Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 53

Zulkaedah 4, 1442: 'SPM, STPM penentu masa depan kamu!'...(U)

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

Renungan

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

SEORANG penceramah motivasi  yang diundang berucap di sebuah sekolah menengah beberapa bulan menjelang peperiksaan awam SPM dan STPM meluahkan 'rasa terkilan' apabila pengetua sekolah itu yang berucap bagi merumuskan perjumpaan menegaskan beberapa kali kepada pelajar: "Ingat SPM dan STPM ini adalah penentu masa depan kamu!"

Penceramah itu berkata kalaulah dia diberi peluang berucap selepas pengetua itu bolehlah dia 'secara lawak cuba-cuba membetulkan' kata-kata semangat "Ingat SPM dan STPM ini adalah penentu masa depan kamu!"

Beliau berkata dari segi akidah, ingatan itu sudah terpesong, tidak bolehlah kita sebagai manusia menyatakan kejayaan peperiksaan adalah penentu masa depan seseorang. "Sekalipun untuk memberi semangat kepada pelajar, kata-kata yang diucapkan perlu difikirkan secara mendalam akan maksudnya," katanya.

Penceramah itu berkata, bercakaplah secara benar bahawa kita ini makhluk lemah, jadi mintalah pertolongan kepada Allah SWT...apa, adakah kita malu untuk menyatakan bahawa Allah yang menentukan masa depan kita? Demikianlah, betapa banyak pelajar kurang cemerlang dalam SPM dan STPM berjaya dalam hidup dan tidak kurang juga pelajar terbaik kurang berjaya dalam kehidupan.

Kejayaan dalam kehidupan pula mempunyai pelbagai tafsiran...apakah berjaya itu bermaksud seseorang pelajar cemerlang dalam SPM atau STPM seterusnya memasuki universiti, mendapat pekerjaan baik bergaji besar seterusnya berpangkat tinggi serta berharta banyak?

Seorang ustaz dalam kuliah dwi-mingguannya yang sering saya hadiri, cukup kesal dengan sikap sesetengah anggota masyarakat yang meletakkan sijil sebagai penentu masa depan anak-anak. Mereka yakin lebih tinggi sijil diperolehi (daripada sijil UPSR kepada SPM, STPM seterusnya ijazah) maka cerahlah masa depan seseorang sebaliknya mengutuk anak-anak 'tak bersijil' seperti pelajar tahfiz kononnya tidak mempunyai masa depan.

"Sekarang ini budak-budak tahfiz sudah buktikan...ada yang sudah jadi 'lawyer' (peguam) dan pensyarah sedangkan kita tahu ribuan orang berijazah pun sedang menganggur. Ini menunjukkan sijil-sijil bukanlah penentu masa depan, yang berkuasa menentukan masa depan kita hanyalah Allah SWT," katanya.

Beliau mendakwa 'kegilaan' masyarakat bagi anak-anak mereka mendapatkan sijil cemerlang dengan deretan 'A' menyebabkan agama seolah-olah digunakan dalam keadaan dan masa-masa diperlukan saja. "Misalnya, menjelang peperiksaan, sekolah mengundang ibu bapa dan anak-anak untuk solat hajat dan baca Yassin...kita bimbang kerana ada kajian menunjukkan ramai anak-anak kita yang tidak cukup solat waktunya dalam sehari malah ada yang tidak solat sama sekali...jadi sewajarnya kita berusaha agar anak kita dapat menunaikan solat dengan sempurna setiap hari."

Akibat terlalu memberi penekanan kepada kejayaan akademik seperti meluahkan kata-kata "SPM, STPM penentu masa depan kamu" pelbagai kemungkinan buruk boleh berlaku. Tindakan meletakkan harapan yang terlalu tinggi dalam pelajaran memberikan tekanan bukan saja kepada pelajar malah ibu bapa, guru, sekolah dan masyarakat.

Baru-baru ini seorang pelajar dilaporkan membunuh diri dikatakan kecewa tidak dapat menjawab kertas peperiksaan Matematik Tambahan SPM yang didudukinya. Mana tidak 'tension' kerana sejak awal-awal lagi sudah dipasak ke minda murid "SPM ini penentu masa depan kamu."

Mungkin kerana takut masa depannya tiada lagi 'kerana SPM-nya sudah lingkup', pelajar berkenaan dikhuatiri mengambil jalan mudah dengan membunuh diri. Sehubungan itu, diharapkan 'orang kepercayaan' anak-anak seperti ibu bapa dan guru (termasuk pengetua) berhati-hati tatkala mereka memberi nasihat dan mengungkapkan kata-kata perangsang kepada pelajar

Zulkaedah 3, 1442: The fruitless tree…(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.

“BEFORE I learned about Muslim,

I learned about The Qur’an first.

If I learned about the Muslim first before the Qur’an,

I would have never became a Muslim,

Because Muslims is not perfect but Islam is.” – Yusuf Islam@ Cat Stevens

I attended a ‘kuliuh subuh’ (early morning lesson) at a ‘masjid’ near my house last recently, where the ustaz commented that nowadays ‘knowledge could be gained anywhere’ for example from classes in masjids, via mass media such as TV, by using social media such as Facebook and Youtube but in true sense ‘kebarakahan ilmu’ (blessedness of knowledge) is fast disappearing from us.

The ustaz made a comparison to the way of living of people of the past for example during our father our grandfather prime times; then they only had one or two ustazs in a kampung or none at all and there were hardly any ‘tazkirah’ (lesson) at the masjid, but once the people got inputs from once in a blue moon ‘tazkirah’, they put it into action. In this way, good deeds flourished and the bad ones were only committed once in a while.

He claimed that nowadays there are many ustazs and ustazahs around – they are giving lectures almost ‘around the clock’ including by using latest gadgets - but the irony of it if we were to open up our hearts and eyes we would realized that our society is getting worse by each day. The people do not put into action to what they had learned and sadly there are ustazs and ustazahs themselves do not walk their talk.

Subhanallah, the blessedness of knowledge is getting ‘thinner and thinner’ by each day, said the ustaz. Negative traits and crimes are on raise; what has become to our society when crimes unimaginable to us some time ago such as killing ones parents or spouse kept on filling the pages of our newspapers! One way knowledge ‘is taken away’ from us is more and more ‘ulamas’ (Islamic scholar) had left us for the Hereafter (died). The death of an ‘ulama’ is a great loss and disaster to us, he said.

After his lesson, I met the ustaz to have a clear picture on the subject about 'ilmu' and 'amal' (knowledge and the practicing of it or putting it into action). Among others, I mentioned to him about the sayings of Yusuf Islam or Cat Stevens (above) that he would never be a Muslim if he were to look at the doing of Muslims.

The ustaz said 'ilmu' and 'amal' are intrinsically and inexorably tied together, complementing one another. For any action to be correct, it has to be based on true knowledge. Knowledge that is not put into practice is of no benefit, regardless how correct that knowledge might be.

He then read a wise man saying that knowledge without action is like a tree without fruit. Ibn Hazm mentioned that from the benefits of knowledge is that it repels evil whispers from the soul and it rids one of the worries and troubles. This is especially true for the one who loves knowledge, who studies constantly, and who applies in practice what he has learned. The student of knowledge should distribute his time between memorizing, reading, revising, researching, and reflecting.

The ustaz said he agreed with the words of Yusuf Islam. Its tally of the saying of a Muslim thinker who said he found the values of Islam being practiced in Western countries while the Muslims themselves distanced away from its teaching. By looking and studying the conduct and way of living by the nonpracticing Muslims even if they are knowledgeable, a non-Muslim would not have noticed the beauty of Islam. Thus they would not be attracted to the religion. By the way, Islam is not only a religion but a way of life.

Knowledge is the key to serenity and ease, said 'Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni in his book Don't Be Sad. "Knowledge and an easy-going nature are like two inseparable companions: if the first is present, the other can be counted upon to accompany it. 

"If you study the lives of Islam's greatest scholars, you will find that they led simple lives and that they were easy to deal with. They understood the purpose of life and knew which issues were paramount and which were less important. 

"Meanwhile, you will find that the most obstinate of people are those who, without having knowledge, are ascetics. They misunderstand revealed texts and are ignorant of religious issues." 

Muslims were also taught about beneficial knowledge and the fruitless ones. In the Qur'an 30: 56 Allah SWT says, "And those who have been bestowed with knowledge and faith will say: 'Indeed you have stayed according to the Decree of Allah, until the Day of Resurrection, but you knew not'. 

There is knowledge that is useful and there is knowledge that is harmful. As for the knowledge that is useful, the believer's faith strengthens as a result of it; on the other hand, the disbeliever does not reap any benefit whatsoever from gaining this kind of knowledge; though the information required is the same, the results are very different. 

Allah SWT says of His enemies: "They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world (i.e. the matters of their livelihood, like irrigation or sowing or reaping, etc.) and they are heedless of the Hereafter." (Qur'an 30: 7). 

So gaining knowledge is important but the most important is how to use or handle it accordingly for the benefit of oneself and others, not only in this world but in the Hereafter. 

It is useless to gain knowledge if the person involved only thinks about his or her personal benefits derived from it or becomes ignorant, proud and doesn't remember Allah SWT at all. 

Nowadays how many times have we witnessed people with higher education being brought to the courts for misconduct such as being involved in bribery, breaching trusts and stealing monies and being involved in various scandals. And those in power do whatever they wished, sometimes to the extend that even laws are at their feet.

Remember what Allah has to say about the Jews who had abundant knowledge but became ignorant. "The likeness of those who were entrusted with the Torah, but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey who carries huge burdens of books (but understand nothing from them). How bad is the example of people who deny the Ayaah (proof, evidence, signs, verses, etc.) of Allah. (Qur'an 62 ; 5).

In gaining knowledge and putting them into practice we hope to be among the seven groups of people who will be rewarded handsomely as promised by Allah SWT. 

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

Islam stressed the importance of knowledge; Muslims, men or women are asked to learn and enrich themselves, to seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave, a hadith said: “Seeking knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim, male and female.” (Bukhary and Muslim) 

No matter what kind of knowledge are there, all for the benefits of this world and Hereafter, every Muslim should study and try to be a kind hearted believer, and get success in this world and Hereafter. A hadith said: “He who wants to be successful in this world, then he must have knowledge; he who wants to get successful in the Hereafter, then he must have knowledge; he who wants to get successful in this world and Hereafter, then he must have knowledge.” (Bukhary and Muslim)

A learned person should practice what he himself preaches, and spread his or her knowledge to other people. But, please do remember that 'ilmu' without 'amal' is like a tree without fruit. For a practicing scholar he will be holding a higher rank in front of Allah and in social community as well. The Qur’an says: “Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks.” (58: 11)

Zulkaedah 2, 1442: Istiqamah antara punca kejayaan...

 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)

SESEKALI 'terserempak' kawan-kawan lama, terasa malu juga diri ini. Nama sebahagian daripada mereka bermula dengan Dr menandakan mereka adalah pakar perubatan ataupun sudah mendapat ijazah kedoktoran - falsafah (PhD) dalam bidang masing-masing.

Ada juga dipanggil Tan Sri, Dato' Seri dan pelbagai gelaran lain tetapi dalam ruangan ini, penulis merakamkan kekaguman kepada mereka 'yang berjaya' dari segi akademik.

Sebahagian daripada mereka yang bergelar Dr dan ada ditambah dengan Profesor dan Profesor Madya ini ketika zaman persekolahan bersama penulis dulu, pencapaian mereka dalam kelas adalah 'biasa-biasa saja', malah ada yang 'lebih teruk' daripada penulis. Apa rahsia mereka boleh berjaya dalam bidang masing-masing?

Sebahagian daripadanya menjawab istiqamah. Mereka konsisten belajar - ramai seperti penulis memperolehi ijazah pertama (sarjana muda) dalam usia 23-24 tahun, kemudian berkahwin dan membesarkan anak-anak tetapi sebahagian daripadanya gigih meneruskan pengajian ke peringkat sarjana seterusnya doktor falsafah.

Tidak lama dulu penulis dikunjungi seorang sahabat lama - seorang sarjana bahasa Melayu. Beliau yang bergelar Dr mengajar di sebuah universiti tempatan. Apa yang menarik dicelotehkan pensyarah ini adalah mengenai ketinggian martabat serta kedudukan bahasa Melayu dan satu perkara yang tidak dapat dipisahkan berhubung perkembangan dan kemajuan bahasa ini adalah Islam.

Katanya, Islamlah yang memartabatkan bahasa Melayu sekali gus bangsa Melayu; sebarang langkah untuk 'memperkecil-kecilkan' atau 'mengnyahkan' bahasa ini bermakna orang Melayu dikhuatiri tidak akan maju tamadunnya. Tanpa bahasanya yang maju, tidak mungkin orang Melayu yang hampir semuanya beragama Islam akan maju hatta longgar juga dalam pegangan Islam mereka.

Sejak Islam datang dan diterima di alam Melayu dengan pengislaman raja-raja Pasai, Perlak, Aceh, Mataram (Jawa), Melaka, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Petani, Brunei dan banyak lagi wilayah, bahasa Melayu yang mengadaptasi tulisan Arab (Jawi) mengalami perkembangan teramat pesat sehinggakan bangsa ini maju dari segi budaya, kesusasteraan, pemerintahan dan teknologinya.

Islam telah mengangkat bahasa dan bangsa Melayu - bangsa dan kerajaan di rantau ini diiktiraf seantero dunia termasuk pemerintah China, India dan paling penting empayar Islam yang menguasai dunia ketika itu, Uthmaniyah yang berpangkalan di Turki.

Bahasa Melayu dengan huruf jawi amat berkait rapat dengan Islam termasuk amalan beragama. Di ruangan kecil ini memadailah diberi contoh mudah. Istiqamah satu sifat penting dalam melakukan peribadatan dalam Islam. “Daripada Aisyah r.ha., Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. bersabda, bermaksud: “Wahai manusia lakukanlah amalan mengikut keupayaan kamu. Sesungguhnya Allah tidak jemu sehinggalah kamu jemu. Amalan yang paling Allah sukai ialah amalan yang berterusan walaupun sedikit.” ((Riwayat al-Bukhari dan Muslim)

Dalam bahasa Melayu ada 'bunga bahasa' seperti peribahasa yang bermaksud seakan-akan selari dengan maksud hadis tersebut seperti 'sedikit-sedikit lama-lama jadi bukit' dan 'sehari selembar benang lama-lama jadi sehelai kain'.

Kata sarjana itu, ini menunjukkan pengaruh Islam amat hebat dalam bahasa Melayu dan perkara ini disedari penjajah yang sedaya upaya 'memisahkan Islam daripada bahasa Melayu'. Maka dibuang dan dihapuskan huruf Arab (jawi) digantikan dengan huruf rumi dan mutakhir ini ada pemimpin berpendapat bahasa Melayu tidak berupaya membicarakan ilmu teknologi seperti Sains dan Matematik. Lantas mereka 'memandulkan' bahasa Melayu dengan berusaha tidak membenarkan bahasa ini membicarakan Sains dan Matemik di sekolah dan universiti sebaliknya diagung-agungkannya bahasa Inggeris.

Hakikatnya, kata sarjana itu bahasa Melayu hebat dalam memperkatakan teknologi jika tidak masakan bangsa Melayu suatu ketika dulu terkenal sebagai pelayar hebat dan menjelajah lautan dunia; rumusannya istiqamahlah dalam memperkasa bahasa Melayu walaupun secara berdikit-dikit, namun jika cuba 'dimandulkan' bahasa Melayu, dikhuatiri bangsa Melayu juga akan memasuki zaman gelapnya.

Ya, penjajah sudah berjaya sebahagiannya 'menanggalkan' Islam daripada bahasa Melayu, namun wahai pejuang bangsa dan bahasa, istiqamahlah, terus berjuang memperkasa bahasa Melayu yang amat bertaut rapat dengan Islam. Jika dipisahkan elemen Islam daripada bahasa Melayu, bukan saja bahasa ini akan mati tetapi juga bangsa ini!

Zulkaedah 1, 1442: Terbang helang...(U)

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

Renungan

"Apabila seorang manusia meninggal dunia, terputuslah semua amalnya kecuali tiga perkara iaitu sedekah jariah, ilmu yang bermanfaat dan anak soleh yang mendoakannya." (Hadis laporan Muslim)

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

Sebagaimana sebuah iklan biskut menyebut "kejap ada, kejap tiada" - demikianlah hidup kita di dunia ini terlalu singkat untuk kita berbuat zalim termasuklah dalam berpolitik. Mengapa kita terlalu terkejar-kejar akan matlamat kita hendak mendapat 'segala yang dilihat sebagai keindahan dunia' sedangkan jika direnungkan bersungguh-sungguh dengan hati terbuka, apa yang kita buru itu  bukanlah benar-benar kita perlukan.

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

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

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

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

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

TERBANG HELANG

 

Di angkasa nan luas

Terbang sang helang bebas

Menebarkan sayapnya

Sungguh megah lagaknya

Helang mendabik dada

Membelahi angkasa

Dengan gaya perwira

Bila saja engkau menghampiri 

Burung lain terbang lari

Kau merasakan dirimu gagah

Hak yang lain tak kau endah

Mengganas kau di angkasa

Dengan gaya perwira

Terbanglah engkau tinggi 

Sampai ke mana lagi

Ingin engkau jelajahi

Sehingga kau terlupa

Yang tinggi jatuh jua

Bila tiba ketika

Kau ke tanah akhirnya

Usah kau lupa diri 

Bahawa langit itu tinggi

Nanti lemas sendiri

Nanti lemas sendiri

Syawal 30, 1442: Ladies, please emulate Hagar...(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.

LATELY when reading newspapers, sometimes I came across news or articles featuring women doing 'extraordinary feats' - the latest one was about a lady who traveled alone (solo) around the globe crossing over 40 countries in four continents on a motorbike in 370 days.

'Syabas' (congratulation) to that determined lady...Oh what a feat, I really admired her determination; her courage, her sacrifice and her achivement 'won' my heart - yes she had her name crafted in the Malaysia Book of Records as the first Malaysian Muslim women to travel around the world on a motorcycle.

The lady who was also touted as the first Muslim woman to successfully ride a motorcycle around the globe, was quoted as saying although her main motivation was to make Malaysia proud,the mission was also aimed at correcting the negative public perception of Islam and women in Islam.

"Too many people have become Islamophobic and think of Islam as the religion of terrorists, that Islam is rigid and discriminates women and that Islam does not allow women to study or work, and other negative perceptions.

"If they say Islam is rigid, oppressing women to the extent of not letting them to study, then how come I am going around the world riding solo on a motorbike," she was quoted saying.

Many Malaysian Muslims including intellectuals and leaders gave thumbs up to the lady's feat; for example a renowned professor said she support women doing tough outdoor activities including travelling solo around the world, travelling across Antartica or climbing roof top mountains.

Dear readers, I have no grudge against women, but when there are encouragements from top figures that Muslim ladies indulge in 'extraordinary feats' whats more involves travelling and they are looked as examples to our young generation, I was confused and my mind raced back to the many 'tazkirah' (lessons) I attended at 'masjids' around my house.

Regarding 'successful women' who should be looked as examples, what has Allah SWT and His prophet, Muhammad s.a.w. (peace be upon him) had mentioned; that's more important, in fact it is very crucial because we must strive to be successful in this world and the Hereafter.

From the Qur'an (Al-Baqarah, 2:201) we recited our du'a: "Our Lord, give us in this world (that which is) good and in the Hereafter (that which is) good and protect us from punishment of the Fire."

Regarding rules on 'musafir'; (traveler), I heard a few 'hadiths' from some 'ustazs'; one of the 'hadith' read: "Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id al-Khudri r.a. narrates that the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. said: “Let no woman travel for more than three days unless her husband or a 'mahram' is with her." (Sahih Muslim)

Another one read: "Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas r.a. narrates that the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. said: “'A woman must not travel except with a 'mahram' and a man must not enter upon her except if she has a 'mahram'. (Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 1763)

One 'ustaz' reminded that no 'Muslimah' (Muslim women) should travel to faraway places without being accompanied by her husband or 'mahram' (unmarriageable kin).

He said even to perform hajj, which is the fifth article in 'Rukun Islam' (Articles of Faith), Muslim female must be accompanied by her husband or 'mahram' then whats more to lesser important obligations such as working, studying and of course holidaying.

So 'the thing' that puzzled me is could a Muslim women travel solo around the globe riding a motorcycle? A few days ago, during a question and answer session after an 'ustaz' had given his 'tazkirah', I posed to him the question.

He said the general understanding is that it is prohibited in the Shariah for a female to travel without a 'mahram' under all circumstances. It is impermissible for a woman to travel the distance of three days (equivalent to 48 miles) without her husband or a ''mahram' accompanying her. 

Why are women not allowed to travel without 'mahram'? Firstly, it was Allah's command; just obey it and you be blessed and rewarded handsomely. And if you disobeyed Allah's command after you have the the knowledge about it, then it is up to you; the consequences you bear it yourself.

Regarding the ban, scholars said it was because travel usually causes exhaustion and hardship, and because women are weak and need someone to look after them and stay with them, and things may happen in the absence of her 'mahram' that she is not able to deal with. These are things that are well known and are frequently seen nowadays because of the large number of accidents involving cars and other means of transportation. 

Moreover, if a woman travels alone she may be approached and tempted to do evil, especially when there is a great deal of corruption. Someone may sit next to her who does not fear Allah and he made may doing 'haraam' (forbidden) actions seem appealing to her. It is perfectly wise that the woman should be accompanied by her 'mahram' when she travels, because the purpose of having her 'mahram' present is to protect her and look after her. Travelling is a situation in which emergencies may arise, no matter what the length of the journey is. 

The 'ustaz' said Muslims or Muslimah in specific, should looked upon the lives of 'special and successful women' mentioned in the Qur'an and hadith if they were aiming to be blessed in this world and the Hereafter. Among names mentioned were the Prophet's s.a.w. wives such as Lady Khadijah binti Khauwalid, Aisha' binti Abu Bakar; his daughter Fatimah Az-Zahra; women around his time such as Ummu Sulaim and before the time of the Prophet s.a.w. women such as Aisya' the wife of 'Firaun' (Pharaoh) and Hajar (Hagar), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim a.s.

Reading the lives of these women with heart, one could not help but was tremendously touched and determined to follow their footsteps...of course not all of them but 'a little of it' could be able to guide us in life. They lead lives not to be popular and famous doing 'extraordinary deeds of feats', but only to please their Creator, Allah SWT. They lead lives in line with Allah's order - "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me." (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51: 56-57)

A renowned writer, Dr Ali Shariati described beautifully how Allah SWT honoured one of the women - Hajar (Hagar) in his book 'Hajj'. This is an excerpt of it: Toward the west of Kaaba there is a semi-circular short wall which is arching towards the Kaaba. It is called Ismail’s Hagar. Hagar signifies lap or skirt. The semi lunar wall resembles a skirt. 

Sarah, the wife of Ibrahim had an Ethiopian maid called Hagar. She was a poor and humble servant of Sarah,who was given to Ibrahim

The skirt of Hagar was the area in which Ismail was raised. The house of Hagar is there. Her grave is near the third column of the Kaaba. 

What a surprise since no one, not even prophets, are supposed to be buried in mosques but in this case,the house of a maid is located next to Allah’s house! Hagar, the mother of Ismail is buried there. The Kaaba extends toward her grave. 

There is a narrow passage between the wall (Hagar’s skirt) and the Kaaba. When circumambulating around Kaaba, Allah commanded that you must go around the wall and not through the passage. 

Those who have submitted themselves to the oneness of Allah and those who have accepted His invitation for Hajj touch this skirt when circumambulating the Kaaba. The grave of a maid and a righteous mother is now a part of the Kaaba; it will be circumambulated by man forever! 

Allah, the Almighty, in His great and glorious Divinity is all self-sufficient. He needs no one and nothing. Nevertheless, among all His countless and eternal creatures, He has chosen one, humankind, as the noblest of all of them.  From among all humanity He has chosen: a woman, from among all women: a slave, and from among all slaves: a black maid! 

The weakest and most humiliated one of His creatures was given a place of dignity next to His own house.

The Unknown Soldier has been so chosen in the community of Islam! 

The rituals of Hajj are a memory of Hagar. The word Higrah (migration) has its root in her name as does the word mohajir (immigrant). “The ideal immigrant is the one who behaves like Hagar.” (Saying of Muhammad s.a.w.)

In Hagar’s mother-tong her name means “the city”. Even the name of this Ethiopian slave is symbolic of civilization. Furthermore, any migration like hers is a move toward civilization! 

Hagar’s grave is in the midst of man’s circumambulation of Kaaba. You, the mohajir (immigrant), who has detached himself from everything and accepted Allah’s invitation to go to Hajj,you will  devote your circumambulation of the Kaaba to Allah and at the same time you will be paying homage to the grave of a African maid. 

It is difficult to realize. But for those who think they live in freedom and defend humanism, the significance of these incidents transgresses the scope of their understanding! 

Syawal 29, 1442: OMG...(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.

I was very very disturbed and worried when at certain times I heard my two daughters exclaimed 'OMG' (oh my God) in their conversations. 

In my opinion, we should not copy 'other people's' way of life; isn't Islam our complete way of life? By the way, my opinion is not important, I have to seek answers from knowledgeable people and authorized sources.

First, what's the meaning of OMG. Urbandictionary defines it as a exclamation of shock or surprise, often used repeatedly by stupid people who are shocked and surprised by almost everything and insert it into conversations whenever possible. It gave this example: "Oh my God, Becky, look at her butt!"

Oxford Living Dictionaries defines OMG as an exclamation (informal) used to express surprise, excitement, disbelief, etc. Among examples given were: "OMG, we finally did it!" and "OMG, that was fun."

It was stated that its origin was in early 20th century: from the initial letters of oh my God! (the final elements may sometimes represent goodness, gosh, etc.).

To know whether we (Muslims) are allowed to utter OMG in our daily lives especially during conversations, a few days ago I asked an 'ustaz' after his weekly 'tazkirah' (lesson) at a 'masjid' near my house during which he mentioned about the importance of Muslim doing their 'zikr' (reciting words for the remembrance of Allah SWT).

He warned that Muslims without the 'zikir' would be like 'monyet' (monkeys), quoting a well known scholar. He also mentioned that the best 'zikr' is reading and understanding the Qur'an.

In his lesson the 'ustaz' mentioned about several quotations from the Qur'an and 'hadith' about the importance of 'zikr' - among others: "Only in the remembrance of Allah SWT will your heart find peace." (Quran 13: Verse 28)

Abu Hurairah r.a. (may Allah be please with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah SWT said, "The uttering of the words: "Subhan-Allah (Allah is free from imperfection), Al-hamdu lillah (all praise is due to Allah), La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah) and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)' is dearer to me than anything over which the sun rises." (Narated by Imam Muslim)

Abu Hurairah r.a. also reported: The Messenger of Allah SWT said, "There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, heavy in the Scales and are dear to the Merciful: 'Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil-Azim (Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, (and) Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection)'." (Narated by Imam Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Regarding 'my OMG question', The 'ustaz' didn't answer it directly, but first talked about how far our young generation had distanced themselves from the teachings of the Prophet s.a.w. He gave an example of some of our youth sporting various types of hair styles such as the Mohawk or Mohican style while ladies wear tight fitting and hugging jeans or leotards with hanging T-shirts and blouses even some of them wear their 'tudungs'!

He said it is not proper for us to follow 'everything' from 'people outside the Islamic teachings' such as from the Westerners uttering OMG, but if a person does it fully aware that he/she was only praising Allah SWT, for example having in mind it means 'Ya Allah!', then it is allowed.

But if we recite OMG with the intention of copying the non-Muslims way of life, then we are in great trouble because to them God are interpreted differently from us that is Allah SWT. This could jeopardy our 'iman' (faith), said the 'ustaz'.

To them, God is different from what we understand. For example a popular rapper, Weng Meng Chee or Namewee not long time ago caused controversy over his video song 'Oh My God'. In his song he mentioned about Allah and the gods of other believers. He was charged with defiling a place of worship with intention to insult religion.

Regarding the 'OMG issue', a renowned Malaysian Muslim scholar not long time ago, when asked about the matter answered: "It is a duty of every Muslim to always have the remembrance of Allah SWT. In the Qur'an, Allah SWT says, "Only in the remembrance of Allah SWT will your heart find peace." 

"Therefore to lead a calm life, always wet your tongue reciting phrases of praises to Allah SWT. The 'kalimah' (word) God could not all all be translated to Allah. The word 'God' could be in singular or plural form and have sexes such as God and Goddess. But the 'kalimah' Allah has the meaning of 'tauhid' monotheism in it. We acknowledge Allah SWT's oneness...its 'mustahil' (impossible) to be two or three. 

So to Muslims please exclaim 'Ya Allah' because its meaning is different from 'Oh my God' (OMG). Ones reciting 'Ya Allah' would have Allah SWT's bounties and huge rewards in this world whats more in the Hereafter. So, recite 'Ya Allah'...is it too difficult to recite it compared to OMG?

YES just stick to 'Subhan-Allah' or 'Ya Allah' or 'Astaghfirullah' or 'Allahu Akbar' or the likes, crying it out loud depending on the situation. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and upon all his Family and Companions.

The best thing to do to obtain peace of heart and mind, happiness and tranquility is by the remembrance of Allah. Allah says: "Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest. (Qur'an 13:28)

On the contrary, if one does not remember Allah, then there will be no peace, tranquility or happiness of the heart. Allah says: "But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur'an nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship." (Qur'an 20:124)

Syawal 28, 1442: Madinah sasaran 'ekspansionism' Yahudi?

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

Renungan

"Hai orang-orang yang beriman, bertakwalah kepada Allah, carilah wasilah yang dapat mendekatkan kepada-Nya, dan berjuanglah di jalan-Nya." (Al-Maidah 5:35)

BAKAL jemaah haji kini 'cemas' memikirkan sama ada mereka dapat menunaikan Rukun Islam kelima dalam waktu terdekat ini. Ini akibat penularan wabak koronavirus  (Covid-19). Seorang rakan sejemaah saya di masjid yang tahun lalu mendapat 'undangan', memberitahu kali ini dia telah bersiap sedia termasuk disuntik vaksin tetapi belum mendapat 'surat' lagi.

Selain wabak penyakit yang 'menafikan' kunjungan jemaah ke Tanah Suci, ancaman perang dan ketidak-stabilan  Timur Tengah juga boleh membawa kepada kemungkinan umat Islam tidak dapat mengerjakan ibadat tersebut.

Baharu-baharu ini rantau berkenaan digegarkan dengan tindakan zalim dan ganas rejim Zionis ke atas Gaza selain mencemar Tanah Suci Al-Aqsa. Sebenarnya, Israel dan 'bapa saudara'nya Amerika telah lama mengidam menjadikan rantau itu 'milik mak bapak' mereka. Buktinya segala kelengkapan perang sudah dihimpunkan di sana - di Arab Saudi sudah ada 3,000 tentera Amerika, di Jordan ada 3,000, di Turki ada 2,500, di Iraq ada 6,000, di Bahrain ada 7,000 dan paling memeranjatkan di Kuwat dan Qatar masing-masing ada 13,000 tentera Amerika.

Jika Amerika sudah 'memegang' negara-negara Arab, Israel dibiarkan bermaharajalela dan baharu-baharu ini selain mengganas di Gaza, bertindak rakus membina lebih banyak penempatan haram dalam kawasan Palestin termasuk di Baitulmaqdis.

Cita-cita 'ekspansionisme' (expansionism) peluasan wilayah Yahudi bukan semata-mata untuk merampas tanah air Palestin seluruhnya tetapi memenuhi impian sebuah ‘Greater Israel’ (Israel Raya) yang bersempadankan Sungai Nil (di Mesir) di sebelah barat dan Sungai Furat (di Iraq) di sebelah timur.

Sempadan ‘ekspansionisme’ dari sebelah barat ke timur ini sudah diketahui banyak pihak tetapi tidak ramai menyedari rancangan perluasan di sebelah selatan yang menjangkaui rantau Madinah al-Munawwarah di mana terdapat Masjid Nabawi dan makam semulia-mulia makhluk iaitu Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.

Malah, suatu ketika dahulu ada percubaan orang Yahudi untuk mencuri jasad Rasulullah s.a.w. tetapi digagalkan penguasa Nuruddin Mahmud bin Zanki.

Sesetengah Yahudi mendakwa mereka keturunan Bani Nadir dan Bani Quraizah yang pernah mendiami Yathrib (Madinah) pada zaman Rasulullah s.a.w. sebelum mereka diusir dari sana selepas melanggar perjanjian yang dimeterai dengan Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.

Berdasarkan pendedahan cita-cita besar Zionis Israel ini, umat Islam perlu bangkit daripada lena yang panjang kerana ancaman Yahudi bukan menyangkut orang Palestin saja tetapi ummah termasuk mempertahankan tanah suci Madinah dan Makkah.

Jika pencabulan Zionis ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa di al-Quds (Baitulmaqdis) tidak cukup untuk menyemarakkan semangat perjuangan ummah, kini dengan tergugatnya Madinah dan kota suci Makkah di mana terdapat Kaabah iaitu kiblat ummah; apakah umat Islam masih mahu terus menyepikan diri; masing-masing tenggelam dengan permasalahan negara dan bangsa sendiri sehingga tiada masa memikirkan nasib agama sendiri.

Sebelum rejim Zionis melangkah lebih jauh, kita berpendapat sekaranglah masa untuk umat Islam berganding bahu, berbuat sedaya upaya untuk menghentikan kezalimannya di bumi Palestin. Kejahatannya untuk menghancurkan al-Aqsa dan kawasan persekitaran perlu dihentikan segara; di sinilah ummah diperlukan untuk menyumbang tenaga semaksimum mungkin sama ada melalui pemikiran, pemboikotan, penggunaan kekuatan dan sebagainya.

Jika ancaman Zionis di Palestin ini tidak dapat ditangani, kita bimbang cita-cita perluasannya kian dekat untuk direalisasikan apatah lagi selepas jatuhnya Iraq ke tangan Washington, sekutu kuat Tel Aviv. Jika seluruh Palestin jatuh, terpalitlah seluruh dunia Islam dengan dosa tidak membantu saudara seagama.

Jatuhnya Masjid Al-Aqsa, tercemarlah maruah umat Islam tetapi bahaya lebih besar, terbukalah peluang Zionis laknatullah untuk menyampaikan cita-cita ‘ekspansionisme’nya, menjarah negara-negara umat Islam sehingga akhirnya sampai ke Madinah Al-Munawwarah.

Inilah fitnah terbesar akan dihadapi ummah; oleh itu bangunlah, bangunlah wahai umat Islam sedunia, marilah kita mulakan sesuatu, menutup ruang-ruang yang membolehkan Zionis laknatullah merealisasikan cita-cita besarnya.

Mulai sekarang kejutkanlah ummah yang kerap bersengketa itu bahawa kota suci Nabi itu pun semakin hampir untuk digapai oleh musuh. Tidak ngerikah kita memikirkan perkara itu, tidak malukah kita nanti kitalah ummah yang membenarkan musuh Allah ini menghina dan mencerca Nabi kita tatkala mereka menguasai kota kesayangan Nabi itu?

Oleh itu, marilah kita umat Islam, tidak kira dari Barat atau Timur bersatu hati, menghadapi ancaman Zionis di bumi Palestin. Halang mereka di bumi barakah ini sebelum mereka bergerak jauh, menghancurkan negara umat Islam satu persatu sehingga terbalaslah dendam Bani Quraizah dan Nadir lebih 1,400 tahun dulu. 

Syawal 27, 1442: The richest man...(U)

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

Reflection

"Do not spy one another,

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

AN 'ustaz' (religious teacher) during his 'kuliah subuh' (early morning discourse after fajr prayers) recently, asked his audience to list some of the top richest man in the country. It was 'kacang putih' (easy) for some; yes many of them knew how super rich were Robert Kuok, Ananda Krishnan and Mokhzani Mahathir, the son of a former prime minister.

To have the facts checked, I searched in the internet and found out that 'Sugar King' Robert Kuok, safeguarded his number one position in the list, saw his net worth slipped by US$200 million (RM722 million) last year due to the plunge in commodity prices to US$11.3 billion.

Likewise, Ananda Krishnan, maintained his second position but saw a drop in wealth from US$11.3 billion to US$9.7 billion. There were also names of some Malay/Muslims personalities such as Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, Mokhzani Mahathir, Shahril Shamsuddin and Shahriman Shamsuddin.

The 'ustaz' then called up a few 'volunteers' to have their lists read up. A middle age man read out his list - Robert Kuok, Ananda Krishnan and so on - but was stopped by the 'ustaz' who suddenly asked this question: "Did you perform your 'solat sunat subuh' (the sunnah prayer of fajr) this morning?"

The man replied "yes" to which ustaz replied: "Please strike out the names of all those rich people you have mentioned; instead write up your name on top of the list."

"Why is it so? I am not a rich person." The ustaz replied: "It was because those who had performed the 'sunat subuh' 'are the richest men...it was an assurance given by the Prophet himself."

He said The Messenger of Allah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam, s.a.w.) laid great emphasis on the sunnah prayer of Fajr, saying, "It is more superior than the world and everything within it." (Sahih Muslim 1:151)

'Subhanallah' (Glory be to Allah), the rewards of performing 'solat sunat subuh' is greater than the world and everything within it, so what's the meaning of wealth owned by Robert Kwok (US$11.3 billion) and Ananda Krishna of US$9 billion?

There are a number of narrations from which the importance of this sunnah prayer can be understood. Among others are: 1. 'A'isha (radiallahu anha, r.a.) said, "The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) was not as regular in any supererogatory (nafl) prayer as he was in the two rak'ats before Fajr." (Sahih Muslim 1:251)

2. 'A'isha (r.a.) said, "I did not observe the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) hasten towards any supererogatory (nafl) prayer as fast as he would to perform the two rak'ats before Fajr." (Sahih Muslim 1:251)

3. 'A'isha (r.a.) reports that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said, "The two (sunnah) rak'ats of Fajr are more superior than the world and everything within it." (Sahih Muslims 1:251)

4. 'A'isha (r.a.) reports that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said regarding the two (sunnah) rak'ats at the break of dawn, "They are more beloved to me than the enitre world." (Sahih Muslim 1:251)

5. Abu Hurayra (r.a.) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said, "Do not abandon the sunnah rak'ats of Fajr, even if horses trample over you." (Sunan Abu Dawud 1:186, Athar al-Sunan 1:224)

Please note that men with wealth like Robert Kwok and Ananda Krishna might have limitations on their money (wealth). For example if they were down with diabetics, they could not enjoy the good taste of durian; well the billions ringgit of money they owned 'could not buy them health'.

If they could not even eat a small portion of the durian but consider this - a poor man for example a gardener with only a few ringgits in his pockets when given a bucket of durians free of charge could enjoy the fruits until he was full.

So what is truth wealth or the wealthiest person? Someone might asked - who is the world wealthiest person today? One might answered, “Bill Gates, the owner of Microsoft corp!”, or, “That football player!”.

Those answers probably are normal for majority of our society, who measures “wealth” as only by concrete possessions. But if it is measured through shariah, it is possible even for us to be the candidate of world’s wealthiest person!

Who is the wealthiest person according to shariah? An Islamic scholar, Abdullah Zaen MA, answered that  the wealthiest person is the most contented of what he have.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) had told us in a hadith which means: "Riches is not measured by the amount of wealth, but the true riches is the riches of the heart.” (Recorded by Imam Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Huraira)

It is also called conviction, qana’a, which means one gladly accepted whatever Allah Ta’ala granted, either it is plenty, or less. No matter how much sustenance he get, he will never complain. He will be grateful if the amount is plenty, and be patient with the less.

If every one of us could do that, we’ll have chance to be the wealthiest person of the world. And in the end, tremendous fortune awaits us, as once promised by His Messenger (s.a.w.) in a hadith which means: “Muslim is indeed fortunate, bestowed upon them enough sustenance, and he be made to gratefully accepted whatever Allah granted (to him).” (Recorded by Muslim from Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr)

Based on those parameter set by shariah, it is possible for one with daily income RM20 to be categorized as rich, while one with daily income RM2,000,000 as poor. Why? Because the first one feels satisfied with his little income, while the second, despite his millions-a-day income, still dissatisfied and wants to get more and more money.

The 'ustaz' who gave the 'kuliah subuh', said it is not wrong for us to set our target involving wealth and money; for example we aim to have RM1,000,000 (a million ringgit) in our bank account by the time we reach the age of 50 so that we could retire early so that we would have more time to spend at masjids attending prayers and following 'tazkirah'.

"But we must understand that to be success or not is not our part. It is Allah's will. Our duty is to work hard and smart which must be 100 percent according to shariah - one should know which one is 'halal' (permissible) and which one is 'haram' (forbidden).

"While accumulating our monies 'in pursuing our dreams' we must follow all regulations stipulated upon us from time to time as Muslims for example we must perform our duties such as giving out 'zakat', helping the poor and needy, perform hajj, provide for family's needs and so on.

To reach that goal (having RM1,000,000 at the age of 50) is not important; what is needed from us is that from time and time we could give the best to our own self  (by performing obligatory deeds upon us such as paying 'zakat' dan performing hajj) and the people around us when the needs arise!

Syawal 26, 1442: 'Membasuh dosa' selepas raya...(U)

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

Renungan 

"Sesungguhnya Kami menghidupkan orang-orang mati dan Kami menuliskan apa yang telah mereka kerjakan dan atsar (bekas-bekas) yang mereka tinggalkan. Dan segala sesuatu Kami kumpulkan dalam kitab induk yang nyata. (Lauhul Mahfuzh)." - Surah Yasin, ayat 12) 

AIDILFITRI (bukan tahun ini tetapi beberapa tahun lalu) menemukan saya dengan seorang sahabat lama; rakan di IPT puluhan tahun lalu. Dia seorang usahawan, bidangnya termasuk membekalkan peralatan dan kelengkapan kepada jabatan dan agensi pihak pemerintah. 

Beliau mendedahkan akan dunia bisnes dan politik yang dakwanya banyak penyewelengannya termasuk rasuah. Bagi menghadapinya, kata beliau, seseorang itu ada beberapa pilihan - pertama lakukan 'kejahatan sejahat-jahat' tetapi jangan sampai 'tertangkap' dan yang kedua, tinggalkan terus bidang berkenaan. 

Katanya, bagi rakan-rakan bisnes dan politik yang memilih untuk berbuat 'sejahat-jahatnya' termasuk tidak menunaikan ibadat seperti solat sama sekali (ada yang melakukan solat secara berpura-pura demi kepentingan politik dan bisnes) dan zakat, beliau menyaksikan mereka dilimpahi nikmat demi nikmat seperti kekayaan melimpah luah, kemasyhuran, pangkat, gelaran dan pelbagai kelebihan duniawi. 

Yalah, dia macam Firaun yang dikatakan tidak pernah sakit; menyebabkan dia mengaku dirinya tuhan. 

Namun bagi mereka yang hatinya berbelah-bahagi (50-50) seperti takut-takut mengamalkan rasuah dan maksiat tetapi ada kala melakukannya kerana 'terliur' dan 'lalai' dengan kenikmatan dunia tetapi tidak meninggalkan solat secara terus; mereka akan diuji dengan kemewahan yang diperolehi.

Bagi golongan kedua; ada saja yang tidak kena - ahli keluarga kemalangan dan matilah, isteri sakit teruklah, anak berperangai jahatlah, rumah dimasuki pencurilah, diri sendiri kena rompaklah; pendeknya banyak masa dan duit dalam poket dihabiskan untuk menyelesaian masalah. 

Sahabat saya itu berpendapat; golongan pertama sudah dilupakan oleh Yang Maha Berkuasa - apa saja mereka kehendaki diberi; mereka mendapat bahagian mereka di dunia ini tetapi tidak di akhirat nanti. Mereka bolehlah 'beraya sakan' di dunia, tetapi ingatlah kesenangan hidup di dunia hanya sebentar cuma! Mereka macam Firaun, Hamman dan Qarun. 

Kepada mereka yang masih solat yang di dalamnya ada diucapkan "Ya Allah, tunjukki kami jalan yang lurus", Yang Maha Berkuasa menguji mereka dengan mendatangkan pelbagai masalah agar mereka dapat berfikir - "Ya Allah tak betul jalan yang aku ikuti selama ini, aku mahu kembali ke jalan-Mu yang lurus!"

Kata sahabat saya itu, ramai orang bisnes dan politik yang dikenalinya sudah 'kembali ke jalan yang lurus'. Pada konteks, hari raya ini, ungkapan kerap digunakan adalah 'kembali kepada fitrah'. Namun katanya, bagi orang bisnes dan politik tidaklah semudah orang awam untuk mengucapkan '0-0' ketika bersalaman antara satu sama lain pada Aidilfitri. Ucapan '0-0' bermaksud kedua-dua pihak kembali kepada fitrah, saling maaf memaafkan antara satu sama lain. 

Dosa kepada Allah; Yang Maha Berkuasa Yang Maha Pemurah dan Penyayang sedia mengampunkannya tetapi dosa sesama manusia antara syarat pengampunan dan taubat seseorang itu perlu mengembalikan hak dan harta orang yang diambilnya. Inilah, yang beratnya kata sahabat saya itu. 

Bagi orang bisnes dan politik, jika dulu dalam setahun dia rasuah RM100,000, dia perlu kembalikan wang itu kepada pemiliknya. Itu dalam tempoh setahun, kalau 10 tahun, wang rasuah itu adalah RM1 juta; kalau 20 tahun; RM2 juta. Persoalan ke mana wang RM2 juta (jika dapat disediakan) itu hendak dikembalikan? Itulah kalau rasuah dan penyelewengan RM2 juta; kalau RM20 juta, RM200 juta atau RM2 bilion? 

Kata sahabat saya itu; dia mengenali seorang lagi sahabat bisnes yang 'sudah kembali ke fitrah'; dia sudah meninggalkan 'dunia lamanya' - dia dan keluarganya kini duduk dalam sebuah teratak buruk sebaliknya sebahagian besar harta-hartanya diinfakkan untuk membuat sekolah tahfiz yang kos pengurusannya dia tanggung sendiri. Dengar khabar lebih RM10,000 sebulan. 

Selain itu, dia membuat pelbagai projek dan program kebajikan lagi semata-mata untuk 'membasuh dosa'nya. Demikianlah, apabila cahaya keimanan sudah menghampiri seseorang termasuk menyedari dosa lampau yang terlalu banyak, seseorang sanggup berkorban apa saja demi menggapai pengampunan Illahi. Tidaklah dia menguar-uarkan 'taubat' dengan bermodalkan 'air liur' saja atau kejap-kejap ke Tanah Suci bagi menunaikan umrah!

Syawal 25, 1442: 'Orang tak makan saman'...(U)

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 ustaz dalam tazkirahnya berhubung kekeluargaan sering mengingatkan bahawa dalam masyarakat pasti ada spesies suami isteri terutama si suami yang 'jenis tak makan saman'. 

Suami atau bekas suami jenis ini cenderung melanggar peraturan kehidupan kekeluargaan (suami isteri) dan tidak dapat dinasihati, mungkin mereka dapat diajar dengan 'undang-undang dan penjara' saja.

Ambil saja soal nafkah, kata ustaz. "Ada suami sangat baik, secara konsisten menafkahi anak isteri, ada suami mengelat tetapi selepas dinasihati dia bagi nafkah, kemudian ada pula suami yang tak bagi nafkah tetapi selepas dinasihati dia naik angin pula termasuk menghilangkan diri. 

Suami atau bekas suami golongan ketiga ini adalah daripada 'spesies tak makan saman', yang boleh mengajar mereka adalah hanya undang-undang dan penjara saja, kata sang ustaz. Kadang-kadang perintah mahkamah agar mereka menafkahi anak-anak selepas berlaku perceraian tidak pun dihiraukan mereka, jadi jelaslah mereka daripada 'jenis tak makan saman'; 

Ada di kalangan pengguna jalan raya pun daripada jenis yang tak makan saman. Ya, bukan kita tidak tahu ada daripada rakan-rakan kita yang menerima begitu banyak samam, namun mereka buat tak peduli saja. Malah ada yang lebih hebat lagi, mereka koyakkan saja surat saman yang diterima. Jadi apa yang dapat mengajar mereka yang tak makan saman ini, mungkin penjara saja!

Kalau ada suami isteri dan pengguna jalan raya yang 'jenis tak makan saman' di kalangan orang politik terutama pemimpin pun ada yang tak makan saman. Mereka jenis pekak badak; mereka buat sesuatu berdasarkan naluri nafsu mereka saja, mereka tidak peduli atau sensitif atas pandangan orang atau pihak lain termasuklah pembantu sendiri. Jika ada orang melawan, mereka singkir atau hancurkan orang itu. Ya inilah pemimpin jenis tak makan saman dan tak berhati perut.

Pemimpin jenis ini tidak peduli nasib rakyat marhain. Jika dulu cukai tinggi telah dikenakan ke atas rakyat, kini digandakan lagi dengan pelbagai kos perkhidmatan kehidupan. Susah rakyat tidak difahami dan dirasai; namun pada masa yang sama mereka melaungkan lagu-lagu indah kononnya merekalah pembela rakyat miskin...mereka 'tabur' sana sikit, 'tabur' sini sikit bagi rakyat diam. Mereka berlagak bagaikan 'Robin Hood' - merompak orang kaya kononnya untuk diberikan kepada orang miskin. Malah mereka menerima derma, sepatutnya derma itu untuk orang miskin dan tidak mampu bukan orang kaya dan berkuasa.

Pemimpin-pemimpin jenis ini juga 'pandai' dalam bab agama. Dalami dan ikutlah ajaran agama sepenuhnya, kata mereka. Malah mereka menasihatkan alim ulama supaya menerangkan ajaran agama sebenarnya kepada rakyat. Kalau pemimpin sudah menasihatkan alim ulama, bermakna pengetahuan agama pemimpin sudah lebih tinggi daripada alim ulama, tetapi hairan ya, mengapa kehidupan mereka termasuk isteri tidak menunjukkan mereka faham mengenai agama. Mana ada agama suruh pemimpin hidup bermewah-mewah dan mengenakan cukai yang tinggi-tinggi kepada rakyat?

Bagi rakyat yang tak sedar, pemimpin jenis ini tetap 'mewangi' di hati mereka. Setiap kali pilihan raya undi diberi, mereka tidak tahu pemimpin jenis ini adalah daripada spesies yang tak makan saman. Kalau suami atau pesalah jalan raya daripada jenis yang tak makan saman, mungkin penjara dapat mengajar mereka tetapi apa yang dapat mengajar pemimpin jenis ini?

Jelas sekali rakyat tidak boleh menyaman pemimpin spesies ini. Ya, mereka bukan saja sudah pekak budak tetapi tak makan saman, jadi buat apa mengemukakan saman. Awal-awal lagi rakyat sudah tahu bahawa sekalipun mereka mengemukakan saman, mereka tidak akan menang. 

Banyak contoh kes dan pengemuka saman 'sudah terpelanting' dalam usaha mereka itu. Belum sempat mereka membuat laporan apatah lagi di luar negara, mereka sudah disumbatkan dalam lokap polis. 

Namun pemimpin-pemimpin kena ingat, dunia yang singkat ini adalah tempat menyemai benih, akhirat nanti kamu terimalah pembalasannya! Namun sebelum kamu dihukum di akhirat sana, rakyat tetap akan memperjuangkan keadilan di dunia fana ini; bukankah hidup ini satu perjuangan? Mereka tidak peduli sama ada kamu tak makan samankah atau makan samankah, mereka mahukan keadilan.

Rumusannya, penjara mungkin dapat mengajar sesetengah pesalah seperti bekas suami yang tak membayar nafkah atau pesalah jalan raya; namun setakat ini 'buntulah' hamba (penulis) dalam mengemukakan pandangan apa yang dapat mengajar pemimpin-pemimpin yang tak makan saman ini. Mungkin pembaca yang arif dapat membantu hamba yang daif ini...