Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 26

Ramadan 2, 1443: The 'marathon' goes on...'istiqamah' in being His servant! (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.

The 'marathon' to do good deeds goes on, said an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) during his 'tazkirah' (lesson) at a 'masjid' near my house recently. He reminded congregators to remain 'istiqamah' (steadfast) in performing their duties to Allah SWT until their last breath on earth. 

But according to the 'ustaz', our ability to perform the good deeds and refrain from the bad ones depended on Him, thus we must always 'isytifar' (ask for His forgiveness) and seek 'du'a' (supplication) to enable us to be in His straight path as what we recite 'Ihdinas-Siraat-Al-Mustaqeem' (guide us upon the straight path) for at least 17 times every day in our 'solat'.

As human beings, we always make mistakes, and the best among us are those who repent and seek forgiveness from God. Mistakes against Allah SWT can be wiped off if we repent to Him because of His kindness, forgiveness and merciful but sins related to other human beings can only be erased if we repent and seek forgiveness from that person. 

In making mistakes, our hearts would be blackened little by little - we should be afraid we would be able to see and to be guided in His true path; thus always repent and mostly importantly we should never, never miss our five times 'fardu' (obligatory or compulsory) 'solat' where we pleaded to Him among others 'Ihdinas-Siraat-Al-Mustaqeem' in every 'rakaat' (unit) of our prayers.

The 'marathon' to do good needs and to refrain from the bad ones continues...it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, s.a.w.), said to his companions when they returned from a military campaign, “We have come back from the lesser jihaad to the greater jihaad.” They said, “Is there any greater jihaad than jihaad against the kuffaar?” he said, “Yes, jihaad al-nafs (jihaad against the self).”

Ibn al-Qayyim said: “Jihaad is of four stages: jihaad al-nafs (striving against the self), jihaad al-shayaateen (striving against the shayaateen or devils), jihaad al-kuffaar (striving against the disbelievers) and jihaad al-munaafiqeen (striving against the hypocrites). 

Jihaad al-nafs means striving to make oneself learn true guidance, and to follow it after coming to know it, calling others to it, and bearing with patience the difficulties of calling others to Allah. Jihaad al-Shaytaan means striving against him and warding off the doubts and desires that he throws at a person, and the doubts that undermine faith, and striving against the corrupt desires that he tries to inspire in a person.

Jihaad against the kuffaar and munaafiqeen is done in the heart and on the tongue, with one’s wealth and oneself. Jihaad against the kuffaar mostly takes the form of physical action, and jihaad against the munaafiqeen mostly takes the form of words… The most perfect of people are those who have completed all the stages of jihaad. People vary in their status before Allah according to their status in jihaad.” (Zaad al-Ma’aad 3/9-12)

Jihaad to perform good needs to go on whether it is during Ramadan or the other 11 months but what are seeing and experiencing in our own society? Sometimes ago I wrote about this scenario, and now are witnessing the same scene.While readying myself for the mass 'isyak' (late evening) prayers at a 'masjid' near my house, I glanced at the attendees; congregators only filled the first 'saf' (row), perhaps there were only 15 men.

That scenario contradicted with the merry atmosphere of Ramadan especially during its early stage. During  'isyak' mass prayers congregators filled every space in the 'masjid'; one night I turned up when the 'azan isyak' (call of prayers for 'isyak') was on air but failed to get a place in the 'masjid'. After a 'frantic search' I only managed to find a space at its veranda.

If during Ramadan there were hundreds perhaps a few thousands of congregators but nowadays for the five times 'fardu' (compulsory) prayers attendees were very poor...the question is 'where have all those people gone to'?

During Ramadan, for 'isyak' prayers the 'masjid' was full capacity, sometimes congregators 'spilled' to the ground area but nowadays as many as 95 percent of the congregators failed to turn up for the same 'fardhu' prayers; why it is so?

Perhaps during Ramadan, the people wanted to perform the yearly 'solat sunat tarawih' (recommended tarawih prayers) which was held in mass soon after 'solat isyak' thus they have no choice but to perform 'solat isyak' in mass first but after Ramadan, many people were back to square on.

Another 'ustaz' (religious teacher) during his 'tazkirah' (lessons) recently which I attended, claimed that many of us perform our religious obligations without having proper knowledge about it. 

Many were from the 'ikut-ikutan' (following others) type; they went to the 'masjid' at night during Ramadan, they follow suit. People said Ramadan is a 'barakah' (blessed) month, they too would like to seek for that 'barakah' but they failed to understand which of the 'solat' is more important that the other.

"Of course 'solat isyak' which is a 'fardu' must be paid more attention than the recommended 'solat tawarih'. A 'sunat' obligation cannot surplus a 'fardu' one. Men are supposed to perform 'solat isyak' in mass at the 'masjid' during Ramadan and outside Ramadan, but many of us concentrate doing so in Ramadan but 'forget' it altogether in the remaining 11 months.

"Thus it is a must for a Muslim to seek for knowledge; Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. always encouraged Muslims to acquire knowledge as is clear by his famous statement: “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave,” said the 'ustaz'.

So what happened? Where have all those people gone? No sooner is Ramadan over than we have gone back to the way it was before.

Many people were attracted to do 'solat tarawih' because it is an annually event - people get exited to 'new things'- for example people's appetite are good if we serve them KFC once in a while but "who could eat KFC for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday?

People too 'get excited and attracted' to perform the 'solat sunat Aidilfiitri and Aidiladha' (Eid recommended prayers) but many distance themselves from performing the weekly compulsory 'solat Jumaat' (Friday prayers) whats more the five times daily prayers. We could witnessed congregators spilled out of 'masjids' during Eid prayers. 

People get bored eating or doing the same things over and over again. As for the daily five times compulsory prayers (subuh, zuhur, asar, maghrib and isyak), not many people could tirelessly perform them whats more at earliest time possible and at the 'masjid' in mass.

Perhaps you could not take KFC every time you are at the dinner table but you could have rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yes you could eat it and the next day you still crave for rice. You do not feel bored with rice; you need it everyday...

'Solat tarawih' is like taking KFC while the five times daily prayers is like taking rice...if your body is designed to take rice a few times in a day, you soul too needs to be 'refresh' every now and then...then 'solat' (prayers) is the answer to calm up your soul...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)

Another first 'ustaz' explained 'the phenomena' by saying that many Muslims lack 'istiqamah' (consistently) in their 'ibadah' (acts of devotion to Allah SWT). "We must maintain our good deeds even small at all times until we were called by Allah SWT. There is no such thing such as boring in performing good deeds."

He said, other than the compulsory 'ibadah' such as performing our five times 'fardu prayers'  and giving 'zakat', there are many other 'sunat' (recommended) good deeds - say if we were tired of performing recommended prayers we could switch to reading the Qur'an and then change to saying our 'zikir' (dhikr). We can also go out of our home to visit unfortunate people and give away money as part of our recommended good deeds (sadaqah).

The 'ustaz' also recommended all Muslims to go to 'masjids' to see for themselves what activities are in store for them other than the mass five times daily prayers. It it might include works of charity and if there is not an existing group perhaps you could suggest to other congregators or to the 'imam' that you would like to start one.

During Ramadan, 'masjids' have 'successfully' attracted a good number of people during 'isyak', but outside the holy month, where have they all gone to...? 

Another 'ustaz' said: "Don't be a 'hamba' (servant) of Ramadan but always be 'istiqamah' in being Allah's servant!

Ramadan 1, 1443: Ikut perintah Allah jika mahu selamat (U)

Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang. Selawat dan salam ke atas Junjungan Besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.

Renungan

“Jikalau sekiranya penduduk negeri-negeri (negara) beriman dan bertakwa, pastilah Kami akan melimpahkan kepada mereka berkah dari langit dan bumi, tetapi mereka mendustakan (ayat-ayat Kami) itu, maka Kami seksa mereka disebabkan perbuatannya.” - Surah Al-A'raaf, 96

 

BEBERAPA hari lalu penghuni bumi menyambut ‘Earth Hour’ anjuran Tabung Hidupan Liar Antarabangsa (WWF). Pada sambutan itu, lampu dipadamkan sejam, kononnya bagi menyelamatkan dunia daripada kehabisan tenaga dan juga pemanasan global.

Usaha berkenaan bagus tetapi apakah ia dapat menyelamatkan bumi dan manusia seperti diharapkan?

Bagi kita jawapannya adalah tidak kerana usaha itu adalah kempen dan publisiti murahan dunia Barat yang mahu dipaksakan ke atas penduduk dunia seluruhnya sedangkan penguasa dan lintah darat kapitalis dunia Baratlah yang merosakkan dan menjejaskan eko sistem dunia.

Bagi kita jaminan keselamatan termasuk kehidupan aman dan bahagia perlu berpaksi kepada hukum-hakam Allah SWT. Ini kerana Allah SWT yang menjadikan alam termasuk dunia ini dan segala penghuninya maka Dia-lah yang mengetahui apa yang terbaik untuk manusia.

Antara jaminan keselamatan Allah SWT terzahir melalui kewujudan Tanah Haram (Makkah dan Madinah) untuk menjadi renungan.

Di Tanah Haram, adalah menjadi larangan untuk memotong, menebang atau mencabut pokok dan tumbuh-tumbuhan atau memburu binatang.

Pendeknya keharmonian alam dijaga begitu sekali, manusia yang memasuki Tanah Haram terutama pada musim haji dijamin keselamatannya sehingga jemaah tidak boleh berbalah (melalui percakapan) apatah lagi bergaduh dan berperang.

Keselamatan, keharmonian dan keamanan di Tanah Haram sewajarnya dibawa ke seluruh pelosok dunia agar manusia dapat didisiplinkan untuk mematuhi perintah Allah SWT.

Ini kerana Allah SWT saja yang menjamin keselamatan manusia sedangkan undang-undang ciptaan manusia tidak dapat lari daripada kelemahan dan kesilapan.

Jaminan Allah SWT antara lain terkandung dalam Ayat 96 Surah Al-A’raaf yang bermaksud: “Jikalau sekiranya penduduk negeri-negeri (negara) beriman dan bertakwa, pastilah Kami akan melimpahkan kepada mereka berkah dari langit dan bumi, tetapi mereka mendustakan (ayat-ayat Kami) itu, maka Kami seksa mereka disebabkan perbuatannya.”

Ancaman Allah SWT untuk mendatangkan bahaya kepada manusia terkandung dalam ayat-ayat 97 hingga 100 surah yang sama. Pada Ayat 97 dinyatakan: “Maka apakah penduduk negeri-negeri itu merasa aman daripada kedatangan seksaan (azab) Kami kepada mereka pada malam hari ketika mereka sedang tidur?”

Allah SWT telah menyediakan peraturan dan undang-undang-Nya bagi keselamatan manusia tetapi umat Islam hari ini terikut-ikut dengan gagasan Barat yang cuba dipaksakan ke atas mereka.

Sungguh begitu aneh kelakuan umat Islam hari ini, apa dicadangkan pihak Barat termasuk ‘Earth Hour’ mereka ikuti; mereka menjadi pak turut tetapi cara hidup Muslim termasuk perintah Allah SWT mereka pekakkan telinga.

Bagi menjayakan ‘Earth Hour’, pelbagai pihak daripada stesen televisyen, akhbar dan firma swasta menguar-uarkannya dengan begitu hebat sekali, tetapi bagaimana perintah Allah SWT?

Apakah stesen televisyen kita peka akan waktu solat seperti diperintahkan Allah SWT? Jawapannya tidak, malah pada waktu solat yang singkat seperti maghrib, mereka sibuk menyiarkan rancangan kesukaan kanak-kanak menyebabkan anak-anak sukar didisiplinkan untuk solat.

Kemudian akhbar kita pula tidak puas-puas menyiarkan keputusan empat nombor ekor (perjudian) yang kini semakin menjadi-jadi (ruang iklan semakin banyak) kerana tempahan oleh pihak menawarkan teknologi canggih (seperti SMS) bagi mengetahui keputusan dengan cepat.

Di peringkat global pemimpin dunia mengamalkan hukum rimba, yang kuat menindas yang lemah. Negara berkuasa seperti Amerika menjarah negara lemah, menghancur dan menzalimi rakyat Iraq dan Afghanistan; begitu juga rejim Zionis Israel ke atas rakyat Palestin.

Semua penyelewengan ini ‘memanaskan’ dunia, ‘Earth Hour’ hanya propaganda murahan dunia Barat untuk menutup sikap hipokrit mereka. Kembalilah kepada Islam untuk selamat di dunia dan akhirat. Amin.

Syaaban 30, 1443: Makan sembunyi-sembunyi

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

Renungan

"Bahawasanya tiada Tuhan yang patut disembah melainkan hanya Engkau, Maha Suci Engkau, sesungguhnya aku adalah termasuk orang-orang yang zalim." (Maksud ayat 87 Surah al-Anbiya)

ALHAMDULILLAH, insya-Allah esok kita akan berada dalam bulan Ramadan yang penuh barakah. Ahlan Wa Sahlan Ya Ramadan, semoga Ramadan kali ini memberi jutaan rahmat kepada kita semua, dan yang terpenting kita selamat di dunia dan akhirat. 

Berceloteh pasal Ramadan, teringat saya kisah masa kecil-kecil dahulu. Ibu selalu ingatkan anak-anak gadis kecilnya, kalau tak puasa (dapat cutilah tu), nak makan dan minum boleh tetapi buatlah secara sembunyi-sembunyi. Makanlah tetapi jangan makan di depan adik beradik. "Sekalipun awak tu tak 'posa', hormatilah bulan Ramadan!"

Demikianlah wahai pembaca, kepada golongan yang dibolehkan 'tak posa' seperti musafir, orang tua uzur, orang sakit, perempuan mengandung dan menyusui bayi apatah lagi perempuan berhaid dan bernifas, makan dan minumlah tetapi lakukannya secara berhemah; hormati orang lain yang sedang berpuasa apatah lagi menjaga kesucian bulan Ramadan itu sendiri.

Seorang ustaz dalam ceramahnya yang ikuti menjelang Ramadan ini, berkata sekalipun tak berpuasa, golongan ini juga dituntut untuk sama-sama menyemarakkan Ramadan - mereka boleh melakukan amalan lain seperti memperbanyakkan zikir, berselawat, bersedekah (termasuk menyedia dan menjamu orang berpuasa) dan mengeratkan silaturahim dan ukhuwah sesama Muslim.

Ya, kehadiran Ramadan menyuntik kebaikan kepada semua (ummah). Peluang terbuka kepada semua Muslimin dan Muslimat untuk meraih segala kebaikan pada bulan mulia ini...mereka lebih mudah melakukannya pada bulan Ramadan (mungkin syaitan sudah dirantai) tetapi alangkah besar manfaatnya jika amalan ini berterusan sepanjang waktu. 

Jika perubahan ini dilakukan semata-mata bagi menghormati Ramadan atau mendapatkan kelebihan beribadah pada bulan penuh barakah ini, dikhuatiri seseorang itu menjadi hamba Ramadan dan bukan hamba Allah SWT yang menunjukkan ketaatannya sepanjang usianya. 

Berhubung perkara ini, kita tertanya-tanya mengapa sesetengah pihak hanya begitu ghairah beribadah pada bulan Ramadan tetapi melupakannya selepas itu. Apakah ini bermaksud pada Ramadan saja kita berbuat baik sebaliknya pada bulan-bulan lain bebas berbuat sesuka hati kita? Apakah ini bermaksud Tuhan hanya ada pada Ramadan, sedangkan pada bulan-bulan lain, Tuhan seolah-olah tidak wujud? 

Pemikiran dan tindakan mengasing-asingkan corak kehidupan berdasarkan masa dan tempat ini dikhuatiri sebahagian amalan sekular. Berdasarkan ini, tidak hairanlah orang berusaha mematuhi suruhan agama seperti memakai tudung pada bulan Ramadan tetapi pada bulan-bulan lain tidak menghiraukannya sedangkan perintah Allah SWT berhubung penutupan aurat adalah pada sepanjang masa. 

Demikian juga ketika menunaikan haji di Tanah Suci, seorang Muslimah sentiasa mengenakan pakaian menutup aurat sepenuhnya, tidak kelihatan seorang pun wanita yang memperlihatkan rambutnya. Adakah ini bermaksud Allah SWT itu hanya ada di Makkah, manakala di luar musim haji dan di luar Tanah Haram, Allah SWT tidak wujud kerana perintah-Nya dilanggar sewenang-wenangnya. 

Pemikiran silap ini sudah lama meresap dalam masyarakat kita; sebahagian daripada kita melakukan perintah Allah SWT berdasarkan apa yang disenangi sebaliknya menolak apa yang difikirkan mendatangkan kerugian. Misalnya, pada ayat 178 Surah al-Baqarah, Allah SWT memerintahkan manusia berhukum dengan hukum qisas, kebanyakan manusia tidak mempedulikannya tetapi apabila diperintahkan berpuasa pada ayat 183 surah yang sama, mereka menerimanya.

Kecenderungan melakukan perintah secara terpilih ini, menyebabkan umat Islam berkelakuan baik pada suasana yang memerlukan mereka bertindak sedemikian, sebaliknya pada luar lingkaran itu bertindak di luar batasan agama.

Jika mereka di masjid, mereka menunjukkan ketaatan tetapi di luar pintu masjid, seolah-olah perintah Allah tidak laku. Itulah sebabnya mengapa sebahagian umat Islam terutama pemimpin melakukan aneka maksiat seperti rasuah, perompakan dan penyelewengan kerana agama bagi mereka adalah dalam lingkungan masjid dan pada bulan dan musim tertentu saja. 

Pada bulan Ramadan ini, ramai bertukar baik, tetapi sebaik saja masuk bulan Syawal kelakuan mereka kembali buruk. Aneka maksiat kembali dilakukan, penyelewengan dan penganiayaan menjadi-jadi termasuklah dalam politik.

Penindasan diteruskan, segala tazkirah dan pengajaran Ramadan tidak sangkut di hati. Manusia kembali liar, malah mungkin lebih teruk lagi sebelum Ramadan. 

Ramadan adalah madrasah bertujuan menjadikan kita lebih baik daripada semalam. Awalnya adalah rahmat, pertengahannya adalah pengampunan dan akhirnya bebas daripada api neraka. 

Sehubungan itu,  beribadat dan berbaktilah sepanjang hayat kita, istiqamahlah untuk mematuhi semua hukum hakam Islam mulai Ramadan ini. Berusahalah bersungguh-sungguh agar kita menjadi hamba yang mendapat keredaan-Nya dunia dan akhirat.

Syaaban 29, 1443: An old tired face would stare back at you...(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. 

“At 50 you will realize that the ‘nikmat’ (gift) of God will be taken away from you one by one,” said an ‘ustaz’ (religious teacher) who was giving a lecture at a masjid near my house recently. 

One ‘nikmat’ is we have to give way on food, said the ‘ustaz’. He said one will realize that at 50 his/her teeth would start falling, so he/she would have the ‘nikmat’ of eating good but ‘tough’ food such as beef declining as the days went by and when one is tested positive for having hypertension and is confirmed a diabetic then his/her ‘normal’ diet would have to go as well.

“Then it is the time for ‘no more sugar please’ or please, no ‘kambing’ (mutton) for me.’ So you would realize that the ‘nikmat’ of having good food was being taken away from you. 

“As you get matured religiously, you will realize that everything you ‘own’ would not ‘stick’ with you. Your black and beautiful hair would be gone, being replaced by ‘silver’ ones; your body and bones would ache; your youthful look gone gone and when you look at the mirror an old tired face would stare back at you!”

At times while reminiscing our fate including our lost ‘ability and beauty’, we would question ourselves; why were we sent into this world and where we are heading for? On why we were sent into this world, in Surat Adh-Dhariyat 51:56 (The Winnowing Winds) Allah SWT says, with the meaning; “I have only created jinn and men, that they may serve Me.” Yes, human existence along with jinn is to worship Allah SWT. 

“Then would came a fateful day when your 'roh' (soul) leaves your body. Your body would be buried six feet underground in your grave. So everything would vanish from you except for one that is ‘Islam’.

If you are a practising Muslim, your ‘amal’ (good deeds) would be by your side, but if you don’t have any…how are you going to face those days which is 'kekal' (forever)…,” says the ‘ustaz’. 

So we have to be ‘syukur’ (thankful to Allah SWT) for being Muslims. And among human being to whom should we be thankful in bringing us on the straight path as Muslims? He is none other than Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. had brought the words of God and before him there was a line of prophets from Adam to Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Daud (David), Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus). They were the main prophets from more than 124,000 prophets, all inviting mankind to the path of true peace and obedience to one true God. 

The main prophets too had the ‘kitab’ (books of Allah) with the al-Qur’an which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad as the final guidance to mankind until ‘kiamat’ (end of the world). So use the Qur'an to guide our lives. 

Human beings are weak and unknowledgeable so they had to depend on Allah SWT who at His mercy sent prophets and His books as their guidance. The job of human beings was to follow and obey Allah SWT instructions contained in the Qur’an and examples shown by the Prophet s.a.w. 

A book ‘Pearls of the Prophet – A Guide to successful life from the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)’ has this note about Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. “It is remarkable that his career covered all possible spheres of life such as that of a preacher in a mosque, as a worldly man amongst family and friends, as a man of piety, as a leader, as a soldier, a reformer, a politician, a statesman, an administrator and finally as a ruler of a vast kingdom. 

“He had the privilege therefore of not only laying down rules of guidance in all such capacities but also gave a practical illustration of these rules. It is these sayings and doings of the Prophet that form the subject matter of Hadith – a guide to successful life from the Prophet.” 

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is the unanimous choice of scholars as the greatest man in history. Hart in his book ‘The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History’ ranked the Prophet first, while Lamartine / Histoire de la Turquie / Paris 1854 asked; If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astounding results are the criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad?” 

So western scholars have acknowledged that Prophet Muhammad is the greatest man and of course the greatest politician of all time, so who are we to stray away from his way in life including in politics? 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., the final Prophet and Messenger of God, taught us the full and complete meaning of Islam (surrender and commitment to the will of God) through his words, his actions and the revealed Book – the Holy Qur’an. 

Some Muslims nowadays are not practicing the Prophet’s teaching in its truest sense; they are giving the wrong impression about Islam. They seem to follow and adhere to what benefits them and abandon the teachings that are against their interests.

The ‘ustaz’ reminded Muslims to show their love for the Prophet by always remembering him by way of pronouncing the ‘salawat’ (salutations to the Prophet) and to adhere and follow all his teachings and actions. 

So what are the teachings of the Prophet s.a.w. or to cut short what is Islam that would safe us in this world and after our death when we were buried six feet underground? In the book ‘Essence of Islam’ (Islamic Outreach-ABIM), it is stated that Islam means complete submission or surrender to the will of Allah SWT (The Most High). 

Islam also means peace and the way to achieve peace. Islam teaches that there is only one God, who is called Allah in Arabic. Since the time of emergence of the first man on earth, God in His mercy raised among men numerous prophets or messengers and the last of all the messengers was Muhammad s.a.w. 

Islam is not a new religion. It consists of the same basic message which God has given in all true religions, and all prophets brought this same message for our guidance. 

Muhammad s.a.w., the final Prophet and Messenger of God, taught us the full and complete meaning of Islam (surrender and commitment to the will of God) through his words, his actions and the revealed book, the Holy Qur’an. 

All Muslims actions are governed by the principles of ‘halal’ (permissible) and ‘haram’ (forbidden, unlawful or sinful). It is ‘halal’ to be involved in business activities but ‘haram’ in practising ‘riba’ (usury).

Only ‘Islam’ (our ‘amal’or work) would help us when we are buried deep inside our graves – everything else would vanish from us; where would be our status, power, posts, positions, youthful looks, strengths, cleverness, monies, luxury cars, bungalows, lands and so on; they are of no help at all. 

But the Prophet s.a.w. had given us the assurance that after death there would be three things that could continously benefit a person: 1) sadaqa (charity) 2) knowledge that he spreads, and 3) children who pray for him. So 'grab' these things before it is too late!

Syaaban 28, 1443: Kashmir: 'Syurga Dunia' dilanda nestapa (U)

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

Renungan

"Janganlah kamu mengira bahawa orang-orang yang gugur di jalan Allah itu mati, bahkan mereka itu hidup di sisi Rabb-nya dengan mendapat rezeki. Mereka dalam keadaan gembira disebabkan kurnia Allah yang diberikan-Nya kepada mereka. Dan mereka bergirang hati terhadap orang-orang yang masih tinggal di belakang yang belum menyusul mereka. Bahkan tiada ada kekhuatiran terhadap mereka dan tidak (pula) mereka bersedih hati." (QS: Ali Imran: 169-170)

APABILA kapal terbang tambang murah GoAir (semacam AirAsia) selamat mendarat di Lapangan Terbang Srinagar, saya yang menjengok dari tingkap, dapat melihat huruf 'jawi' (Arab) beserta dengan tulisan 'rumi' Srinagar dan 'India' (saya tidak tahu bahasa apa) pada papan tanda besar lapangan terbang itu.

Terdetiklah di hati saya, mungkinkah tulisan 'jawi' itu adalah huruf bahasa orang Kashmir (yang kemudiannya yang tahu Kashmiri) mempunyai ikatan yang kuat dengan bahasa Arab, sekali gus menunjukkan bahawa Islam adalah dominan di negeri India paling utara ini. Selain bahasa Kashmiri itu, sesetengah orang Kashmir berbahasa Urdu iaitu yang sama digunakan di Pakistan.

Baiklah, sebelum saya menceritakan apa yang saya lihat dan alami seterusnya di bumi Kashmir, tergerak di hati ini untuk menyatakan apa yang saya dengari dalam pesawat GoAir dari New Delhi ke Srinagar (juga dikenali sebagai Iqbalabad) itu yang berhenti sebentar (transit) di Lapangan Terbang Jammu.

Ketika pesawat bersiap sedia berlepas, selain 'pertunjukan biasa' pramugari mengenai prosedur keselamatan, terdengar nyaring pengumuman dalam bahasa Inggeris: "Tuan Puan diingatkan bahawa minum (mengambil minuman keras) dan merokok adalah dilarang di dalam pesawat ini."

Maka terkenanglah saya akan sejumlah perjalanan saya dengan menaiki pesawat MAS selama ini, memang merokok tidak dibenarkan tetapi dalam bab MINUMAN KERAS itu tiada pula larangannya. Malah saban waktu saya dapat saksikan betapa pramugari MAS dengan bangga menolak troli makanan yang di atas jelas kelihatan botol-botol arak yang pada perkiraan saya tentunya jenis yang mahal-mahal. Apa kata, kalau MAS dapat contohi GoAir ini, getus hati saya.

Bagi perjalanan satu setengah jam ke Srinagar itu, saya perhatikan pramugari GoAir berseluar panjang seakan-akan warna biru manakala baju yang dipakai panjang, menutupi bahagian punggung. Jadi fikir saya, apakah salahnya 'orang' AirAsia dapat mencontohinya sebab sudah kedengaran di telinga hamba ini, orang 'komplen' skirt dipakai pramugarinya begitu singkat; amat jelek sekali jika mereka dalam situasi membongkok untuk mengambil sesuatu.

Di lapangan terbang Srinagar, di samping warga awam yang bersesak-sesak untuk keluar; ada setumbukan askar India. Jumlahnya agak saya dalam 50 orang. Mereka juga sibuk mengambil bagasi untuk keluar. Ketika saya ke tandas, satu tandas dipenuhi askar India. Cepat-cepat saya membereskan urusan saya; tidak senang saya melihat muka mereka yang bengis-bengis itu.

Kenapa askar India terlalu ramai di bumi Kashmir? Seorang penduduk memberitahu saya jumlahnya lebih sejuta orang sedangkan orang Kashmir hanya lapan juta jiwa. Ertinya seorang soldalu mengawal lapan penduduk. Mengapa begitu ketat sekali kawalan India ke atas bumi Kashmir ini?

Pembaca perlu faham bahawa bumi yang dikenali sebagai 'Syurga Dunia' kerana kecantikan alam semulanya yang mempersona ini sebagai salah satu kawasan paling bergolak, menyamai isu Palestin kerana ia gagal diselesaikan sejak 1947 apabila India dan Pakistan mendapat kemerdekaan masing-masing daripada British.

Sama seperti orang Kurdis (kebanyakannya mendiami Iran, Iraq dan Turki), orang Kashmir juga tidak mempunyai negara. Wilayah orang Kashmir hari ini terletak di Pakistan, India dan China. 

Ketiga-tiga negara tidak berganjak dalam menduduki rantau yang mereka dakwa sebahagian daripada negara mereka. China tidak menuntut apa-apa daripada wilayah yang dipertikaikan oleh India-Pakistan, tetapi mencengkam kukuh rantau dan orang Kashmir yang telah dimasukkan dalam wilayah kekuasaannya.

Syaaban 27, 1443: Getting ready for Ramadan...(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.

DURING Rajab, the seventh month of the Islamic calendar, often we heard or recited this 'du'a' (supplication) especially after 'solat' (prayers) -  Allahumma baarik lana fi Rajaba wa Sha’bana wa balligh-na Ramadan (Oh Allah! grant us 'barakah' (blessing) during (the months of) Rajab and Sha’ban, and allow us to reach Ramadan).

Rajab 'was gone' and now we are in the final days of Sha'ban. I remembered an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) during his 'tazkirah' (lesson) at a 'masjid' near my house a few days ago asked his audiences: "Dear brothers, have you done these three things during the month of Rajab - first visit your parents, second promote 'silaturahim' (strengthening the bond of kinship) and third read the Qur'an."

The 'ustaz' said if the answer is no, then start doing them right now in the month of Sha'ban. "In this month of Sha'ban please increase our good deeds and 'tame' our hearts to be closer to Allah SWT before we enter the holy month of Ramadan."

Insya-Allah, we would be observing Ramadan, the 9th month of the Hijra year when Muslims worldwide fast for the whole month. To all readers, 'Ramadan Kareem' (Generous Ramadan) and 'Ramadan Mubarak' (Blessed Ramadan). 

To all, please refresh our minds about matters regarding 'puasa' (Ramadan) for example by reading our old notes, books or pose questions to the learned ones. Try to (practice) 'puasa' a few days before the 15th of Sha'ban as recommended deeds. And to those who had 'skipped' fasting during the last Ramadan especially ladies, please pay your 'puasa due' immediately!

Ramadan is the month when Muslims abstain from taking food and drinks during the day and increase our 'ibadat' especially in the night. So Ramadan is about taking less food because you can only eat after sunset but the irony of it, Ramadan is the month when many Muslims spend so much time, money and concern (thinking) on it as portrayed by the many promotions, advertisements on the mass media especially TV these days.

During Rajab, many 'masjids' held talks on 'Isra' and Mi'raj; an 'ustaz' said it is important for us to note three things regarding the 'barakah' journey of the Prophet s.a.w. that is regarding ‘masjid’, night hour and ‘solat’ (prayer).

He said, we could put into practice regarding the three things mentioned during this coming Ramadan. ‘Insya-Allah’ we would lead a tranquil life if we take concern of the three things mentioned. Regarding ‘masjid’ – the Prophet’s (s.a.w.) Isra’ journey of more than 1,000 kilometers was from Masjidilharam to Masjidil Aqsa. It was a journey from a ‘masjid’ to another ‘masjid’. In our daily life especially among men, ‘masjid’ should be always in our mind.

As for the five times ‘fardu’ (obligatory prayers) that are subuh, zuhur, asar, maghrib and isyak, all 'gentlemen' must have the determination to perform all of them in ‘jemaah’ (congregation) in ‘masjids’ or ‘suraus’ (small masjid) where the ‘azan’ (call for prayers) were heard from.

When a Muslim (man) is determined to do all his obligatory prayers at 'masjids', insya-Allah he would have the blessing of Allah SWT. He is among the seven righteous people whom Allah will shade on the Day of Judgment.

Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There are seven persons whom Allah will shade on a Day when there is no shade but His. They are a just ruler, a young person who grew up in the worship of Allah, a person whose heart is attached to the 'masjids', two persons who love each other who meet and depart from each other for the sake of Allah, a man whom a beautiful woman of high status seduces but he rejects her by saying I fear Allah, a person who spends in charity and conceals it such that his right hand does not know what his left hand has given, and a person who remembered Allah in private and he wept.” (Sahih Bukhari 629, Sahih Muslim 1031)

Insya-Allah, by going to the 'masjids', all your problems would be solved. But of course you must be ‘ikhlas’ (sincere)…you go to the 'masjid' only for Allah SWT shake and nothing else. For example during this Ramadan, you don’t have to think about food for ‘iftar’ (breaking of fast) because many 'masjids' would have spread of food for congregators. The food may not be lavish or up to ‘your standard’, but remember the wise man saying…’eat to live not live to eat’.

Next is regarding the 'night hour'; of course during the day we are busy working but at night we are blessed with free time for us to rest and sleep and it is recommended for us to spare the last 1/3 of the night at home to do recommended (sunat) good deeds such as performing the night prayers such as ‘solat tahajud’, making du’a, doing ‘dzikir’ and reflections on ourselves and of course reading the Qur'an during the tranquil of night.

According to some ‘ulamas’, our home is a gowdown for us to gather ‘pahala’ (Allah’s blessing); for small deeds such as a wife making drinks for her husband would be rewarded handsomely by Allah SWT, what’s more if she cooks and serves food for the whole family either for ‘iftar’ or ‘sahur’ during Ramadan.

This Ramadan, do not waste our precious time for example watching 'unworthy' TV programmes. Fill our days and nights with reading the Qur'an, doing ‘zikir’ (dhikir that is eulogizing Allah in the words taught by the Prophet or in the words prescribed in the Qur’an) and increase our du’a to Him.

Work hard to gain maximum benefits from the gifts of Allah SWT during Ramadan. In this holy month, one ‘sunat’ (optional) deed done would be rewarded like a ‘wajib’ or ‘fardu’ (obligatory) deed, and a ‘fardu’ deed would be rewarded 70 times or more than in other months

Who know perhaps this is our last Ramadan, thus grab the opportunities given by The Almighty ; we should do our best to please our Creator, Allah SWT. Every second counts thus fulfill it with activities in accordance to the Creator’s wish.

This Ramadan, one’s tongue should be wet with words of praising Allah SWT with the chants of ‘Laa Ilaha IllAllah (there is no God except Allah) which is the heaviest in weight in the side of Allah SWT.

“Then there are many more ‘kalimah’ that should be read such as ‘Subhanallah, Walhamdulillah, Wala Ilaha Illallah, Wallahuakbar’, Astaghfirullah al Lazi La Ilaha ‘illa Hual Hayyul Qayyum Wa Atubu Illahi’, ‘La Haula Wala Quwwata Illa Billah’, and ‘Subhanallahi Wabihamdihi Subhanallahil ‘Azim’. There is a hadith saying that chanting ‘Subhanallahi Wabihamdihi’ once, a ‘nakhlah’ tree would be planted for that person in Paradise.

In doing our daily chores such as paying bills, waiting for public transport and even when one is trapped in a massive traffic jam, why not use the time to recite the above ‘kalimah’.

These ‘kalimah’ should be chanted in full concentration for the maximum rewards by Allah SWT but for the ‘zikir selawat’ (praises to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.) its reciters' would also be rewarded even if his mind is not on what they recite, what more if he pays full attention to it. Among the simplest ‘selawat’ is ‘Allahumma Salli Ala Saiyidina Muhammad, Wa’ ala Ali Saiyidina Muhammad’.

Ramadan and the noble Qur’an cannot be separated. It was in this month that the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet s.a.w. through Angel (Malaikat) Jibril a.s. So start reading the Qur'an right now if you have not yet started. 

Syaaban 26, 1443: Choose the best man...(U)

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

Reflection

"Do not spy one another,

nor let any of you backbite others..." (Hujurat 49: 12)

DURING a talk, one point raised by the 'ustaz' (religious teacher) cherished in my mind till this day was regarding our attitude in choosing an 'imam' (leader) - why we tend to choose a 'good man' to be a leader during our 'solat' (prayers) but ignore that trait when choosing leaders in societies for example as Members of Parliament (MP) and even the Prime Minister.

"The ustaz 'teased' his audience saying: "When choosing the person to be an 'imam' of our prayers, 'wah' we prefer the best man in everything be it regarding his upbringing, behaviour, attitude and knowledge in the Islamic fields and of course we do not choose a 'kaki judi' (a heavy gambler), a 'kaki botol' (a heavy drinker) and a 'kaki rasuah' (a corrupter).

"How is it...when choosing our leader for a mass prayer which is for less than 10 minutes, we choose the best person, but when electing leaders for example a Member of Parliament whose tenure is about five years (one term after election), we do not care if he is a 'kaki judi', 'kaki botol' or 'kaki rasuah'?

He warned his audience saying: "In the Hereafter, we would follow leaders of our choice and those who we love...if we love leaders of the 'kaki rasuah' type, then we would be thrown into Hellfire along with them."

The ustaz said the first criteria in choosing a leader is to look at his 'solat'. "Make sure he is a person who performs his five times obligatory prayers religiously, and it is better if he could lead prayers as an 'imam' himself."

He reminded the crowd that during Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him, s.a.w.) journey of 'Isra' and Mikraj' (Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. journey to Sidratul Muntaha - Upper Heavens), he saw those who refused to perform their prayers during their lifetime were in a very terrible state; they keep on knocking and crushing their heads...

"So be careful when choosing a leader...do not simply give our votes to those who went against the orders of Allah SWT. If we choose the best man to be our prayers leader which last about 10 minutes only, then also choose the best man to lead us whether he is as our MP or Prime Minister whose tenure is 5 years," said the ustaz.

"If only 'imams' at masjids are choosen from 'good people' but outside the compound of Allah's house; robbers, thieves and corrupt persons are elected as leaders, then we would only produce people who are good when they are in masjids or when performing prayers only, but at other places they would not be able to differenciate between beneficial and sinful deeds.

"Unfortunately that happens in our society today; some of the proofs are that our young generation have no manners, corruption and sinful activities are on the rise while good deeds are looked down upon," said the ustaz.

He said 'imams' whether during prayers or in societies could be reminded or admonish by their 'subjects' (followers) if they make mistakes. Early and great caliphs such as Sayidina Abu Bakar as-Sidiq and Sayidina Umar al-Khattab were open to critics, more that that they were ready 'to be straightened by swords'.

Regarding good and fair leaders, an Islamic scholar, Dr Amin ibn `Abdullah As-Shqawy said, they are among seven types of people whom Allah will shade under His Shade when there are no shade in the Hereafter. He elaborated this subject by discussing this Sahih Al-Bukhari hadith.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him; r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him, s.a.w.) said: "Seven types of people will be shaded by Allah under His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His. They are: (1) a just ruler; (2) a young man who has been brought up in the worship of Allah, (i.e. worship Allah (Alone) sincerely from his childhood), (3) a man whose heart is attached to the masjid (who offers the five compulsory congregational prayers in the masjid); (4) two persons who love each other only for Allah's sake and they meet and part in Allah's cause only; (5) a man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for an illegal sexual intercourse with her and says: I am afraid of Allah; (6) a person who practices charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (i.e. nobody knows how much he has given in charity), and (7) a person who remembers Allah in seclusion and his eyes get flooded with tears." 

Allah shall collect the creatures on the Day of Recompense: The former and the later "that He may requite those who do evil with that which they have done (i.e. punish them in Hell), and reward those who do good, with what is best (i.e. Paradise)."  - Surat An-Najm: 31

In a long day which terror is great and its anguish is revere, from which Allah warned His Servants and commanded them to get ready for it. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "O mankind! Fear your Lord and be dutiful to Him! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour (of Judgment) is a terrible thing. The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see mankind as in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunken, but severe will be the Torment of Allah." - Surat Hajj: 1-2

On that great day, the sun draws nearer from the heads of the creatures until there will be a distance of one mile so the people will sink in sweat according to their actions: The sweat will reach the ankles of some of them, others the sweat will cover their knees, some of them the sweat will reach their chest, and others will sink in their sweat. - The meaning of a hadith reported by Muslim in his Sahih 

Abu Hurayrah (r.a.) reported that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "The people will sweat so profusely on the Day of Resurrection that their sweat will sink seventy cubits deep into the earth, and it will rise up till it reaches the people's mouths and ears." - Sahih Al Bukhari 

In that great situation, Allah will shade those seven kinds of people under His Shade, so ponder over their actions which entail that great reward.

The first is: A just ruler who judges between people with the truth and does not follow whims, as Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "O Daud (David)! Verily, We have placed you as a successor on the earth; so judge you between men in truth (and justice) and follow not your desire - for it will mislead you from the Path of Allah. Verily, those who wander astray from the Path of Allah (shall) have a severe torment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning." - Surat Sad: 26

He follows the command of his Lord (Glory be to Him) who says: "Verily, Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching which He (Allah) gives you! Truly, Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All-Seer." - Surat An-Nisa': 58

Abu Hurayrah (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "Behold! the dispensers of justice will be seated on the pulpits of light on the right hand of the Most Gracious (Glory be to Him). Both hands of Allah are right. (The dispensers of justice are) those who do justice in their rules, in matters relating to their families and in all that they undertake to do." - Sahih Muslim 

This is the reward of those who judge justly among people, but those who judge unjustly among people; Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Consider not that Allah is unaware of that which the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers) do, but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror." - Surat Abrahim: 42

Abu Umamah (r.a.) narrated: The Messenger (s.a.w.) said: "The person who takes command of ten person or more will come to Allah (Glory be to Him) while his hand is chained to his neck on the Day of Recompense and his piety will break his chain or his sin will increase his chains. The first of princedom is reproach, its middle is regret, and its end is disgrace on the Day of Recompense." - Reported in Musnad Imam Ahmad  and Al Albany corrected it in Sahih Al Jami`.

Ma`qil ibn Yasar (r.a.) narrated: I heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) saying: "There is no person who is entrusted with the affairs of his subjects and he dies while being dishonest in his dealings with those over whom he ruled but the Paradise shall be forbidden for him." - Sahih Al Bukhari

Syaaban 25, 1443: Semarak Ramadan (i): Hospital...

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." (Surah Ar Rum: 21)

SEORANG penceramah motivasi berkata antara rutin 'orang tak berapa muda' (berusia 60+) termasuk saya adalah kunjungan ke hospital (atau pusat kesihatan lain termasuk klinik). Yalah, pada usia begitu semakin ketara penyakit fizikal diri antaranya diabetes (kencing manis), darah tinggi dan sakit jantung. 

Apabila dihinggapi penyakit sebegini, pakar motivasi itu menasihatkan bahawa semuanya perlukan pengurusan yang betul sama ada dari segi fizikal, mental (kerohanian) malah kewangan. Kos perubatan bukan murah, namun satu hal menyedihkan kebanyakan golongan ini sudah tak ada pendapatan tetap atau lebih malang lagi tiada sumber perolehan kewangan..

Bulan Ramadan mulia kian menghampiri kita semua termasuk si tak berapa muda, si sakit, si berada di hospital, si malang dan apa-apa si lagi namun mereka juga perlu disemarakkan agar bersama-sama dapat menikmati Ramadan ini seterusnya menggapai keredaan Ilahi.

Tidak lama dahulu, penulis 'berkampung' di sebuah hospital hampir seminggu lamanya apabila ibu penulis yang disyaki menghidap denggi dimasukkan ke dalam sebuah wad besar yang kesemua penghuninya ada kaitan dengan penyakit itu! 

Berdasarkan ramainya penghuni wad denggi, tahulah penulis penyakit ini tersangat serius di negeri kami. Seorang petugas kerajaan memberitahu negeri ini muncul sebagai negeri ketiga di tanah air yang mempunyai kes denggi tertinggi. 

Pengalaman berada di hospital sungguh baik untuk 'orang mencari diri' seperti penulis. Dengan 'menyibuk' ke sana sini di kawasan hospital yang luas itu (dahululah), dapatlah penulis belajar sedikit sebanyak erti kehidupan - menyaksikan kepayahan orang terutama pesakit cukup menginsafkan; akan terasalah betapa kita tidak cukup bersyukur kepada Yang Maha Berkuasa dan berterima kasih kepada sesama manusia terutama insan yang dekat dengan kita seperti ibu bapa, anak isteri, saudara-mara dan rakan taulan.

Mendekati sejumlah pesakit segera mendatangkan keinsafan. Seorang 'pakcik' yang disyaki menghidap kanser usus memberitahu: "Saya baru menjalani pembedahan, tebuk lubang di perut untuk buang najis. Kini saya saya pakai beg najis plastik. Masalah saya sekarang, apa yang saya makan dan minum semuanya terkeluar balik." 

Ya, 'pakcik' ini menghadapi ujian sungguh berat. Nak 'masukkan makanan' pun tak boleh, 'nak keluarkan' pun azab. Berceloteh mengenai 'bab sukar nak mengeluarkan' ini, ada kaum kerabat saya yang terkena penyakit prostat dan batu karang memberitahu betapa 'seksa' apabila tidak boleh kencing.

Bayangkan deritanya apabila terasa terlalu nak kencing tapi tak boleh kencing. Demikian juga penyakit seperti buasir dan sembelit, tak boleh nak berak-berak. 

Astaghfirullah, sakitnya. Belas saya melihat melihat 'pakcik' pesakit kanser usus itu, tetapi apa nak dikata, demikian pusingan roda kehidupan - ada kalanya kita sakit dan ada kalanya kita sihat. Saya hanya mampu melihat dan mendoakan di samping mengingatkan diri bahawa nasib diri sendiri pun kita tak tahu; hari ini kita sihat mungkin esok lusa kita jatuh sakit. 

Namun jika direnung-renungkan (kisah Nabi Ayub a.s. dapat dijadikan pengajaran), masa sihat kita sebenarnya jauh lebih banyak daripada masa sakit kita. Sebelum jatuh sakit, tentunya kita sihat tetapi berapa ramai daripada kita dapat memanfaatkan masa sihat itu mematuhi perintah dan larangan Yang Maha Kuasa. 

Ada hadis menyebut jagalah lima perkara sebelum datang lima perkara; salah satunya ingatlah masa sihat sebelum datangnya sakit. 

Melihat pesakit-pesakit terlantar di katil cukup menginsafkan; apabila nikmat sihat 'digantung' oleh Allah SWT, sebahagian kita barulah teringat untuk buat kebaikan itu dan ini; teringat untuk ke masjid, teringat untuk ziarah menziarahi saudara mara dan sebagainya. 

Namun apakan daya, ketika berada di katil pesakit itu, usahkan nak buat amalan sunat, nak solat lima waktu pun terasa betapa sukar sekali. Malah amat menyedihkan, ada pesakit tak solat pun, makan minum masih boleh tapi solat tak boleh. Entahlah, hanya Allah Maha Mengetahui.

Demikianlah manusia akan hilang apa dia nikmati. Kebanyakan orang tidak menyedari nikmat dicurahi Ilahi yang dianggap biasa seperti kemampuan bercakap, melihat dan berjalan hatta kencing dan berak sehingga ia ditarik balik. 

Kebanyakan manusia memang tidak menginsafinya sehinggalah ‘mulut mereka dipenuhi tanah’ (maksudnya sudah berada dalam kubur). Sesudah mati barulah diketahui nikmat hidup. 

Seorang ustaz dalam kuliah mingguannya di masjid berhampiran rumah penulis ketika membentangkan permasalahan nikmat ini menarik perhatian penulis.

Katanya, nikmat itu hanya dapat dirasai apabila berlaku perkara bertentangan; misalnya nikmat sihat dirasai apabila seseorang itu sakit; nikmat membuang najis selepas tidak boleh berbuat demikian, nikmat berjalan selepas kaki tiada; nikmat kaya selepas jatuh miskin; dan nikmat berkeluarga selepas bercerai-berai. 

Ustaz itu berkata nikmat Allah SWT tersangat banyak, tidak terhitung manusia. Beliau membawa kisah seorang lelaki bani Israil yang beribadat ratusan tahun, kemudian mendakwa dia memasuki syurga kerana banyaknya amalannya. Allah memerintahkan ditimbang amalan dia dengan nikmat sebelah matanya; ternyata timbangan mata itu lebih berat menyebabkan dia dilemparkan ke dalam neraka.

Seorang Muslim perlu menyedari nikmat terbesar Allah SWT kepadanya adalah Islam, iman dan tergolong umat Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. Kata ustaz tidak guna menjadi kaya atau berkuasa tetapi tidak termasuk dalam golongan ini. Katanya, umat Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. sangat beruntung kerana nabi-nabi pun mahu menjadi umat rasul akhir zaman tetapi tidak terlaksana. 

Jika kita masih ada ibu bapa, syukurilah nikmat ini kerana banyak orang ibu bapa mereka sudah meninggal dunia. Orang yang masih ada ibu bapa tidak menyedari nikmat ini sehinggalah mereka tiada. 

Seorang rakan memberitahu dia tersangat rindukan ibu bapanya. Malangnya mereka sudah tiada. “Apabila memasuki Ramadan dan kemudian hari raya, berhajat jua pulang ke kampung tetapi untuk apa? Ayah dan ibu sudah tiada, jadi saya tidak terpanggil untuk pulang,” katanya sayu.

Perlu juga diingatkan; bukan sahaja ibu bapa kita sudah dan akan 'pergi', kita juga akhirnya akan pulang ke kampung halaman kita. Kampung apakah itu? Itulah kampung akhirat (kubur) yang tiada jalan untuk kita lari daripadanya. Kita dimasukkan ke dalamnya tetapi untuk keluar tidak sekali-kali!  Jadi ingat-ingatlah masa hidup sebelum matinya kita!

Syaaban 23, 1443: Kita ini tetamu senja...

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

Renungan


"Sesungguhnya Kami menurunkan Kitab itu sebagai al-Quran yang dibaca dengan bahasa Arab, supaya kamu (menggunakan akal untuk) memahaminya." (Yusuf: 2)

SEMENJAK remaja saya meminati sajak A Samad Said bertajuk 'Tetamu Senja'. Antara lain liriknya 'Kita datang ini hanya sebagai tetamu senja, bila cukup detik kembalilah kita kepada-Nya. Kita datang ini kosong tangan dada, bila pulang nanti bawa dosa bawa pahala.

Tidak lama dahulu, ketika sibuk membongkar barang-barang lama, saya terjumpa koleksi majalah sekolah menengah saya dahulu. Dalam salah satu majalah itu (tahun 1978 semasa saya di tingkatan empat), terdapat sebuah sajak tulisan saya. Itulah karya pertama saya dalam dunia penerbitan.

Menanti Hari Esok

Hidup di dunia diibaratkan pelangi pagi

cukup detik hilanglah sinaran

dan hilanglah cahaya yang ghairah

tiba-tiba datanglah cahaya garang suria

titik-titik embun pun pergi…

Ibarat manusia sebagai insan biasa

cukup detik pulanglah kepada Yang Kuasa

insan biasa yang datang dengan tangan

dan dada kosong

yang menerokai sendirian apakah erti kehidupan

cukup masanya akan datang jua akhirnya

sebuah perkhabaran yang paling bahagia.

Pelangi pagi takkan kunjung lagi

sinaran ghairah tidak mungkin berulang

hanya tinggal awan dan suria yang garang

membendung seribu kedukaan dan keinsafan

hadapilah kegagalan dengan kesabaran

kejayaan pasti pada hari depan

dalam menghadapi pancaroba kehidupan

perjuangan demi perjuangan demi kebahagiaan.

Segala apa yang berlaku

usahlah ditangis atau dikesalkan

pasti pada suatu masa

sinaran suria pastikan menjelma

mungkin pada hari esok akan ada bahagia

tak tertahan jiwa nan raga

menanti hari esok…

Saya ketawa terkekeh-kekeh tatkala membaca semula sajak yang ditulis lebih 40 tahun lalu. Ketawa kerana idea sajak ini saya adaptasi daripada sajak Sasterawan Negara Pak Samad dan filem ‘Menanti Hari Esok’ yang membawa kemasyhuran kepada seniman Jins Shamsuddin dan seniwati Noorkumalasari.

Meneliti dan mengkaji sajak ini, mengingatkan saya akan sesuatu – sebenarnya saya sangat terpengaruh dengan penulisan Pak Samad, kerana karyanya banyak membantu membentuk saya menjadi seorang penulis.

Penyiaran sajak ini adalah pemangkin kepada usaha saya terjun dalam dunia penulisan dan penerbitan. Pada peringkat awal, saya cuba menghantar tulisan ke forum-forum pembaca, malangnya tidak disiarkan kecuali sekali, itu pun di sebuah akhbar mingguan kanak-kanak.

Apabila menginjak dewasa, saya cuba menulis cerpen dan rencana. Beberapa cerpen yang dihantar di pelbagai penerbitan, tiada khabar berita, hilang begitu saja. Demikian juga rencana, tiada editor ambil peduli.

Pada tahun akhir di pusat pengajian tinggi, saya tidak pedulikan lagi soal menulis cerpen. Tetapi aneh sungguh, suatu hari saya menerima sepucuk surat yang di dalamnya ada sekeping cek RM40. Kandungan surat itu menyatakan cek itu adalah honorarium sebuah cerpen saya yang tersiar dalam salah satu keluaran Mingguan Perdana. Akhbar ini laris dan terkenal pada awal 1980-an.

Wah, saya melompat kegembiraan. Tidak sangka, akhirnya cita-cita saya untuk menjadi seorang cerpenis tercapai jua. “Seluruh Malaya akan tatap dan tahu namaku,” aku mulai berangan-angan.

Yalah, wahai pembaca, semua ini adalah cerita 40-45 tahun lalu semasa saya trang, trang, trang (mudalah) tetapi hari ini pada usia 60+ seakan-akan terasa 'the game is over' (permainan sudah tamat). 

Sedarlah saya bahawa kegilaan mengejar nama, pangkat atau apa-apa yang berkaitan sanjungan dunia (misalnya menjadi penulis diminati) sebenarnya tidak ada apa-apa makna. 

YA, kita akan penat jika mencari 'keredaan' manusia..Subhanallah, dalam hidup ini banyak tindak tanduk (perbuatan dan keputusan) yang kita buat adalah berdasarkan nafsu termasuk memenuhi kehendak orang termasuklah apa yang orang lain cakap.

Pada usia senja ini, saya sedar sewajarnya dalam membuat apa-apa pun kita sewajarnya berusaha mendapat keredaan Allah dan bukan mendapat sanjungan dan pujian manusia.

Ya, jika kita mahu memuaskan hati (mendapat pujian) manusia kita akan kecewa dan terasa kepenatan daripada sesuatu pekerjaan, tetapi jika kita berusaha mendapatkan keredaan Allah, insya-Allah kita akan tenang...orang puji atau keji pun semuanya sama, yang penting Yang Maha Kuasa meredai kita - ganjaran keikhlasan sudah tersimpan di alam akhirat sana - itulah yang perlu kita buru.

 

Hidup ini adalah bagi memuaskan-Nya bukan selain-Nya kerana makhluk termasuk manusia (kecuali orang beriman, bertakwa) tidak akan pernah puas. Menurut sebuah hadis, manusia tidak akan puas sehinggalah tanah memenuhi mulutnya (matilah). Jika diberi satu lembah emas, dia mahu yang kedua, yang ketiga dan seterusnya!

Demikianlah selagi hayat masih di badan, manusia bebas dan akan bercakap dan tulis apa saja mengikut 'kepala otak' masing-masing. Kalau kita mendengar sepenuhnya cakap manusia, kita hanya mencari kebinasaan diri...jadi carilah ilmu, timbalah khazanah yang tidak bertepian daripada al-Quran, hadis dan cetusan ulama.

Berhubung bahaya mengikut tulisan dan cakap-cakap orang ini ada digambarkan dalam kisah seorang tua (ada berkata dia Luqmanul Hakim), anaknya dan seekor keldai. 

Mula-mula si anak menunggang keldai dengan si bapa menarik tali keldai, orang kampung berkata "apa punya si anak ini, tenaga kuat dibiarkan bapa yang lemah berjalan"...kemudian apabila si bapa ada di atas keldai, orang kampung lain pula berkata: "apa si tua ni, dibiarkan anak yang lemah berjalan", apabila kedua-duanya menunggang keldai, orang kampung lain berkata: "punyalah zalim anak beranak ini menyeksa keldai", kemudian apabila mereka bertindak mengikat dan memikul keldai, orang kampung lain pula berkata: "apalah bodoh punya orang..."

Subhanallah, demikianlah hati akan kecewa dan badan terasa kepenatannya jika kita cuba memuaskan hati manusia. Mereka akan terus bercakap dan bercakap sehingga mereka tidak boleh lagi bercakap. Di akhirat nanti mulut manusia akan dikunci sebaliknya semua anggota badan akan menjadi saksi akan apa-apa yang telah mereka lakukan di dunia. Ya tidak mungkin kita dapat memuaskan hati semua manusia...ada saja yang tak kena di hati mereka.

Namun bagi mereka yang membuat apa saja bagi mendapat keredaan Allah, insya-Allah hati akan tenang - bagi mereka pandangan dan kata-kata manusia kurang penting; apa yang diutamakan adalah pandangan Allah SWT...mereka akan berusaha keras dan seikhlas mungkin bagi mendapat  keredaan Allah. Orang puji atau orang tak puji 'tak menjadi hal bagi mereka'.

Hatta mereka yang sudah sampai ke 'makam' tinggi - ucapan terima kasih pun tak diharapkan mereka sebagaimana digambarkan ulama daripada perlakuan Sayidina Ali Abu Thalib yang secara senyap-senyap meninggalkan barangan bantuan di pintu rumah orang miskin pada waktu malam dan rahsia ini hanya diketahui selepas beliau meninggal dunia!

Syaaban 22, 1443: Tanam rumput tidak mungkin tumbuh padi…(U)

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

Renungan

"Orang yang menghendaki kehidupan sekarang (dunia), maka Kami segerakan baginya di dunia itu apa yang Kami kehendaki bagi orang yang Kami kehendaki dan Kami tentukan baginya Neraka Jahanam. Dia akan memasukinya dalam keadaan tercela dan terusir. Orang yang menghendaki kehidupan di akhirat dan berusaha ke arah itu dengan sungguh-sungguh, iaitu seorang yang beriman, maka merekalah orang-orang yang mendapat balasan yang baik." (al-Isra' 17: 16-19)

PADA usia lebih setengah abad ini, saya cuba bergaul dengan sebanyak mungkin golongan - daripada jemaah tabligh sehinggalah golongan geladangan termasuk pengemis di jalanan. Sungguh tidak mudah membuang rasa ego; sukar sekali untuk duduk-duduk bersama-sama golongan fukara ini yang amat dikasihi Rasulullah s.a.w.

Suatu hari ketika satu majlis 'bayan' jemaah tabligh, terdengar ungkapan ini yang begitu mengesankan hati saya. Kata si penyampai, kalau kita tanam rumput tidak mungkin tumbuh padi; tetapi kalau kita tanam padi, insya-Allah rumput (menerung) akan tumbuh.

Apa yang dimaksudkannya, jika kita mengejar dunia (menanam rumput) tidak mungkin kita dapat hasil akhirat (padi) tetapi jika kita menanam benih akhirat (padi), insya-Allah kedua-duanya kita dapat. Malah dunia (rumput) akan tetap mengikut si pengejar akhirat.

Pengalaman saya ketika bertawaf di Kaabah, bacaan paling kerap kedengaran di kalangan jemaah adalah 'Rabbana atina fiddunya hasanah, wafil akhirati hasana, waqina azabannar' yang bermaksud "Ya Tuhan kami, berilah kami kebaikan di dunia dan kebaikan di akhirat; dan peliharalah kami daripada seksa neraka." (Surah Al-Baqarah, ayat 201)

Ya, koreksilah diri kita, marilah kita sama-sama berusaha mendapatkan kebaikan di dunia dan akhirat. Namun apa yang dapat disaksikan hari ini sebahagian besar manusia jadi pengejar dunia dan jarang benar memikirkan bahagian (saham) mereka di akhirat.

Marilah kita melihat contoh-contoh mudah dalam kehidupan bagi membuktikan kita ghairah mengejar dunia dan mengabaikan akhirat. Sebagai orang media, saya mengambil akhbar sebagai contoh. Dalam dunia penerbitan (termasuklah persuratkhabaran), malah dunia bisnes amnya, matlamat utama adalah untuk mendapat keuntungan – lagi besar lagi baik.

Sumber utama pendapatan akhbar adalah daripada jumlah jualan dan iklan. Bagi menarik pembaca (melariskan akhbar), antara kaedahnya adalah menyiarkan laporan sensasi dan penyiaran gambar artis terlondeh sana sini. Bagi iklan pula, penerbit jarang memikirkan soal haram, yang penting wang masuk. Jadi tidak hairanlah jika iklan perjudian seperti empat nombor ekor terus disiarkan akhbar. Akhbar laris, penerbit, peneraju dan wartawan berasa mereka berada di puncak dunia.

Demikian juga kisahnya dalam dunia penerbitan filem. Bagi memikat orang ramai menonton, diselitkan adegan ranjang dan artis-artis menonjolkan susuk tubuh masing-masing. Sebahagian besar daripada adegan dan aksi itu tidak perlu pun, ia hanya mahu dijadikan gimik atau daya tarikan semata-mata.

Jadi di sini, dapat dilihat betapa pihak-pihak berkaitan berlumba-lumba berusaha untuk mendapatkan bahagian mereka di dunia. Benar mereka boleh mendapatkan bahagian mereka di dunia seperti keuntungan besar seperti yang diidam-idamkan, tetapi bagaimana pula bahagian mereka di akhirat kelak?

Sebenarnya bahagian mereka di dunia itu pun menjadi sia-sia jika rezeki yang diperolehi tiada kebarakahan Allah SWT. Tidakkah kita insaf bahawa ada orang berpendapatan RM10,000 sebulan masih berkeluh kesah mereka tidak cukup wang sedangkan orang bergaji RM2,000 dapat membereskan urusan keluarga mereka dengan baik?

Bagi insan yang sedar akan dosa dan pahala atas setiap apa yang mereka kerjakan; usaha mereka dapat dijadikan modal dalam meraih keuntungannya di akhirat nanti. Misalnya seorang penulis yang berdakwah melalui penanya, mengajak orang membuat kebajikan; selain wang upah didapatinya, balasan pahala juga menantinya di akhirat nanti.

Seseorang yang menulis artikel lucah atau fitnah atau seorang jurugambar mengambil gambar artis separuh bogel juga akan mendapat ganjaran di dunia dan akhirat; di dunia dalam bentuk wang ringgit juga (tetapi tanyalah sama duit itu barakah atau tidak) manakala di akhirat nanti balasan seksa yang tidak terhingga azabnya. Ini kerana dia telah menjual agamanya (melanggar hukam-hakam agama) semata-mata untuk mendapatkan sedikit keuntungan di dunia.

Orang yang melakukan maksiat membabitkan dirinya sendiri seperti melihat filem lucah tentunya tidak sama dosanya dengan si tukang pembuat dan penyebarnya. Demikian juga pengikut dan pemimpin – si pemimpin adalah lebih berdosa kerana telah menyesatkan begitu banyak orang.

Sama seperti pemimpin yang menyesatkan ribuan atau jutaan pengikut, orang media yang menjadi tukang fitnah atau penyebar gambar lucah juga akan menanggung dosa teramat berat kerana sebaran mereka menjangkaui ratusan ribu malah jutaan pembaca.

Jika sebuah akhbar dicetak 350,000 naskhah sehari, kemungkinan jumlah pembacanya 1,000,000 orang; jadi cuba bayangkan dosa yang terpaksa ditanggung jika 2,000,000 biji mata terjojol menatap gambar lucah yang mereka siarkan!