Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 20

Zulkaedah 26, 1443: Islam berkembang pantas di Perancis

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

Renungan

"Dialah (Allah) yang menciptakan bagi kamu pasangan-pasangan (jodoh) daripada makhluk (jenis) kamu sendiri agar kamu condong kepadanya dan berasa tenteram dengannya. Kemudian Allah menciptakan kasih dan sayang antara kamu." (Maksud Surah Ar-Rum: 21)

MASALAH komunikasi - demikian antara cabaran utama penulis di Eropah (kecuali United Kingdom, UK) kerana kebanyakan penduduk rantau ini bercakap dalam bahasa masing-masing. Al-maklumlah mereka bangga dengan bahasa masing-masing.

Kebanggaan bangsa dan negara-negara Eropah ini dengan bahasa masing-masing tanpa 'mempedulikan sangat' bahasa Inggeris, mungkin boleh dijadikan hujah tak semestinya hanya bahasa Inggeris 'gah' sebagai bahasa ilmu.  UK pun bukan ahli Kesatuan Eropah (EU), negara Eropah menggunakan mata wang Euro, UK tetap  'dulu, kini dan selamanya' bangga dengan mata wang pound-nya!

Dalam Parlimen Eropah iaitu jantung demokrasi EU ada 24 bahasa rasmi. Kerusi rasmi Parlimen Eropah adalah di Strasbourg, Perancis namun kebanyakan urusan kerja dan operasinya dilakukan di Brussels, Belgium. 

Di negara-negara Eropah ini termasuk Perancis, percubaan bercakap dalam bahasa Inggeris mengundang rasa kurang senang; sesetengah responden buat endah tak endah; malah ada yang mempamerkan muka masam mencuka. Ada orang berlawak, lebih baik cakap bahasa Melayu daripada bahasa Inggeris di Perancis.

Sapaan 'good morning' di Perancis tak dilayan; saya cuba belajar cakap 'bonjour' yang bererti selamat (pagi); ehh ada balasan pula, mereka pun cakap 'bonjour' juga - tak tahulah saya sama ada sebutan Perancis saya itu betul atau tidak!

Kegagalan berkomunikasi dengan penduduk tempatan menyebabkan saya mati kutu. Namun Alhamdulillah dengan bantuan seorang pelajar Malaysia yang membawa saya ke beberapa masjid seperti Grande Mosquee de Paris dan Grande Mosquee de Compiegne, saya ditemukan dengan individu-individu yang boleh berkomunikasi dalam bahasa Inggeris. Sekali lagi Alhamdulillah, kerana kalau tidak demikian, artikel ini mungkin tak dapat ditulis!

Dalam perjalanan untuk solat zuhur berjemaah di Grande Mosquée (Masjid Besar) de Compiègne, penulis ditemukan dengan seorang pemuda yang mahu dikenali sebagai Jamil sahaja. Beliau yang sibuk memasang kabel elektrik meluangkan masa untuk bercakap-cakap dengan penulis sekalipun tangannya sibuk memasang itu dan ini. Rakannya, Idris berketurunan Perancis-Chad, asyik mengangguk-angguk kepala sahaja kerana tidak faham bahasa Inggeris.

Jamil yang berketurunan Perancis-Algeria, berkata memang benar Islam sudah menjadi agama terbesar di Perancis. Namun jangan salah faham, katanya. Islam agama terbesar dengan anggaran 5-6 juta orang kerana kebanyakan orang Perancis (hampir 70 juta) sudah tidak teguh lagi anutan Kristian mereka.

Kini, Perancis muncul sebagai negara Eropah yang paling ramai penduduk Islam selepas Russia. Peningkatan penduduk Islam sangat cepat dianggarkan 2.5 peratus dalam lima (5) tahun. Sebagai bekas negara penjajah, ramai anak jajahan dari Algeria, Tunisia, Maghribi, Chad dan sebagainya membina kehidupan baharu di Perancis. Ada yang berkahwin dengan penduduk asal; membentuk masyarakat baharu Perancis.

Di Eropah, sekalipun menara-menara gereja terserlah dari kejauhan di hampir setiap penempatan penduduknya, namun pengisian di gereja hampir tiada. Di sebuah gereja besar, pada suatu pagi Ahad, penulis saksikan hanya lebih kurang 50 orang sahaja hadir. Itu pun hampir semuanya golongan veteran. Mana anak-anak mudanya? Mungkinkah kebanyakkannya tidak lagi beragama?

Kekosongan inilah dilihat sebagai peluang Islam mendapat tempat di hati generasi baharu yang orang tua mereka gersang daripada agama. Generasi muda tercari-cari erti kehidupan...mereka mungkin menemui Islam dan inilah dibimbangi pemerintah dan pemimpin sesetengah negara Eropah.

Pengaruh Islam cuba dilenyapkan, hak wanita Islam untuk bertudung dinafikan manakala masyarakat Islam mengalami diskriminasi dan menerima pelbagai ugutan. Perancis bangga dengan Revolusi Perancis 1799 yang membentuk identiti negara sekular era moden yang mendukung lunas-lunas liberal. Bagi mereka bagaimana penghayatan dan pengamalan Islam boleh berlaku di negara ini?

Ya, di sini simbol agama dilarang, amalan Islam seperti pemakaian hijab di tempat awam tidak dapat diterima, namun satu hal yang dapat disaksikan oleh 'mata kepala' penulis sendiri - sesekali ketemu jua wanita berhijab di sini dan ada seorang dua insan yang dilihat sedang solat di tempat awam!

Zulkaedah 25, 1443: Zaman fitnah: Kembalilah kepada hukum-hakam Islam (U)

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

Renungan

"Pada hari ketika tiap-tiap diri mendapati segala kebajikan dihadapkan (ke hadapannya. Begitu (juga) kejahatan yang telah dikerjakannya, ia ingin kalau kiranya antara ia dengan hari itu ada masa yang jauh, dan Allah memperingatkan kamu terhadap diri (seksa)-Nya." (Ali 'Imran 3: 30)

APAKAH kunci jawapan kepada masyarakat hari ini yang diselubungi aneka maksiat, jenayah dan fitnah termasuk menggunakan media massa. Tidakkah setiap orang, masyarakat dan negara perlu kembali kepada Islam bagi meraih kebahagiaan dunia dan akhirat.

Alangkah harmoninya jika seseorang itu berpegang teguh kepada ajaran Islam, setiap permasalahan yang dihadapinya akan diselesaikan dengan kaedah Islam. Bukankah kaedah hukum-hakam Islam ini mudah sekali, yang jelas haram usah dilakukan, yang sah dari segi syarak, buatlah. 

Setiap perbuatan manusia itu tertakluk kepada hukum-hakamnya – wajib, haram, sunat, makruh dan haram – jadi untuk selamat dunia dan akhirat caranya cukup mudah; patuhi ketetapan hukum.

Misalnya, jika menonton filem atau video lucah hukumnya haram, apatah lagi menerbit, mengedar, menyiar video atau gambar lucah. Takkan kaedah mudah ini tidak diketahui oleh rakyat negara ini – daripada mereka yang serendah-rendah kedudukan sehinggalah ketua agama dan negara? 

Tentunya terhadap pelanggar hukum-hakam ini ada hukumannya; orang yang menonton filem lucah dikenakan hukuman sebegini dan demikian halnya dengan orang yang menerbit dan mengedarkan gambar lucah.

Begitu indah dan hebatnya Islam, sehingga hal seperti perlakukan seks membabitkan suami isteri juga ada hukum-hakamnya. Ada perlakukan seks yang wajib, ada yang haram, sunat, makruh, harus dan haram. 

Sebagai contoh haram melalukan hubungan seks ketika isteri haid dan makruh jika suami atau isteri ada masalah. Jika perlakukan seks suami isteri juga peraturannya; apatah lagi hukum terhadap perkara membabitkan seks yang jelas keharamannya.

Jika menonton video lucah adalah haram, tentunya menerbit dan mengedarkan video dan gambar lucah adalah 'terlebih' haram dan pelakunya perlu dihukum seberat-beratnya. Demikian juga mereka yang menuduh orang lain melakukan hubungan seks haram (berzina), kesalahannya amat berat, mereka perlu mengemukakan empat orang saksi. Jika gagal, mereka telah melakukan qazaf, mereka perlu disebat sebanyak 80 kali.

Namun apa yang menghairan dan mendukacitakan kita, situasi ini tidak berlaku di negara kita. Penyebar fitnah termasuk penerbit dan pengedar video lucah masih tidak dikenakan tindakan sekalipun mereka mengaku melakukannya. Mereka bebas untuk berkata-kata, malahan dianggap wira pula oleh pihak tertentu.

Nampaknya, kegentaran terhadap kehebatan hukum-hakam Islam tidak ada, oleh itu semakin menjadi-jadilah aneka maksiat, jenayah dan fitnah. Kita amat bimbang segala kejahatan ini gagal dibendung sebaliknya berleluasa yang akan memusnah dan menghancurkan masyarakat seterusnya negara kita.

Jadi pada zaman penuh fitnah ini, kita berharap dan berdoa agar hukum-hakam Islam dapat ditegakkan. 

Sesungguhnya pada hukum Islam ini (hudud) ada kehidupan; inilah jalan bagi menyelamatkan manusia yang semakin parah jalan kehidupannya. Apabila manusia tidak dipandu oleh hukum-hakam Allah, mereka menjadi sesat; mereka bukannya tidak dapat mewujudkan tamadun hebat kerana rakaman al-Quran menyatakan kehebatan tamadun Aad, Tsamut dan sebagainya tetapi tanpa roh yang dapat menyelamatkan mereka dunia dan akhirat.

Apa yang kita bimbangi, adakah kisah kaum Aad dan Tsamut akan berulang di tanah air kita. Ya, bangunan dan infrastruktur lainnya begitu hebat tetapi penghuninya semakin jauh daripada Allah SWT kerana rakyat dan pemimpin terutama orang berkuasa, berpengaruh dan berharta semakin berani mempermain-mainkan hukum-Nya.

Zulkaedah 24, 1443: Ideas for masjid committees (U)

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 15years 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 TV3 and TV9 at 6.30-8.30 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. 

Years ago 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!

Zulkaedah 23, 1443: What's after SPM?

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)

THE SPM result is out. Recently I read with interest an education pamphlet; among others it noted: 

The common questions after SPM are:

(a). What to study? Foundation studies, A-Level, STPM...(b). Where to study? Government schools/colleges, local private universities/colleges...(c). What options do I have? Study, work, take Kit-Kat (take a break), don't know...

After SPM, many students are in dilemma and do not know what to choose. This is the time when big decision is to be made in order to chart your next course of study that will eventually determine your next life cycle.

The common routes after SPM are; Foundation Program, Cambridge A Level, Diploma, Local Matriculation, STPM and others such as Australian Matriculation, American Degree Program and Canadian Pre-U.

In an education page of a local newspaper not long time ago, a writer wrote: "A total of 440,682 candidates sat the SPM last year. With the results out recently, it is time for SPM school-leavers to decide on their future — whether to pursue their studies or otherwise.

"And if it is the former, the choice of programme and education institution is not to be taken lightly as it will most likely determine the course of one’s life. Therefore, the decision must be an informed one, taking inclination, interests, abilities and the SPM results into account."

Well dear readers; SPM is 'the stepping stone' for almost all Malaysian students before they could purse their education in the fields they intended or dream off. Passing SPM (some with flying colours) is the first step before students are on the route to be drilled with more 'difficult examinations' in the future such as STPM and A-Level.

If students have to face examinations, then in life we too have to face 'examinations' set up by our Creator - Master of the Universe, Allah SWT. Dear readers, on Monday late afternoon over Radio IKIM I was so touched upon hearing a Chinese woman 'saudara kita' (Muslim convert) saying that everybody would be tested by Allah SWT and if we passed a test, Allah SWT would give us a much tougher one... she said after passing SPM, we had to faced  more difficult examinations...well the route would be harder and harder until we leave the world (die).

The Chinese Muslim likened her 'SPM' to the day she was diagnosis of having cancer...Subhanallah, my throat became dry when I heard this! If her 'SPM' was cancer, then what would be her 'STPM', 'diploma' and so on. She continued her story by telling how once she was suspected of being contacted with the HIV virus...well dear readers, compared to her, perhaps our 'SPM' 'was nothing'!

The higher we are on the ladder of success, the trials (examinations) would be harder...remember the prophets were the ones who were tested with great trials followed by those close to them in terms of 'iman' (faith). 

Subhanallah dear readers, this world is the place of trials and tribulations. It is not a place for us 'to only enjoy our life' - without facing up and down in life. Scholars had reminded us this world is the place of striving and the Hereafter is the place of reward or punishment, where the believers will be rewarded with Paradise and the disbelievers will be punished with Hell. 

The scholars said Paradise is good and none but those who were good will enter it. Allah is Good and accepts nothing but that which is good. So the way of Allah with His slaves is to test them with calamities and tribulations, so that the believer may be known from the 'kaafir' and so that the truthful may be distinguished from the liar, as Allah says: “Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested.

"And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test).”  - al-‘Ankaboot 29:2-3

Victory and success cannot be achieved except after tests which will bring the good forth from the evil and tell the believer apart from the kaafir, as Allah says: “Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good. Nor will Allah disclose to you the secrets of the Ghayb (Unseen)." - Aal ‘Imraan 3:179

Among the trials with which Allah tests His slaves in order to distinguish the believers from the disbelievers is that which He mentions in the 'ayah' (verse): “And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Saabiroon (the patient).

"Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: ‘Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.’ They are those on whom are the Salawaat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.” - al-Baqarah 2:155-157

To all readers especially myself who was at 'the lowest level of imam' when tested with tribulations please remember what the Prophet s.a.w. had said: “No misfortune or disease befalls a Muslim, no worry or grief or harm or distress – not even a thorn that pricks him – but Allah will expiate for some of his sins because of that.”  (Imam al-Bukhaari, 5641) 

An 'ustaz' said trials just like examinations are to be faced. "Please don't run away from trials or examinations. Ask yourself if a SPM student could run away from sitting his/her examination. But one thing that differentiate a person from another person in facing trials is their relationship to the Almighty. It is also on how he/she look at the problem. At times we look at a trial is like 'a mountain that would be about to fall open us but others look it as a 'kacang putih' (easy to handle and solve) one. A great scholar once said 'if you 'have Allah SWT on your side' then your problem would be of no magnitude at all'."

The 'ustaz' said, only in the remembrance  of Allah do hearts find peace! Allah says: “Those who believe and whose hearts find tranquility in the remembrance of Allah, verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquility.” (Surah Ar-Radd: 28)

He also says: “Therefore remember me, I will remember you and be grateful to me and do not reject faith.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 152)

And from the hadith, on the authority of Abu Hurairah (r.a.), the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said that Allah said: “Indeed I Am as My servant presumes Me to be. And I Am with him when he remembers Me, so if he remembers Me to himself then I remember him to Myself. And if he remembers Me amongst a company, I remember him amongst a company greater than it and if he draws close to Me a span of a hand I draw near to him the span of an arm. And if he draws near Me the span of an arm, I draw near him the span of two outstretched arms. And if he takes a step towards Me, I quickly step towards him.” (Imam Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

In another hadith on the authority of Abu Musa al-Ash’aree (r.a.), the Messenger of Allah said: “The comparison of the one who remembers Allah and the one who doesn’t is like that of the living and the dead.” (Imam Al-Bukhari)

To be calm in life (including facing His trials) the basic thing is to performed all orders from Allah SWT and refrain from doing all things forbidden by Him. For example, He orders us to 'solat' (prayers) just do it and He forbidden us from drinking liquor then leave it. If a student readies himself/herself for his/her SPM or STPM so that he/she would not panic, then what are we waiting for...be ready for our turn to be tested by Allah SWT! 

Zulkaedah 22, 1443: Pleasing Allah while holidaying (U)

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. 

AN article by Reuters Life entitled ‘Take your manners with you on holiday’ published in the Sun recently captured my heart. The article noted on what we should do and avoid starting from our behaviour in the cramped conditions of airplanes. 

When on the planes it noted these following tips: -

* Do not intrude on to your fellow passenger’s territory. Keep elbows firmly tucked in; ease your chair gently into a reclining position to avoid a sudden invasion of the limited legroom of the passenger behind. (From the writer’s (LanH’s) experience, I have noticed some passengers; not only in planes but buses, lacking this. They just push back their seats to the maximum without even looking at the passengers behind what more say sorry or make an apology to them. In buses some of them turn on the air conditioning system to full blast without acknowledging some passengers would be already 'shivering’)! 

* Friendly conversation with your neighbours can be enjoyable, but know when to quieten down. (Well in planes, normally passengers adhere to this trait but in buses – I mean in Malaysia – I have witnessed some passengers speaking loudly and making noises throughout the whole journey, say from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka which is a two-hour journey. Then there are people who talk loudly over their phones; the whole bus would hear their voices). 

* Drink in moderation. Boisterous behaviour will alienate (and irritate) your fellow passengers. Help the elderly (or those of diminutive stature) to stow (or remove) luggage in the overhead compartments. (During an Emirates flight from Manchester to Dubai a few years ago where the plane was only half full, the writer noticed a young ‘Mat Saleh’ who was sitting alone in an empty row of about five seats, who drank heavily and then collapsed and slept on all the seats. The plane crew members just left the young man alone). 

* Be patient when it comes to disembarking and remember to thank the crew member for their service. (It is normal to see some passengers who do not have the patience to walk out of the plane. When the red light went off, they would rush to remove their belongings from the plane’s overhead compartment and wait on the walkway and not in their seats).

The articles also recommended other tips such as: - 

* Abiding by foreign customs while travelling is essential, so read that boring tip at the beginning of the guide book about customs and etiquette in your chosen destination. 

* Keep your eyes peeled for how those around you are behaving and follow their example. Avoid the arrogance of imaging that everyone in your travel speaks English – or should do.

* Be aware of any major faux in advance, for example showing the soles of your feet in Thailand or eating with your left hand in India. 

* Research the etiquette you’ll need on a daily basis, particularly in regard to money – for example haggling and tipping. 

* The beach is a public area where we strip down to the equivalent of our underwear…...(ooh, this is too much for me to continue writing from this Mat Saleh's point of views). 

Well readers, I end up here writing about the tips from a Western view point and move on to check on Islamic writers’ views about holidaying. I searched for tips in magazines such as Anis (published by Galeri Ilmu Sdn Bhd) and books (such as Panduan Musafir, A Guide to Travellers) and come up with these few ideas. 

* Our intention for a holiday must be correct – we do it only to please Allah the Almighty (SWT). We must clear our minds from worldly pleasures such as showing off our wealth and abilities. 

* Making preparations mentally and physically; the same preparations we undertake before our hajj journey. A journey must be well prepared and with purpose – not just for the sake of holidaying and going out of our way aimlessly. 

* Always pray to Allah SWT that He would protect us from involving in sinful activities and save us from His wrath. Learn how to pray in the plane.

* Begin our journey by saying our 'du'a and doing our ‘solat’ (prayers). Fulfil our daily obligations such as ‘solat’ five times (during our journey that satisfies special requirements we are allowed to combine and shorten some of our solat).

* It is also advisable during our journey we carry on doing our recommended prayers and saying our ‘zikrullah’ (remembrace Allah SWT by reciting words in praise of Him).

* Bring along our Qur’an and a few good books including our du’a (prayers) book so that we could fill our time reading them while travelling on long journeys such as in planes, trains and buses. 

Muslims should know that Allah SWT through the Qur’an encourages them to travel; the last ‘ibadah’ in ‘Rukun Islam’ that is performing one’s hajj signals that a Muslim must leave his home to make the journey to Makkah. 

In the Qur’an, Allah mentions: “Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Travel in the land and see the nature of the sequel for the guilty!” (Al-Naml or the Ant 27: 69) 

Allah also mentions: “Say (unto the disbelievers): Travel in the land, and see the nature of the consequence for the rejecters.” (Al-An’am or Cattle verse 11) 

In Surah Al-Ankabut (29:20) He mentions: Say: "Go about the earth and see how He created for the first time, and then Allah will recreate life." Surely, Allah has power over everything. 

If we follow His true path, from our journeys we would be able to strengthen our ‘iman’ (faith), increase our knowledge and experience, we would be able to make friends and Allah SWT ‘insya-Allah’ (God willing) will provide for all our needs. 

Even though Muslims can visit any locations except places where sins activities are held, places of worship of other religions and places that were cursed by Allah SWT (they are discouraged from doing so), the Prophet s.a.w. in a hadith said: “Do not prepare yourself for a journey except to three ‘masjids’, i.e. Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Masjid of Aqsa (Jerusalem) and my Masjid." 

Well, from now on why not prepare ourselves that one day we would be able to pray in the Haram Masjid doing 'umra' (minor hajj) or better still hajj itself. We would also be able to pray in the Prophet’s Masjid and visit his grave along with two of his best companions – Abu Bakr and Umar al-Khattab in the masjid. 

And as for visiting the Al-Aqsa Masjid, let us Muslims throughout the world be united to free the lands of the Palestinians from the hands of Zionist regime. Let us make du’a (pray) that this third holiest masjid in Islam would be freed soon! 

Zulkaedah 21, 1443: Muslim diamanah kunci gereja...(U)

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

Renungan

"Orang-orang yang meninggal dunia di antara kamu dengan meninggalkan isteri-isteri (hendaklah para isteri itu) menangguhkan dirinya (beredah) empat bulan 10 hari." (Maksud ayat 234 Surah Al-Baqarah)

* Maha Suci Allah yang telah menjalankan hamba-Nya (Muhammad) pada malam hari dari Masjid Al-Haraam (di Makkah) ke Masjid Al-Aqsa (di Palestin), yang Kami berkati sekelilingnya, untuk memperlihatkan kepadanya tanda-tanda (kekuasaan dan kebesaran) Kami. Sesungguhnya Allah jualah yang Maha Mendengar, lagi Maha Mengetahui. - Maksud Ayat Al-Quran, Al-Isra', 17:1.*  

ALHAMDULILLAH akhirnya saya sampai ke Baitulmaqdis (Jerusalem) - kota suci tiga agama - Islam, Kristian dan Yahudi (Judais). Sekali lagi, Alhamdulilah dapatlah saya beribadat di sejumlah masjid di Haram Al-Syarif (kawasan Al-Aqsa yang dalam bahasa Inggeris selalu disebut Temple Mount) seperti Masjid Jamek Qibli (Al-Aqsa), Masjid Kubah Batu (Dome of the Rock), Masjid Marwani serta Bab Al-Rahma.

Selain itu, rombongan kami dibawa melawat tapak suci penganut Kristian seperti Gereja Holy Sepulchre iaitu tempat paling suci bagi penganut agama itu kerana mereka percaya ia sebagai lokasi penyaliban Kristus (Jesus) dan kuburan beliau.

Gereja ini yang juga dikenali sebagai Gereja Makam Suci dan Gereja Kebangkitan merakamkan pelbagai catatan sejarah antaranya membabitkan kejatuhan kota Baitulmaqdis dan penyerahan kuncinya ke tangan Khalifah Umar Al-Khattab pada 637 Masihi. 

Setelah kekalahan Byzantium, Jerusalem perlu diserahkan kepada khalifah sendiri. Umar datang ke Jerusalem untuk memenuhi undangan Patriac Sophronius, penguasanya, bagi melakukan serah terima kota Jerusalem. 

Maka termeterilah 'Perjanjian Aelia' yang terkandung jaminan Islam bagi kebebasan, keamanan dan kesejahteraan penganut Kristian beserta lembaga-lembaga keagamaannya.

Selesai membuat perjanjian, Umar hendak melaksanakan solat, Sophronius mempersilakan khalifah untuk solat di dalam Gereja Holy Sepulchre. 

Umar menolak, beliau solat di tangga gerbang timur gereja. Beliau berkata, “Patriac, tahukah kamu mengapa aku tidak mahu solat di gereja kamu? Kamu akan kehilangan gereja ini kerana setelah aku pergi, orang Islam akan mengambilnya daripada kamu dan berkata, “Di sinilah Umar dahulu pernah bersolat”. Penolakan Khalifah Umar inilah yang selanjutnya menyelamatkan gereja tersebut hingga utuh sampai sekarang.

Sebuah masjid didirikan berdekatan tempat Umar solat, yang masih utuh hingga hari ini. Menara Masjid Umar jelas kelihatan dari pekarangan Gereja Sepulchre.

Sekarang ini dua keluarga Islam terbabit dalam menyimpan kunci dan urusan membuka dan menutup gereja ini. Menurut pembimbing rombongan kami, langkah ini selain membuktikan tolerasi antara penganut agama, ia juga menyelamatkan sengketa mazhab dalam agama Kristian berhubung pentadbiran dan pengurusan gereja tersebut.

Dua keluarga Muslim ini diberi kepercayaan berkenaan sejak abad ke-12. Keluarga Joudeh diberi amanah untuk menyimpan kunci gereja itu sementara keluarga Nuseibeh pula bertanggungjawab membuka pintu gereja setiap awal pagi dan menguncinya semula pada sebelah petang.

Di gereja ini ada sekurang-kurangnya enam mazhab Kristian iaitu Ortodoks Yunani, Ortodoks Armenia, Katolik, Ortodoks Syria, Ortodoks Koptik Iskandariah-Mesir, dan Ortodoks Habsyah Tewahedo. Katolik Rom, Yunani, dan Armenia memegang 70% pemilikan gereja ini.

Demikianlah wujud toleransi dalam mengamalkan agama masing-masing antara penganut Islam dan Kristian di tanah Suci Baitulmaqdis terutamanya selepas ditunjukkan contohnya oleh Khalifah Umar Al-Khattab dan kemudian penguasa Islam lain seperti Salahuddin Al-Ayubi yang sewajarnya 'difikir-fikir' dan 'direnung-renung' oleh 'orang kita'.

Namun kita jangan lupa bahawa sebenarnya yang berkuasa di kota Baitulmaqdis sekarang adalah rejim Zionis (Israel atau Tel Aviv) yang terkenal dengan kezalimannya. Adalah penting untuk kita 'merenung sejenak' perbezaan rejim ganas ini dengan orang Yahudi. 

Bagi orang Islam, sepanjang penelitian kita terdapat sejumlah hadis yang menunjukkan bahawa Nabi junjungan kita Muhammad s.a.w. pernah berhubungan dengan orang Yahudi. Antaranya sebuah hadis yang bermaksud: “Bahawasanya Nabi s.a.w. menggadaikan 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 sesetengah orang Yahudi yang kini terkenal dengan rejim Zionisnya yang membelasah penduduk Palestin/Islam semahu-mahunya. Zionisme diwujudkan pada 1897 oleh Theodor Herzl dan daripadanya terdirinya 'negara' (rejim) haram Israel di atas tanah Palestin pada 1948 dan kemudian mereka 'menjarah' pula tanah suci Baitulmaqdis selepas Perang Enam Hari 1967.

Zulkaedah 20, 1443: Hosting a Croat...(U)

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, 'Selawat' (blessings) and 'salam' (peace be upon) Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Reflection

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me." (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51: 56-57)

RECENTLY I was almost lost for words when a Croat stepped inside my house. She was Franka Gulin, 32, from Sibenik, Croatia but worked in China. She had a stint at China Radio International in Beijing and had been there for three years.

Franka was holidaying in Malaysia and during her stay here, her friend, Nelawati Ngadul from DBP with some companions brought her for 'sightseeing' and as Nelawati was my wife's friend, they choose to pay us a visit.

Subhanallah (Glory to God), I was least expected 'to have a Croat inside my house'...my ''thinking' of the Croats was not a positive one either...perhaps events during the Yugoslav particularly Bosnian war in early 1990-s painted ugly pictures in my mind about them.

During that time I was at a foreign desk of a daily newspaper; I edited and translated news on the conflict and fighting between the Bosnian Muslims, Orthodox Christian Croats and Serbs and splashed them on the pages of international section of the paper.

Regarding the war, Wikipedia noted that both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia were engaged in the early 1990-s Yugoslav wars, armed conflicts which followed the break-up of SFR Yugoslavia into five sovereign countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Republic of Macedonia, Slovenia, and FR Yugoslavia (later broke up into Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo).

Croats, Bosniaks and Serbs (including Bosnian Croats and Bosnian Serbs) fought each other exchanging alliances in a series of conflicts. The majority of the wars were fought on Bosnia–Herzegovina territory, where Croats established the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia.

However, after the wars Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia retained the same border they had during SFR Yugoslavia, and through the Dayton Accords, Bosnia and Herzegovina was divided into two entities based on three constituent peoples: Republika Srpska (for Serbs) and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (for Bosniaks and Croats). According to the CIA World Factbook, 7,269 Croatian refugees still live in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the country has 131,600 internally displaced persons.

"Well, now I have a Croat inside my house; oh, on what subject am I going to talk to her," my mind kept on thinking and luckily (Alhamdulillah, all praise to Allah), 'it came suddenly into my mind' that the Croats were good in football and several years ago their national team had even appeared in a World Cup.

After exchanging greetings and making ourselves comfortable, I tried to attract Franka attention by telling her how I admired their football national team which had appeared in Euro and World Cups. She was interested and mentioned a few names of players such as Davor Suker which I too had heard.

Suker was the 1998 FIFA Word Cup tournament's top scorer which was held in France. This tournament was Croatia's first after gaining independence. Surprisingly Croatia finished third; it is interesting to note (for Malaysian team please wake up) on admission to FIFA, Croatia was ranked 125th in the world but following the 1998 World Cup campaign, the side rose to third place in the rankings!

Franka who claimed to be fluent in English, Italian, Spanish and of course Croatian; said she was fascinated to see the various races living harmony in Malaysia. "Your countrymen are so lucky, you don't have to go to China to see a Chinese or go to India to see an Indian," she said philosophically, perhaps thinking about her own country and region which was devastated by war between the Bosnian Muslims, Croats and Serbs about two decades ago.

"As a journalist who had travel around the globe, my advise to people of diverse ethnics and religions to respect one another...that's the key of living in peace and harmony," she advised us.

Zulkaedah 19, 1443: Islam telah memasuki hati warga Eropah

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

AKHIRNYA saya sampai di Paris, kota cinta dan fesyen dunia bagi muda-mudi. Tetapi bagi orang tak berapa muda seperti saya, nilaian keberadaan di Paris dan kota-kota besar seperti Amsterdam dan Brussels adalah bagi menyoroti nadi masyarakatnya terutama Muslim Eropah.

Berceloteh mengenai Islam di Eropah, terkenang saya buku sejarah sekolah menengah milik abang yang saya tatapi ketika di sekolah rendah puluhan tahun dahulu. Ada dimuatkan bab Islam di Andalusia selepas Sepanyol ditawan panglima Tariq ibn Ziyad dan Gabenor Musa Ibn Nushair pada 711 Masihi.

Atas perintah Musa, Tariq berjaya menyebarkan Islam di Semenanjung Iberia (kini Sepanyol dan Portugal) dan seterusnya sebagai perintis pembukaan Islam di Eropah.

Tentera Tariq yang terdiri daripada 7,000 orang mendarat di Gibraltar, dan dikatakan Musa menghantar 5,000 orang tentera lagi bagi memperkukuhkan kedudukan tentera Islam.

Bagi menghadapi ancaman tentera Tariq, raja Visigoth, Raja Roderick, dikatakan telah mengumpulkan tentera seramai 100,000 orang. Tariq berhadapan dengan tentera Kristian Visigoth dalam pertempuran yang dikenali sebagai Pertempuran Guadalete. 

Dalam pertempuran yang berlaku di Sungai Guadalete itu, Tariq dan tenteranya menewaskan tentera Visigoth dan seterusnya membina tapak perkembangan Islam di Eropah

Ketika pertama kali mendarat di pantai Iberia, Tariq dikatakan mengarahkan para tenteranya membakar semua kapal. Sebelum bertempur dicatatkan bahawa Tariq menyampaikan sebuah ucapan yang masyhur kepada tenteranya. Sebahagian ucapannya berbunyi:

"Wahai pahlawanku, ke mana akan kau lari? Laut di belakangmu, di hadapanmu musuh. Hanya harapan keberanian dan ketabahan ada bersamamu. ... Amirul Mukminin, Alwalid bin Abdalmalik, memilihmu daripada kalangan pahlawannya untuk melakukan serangan ini;...Satu-satu hasil yang dikehendakinya ialah supaya kalam Allah SWT dijunjung di tanah bertuah ini, dan agama benar bertapak di sini..."

Mengenang kehebatan panglima Tarriq, sebuah bukit diabadikan atas namanya iaitu Jabal At-Tariq atau Gibraltar yang kekal hingga ke hari ini. (Sumber Wikipedia)

Apa yang menyebakkan hati saya tatkala membaca buku sejarah abang saya adalah catatan mengenai kemaraan Islam di Eropah akhirnya tersekat dalam satu pertempuran di Tours (Perancis)  pada 732 Masihi antara pasukan Frank dan Burgundy pimpinan Charles Martel dengan tentera Muslim pimpinan Abdul Rahman al-Ghalifi (daripada bani Umayyah).

Kejayaan Charles Martel yang bermakna Penukul disifatkan sesetengah  cendekiawan Barat memberhentikan kemaraan  Islam ke Eropah sekali gus mengekalkan Kristian terus diamalkan penduduknya.

Namun hari ini, pembaca jangan terkejut jika ada pihak mendakwa Islam sudah menjadi agama terbesar di sesetengah negara Eropah termasuk Perancis. Buktinya, masjid sesak dikunjungi terutama pada solat Jumaat dan dua perayaan Aidilfitri dan Aidiladha.

Di Paris, penulis sempat ke Grande Mosquee de Paris (Masjid Besar Paris) dan bercakap dengan seorang pegawainya yang berkata setiap Jumaat masjid itu mencatatkan kehadiran 7,000 - 8,000 jemaah manakala pada dua perayaan besar Islam sehingga 15,000 orang.

Ditanya mengenai jumlah masjid di Paris, pegawai itu berkata 'terlalu banyak' (tak terkira atau tak ada catatan mengenainya), dan istimewa mengenai Masjid Besar Paris yang berkonsepkan seni bina Islam Andalusia (seperti Al-Hambra yang siap dengan taman-tamannya), ia dibuka untuk kunjungan 'not yet Muslim'.

Pada hari penulis membuat kunjungan, ramai orang keluar masuk...ya pengunjung bebas ke sana antara jam 9.00 pagi hingga 9.00 malam setiap hari kecuali Jumaat. Ertinya masyarakat bebas untuk menyaksikan sendiri amalan ummah dan keindahan Islam dan sama ada mereka mendapat hidayah atau tidak; itu hak Allah SWT.

Islam hari ini sudah berada dalam hati sesetengah masyarakat Perancis hatta Eropah. Itulah dibimbangi pemerintah-pemerintah negara benua ini. Namun air sungai jernih yang mengalir deras dari pergunungan tinggi tak dapat disekat.

Penulis suka memetik kata-kata indah Hindun binti Utbah (isteri Abu Sufyan yang terkenal  dengan kisah memamah hati Sayidina Hamzah ketika Perang Uhud) apabila ditanya kenapa dia memeluk Islam. 

Katanya, bukan dia memeluk Islam tetapi Islam telah masuk ke dalam hatinya. Hari ini, sesetengah orang Eropah pun sama - Islam telah masuk ke dalam hati mereka. 

Zulkaedah 18, 1443: Perpecahan ummah undang serangan kafir laknatullah

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

Renungan

Azab Kubur Akibat Memfitnah

Dikatakan, "sepertiga azab kubur adalah akibat memfitnah." Daripada Ibnu Umar, daripada Rasululllah s.a.w. bersabda yang maksudnya: "Ketika Allah menjadikan syurga, berkata kepadanya. "Katakanlah!" Dia berkata, "berbahagialah orang yang memasukiku." Lalu Allah berkata. "Demi kemuliaan dan keagungan-Ku, tidak akan memasukimu lapan golongan; orang yang biasa meminum arak, berzina, memfitnah, dayus (orang yang cemburu kepada orang yang sepatutnya tidak dicemburui dan tidak cemburu kepada orang yang seharusnya dicemburi), orang yang buas, lelaki yang suka menyerupai perempuan, orang yang memutuskan sanak saudara dan orang yang tidak memenuhi janjinya pada-Ku." Dia berkata, "jika Allah berbuat demikian...maka aku berjanji kepada Allah akan demikian..." Namun tidak dia penuhi. - Hidayah Mac 2011

(ARTIKEL ULANGAN)

BETUL kafir laknatullah (kuasa-kuasa Barat) cepat-cepat patuhi resolusi PBB dengan menyerang Libya tetapi tidak mengambil 'pot' (endah) resolusi PBB terhadap Palestin, namun adalah wajar untuk umat Islam merenung kelemahan mereka paling ketara – perpecahan sesama sendiri menyebabkan helang dan burung botak cepat saja mengerjakan mangsanya.

Libya bukan kisah pertama negara umat Islam pada alaf baru ini diserang si helang dan kuncu-kuncunya. Iraq dan Afghanistan adalah bukti jelas betapa rakusnya si burung durjana ini. Kedua-dua negara ini tiada hal untuk kuasa besar menguji senjata sofistikated terbaru mereka. Rejim Saddam Hussein yang gah dari segi propaganda itu disapu licin mereka (dengan Saddam terpaksa menyorok dalam lubang tikus sebelum digantung mati), apatah lagi kumpulan Taliban yang tidak mendapat sokongan puak-puak bertelagah di Afghanistan.

Puak-puak Mujahidin di Afghanistan mempunyai peluang terbaik merintis jalan kegemilangan negara mereka selepas tumbangnya rejim Najibullah yang pro-Soviet pada 1992, tetapi mereka telah mensia-siakannya dengan bercakaran sesama sendiri. Pertelagahan ini mendedahkan negara kepada campur tangan asing sama seperti dialami Libya.

Selepas askar Soviet dihalau keluar, Afghanistan kekal menjadi 'neraka dunia'. Penduduknya yang sudah melalui kesengsaraan perang berikutan campur tangan Soviet Union terus menderita. Kali ini di tangan saudara seagama dan kemudian oleh si penjarah Amerika.

Di Afghanistan, Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam (OIC) yang diamanahkan untuk memastikan sejahteraan ummah, gagal meleraikan kumpulan Mujahidin yang bertelagah. Pada awal dekad 90-an, ketua kumpulan Hizb-I-Islami, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar terus memerangi Presiden Burhanuddin Rabbani sekalipun diberikan jawatan perdana menteri.

Kemunculan kumpulan pelajar, Taliban adalah di luar jangkaan, tetapi mereka mendapat sokongan rakyat. Pada pertengahan dekad 90-an, mereka berjaya menguasai hampir keseluruhan bumi Afghanistan.

Kesungguhan Taliban melaksanakan hukum-hakam Islam, menyebabkan mereka dicemburui Barat. Suatu ketika tindakan mereka menghancurkan patung purba Buddha di Bamiyan, mencetuskan kemarahan dunia Barat.

Apabila tercetus Peristiwa 11 September 2001, tidak semena-mena Taliban menjadi sasaran. Taliban didakwa melindungi pemimpin Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden. Lanjutan dendam Barat kepada Taliban, Amerika menggunakan kesempatan itu untuk 'menguji' senjata-senjata canggihnya di bumi yang hampir musnah itu.

Hasilnya Afghanistan hancur tetapi Amerika dengan bongkaknya berkata demokrasi sedang berkembang selepas meletakkan bonekanya, Hamid Karzai sebagai presiden.

Tidak cukup dengan kemusnahan Afghanistan, Amerika terus 'melanyak' sebuah lagi negara umat Islam - Iraq. Sama seperti Afghanistan, rejim Saddam yang sejak sekian lama menzalimi kumpulan umat Islam lain seperti orang Kurdis dan Syiah juga tumbang dengan mudah.

Jentera perang Amerika yang jelas tiada tandingan, kini dihalakan ke Libya. Penyerangan mudah dilakukan kerana berlalu perbalahan dan perpecahan dalam negara. Kafir laknatullah hanya mencari alasan untuk menamatkan pemerintahan diktator zalim Muammar Gaddafi yang telah menerajui negara itu lebih empat dekad.

Namun satu persoalan timbul: 'Seberani-berani' Amerika menyerang dari jauh dengan Tomahawk, kenapa mereka ragu-ragu menyerang Iran yang sudah terlalu lama menyakiti hatinya? Mungkinkah kesatuan rakyat Iran tersangat kuat sehingga Amerika terpaksa fikir banyak kali?

Zulkaedah 17, 1443: Sedangkan lidah lagi tergigit...

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

Renungan

"Masukkan kami dalam golongan hamba-Mu ya Allah, yang Kau sebut dalam al-Quran: 'Wahai jiwa yang tenang, kembalilah kepada Tuhan-Mu dalam keadaan reda dan diredai. Masukkan kami ke dalam syurga-Mu ya Allah'." (Maksud ayat 27-30 Surah Al-Fajr)

Sebagai makhluk-Nya (Allah SWT) yang lemah, ada kehendak dan impian kita tercapai dan ada yang tidak. Ya, betapa banyak azam kita tidak tercapai-capai jua. Kita merancang, yang menentukannya Allah SWT.

Tidak lama dulu, ketika tertonton 'highlight' (babak menarik) sebuah drama Cina di televisyen, tersentak hati saya sebentar ketika mendengar perbualan dua gadis. Seorang daripadanya merungut-rungut kerana banyak kehendaknya tidak tercapai. 

Jawapan si temannya mengejut dan menyentak jiwa saya. Antara lain katanya, "kalau kamu mahu semua kehendak kamu dipenuhi kamu jadilah tuhan!"

Ya, Allah-lah Yang Berkuasa, kita tidak ada (punya) apa-apa. Tidak semena-mena saya menjadi insaf...sekalipun kata-kata ini diucapkan oleh seorang gadis Cina tanpa tauhid, terasa terpukul diri ini bahawa kita ini hanya HAMBANYA; Namun kita 'berlagak', berperasan kita boleh buat itu dan ini, berperasan kita berjaya kerana usaha kita.

Kita terlupa Allah SWT-lah penentu segala-galanya. Dia boleh memberi kita berjaya atau tidak, Dia juga penentu sama ada kita boleh mendapatkan sesuatu atau tidak. Semuanya terletak pada-Nya...namun kita selalu terlupa. Kita nakkan berjaya saja, tak dapat terima gagal atau segala perkara yang dianggap negatif lain seperti jatuh sakit, dibuang kerja dan hilang pangkat dan jawatan.

Adakah dalam hidup ini kita mahu terima yang 'best' (baik-baik saja)?Benarkah kehidupan di dunia ini ada bahagia selama-lamanya? Semakin tuanya diri ini, semakin sedarlah saya bahawa kehidupan ini sebenarnya dilalui secara pergiliran - ada kehendak kita dipenuhi ada yang tidak; ada bahagia ada derita, ada senang ada susah, ada masa gembira dan ada masa berduka - semuanya berlangsung silih berganti ibarat siang dan malam; gelap dan terang. 

Pemikir Melayu-Islam yang tersohor di Nusantara, Allahyarham Buya Hamka dalam salah sebuah buku yang pernah saya baca (tak ingat lagi tajuknya) ada mengungkapkan bahawa jika kita melihat istana yang tersergam indah; janganlah ingat di dalamnya penghuninya sentiasa hidup berbahagia dan bersukaria - di sana juga ada derita dan air mata! Jadi janganlah kita tertipu dengan apa yang kita lihat. 

Hidup adalah satu perjalanan menuju noktahnya, kematian. Masalahnya kita tidak tahu bila dan bagaimanakah noktah itu. Apa saja boleh berlaku dalam perjalanannya;ada ulama mengkategorikan kehidupan seperti berikut: kita bermula dengan baik tetapi bertukar buruk dan akhirnya mati dalam kejelekan (su'ul khatimah); kita bermula dengan buruk tetapi hujung hayat menjadi baik dan mati dalam kebaikan (husnul khatimah); kita bermula dengan baik dan mati dalam baik (inilah yang terbaik) dan kita bermula dengan buruk dan mati pun dalam keadaan buruk (ini paling teruk). 

Kemudian ada sebuah hadis menyebut: Daripada Abu Abdurrahman Abdullah bin Mas’ud r.a. berkata: beliau diberitahukan Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda: "...Sesungguhnya salah seorang antara kamu beramal amalan ahli syurga sampai antara dia dengan syurga tinggal sejengkal, kemudian didahului ketentuan sehingga dia beramal dengan amalan ahli neraka dan masuklah ia ke dalam neraka; dan salah seorang kamu melakukan amalan ahli neraka sampai antara dia dan neraka tinggal sejengkal, kemudian didahului ketetapan, sehingga dia melakukan amalan ahli syurga sehingga dia masuk ke dalam syurga.“ - Imam Bukhari

Ya, wahai pembaca, kita tidak tahu nasib kita pada masa depan; jadi pada kesempatan ini inginlah saya yang daif ini mengingatkan diri sendiri dan pembaca usahlah kita berlagak sombong mengecop seseorang itu banyak dosalah; dia, hatta bekas mayat dia pun tidak layak dibawa pulang dan sebagainya kerana sebagai insan serba lemah kita tidak tahu hakikat seseorang termasuk dia sudah beriman atau tidak; yang tahu hanya dia dan Allah SWT saja. 

Bukankah kita sudah biasa mendengar taubat seorang penjahat yang telah membunuh 99 orang; kemudian melengkapkannya menjadi 100 orang; tetapi taubatnya diterima Allah SWT dan dia dimasukkan ke dalam syurga; jadi apakah kelayakan kita untuk berkata itu dan ini mengenai seseorang itu sedangkan dosa kita sendiri bertimbun; sekarang ini Allah SWT 'sembunyikannya' jika Dia 'mendedahkannya' habislah kita! Kemudian kita juga tahu ada 'ahli syahid' yang dihumbankan ke neraka! 

Kita perlu sedar dunia dan segala isinya sentiasa berubah. Ada pasangan yang bahagia pada awal perkahwinan, kemudian kerap berlaku 'Perang Teluk' yang membawa kepada perceraian. Pasangan yang kekal ke akhir hayat pun bukan sentiasa 'happy' saja; ada masa bahagia ada masa derita - bukanlah peribahasa Melayu ada menyebut "sedangkan lidah lagi tergigit ini pula suami isteri..." 

Ya, dunia sentiasa berubah dan sejarah (dunia) biasanya dirakamkan oleh pihak yang menang (berkuasa). Ada sebuah peribahasa Afrika berbunyi: “Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunters” (sehinggalah sang singa mempunyai penulis sejarah, kisah perburuan akan hanya menggambarkan kehebatan si pemburu). 

Kini kita digembar-gemburkan segala yang muluk-muluk mengenai si pemburu; singa di hutan siapa peduli? 

Pemburu berlagak 'hero' sedangkan di hutan tadi, dia lari lintang pukang menyematkan diri hanya selepas mendengar bunyi 'deheman' raja rimba. Tetapi di kampung, dia berlagak, bercerita dia telah menikam sang singa!