Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 32

Jamadilakhir 17, 1443: The empty nest syndrome...(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.

IN a family's life, 'insya-Allah' (God Willing) our grown-up children would finally left home; one after another. Some went to boarding schools normally at  the age of 13, then to colleges at 18, to universities at 20, lived in a rented room once they started working, and after getting married they settled down in their own homes; some migrated to another states or even foreign countries.

Finally only mum and dad were left at home - our abode even if it was as large and magnificent as a palace - would be in the state of silence and some veteran couples would felt the loneliness and emptiness of life. If a partner, say the husband died, his widow feelings would be more melancholy.

Among the Malays, I had witnessed several widows and widowers spending much time looking out of the windows of their homes especially a few days before 'Hari Raya'; perhaps they were thinking about their own children or grandchildren - would they be back for the 'big day'?

 

During a 'tazkirah' (Islamic lesson) which I attended not long time ago, the 'ustaz' (religious teacher) involved tickled his audience, saying: "perhaps the old folks that had that longing feeling are here among us..." He kept on teasing his audience by singing a verse from a P Ramlee's song..."di Hari Raya terkenang daku akan si dia" (during Hari Raya I remembered my love, my special one...)

But the 'ustaz' was quick to end 'this sad story' by saying: "Dear 'bapak-bapak' ('daddy) and 'ibu-ibu' (mummy), please don't waste our precious time entertaining to that melancholic feeling; it is okay to to mediate but the correct way is to do 'tafakkur' (doing reflection) especially when one is at old age. This is because 'tafakkur' is an act of 'ibadah' (act of good deeds to Allah SWT) which would be rewarded richly by Him.

'Tafakkur' is in line with the purpose of man’s life that is to ‘service to Allah’ and nothing else. This life is a preparation of what Allah has in store for us. The life of the Hereafter is eternal, and it is that which the believer should strive for. He said every Muslim should make use of his/her time to the maximum...thus why not do the 'tafakkur' than to be involved in day-dreaming.

The 'ustaz' reminded his audience saying that the 'materials' to 'tafakkur' are already available; we are only required to pick it up and do our reflection. "For example, we have the Qur'an. Read a sentence or sentences from the Qur'an, search for the meaning and then do the 'tafakkur'. 

"For example in Surah LV (Rahman, The Beneficent), Allah had many, many times asked us; "Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?" Next, do the thinking...it was a guided one; thus it is unnecessary for us to think about improper things or things of our fancies."

The 'ustaz' said we too could 'tafakkur' over our sins, creation, ourselves and to take lessons from the things Allah SWT has created. When the good people are praised in the Qur'an, it is declared that "they always remember Allah while they are standing, sitting, lying on their sides, and they meditate over the creation of the heavens and earth. They say, “O our Lord! You did not create them in vain. You are far from it [from creating useless, meaningless things. Protect us from the torment of Hell." (Surah Ali ‘Imrân, 191)

The 'ustaz' said there are many hadiths that mentioned about the importance of 'tafakkur'. Among others, "A momentary meditation on Allahu Taala's Grandeur, Paradise, and Hell is better than spending a night in worship" and "meditating for a while is more valuable than one year’s (supererogatory) worship."

Regarding 'tafakkur', Imam Shafie said it sharpens one' intelligence while Wahb bin Munabbih said it makes a person knowledgeable and a knowledgeable person, in turn, does good deeds. Bishr-i-Hafi noted that a human being who contemplates Allahu Taala's grandeur cannot be disobedient to Him. 

Scholars said 'tafakkur' can be done in four ways that are pondering about the beautiful arts and benefits which manifest on Allahu Taala's creatures causes one to believe in Him and love Him; pondering about the rewards promised by Him for the worships causes one to perform those worships; pondering about the punishments informed by Him causes one to fear Him and thereby inhibits one from committing sins and wronging others; and pondering about one’s having enslaved oneself to one’s nafs and committing sins and living in a state of heedlessness regardless of all the blessings bestowed by Him causes one to have shame towards Allah Taala.

The 'ustaz' said Islam as a complete way of life provides us with guidance in everything we do (so that we would be in His straight path) including what we should think or reflect about (tafakkur).

If Islam suggests many good things to do including 'tafakkur' to beat our emptiness and loneliness feelings especially among 'veteran couples' when their children had 'gone for their own new lives', Western scholars too had suggestions to what they termed as empty nest syndrome...

Wikipedia noted that empty nest syndrome is a feeling of grief and loneliness parents or guardians may feel when their children leave home for the first time, such as to live on their own or to attend a college or university but it is not a clinical condition.

Since young adults' moving out from their families house is generally a normal and healthy event, the symptoms of empty nest syndrome often go unrecognized. This can result in depression and a loss of purpose for parents, since the departure of their children from 'the nest' leads to adjustments in parents' lives. Empty nest syndrome is especially common in full-time mothers.

Mayo Clinic explained that empty nest syndrome is a phenomenon in which parents experience feelings of sadness and loss when the last child leaves home. Although you might actively encourage your children to become independent, the experience of letting go can be painful. You might find it difficult to suddenly have no children at home who need your care. You might miss being a part of your children's daily lives — as well as the constant companionship.

You might also worry intensely about your children's safety and whether they'll be able to take care of themselves on their own. You might struggle with the transition if your last child leaves the nest a little earlier or later than you expected. If you have only one child or strongly identify with your role as parent, you might have a particularly difficult time adjusting to an empty nest.

In the past, research suggested that parents dealing with empty nest syndrome experienced a profound sense of loss that might make them vulnerable to depression, alcoholism, identity crisis and marital conflicts.

However, recent studies suggest that an empty nest might reduce work and family conflicts, and can provide parents with many other benefits. When the last child leaves home, parents have a new opportunity to reconnect with each other, improve the quality of their marriage and rekindle interests for which they previously might not have had time. And for the 'veteran Muslims couple' why not spend our 'little time left' to the 'masjid' including to seek knowledge!

Talking about our needs and wishes that keep on changing over the years (for example as a boy we wish to grow up fast so that we could have some worldly needs such as cars, houses and so on but as we grew older those worldly treasures were not our priority but it was love among family members and then it shifted to our health situation and when we laid on our death bed the most important thing that crossed our mind is to ask Allah SWT not to take our lives at that moment), another 'ustaz' warned that when we in our graves and the Hereafter, we would begged to Allah SWT so that we would be sent back to earth even for a moment to even say 'La ilaha illallah' but it would be a fruitless effort!

So to everyone of us including those who are experiencing the empty nest syndrome (feeling sad and emptiness) please do not 'kowtow' to our 'nafs' but do our best to please Allah SWT (please do (summit to) everything He commands us and refrain from what He prohibits us) because once we were 'pushed inside our graves' (die), we would not have 'any more chance at all' to go back to earth - only to two places we would go; either to His al-Jannah' (heaven) or His 'an-Naar' (hell)! 

Jamadilakhir 16, 1443: ���Going to Heaven alone?��� (U)

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

Reflection

O ye who believe! Retalation is prescribed for you in the matter of the murdered; the freeman for the freeman, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. And for him who is forgiven somewhat by his (injured) brother, prosecution according to usage and payment unto him in kindness. This is an alleviation and a mercy from your Lord. He who transgresseth after this will have a painfull doom. (Al-Baqarah, 178)

In 'my masjid', a talk by one preacher, Ustaz Long Kechik moved my heart and I would like to share it with readers.

His talk and presentation with aid of a power point illustration was simple; it revolved on why we were sent into this world and where we are heading for. On why we were sent into this world, he quoted Surat Adh-Dhariyat 51:56 (The Winnowing Winds) with the meaning; ���I have only created jinn and men, that they may serve Me.���

Yes, human being existence along with jinn are to worship Allah SWT, but Ustaz Long explained in this ���ayah���, Allah SWT used the word ���men or mankind��� and not Muslim, so the duty of Muslims is not confined only to worship Allah SWT, it is more than that.

So what are other duties of Muslims? To explain this, Ustaz Long discussed at length about Allah SWT's mercy in sending His prophets.

Allah SWT, out of His abundant Love and Mercy for mankind, has not left us in darkness to discover the right path by trial and error alone. Coupled with our intellectual capability to reason, Allah SWT bestowed upon us divine guidance that outlines the Criterion for truth and the knowledge and reality of our existence in this world and Hereafter.

From the beginning of mankind Allah SWT sent exemplars or prophets to convey His revelation and to invite all mankind to the path of true peace and obedience to one true God. This is Islam.

This message was conveyed to all nations and tribes in this world throughout successive generations through more than 124,000 prophets ��� all inviting mankind to the same path.

Ustaz Long said prophets before Muhammad s.a.w. were sent to their own people or tribe. Their followers were not given the duty to preach the religion and when the prophets died, they were replaced by other prophets.

But Prophet Muhammad being the ���khatamah��� (final) Messenger of Allah; was not only sent for his own tribe (Quraisy and Arab) but for all mankind and even jinn at every corner of the planet and his teaching would valid until ���kiamah��� (the end of the world).

���If Prophets before Muhammad s.a.w. died; their teachings would be upheld by their followers and when they swayed from the true religion, Allah SWT would send another prophet, but what would be the case of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.���s followers?��� asked Ustaz Long.

He said, after Prophet Muhammad's demise; the duty to preach and uphold the religion falls on the shoulder of every Muslim. This is what the Prophet s.a.w. used to tell his Companions to do: ���Convey (knowledge) from me if it is just one ���ayah���.��� (al-Bukhari)

In another hadith, the Prophet s.a.w. said: ���Whoever calls people to the truth will have a reward like that of those who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.��� (Sahih Muslim)

Based on this fact, Ustaz Long stressed that the duty of every Muslim (the followers of Muhammad) is to worship (serve) Allah SWT (as mentioned in Surat Adh-Dhariyat 51:56 ���I have only created jinn and men, that they may serve Me���) and to do the ���dakwah��� (be a ���daie��� ��� preacher).

���Umat��� (the followers of) Muhammad was in front and have special place in the eyes of Allah SWT compared to other Prophets��� followers because among others they were given the task to spread the message of the Final Prophet s.a.w.

���So do we carry out the two tasks given to us as the followers of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.?��� asked Ustaz Long. ���True some of us devote ourselves to worship Allah SWT and to refine it such as doing the ���tahajud��� (late night prayers) or ���iktikaf��� (spending much time in masjids; praying, reading the Qur���an or thinking about God or oneself) but sadly, many of us distance ourselves from doing the ���dakwah��� work.

���I would like to give you some simple examples. I know during ���subuh��� (dawn) prayers many of you dashed off to the masjid with your bike. Sure, you devout yourself to your Lord but sad to say some of us do not bother on whether our wives of children say their prayers or not. To some extent; some of us were not bothered to wake up our children to say their prayers especially during their school holidays.

���Then how many of us are concerned about our wives and daughters attires; do they comply with the Islamic code of dressing? Then there are cases where the mother wears the hijab but the daughter puts on sexily clad dress.

���Why this situation is rampant in our Muslim homes? One factor is we do not do our ���dakwah��� job. The father thinks that he should be a good Muslim but forget about his wife and children.

���He should ���dakwah��� not only himself but his dependents for Allah SWT says: "Believers! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are angels stern (and) severe as wardens, who flinch not (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded." (Qur���an 66:6)

���After doing ���dakwah��� to one���s family, have a look at our neighbourhood. Are our neighbours good practising Muslim or if they were of a different belief, have we shown them good aspects of Islam so they would be interested in the religion. Have we talked about Islam to them?

���Then we have to look at problems of our society, our state, country, and globally and lend our hands in solving them.

���The problem with Muslims nowadays is that we do not do the dakwah work, we only concentrate on own ���ibadah��� (acts of devotion to Allah SWT) only as though we are going to Heaven alone. Remember a man would be stopped from entering Heaven by his wife or wives, daughters, sisters and mother if they insisted he had not done enough in guiding them to the straight path,��� said Ustaz Long.

Sadly, nowadays dakwah seemed so strange, said the ustaz. Malays must not forget that they become Muslim from the hard work of dakwah of Arab, Indian and Chinese preachers who were mostly traders and they efforts were rewarded when rulers of Pasai/Perlak, Melaka, Aceh, Palembang, Patani and almost all entities in the Malay Archipelago accepted Islam beginning from the 10th century and reached its peak in the 15 and 16th century.

���If not because of the dedication of these traders and preachers, Malays would still be pagans, Nauzubillah,��� said the ustaz.

Centuries ago, the Chinese such as Laksamana (Admiral) Cheng Ho had their part in preaching Islam to the people of Melaka and Palembang. Nowadays have the Muslim Malays done their jobs in explaining Islam to the Chinese community? The same should be asked on the dakwah work of the Malays to the Indians community.

So, based on the fact that dakwah seemed to be left out these days, Ustaz Long suggested it should be rekindled; insya-Allah (God willing) the ills of society would be able to be checked and more non-Muslim becoming interested in the religion and insya-Allah become Muslims themselves.

Jamadilakhir 16, 1443: ‘Going to Heaven alone?’ (U)

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

Reflection

O ye who believe! Retalation is prescribed for you in the matter of the murdered; the freeman for the freeman, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. And for him who is forgiven somewhat by his (injured) brother, prosecution according to usage and payment unto him in kindness. This is an alleviation and a mercy from your Lord. He who transgresseth after this will have a painfull doom. (Al-Baqarah, 178)

In 'my masjid', a talk by one preacher, Ustaz Long Kechik moved my heart and I would like to share it with readers.

His talk and presentation with aid of a power point illustration was simple; it revolved on why we were sent into this world and where we are heading for. On why we were sent into this world, he quoted Surat Adh-Dhariyat 51:56 (The Winnowing Winds) with the meaning; “I have only created jinn and men, that they may serve Me.”

Yes, human being existence along with jinn are to worship Allah SWT, but Ustaz Long explained in this ‘ayah’, Allah SWT used the word ‘men or mankind’ and not Muslim, so the duty of Muslims is not confined only to worship Allah SWT, it is more than that.

So what are other duties of Muslims? To explain this, Ustaz Long discussed at length about Allah SWT's mercy in sending His prophets.

Allah SWT, out of His abundant Love and Mercy for mankind, has not left us in darkness to discover the right path by trial and error alone. Coupled with our intellectual capability to reason, Allah SWT bestowed upon us divine guidance that outlines the Criterion for truth and the knowledge and reality of our existence in this world and Hereafter.

From the beginning of mankind Allah SWT sent exemplars or prophets to convey His revelation and to invite all mankind to the path of true peace and obedience to one true God. This is Islam.

This message was conveyed to all nations and tribes in this world throughout successive generations through more than 124,000 prophets – all inviting mankind to the same path.

Ustaz Long said prophets before Muhammad s.a.w. were sent to their own people or tribe. Their followers were not given the duty to preach the religion and when the prophets died, they were replaced by other prophets.

But Prophet Muhammad being the ‘khatamah’ (final) Messenger of Allah; was not only sent for his own tribe (Quraisy and Arab) but for all mankind and even jinn at every corner of the planet and his teaching would valid until ‘kiamah’ (the end of the world).

“If Prophets before Muhammad s.a.w. died; their teachings would be upheld by their followers and when they swayed from the true religion, Allah SWT would send another prophet, but what would be the case of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.’s followers?” asked Ustaz Long.

He said, after Prophet Muhammad's demise; the duty to preach and uphold the religion falls on the shoulder of every Muslim. This is what the Prophet s.a.w. used to tell his Companions to do: “Convey (knowledge) from me if it is just one ‘ayah’.” (al-Bukhari)

In another hadith, the Prophet s.a.w. said: “Whoever calls people to the truth will have a reward like that of those who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.” (Sahih Muslim)

Based on this fact, Ustaz Long stressed that the duty of every Muslim (the followers of Muhammad) is to worship (serve) Allah SWT (as mentioned in Surat Adh-Dhariyat 51:56 “I have only created jinn and men, that they may serve Me”) and to do the ‘dakwah’ (be a ‘daie’ – preacher).

‘Umat’ (the followers of) Muhammad was in front and have special place in the eyes of Allah SWT compared to other Prophets’ followers because among others they were given the task to spread the message of the Final Prophet s.a.w.

“So do we carry out the two tasks given to us as the followers of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.?” asked Ustaz Long. “True some of us devote ourselves to worship Allah SWT and to refine it such as doing the ‘tahajud’ (late night prayers) or ‘iktikaf’ (spending much time in masjids; praying, reading the Qur’an or thinking about God or oneself) but sadly, many of us distance ourselves from doing the ‘dakwah’ work.

“I would like to give you some simple examples. I know during ‘subuh’ (dawn) prayers many of you dashed off to the masjid with your bike. Sure, you devout yourself to your Lord but sad to say some of us do not bother on whether our wives of children say their prayers or not. To some extent; some of us were not bothered to wake up our children to say their prayers especially during their school holidays.

“Then how many of us are concerned about our wives and daughters attires; do they comply with the Islamic code of dressing? Then there are cases where the mother wears the hijab but the daughter puts on sexily clad dress.

“Why this situation is rampant in our Muslim homes? One factor is we do not do our ‘dakwah’ job. The father thinks that he should be a good Muslim but forget about his wife and children.

“He should ‘dakwah’ not only himself but his dependents for Allah SWT says: "Believers! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are angels stern (and) severe as wardens, who flinch not (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded." (Qur’an 66:6)

“After doing ‘dakwah’ to one’s family, have a look at our neighbourhood. Are our neighbours good practising Muslim or if they were of a different belief, have we shown them good aspects of Islam so they would be interested in the religion. Have we talked about Islam to them?

“Then we have to look at problems of our society, our state, country, and globally and lend our hands in solving them.

“The problem with Muslims nowadays is that we do not do the dakwah work, we only concentrate on own ‘ibadah’ (acts of devotion to Allah SWT) only as though we are going to Heaven alone. Remember a man would be stopped from entering Heaven by his wife or wives, daughters, sisters and mother if they insisted he had not done enough in guiding them to the straight path,” said Ustaz Long.

Sadly, nowadays dakwah seemed so strange, said the ustaz. Malays must not forget that they become Muslim from the hard work of dakwah of Arab, Indian and Chinese preachers who were mostly traders and they efforts were rewarded when rulers of Pasai/Perlak, Melaka, Aceh, Palembang, Patani and almost all entities in the Malay Archipelago accepted Islam beginning from the 10th century and reached its peak in the 15 and 16th century.

“If not because of the dedication of these traders and preachers, Malays would still be pagans, Nauzubillah,” said the ustaz.

Centuries ago, the Chinese such as Laksamana (Admiral) Cheng Ho had their part in preaching Islam to the people of Melaka and Palembang. Nowadays have the Muslim Malays done their jobs in explaining Islam to the Chinese community? The same should be asked on the dakwah work of the Malays to the Indians community.

So, based on the fact that dakwah seemed to be left out these days, Ustaz Long suggested it should be rekindled; insya-Allah (God willing) the ills of society would be able to be checked and more non-Muslim becoming interested in the religion and insya-Allah become Muslims themselves.

Jamadilakhir 15, 1443: Signifikan tanggal 17 Januari...(U)

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

SAYA mengulang siar artikel ini pada hari  Isnin, 17 Januari 2022. Tanggal ini 31 tahun lalu (1991) membawa pengertian besar kepada dunia dan juga saya. Pada tarikh inilah tentera bersekutu dikepali Amerika Syarikat menyerang Iraq selepas Presidennya, Saddam Hussein menggempur seterusnya menakluk Kuwait.

Perang Teluk yang dicanangkan oleh Presiden Amerika, George (Sr) Bush ini mempunyai kesan besar kepada media massa. Buat pertama kalinya orang awam boleh menyaksikan perang melalui skrin televisyen. Wartawan CNN, Peter Arnett berupaya membuat liputan perang dari Baghdad, kota yang menjadi sasaran tentera bersekutu selain Basrah.

Keghairahan membuat liputan berita perang turut menjangkiti media massa tempatan. Ketika itu penulis yang bertugas di sebuah akhbar harian turut membantu menerbitkan keluaran khas perang yang diedarkan pada sebelah petang. Akhbar itu dijual dengan harga rendah, hanya untuk menampung kos, mungkin 20 sen senaskhah (penulis tidak berapa ingat lagi).

Penulis teringat betapa petugas-petugas bersengkang mata - memulakan kerja jam 3.00 pagi dan menamatkannya kira-kira jam 7.00 pagi untuk membolehkan akhbar dicetak dan diedarkan pada sebelah tengah hari dan petang.

Selepas akhbar khas ini mendapat sambutan, lahirlah ilham untuk menerbitkan akhbar petang berbahasa Melayu pertama. Penulis yang turut termasuk dalam kumpulan perintis akhbar baru ini bekerja siang malam bagi menjayakan penerbitannya.

Dua bulan selepas bermula Perang Teluk, muncullah harian petang dalam bahasa Melayu di khalayak, dan selepas puluhan tahun akhbar ini pernah dinobatkan sebagai akhbar paling besar jualannya di tanah air dengan edaran lebih 400,000 naskhah sehari dengan pembaca kira-kira sejuta orang.

Kini 30 tahun sudah berlalu, bagaimanakah senario terkini di Timur Tengah? Dulu sesekali ada penulis ke rantau ini tetapi sekarang ini maklumat diperolehi melalui pembacaan (dulu melalui akhbar, TV, radio dan agensi berita asing seperti Reuters, AP dan UPI tetapi sekarang meliputi internet).

Sudah menjadi pengetahuan umum berlaku pergeseran hebat antara Arab Saudi-Iran berikutan pelbagai isu dan dikhuatiri negara umat Islam lain termasuk Malaysia sendiri tersepit dalam pergeseran ini dengan sesetengah pihak mengesyorkan Kuala Lumpur mengambil sikap berkecuali. 

Ini kerana hakikatnya Kuala Lumpur mempunyai hubungan baik malah intim dengan Riyadh dan juga Teheran. Namun hubungan dengan Riyadh lebih intim terutamanya kerana pemerintah Arab Saudi yang menggelar dirinya 'Khadam Dua Tanah Suci' (Makkah dan Madinah) 'mempunyai kuasa' dalam hal berkaitan haji dan umrah.

Kini 17 Januari muncul lagi, apa pengajaran peristiwa di Timur Tengah? Salah satu daripadanya ternyata kuasa Barat tidak boleh dipercayai atau diharapkan oleh umat dan negara Islam. Iraq (termasuk Saddam Hussein) sudah mereka 'lingkupkan'. Dunia Arab, dari Maghribi ke Syria seterusnya ke Yaman berberontakan; malahan Mesir yang rakyatnya pernah memilih pemimpin pro-Islam (Mohamad Morsi daripada Ikhwanul Muslimin) kini dikuasai sang diktator Abdel Fattah As-Sissi. 

Kita tertanya-tanya mengapa Barat yang lantang dengan fahaman demokrasinya hanya berpeluk tubuh apabila pemimpin pilihan rakyat iaitu Morsi digulingkan; demikian juga pergerakan rakyat di sesetengah negara Arab tidak disokong, mereka sebaliknya rela bersahabat dengan raja, presiden dan diktator yang ternyata boleh dicucuk hidung bagi memberi keuntungan maksimum kepada kuasa Barat sendiri! Hakikatnya sekarang ini Amerika 'menunggang' sejumlah negara Arab yang sedia pula menjadi 'kuda tunggangan'.

Jamadilakhir 14, 1443: Pemisah hidup-mati tersangat dekat...

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

Renungan

"Dan janganlah kamu menghampiri zina, sesungguhnya zina itu adalah satu perbuatan yang keji dan satu jalan yang jahat yang membawa kerosakan." - Maksud Ayat al-Quran Surah al-Israa': 32

TIDAK lama dahulu seorang anak buah saya meninggal dunia. Ketika membantu menyempurnakan pengkebumian jenazah, terutama ketika menimbus kuburnya, insaflah saya bahawa keberadaan kita di atas dunia ini dan di bawah sana (dalam bumi) adalah tersangat dekat, jadi mengapa kadang-kala kita (termasuk penulis sendiri) begitu sombong dalam menjalani kehidupan.

Sebagaimana sebuah iklan biskut menyebut "kejap ada, kejap tiada" - demikianlah hidup kita di dunia ini terlalu singkat untuk kita berbuat zalim termasuklah dalam berpolitik. 

Mengapa kita terlalu terkejar-kejar akan matlamat kita hendak mendapat 'segala yang dilihat sebagai keindahan dunia' sedangkan jika direnungkan bersungguh-sungguh dengan hati terbuka, apa yang kita buru itu  bukanlah benar-benar kita perlukan.

Saya terpanggil untuk menukilkan kembali kisah yang kerap diulang-ulang ini - perbualan seorang hartawan dengan doktor peribadinya dalam satu sesi rawatan. Bertanyalah si hartawan yang menderita pelbagai penyakit termasuk kencing manis itu, "Boleh saya makan daging?" "Tak," kata si doktor. "Ayam?" "Tak boleh." "Durian?" "Tak boleh." "Burger?" "Tak boleh." "Ketam?" "Tak boleh." "Udang?" "Tak boleh." "Kambing?" "Apa tuan nak..."

"Habis apa boleh saya makan?" laung si hartawan geram. "Tu biskut kering sana," kata sang doktor selamba.

Berlawanan dengan si hartawan, seorang lelaki pokai pula boleh 'baham' apa saja. Ayam, durian, rambutan semuanya boleh 'dirembatnya'. Pantang jumpa, namun masalahnya duitnya tidak sentiasa cukup pula untuk membeli makanan tersebut.

Demikianlah, dunia ini bukanlah kita punya untuk kita berdabik dada bangga termasuk dalam politik sehingga kita membenarkan matlamat menghalalkan cara (kaedah Machiavelli) termasuklah menggunakan kaedah samseng, almaklum kuasa berada di tangan kita yang berada di puncak.

Kadang-kala ketika duduk sendirian atau memandu kereta termenung panjang saya selepas menghayati lagu 'Terbang Helang' nyanyian Allahyarham Dato' Sharifah Aini yang berkumandang di corong radio; saya berpendapat ia sangat tepat untuk ditujukan kepada orang dan pihak sombong termasuklah diri penulis ini.

Terbang helang

Di angkasa nan luas

Terbang sang helang bebas

Menebarkan sayapnya

Sungguh megah lagaknya

Helang mendabik dada

Membelahi angkasa

Dengan gaya perwira

Bila saja engkau menghampiri

Burung lain terbang lari

Kau merasakan dirimu gagah

Hak yang lain tak kau endah

Mengganas kau di angkasa

Dengan gaya perwira

Terbanglah engkau tinggi

Sampai ke mana lagi

Ingin engkau jelajahi

Sehingga kau terlupa

Yang tinggi jatuh jua

Bila tiba ketika

Kau ke tanah akhirnya

Usah kau lupa diri

Bahawa langit itu tinggi

Nanti lemas sendiri

Nanti lemas sendiri

Benar orang 60+ seperti saya, sudah berada di ambang kematian, persoalannya bagaimana anak-anak (generasi baharu) yang ditinggalkan. Dalam melayari kehidupan, adalah amat malang jika seseorang anak sama ada mereka berjaya dalam kerjaya atau tidak, bersikap sombong kepada ibu bapa sendiri. 

Saya ada membaca buku bertajuk ‘Air Mata Ibu’ (terbitan BSP) karya Norani Abd Hamid yang memaparkan sikap derhaka sesetengah anak. Mereka bagai helang bongkak terbang gagah mencari mangsa di angkasa sedangkan dahulunya 'tidak ada apa-apa'.

Apabila membaca kisah-kisah sedih mengenai nasib ibu yang dipaparkan penulis, perasanlah saya bahawa dalam banyak kes bukan seseorang anak itu menjadi sombong sejak azali tetapi dibentuk demikian. 

Antaranya, mereka menjadi sombong dan derhaka kerana pengaruh isteri (mahukan kehidupan mewah dan benci ibu mentua), kawan (terbabit dalam dunia dadah) dan pesona kehidupan duniawi. Kisah terbanyak dipaparkan adalah pengaruh isteri di atas kederhakaan seseorang anak.

Ya, ketika baharu memulakan hidup seperti melangkah menceburi dunia pekerjaan, insya-Allah kebanyakan anak-anak ‘baik-baik’ belaka, tetapi selepas berumah tangga dan meniti kejayaan demi kejayaan dan terpaksa mengharungi desakan hidup seperti kesuntukan masa dalam membina kerjaya dan kepenatan membesarkan anak-anak dan ditimbuni hutang piutang, dikhuatiri sedikit demi sedikit mereka mula menyisihkan ibu bapa masing-masing. 

Apatah lagi jika pasangan masing-masing adalah daripada ‘jenis sombong bodoh’, pengaruh mereka akan membuatkan si anak lupakan daratan. Kata orang, kerana isteri yang cantik punya hal, ibu bapa pun ditolak ke tepi. Itulah kisahnya yang dipaparkan melalui buku yang saya baca itu seperti ‘Si Tanggang Moden’, ‘Ikut Telunjuk Isteri’ dan ‘Buang Ibu di Rumah Kebajikan’. Si Tanggang dulunya adalah ‘anak ibu’ (anak baik) tetapi selepas berjaya dalam pelayaran dan memperisterikan wanita hartawan, tidak mahu mengaku ibunya sendiri.

Demikianlah kita berdoa bersungguh-sungguh agar anak-anak dijauhkan diri daripada sifat Si Tanggang itu (mulanya baik tetapi berakhir dengan menderhaka kepada ibu bapa sendiri) semata-mata kerana diri mula diulit dengan harta dunia, pasangan (isteri atau suami) cantik atau kacak, kemasyhuran dan kuasa. 

Jadi pada pandangan hamba yang daif ini, adalah penting untuk mengingatkan generasi muda sentiasa berbakti kepada orang tua sepanjang hayat mereka malah selepas kematian seperti mendoakan dan berbakti atas nama mereka. Ya, jangan sombong seperti helang di angkasa, sebaliknya praktikkan ajaran agama kerana pemisah hidup dan mati tersangat dekat. Orang tua mati, orang muda pun mati!

Jamadilakhir 13, 1443: Success in life (Kejayaan dalam hidup)

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

Reflection 

There is no god but He, Praise and glory to Him; Far is He from having the partners they associate unto Him. (Tauba 9:31) 

At a ‘masjid’ near my house during a 'tazkirah' recently, 'jemaah’ (congregators) were kept awake by a fiery orator by one local top motivator. He began his lesson by questioning the ‘jemaah’ what they understand with the phrase ‘kejayaan dalam hidup’ (success in life). 

"Is getting a lot of money an indicator as success in life? It’s sad when so many people shy away from ‘solat’ (prayers) just to gain those material gains. 

“Hey, brother; let’s me stress again and again that your ringgit (wealth) will of no use when you were buried in your grave. Only your ‘iman’ (faith) and ‘amal’ (good deeds) would be able to help you. So what’s the key to be successful in life?” 

The motivator said that the key to success is to take religion and practice all its teaching. “Those who upheld religion should have no worries because the world would be at his or her feet but those who are after the world, they would lose the world and worst of all, doomed in the Hereafter.”

He then gave 10 tips (keys) to have a successful life. They are: 

1. Be a good listener and if you don’t know, don’t hesitate to ask experts on the subjects such as an ‘ustaz’ (religious teacher) or a scholar. 

2. You have to practice ‘sabar’ (patience) and the ‘tonic’ to have this trait is to do ‘zikrullah’ (remember Allah SWT by reciting words in praise of Him). 

3. Always be thankful (syukur) and the key to it is to expand charity (sadaqah). 

4. Fear of Allah SWT (takwa). 

5. Make du’a (offer prayers). 6. Do not be proud or arrogant (takabbur) 

7. Do not skip your ‘solat’ (prayers). 

8. Uphold to the truth, do good deeds as much as you can. 

9. Uphold the oneness of God (Tauhid). 

10. Perform hajj. 

On the same topic, Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) listed 32 tips (ways and means) to be successful in this world and Hereafter. They are: 

1. Believe in Allah: The one and only Creator, Sustainer, Giver of Life, Owner, Inheritor and God of the universe. Allah has no peer, while the universe is a tiny speck in the grandeur of Allah. Also believing in all His prophets from Adam, the first man to the final prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him, s.a.w.) The Qur’an which was revealed to Muhammad s.a.w. is 100 percent Allah’s words. Only one version, the Qur’an is being translated by many translators and memorized by millions. (Qur’an 23:1 and 24:31) 

2. Sincerity: Doing good deeds to please only Allah and none else. Deeds done for other than Allah or along with Allah is not acceptable to Allah. Allah The Most Beautiful loves beauty. (Qur’an 30:38) 

3. Worship Allah alone: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the One-And-Only. (Qur’an 22:77) 

4. Guidance from Allah: From the unadulterated Al-Qur’an and authentic ways/sunnah of Muhammad s.a.w., the last prophet. We can never go astray when we follow the Qur’an and sunnah. (Qur’an 2:5 and 31:5) 

5. Remember Allah always. Almighty Allah deserves to be remembered all the time. Only by remembering Allah, will our hearts experience true and lasting tranquility. (Qur’an 8:45 and 62:10) 

6. Grateful to Allah: Be thankful and optimistic about everything Allah has prepared for us in this world by worshipping Allah zealously. A grateful person lives a meaningful life. (Qur’an 7:69) 

7. Fear Allah (takwa): Venerate, love, have hope in while being anxious and concerned of Allah. The most honourable in the sight of Allah are those who fear Allah most. (Qur’an 3:130) 

8. Perform regular worship of Allah (five times prayers) and duties like declaration of faith, fasting, tithe and hajj. (Qur’an Qur’an 22:77) 

9. Listen and obey Allah’s law. Allah’s and His messenger’s words will lead to a perfect life. 

10. Rationale: The Qur’an agrees very well with the sunnah of Muhammad s.a.w. matches well with the wise mind and fits the fitrah (innate instinct of humankind) – Qur’an 2:189 and 5: 100 

11. Gives preference to Allah’s choices Allah Sees, Hears and Knows everything. (Qur’an 2: 189 and 5:100) 

12. Scatter over the earth and seeks Allah’s bounty. Aren’t we Allah’s vicegerents on earth? (Qur’an 62:10) 

13. Avoid evil deeds; like consuming intoxicants, gambling and ascribing partners to Allah. Satan promotes lawlessness among us but succumbs among us but succumbs to those who trust and fear Allah. (Qur’an 5:90) 

14. Accumulate the rewards of the Hereafter: like the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the pious. They enjoy this life by doing good deeds and Allah’s paradise awaits them May all of us be among them. (Qur’an 7:8) 

15. Jihad (strive); with speech, wealth and life to spread the truth and Islamic monotheism. (Qur’an 9:88) 

16. Be generous for Allah’s sake, especially when in need of Allah’s Help. 

17. Invite to righteousness, enjoin good and forbid evil. Good deeds invite Allah’s Blessings. (Qur’an 3:104) 

18. Always be on Allah’s side. Unwavering dedication to Allah’s cause, wherever and whenever. (Quran 58:220 

19. Patience and steadfastness: Firm in upholding the truth and Islamic monotheism till the end of our life. (Qur’an 3:200) 

20. Repent from all sins and do righteous deeds: Only Allah is perfect and free from mistakes. (Qur’an 28:67) 

21. Always be mindful of the enemy. For this reason we continuously seek and need Allah’s Help. (Qur’an 3:200) 

22. Honour, assist and follow scholars (ulama) who truly practice Islam. (7:157) 

23. Be charitable to oneself. A strong believer is dearer and more beloved to Almighty Allah. (Qur’an 64:16) 

24. Avoid usury and illegal income. Usury and illegally gained income lead to hell. (Qur’an 3:130) 

25. Seeking means and ways to approach Allah. May we meet Allah at the best moment! Ameen. (Qur’an 5:35) 

26. Purifying our souls. Allah has given everyone a soul. A good soul will benefit oneself and others. (Qur’an 87:14 and 91:9) 

27. Give kindred (especially parents), the poor and wayfarer their dues for Allah’s sake. (Qur’an 30:38) 

28. Lower our gaze, protect our private parts and wear appropriate Islamic attire. Self respect is important in Islam. Insincerity and ignorance cause man to live in disunity, disarray and void of guidance. (Qur’an 24:31) 

29. Love each other and have no jealousy, for Allah’s sake: Like the Ansar and Muhajirin. (Qur’an 59:9) 

30. Choose friends who believe in the Last Day. Close friend influence our life. (Qur’an 58:22) 

31. Say the truth from Allah and His Messenger even if it is unpopular. Truth will prevail. (Qur’an 5:100) 

32. Ask the right people: Scholars, parents, experts, specialist, sincere friends and the like. (Qur’an 2: 189)

Jamadilakhir 12, 1443: Hang Tuah - history is whose story? (U)

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

Reflection

Praise be to God, the Sustainer of all the Worlds,

The Merciful, the Compassionate.

Lord of the Day of Judgement

Thee alone do we worship and Thee

Do we ask for help.

Guide us on the Straight Path.

The path of those on whom Thou has bestowed Thy Grace

Not of those upon whom is Thy Wrath,

Nor those who have gone astray.

Ameen. (O God! do grant us our request) - Al-Fatihah (The Opening)

HISTORY has become a topic of interest nowadays; and talking about history a reader has been sending me a few famous quotations about the subject.

Among the quotations are:

* Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunters. - African proverb

Under this proverb, the sender noted: “That is why we need to read history with an open mind, and read from those who differ too...a coin has two face..”

He also noted: “History is his story, when can we tell our story?”

He too said: “How sure are we that his story is true? So don't only read his story, but read her story, their story, our story...”

Another reader noted: “His, her, their or our story, all of them will be revealed in the judgment day. It is extremely important to our current story is going well.”

* I suggest that if you know history, then you might not be so easily fooled by the government when it tells you, you must go to war for this or that reason -- that history is a protective armor against being misled. - Howard Zinn

Well, from the above quotations and opinions, what do you think about history? I remember the days when I was in primary schools (in the late 1960s and early 70s), during ‘Tawarikh’ (History) lessons, we were taught about foreign and far away heros and heroins such as Alexander the Great, Joan of Arc and Florence Nightingle but not about our own ‘knights’ such as Hang Tuah, Mat Kilau and Tok Janggut.

Talking about Hang Tuah, I am keen to know about this hero, so I devoted some time a few days ago to visit a well said to have a connection with him in Kampung Duyong, Melaka. And what did I find there?

I read an inscription about the well on a board which was erected by the Melaka Museum Corporation. Perhaps this is ‘a part of history’ about Hang Tuah, I thought.

The inscription reads:

Hang Tuah Well

Hang Tuah himself was said to have dug this well and it has never dried-up even in the most severe of droughts.

Water from the well is said to be sacred and have healing properties.

Locals believe that Hang Tuah’s soul, which takes on the apparition of a white crocodile, dwells in this well.

The presence of this well also gave rise to the notion that Hang Tuah was from Duyong.

The locals however dispute the belief and said that he was from Duyong in East Sumatera, where a similar well also exists.

Further details and background on Hang Tuah is available at his mausoleum in Tanjung Kling. This site is under the care of the Melaka Museum Corporation.

The Hang Tuah Well was gazetted as an old monument and historical site under the Antiquation Act no 168/1976 on 29th September 1977.

Well, regarding the so called Hang Tuah Well, I have written an article entitled ‘Hang Tuah’s well or is it really?’ in the New Sunday Times (23 November 1986) questioning the belief that the well had any connection with the Malay legendary hero

In the article, I wrote: “The Hang Tuah Well in Kampung Duyong Melaka is believed to have been originated from the print of Hang Tuah’s foot sole left on a stone but many elders in the kampung have a different version of the story.

The elders said the Hang Tuah Well did not exist before the 20th century. According to them, even though Hang Tuah was said to be raised in Kampung Duyong according to the Hikayat Hng Tuah, he did not leave any mark in the kampung.

The elders said about 100 years ago, a child named Mat Segel went with a friend to fetch firewood near the site which is now known as the Hang Tuah Well Complex.

At that time, the Hang Tuah Well was not in existence. The area was swampy and was covered with sago plants. At the site he saw an unused well and a few puddles of water.

When Mat Segel returned home, he told his father Mat Koyan, what he had seen. Later, his father stated boasting that his son had found the Hang Tuah Well which was actually the unused well.

The villagers believed him and soon the news spread far and wide that Hang Tuah’s well was discovered.

They were even further convinced when a sick boy was cured of his illness after drinking some water from the well.

The Hang Tuah Well looked like an ordinary well until early in the 70s when a Chinese woman known by the kampung folk as Nyonya Lilin of Melaka (she was a sinseh), built a shelther for the well.

The State Government then recognized the well as the Hang Tuah Well and a modern complex with stalls, toilets and a ‘gelanggang silat’ (silat court) was built to attract tourists to the kampung where Hang Tuah was believed to have been brought up.” Then, there's the magnificent Hang Tuah's Museum.

Well, whose story are you going to believe? In my opinion during the British era (pre independence Malaya), the British administrators were not interested in preserving local interest and heritage but once when power shifted to the hands of ‘sons of the soil’, some of its leaders started soul searching and they found solace in ‘the arms’ of old folk heros such as Hang Tuah.

So before independence, the Malays did not bothered to have or restore heritage items and sites such as the Hang Tuah Well, but in modern Malaysia, their leaders made great efforts in doing such work and today as an example, the Hang Tuah Well Complex has been refurbished with extra buildings such as ‘gelanggang silat’ (silat mini stadium), and surau (small masjid).

So today’s ‘history’ glorifies Hang Tuah but tomorow who knows, because “until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunters.

Jamadilakhir 11, 1443: My favourite books from the Holy Land

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

Reflection

"O ye who believe! If ye keep your duty to Allah, He will give you discrimination (between right and wrong) and will rid you of your evil thoughts and deeds, and will forgive you. Allah is of infinite bonty." (Qur'an, Surah 8:29)

Labbayk, Allahumma, Labbayk, Labbayk, La Shareeka laka, Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan n’imata laka wal-mulk, La Shareekalaka. (Here I am at Your service, O Lord, here I am, no partner do You have, here I am, truly, the praise and favor is Yours and the dominion. No partner do You have).

This talbiyah (a Muslim prayer invoked by the pilgrims as a conviction that they intend to perform the hajj or umra) brought back my nostalgic time in the Holy Land when I performed hajj in 2002 and 2005/6 seasons. In Makkah and Madinah, sometimes I took break from precious moments doing ‘ibadah’ such as praying in the Prophet’s Mosque and al-Haram Mosque to be inside the cities bookstores and shops. While others might be crazy running for surveniors, I chose to spend hours in those shops.

Almost all the books were in Arabic, but fortunately in large bookstores, they had collections of books in English. In each hajj season, I bought about 20 books; they ‘contributed’ much in making my luggage exceeding the weight limit.

One book I liked best was ‘Don’t Be Sad’ by Dr Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni’. It was a translated version from an Arabic book by Faisal ibn Muhammad Shafeeq. For me this book could lift one’s spirit to face the challengers of life and peaceful road to the Hereafter.

During my stay for the 2005/6 season, I mananged to finish reading about 10 English books regarding Islam and after reading them, I realized how little I knew about the religion I was born in. If English books could steer one’s life, what could be said about Arabic books, in abundance here in the Holy Land.

Another book that had great impact on me was ‘Way to the Qur’an by Khurram Murad. This book published by The Islamic Foundation in London, told us about our duty to read and understand the Qur’an, and live by it. This contrasted with some of us, especially among the Malays who learn and read the Qur’an when they were children but after they had ‘khatam’ (completed) in reading it, they left aside the holy book only to look it back when they had became pensioners or at old age.

In the book’s Preface, among others, Khurram summarized: “First, our lives will remain meaningless and ruined ruined unless they are guided by the Qur’an, the word of God. Second, the Qur’an, being the eternal guidance given by the Ever-living God, is as relevant for us, today, as it was fourteen centuries ago, and will remain so forever.

“Third, therefore, we almost have a right, in some sense and measure, to receive its blessings today as its first believers did; provided, of course, that we come to it and move in it as is necessary in order to share its rich harvest. Fourth, every Muslim has a duty to devote himself to reading it, understanding it and memorizing it.

“Fifth, one must abandon oneself totally, in thoughts and deeds, to whatever the Qur’an has to offer him. Any pride, arrogance, sense of self-sufficency, reservation, or ingenuity that can read in it what it does not mean, is fatal to its understanding and would shut the door to its blessing.

“Sixth, the path of the Qur’an is the path of self-surrender, of practicing what it tells you, even if one learns only one Ayah. One Ayah learnt and acted upon is better than a thousand which are explained beautifully but which do not impart any beauty to the reader’s life. Obedience, after all, is the real key to understanding, too.”

Reading this section of the preface for the first time in the holy city of Makkah; I was in tears. Khurram words – “our lives will remain meaningless and ruined unless they are are guided by the Quran” – kept on ringing in my ears. Well, I told myself; all along I been living a ruined and meaningless life as I (and readers too) were not living in accordance to the words of The Almighty.

We were living a secular life; our country, our societies and our families were not governed by His laws. We were placing man’s made laws (whats more they were enemies of Allah SWT) in number one position; thus pushing Allah SWT’s laws aside. Who were we to do this sort of nonsense? Oooh, I felt so weak and afraid; so I cried and cried.

A book specially dedicated to Muslim women entitled ‘Seeds of Righteousness’ too had a great impact on me. Although my attention to buy it was to give it to my wife; it contents seemed suited me. This book written by Abdul Malik Muhammad and published by Darussalam Publishers and Distributors in Riyadh, gave tips and tools for Muslim women to spread Islam.

In his introduction, Abdul Malik among others wrote: “Since the job of da’wah is also obliged on Muslim women, they (from the earliest times of Islam) called to Allah’s religion and played a major role in spreading Islam among mankind…Trying to overcome the hindrances on the path of Allah carries good rewards and benefits from Him. Therefore, Dear Muslim Sister, discard the robe of lazinest, trust and rely on Allah dan fill your coming days with firmness and endurance…”

I must admit I had copied ‘some seeds’ written in the book and practiced it. One seeds read: “She carries a purse (handbag) just like other women, who usually stuff their purse with beauty items. However, her purse is full of Islamic books and pamphlets and wherever she goes; she leaves some of these books and pamphlets as a resource of righteousness for peope…”

For several years now, I have been carrying a bag with Islamic materials; be it newspapers, magazines, books, pamphlets, photocopies of them and so on. Other than distributing them in public places, I made a point to leave behind an item each time I left my seat in public transport such as buses and trains.

Another seed read: “Most Islamic books do not cost much to print and buy. There is a good collection of books in her house, which she buys on a regular basis and distributes to her relatives and neighbours, little by little over a period of months at a time.”

I have been subscribing an Islamic monthly magazine – Hidayah – since 2001. Instead of heaping or binding and storing them in my house, I gave them to relatives and neighbours. They seem eager and happy to read them; so I assumed the reading materials were beneficial to them. What made me happier was the interest shown by children of my relatives and neighbours in reading them.

I too gave away Islamic children magazines such as ‘Asuh’, ‘Sayang Muslim’ and ‘Aulad’ after they had been read by my children. I too have an old ‘pondok’ (small house) in which our neighbours’ children could spend their time reading books and magazines. But sadly, children of today are too busy attending to computer and electronics games and watching television, so only a few boys and girls turned up to read.

In doing these deeds in which I prayed were in line with Allah SWT orders, I must say Alhamdulillah (be thankful to Him) for showing me His way. An appreaciation must also be given to the writer of the book ‘Seeds of Righteousness’ and other Islamic books for giving me and perhaps thousands of readers inspirations and ideas how to contribute our small part in the Islamic dak’wah. Syukran.

Jamadilakhir 10. 1443: Tiga 'ta' pembinasa lelaki? (U)

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

Renungan 

“Sungguh Kami benar-benar akan menguji kamu sekalian agar Kami mengetahui orang-orang yang berjuang dan orang-orang yang sabar di antara kamu sekalian.” (Surah Muhammad:31)

DI masjid kampung saya pada suatu ketika pada majlis ceramah; satu perkara disentuh oleh si ustaz (usahlah saya nyatakan namanya di sini) mencuit hati saya untuk dicelotehkan. 

Saya pernah celotehkan bahawa pengantin baru (lelaki) malah 'pengantin veteran' perlu ada tiga 'ras' untuk kebahagiaan rumah tangga yang berkekalan iaitu waras (berkaliber sebagai pemimpin rumah tangga yang sentiasa berfikiran matang), beras (kemampuan menyediakan nafkah kehidupan) dan keras (kesihatan yang baik); kali ini ustaz dalam ceramahnya mengutarakan tiga 'ta' yang katanya menjadi pembinasa lelaki. 

Saya pun tertunggu-tunggu apakah 'ta' itu. Yang pertama kata si ustaz, 'takhta' iaitu kedudukan, pangkat dan kuasa. Orang yang gila 'ta' ini tidak pernah puas dengan kedudukan yang sudah diraihnya. Jika tiada kuasa, dia mahu kuasa, jika sudah ada jawatan dan kuasa dia mahu yang lebih tinggi lagi. Dia sentiasa lapar kuasa, mungkin dia mahu kedudukan setinggi langit. Dia akan buat apa saja untuk mendapatkan kedudukan ini - soal halal haram - tiada dalam kamus kehidupannya. Yang penting orang puji dan sanjungnya berdasarkan kedudukan, pangkat dan kuasa yang dia ada.

'Ta' kedua kata si ustaz, adalah 'harta'. Orang gila harta ini juga akan berbuat apa saja untuk memperbanyak kepunyaannya, halal dan haram tolak ke tepi. Harta ini adalah dalam pelbagai bentuk, yang paling penting adalah wang. Terlalu ramai orang gila wang, ada yang siang malam berhempas pulas bekerja kerana mahukan wang yang banyak. Mereka akan gembira melihat angka besar wang mereka dalam bank. Dengan melihat angka saja mereka rasa senang, tidakkah itu gila namanya. 

Mengenai 'gila harta' ini, Nabi kita (s.a.w.), ada memberi amaran dalam sebuah hadisnya yang bermaksud: "Andaikata anak cucu Adam (manusia) memiliki dua lembah emas, nescaya dia tetap menginginkan lembah (emas) yang ketiga, dan tidaklah penuh perut anak cucu Adam melainkan tanah, dan Allah memberi taubat kepada orang yang mahu bertaubat (kepada-Nya)." (Riwayat Bukhari dan Muslim) 

Ustaz itu memberitahu 'ta' ketiga adalah wanita. Ramai lelaki yang nampak perkasa dengan mudah tewas dengan wanita yang lemah lembut sifatnya. Ramai raja, pahlawan, 'spy' (pengintip) malah ada ahli agama tersungkur di kaki wanita. Dengan pujuk rayu wanita sudah cukup untuk mencairkan hati lelaki, semuanya akan digadaikan termasuklah takhta dan harta. Inilah pembinasa lelaki paling hebat. 

Dalam satu lagi ceramah yang saya dengar, si ustaz memberitahu perihal kelemahan orang lelaki dan wanita. Katanya, wanita cukup mudah tewas dengan harta kekayaan seperti assesori kehidupan seperti emas permata. Longgokkanlah harta di depan mereka, hati mereka akan cair. Orang tua ganyut yang meminang pun akan diterima asalkan dia berharta dan berkuasa. Cubalah orang tua tiada harta, tiada kuasa dan kedudukan mahu menyunting, mahukah mereka? 

Jika perempuan lemah pada godaan harta benda, orang lelaki pula mudah tewas dengan perempuan, kata ustaz itu. Orang tua keriput yang berkuasa jika sudah kahwin orang muda, akan didengar dan diikuti saja kehendak isteri mudanya. Disepak dan diterajang oleh si isteri pun tak apa; bagi orang lain itu satu penghinaan, bagi si tua bangka tak sedar diri mungkin ia suatu keseronokan pula...syoknya kena sepak kerana yang melakukannya si intan payung cantik jelita daripada orang asing berbangsa mulia pula. 

Kedudukan, pangkat dan kuasa tidak wajar dikejar; itu bukan matlamat orang beriman; bagi mereka kehadiran di dunia ini adalah untuk mendapatkan keredaan Illahi semata-mata. Namun bagi orang yang tidak mengejar dunia, dunia akan mengejarnya pula. Itulah kedudukan, pangkat dan kuasa akan diberikan kepada mereka. Pada ketika itu, ia menjadi amanah dan inilah yang ditakuti oleh insan beriman.

Seperti diperkatakan si ustaz pada awal celoteh, 'ta' (takhta) adalah pembinasa lelaki, namun jika 'ta' ini digunakan dengan ikhlas untuk mendapatkan reda Illahi, insya-Allah tugas berat yang dipikul ini akan sentiasa mendapat pertolongan daripada Allah SWT. Demikian juga dengan dua 'ta' lagi iaitu harta dan wanita jika ditangani semata-mata kerana Allah Taala, insya-Allah akan membawa kita ke syurga-Nya. 

Sepanjang sejarah Islam, ketiga-tiga 'ta' ini telah digunakan bagi mengapai keredaan Illahi. Dengan 'taktha', telah ditegakkan negara Islam Madinah, dengan adanya 'harta', Sayidina Abu Bakar r.a. telah menunjukkan contoh apabila mendermakan seluruh miliknya untuk jihad fisabillah manakala dengan adanya wanita serikandi seperti Sayidatina Khadijah Khauwalid, Sayidatina Fatimah Rasulullah dan Sayidatina Aishah Abu Bakar telah membantu menegakkan kalimah Allah di muka bumi ini. 

Mereka berdiri kukuh di sisi suami, bapa atau saudara mereka dalam perjuangan menegakkan Islam. Terbukti tiga 'ta' itu (takhta, harta dan wanita) jika dipimpin di jalan benar, semuanya adalah penyumbang ke arah syurga Allah, jika disalahgunakan akan menjerumuskan seseorang lelaki ke neraka Illahi!

Jamadilakhir 9, 1443: An eye opener in Palembang (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 name Palembang, now the provincial capital of South Sumatra (Sumatera Selatan), was close to my heart ever since I was in primary after reading books, especially on history that relates the founder of Melaka (Malacca), Parameswara, as a runaway prince from there.

In Form Six, I read and studied the Malay text ‘Sejarah Melayu’ (Malay Annals) edited by WG Shellabear that was published by Penerbit Fajar Bakti Sdn Bhd, for the ‘Kertas 2 Bahasa Malaysia’ (Malay) for the Higher School Certificate (HSC).

In the second topic (Alkisah Cetera Yang Kedua) of the ‘Sejarah Melayu’, it was mentioned the origin of many of the Malay Sultanates; Malacca included. The offspring of the Malay king of Palembang then went and explored various parts of the Malay world such as Melaka and Johor-Riau. In ‘Sejarah Melayu’, Singapore (Singapura) was said to be found by Sang Nila Utama, also a prince from Palembang after he had seen sight of a lion.

Among others the Sejarah Melayu recorded: “Kata sahibul hikayat, ada sebuah negeri di tanah Andelas (Sumatra), Palembang namanya, Demang Lebar Daun nama rajanya, asalnya daripada anak cucu Raja Suran, Muara Tatang nama sungainya. Adapun negeri Palembang itu, Palembang yang ada sekarang inilah. Maka di hulu Muara Tatang itu ada sebuah sungai, Melayu namanya. Di dalam sungai itu ada satu bukit yang bernama Bukit Siguntang, di hulunya Gunung Mahameru, di daratnya ada satu padang bernama padang Penjaringan. Maka ada dua orang perempuan berladang, Wan Empuk seorang namanya, dan Wan Malini seorang namanya; dan kedua itu berhuma di Bukit Siguntang itu terlalu luas humanya itu, syahdan terlalu jadi padinya, tidak dapat terkatakan; telah hampirlah masak padi itu.”

(According to tales, there was a state in Andelas, its name was Palembang. Its king was Demang Lebar Daun, he was from the offspring of Raja Suran, Muara Tatang is the name of its river. And in the hinter of Muara Tatang, there was a river, its name was Melayu. In the river there was a hill, named Bukit Siguntang, in the hinterland Mahameru Mountain, on land there was an open field named Padang Penjaringan. And there was two women farming, one named Wan Empuk; and the other was Wan Malini; and both of them worked on their (paddy) fields, it was very vast, and their paddy was abundance, and they were about to ripe.)

So, Palembang was one of the ‘kampung asal’ (roots) of the Malays; their language included. Since in Malaysia, the people were busily discussing and championing the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) (remember the 7th March incident where thousands of ‘pencinta’ (lovers) of bahasa Melayu were fired with tear gas and drenched with water laced with chemicals), I developed enough courage to pack my bags, and then was off to Palembang to look and the people and at the development and future of bahasa Melayu (Malay language) there and at international level especially in science and technology.

During my stay there, I gathered this information on Palembang: “The city was traditionally a trade center, and, for about 500 years up to the 13th century, Palembang was one of the principal ports of the world, meaning a central point for the bulk of the Indonesian islands trade.

“Mahayana Buddhism came here around the 7th century. A Chinese-Buddhist pilgrim, I-Tsing, who was going to India, arrived at Sriwijaya University in 671AD, and spent six months studying Sanskrit. He stayed here for four years writing his memoirs and giving a valuable description of the city.

“Palembang was believed to be the predatory power, and was once the capital of Sriwijaya Empire. There were regular ships that laid anchor here and it sent its mercenaries as far as Mesopotamia. There were many scholars and monks, and perhaps thousands of them, who learned Buddhist teaching and translated Sanskrit texts here.

“At the end of the 13th century, Sriwijaya had splintered into eight small kingdoms, the largest of which, MALAYU, was centered on Jambi and became a strong power. But finally, with the rise of Melaka, in the 14th century, Sriwijaya became a remote backwater. The region around Palembang still produces fine woven fabrics and performs unique Hindu-like dances.

“The population of Palembang is estimated at 1.4 million and they came from all ethnics in Indonesia, especially from South Sumatera and original inhabitant called ‘Wong Palembang’.”

To know more about Palembang and its history, one of the right places, was of course the museum. But before I went to Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Museum near the banks of the Musi River (the longest and largest river in Sumatra that divides Palembang into two parts – Ulu and Ilir) and also nor far away from the famous Jambatan (Bridge) Impera that was built by the Japanese as a compensation for its invasion in Indonesia; I went to the office of Dinas Pendidikan, Pemuda dan Olahraga ((National Department of Education, Youth and Sports) in Jalan Kapten Rivai.

I was met by Raudhah, 40, a ‘tatausaha’ (administer) there. She told me education in Indonesia was solely done in bahasa Indonesia. All students from Taman Kanak-Kanak (TK), Sekolah Dasar (SD), Sekolah Menengah Pertama (SMP), Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA), Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan (SMK) and universitas (university), were taught in bahasa Indonesia. Bahasa Indonesia derived from bahasa Melayu after that language was accepted as the national language of Indonesia from the ‘Sumpah Pemuda’ (Youth Oath), a historical event in 1928.

English, she said was also taught, but only as one of the few subjects offered in schools and among some subjects in universities but never as the language of instruction.

So what was actually bahasa Melayu? According to Abi Sofian, an administer at Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Museum, who took the writer almost two hours touring and explaining the artifacts there, the earliest Malay/Sanskrit inscription (writing) was traced on the Prasasti Kedukan Bukit (683 AD) and Prasasti Talang Tuwo (684 AD or 608 Saka Year of the Sriwijayan calendar).

“The writing on the stone, proved the Sriwijayan had a great civilization,” said Abi Sofian. “The Malay world covers a vast area. Even though the Sriwijayan empire during its peak covers almost the areas in Sumatera and the Malay Penisular, its sailors and travelers went as far as Madagasdar and Polynesia,” he said.

Abi Sofian said, although one of the Palembang king, Ariodamar who ruled from 1455-1486 converted to Islam and used the name of ArioAbdillah or Aridillah, the majority of his people were not Muslims, not until the formation of the state of Palembang Darussalam in 1659 headed by its Sultan, the famous of them was Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II who ruled from 1803 to 1821.

“This great Sultan choose not to be cooperative with the Dutch by accepting its adviser (the same status as the British Resident in the Malay states), but he was determined to push out the invader. War broke out, and at last the great city of Palembang fell in the hands of the Dutch. Today Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II had been declared as a national hero,” said Abi Sofian.

“Bahasa Melayu is a great language. When the kingdom (for example Sriwijaya and the Sultanate of Palembang) was strong, that language had become lingua franca of the people in vast parts of Asia. Bahasa Melayu is great, for example to describe various types of cannons, the Malays used different words such as ‘lela’, ‘rentaka’ and ‘meriam’ proved that it could be easily cushioned and adapted itself to changes including in scientific world of today,” he said.

In a lighter note, Abi Sofian pointed out that the word ‘meriam’ derived from the word ‘maria’ (Santa Maria), the prayers offered by the Dutch soldiers every time they took a shoot from their cannons.

In Palembang, people like Raudhah and Abi Sofian and almost all the people in the streets are proud of their bahasa Indonesia, but why must we abandon the teaching of Science and Mathematics in bahasa Melayu. I could not understand it; what’s wrong with bahasa Melayu? If the Malays themselves do not enriched it, who would do it? Are we asking the Dutch, the British or the Americans to enrich bahasa Melayu that was once used widely in this part of the world? Was it was because we were ashamed to use ‘imported’ words such as ‘tribulasi’, ‘kontradisi’, ‘korupsi’, ‘sekretaris’ and so on?

The visit to Palembang was an eye opener to me. While resting in the main hall of the Great Mosque (Masjid Agung) after an afternoon (zuhur) prayer one day, I felt as though I was at home. It was because the preacher, who was giving lessons, was speaking in perfect (standard) Malay, the same language at home; so must we abandoned this beautiful language of knowledge?

Masjid Agung was an abode, but the city witness the gritty and determination of its citizens in their struggle for a piece of bread. Palembang was cruel, but bahasa Melayu (bahasa Indonesia) was looked as an unifying factor and of course as a language of knowledge. It was ‘rojak’ all the way, for example the drivers of the hauntingly ‘BUS KOTA’ would understood and knew what to do when there was shouts of “STOP, STOP PAK!” Amazingly, the people knew how to speak half Malay, half English without even studying Science and Mathematics in English!