewartawanan?

Semasa saya menuntut dulu, seorang pensyarah kewartawanan berbuih-buih mulutnya menyatakan seseorang wartawan itu tidak boleh membabitkan dirinya (seperti memberi pendapat, pandangan dan rasa hati) dalam penulisan berita dan rencananya.


Masih terngiyang-ngiyang peringatan itu walaupun sudah hampir 30 tahun berlalu. Laporkan saja sesuatu kejadian kerana awak pelapor bukan pengulas, katanya. "Tugas awak macam posmen, menghantar surat, isi dalam surat itu tidak ada kena mengena dengan awak," tegasnya.

Tetapi hari ini apabila membaca berita dan rencana, terasa apa yang dikuliahkan pensyarah itu tidak terpakai lagi. Pelapor (wartawan) sudah mengambil bahagian dalam pemberitaan. Mungkin si wartawan membuat laporan seadanya tetapi telah ditambah itu sang editor, menjadikan laporan itu kelihatan 'senget' (bias). Sekarang ini, keadaannya 'terlalu senget' sehingga orang awam pun berasa jijik dengan sesetengah media massa.

Perkembangan ini membuat hati ini tertanya-tanya apakah prinsip asas kewartawanan itu terpakai lagi. Atau apakah penulis tersilap tafsir asas kewartawanan yang diajar oleh pensyarah dulu?

Bagi penulis, seseorang wartawan Muslim itu bukan hanya perlu tahu dan mengamalkan etika kewartawanan, tetapi lebih penting tahu dan mengamalkan asas-asas Islam. Mereka perlu peka tentang perkara halal dan haram.

Sebelum memulakan kerja, mereka tahu dan sedar Yang Maha Berkuasa sedang memerhatikan mereka. Bersandarkan ilmu yang menyuluh, mereka tahu yang mana halal dan haram.

Melaporkan berita secara tepat adalah halal tetapi memesongkan berita adalah haram. Menyiarkan berita pihak berkuasa menggempur kedai judi adalah kerja kebajikan tetapi menyiarkan keputusan empat nombor ekor adalah haram. Tetapi menyiarkan keputusan judi inilah menjadi amalan akhbar-akhbar kini; apakah perlakuan haram ini mahu dilakukan dulu, kini dan selamanya...

Wartawan beriman juga tahu menyiarkan kisah artis mencari jalan pulang (mencari Tuhan) adalah bagus tetapi mereka juga tahu menyiarkan gambar artis terlondeh sana, terbuka sana adalah haram; jadi mereka akan buat yang halal dan meninggalkan yang haram. Inilah yang kita mahu dalam dunia kewartawanan kita. Bersediakah wartawan-wartawan kita berubah, berhijrah?

Mengenai etika kewartawanan Islam seorang penulis menyatakan ia ada sedikit perbezaan dengan etika kewartawanan Barat yang mengutamakan kebebasan tanpa batasan dalam semua perkara.

Seorang wartawan Islam perlu sedar dia adalah seorang pelapor yang merakamkan kejadian sebenar seperti lensa kamera; mereka sentiasa merasai diri dalam pemerhatian Allah SWT. Wartawan Islam dibatasi dengan hukum-hukum syariat halal-haram.

Seorang wartawan Islam itu sekali gus seorang pendakwah. Lembut lidah pendakwah dalam menyampaikan risalah Allah, lembutlah bahasa wartawan. Tinggi hemah ulama, tinggilah hemah wartawan. Tajam pandangan ulama,, tajamlah pandangan wartawan. Keras ulama mencegah kemungkaran, begitulah sikap wartawan. Wartawan juga perlu menjawab segala kebohongan yang dilemparkan terhadap Islam.

Berikut adalah sebahagian daripada etika kewartawanan Islam yang boleh dijadikan panduan:

1. Betulkan niat iaitu bekerja semata-mata untuk mencari keredaan Allah.

2. Memulakan setiap kerja dengam Bismillah dan apabila selesai mengucap Alhamdulillah.

3. Berada di medan penulisan kerana melaksanakan kewajipan dan fardu kifayah.

4. Kekalkan pendirian menulis hanya atas dasar kejujuran.

5. Bercita-cita menegakkan yang makruf dan mencegah/ menentang kemungkaran.

6. Melaksanakan Islam dalam diri, keluarga, masyarakat, negara dan dunia dengan mengambil kira hukum wajib, sunat, harus, makruh dan haram. Membenci dan meninggalkan perkara yang haram dan makruh.

7. Menimba ilmu Islam melalui pengajian (berguru) di samping pembacaan dan pemerhatian.

Penulis ini mengingatkan bahawa pena adalah pedang jihad bukan senjata yang memuntahkan peluru-peluru fitnah, tohmahan dan seumpamanya. Sentiasa menimbang akan dosa dan pahala sebelum melakukan penulisan.

Seeking for the 'correct path' in life

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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)

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MY daughter was one of the 468,808 students who sat for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia SPM) examination last year. During 'du'a' (suplication) after 'subuh' (dawn) prayers on 21st March; the date the examination results was announced, I prayed to Allah SWT for my daughter's success; and not forgetting all students from the Islamic faith.

At noon that day, with a sad face and traces of tears on her face, my daughter showed me her examination results slip; she failed to score straight A's from the 11 subjects she sat for; she had B+ for two subjects. I consoled her, saying she should not looked at the results that way; she should be thankful to Allah SWT, the Beneficent, the Merciful for His generosity in rewarding her with such an excellent result.

So be thankful to Allah SWT always at what we have or to what we had been rewarded with; why look at what He has not given us (for example my daughter's wish to have A's for all her subjects) but be thankful to what He had blessed us. Regarding worldly matters, scholars have his advice - look down at the have nots; for example if you are sad driving an old car be happy because you are safe from rain and shine compared to a cyclist and if you own a bike, be happy because there are many others who do not have any and have to walk.

Well, to all youngsters out there, what's next after sitting for the public examinations (SPM and STPM) and completing one's secondary education. Many would be joining the working force; perhaps a hundred thousand or so would purse their tertiary education in a few months time.

So during this waiting period, why not do some reflection; perhaps this email from a university student which I received some time ago would be able to open our eyes; yes we are always seeking for the straight path in life; the correct way to live happily in this world what more in the Hereafter.

"I'VE read some of your previous articles. I found them very thoughtful and as a response, I would like to share my story, just for soul pondering. Anyway, it's all about the last general election.

First, let me introduce myself. I am a Malay girl and am still studying at a local university. I am, and have been a Muslim. I was born into a Muslim family, which implies strict rituals and actions according to Islam. Yet, I am still not that Islamic enough.

I believe strongly in Islam. I pray to Allah, but there are many times when I miss prayers either by accident (especially the 'subuhs' or )eg. 'asars') I read Qur'an, but I also listen to the latest music.

I cover my head with a scarf (tudung) but still i wear short-sleeved T-shirts and tight jeans. I support the Palestinian cause but still munch mouthfuls of Burger Kings and McDonald's product. I am interested in the struggle of PAS, but still believe that Malaysia couldn't be better without Umno.

It wasn't until last year that I started to re-think and re-examine my life. It began with deep frustration about the way I was leading my life. I wanted to be a better Muslim, but I just could not force myself to stop enjoying in the big and happening city of KL, having lived here for most of my life.

Then, I experienced severe depression. That's when I decided to run away from this hectic environment. Run away from the hypocrisy of other people. I can say that the 'seruan' was really a 'big bang' to me as I dared to 'tuang kuliah' (skip classes) for a week to do this soul-searching.

I started my backpacking journey from KL and ended up in Kelantan. Frankly speaking, I had a bad impression of the Kelantanese, because most of my Kelantanese friends back in campus are always 'berpuak-puak' (living in groups) and in a sort of 'cultural shock' being in KL for the first time. So I was wondering, I were to do good soul-searching, whether Kelantan was a good place to do so. But I was destined to be in Kelantan.

For the whole week, I experienced a lot of new things, which embarked me on my new spiritual feelings about being a Muslim. My contact with the Kelantanese had influenced me to be strong in my Islamic faith. The surroundings in Kelantan had taught me the important value of 'solah' (prayers). Money doesn't matter to me that much anymore.

KL is far modernized from Kota Bharu. KLCC is far bigger from KB Mall, what else to compare with. But life is much better in Kelantan. I had more freedom. My mind ease at the thought that I can be a better Muslim if I had the will to do so. If not because of my studies and the thought of my father knowing his daughter travelling alone, I might not have left Kelantan then.

A year had passed since that remarkable 'eye-opening' journey. Kelantan under PAS allowed Islam to flow whereas in other states, secularism reared its head.

The last election suddenly makes me reminisce the tremendous journey of mine. It was the news (or should I say it 'propaganda'?) on the TV that make me decide to write to you.

One propaganda piece by the BN showed an interview with a villager, somewhere in Kelantan. This villager said, he would choose BN as he strongly believed that only BN could modernize Kelantan. He really wants Kelantan to be modernized and felt sick of being poor. Mind you, after the talk, he proudly 'tour-guided' the cameraman inside his house - perfect with big fridge, TV set, hi-fi etc. I couldn't believe my eyes.

How can people say things like that? He was really ungrateful. His life is much better that those 'setinggans' (squatters) who still exist in big cities like KL What type of modernization do they want? I have lived in the middle of this concrete-jungle since I was born.

Yes, KL is a modern big city, full with big mega buildings, shopping complexes, fashionable and cool citizens, and a lot of happening events. But never forget the dark side of big cities.

Here, in KL, people don't care if a guy brings back a girl to his home late at night which I had commonly witnessed. At 3.00 am, youngsters return to their homes from clubbing with alcoholic drinks in their hands. Drugs and ecstasy are sold widely.

'Azan' (the call of prayers) is drowned by loud songs from discos. Prostitution and gambling are everywhere. People are acting like they do not fear God's punishment.

Whenever I visit my mom's relatives in Terengganu, they thought that I'm cool just because I live in a big city. But for me, living here for almost 20 years had gained me nothing.

Modernization is nothing if Islam is not practiced fully. We need Islam to balance our modernization. Only a good Islamic government can provide this type of balance by implementing Islamic laws.

I just want to say to the voters who choose BN for the sake of the so-called modernization, if you hardly find peace in your daily lives because of your surroundings, there's nobody to be blamed except yourself, and the materialistic lives you lead.

When I read that village people attended BN's gathering just because they were given RM10 or RM20, I find it unacceptable. Maybe RM10 is a big sum for them but from it, we can see how easily money buys people. And now its BR1M (the RM500 one-off assistance) and monies to former army personnel.

Maybe, my email here sounds like some sort of frustration, but I just need people to hear my cries. To the Pakatan Rakyat, keep going on and never give up. Maybe we didn't succeed today, but we shall return and fight them back. Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee!"

Benarkah aparteid sudah mati?

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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
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GEGAK gempita menjelang pilihan raya umum ke-13 (PRU13) ini mengingatkan saya akan kesempatan paling bermakna dalam hidup saya sebagai seorang wartawan - membuat liputan pilihan raya pelbagai kaum yang pertama di Afrika Selatan pada April 1994.

Pilihan raya penuh bersejarah ini menandakan tamatnya aparteid (dasar membezakan warna kulit; di Afrika Selatan rakyat kulit hitam dilarang menyertai pilihan raya sebelum 1994), sekali gus melonjakkan Nelson Mandela pemimpin Kongres Kebangsaaan Afrika (ANC) yang terpenjara puluhan tahun sebagai presiden pertama di kalangan orang kulit hitam Afrika Selatan.

Selepas hancurnya Aparteid Afrika Selatan, apakah aparteid sudah berakhir di dunia ini? Apakah aparteid hanya sejarah? Nampaknya dunia mempercayai demikian, hakikatnya penindasan dan ketidak-adilan tidak pernah berakhir dengan golongan lemah berterusan menjadi mangsa pihak berkuasa. Aparteid bertukar wajah, ia mungkin tidak lagi membabitkan warna kulit tetapi dari segi perbezaan di kalangan manusia termasuklah
agama dan ideologi.

Berikutan tragedi 11 September 2001 tersingkaplah betapa orang Islam menjadi sasaran dendam kesumbat Barat sejak ratusan tahun. Orang Islam dipandang penuh prejudis - mereka yang mengamalkan sunnah Rasul dianggap sebagai pengganas; mereka diperangi sekalipun di tanah kelahiran sendiri seperti di Palestin, Chechnya, Kashmir, Bosnia dan Xinjiang.

Kemuncak kebencian kepada orang Islam adalah serangan ke atas dua negara umat Islam iaitu Iraq dan Afghanistan; kedua-duanya hancur, ratusan ribu rakyatnya terkorban tetapi di atas puing-puing kemusnahan ini, dunia Barat dengan bangganya mendakwa keadilan sudah tertegak di alam fana ini. Keadilan dan kebahagiaan kehidupan apa yang
mereka maksudkan itu?

Namun penindasan ini telah menyedarkan sebahagian besar ummah termasuk di dunia Arab bahawa mereka sudah tersasar jauh daripada kehendak Islam termasuk dari segi pemerintahan sehingga dipandang penuh hina oleh Barat. Kebangkitan rakyat di dunia Arab tidak dapat disekat-sekat lagi, mereka mula menolak diktator pujaan Barat seperti Hosni Mubarak (Mesir) yang biasanya mendapat 99 peratus undi setiap kali pilihan raya. Maka jatuhlah satu demi satu rejim zalim di dunia Arab; dari Libya ke Yaman; hampir semua kerajaan ini jatuh melalui pergerakan rakyat di jalan raya.

Di Afrika Selatan, rejim aparteid bukanlah dijatuhkan melalui pilihan raya; demikian juga di dunia Arab; kerajaan-kerajaannya dijatuhkan selepas rakyat memenuhi jalan raya. Di Afrika Selatan, rejim aparteid digulingkan oleh kuasa rakyat di jalan raya dengan Mandela sebagai penggeraknya manakala di dunia Arab pemimpin diktator seperti Muammar Gaddafi, Mubarak, Abdullah Ali Saleh dan Zainal Abidin Ali; semuanya
digulingkan melalui pergerakan rakyat di jalan raya.

Selepas mereka tumbang barulah pilihan raya 'bersih' dapat diadakan. Jarang benar
pilihan raya dapat membersihkan dikator-diktator ini daripada kuasa kerana hampir pasti setiap kali pilihan raya mereka mencatat kejayaan cemerlang dan gemilang dengan menyapu 99 peratus undi!

Pilihan raya pelbagai kaum pertama 1994 Afrika Selatan adalah pengajaran penuh bermakna kepada dunia kerana ia penanda berakhirnya aparteid (tetapi ia bukan penyebab kerana rakyat terpaksa berarak di jalan raya sebelum itu), tetapi amat malang sekali 'aparteid bentuk baru' semakin menjadi-jadi termasuklah di pintu depan rumah kita terutama menjelang pilihan raya ini.

Bukalah mata seluas-luasnya dan saksikan 'pelbagai aparteid' dalam kehidupan, senarainya terlalu panjang, ya 'aparteid' dalam media, 'aparteid' dalam peruntukan
bantuan (royalti minyak) dan sebagainya.

Kata-kata 'hikmah' - 'I help you, you help me' (Saya tolong awak, awak tolong saya) itu pun sudah cukup untuk membuktikan bahawa 'aparteid' masih membelenggu masyarakat kita!

'Longing for the law of The Most Powerful'

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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.
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"SAYA harap orang melakukan perbuatan kejam terhadap anak saya mendapat balasan yang sama (I hoped the person who did this gruesome act to my daughter would be punished as what he/she had done)," said Roselyn Alan, 25, the mother of Nurul Nadirah Abdullah (Dirang), 5, who was murdered and burnt in Pasir Gudang, Johor Bahru.

It was tragic news; it attracted the attention of the people and saddened the nation; some of the commentors asked if our country was safe or as a top leader put it – the
safest country in South East Asia?

Some of them mentioned cases of missing children such as Sharlinie Mohd Nashar, Nisa Chandramohan and Lee Xin Ru which have not been solved until today.

After reading several local dailies regarding the news item on Wednesday, 14th March, I would like to highlight what has been uttered by Roselyn as reported by Harian Metro (page 5, 14 Mac 2012) in its news with a title 'Harap balasan sama' (Hope for retribution).

Perhaps, without 'this traumatized mother' realizing it, she was speaking about 'hudud' and in my opinion it was a clear and positive indicator that human beings long for the law of The Most Powerful Allah SWT) when they feel helpless just like the call for help to Allah SWT when one is thrown into the open sea when his/her ship
capsizes.

But the sad part of it, when he/she is saved; his/her 'clinging' to Allah SWT vanishes and when he/she could stand on his/her own with 'the world at his/her feet', then Allah fades from his/her mind.

Well, Roselyn spoke up that she hoped the person who did the gruesome act to her daughter would be punished as what he/she had done. This is 'qisas' as contained in the Qur'an 5: 45 with the meaning: "We have prescribed for thee therein 'a life for a life, and an eye for an eye, and a nose for a nose, and a ear for a ear, and a tooth for a tooth,and for wounds retaliation;' but he whoso will not judge by what God
has revealed, these be the unjust."

Those who committed the crime should be punished accordingly to what they had done. If he kills, he must die.

The Islamic criminal laws comprises of 'hudud' (hodoud), 'qisas' (quisas) and 'ta'zir'. In this article the writer would like to focus on 'qisas'. Wikipedia defines 'qisas' as an Islamic term meaning retaliation, similar to the biblical principle of an eye for an eye.

In the case of murder, it means it is the right of their heirs of a murder victim to demand execution of the murderer.

A website http://www.pakistanlink.com/religion/... states that 'qisas' literally means "'pursuing, seeking or to return like for like." From this it also acquired the meaning of "retribution, requital and punishment." The basic rules of qisas are mentioned in the Qur'an.

Allah SWT says, "O you who believe, retribution is prescribed for you in the cases of killing; if a freeman is guilty then the freeman; if a slave is guilty then the slave; if a female is guilty then the female. But if something of the murderer's guilt is remitted by his brother then this should be adhered to in fairness, and payment be made in a proper manner. This is alleviation and a mercy from your Lord; and for him who transgresses after that is a painful chastisement. People of understanding, there is life for you in retribution that you may guard yourselves against violating the Law." (al-Baqarah 2:178-179)

Qisas is primarily the right of the family of the victim. Allah says, "...whosoever is wrongfully slain, We have given power to his heir, but let him not commit excess in killing. Lo, he will be helped." (al-Isra' 17:33)

If a person is murdered, then according to the Shari'ah, it is the duty of the society and the state to purse the murderer and to bring him/her to justice. Once the murderer is found and it is proven beyond any doubt that the murderer is found and it is proven beyond any doubt that the murderer killed another person knowingly and offensively, as a premeditated murder, then he/she will be given capital punishment.

However, the nearest relatives or heirs of the victim have a right to make monetary compensation instead or to forgive the murderer. No one else has the right to forgive accept the nearest kith and kin of a person.

Since murder, according to the Shar'iah, is not only a crime against a family, but a crime against the society at large, the Muslims jurists have explained that even his the victim's family forgives the murderer, the Muslim judge is allowed to prescribe some punishment (other than the capital punishment) or imprisonment, if the judge sees that the offender needs that for his/her own correction or as a deterrence for others in society.

Thus, we can say that according to the Shari'ah, no one can forgive the murderer except the victim's family and nearest kith and kin. The state cannot forgive a murderer, but the state is allowed to punish the murderer if it is necessary to maintain the safely and security of the society, even if all the relatives of the victim are ready to forgive the murderer.

The Qur'an specifies the principle of qisas (ie, retaliation), but prescribes that one should seek compensation (diat) and not demand retribution.

What is actually diat? Wikipedia noted thet 'diyya' (plural: diyyat; Arabic) is a compensation paid to the heirs of a victim. In Arabic the word means both blood money and ransom. The Qur'an directs us to pay diat just according to this law both in case of intentional as well as unintentional murder. A variation of diat was present in pre-Islamic Arabia, where it was paid in terms of goods or animals rather than
cash.

Under Sharia law, diat should be paid in terms of cash to avoid possible fraud on the part of the criminal. In Islamic and Arab tradition, blood money is the fine paid by the killer or his family or clan to the family or the clan of the victim. It is unlawful for a believer to kill a believer except if it happens by accident. And he
who kills a believer accidentally must pay diat to the heirs of the victim except if they forgive him.

The tradition finds repeated endorsement in Islamic tradition; several instances are recorded in the hadith, which are the acts of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. According to the ustaz, the rate for diat is based on the number of camels that is the most priced belonging. The full rate is 100 camels.

Killing intentionally was subjected to qisas and diat. Diat is only applicable if agreed by kin. If not qisas would be honoured.

Palestin, Afghanistan: Nyawa ummah bagaikan anak ayam

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

Renungan

Jangan Pilih Pemimpin Zalim

Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda, bermaksud: "Bahawasanya Allah Taala sesungguhnya marah Dia apabila dipuji oleh orang-orang yang fasik." (HR. Ibnu Abi Ad-Dunya)

Al-Hassan rahimahullahu Taala berkata: "Barang siapa yang mendoakan dia bagi orang yang fasik dengan berkekalan hidup, akan sesungguhnya telah kasih ia (cenderung) dikerjakan maksiat kepada Allah Taala. Bahawa orang yang zalim yang fasik itu sayogianya dicela dia supaya orang kurang gemarnya pada yang zalim dan fasik."

Oleh itu jangan sesekali anda mendoakan, memuji pemimpin yang zalim dan fasik atau cenderung hati anda menyokong pemimpin zalim. Anda akan mendapat dosa dan bertanggungjawab sama dengan apa-apa saja perbuatan pemimpin yang anda sokong atau pilih itu. Berwaspadalah. (Hidayah, Rabiulawal 1433, Februari 2012)
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BERSYUKUR kita ke hadrat Ilahi kerana masih dilanjutkan usia dan dapatlah kita memuzakarahkan isu-isu yang membabitkan ummah.

Mutakhir ini, kita rasa terpukul dengan tindakan biadap rejim Zionis yang berterusan membedil wilayah Gaza walaupun dalam kempen ganas mereka tidak lama dulu mereka terpaksa berundur secara memalukan pada Januari 2009.

Sementara itu, di bumi Afghanistan pula yang diduduki ratusan ribu askar Barat dari Amerika Syarikat dan Eropah, seorang askar Amerika secara membabi-buta mengamuk, menembak mati sekurang-kurangnya 16 penduduk kampung manakala puluhan lagi cedera.

Seperti biasa tindakan ganas rejim Zionis dipandang sepi oleh masyarakat dunia manakala kejadian di Afghanistan dipandang sambil lalu termasuklah oleh umat dan negara umat Islam serta organisasi antarabangsa yang memayungi mereka – Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam
(OIC).

Kini rejim Israel melalui pasukan tentera udaranya yang dianggap antara tercanggih di dunia itu terus menerus melancarkan serangan ke atas beberapa lokasi penting yang disyaki menempatkan para pejuang Palestin. Puluhan rakyat Palestin terkorban akibat serangan pesawat-pesawat Israel ke beberapa wilayah di Gaza sejak 9 Mac 2012.

Dunia terus membisu; kejadian di Palestin dan Afghanistan menggambarkan betapa kerdil dan tidak berharganya nyawa orang Islam di mata masyarakat dunia. Mereka bagaikan anak ayam, sekali helang menyerang maka ada yang menjadi mangsa. Puluhan, ratusan, ribuan, ratusan ribu malah jutaan orang Islam mati tidak menjadi hal kepada dunia yang berkiblatkan Washington, London, Paris dan Moscow.

Jika nyawa umat Islam bagaikan anak ayam, kuasa Barat amat menyanjungi rakyat dan pemuji ideloginya; jika ada pihak yang mengganggu-gugat, mereka tidak teragak-agak mengirimkan armada perang dan buktinya adalah kemusnahanan negara Iraq dan Afghanistan.

Di negara-negara ini, ratusan ribu umat Islam terkorban, bagi Barat nyawa mereka tidak berharga sama sekali. Bahkan binatang seperti anjing, kuda dan lembu adalah lebih berharga daripada nyawa orang Islam.

Selain kezaliman di Palestin dan Afghanistan, muktakhir ini semakin ramai orang Islam menjadi korban keganasan di rantau di mana mereka adalah golongan minoriti seperti di Xinjiang (China), Kashmir (India), Pattani (Thailand), Mindanao (Filipina), Arakan (Myanmar-Burma). Namun seperti keganasan ke atas umat Islam di tempat-tempat lain, tiada banyak pihak sudi mendengar rintihan apatah lagi mengorak langkah membantu mereka.

Bagi menghadapi keganasan Israel, kita memuji pemimpin Hamas merangkap Perdana Menteri Palestin, Ismail Haniyyah yang bersemangat mengatakan rakyat Palestin tidak akan berpecah tetapi akan terus berjuang ke titisan darah terakhir menentang rejim Zionis yang disokong kuat kuasa-kuasa Barat.

Ya, Barat akan terus memuka-muka dalam menghadapi kebangkitan di negara-negara umat Islam. Mereka menghulurkan tali persahabatan atau mengutus khabar untuk membantu tetapi kebanyakannya adalah palsu; oleh itu umat Islam mesti mengukuhkan kesatuan mereka dengan kembali sepenuhnya kepada ajaran Allah dan Rasul-Nya.

Hanya dengan kembali kepada Islam sepenuhnya dapat menyelamatkan maruah ummah yang telah dirobek-robek kuasa-kuasa Barat sejak berakhirnya Khilafah Uthmaniyah pada 1924.

Antara imam perangai buruk dengan imam baling selipar…

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

Renungan
"Wafatkanlah aku dan keadaan Islam dan gabungkanlah aku dengan orang-orang saleh." (Maksud Ayat 101 Surah Yusuf)
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SEMASA remaja dulu, sekali-sekala saya memegang batang cangkul dan sabit, menolong 'orang tua' berkebun. Saya membantu menanam pokok tebu, serai dan tanam-tanaman kampung lain. Ketika itu tidaklah terasa sakit badan selepas bekerja kerana tenaga masih banyak dan badan 'fit'.

Tetapi sekarang, pada usia 50-an, apabila saya berkebun semula selepas memiliki sebidang tanah 'sekangkang kera', tidaklah dapat saya gambarkan kesakitan badan termasuk lenguh-lenguh anggota, sendi dan tulang selepas 'aktiviti' menebas atau mencangkul.

Penat sungguh berkebun atau menjadi petani ini, keluh saya. Patutlah tak ramai anak-anak muda kita nak jadi petani. Selain penat menebas, mencangkul dan menyemai, benih yang ditanam dirasa lambat pula membesar dan membuahkan hasil. Jika tanaman menjadi, kena fikir pula cara memasarkannya. Jika tidak tahu, hasil tanaman akan berlonggok
atau membusuk di kebun.

Sebaliknya, jika kerja bergaji, hujung bulan insya-Allah akan dapat habuannya. Pendeknya, tidak perlu fikir apa-apa, duit sudah di'bank in'. Selesai sudah masalah perbelanjaan anak yang bersekolah, belanja dapur dan sebagainya.

Tetapi bertani banyak masalah yang memerlukan kesabaran tinggi. Penghasilannya bukan boleh ditetapkan pada setiap hujung bulan. Kalau tak berduit pada hujung bulan bagaimana mahu menyediakan belanja rumah tangga, anak-anak dan membayar bil. Tentulah pening kepala memikirkannya.

Penat menebas, saya pun beredar ke bawah sepohon rambutan yang merimbun. Peluh membasahi seluruh anggota badan termasuk di muka. Cuaca jam 10.00 pagi itu sungguh panas. Di bawah pokok rambutan keadaan redup. Saya pun mula merehatkan diri. Botol air dicapai. Pada masa yang sama tangan sebelah lagi mencapai sebuah akhbar tabloid
harian.

Tersentak saya membaca tajuk besar muka depannya – Imam perangai buruk dipenjara setahun. Apa yang menyebabkan imam ini dicop sebegitu sehingga ditulis berperangai buruk? Saya membaca lagi, ooo, rupa-rupanya Iman Hoslan Hussin didapati hina mahkamah kerana baling selipar ke arah hakim selepas kalah kes in Mahkamah Persekutuan. Puas
saya memikirkan tajuk akhbar ini. Ya, ada yang tidak kena.

Teringat saya akan kelas kewartawanan asas yang saya hadiri di universiti puluhan tahun lalu. Ternyiang-nyiang di telinga saya pesanan seorang pensyarah; "kamu 'reporter' (pemberita) ini macam posmen, tugas posmen hanya hantar surat, dia tidak terbabit malah tidak tahu langsung apa yang terkandung dalam surat itu. Sebagai
pemberita, kamu melaporkan saja sesuatu kejadian atau peristiwa itu, jangan pandai-pandai membuat andaian dan ulasan."

Ya, tajuk akhbar itu telah menyentak jiwa saja. Imam perangai buruk dipenjara setahun. Faktanya adalah 'Iman baling selipar dipenjara setahun'. Berbeza sungguh antara 'imam perangai buruk' dengan 'imam baling selipar'? Mendakwa imam perangai buruk adalah satu bentuk 'labeling' atau membuat 'judgment' yang dipercapai mempunyai tujuan dan motif tertentu.

Alangkah dahsyatnya jika dunia kewartawanan yang murni itu cuba dikelabui dengan unsur-unsur dendam kesumat bertujuan menghukum atau memburuk-burukkan pihak-pihak tertentu.

Membaling selipar tidak semestinya berperangai buruk. Ambil contoh makan. Kalau seorang itu kebuluran, sudah tiga hari tidak makan, tentunya dia akan makan dengan lahapnya apabila diberi makanan. Apakah boleh kita melabelkan orang yang makan cara ini ini sebagai seorang yang buruk makan? Tentunya tidak kerana dalam keadaan 'luar biasa' seseorang itu tidak akan ingat akan diri apalagi perbuatannya. Seseorang yang terlalu lapar dengan tiada makanan halal, daging binatang haram pun boleh dimakannya.

Demikianlah orang yang tertekan dengan tiada tempat untuk dia menyalurkan perasaannya akan bertindak bukan-bukan. Orang Melayu terkenal dengan sikap 'amuk'nya malah perkataan ini digunakan dalam banyak bahasa dunia termasuk Inggeris. Jika ada orang Melayu mengamuk (ran amok, perkataan bahasa Inggeris), kita bersyukurlah Iman Hoslan
tidak 'ran amok' di mahkmah, dia hanya membaling selipar. Mungkinkah dia tiada 'avenue' (kesempatan dan peluang) untuk meluahkan perasaannya?

Imam itu didapati bersalah oleh mahkamah tetapi bagi saya, tindakan akhbar menggunakan tajuk 'Imam perangai buruk dipenjara setahun' (sepatutnya Imam baling selipar dipenjara setahun) adalah keterlaluan dan tersasar daripada prinsip asas kewartawanan. Apakah kita orang media tidak bersedia meminta maaf kepada keluarga Imam Hoslan sama seperti yang kerap dilakukan PM kita sekarang ini?

Tidakkah kita rasa berdosa menyatakan imam itu berperangai buruk, hakikatnya dia membaling selipar? Jadi, tidak wajar wartawan membuat rumusan dia berperangai buruk. Mana boleh wartawan membuat rumusan dalam sesuatu laporan. Apakata para wartawan dan editor termasuk diri saya sendiri sedia kembali berkurusus di sekolah kewartawanan bagi muhasabah diri bahawa kita sudah jauh terpesong daripada dunia kewartawanan sebenar!

Searching for the truth…

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

Reflection

In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate.
Praise be to God, the Sustainer of all the Worlds,
The Merciful, the Compassionate.
Lord of the Day of Judgement
Thee alone do we worship and Thee
Do we ask for help.
Guide us on the Straight Path.
The path of those on whom Thou has bestowed Thy Grace
Not of those upon whom is Thy Wrath,
Nor those who have gone astray.
Ameen. (O God! do grant us our request) - Al-Fatihah (The Opening)
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AFTER reading my copy of Harakah, I put it aside on the front passenger seat of my car and headed for a tyre workshop in Simpang Empat, Semabok. At the shop, as I alighted from the car, a MPV came next to my vehicle.

The driver who was a middle-aged Chinese; after talking to the shop 'towkay' and greeted me, surprising asked if could lend him the copy of Harakah that was lying on the car seat. Wow, his eyes were sharp; how could he have notice the PAS newspaper.

"Of course," I said, and he kept on mumbling: "In Melaka it is difficult to get a copy of Harakah. I like reading Harakah and Suara Keadilan; could you tell me the nearest place where I could get my copies?"

I told him of a place, he nodded and for the next few minutes I did not want to disturb him as I saw he was too absorbed flipping over the pages of the Harakah. He read on until his vehicle was ready. Before he left, he thanked me and returned my Harakah.

The Chinese Malaysian was one of several non Muslims non Malays I know who are interested to know the latest development in the country's politics but not from the very biased of the so-called main stream media. They are sick of those one sided media and seek alternatives; unfortunately parties newsletters (or newspapers) – Harakah, Suara Keadilan and Rocket (Roket) are bared from being sold at open premises such as 'mamak stalls'.

Only 'regular customers' knew where to get their copies of alternative papers; and in this case, I pity hopeful readers such as the Chinese whom I met at the tyre workshop. Yes, why deny those who were searching for the truth?

Concerned citizens including Chinese and Indians are now hungry for the latest information on the politicial situation in the country after the so-called main stream media had their knees on the ground, kowtowing to their BN political masters.

More than 50 years after independence the leaders of Umno and the media they control have their hands full in accusing and belittling the Opposition; and the saddest part of it they conceal information by making it hard for the people to have access of alternative media.

In Melaka Sentral, a Chinese newsvendor told me alternative papers were barred; officers from an agency of the state government confiscated copies of the newspapers and gave warning to those concerned who rented and run the stalls that their premises would be sealed if they defied their orders.

But those undemocratic actions to deny the public from knowing the truth was not going to work because the alternative front 'Pakatan Rakyat' is fast gaining support in the whole country including Melaka which has 28 state constituencies. Even Zentrum Chairman, Dr Abu Hassan Hasbullah from University Malaya predicts the state would fall into Pakatan Rakyat hands in the coming 13th general election.

During my daily bus journey to work from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur and back, I befriended some non-Muslim non-Malay routine commuters; and all of them seem to be against the Umno-BN state and federal government which were accussed of insentitively to the rakyat's needs such as failing to control the price of necessities but kept on boasting that they were with the man in the streets by giving them 'special goodies' such as the RM500 'Bantuan Rakyat 1-Malaysia' (BR1M), RM100 to each school-going child and monetary assistance to former army and police personel.

They questioned on why a very generous amount of money was disbursed when the country is going for a general election in a very short time. Is it not vote buying because the country's top leader had this famous quotation recorded – "I help you, you help me!"

Now that the BN, especially MIC and MCA are slowly but surely eroding from the hearts of the Chinese and Indians, those at helm in thede two parties are quick in blaming and finding faults in others such as PAS. For example MCA President, Chua Soi Lek on many occasions had warned the non Malays about PAS 'hudud' initiatives.

My Chetty friend, Subra (not his real name) praised Mat Sabu (PAS Deputy President, Mohamad Sabu) for highlighted the issue of Mat Indera saying: "Only after Mat Sabu mentioned about Mat Indera, the Umno-BN gave attention to the plight of those veteran former army and police personnel and their families. Now they are going to get some form of assistance, so why not thanked Mat Sabu for opening the eyes of those in power?"

Another friend, Bala (also not his real name) who holds a top position in a government agency was more vocal. He accused the Umno-BN led federal and state leaders for playing 'wayang kulit' (shadow play) such as making various initiatives to help the Indians during this period of election fever.

For for the Indian community, he asked why only at this time the BN government gave them many goodies such as granting a total of 4,023 citizenship to individuals from this community and giving Indians allocations up to RM100 milion this year for building and upgrading Tamil schools.

"The question is why only now the government paying attention to the Indian community; to me they are fishing for votes even their top leaders deny it," he said.

"Even the Prime Minister has shown his concern such as making his presence felt in temples including the Batu Caves during Thaipusam."

Bala claimed that Umno-BN leaders were trying hard to woo Indian votes after recovering from the great bashing they received in the March 2008 general elections after they mistreated Indians fighting for their rights through Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf).

The 2010 census showed there were 1.9 million Indians, making up 7.3 percent of the country 28 million populations. Indians constitue a significant part of the electorate in 63 of the 168 parliamentary in Peninsular Malaysia and their votes, while a minority; is a crucial factor in many state and parliamentary constituencies in the West Coast, as shown in the by-elections after 2008.

Some Indians have been sidelined because they don't like the idea of submitting to leaders who only care for themselves and their cronies but were good at giving 'goodies' at eve of elections. They are searching for the truth so that is what the power of truth is all about.

To the Chinese and Indians, they are about to say bye-bye to both MCA and MIC and BN who actually don't care about the ordinary people's life (they only show effection during election time), and welcome to the new Malaysia that hold hopes to all Malaysians as promised by Pakatan Rakyat.