Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 45

Muharam 24, 1443: Menghayati Kemerdekaan jiwa dan raga (U)

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

Renungan

"Dan Dia yang menjadikan malam dan siang silih berganti bagi orang yang ingin mengambil pelajaran atau orang yang bersyukur." (Surah Al-Furqan; ayat 62) 

OGOS adalah bulan kemerdekaan. Selain Malaysia yang menyambut hari kebangsaan pada bulan ini, beberapa negara lain turut meraikan kemerdekaan masing-masing.

Singapura menyambut ulang tahun kemerdekaan pada 9 Ogos, Indonesia pada 17 Ogos, Pakistan pada 14 Ogos manakala India pada 15 Ogos. 

Sambutan kemerdekaan Pakistan dan India begitu bererti bagi rakyat kedua-dua negara yang bersaing hebat bagi membuktikan mereka adalah jaguh Asia Selatan.

Kedua-dua negara sudah terbabit dalam tiga peperangan, dua daripadanya membabitkan isu Kashmir.

Selain itu, Islamabad dan New Delhi juga didakwa bersaing memajukan senjata nuklear. Perkembangan ini kurang disenangi oleh Amerika Syarikat yang sudah pun bertindak ke atas Pakistan.

India juga diancam dikenakan tindakan selepas ia menguji peluru berpandu Prithvi.

India dikatakan lebih berjaya berbanding Pakistan dalam tempoh lima dekad sejak benua kecil itu merdeka. Ini berdasarkan satu tinjauan yang dibuat oleh majalah 'Far Eastern Economic Review' membabitkan 300 eksekutif.

Sembilan puluh lima peratus responden berkata India mempunyai kerajaan lebih demokratik berbanding Pakistan. India juga dilihat lebih stabil dari segi politik, lebih ke depan dalam pengurusan ekonomi dan lebih baik bagi membuat pelaburan.

Sekalipun isu Kashmir sering dikatakan sebagai punca ketegangan India-Pakistan, kedua-dua negara sebenarnya menghadapi pelbagai masalah dalaman yang boleh menjejaskan masa depan benua kecil itu.

Pakistan menghadapi pelbagai krisis puak, misalnya antara militan Syiah dan Sunnah yang menjejaskan keharmonian di wilayah Punjab dan Sindh. Sekalipun 97 peratus daripada 125 juta penduduk negara ini beragama Islam, perbezaan mazhab mencetuskan krisis yang mengamcam negara.

India pula menghadapi masalah berpunca daripada perbezaan agama penduduknya. Daripada lebih satu bilion penduduk India, 83 peratus beragama Hindu, 11 peratus beragama Islam, tiga peratus Kristian dan dua peratus Sikh.

Kemuncak perbalahan antara penduduk Hindu dan Islam ialah tindakan militan Hindu membakar Masjid Babri (didirikan oleh Maharaja Moghul, Babur, pada abad ke-16) pada 1992 dulu.

Rusuhan yang berlaku selepas peristiwa itu dan pergaduhan di Bombay menyebabkan beratus-ratus orang terbunuh.

Berbanding rakyat India dan Pakistan, penduduk negara kita lebih beruntung. Di negara kita tidak berlaku rusuhan, sebaliknya penduduk pelbagai kaum dan agama dapat hidup dalam suasana harmoni walaupun sekali-sekala berlaku pergeseran yang biasanya dapat dipadamkan dengan segera.

Setiap tahun, suasana meriah bagi menyambut ulang tahun kemerdekaan terasa apabila bendera Malaysia dan negeri mula dipasang dan dikibarkan di merata tempat.

Selain bangunan kedai dan pejabat, bendera dipasang di kenderaan dan rumah kediaman.

Suasana ini mungkin menggambarkan peningkatan semangat patriotik rakyat tetapi pengisian kemerdekaan bukan setakat mengibarkan bendera yang jika dihalusi menguntungkan pihak tertentu. Ia lebih daripada itu.

Kemerdekaan bukan hanya membabitkan negara tetapi juga masyarakat dan individu. Bagi saya, tidak bererti negara sudah merdeka tetapi anak bangsa masih dibelenggu dan terpenjara dalam pemasalahan masyarakat yang sukar diatasi.

Demikian perasaan yang membuak di dada ketika saya duduk sebentar di bangku panjang stesen bas ekspres Melaka pada suatu malam tidak lama dahulu sebaik saja tiba dari Kuala Lumpur ketika embun jantan mulai menitik.

Kerana keletihan, saya tertidur sepanjang perjalanan dan duduk sebentar di bangku itu bagi menghilangkan rasa kebingungan. Rupa-rupanya sebahagian bangku di situ berpenghuni.

Sebahagian daripadanya adalah pengembara terkandas manakala yang lain 'penghuni setia'nya. Mereka terdiri daripada golongan tidak siuman, pengemis, kutu rayau dan penagih.

Tong sampah di tempat itu sudah penuh menyebabkan sampah-sarap bertaburan, berbau dan menjijikkan.

Bosan dengan pemandangan itu, saya meneruskan perjalanan. Saya terserempak dengan dua wanita berpakaian seksi keluar dari sebuah pusat hiburan. Mereka berbual dalam bahasa Melayu sambil ketawa nyaring dan kemudian menghilang entah ke mana.

Kemudian saya melewati sebuah pusat permainan video. Pengunjungnya masih ramai sekalipun waktu sudah awal pagi.

Mereka terus hanyut dalam keseronokan yang dicipta sendiri tanpa mempedulikan keadaan sekeliling.

Berhampiran sebuah pawagam, saya lihat seorang wanita (mungkin pondan) berdiri, seperti menunggu seseorang. Saya amati hampir setiap malam dia menanti (pelanggan?) dengan setia di situ. Di belakang deretan kedai dekat stesen bas tempatan juga terdapat beberapa pondan berkumpul.

Sekumpulan anak muda bermotosikal memecah keheningan malam. Mereka sengaja membunyikan enjin motosikal kuat-kuat, memecut dan berlumba sebaik saja lampu isyarat bertukar hijau.

Di kaki lima jalan, seorang lelaki tidur (mabuk?) dengan lengannya dijadikan bantal.

Fikiran saya kacau menyaksikan senario tengah malam itu. Terfikir saya apakah ertinya kemerdekaan bagi insan ini jika jiwa dan raga belum lagi merdeka?

Muharam 23, 1443: Tuntutlah ilmu bagi memerdekakan bangsa...

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

Renungan

"Setiap hari lautan meminta izin kepada Tuhannya seraya berkata, 'Wahai Tuhanku, berilah izin kepadaku untuk menenggelamkan anak cucu Adam, ia makan rezeki daripada-Mu, ia menyembah kepada selain-Mu.' Langit juga memohon kepada Allah seraya berkata: 'Wahai Tuhanku, berilah izin kepadaku untuk menelungkupkannya, ia makan daripada rezeki-Mu, tapi ia menyembah kepada selain-Mu.' Bumi juga memohon seraya berkata: 'Wahai Tuhanku, izinkan kepadaku untuk menelan anak cucu Adam, ia makan rezeki daripada-Mu, tapi ia menyembah kepada selain-Mu.' Mendengar permohonan mereka, Allah Taala menjawab: 'Biarkan mereka, kalau Aku sudah menciptakan mereka, Aku harus mengasihani mereka." (Petikan Hadis Qudsi)

Ku kerap terlupa apa yang ku pelajari pada masa tua

sedang yang ku pelajari pada masa muda

tidak pula ku terlupa

takkan berkesan ilmu itu

kecuali yang dituntut pada masa muda

kalaulah boleh dibelah hati si pelajar pada waktu muda

kelihatan ilmunya umpama ukiran di atas batu

ilmu itu tak akan berkesan jika dituntut pada usia tua

Pabila tumpul hati

tumpullah pendengaran dan penglihatan

hidup manusia bergantung dua; akal dan logikanya

Pabila luput kedua-duanya, hidup sia-sia tidak berhaluan

RENUNGILAH syair Arab ini dan fikir-fikirkanlah maksudnya. Semakin tua seseorang semakin sukarlah untuk dia menerima ilmu.

Fikiran seseorang kanak-kanak masih banyak ruang kosong, membolehkan dia mudah menerima ilmu sedangkan orang dewasa banyak perkara perlu difikirkan menyebabkan dia sukar menerima perkara baru, kata orang masuk telinga kanan, keluar telinga kiri.

Kali ini saya utarakan kepentingan anak-anak muda kita gigih menimba ilmu pada ketika negara kita menyambut ulang tahun kemerdekaan ke-64.

Selain anak-anak muda, adalah penting untuk pemimpin kita memikirkan masa depan negara yang masih muda ini. Sebagai seseorang insan, 59 tahun adalah usia meniti kematangan tetapi bagi sesebuah bangsa dan tamadun, usia 64 tahun adalah amat muda.

Perkara pertama yang mahu disentuh adalah mengenai erti kemerdekaan itu sendiri. Bagi seorang kanak-kanak, Hari Merdeka mungkin bermaksud hari mengibar bendera perarakan dan nyanyian. Bagi sesetengah orang, perlakuan itu bermaksud menunjukkan semangat patriotik.

Tetapi bagi seorang dewasa yang matang fikirannya tentulah maksud kemerdekaan itu lebih daripada itu. Kemerdekaan mempunyai maksud terlalu luas dan bukan bebas daripada cengkaman penjajah asing saja.

Saya teringat khutbah Jumaat yang saya amati di Masjid Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) beberapa tahun lalu. Khatibnya berkata kemerdekaan bukan saja bermaksud mengakhiri penjajahan sesuatu bangsa ke atas bangsa lain.

Kemerdekaan juga bermaksud mengakhiri penjajahan sesuatu bangsa ke atas bangsanya sendiri. Khatib mengambil contoh perjuangan Rasulullah s.a.w. untuk membebaskan bangsa baginda (Quraisy) daripada penjajahan mental ketua suku kaum mereka.

Hampir 10 tahun selepas berhijrah ke Madinah, barulah baginda dapat memerdekakan penduduk Makkah daripada amalan keji seperti menyembah berhala. Selepas pembersihan kota suci Makkah, Islam dapat berkembang dengan pesat di seluruh Jazirah Arab.

Bagi orang Melayu yang merdeka jiwanya, tentulah kemerdekaan itu tidak hanya bermaksud bebas daripada cengkaman penjajah British saja.

Ramai yang berkata penjajahan dalam bentuk fizikal mungkin tidak berulang tetapi cengkaman kuasa asing dalam bentuk lain masih wujud. Contohnya penjajahan dari segi ekonomi dan budaya.

Hari ini kita dapat saksikan kebenaran dakwaan itu. Dari segi ekonomi, kita masih bergantung kepada kuasa besar perdagangan yang bukan di kalangan negara Islam manakala globalisasi menyaksikan penduduk dunia amat mengenali KFC, McDonald's, Coke dan sebagainya.

Kita juga amat mengenali Hollywood dan Bollywood, sekali gus mengesahkan kita sebenarnya tidak merdeka dalam erti kata sebenarnya.

Jika kita menghayati apa yang berlaku kepada bangsa Melayu sendiri, kita akan sedar dalam banyak segi kita masih jauh daripada menepati maksud kemerdekaan itu.

Orang Melayu masih hidup dalam kelompok-kelompok tertentu dengan kumpulan berkuasa menjajah kumpulan yang tiada kuasa. Kumpulan tiada kuasa berterusan ditekan, hatta dalam menyatakan pandangan masing-masing.

Berdasarkan senario ini, adalah amat penting untuk anak-anak muda menimba ilmu sebanyak mungkin bagi memerdekakan bangsanya daripada diterus dijajah termasuk oleh bangsanya sendiri. Ilmu itu amat berkesan ditimba semasa muda sebagai bekalan untuk berjuang sepanjang hayat.

Janganlah persia-siakan usia muda kerana Rasulullah s.a.w. pernah bersabda yang bermaksud: "Pergunakan lima perkara sebelum datang lima perkara - hidupmu sebelum matimu, sihatmu sebelum sakitmu, lapangmu sebelum sibukmu, zaman mudamu sebelum tuamu dan masa kayamu sebelum papamu." - Riwayat Al-Baihaki daripada Ibnu Abbas.

Muharam 22, 1443: Celebrating 'Merdeka' as 'ibadah'

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

Reflection 

Surah 114, An-Nas, the second of the two cries for refuge and protection, takes its name from a recurring word which marks the rhythm in the Arabic. In this case protection is sought especially from the evil in a man's own heart in the hearts of other men. An early Meccan revelation 

MANKIND 

Revealed at Mecca 

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.  1. Say; I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,  2. The King of mankind, 3. The God of mankind, 4. From the evil of the sneaking whisperer,  5. Who whispereth in the hearts of mankind, 6. Of the jinn of mankind. 

(The Meaning of the GLORIOUS QUR'AN, The Final Revelation, An Explanaory Translation by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall) 

HOW often have we heard of 'ustazs' (religious teachers) advising us when performing our religious obligations such as saying our 'solat' (prayers) or 'siyam' (fasting) that we should treat these as though they were our last deeds because in this way we would put our maximum effort in doing them.

Other than religious obligations, in doing our routine chores such as a husband wishing goodbye to his beloved wife before going off to work; he and she should consider it their last tender moment because  nobody would know what would happen after that.

'Subhanallah' (Glory be to God) everything is in His hand. Perhaps in the early morning a wife would be in a cheerful mood while sending off her 'fresh and tidy' husband to work, but at the end of the day she may face her hardest and saddest moment if she receives news of her husband being killed in an accident.

If the thought of not having another opportunity to do certain good deeds such as praying, fasting or sending a spouse off to work as mentioned above, then we would have 'the power' and motivation to perform our best in all of our undertakings whether in our relations with Allah SWT such as praying and between human beings such as relations between a husband and wife.

In Islam all our actions are considered 'ibadah' (acts of worship) and would be rewarded by Allah The Greatest; be in small matters such as going to the toilet or of highly looked upon jobs such as administrating departments to governing states or countries. But one important aspect must be looked upon and that is our 'niat' (intention); if our 'niat' is in line with the teaching of Islam then we would be rewarded otherwise, our deeds would be wasted.

Even having sex with one's spouse is considered an 'ibadah' - a Muslim would be rewarded when he/she practices this act, as he/she is rewarded when he/she does any other acts of prescribed types of worship. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) alluded to this concept when he said, which reads as follows: “(A Muslim) would have intercourse with his spouse and would be rewarded for it. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: Oh Messenger of Allah! A person would be rewarded while satisfying his sexual need? Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied: Yes. Isn't it that he would be punished had he practiced sex illegally? The same applies if a Muslim practiced lawful intercourse with his spouse. As such, he would be rewarded.” (Ahmad)

Well, if doing 'small things' such as going to the toilet could be an 'ibadah', then what could be said about 'bigger and more important things' such as celebrating one’s country’s independence day or 'Hari Merdeka'. It is also an 'ibadah' if we fulfill the requirements stipulated in Islam.

First of all, what's the definition of 'merdeka'? The 'Kamus Dwibahasa Oxford Fajar' describes it as 'independent'; not dependent on or controlled by another person or thing while 'Kamus Perwira' defines it as 'bebas' or in English – independent/free. 'Kemerdekaan' means 'freedom or independence' and an example given is: "Malaya berjaya mencapai kemerdekaannya pada tahun 1957 - Malaya gained its independence in 1957."

Now, let us look at what renowned Muslims have said about 'merdeka'. At the height of the conquest of Persia, the Muslim general, Sa'ad ibn Waqqas carried out Caliph Umar Al-Khattab's will and sent to Rustum (or Rustam), the Persian great general, a number of his companions lead by Asim ibn Amir to call on him to follow Islam and Allah's path.

The conversation between them and the Persian leader lasted long. Finally they ended their talk by Asim telling him, "Allah has chosen us to turn whom He chooses of His creatures from paganism to monotheism, from the narrowness of life to its freedom, from the ruler's injustice to Islam's fairness. Whoever accepts our offer we will leave him alone and will refrain from hurting him. Whoever fights us, we will fight him until we fulfill Allah's promise."

The points elaborated by Asim to Rustum are looked upon as the meaning of 'merdeka' (freedom). It was regarding 'transforming' people from paganism to monotheism, from the limitations of life to freedom and from a ruler's injustice to the fairness in Islam.

Well, what's an example of Islam’s fairness?  'Aisha narrated this hadith: "Usama approached the Prophet on behalf of a woman (who had committed theft). The Prophet said, 'The people before you were destroyed because they used to inflict the legal punishments on the poor and forgive the rich. By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! If Fatima (the daughter of the Prophet) did that (i.e. stole), I would cut off her hand'." (Sahih Bukhari)

In Islam, each of us is equal in the eyes of Allah SWT. There is no difference between a rich and a poor man. Yes, only 'takwa' (fear of Allah) differentiates people for He says in the Qur'an: "O mankind! We have created you from a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is that who has At-Taqwa. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware." - (Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 13)

Before ending this piece, as a Muslim allow me to pen my opinion about 'merdeka'. 'Merdeka' means that we are free to practice all our religious obligations and as Muslims we have the right to implement all of Allah SWT’s commands including hudud law (because it is mentioned in the Qur'an) and preventing ‘mungkar’ (sins).

Having reservations on any of Allah SWT’s commands is a clear violation of our oath, the ‘syahadah’, that we will submit and obey all of Allah SWT’s commands. Some scholars even say having such an attitude will nullify our ‘syahadah’ and is sufficient to make a person ‘kafir’ (a non-believer).

And Allah SWT has given us warning on this matter in Ayah 85 Surah al-Baqarah (...Believe ye in part of the Scripture and disbelive ye in part thereof?...) where Allah SWT warns us not to become like the Children of Israel who disobey some of Allah SWT’s commandments in the Taurah and reject the others.

Well, we are not fully 'merdeka' if we only practice some of what Allah orders us but refrain from the others. 'Insha-Allah (God Willing) we should tirelessly work our way (this is an 'ibadah') untill all His commands are put into practice on Earth! 

Muharam 21, 1443: 'Engkau bebas merdeka daripada segala sesuatu'...

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

Renungan

"Maafkanlah dan suruhlah (mengerjakan) yang makruf dan berpalinglah daripada orang-orang yang jahil." - Q.S. Al-A'raf: 199)

SEORANG teman bengang kerana seorang penceramah jemputan di sebuah masjid berhampiran kediaman penulis tidak lama dahulu secara tidak zahir 'menghentam' rakyat pada ketika harga barangan keperluan melambung tinggi.

Teman itu memberitahu pada masa akan datang, dia akan ke masjid lain jika mendapat maklumat awal penceramah itu diundang sekali lagi.

Penceramah itu yang memetik mutiara daripada al-Quran dan kisah hidup Rasul SAW dan sahabatnya; memfokuskan bahawa rakyat tidak tahu bersyukur - misalnya jika manusia itu bersyukur, Allah SWT akan menambah pemberian (nikmat-Nya) tetapi jika kufur seksaan Allah SWT amat pedih.

Beliau juga membawakan kisah Nabi Muhammad SAW yang tidak makan berhari-hari kerana tiada apa yang hendak dimakan sehingga terpaksa mengikat batu di perut apabila mahu beribadat. 

Dia juga menceritakan bahawa pada zaman Khalifah Umar Al-Khattab ada rakyat menderita tak makan sehinggakan Umar yang membuat tinjauan pada malam hari, terpaksa mengambil barangan daripada simpanan Baitulmal untuk memberi makan kepada rakyat.

Oleh itu, kata penceramah itu, ujian kesusahan yang rakyat hadapi kini termasuklah hal membabitkan cukai hanya kecil; sewajarnya rakyat bersyukur dengan terus mengukuhkan hubungan dengan Allah SWT seperti bersolat sebaliknya jangan banyak merungut, menyalahkan pemimpin dan sebagainya. 

Jika teman saya itu menyuarakan ketidakpuasan hatinya terhadap pandangan penceramah, saya sebagai penulis memilih untuk tidak memberi sebarang pandangan sebaliknya menyiarkan pandangan dan pengalaman orang lain termasuk pembaca yang mengutus komen mengenai harga barangan keperluan asas yang tinggi sekarang ini.

Seorang pembaca, Ujang, menulis (tak di'edit', saya ambil sepenuhnya dalam ruangan komen blog saya): "Buat airmata saya menitik, menitik sebab terkenang pengalaman nak beli bahan mentah takda duit, terkenang merintih di atas tikar sejadah sewaktu kjaan naikkan harga petrol, terkenang merintih kpd Allah swt takut sebab harga petrol naik maka tak mampu nak ke masjid lagi..merintih kpd Allah swt sebab adakah harga petrol naik, maka aku terpaksa berbasikal untuk ke masjid, aku merintih waktu tu kpd allah supaya janganlah kerana kesan keputusan kjaan maka aku tak ke masjid berjemaah, orang lain mungkin sinis apa yg aku nyatakan di sini sebab anda berkemampuan, tp aku yg pernah takda kemampuan pernah merintih atas keputusan kjaan, sesungguhnya aku sayangkan Allah swt sebab hanya DIA yang boleh membantu, aku bersyukur kpd MU YA Allah."

Secara kebetulan pula, suatu malam, apabila saya ke sebuah surau berhampiran, tuan guru mensyarahkan kitab Al-Hikam (terjemahan dan syarahan Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri mengenai Hikmah 60 bertajuk 'Engkau bebas merdeka daripada segala sesuatu' dengan mutiara katanya bermaksud: "Engkau bebas merdeka daripada segala sesuatu yang engkau tidak memerlukannya, dan engkau tetap menjadi hamba kepada sesuatu yang kau harapkan (inginkan)."

Dalam bab ini ada dihikayatkan seorang ahli hikmah yang mengutip biji-biji di air kerana inginkan makanan (untuk dimakan). Kata orang kepadanya: "Kalau kamu berkhidmat kepada sultan, nescaya kamu tidak makan seperti ini."

Jawab ahli hikmah itu bermaksud: "Kalau kamu cukup dengan cara ini, kamu tidak berhajat kepada khidmat sultan."

Demikianlah, carilah kemerdekaan pada diri, tidak payah mengampu sana sini; Ibn 'Ataillah (pengarang kitab Hikam) berkata: "Carilah warak untuk dirimu lebih banyak daripada mencari yang lain. Bersihkan daripada sifat tamak kepada makhluk kerana orang tamak tidak boleh bersih sekalipun dengan menggunakan tujuh lautan air..."

Muharam 20, 1443: Kalau mahu makan durian sebakul...

 

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

Daripada Aisyah r.a., berkata: "Saya mendengar Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda: 'Semua manusia dikumpulkan tanpa memakai alas kaki, telanjang dan belum dikhatan.' Aisyah bertanya; 'Apakah antara lelaki dan perempuan akan saling melihat antara satu dengan yang lain?' Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda: 'Urusan pada hari itu lebih dahsyat daripada mementingkan hal-hal seperti itu.'" (HR. Bukhari dan Muslim)

ADIK saya yang baru mencecah usia 40 tahun menghidap penyakit gaut (gout). Kasihan saya tengok dia tak boleh makan daging apatah lagi makanan laut yang sedap-sedap seperti udang, sotong dan ketam.
Saya yang berusia hampir 60 tahun, alhamdulillah tiada gaut tetapi diserang penyakit kencing manis dan darah tinggi sejak berusia 40 tahun. Maka tidak bolehlah saya makan makanan serta minuman manis berlebihan termasuklah durian, ooh ini buah 'favorit' (kesukaaan) saya.
Apabila membeli durian atau ada anggota keluarga membawanya pulang, saya hanya makan seulas dua - ya kata orang nak merasanya saja. Ada kalanya saya tidak dapat tahan nafsu, maka saya 'bedal' tiga, empat, lima ulas dan seterusnya...akibatnya kepala menjadi pening semacam manakala kekerapan kencing bertambah.
Kadang-kadang rasa macam mahu pengsan dan rebah ke bumi. Demikianlah nasib saya dan sebahagian besar insan lain yang sudah sampai ke usia senja (tua), apabila duit mulai lebat dalam poket malah boleh membeli sebakul atau selori durian, makan pula dah tidak berapa boleh lagi. Dulu masa muda ketika berselera makan durian sebanyak mungkin, duit pula tak banyak dalam poket, jadi terpaksalah terkebil-kebil biji mata.
Orang sufi berasa hairan mengapa manusia terlalu gila mahu menjadi kaya raya harta – bertimbun-timbun duit dalam bank. Duit itu bukan boleh digunakannya untuk makan sesuka hati, apabila semakin tua semakin kuranglah selera untuk makan apatah lagi selepas diserang penyakit biasa bagi kebanyakan orang veteran seperti diabetes (kencing manis), gaut, darah tinggi dan lemah jantung.

Orang tua makannya sedikit saja, jadi apa perlu duit bertimbun dalam bank. Ini kerana jika makan durian, dia boleh makan seulas dua saja; jika makan daging, juga secebis dua; dan jika minum, minum air kosong saja (tanpa gula). Ada pula yang lebih malang lagi, tak boleh makan makanan lazat-lazat termasuk nasi, yang boleh dimakannya roti kering saja. Malah ada tak boleh makan dan minum secara normal, terpaksa guna tiub, jadi untuk apa duit banyak-banyak di bank itu?

Ada orang lagi tua lagi ligat mengumpul harta, kononnya senanglah mereka berbuat itu dan ini termasuklah berkahwin muda. Mereka tetap mahu berkuasa di puncak, terlalu leka menikmati keindahan dunia yang bagaikan syurgawi itu. Orang tua kahwin wanita muda memang bagus, kata seorang pemikir kerana dakwanya, “kalau kelapa tua (santannya) dipadankan dengan sayur muda barulah sedap lauk masakan” tetapi ingat-ingatlah kerana seorang pemikir lain menyatakan betapa menyusahkan seorang tua 'berbinikan' wanita muda tang, tang, tang.
Pada usia tua ini, alhamdulillah sempat saya ke kelas pengajian di masjid terutama di antara maghrib dan isyak. Mengenai bab tua, kata sesetengah guru, perubahan yang berlaku kepada diri kita adalah perkhabaran dari langit, daripada Allah SWT yang mengingatkan kita akan kematian.

Seorang tok guru berkata dalam kebanyakan kes, kematian tidak berlaku secara mengejut seperti dakwaan sesetengah orang. Allah SWT telah menghantar utusannya, tetapi kebanyakan manusia tidak menyedarinya. Salah satu daripadanya adalah penyakit, apabila umur meningkat 40 tahun ke atas, pelbagai penyakit mula menyerang.
Kata tok guru, cerminlah diri sendiri. Rambut mulai putih, ada yang sudah botak; misai dan janggut juga sudah lebih banyak putih daripada hitam. Ini semua adalah utusan daripada Allah SWT, awak sebenarnya semakin hampir dengan kubur, tetapi mengapa tidak sedar-sedar diri?
Kemudian badan pula terasa lenguh-lenguh; sana sini sendi sakit; kemampuan dan kekuatan pun tidak seperti dulu. Berjalan sikit sudah letih; apatah lagi berlari atau mendaki tangga, tercunggap-cunggap dan mengah, bagai mahu putus nafas.
Suatu hari selepas tamat seorang tok guru memberi tazkirah, saya memberanikan diri bertanya beliau: "Tuan, bagaimana saya dapat reda dengan situasi ini - dulu masa muda saya boleh makan durian sebanyak-banyaknya tetapi masalahnya saya tiada duit, sekarang ini dengan duit yang ada saya boleh beli sebakul durian, tetapi tak boleh makan pula?"
Jawapan tok guru mudah sekali, membuatkan saya tercengang-cengang: "Dengan duit yang ada, awak belilah sebakul atau selori durian sekalipun. Ambillah sebiji dan rasalah seulas. Yang lain tu hantarlah ke sekolah budak tahfiz. Atau sedekahkan kepada orang muda yang boleh makan...di dunia ini awak tak boleh makan sebakul durian, insya-Allah kalau awak masuk syurga nanti awak boleh makan seberapa banyak durian yang awak suka kerana di sana tiada penghuninya yang berpenyakit kencing manis, darah tinggi dan sebagainya...!"

Muharam 19, 1443: Pejuang Afghanistan, usah ulangi kesilapan...

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

Renungan

Firman Allah Taala: "Sesungguhnya orang-orang mukmin itu apabila disebutkan Allah nescaya gementarlah hati mereka ketakutan (laksana hati jadi jilah bersih dan hidup)." (al-Anfhal, ayat 2)

KIRA-KIRA 20 tahun lalu (Nov/Dis 2001) saya berada di sempadan Pakistan-Afghanistan bersama pasukan perubatan/bantuan PAS bagi membantu pelarian di samping melaporkan perkembangan terkini di bumi bergolak itu yang diinjak-injak penuh sombong tentera sofistikated Amerika.

Hari ini tentera Amerika malah Washington sendiri tertunduk malu besar, penuh penghinaan terpaksa meninggalkan Afghanistan yang tak pernah terkalah oleh kuasa penjajah dunia - dahulunya British, kemudian Soviet Union (USSR) dan terkini Amerika Syarikat.

Namun selepas tewasnya British dan USSR, Afghanistan tak pernah aman, dan kali ini selepas Taliban berjaya menegakkan kerajaan di Kabul berikutan pengunduran tentera Amerika, didoakan bumi ini dapat mencatatkan lembaran baharu yang memberi sinar kepada umat Islam dan dunia seluruhnya.

Ketika tumbangnya rejim Najibullah boneka USSR di Afghanistan pada 1992, dunia Islam berharap kerajaan baharu Mujahidin yang ditubuhkan di Kabul menjadi contoh kegemilangan tamadun Islam zaman moden.

Ditambah kemunculan enam republik Islam di Asia Tengah (Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan dan Kazakhstan), selepas kehancuran USSR pada 1991, harapan kembali berbunga bahawa tamadun Islam akan kembali bersinar selepas hancurnya daulah Islamiyah Uthmaniyah Turki pada 1924, gara-gara 'permainan licik' Kamal Ataturk.

Malangnya impian itu menjadi igauan apabila Afghanistan menjadi 'neraka dunia'. Penduduknya yang sudah melalui kesengsaraan perang berikutan campur tangan USSR terus menderita. Kali ini di tangan saudara seagama dan kemudian oleh si penjarah zalim Amerika pimpinan presiden gila, George W Bush.

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

Kemunculan kumpulan pelajar, Taliban adalah di luar jangkaan, tetapi mereka mendapat sokongan rakyat. Pada pertengahan dekad 90-an, mereka berjaya menguasai hampir keseluruhan bumi Afghanistan dan akhirnya berkuasa pada 1996-2001 sebelum 'dibantai' secara zalim oleh Amerika berikutan Tragedi.11 September 2001.

Ketika memerintah, pendekatan dan kesungguhan Taliban melaksanakan hukum-hakam Islam yang didakwa 'secara keras (mengikut tafsiran mereka)', menyebabkan mereka terasing daripada dunia Islam sendiri dan dicemburui Barat. Suatu ketika tindakan mereka menghancurkan patung purba Buddha di Bamiyan, mencetuskan kemarahan dunia.

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

Hasilnya Afghanistan hancur tetapi Amerika dengan bongkaknya berkata demokrasi sedang berkembang selepas meletakkan bonekanya, Hamid Karzai sebagai presiden yang kuasanya berakhir pada 2014 dan digantikan oleh Ashraf Ghani yang akhirnya terpaksa melarikan diri ke Emiriyah Arab Bersatu (UAE) ketika Taliban mara ke Kabul.

Kini, Taliban yang kembali berkuasa, mengumumkan penubuhan negara Emiriyah Islam Afghanistan. Munculnya kembali Taliban berkuasa di Kabul selepas 20 tahun apatah lagi selepas berjaya membawa pengunduran tentera Amerika disambut gegak gempita sebahagian pihak di dunia Islam.

Ada yang mendakwa ini sebahagian daripada kebangkitan Islam...akan munculnya Panji-Panji Hitam Dari Timur, petanda kemunculan Imam Mahadi dan sebagainya.

Apa pun dakwaan pihak-pihak ini selepas kejayaan Taliban menguasai Kabul, diharap pejuang atau mujahidin Afghanistan tidak mengulangi apa yang mungkin didakwa sebagai kesilapan lampau (ketika berkuasa dahulu) iaitu apa didakwa sikap keras mereka seperti tidak membenarkan murid perempuan ke sekolah.

Sehubungan itu, disambut baik apa didakwa sebagai era baharu pemerintahan Taliban seperti diikrarkan oleh pengasas bersama dan pemimpin politik kumpulan Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar bahawa pihaknya akan menjalin hubungan baik dengan negara luar dan menghormati hak-hak wanita di Afghanistan.

Abdul Ghani yang digembar-gemburkan bakal Presiden Afghanistan.berusaha meredakan ketakutan rakyat yang khuatir zaman pemerintahan agak keras kumpulan itu akan kembali sama seperti sebelum ini.

“Kami tidak mahu ada musuh dalaman atau luaran. Wanita boleh bekerja, belajar dan akan dibenarkan bergiat aktif dalam masyarakat tetapi perlu mengikut syariat Islam,” kata jurucakap Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid dalam sidang akhbar pertama kumpulan itu selepas menguasai Kabul. Katanya, terdapat perbezaan sangat besar antara pentadbiran Taliban sekarang berbanding 20 tahun lalu, katanya.

Benar, dunia apatah lagi dunia Islam berharap Taliban sudah matang pada peluang kedua ini. Jangka waktu 20 tahun bukan singkat; jika anak-anak Pashtun (kaum majoriti di Afghanistan dan ramai berada di Pakistan) yang saya (penulis) santuni di kem-kem pelarian sempadan Afghanistan-Pakistan ketika itu berusia 10 tahun, mereka kini sudah menjadi pemuda sasa dan pemudi cerdas dalam membangunkan bumi pertiwi tercinta (Afghanistan) sekali gus membela Islam. Allahuakbar!

Muharam 18, 1443: Prepare for our long, long journey...

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)

ITS hard for me to digest what was told by an ‘ustaz’ (religious teacher) in a ‘tazkirah’ (lesson) at a ‘masjid’ near my house recently when he said that people (human beings) would spend about 500,000 years in ‘Padang Mahsyar’ (Hashr). One day in ‘Padang Mahsyar’ equals 50,000 years on earth.

Alhamdulillah (All praise belongs to God) a few days later, I came across this item in a newspaper that helped in my understanding about life. Among others, the report with a heading 'Oldest fossil dated by Aussies at about 3.7 billion-years-old' noted:

Life on Earth is even older than first thought, said Australian­ ­scientists as they unveiled fossils dating back 3.7 billion years, providing a potential new spur to study whether Mars once had life.

The fossilised structures — called stromatolites — preserved in ancient rocks along the edge of Greenland’s ice cap were 220 million years older than the previous record holders.

They prove that life emerged just a few hundred million years after the Earth was formed some 4.5 billion years ago, said lead researcher Allen Nutman of the University of Wollongong.

“This discovery represents a new benchmark for the oldest preserved evidence of life on Earth,” said Martin Julian Van Kranendonk, a geology professor at the University of NSW and one of the co-authors of the study published in the journal Nature.

“The structures and geochemistry from the newly exposed outcrops in Greenland display all of the features used in younger rocks to argue for a biological origin. It points to a rapid emergence of life on Earth.”

The 1cm to 4cm high Isua stromatolites — exposed after the melting of a snow patch in the Isua Greenstone Belt — matched other biological evidence on the evolution of the genetic code that placed the origins of life in a similar period, Professor Nutman said.

“This indicates the Earth was no longer some sort of hell 3.7 billion years ago,” he said. “It was a place where life could flourish.”

This news caught my attention; I made a paper cutting of it and put it inside my wallet, and one morning after a ‘kuliah subuh’ (early morning lesson) by an ‘ustaz’, I showed the piece to him and asked whether there’s ‘somebody’ on Earth before the existence of Prophet Adam peace be upon him (a.s.)

The ‘ustaz’ said, some scholars believed that Prophet Adam a.s. was sent to Earth some 10,000 years ago, Ibrahim (Abraham) a.s. some 4,000 years ago, Musa (Moses) a.s. some 3,500 years ago, Isa (Jesus) a.s. some 2,000 years ago while the seal of Prophets, Muhammad s.a.w. some 1,500 years ago. The question is; who ‘flourished’ Earth before the coming of Prophet Adam a.s.?

He said, according to scholars, there is nothing in the Qur’an or ‘sunnah’ (prophetic teachings) to indicate that there were any people living on Earth before Adam a.s. Rather the reports that speak of this are the opinions of ‘mufassireen’ (Qur'an commentators) among the ‘sahabah’ (companions) and ‘tabi‘een’ (successors).

Some said that the Earth was inhabited by the jinn, whom Allah SWT created from fire. At-Tabari narrated in his Tafseer from Ibn ‘Abbas r.a. that he said: “The first ones to dwell on earth were the jinn, and they caused mischief therein, shedding blood and killing one another.” Others said that there was no one on earth, jinn or otherwise, before Adam a.s.

Many scholars of tafseer say that the jinn were created before Adam a.s. and before them on Earth there were the hinn and the binn, then Allah caused the jinn to prevail over them, so they killed them and expelled them from the Earth and inhabited it after them.

After reading that scientists had evidence that there was life on Earth some 3.7 billion years ago, it was easy for me to understand when some ‘ustazs’ said that human beings would spend thousands and thousands of years during the 12 stages of life in the Hereafter such as in ‘barzakh’ (grave), ‘qiyama’ (judgment day), ‘mahsyar’ (al-hashr or gathering), ‘al-mizan’ (the scales of deeds) and ‘as-sirat al-mustaqeem’ (the straight path).

Remember that our life of perhaps 60 to 70 years on Earth was nothing compared to life on Earth which was proved to exist some 3.7 billion years ago what’s more in the Hereafter where we would lead a never-ending life! Our life in this world is temporary and we are just like a traveler. In his 'hadith'; Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said: "My similitude and that of the life of this world is that of a traveler who took a rest at mid-day under a shade of a tree and then left it." (Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and al-Hakim) Thus, as 'a learned person' please prepare for our long, long (forever and ever) journey in the Hereafter. Remember we only have 'a one ticket' - there's no 'return ticket'!

‘As-sirat al-mustaqeem’ is like a bridge which runs hell underneath. The width of this bridge is like a strand of hair is cut seven and it is sharper than the sword. For believers it will be widened and facilitated crossing.  Fudhail bin Iyadh said mesh is time-consuming travel 15,000 years – 5,000 years upward, 5,000 years moving horizontally and 5,000 year of decline. 

If some scholars said Prophet Adam a.s. existed some 10,000 years ago, then he a.s. the people of his era were in ‘barzakh’ for that period of time. They are still in their graves, waiting for the ‘qiyama’. Some people would felt it long in their graves, others felt it was short; Allah SWT can do anything to time for He is The Creator of time; He is The Controller of time and space. It is His wish to do anything including time. In Ayahs 80-81 Surah Yasin, Allah SWT says: “Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth Able to create the like of them? Aye, that He is! for He is the All-Wise Creator. But His command, when He intendeth a thing, is only that he saith unto it: Be! And it is.”

The 'ustaz' said that in this world we needed to be on His straight path and perform good deeds as much as possible. It was because, in the Hereafter, we needed a lot of 'pahala' (rewards for good deeds) to 'finance' ourselves during our 'long long journey' before we would rewarded with Paradise or thrown into Hell (nauzubillah - God forbid). 

Please remember, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: sadaqah jariyah (ceaseless charity); knowledge which is beneficial; or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (the deceased).” (Sahih Muslim)

The 'ustaz' told parents to work hard in raising virtuous sons and daughters who would be one of our greatest assets after our death. To have these beneficial off-springs the father must be in His straight path as Allah SWT says in the Qur'an: "O! You who believe, save yourself and your families from Hell-fire, whose fuel are humans and stones (idols) over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded." (At-Tahrim 66:6)

He reminded Muslims not to waste their time; there is a hadith which states: "Grasp five things before five others: your youth before your decrepitude, your health before you fall sick, your wealth before going into poverty, your free time before you get busy and lastly your life before your death (Tirmidhi); when we would embark for our long, long journey. 

Muharam 17, 1443: Afghan’s never ending story…oops war! (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.

A few years ago while browsing an English language daily, I was struck by an article entitled ‘America’s longest war gets longer’ by Eric S Margolis which stated that for the past 13 years (now 20 years), America, the world’s greatest military and economic power, has been trying to crush the life out of Afghan Pashtun mountain tribesmen.

The writer noted the Pashtun’s primary sin is fiercely opposing occupation by the US and its local Afghan opium-growing stooges. This longest of war has cost nearly US$1 trillion to date – all of it is borrowed money – and caused  and death of 3,518 US and coalition troops, including 158 Canadians who blundered into a war none of them understood.

If Afghanistan is ‘hell’ to American and its coalition soldiers; it is also a ‘mass grave’ for the Afghan people – tens of thousands of Afghan are being killed…but no one has the courage to end this pointless war. To people like Margolis it is a pointless war but to some like the Taliban it is 'jihad' - a struggle to free their land from the oppressor.

Perhaps in Afghanistan, the Americans could took pride in their achievement in installing a puppet regime in Kabul with its first president, Hamid Karzai and now at helm is a former banker, Ashraf Ghani (he abandoned his palace and ran for life to UAE).

Afghanistan reminded me that in 2001 I was at its border with Pakistan to monitor the latest political development in that country after it was raided by the American troops. I too was assigned to cover the plight of Afghan refugees in Peshawar, the capital city of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) which shared the boundaries line with Afghanistan.

The majority of the people in NWFP are Pashtuns, perhaps it is not wrong to say that it is part of Pashtunistan that actually does not exist. This group of people have strong sentiments shared with their brothers in Afghanistan.

In fact there are more than 30 million Pashtuns in Pakistan, outnumbering the 13 million Pashtuns in Afghanistan. The Pashtuns are the biggest group of people in Afghanistan. They represent about 40 percent of the Afghan society.

There are about nine million Tajiks in Afghanistan, more than the six million Tajiks in Tajikistan. The three million Uzbeks in Afghanistan are just a fraction of the 23 million Uzbeks in Uzbeksistan. There are about 200,000 Turkmens in Afghanistan compared to four million in Turkmenistan.

Based on this fact, some scholars take note that is wrong to say Afghanistan is a country. They say Afghanistan is neither a state nor a nation. Thus no government actually control the entire land, mainly mountainous regions.

If the argument is true, than what is the point the Americans and other Western powers installed their puppet government in Afghanistan? The Americans seem to have made the same mistake that was done by the British and Soviet Union.

If the Soviet installed a puppet government headed by leaders like Babrak Kamal and Najibullah, what difference can we say about the Americans who installed Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani? Only time will tell whether leaders of this puppet government would joined strings of super powers licking dictators and corrupt leaders such as Najibullah or even worse still another Ataturk in the Muslim world (now the Americans had to leave Afghanistan humiliated, leaving it to the hands of the Talibans).

The Americans have spent billions of dollars in their war ‘to liberate’ Afghanistan. Surely they are waiting to quench the thirst profit from their investment. The leaders of the puppet government and their men will have to pay dearly for it.

Based on this development, I am afraid Afghan 'puppet leaders' would follow the foot-steps of leaders like General ‘President’ Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan who is ever ready to please his master – the Americans!

The puppet regime of President Ashraf holds on only thanks to the bayonets of US troops and the US Air Force. Without constant air strikes, the US-installed Ashraf regime and its drug-dealing would have been swept away by the resistance alliance of the Taliban.

Yes, the war in Afghanistan was far from being ‘almost won’, writes Margolis. But what made the American stay on? Among others he claimed the US oil industry was determined to assure trans-Afghan pipeline routes south from Central Asia.

But he gave this warning – “Look what happened to the Soviets after they admitted defeat in Afghanistan and pulled out. Why expose the US Empire to a similar geopolitical risk?” Margolis did not write it, but it good to refresh our minds that the Soviet Empire collapsed soon after they pulled out of Afghanistan. Soviet Union is now history, perhaps ‘after Afghanistan’ the United States too would be history…

For restoration projects in Afghanistan after the US armies invaded Afghanistan in 2001, Washington promised aids amounted to billions of dollars and forced other countries such as Japan, China and South Korea to show commitment in sending monies, armies and workers but sadly most of it was not fulfilled.

Afghans were left to suffer on their own, many of them fled to the many refugees camp in Pakistan, including in Peshawar. But the saddest part of it, as mentioned by a Malaysian peace mission, Global Peace Mission Malaysia, groups of Christian missionaries were taking advantage to promote Christianity in their rounds helping the people.

The exposure by Global Peace Mission Malaysia should not be taken lightly by the Muslim 'ummah' especially by the Organization of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) which claimed to be the umbrella for the more 1.5 billion Muslims of the world.

For the Westerners, they have people like writer Eric S Margolis who gave warning that 'America's longest war gets longer' but do we Muslims have leaders, groups and individuals who sincerely gave their hearts and hand (efforts) to end the conflicts in Afghanistan? Why the silence, ooh OIC?

The people of Afghanistan had suffered too long...in modern times they were involved among others in the Anglo-Afghan wars, the Soviet war and now (from 2001) the ongoing 'American war'. Perhaps an Afghan had witnessed war most of his/her lifetime. Subhanallah, when this 'never ending story' ...oops war of Afghanistan would end?

Afghans are our Muslims brothers, how could we 'eat and sleep' (live) in comfort when they are suffering...Ibn 'Abbas told Ibn az-Zubayr, "I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'A man is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbour is hungry.'"

Muharam 16, 1443: Perpecahan ummah undang serangan kafir laknatullah (U)

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

Renungan

Azab Kubur Akibat Memfitnah

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Muharam 15, 1443: Tolong diri kita dulu... (Help ourselves first...)

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

Reflection 

"Anyone who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God..." (Nisaa 4:80) 

ALHAMDULILLAH, I would like to jot down simple things that we as laymen could do so that we have our part in performing our duties as a ‘khalifah’ (vicegerent) during our short span of living in this temporary world.

Everyone should try their best to promote the Islamic way of life as suggested by the Prophet (peace be upon him, s.a.w.). Regarding this matter, he ordained all his companions and thus, every Muslim who possesses some knowledge – even as little as one verse – to disseminate it to others. The Prophet s.a.w. said, “Convey (what you learn from me) even if (it is) only one verse…”(Related by Bukhary) 

Da’wah’ (calling mankind to Allah) is one of the most significant duties obliged upon Muslims. ‘Da’wah’ to Allah ensures ultimate success and religious benefit for individuals, as well as society at large. 

We should not forget that whenever a Muslim start a good ‘Sunnah’, established by Islam, and spreads it between Muslims then she or she will gain a reward similar to that earned by all those who practice this ‘Sunnah’, without decreasing THEIR OWN rewards. 

Note that for almost all the things we suggest others to do, we must do it first. We must help ourselves first in doing good things that would please Allah SWT before recommending it to others. 

Regarding helping ourselves first before helping others, a local well known scholar and preacher, Ustaz Pahrol Muhammad Joui likened it to the demonstration by the plane stewardess during flight take off to passengers that in case of emergency they need to help themselves first to oxygen masks and only then tender help to those under their care such as their children. 

So if we were to ask our children to perform ‘solat’ (prayers) then we should do it first so that they could emulate us. Or better still we perform the prayers together with our children. 

The same also applies in society, if we (especially leaders) call upon the ‘rakyat’ (people) to adhere to the principles of Islam we should practice what we mention. If not, we are only good at talking and the people would look upon us as liars, double faced persons and worst still as hypocrites. 

For example when a woman leader suggested to those under her leadership to follow the ‘Sunnah’ of the Prophet but she herself did not cover her head with a ‘tudung’, then she was only making a mockery of herself. There is a Malay proverb regarding this matter – ‘bagai ketam mengajar anaknya berjalan betul’ (like a crab showing her infant how to walk the correct way).

Other than performing our compulsory duties as a Muslim such as praying five times a day, paying ‘zakat’ (tithe), fasting during the month of Ramadan and going to hajj once in lifetime, there are many ways Muslims could do to please Allah SWT, thus paving way for him/her to get closer to Him. 

Of course a Muslim have to understand his/her duties and and take responsibilities to perform obligations to his/her Lord (Allah SWT), his/her own self, his/her parents, his/her partner (wife or husband), his/her children, his/her relatives, his/her neighbours, his/her Muslim brothers or sisters and friends and lastly his/her community (society). 

In cementing our ties with fellow human beings especially Muslims and at the same time enriching our life to be closer to Allah SWT, the Muslim Welfare Organization of Malaysia (PERKIM) suggested that among others we; 

· Buy a translation of the Qur’an and present it to a non-Muslim friend. 

· Subscribe to an Islamic magazine and circulate the copies to others after you have read them. 

· Visit a Muslim welfare organization to find out how you can help in their activities. 

· Get permission from an orphanage to let an orphan spend a weekend with you. 

· Get to know someone who has converted to Islam and help to strengthen his/her faith. 

· If you know of a public lecture on Islam, tell others about it and try to attend it. · If you have a good idea that will help the ‘ummah’ (Muslims), mention it to those that you think will take it to the next level. 

· Write a letter of appreciation and encouragement to a Muslim brother or sister who is doing a lot to help the ‘ummah’. 

· Invite one Muslim family in your neighbourhood to your home for a meal as a way to strengthened your bonds of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood. Use the opportunity to find out what aspects of Islam that they don’t understand. If you are unable to explain, find out from others and convey the explainations to them. 

· Keep a donation box in your home and encourage your family members to put their donation into it. At the end of the year, use the money to buy something useful for a poor family.

In a book ‘Seeds of Righteousness – Tools for Muslim Women to Spread Islam’ (published by Darussalam, Riyadh), writers Abdul-Malik Al-Qasim and Ibn Abdar Rahman aAl-Qasim among others suggested readers to emulate ‘da’wah’ works done by a few ‘Muslimah’ (Muslim women). 

· She writes articles in newspapers and magazines on women’s issues, dedicated her writing to the subjects that resurrect faith and modesty in her Muslim sisters. She also tries to refute the doubts that some people raise about Islam, in particular. Only her friend knows about her activities, for her friend takes her articles and asks her brother to mail them to relevant addresses. 

· She became ill and is admitted to hospital, but her stay there became a blessing for her and those around her. She gave away Islamic books and tapes in various languages to the doctors and nurses in the hospital. She also gave many more books and cassettes to the patients and left some books in the waiting room. She met an old woman in the hospital who does not have sufficient Islamic knowledge, so she gave her a radio and kept it tuned to the Qur’an station. 

· She visits women’s workshops selling Islamic books in Arabic and other languages and distributes them to the workers and visitors to these shops. Her efforts are modest, but several women have embraced Islam as a result. How many women do the same as this good Muslim woman? 

· She works hard for her Hereafter, attending Islamic lectures, giving sincere advise to her sisters and engaging in every act of righteous, as much as she can. At the end of every month, one of her fellow teachers came to know, she sends her entirely salary to a charity organization. She pays all her salary to the orphans, to support printing Islamic books and helping the cause of ‘Jihad’.

Note that all the individuals had help themselves before helping others. For example how one is going to teach an aspect of Islam to a person if he/she does not have the knowledge on it, or how a person is going to help another person or persons financially if he/she is does not have wealth? So help ourselves first before helping others (TOLONG DIRI KITA DULU!