Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 47

Muharam 3, 1443: 'Transferring' people's money into our pockets, accounts...

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.

MANY, many years ago a motivator cum business manager told me: "There's a lot of money around us - they are inside people's pockets, in their wallets, in the banks, in the drawers of shopkeepers and even under the beds of some people - the 'problem' is how are we going to 'transfer' them into our own pockets, wallets or bank accounts!

He said there are two ways to do it - one is the 'haram' (forbidden) way and the second is the 'halal' (permissible) way. Simple examples of the 'haram' ways are like robbing or cheating people of their money and examples of 'halal' ways are like coxing them into buying our 'trustworthy products' or rendering them our services or work for them.

By doing 'those work', - money from their pockets would eventually 'be moved' into our pockets! But it is up to you; to do it the 'halal' or 'haram' ways! Generally the harder you work or win their hearts, more money would be transferred from their pockets into your pockets.

I felt interested and started thinking how 'nice' it would be if I have 'the power' to 'withdraw' money from other people's pocket and made them mine. The motivator then coaxed me into joining his multi-level business, selling a product. 

It was a direct selling job; one has to be a member of the said company. I became a member of that company after paying RM10 for registration. Then after a simple briefing and paying another RM50 for the company’s products that were multipurpose detergent in plastic containers, I was on my journey ‘to become a rich and famous businessman one day’. 

Yes, I was naive in the thinking that it was easy to make people pull out their money from their pockets to buy my 'wares'. For six consecutive days I sold nothing during my rounds and on day 7; I went to the business manager's office, returned the wares and got my money back. 

From that day, I realized that business was not my line of work. I was no good in coaxing people in giving up their money. That experience gave a great impact on me; the pain of failure in business scared me and I realized that it was not that easy to made people searched for money inside their pockets and 'surrendered' them to me!

After that, I tried to do a few more business ventures such as selling books and opening a tuition centre but they all failed, I was convinced that my hands did not suit businesses; perhaps they are good at other fields such as writing. I admitted I did not had 'the skill' or bold enough to pull people's money by doing business.

If I fail badly in making people 'surrendering' their money to me, I was amazed at certain people who could coaxed me into giving my money to them.

For example years ago, a team of young women came to my mother's house and after examining some kitchen wares, told my mother that her cooking utensils such as frying pans and pots were too old and needed to be change. They unveiled some new and shinning cooking utensils which they claimed all were priced at RM1,000 but they would gladly sell them at half the price, RM500.

My mother agreed, but as she did not have enough money, she turned to me who was busily attending to other chores at that time. Without checking the items, I 'surrendered' RM500 to the ladies. Later on that evening only I realized that I had been conned...the items they sold to my mother could not be more than RM200!

After working for about 25 years in the media industry, I opted to retire at the age of 50. I started gardening in a small plot of land owned by my wife. I planted 'easy to grow' plants such as 'serai' (lemon grass), 'ubi kayu' (tapioca) and 'tebu' (sugarcane).

About five years ago, I had planted some 'rambutan' trees - only two 'survived' on the 'hard and barren land'. A few years back, they started 'producing' fruits by the 'abundance'. 'Syukur' alhamdulillah (All praise be to Allah), He had given me the opportunity 'to make money' with the 'new ventures' but sadly, I was no good in doing business - I failed in marketing 'my products'. Yes, once again I  must admitted that I was no good in making people 'surrendering' their money to me.

When the rambutans were ripe and 'abundance' in the trees, I placed I notice board on a side of the tree which read: "These rambutans are for 'sadaqah', please pluck them yourself."

I read a 'hadith' with the meaning: "If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, a person or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift (sadaqah) for him." - Imam Bukhari

In Sahih Muslim, it was reported: "Our Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Never does a Muslim a plants a tree, but that he earns the reward of charity because what is eaten from it; and likewise what is stolen from it, what the wild beasts eat out of it, what the birds eat out of it, and what people take from it is charity for him.”

Well, only now at 'old age' I realized that 'money is not everything'; perhaps during my younger years, I was greedy for money and wealth but it seemed that Allah did not wish 'fast and huge' amount of money 'to fell into my hands'.

About greediness, I was not alone because men are men, they are greedy for material wealth; in a hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik, the Prophet s.a.w. said: "If Adam's son had a valley full of gold, he would like to have two valleys, for nothing fills his mouth except dust. And Allah forgives him who repents to him." (Bukhary) 

For some of us having a lot of money would spoiled us for one of the most wisest person in the world, Sayidina Ali bin Abi Talib said: "Learned men live after death; ignorant men are dead although alive." He also said that you need to guard your property and wealth but if you have knowledge it would protect you. 

Subhanallah, why think a lot about money and properties, why not have a thought on what's the purpose we are sent into this world? In 'ayah' 56 Surah of Surah l-dhāriyāt (The Wind that Scatter) Allah SWT says: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."

Our journey in this world is to please Allah SWT before 'we met' Him in the Hereafter; therefore should we burdened ourselves with having a lot of money (at old age our needs such as food is so little) especially which is not ours. What's the point of having billions and billions of ringgit transferred into our accounts if it involved 'haram' transaction!

Muharam 2, 1443: Assiratul Mustaqeem serlah pemburuan dunia/akhirat...

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, saya menaiki MRT laluan Kajang-Semantan. Saya memulakan perjalanan di stesen Kajang dan turun di Pasar Seni sebelum menaiki LRT dari stesen Masjid Jamek ke Titiwangsa untuk bertemu sahabat-sahabat lama di Jalan Pahang Barat.

Untuk ke stesen MRT Kajang saya menaiki tren komuter KTM di stesen Bandar Tasik Selatan selepas 'turun' dari bas ekspres di TBS. Ketika dalam tren, jam menunjukkan 1.00 petang; saya 'mengira-gira' masjid mana akan saya singgah untuk solat zuhur berjemaah dengan menjamakkannya dengan asar.

Alhamdulillah, sebelum tren menghampiri stesen Kajang, saya terpandang sebuah masjid 'comel' dengan reka bentuk menarik. Saya berazam untuk solat di masjid itu. Alhamdulillah, masjid itu memang terletak berdekatan stesen KTM Kajang dan sesuatu yang menambah kegembiraan, stesen MRT Kajang berada bersebelahan!

Dari stesen MRT Kajang saya menapak ke masjid itu. Lebih kurang 300 meter. Ketika menghampiri masjid, terlihat sejumlah buruh sedang membina tembok masjid. Bangunan masjid itu sendiri kelihatan baru selesai diubah suai. Masjid 'comel' itu berkonsepkan 'terbuka' - pengedaran udara sangat baik membolehkan jemaah solat dalam keadaan sungguh selesa.

Selepas solat, saya bertanyakan seorang lelaki tua India akan nama masjid itu. Percakapannya kurang jelas...saya 'merayau-rayau' mencari papan tanda...akhirnya ketemui sebuah yang ditulis: "Bangunan Madrasah Assiratul Mustaqeem (Masjid India Kajang) ini dibina dengan kos sepenuhnya oleh Abdul Hamid PV Abdu dan diwakafkan kerana Allah SWT pada 16hb Julai 2011 bersamaan 15 Syaaban 1432 Hijrah."

Stesen MRT Kajang sudah beroperasi, insya-Allah ia akan sesak dan sibuk tidak lama lagi. Apa yang membanggakan Madrasah Assitaul Mustaqeem sudah diubah suai (pembinaan tembok masih berterusan) bersesuaian dengan pembangunan di sekitarnya; ertinya pentadbirnya 'sangat bijak' mengambil kesempatan untuk 'meraih pahala' sebanyak mungkin dengan 'kebanjiran' orang ramai di kawasan itu tidak lama lagi.

Melihat persekitaran madrasah (mendapat kelulusan untuk didirikan solat Jumaat), bolehlah kita beranggapan pewakaf dan pentadbirnya 'berebut-rebut' untuk membuat kebajikan bagi meraihkan keuntungan dunia-akhirat sejajarnya doa yang kerap kita ungkapkan 'Rabbana atina fiddunya hasanah wa fil akhiroti hasanah waqina 'adzabannar' yang bermaksud: "Ya Tuhan kami, berilah kami kebaikan di dunia dan kebaikan di akhirat dan peliharalah kami daripada seksa neraka".) QS. Al Baqarah 201

Abdul Hamid PV Abdu, pewakaf dan pengerusi masjid, berkata rumah Allah itu diilhamkan daripada sebuah masjid kecil di bandar Madinah yang dilihatnya ketika beliau berkunjung ke kota suci itu.

Beliau berkata, Madrasah Assiratul Mustaqeem aktif menyediakan pengajian agama secara percuma kepada pelajar berumur antara lima hingga 15 tahun. Buat masa ini, seramai 30 pelajar mengikuti pengajian di madrasah itu selepas Asar hingga Isyak.

Antara subjek diajar guru agama yang bertugas adalah al-Quran, hafazan, tajwid dan fardu ain. Kelas diadakan di ruang bersebelahan dewan solat.

Kata Abdul Hamid, pengurusan masjid bercadang memanfaatkan kawasan kosong seluas 0.4 hektar di kawasan berkenaan untuk membina sekolah tahfiz.

Benar, sungguh damai ketika solat di masjid ini. Seorang pengunjung merakamkan: "Berada dalam masjid pada waktu zuhur hari itu amat menenangkan hati saya. Dengan angin petang yang bertiup masuk menyusuri landasan kereta api menambahkan lagi ketenangan dan kedamaian.

"Bersyukurlah kita kepada Allah SWT kerana dalam kesibukan lalu lintas dan dihimpit arus pembangunan termasuk stesen MRT Kajang, muncul sebuah surau (masjid) yang melonjakkan syiar Islam."

Muharam 1, 1443: Hegira - there’s no cut to success!

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)

ONE day after buying sundry items from a shop, I went to my car and ignited the engine. It did not work. I tried a few times without success. At that time I was listening to an interesting religious talk on Radio IKIM, thus I did not bother to open the bonnet of the car to check what was wrong.

After the radio programme was over about 45 minutes later, once again I tried to start the engine. I did it a few times but failed. Suddenly I remembered why not I try ‘tawassul’ (the use of a ‘wasilah’ to obtain the favour of Allah SWT).

An ‘ustaz’ during his weekly classes at a ‘masjid’ near my house which I followed, said when a Muslim is burdened or faced difficulties he or she could do the ‘tawassul’ in his du’a (supplication) to Allah SWT. 'Tawassul' is to seek nearness to Allah SWT through performing good deeds.

The ‘ustaz’ then read and explained a ‘hadith’ regarding the subject. 'Abdullah bin 'Umar reported that Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.) said: Three persons set out on a journey. They were overtaken by rain and they had to find protection in a mountain cave where at its mouth there fell a rock of that mountain and thus blocked them altogether.

One of them said to the others: Look to your good deeds that you performed for the sake of Allah and then supplicate Allah, the Exalted, that He might rescue you (from this trouble). 

One of them said: O Allah, I had my parents who were old and my wife and my small children also. I tended the flock and when I came back to them in the evening, I milked them (the sheep, goats, cows, etc.) and first served that milk to my parents. One day I was obliged to go out to a distant place in search of fodder and I could not come back before evening and found them (the parents) asleep. I milked the animals as I used to milk and brought milk to them and stood by their heads avoiding to disturb them from sleep and I did not deem it advisable to serve milk to my children before serving them. My children wept near my feet. I remained there in that very state and my parents too until it was morning. And (0 Allah) if Thou art aware that I did this in order to seek Thine pleasure, grant us riddance from this trouble. 

(The rock slipped a bit) that they could see the sky. 

The second one said: O Allah, I had a female cousin whom I loved more than the men love the women. I wanted to have sexual intercourse with her; she refused but on the condition of getting one hundred dinars. It was with very great difficulty that I could collect one hundred dinars and then paid them to her and when I was going to have a sexual intercourse with her, that she said: Servant of Allah, fear Allah and do not break the seal (of chastity) but by lawful means. I got up. O Allah, if Thou art aware that I did this in order to seek Thine pleasure, rid us from this trouble. 

The situation was somewhat eased for them. 

The third one said: Allah, I employed a workman for a measure of rice. After he had finished his work I gave him his dues (in the form of) a measure of rice, but he did not accept them. I used these rice as seeds, and that gave a bumper crop and I became rich enough to have cows and flocks (in my possession). He came to me and said: Fear Allah, and commit no cruelty upon me in regard to my dues. I said to him: Take away this flock of cows and sheep. He said: Fear Allah and do not make a fun of me. I said: I am not making a fun of you. You take the cows and the flocks. So he took them. O Allah, if Thou art aware that I did it for Thine pleasure, case the situation for us. 

And Allah relieved them from the rest of the trouble.  (Sahih Muslim)

Why not I try the ‘tawassul’, I said to myself. Before starting the engine, I read the Basmallah, did the supplication plus mentioning one of the good deeds that I had done previously. Then I turned on the keys of the engine. It did not work! I tried many times but it was fruitless.

After the futile attempts, I went out of the car, lift the hood of the bonnet, examined the battery; only to realize that the connection parts of the battery and wires were exposed to corrosive powder like substance. I then shook the battery, tried to move the connection part side to side and scrapped the powder off.

‘Satisfied’ with my ‘work’, I went inside the car, read the Basmallah, recite the du’a including mentioning the ‘tawassul’, and ignited the engine…and ‘brooooooooom’ the engine roared! Alhamdulillah, I was soon on my way back home…

While driving my mind reflected back to the ‘hadith’ about the three men trapped in the cave. I realized it was not mentioned at all the men tried to move the rock after making their supplications and ‘tawassul’. Perhaps they only did the du’a and their requests to Allah SWT were fulfilled …the question is need we accompany our du’a with hard work for example the men used their effort to move the rock?

I was determined to ask the ‘ustaz’ for clarification, so during his lesson, I posed him the question. I did not mentioned about ‘my car experience’ but asked him if we did the ‘tawassul’, need we accompanied it with effort or hard work?

First he noted that the ‘cave incident’ was from the time before Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., thus we must understand that their ‘syariat’ (law and practicing them) was slightly different the Prophet’s ‘ummah’ (followers).

The ‘ustaz’ said for us, du’a must be accompanied with an action plan for that will show our commitment to our request and will focus our energy in the right direction. In the Qur’an, Allah SWT says:  "Verily Allah does not change men's condition unless they change their inner selves" (Quran 13: 11)

He then told his audience about the Hijra (Hegira) of the Prophet s.a.w. The Prophet's Hijra was 'an ordinary man's journey of more than 300 kilometers from his birth place of Makkah to Madinah which was then called Yathrib. The Prophet toiled and sweat; he and his best companion Abu Bakr r.a. and their non-Muslim guide, Abdullah Uraiqit only arrived at Quba' on the outskirts of Yathrib after more than two weeks.

There, with the help of the local people, they erected the first masjid - Masjid Quba' - before officially entering Yathrib and renaming it Madinat-un-Nabi, literally, the City of the Prophet after 30 days from the date they left Makkah. It was a difficult journey, why not the Prophet s.a.w. supplicated to his Lord and requested for a ‘quick like lightning journey' of Isra’ and Mi’raj?

The ‘ustaz’ said based on the Prophet's 'tough' and 'hard' journey of the Hijra, Muslims too must be ever ready to face tribulations and obstacles in life what more when one is committed to live as a practicing Muslim in all aspects of life.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. had showed us the way to live as a Muslim who has to strive in whatever he does, be it regarding efforts to gain benefit in this world or in the Hereafter.

As Muslims we must work hard for our benefit of both worlds as we often recite in our du'a (supplication): Rabbana aatina fiddunya hasanatan wafil akhirati hasanatan waqina adhabannaar (Our Lord, give us good in this life, and in the Hereafter, and protect us from the Hellfire).

In their determination to see Islam flourish, the Prophet s.a.w. and his companions toiled and sweated including in the hot sun often in a state of hunger, for example the Prophet s.a.w. took the lead in digging a wide and deep trench around Madinah to stop the invading Musyrikin armies during the Ahzab war. In the battle of Uhud, the Prophet s.a.w. too was injured; this showed that Muslims would be 'tried' (face tribulations) by Allah SWT but must be brave in facing the hurdles to be better Muslims by each day.

All must be worked for; there is no such thing as a 'short cut' to success in the world, what more in the Hereafter. It was asked. "Oh Messenger of Allah: Who is the most excellent of men? The Messenger of Allah said, 'The believer who strives hard in the way of Allah with his person and property."

As a conclusion; yes we can do the ‘tawassul’ in our supplications (du’a) but it must be accompanied with effort…you have to work hard for it for example by studying hard, ‘insya-Allah’ you will pass your examination with flying colours.

Zulhijah 30, 1442: Ramai tokoh wanita lakari sejarah umat Islam

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

Renungan

Nabi s.a.w. bersabda, maksudnya: "Kebajikan itu adalah budi yang indah. Sedangkan dosa adalah perbuatan atau tindakan yang menyesakkan dada, pada hal engkau sendiri segan perbuatanmu itu akan diketahui oleh orang lain." (Sahih Muslim)

SEPANJANG sejarah umat Islam, ramai tokoh wanita muncul. Ada yang membawa kesan positif kepada umat, malah ada juga yang memudaratkan.

Perdana Menteri Pakistan suatu ketika dahulu, Benazir Bhutto sering dianggap sebagai wanita pertama memimpin sebuah negara Islam. Ini adalah salah. Bagaimanapun, jika beliau dikatakan wanita pertama memimpin sebuah negara Islam pada zaman moden ini, ia adalah suatu kenyataan.

Ketika Benazir memenangi pilihan raya Pakistan buat pertama kali pada 1988, tokoh politik Pakistan berasa tercabar. Malah ada yang menjerit begini: "Mengapa ini harus berlaku, belum pernah terjadi seorang wanita menjadi pemimpin sebuah negara Islam."

Sebenarnya, sepanjang sejarah Islam, ia tidak pernah sunyi daripada 'melahirkan' tokoh wanita yang mencatat sejarah pada zamannya. Antara wanita itu ialah isteri Rasulullah s.a.w., iaitu Khadijah binti Khuwailid, Siti Aisyah Abu Bakar dan anakanda baginda Siti Fatimahh Az-Zahraa.

Siti Aisyah terbabit dalam kancah politik dan pernah bertempur dengan Sayidina Ali bin Abu Talib dan Muawiyah Abu Suffian, iaitu khalifah Bani Umaiyah yang pertama.

Dalam buku '100 Wanita Terbilang' karya Syed Ahmad Semait, dipaparkan kisah bagaimana wanita Islam mula memegang tampuk kerajaan ketika zaman kemerosotan Bani Umaiyah (termasuk di Andalusia, Sepanyol), Bani Abasiyah dan kerajaan Fatimiyah.

Kemewahan ketika pemerintahan menyebabkan khalifahnya lupa daratan. Mereka lebih gemar berfoya-foya dan bermesra dengan gundik daripada pelbagai bangsa. Hamba-hamba inilah yang berkuasa kerana khalifah lebih gemar mengikut telunjuk mereka dalam menjalankan tugas.

Menurut Syed Ahmad Semait, campur tangan golongan wanita dalam hal ehwal pentadbiran bermula daripada masa pertengahan pemerintahan Bani Umiyah secara berperingkat.

Kemudian ia tersebar pada masa pemerintahan Bani Abasiyah pada peringkat kedua dan kemudian pada zaman pemerintahan Fatimiyah dan Ayyubiah.

Antara wanita yang terkenal ketika pemerintahan Abasiyah ialah Zubaidah Ja'far, iaitu permaisuri kepada khalifah Abasiyah teragung, Harun Ar-Rashid.

Zubaidah berkahwin dengan Harun Ar-Rashid pada 165 Hijrah. Zubaidah mempunyai pengaruh yang besar dalam urusan pentadbiran negara. Pengaruhnya yang ketara sekali ialah dalam hal pelantikan anaknya, Al-Amin memegang teraju khalifah.

Atas pengaruhnya, Al-Amin akhirnya menjadi putera mahkota dan kemudian khalifah tetapi tidak lama selepas itu digantikan saudara tirinya, Al-Makmum.

Bagaimanapun, campur tangan golongan wanita ketika itu bergerak di belakang tabir. Mereka menjalankan tugas khalifah bagi pihak suami, anak yang masih kecil atau saudara yang sudah terpesong.

Wanita Islam pertama menjadi pemimpin mutlak ialah Syajaratuddur, iaitu daripada kerajaan Fatimiyah di Mesir.

Menurut Stephen Hughes, seorang penulis Reuters yang memetik karya Profesor Fatima Mernissi dalam bukunya, 'Sultanes Oubliees, Femmes Chefs d'Etat en Islam (dalam bahasa Perancis yang bermaksud Sultan-Sultan yang dilupakan, Ketua-Ketua Kerajaan Islam) berkata Shajarat ad-Dur (Syajaraddur) mengetuai tentera Mesir yang mematahkan serangan angkatan salib Kristian dan menawan Raja Louis IX dari Perancis.

Menurut Fatima Mernissi, sorang profesor sosiologi Maghribi, antara wanita Islam yang menjadi ketua negara ialah Sultanah Radia daripada Dinasti Delh yang memerintah India selepas menggulingkan abangnya, Rosn ad-Din pada abad ke-13.

Wanita Islam juga pernah memerintah Yaman. Antaranya ialah Malika Urwa yang mengepalai negara selama 50 tahun pada abad ke-11. Apabila menyebut nama Yaman, tidak dilupakan ratu yang paling masyhur ketika zaman Nabi Allah Sulaiman a.s. Beliau ialah Puteri Balqis yang kisahnya dan Nabi Sulaiman a.s. ada disebutkan dalam al-Quran.

Manakala di Alam Melayu sendiri, muncul beberapa wanita Islam yang menjadi ketua negara. Sekurang-kurangnya empat wanita pernah memerintah Kerajaan Aceh pada abad ke-17. Mereka termasuk Taj al-Alam (Mahkota Alam) dan Nur al-Alam (Cahaya Alam).

Di Andalusia, antara wanita yang mencipta nama ketika pemerintahan kerajaan Umaiyah ialah Az-Zahraa, Subaihah (Ratu Qurtubah) dan I'timad Ar-Rumaikiyah.

Az-Zahraa ialah jariah khalifah Bani Umaiyah (Andalusia) yang kelapan, iaitu Abdul Rahman bin Muhammad bin Abdullah yang digelar An-Nashir. Kerana terlalu cintakan jariah inilah, An-Nashir sanggup berbuat apa saja untuknya termasuk membina sebuah kota yang dinamakan 'Az-Zahraa' pada 325 Hijrah.

Suhaibah pula ialah permaisuri kepada Khalifah Al-Hakam Al-Mustanshir. Beliau menguasai segala tindak tanduk khalifah dan akhirnya memaksa Al-Hakam memilih puteranya, Hisyam Al-Hakam sebagai khalifah.

Selepas pemindahan kuasa, Suhaibahlah yang paling berkuasa di Andalusia kerana anaknya, Hisyam baru berusia 11 tahun. Suhaibah meninggal dunia pada 398 Hijrah.

Mernissi juga mendedahkan kisah ratu Islam lain, yang dakwanya kisah mereka diabaikan kebanyakan ahli sejarah Arab. Antara mereka ialah Aisha al-Hurra, ibu kepada khalifah Islam yang terakhir di Granada (Sepanyol), iaitu Mohamad Abu Abdullah atau Boabdil.

Aisha memerintah kerajaan Granada apabila suaminya 'mabuk cinta' dengan seorang hamba Sepanyol. Aisha mengesyaki wanita itu adalah ejen Raja Ferdinand dan Isabella, yang akhirnya memaksa orang Islam Moor keluar dari Granada pada 1492, sekali gus menamatkan pemerintahan Islam di Andalusia.

Salah seorang tokoh yang turut diperkatakan oleh Mernissi ialah Hakimat dari Tetuan. Bandar Tetuan terletak di Maghribi manakala Hakimat adalah salah seorang gabenornya. Beliau melancarkan perang jihad terhadap kerajaan Ferdinand dan Isabella selepas Andalusia jatuh ke tangan kerajaan Sepanyol.

Zulhijah 29, 1442: Bab solat...bapa borek anak rintik

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

Renungan

Hadis riwayat Abu Hazim, daripada Abu Hurairah yang dikeluarkan oleh Muslim, bermaksud: "Tidak akan hancur dunia ini (kiamat) hingga ada seorang laki-laki yang melewati kuburan lalu ia berguling-guling di atasnya seraya berkata, 'alangkah baiknya sekiranya aku berada di tempat penghuni kubur ini.' Hal ini bukan kerana faktor agama tetapi kerana adanya musibah." 

DAHULU pada pertengahan tahun, kebiasaannya pengurusan sekolah mengundang ibu bapa untuk diserahkan atau menandatangani buku rekod (laporan prestasi) anak masing-masing. 

Saya tidak terkecuali, maka saya 'tunjuklah muka' di sekolah anak-anak. Selain di sekolah kebangsaan, kehadiran ibu bapa di sekolah agama rakyat (sesi petang) diperlukan.

Suatu petang, di sekolah agama salah seorang anak, saya menunggu giliran untuk berjumpa guru kelasnya. Ada seorang ibu di depan saya manakala si ustaz sedang berbincang dengan seorang ibu muda yang di sisinya ada dua anak; seorang berpakaian sekolah agama manakala seorang lagi belum bersekolah agaknya. 

Saya perhatikan si ibu begitu rancak menerangkan itu dan ini kepada si ustaz. Jarinya ditunjukkan ke sana sini. Begitu bersemangat sekali dia membincangkan hal anak-anak; sehingga saya lihat dia memberikan nombor telefon; mungkin bagi memudahkan si ustaz menghubunginya jika si anak bermasalah. Agak lama juga mereka berbincang; terpaksalah saya memujuk hati sendiri...bersabar, bersabarlah, insya-Allah akan tiba juga giliran saya. 

Ketika 'sabar' menunggu itu, fikiran saya 'menyibuk dan jahat' pula (ya Allah, Kau ampunilah dosaku) untuk membuat analisis tentang si ibu muda yang sedang rancak berbual dengan ustaz. Dia bertudung tetapi berpakaian T-shirt sendat dan singkat mempamerkan lengannya yang agak....itu. Selain itu dia mengenakan seluar ketat. Saya 'hairan' dengan penampilan si ibu muda ini di sekolah agama - duduk berhadapan dengan ustaz dengan berpakaian sebegitu. 

Mungkin dia seperti segelintir juga wanita Muslim lain - berfikir menutup aurat itu cukuplah dengan memakai tudung tetapi tidak memandang berat anggota badan yang dibiarkan terbuka seperti lengan. 

Kadang-kadang wanita ini bertudung singkat atau berskaf saja mendedahkan leher dan bahagian atas dada. Ada pula yang berpakaian terlalu sendat termasuk mengenakan jeans ikut bentuk kaki malah ada yang memakai 'legging'. Bayangkanlah mengenakan pakaian melekap di tubuh tetapi di kepala ada tudung! 

Akhirnya tibalah giliran saya. Di belakang saya, tiada pula ibu bapa atau waris yang menunggu. Jadi bebaslah saya untuk bertukar-tukar pandangan dengan si ustaz. Ustaz ini bukanlah asing kepada saya. Saya kerap bertegur sapa dengannya tatkala 'terserempak' di masjid. Kerap juga beliau membawa anak-anak murid ke masjid untuk bersama-sama menyertai solat berjemaah atau mengajar mereka cara solat berjemaah secara praktikal.

Saya memuji si ustaz dengan menghargai usahanya menunjukkan anak-anak untuk solat berjemaah. Ustaz berkata itu sudah menjadi tugas dan tanggungjawabnya - beliau menyatakan anak-anak sekarang ini cepat untuk menguasai ilmu; mereka juga cepat untuk menghafal tetapi apa yang dikesalkan kelemahan yang amat ketara ialah ketidak-kecenderungan anak-anak untuk beramal dengan apa yang mereka sudah pelajari.

Contoh cukup bagus, kata ustaz, adalah bab solat. Murid-murid telah diajar ilmu solat (fardu ain) sejak awal lagi, tetapi apa yang menjadi masalah, tidak mudah untuk membentuk anak-anak konsisten dalam solat. "Betul, kita bawa mereka ke masjid untuk tunjukkan cara praktikal solat berjemaah, tetapi itu tidak cukup untuk menanamkan sifat mengutamakan solat di kalangan anak-anak. Amalan di sekolah tidak cukup; apa ditunjukkan oleh ustaz dan ustazah tak memadai, ibu bapalah yang berperanan besar." 

Ustaz itu cukup sedih dengan sikap sesetengah ibu bapa berdasarkan jawapan anak murid apabila ditanya mengapa tak solat. Ada yang berkata: "Ustaz, mak bapak saya tak solat, jadi buat apa saya solat?" Sesetengah yang lain pula berkata: "Ustaz, mak bapak saya tak pernah suruh saya solat." Ada murid berkata: "Mak bapak saya pun tak pernah tanya saya sudah sembahyang ke belum." 

Bab solat ini satu hal; satu perkara besar lain adalah ada ibu bapa tidak kisah jika anak-anak tak ke sekolah agama. Ustaz itu memberitahu tidak semua murid daripada sekolah kebangsaan (beragama Islam) yang memasuki sekolah agama petang. Beliau menganggarkan hanya 90 peratus saja ke sekolah agama; yang lain itu ke mana mereka 'hanyut'? 

Saya pernah bertanya budak-budak yang tidak pergi sekolah agama ini; antara jawapannya; "Mak mahu saya pergi tuisyen" dan "saya nak duduk UPSR tahun ini, jadi kena banyak 'studi' kat rumah." Manakala di pihak ibu bapa ada yang berkata; "ehh tak tahulah, ingatkan budak tahun tiga baru 'start' sekolah agama" dan "susahlah, siapa nak hantar pada sebelah petang tu."

Berdasarkan rasa kebimbangan si ustaz di sekolah agama anak saya itu, saya percaya ada kebenaran satu kajian tidak lama dulu yang menyatakan 80 peratus daripada pelajar tidak solat atau tidak cukup lima waktu solat mereka. Perkara ini amat menyedihkan kerana solat itu tiang agama; tidak mendirikan solat bermakna runtuhlah agama. 

Hal solat ini begitu penting; daripada hampir 10 sesi pengajian dan ceramah Israk Mikraj yang saya ikuti baru-baru ini, semuanya ada menyentuh solat iaitu ibadah dan 'hadiah istimewa' yang kurniakan Allah SWT kepada umat Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ketika baginda Rasul menghadap Allah SWT ketika mikrajnya. *

Salah seorang penceramah berkata: "Tak solat, tidak berjayalah seseorang itu sama ada dia doktor hebat, jurutera hebat ataupun peniaga hebat. Ya anak-anak, solatlah, kerana tiak solat apa saja kebaikan kita sama ada berpuasa setiap hari atau bersedekah selori wang ringgit semuanya tiada nilai di sisi Allah SWT. Semuanya tertolak dan kita dihumbankan ke neraka. Nauzubillah."

Zulhijah 28, 1442: Longing for the 'third Umar'...

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  topic of the 'khutbah Jumaat' (Friday sermon) at a 'masjid' near my house which I attended not long time ago was on the relationship between Muslims and the not yet Muslims (this term is used rather than the often used word 'non-Muslims').

It was enlightened to hear the 'khatib' (person who delivers the sermon) advised Muslims to be good to people of other faiths; they have several rights upon Muslims in their positions in society such as fellow citizens, neighbours, colleagues, business partners, friends and so on.

To strengthened his point, the 'khatib' delivered this story on how Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w. - peace be upon him) treated a not yet Muslim; he was in fact a Jew.

Once there was an old Jewish beggar in the city of Madinah. He was blind and poor. Most of the time, he sat and begged to the passerby on a corner of the city market. Most of the people didn’t really like him, since most of the time he cursed and insulted Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). All the time he would say, “Brothers and sisters! Don’t go near Muhammad. He is nothing but an impostor, a witch,  a mad man. If you approach him, you will be under his influence and become like him. ”

When Rasulullah (s.a.w.) heard about this, he came to him and looked upon him without saying anything. From that day on, Rasulullah (s.a.w.) began to come to him everyday to tend and feed him without telling him who he was. And the old man kept shouting all the nonsense about Rasulullaah (s.a.w.).

After Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) passed away, Abubakar as Sidiq (r.a.) visited his daughter Aisyah (r.a.) and asked her whether he has left out any daily habits that has been done before by the Prophet (s.a.w.). Aisyah (r.a.) answered that her father has not done the daily activities of feeding the old beggar on the corner of the Madinah city market.

Hence, Abubakar (r.a.), came to that old beggar to carry the habit of Rasulullah (s.a.w). He began to feed him for a while but then the beggar was annoyed and shouted angrily to Abubakar (r.a.), “Who are you feeding me?”

“It is I who always come here to feed you,” answer Abubakar.

“No, you’re not! You’re a different person. The man who always comes here, usually grind the food until it is soft enough for me to chew and then feed me gently with his own hand. You didn’t do the same thing and your hands are different.”

Hearing his words, Abubakar (r.a.) could not help himself but cried. He told him, ” The noble man that always came here to feed you was not here anymore. He has left us to his Rabb.”

“Who was this man?”, asked him, with softer voice. “He is Rasulullah, Prophet Muhammad sallallahu allaihissalaam.”

Hearing this, the man cried unintentionally. When he finally got a grip of himself, he said “So he was the man that I always cursed and insulted but nevertheless he still tended me so gently and dearly. And I never had the chance to ask for his forgiveness. May Allah forgive me for  my sins.” And at that moment in front of Abubakar as Sidiq he cited the syahadat and converted to Islam.

I attended a 'kuliah subuh' (early morning lesson) at another 'masjid' - the 'ustaz' (religious teacher) among others mentioned how Muslims longed for the presence of the 'third Umar' that is after Umar Al-Khattab (the second Al-Rasyidin Caliph who ruled from 634 to 643 AD ) and Umar Abdul Aziz (the Ummayad Caliph who rule for two years, 717-719 AD)  because of their fairness in treating their 'subjects' (rakyat) including the not yet Muslims.

He cited several examples of good deeds done by both 'Umars' - in Islamic tradition, leaders such as Caliph Umar al-Khattab and Umar Abdul Aziz proved that pious leaders 'produced' pious 'rakyat'. 

The Muslims have a superb example in Umar al-Khattab r.a. It is written that Hadrat Umar r.a. was making his nightly rounds through the streets of Madinah when he heard voices coming from a nearby house. He drew nearer and heard a mother saying to her daughter; "People will come out to collect the milk in the morning. We don't have a lot - add some water so we can get a good price."

The daughter refused, to which the mother said: "It is not a big thing, Umar isn't watching." The daughter replied: "Mother, if Umar isn't watching, then Umar's Creator is watching." Hadrat Umar r.a. returned home, impressed with the young lady's faith. Upon awaking the next morning, he sent a message to that house that he wanted the girl of that house as his daughter-in-law. 

It was said from the marriage of Umar's son and this pious young woman led to the birth of the grandfather of the Great Ummayad Caliph, Umar Abdul Aziz who was famous with his integrity; in one story he was said to put off the state lamp and lighted his own private one when discussing family matters with his son! 

On another occasion Hadrat Umar r.a. was travelling and came upon a shepherd herading sheep in what appeared to be a barren wasteland, with no settlement in sight. He asked whether the sheep belonged to the shepherd who replied that he had a master. Hadrat Umar r.a. offered him food but the shepherd said that he was fasting. Hadrat Umar r.a. was amazed that he was fasting in such heat and decided to test him. Hadrat Umar r.a.offered to pay for a sheep that they could sacrifice and eat, but the shepherd said that he must first ask permission from his master. 

Hadrat Umar r.a. said; "Your master is not here, neither is he watching. The shepherd then replied; "My master may not be here, but Allah SWT is every where." Hadrat Umar r.a. was amazed at this man sincerity and steadfastness.

As for Umar Abdul Aziz, his short tenure (717-719) was like an oasis in a vast desert -- a benevolent rain which had fallen on an arid soil. It was the brightest period in the 91-year Caliphate of the Umayyads, which, though short lived, had transformed the outlook of the State. 

Both Umars were fine examples of integrity. They were looked upon as shining examples of rulers that put the peoples' matters above their personal needs. Muslims had and have produced other great leaders from time to time like Salahudin Al-Ayubbi (Saladin) and Sultan Muhammad Fatih but when the 'ustaz' in his 'kuliah subuh' mentioned that Muslims are longing for the presence of 'the third Umar' perhaps he was not a born Muslim.

Why I was thinking so? It was simply because I was influenced by the above story of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and the old Jewish beggar. If Allah SWT wants to give 'hidayah' (God's guidance) to the now not yet Muslims, who could stop it...well Umar Al-Khattab too before becoming a Muslim was known for his 'jahiliah' (Meccan period of ignorance) ways. 

Thus during the 'ustaz' question and answer session, I 'exposed my mind' to him. To my surprise, the 'ustaz' said the truth of the story of the Prophet (s.a.w.) and the old Jewish beggar could be challenged; for example how could Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) did not 'dakwah' the old Jew and secondly how could Abubakar (r.a.) who was known for his integrity lied to the beggar telling him that he was the same person who had fed him in the first place!

The 'ustaz' said he was puzzled on how the not certified (without validation) story of the Prophet (s.a.w.) and the Jewish beggar could made in the 'khutbah Jumaat' read at almost all 'masjids' in the state?

But please do remember that 'hidayah' is in His (Allah SWT's) 'hand'. And anybody had the chance to be the 'Third Umar'...

Zulhijah 27, 1442: Let's adjust to change...

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.

NOT long time ago, I went to a government community clinic about 15 kilometers away from my house for my regular diabetes and hypertension medical check up. After waiting for half an hour, I was called to Room 9 where a young male doctor was waiting. 

While examining me with a stethoscope, the young doctor shocked me, saying that my heart was not beating 'healthily'. He politely told me to go to Room 5 to have my heart check up. There a nurse placed electrodes on my body which later on I knew as an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) procedure.

ECGs show the functioning of the heart's electrical system. Twelve electrodes are carefully placed on the skin to pick up the electrical pattern which can give information about the heart's ability to contract, the size of the heart, and the speed at which the heart is beating. Changes in the heart's electrical signature on an ECG may indicate a previous heart attack or other cardiac condition. An ECG shows the heart's electrical activity as line tracing on paper.

After having my 'papers' readied, I went back to the young doctor's room. He held up the 'papers' of my previous ECG test and the latest one and showed me their differences. The 'waves' (spikes and dips in the tracings) of the former was about even but the latter had 'high spikes' at regular intervals.

After 'more questioning and examining', finally the doctor set an appointment for me to undergo for another ECG test in a month time - cautioning me not to hesitate to go the emergency department of the state hospital if the need arises.

In 2002 at the age of 40 I was diagnosed of having diabetes and from the recent test, it was regarding my heart - I was hoping that 'the fast beating' of the heart was 'a false sign'.  But could that be a sign that I was about to enter the world of 'old age'?

I must admit that I was down, but at home as I sat down, doing reflection and looking at some 'positive thinking leaflets' and my old notes, I knew I must not succumb to my own feelings. 

A message written on a notebook left by an unknown person at a hotel room I stayed recently rose the spirit in me. It reads: "Always a better day tomorrow, so don't worry, enjoy what you have now!"

A leaflet by 'Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia' (Malaysia Health Ministry) which I picked up recently read:

Practise good mental health (Let's adjust to change)

Old age is another phase in the journey of life. Life for the elderly can be filled with positive and meaningful experiences.

Let's adjust to :-

Feeling of loneliness, isolation and abandonment arising from:

* Loss of your spouse

* Loss of your friends

* Children leaving home

* Loss of independence due to immobility

Financial difficulties arising from:

* Loss of income following retirement

* Increasing expenditure due to cost of medication and aids/equipments

Changes to your body:

* Movement and reaction time slow down

* Failing memory

* Stiffening joints and weakened muscles

* Eyesight and hearing become poorer

* Changes in sleep pattern

Early warning signs that show you are not adjusting well:-

* Losing your temper easily

* Feeling tired all the time

* Getting worried easily

* Persistent feeling of sadness

* Difficulty in coping with everyday activities

* Forgetfulness

* Changes in sleeping patterns

* Changes in eating habits

Suggestions for good mental health

Talk to someone when you have problems:-

* Sharing your problems helps you to cope better

Make friends:-

* Meet up with old friends

* Get involved in activities, societies or hobby clubs

Keep yourself occupied:-

* Reading

* Share interests with neighbours, relatives, family and friends

Keep you body healthy:-

* Exercise regularly

* Eat healthily

* Drink plenty of water

Do things with your family, maintain a good family relationship:-

* Go for walks, meals, movies

* Share your hobbies

* Discuss issues

Be realistic about changes in:-

* Physical abilities e.g. strength

* Memory

* Concentration

Be aware of your rights as they may make life easier:-

* Senior citizens discounts

* Healthcare

* Financial assistance

* Welfare aid

Looking at my notes I took during 'tazkirah' (classes) at several 'masjids' around my house, what have the 'ustazs' (religious teachers) have to say about diseases and old age? Yes, what's the Islamic viewpoints about them?

An 'ustaz' said we must 'reda' (accept willingly) if we are diagnose with a certain disease...it is an 'ujian' (trial) from Allah SWT. In fact we should recite 'Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (We surely belong to Allah and to Him we shall return) when we first heard about it.

He said if we could 'sabar' (be patience) with the 'ujian', 'insya-Allah (God Willing), He would raise our ranks. The 'ustaz' said many people only remember Allah SWT when they are in distress thus Allah SWT gave them 'trials' so that they could mention His name. How true because when ones fall sick, he/she would cried: "Ya Allah or Ooo Allah, please help me!"

Another 'ustaz' said: “At the brink of old age you will realize that the ‘nikmat’ (gift) of God will be taken away from you one by one. One ‘nikmat’ is we have to give way on food."

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

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

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

At times while reminiscing our fate including our lost ‘ability and beauty’, we would question ourselves; why were we sent into this world and where we are heading for? 

On why we were sent into this world, in Surat Adh-Dhariyat 51:56 (The Winnowing Winds) Allah SWT says, with the meaning; “I have only created jinn and men, that they may serve Me.” Yes, human existence along with jinn is to worship Allah SWT. 

"Then would came a fateful day when your 'roh' (soul) leaves your body. Your body would be buried six feet underground in your grave. So everything would vanish from you except for one that is ‘Islam’. If you are a practising Muslim, your ‘amal’ (good deeds) would be by your side, but if you don’t have any…how are you going to face those days which is 'kekal' (forever)…,” says the ‘ustaz’.

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

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

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

Zulhijah 26, 1442: Masa saksi hukum-hakam Islam terlaksana sepenuhnya kian singkat

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

Renungan

"Takutilah mereka dengan hari penyesalan (Kiamat) ketika dihukum tentang perkara yang telah dilakukan sedangkan mereka dalam kelalaian dan mereka tidak beriman." (Q.S. Maryam:39)

MEMASUKI tahun baharu Hijrah 1443 bermakna baki usia kita semakin pendek. Kita menjadi semakin cemas sama ada dengan sisa umur itu kita dapat menyaksikan hukum-hakam Islam ditegakkan sepenuhnya dalam diri, keluarga, masyarakat dan seterusnya negara kita.

Adalah wajib bagi setiap Muslim mempunyai niat atau cita-cita menegakkan hukum-hakam Islam. Dengan adanya niat itu, diharapkan kita terlepas daripada dakwaan tidak melaksanakan hukum Allah apabila diadili di Mahsyar nanti.

Bagaimanapun niat saja tidak mencukupi. Niat perlu disertakan usaha dan doa. Setiap orang perlu berusaha mengikut kemampuan masing-masing. Misalnya, ustaz dengan kelas pengajiannya, pemimpin dan aktivis parti dengan perjuangan masing-masing, penulis dengan tulisannya dan begitulah seterusnya.

Selain usaha, doa amat penting, apakah kita sudah berdoa bersungguh-sungguh, merintih pada-Nya agar dibukakan-Nya jalan bagi kita membantu usaha ke arah menegakkan hukum-hakam Islam sepenuhnya di negara ini. 

Marilah kita berdoa semoga pembesar dan pemimpin negara dibukakan hati untuk melaksanakan hukum-hakam Islam. Marilah kita berdoa supaya pemimpin kita terbuka hatinya untuk menjalankan hukum-hakam Islam.

Islam yang diturunkan Allah SWT kepada Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. adalah sempurna. Ini termasuklah hukum-hakamnya. Adalah amat malang jika manusia menolak hukum-hakam Allah sebaliknya mencipta atau menerima hukum manusia terutama dari Barat untuk diadaptasi dalam kehidupan.

Adalah salah untuk berhukum selain daripada apa ditetapkan oleh-Nya. Kenapa manusia pandai-pandai mahukan penyelesaian mengikut cara dan pemikirannya dan bukan undang-undang Yang Maha Kuasa? Tidak mahukan hukum-hakam Allah bermakna tidak takutkan Allah. Jika seseorang atau negara tidak melaksanakan hukum Allah bermakna dia lebih berkuasa daripada Allah, sebab dia mampu tolak perintah Allah.

Kita doakan agar Allah Taala membukakan hati pemimpin mendaulatkan Islam. Kita sudah terlalu rindu mahu melihat hukum-hakam Allah tertegak di bumi-Nya. 

Dari setahun ke setahun, umur kita semakin berkurangan, apakah hukum hakam Allah sudah ditegakkan? Aneka jenayah termasuk pembunuhan, zina dan rasuah semakin menjadi-jadi, akhlak pemimpin dan rakyat semakin buruk, masa depan kehidupan semakin kelam.

Menoleh ke belakang dan melihat ke depan, kita rindu untuk melihat Islam didaulatkan. Umur kita semakin pendek, kita menjadi cemas; sempatkan kita melihat hukum-hakam Allah terlaksana sebelum mata kita tertutup rapat.

Sehubungan itu, dalam kesempatan singkat ini marilah kita bergabung tenaga dalam jemaah yang berazam menegakkan hukum-hakam-Nya. Tiada daya upaya untuk kita bertindak sendirian, marilah kita korbankan diri dalam membantu jemaah ini menegakkan Islam. 

Biarlah kita mati dalam perjuangan menegakkan hukum-hakam-Nya sepenuhnya, sekalipun cita-cita itu tidak terlaksana ketika hayat kita tetapi yakinilah suatu hari Islam tetap tertegak di bumi tercinta ini.

Zulhijah 25, 1442: Don't forget to 'solat' (Jangan lupa solat)

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.

YEARS ago to 'breath fresh air', I packed my bag and was off on a 'kapcai'; traveling from my home state Melaka to the southern tip of mainland Asia that is Tanjung Piai in Johor. 

'Alhamdulillah' (All praise be to Allah), the to and fro trip of about 350 kilometers for three days and two nights was smooth. In Pontian I made a brief stop at an old friend's house, Haji Kasiron Reduan, 80, a former teacher and writer who had been bestowed several literature awards.

After the 'warm get together session', before departing I asked Haji Reduan for tips in educating our children. He said it is good for parents especially the father to inculcate 'falsafah hidup' (philosophy of life) to their children.

He said the Malay Language is rich in 'falsafah hidup'; just look at its idioms...one example is 'genggam bara biar sampai jadi arang' which means 'when you want to achieve something, you need to be courage, so no matter what obstacle coming through, you keep standing on your commitment until you finally have it in your hand securely'.

So, what was among the 'falsafah hidup' you taught your children, I asked. Its so simple, he said, each time I was about to depart for example when sending him or her off to his/her boarding school, I whispered to my children 'jangan lupa solat' (don't forget to pray).

Why did you reminded them 'jangan lupa solat' and not 'solatlah' (please pray)? It was because 'solat' is one of easiest 'ibadah' (act of obedience to Allah SWT) to be forgotten by a Muslim. Only those with strong 'iman' (faith), would 'istiqamah' (steadfastness) in performing 'solat'.

A study on secondary school pupils regarding performing 'solat', only 20 percent mentioned they performed the five times daily 'fardu' (obligatory) prayers; the question is 'what happened' to the other 80 percent of the students? 

 

'Solat' is second in line of the 'Rukun Islam' (Five Pillars of Faith). It is the first 'ibadah' to be judged in the Hereafter; if a person failed in this aspect of 'ibadah', then his/her other good deeds would not be accounted for; 'nauzubillah' (we seek refugee in Allah) from being thrown into Hell. 

Well, what does Allah SWT says about the purpose of Him created us (mankind)? In Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51), 'ayahs' (verses) 56 and 57 He says: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me."

Yes 'our mission' in this world is to worship Allah. 'Subhanallah' (Glory to God) how is our days and years (time) spend on earth? Each and everyone of us is given 24 hours a day; let's us now evaluate on what we do in our everyday life. Perhaps our (the writer included) 24 hours were full of playful and useless activities and being wasted away without us being guilty! 

The Holy Prophet s.a.w. warned us when he said: “On the day of Judgment, one will not be able to move away before Allah until he has accounted for his life, how it was spent; on knowledge, to what use it was put; regarding wealth, how it was acquired and spent; and on body, how it is utilized? 

Let us look at look at the things we do during those 24 hours given to each of us by Allah SWT. A large part of it (about 6-8 hours) we sleep, another 8 hours we spend it working, and for the balance time, we are engage in routine activities such as eating, watching TV, playing games, going to the toilets and so on. 

This is what ordinary people do, as for a busy person such a businessman, a journalist or a politician; he may spend perhaps up to 16 hours doing business or work and some may complain he or she has no time to say his/her ‘solat’ (prayers). 

Imagine, from the 24 hours a day given by Allah SWT, he/she has the guts to say that he/she has no time to say his five times daily ‘fardu’ (compulsory) prayers! Some dared to say they have no time to perform even a prayer! Remember that Allah SWT has sent us to earth to worship Him as being mentioned the ayah 56-57 of Surah Adh-Dhariyat.

How come when a person says he has no time for prayers yet pious people during the same period of 24 hours could perform all five times daily prayers in congregation in masjids and some could offer up tens or even hundreds of ‘rakaat’ of ‘sunat’ (recommendation) prayers. If a ‘busy’ person complains he has no time to even flip the pages of the Qur’an, then there are pious people who could complete reading (khatam) the whole Qur’an in a day! 

And during 'football seasons' such as the World Cup, a fanatic football fan would perhaps spend all his/her 24 hours a day given by The Almighty with his ‘eat and sleep way of life’ in front of the idiot box (TV). 

Perhaps he/she is too busily engrossed in his interest that he/she has no time to perform his obligations to Allah SWT such as performing his ‘solat’! Yes his/her 24 hours a day is spend only of football yet pious people with the Hereafter as their main concern, could do numerous good things that ‘insya-Allah’ (God willing) would please Allah SWT and would rewarded handsomely by Him. 

Then there were among us who managed to say our prayers but they were done 'in a nick of time'. We were 'too stingy' with their time to be with God; we prayed 'when we have the time' and the obligations were done during our 'free and spared time'.

Take for example the way some of us performed our 'zuhur' (midday prayers). 'Zuhur' begins at about 1:15 pm; but at that time we were busy with our office chores and were reluctant to have our lunch hour not fully used. We would rather be at the lunch table joking with friends rather than joining congregators at masjids or be at our office's 'surau'.

After lunch we were back to our office work. Suddenly at 4.15 pm when we were preparing our desks to go home, only then we realized we had not perform our 'zuhur' prayers. We rushed to the 'surau' and managed to say our prayers 'in the nick of time' because 'asar' (late afternoon) prayers begins at 4.25 pm. 

Then there were some of us who pray during commercial breaks while glued to their TV favorite programs shows and films such as Hindustani movies and football games.

'Subhanallah' dear readers including myself, if our lives 'fit the above description' let's do some reflections. Surely during all 'those years' we had done injustice not only to God but our ourselves.  

Allah SWT The Almighty has given us 24 hours a day, is it fair for us to give Him 'our lousy time'? If we have 'no time' to be with Allah SWT, then what could be said about our relationship to Him? I am afraid if we have 'no time' to Him, then 'He would also have to time to us'.

An 'ustaz' described the situation as such: "If you hired a worker what do you expect from him/her? Say his/her working hours is from 9 am to 5 pm (8 hours), what's your reaction if he/she spend 7 hours doing things of his/her wish and fancies and only an hour to do work subscribed by you? Of course you would get angry, would not pay him/her but 'kick him/her out'.

"Then please have a mirror to look at ourselves. Allah SWT has created us to worship Him but what's our attitude to Him. We not only 'do not do what He told us to do' but we go against Him; only once in a while we give 'our spare time' to Him. From our 'ill attitudes' we should be able to judge 'what rewards' we would get from Him.

"The correct way is allocate our prime to Allah SWT. Please give our time to Him. If He expect us to say our 'solat' (prayers) at the earliest time possible, then do it...if 'zuhur' begins at 1.15 pm, prepare for it earlier - take our ablutions and headed for the masjid - we should give priority to His orders. Remember we are His servants...we are send to earth to worship Him."

A hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas: Allah’s Apostle s.a.w. said: “Take benefit of ‘five’ before ‘five’: your youth before your old age, you health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free-time before your preoccupation and your life before you’re your death.” 

Dear readers especially myself, please make full use of the opportunities given by Allah the Almighty, not to waste them. We should appreciate what we have especially the ‘five’ mention in the hadith - youth, health, wealth, free-time, and life.

It is a timely time to do some reflections on our overall practice of Islam. For example how is our 'solat' nowadays - is the 'quality' of our 'solat' at 50 years of age the same as our 'solat' when we were 15 years old - that was 35 years ago? 

Mother and father, please note that many of us do not or fail to 'dakwah' our children. 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)

As parents, we are the 'first teacher' for our children. The question is how is our children's 'iman'; have we always reminded them to be always on the straight path such as coaxing them with wisdom words like 'jangan lupa solat' (don't forget to 'solat') as practiced by my good old friend, Haji Kasiron Reduan?

Zulhijah 24, 1442: The 'loving sheikh' from Lubuk Merbau...

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, when I was in Kuala Lumpur, I took the opportunity to visit a bookstore. At the bookshop I searched for a series of 'kitabs' (books) named 'Bahru Al-Madzi' written and compiled by our very own international renowned ulama, Sheikh Muhammad Idris Abdul Rauf Al-Marbawi. 

At that time, one of Sheikh Idris's book, 'Bahru Al-Madzi - Syarah Mukhtashar Shahih At-Tirmidzi Juzuk 13') was being used as a text book during a 'tazkirah' (Islamic lesson) at a 'masjid' near my house. 

Who was this Sheikh? Perhaps many of us do not know this figure who was famous among students and intellectuals in Egypt and Makkah. So let us find out more about this Sheikh...

There are 22 'juzuk' (volumes) of 'Bahru Al-Madzi' (Lecture on 'Shahih' At-Tirmidzi) by the great Malay scholar; the one I was looking for was 'Juzuk 13' (the 13th Volume) which discusses topics on food, good deeds and relationship.

Since during his class (kuliah Subuh) on every Sunday morning after 'subuh' (dawn) prayers, the 'ustaz' would just start reading from the book after finishing 'Juzuk 12' (Volume 12), I started looking for the book.

Well dear readers, hadiths mentioned in the book are very detailed indeed - readings from its early pages proved it - in Chapter 1 the hadith is about eating dates with cucumber.

Sheikh Idris quotes Abdullah ibn Jaafar 'radiyallahu anhu' (may he be pleased) says, “Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam (s.a.w.) ate Qith’thaa (Arab cucumbers) with dates.”

Cucumber has a cold effect and dates have a hot one. By combining the two it becomes mild. From this hadith we gather that it is recommended that the effect (hot or cold) of things eaten should be taken into consideration. Cucumber is insipid and tasteless, and dates are sweet which results in the cucumber also tasting sweet. 

Sheikh Idris usually begins his lectures with these soothing words: "Ketahuilah kiranya, ya saudaraku..." (Please, be informed my dear brothers..." This 'catchy phrase' by the Sheikh is his trademark; he makes readers feel very close to him; he is like a 'fatherly or a brotherly figure' advising his children or brothers and sisters. 

So, Sheikh Idris is close to his readers and those who follow his writtings and teachings. And some readers, I included, have fallen in love with his 'Bahru Al-Madzi'.

The ustaz during our 'kuliah Subuh' also mentioned another hadith in which Aisha radiyallah anha reports that, “Rasulullah s.a.w. ate watermelon with fresh dates.” 

In Tirmidhi and other narrations, in explaining this, Sayidina Rasulullah s.a.w. also said, “The cold effect of one removes the heat of the other, and the heat of one removes the cold effect of the other.” 

Anas radiyallahu anhu says, “I saw Rasulullah s.a.w. eat together musk-melon and dates.” 

Some ulamas have translated this also as watermelon instead of musk-melon, the reason being, as in the first narration, here also the cold effect is intended. But it is clear that musk-melon is meant here. The reason for eating dates is also that it gives the melon a sweeter taste. It is not necessary that one’s benefit be gauged everywhere. It is possible that this is due to some other benefits.

According to this humble servant the eating of watermelon with dates has its own benefit and that is to create evenness in the effect of both, so that it becomes mild. The eating of musk-melon with dates has its own benefit and that is that if the melon is insipid and tasteless, many a time, due to it being insipid sugar is mixed before it is eaten. Therefore it is not necessary to give the same reasons for both watermelon and musk-melon. 

The ustaz during our 'kuliah Subuh' showed us the way to eat Arab cucumber with dates and also water melon with dates. He said in 'one hand hold the cucumber or a piece of watermelon and in another hold the date'. 'Bite the cucumber and then the date and when both are in the mouth, start chewing them'; the 'show put on' by the ustaz made the audiences burst into laughter! 

Our ustaz have high respect for Sheikh Idris; each time he begins his lesson by mentioning contributions of the Sheikh to the Muslim ummah especially those living in the Malay archipelago. He said the Sheikh's 'kitab' was the only one from the Malay world that was being lectured at the Haram Masjid. 

"It is common for 'kitabs' by ulamas from India and Pakistan being taught at the Holy Land but I have not come across any from this part of the world except for Sheikh Idris's," he said. 

So, who is Sheikh Muhammad Idris Abdul Rauf Al-Marbawi? In a book 'Tokoh Ulama Nusantara' (Great Ulema of the Malay Archipelago) by Tajuddin Saman who is my former work mate in NSTP and translated by thefreelibrary.com; he wrote that Muhammad Idris Al-Marbawi (he was from Lubuk Merbau, Kuala Kangsar Perak thus he used the name Al-Marbawi) was born on 28 Zulkaedah 1313 Hijrah equivalent to 1893 AD in Makkah al-Mukarramah. 

At the age of 10 years, he was able to memorize a total of 10 constituents while several other books. When he was a teenager, he returned home to be with his family. 

Returning home, he was educated first at Sekolah Melayu Lubuk Merbau. Next, he pursued graduate studies at several pondok schools such as Sekolah Pondok Syeikh Wan Muhammad in Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar; Pondok Tuan Hussain al-Masnudi in Kedah; Pondok Sheikh Ahmad Fatani in Bukit Mertajam and Pondok Tok Kenali in Kelantan. Upon graduation, he worked as a religious teacher in Perak. 

Sheikh Idris fame is not only in the Archipelago but also in Egypt and Makkah especially in the field of Arabic language, hadith, tafsir and fiqh. In 1924, he studied at Al-Azhar University in Egypt and got High Degree. 

Then, he began to compile the Arabic/Malay dictionary or more recognizable as 'Kamus Idris al-Marbawi', published in 1937. Until now, the dictionary has been printed repeatedly, not less than 24 times. Then starting from here, he continued to explore the challenging in writing. The book, entitled 'Bahrul Al-Madzi' discussed about 8,200 religious issues and the relationship between the life of the Hereafter. He also produced several books of tafsir al-Quran in Malay Language. Among these are Tafsir Qu'ran Marbawi, Tafsir Qur'an Nurul-Yaqin and Tafsir Surah Yassin. 

Besides that, there a few publication which are entitled Bulughul Maram, MuNjam al-KaNnat, JamiNul Ulum, Usul al-Islam and Nizamul Hayah. 

All the books written by Sheikh Idris enrich the precious Islamic heritage in the Archipelago and expose the intellectuality of Muslim community. 

Due to the contributions and prospects in the field of religion and literature, on 5 July 1980, Sheikh Idris was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by National University of Malaysia (UKM). Award bestowed by the Chancellor of UKM, Tunku Ja'far Ibni al-Marhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman during convocation. At that time, he was 86 years old and was recorded as a scholar who has produced 21 works in various aspects of Islam. 

In 1987, he was enthroned as the first Maal Hijrah National Figure based on contributions and high knowledge of Islam in the archipelago, especially in Malaysia. Sheikh Idris also received a cash prize of RM 40,000, a medal and certificate. The prize was presented by the then Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a ceremony Maal Hijrah celebration, in front of approximately 3,000 people were present, including ambassadors from Islamic countries, in the Islamic Centre Kuala Lumpur. When receiving the award, the Maal Hijrah figure was 95 years old.

He died shortly after receiving the award. Sheikh Idris leave a child, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was buried in the Muslim cemetery in Kampung Lubuk Merbau that is next to the grave of his first wife, Hajah Khadijah Mohd Edham.

Sheikh Idris departure is still remembered and his name is commemorated by the Muslim society either young or elderly. The great and significant contribution by him was the Kamus Al-Marbawi. This dictionary continues to be remembered and used by students in any kind of study either high or low levels and can be seen up to now. 

As for me, I have fallen in love with 'Bahru Al-Madzi'. 'Jazak Allah Khayr' Sheikh Muhammad Idris Al-Marbawi; "May Allah reward you (with) goodness."