Recite and understand

If i were to ask Singaporean muslims in general.. How many of us read the Quran? Hm, ok, maybe most of us do.. Now i ask again, how many of us actually read and understand the Quran and the whole of its contents? Aah, a show of hands here.. A little over there too.. Hm, what telah happened to the other 90+% now..?

Maybe i'm over-exaggarating, but seriously, how many of us can actually understand whatever that we're reciting daily? And as we're not native arabic linguists, then how many of us actually recite, then bother to spend some time pondering upon the translation and the 'tafsir' (explanation) of the verses read?

Reciting everyday with all the beautiful tones and correct tajweed is good but we won't gain much if we don't understand its meanings.

Imagine a 'mat jiwang' listening to his favourite songs.. He'd analyse and ponder upon the lyrics word by word, sentence by sentence and he'd sing it over and over with all his 'heart and soul' interwining the meaning of the lyrics and the melody at the same time.. Some extreme ones even go to the point of tears upon doing this.. *slaps head*

Now, apply this 'technique' to the Quran. We have to realise that The most important knowledge for muslims is the Quran, Allah SWT explained in surah al-Isra' ayat 9 yang bermaksud,

"Sesungguhnya Quran ini memberi petunjuk kepada jalan yang lebih lurus(aqwam) dan memberi khabar gembira kepada orang-orang mukmin yang mengerjakan amal soleh bahawa bagi mereka ada pahala yang besar."

Berhubung dengan ini, di dalam al-Jamik li ahkam al-Quran, Imam Qurtubi berkata,"Kalimat 'aqwam' bermaksud jalan yang paling benar, paling adil dan paling tepat."

In surah an-Nisa' ayat 82, Allah SWT says, yang bermaksud,

"Apakah mereka tidak 'tadabur' Quran? Sekiranya Quran itu bukan dari sisi Allah tentulah mereka akan mendapati percanggahan yang banyak di dalamnya."

Berhubung dengan ayat ini, Imam Ibn Kathir di dalam 'Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim' berkata,"Allah mengarahkan mereka agar mengamati isi-isi Quran dan melarang mereka dari berpaling daripadanya. Allah juga mengarah mereka agar memahami maksud ayat-ayat Quran yang begitu halus lafaznya serta dipenuhi kebijaksanaan."

Allah explained in surah al-Isra' ayat 82 yang bermaksud,

"(Quran) merupakan penawar(syifa) dan rahmat bagi mereka yang beriman."

Di dalam al-Asas fit Tafsir oleh Said Hawa disebutkan,"Syifa bermaksud (Quran adalah penawar) yang dapat menghilangkan syak, nifak, penyelewengan, kelemahan dan penyakit dalam hati. Quran juga adalah rahmat yang dapat menghasilkan iman, hikmat dan kebahagiaan." (source - 'Tip-tip cemerlang dari Quran')

The great muslim scholars of the past were successful mainly because they were encouraged and enlightened by the Quran.. It is a guide to success for both here and the hereafter..

Abdullah ibn Masud berkata,"Sesiapa yang menghendaki ilmu pengetahuan maka hendaklah dia membaca Quran. Di dalamnya terdapat ilmu orang-orang terdahulu dan yang kemudian."

Bahaya Tertipu dengan Ilmu

Excerpt from a book..

'Orang yang berilmu boleh terpedaya dengan ilmunya. Berhubungan dengan ini, Imam al-Ghazali berkata,"Antara golongan yang terpedaya ialah ahli fikah yang menguasai ilmu ketaatan tetapi tidak mengamalkannya. Sebahagian daripada mereka menguasai ilmu sehingga mereka mengenali perkara yang maksiat, tetapi mereka tidak menjauhinya. Sebahagian yang lain mengetahui tentang kepentingan akhlak tetapi tidak menghiaskan diri mereka dengannya. Inilah (ulama) yang tertipu...

Imam Tabrani dan Baihakki meriwayatkan sabda nabi(s.a.w) yang bermaksud,'Manusia yang mendapat azab yang paling keras di hari kiamat ialah orang alim yang tidak mendapat manfaat dari ilmunya'."

Seterusnya Iman Ghazali berkata,"Walau bagaimanapun sebahagian ahli ilmu mengamalkan apa yang mereka ketahui namun tujuan mereka bukanlah untuk mencari keredhaan Allah sebaliknya untuk mencari pengaruh serta nama. Sebahagian yang lain berasa ujub atau kagum dengan kelebihan yang ada pada diri mereka. Mereka asyik menghiaskan diri di sudut zahir sehingga mengabaikan perkara yang lebih penting yaitu kebersihan batin serta hati. Ketika itu mereka melupakan musuh mereka yang utama iaitu syaitan.

Lantas mereka berpakaian dengan menggunakan kain-kain halus diselimuti mutiara, perhiasan serta sutera yang diharamkan, dan bermusafir dengan menggunakan kuda serta kenderaan yang mengagumkan. Mereka mendakwa kesemua ini dilakukan bertujuan untuk memuliakan agama. Mereka masuk ke tempat para penguasa yang zalim untuk memuji serta mendapatkan kasih sayang mereka. Mereka ini sebenarnya adalah dajjal agama dan bukannya imam agama kerana imam agama yang sebenarnya mengutamakan kepentingan akhirat dan tidak terpedaya dengan kelazatan dunia. Sebaliknya golongan dajjal ini berpaling dari kehendak Allah dan menghadapkan dirinya kepada keenakan dan kenikmatan dunia."

Kesemua ini disebutkan di dalam kitab 'Ihya Ulumuddin'.

Make good use of your expertise!

Assalaamu'alaikum wr wb.. Pe khabar semua?.. Here's an article that I feel is interesting to be shared and pondered upon entitled, "Manfaatkan kepakaran bukan Memandulkannya" ..Link here!

It's written in Malay by the way, there should be an english edition tapi belum siap kot.. basically the article is about encouraging muslims to make good use of any capabilities they have and be successful and proficient in any area they like as long as it doesn't go against Islamic principles...

key points from article;

- Islam is a religion which acknowledges any proficiency of a person as long as it doesn't go against Islamic principles.

- Examples of Islam being a progressive religion, acknowledging any good attributes and capabilities that a person have that can be useful for the society.

- e.g.The leadership quality and capabilites of Umar ibn Khattab and Khalid al-Walid before Islam were acknowledged and after they reverted to Islam they are benefitted for Islamic cause. An important post should be held by the most capable, not to be restricted to senority

- Deepening knowledge about Islam is not about becoming an "ustaz", Islam needs capable and "soleh" muslims in all areas of expertise.

- Islam acknowledges all forms of knowledge not just restricted to Islamic knowledge. We have to widen our knowledge in all areas for the benefit of ourselves and the Islamic community.

Aite, thats just some of the main points from the article.. bacalah kalo free ya.. ilalliqa'(jumpa lagi) insya-Allah.. Wassalaam (",).

Allah Tidak Jauh, Doa Sentiasa Mustajab

ANTARA tanda kasih sayang dan rahmat Allah kepada hamba-hamba-Nya adalah Dia tidak mewujudkan sebarang halangan untuk seorang hamba memohon kepada-Nya. Insan diperintahkan berhubung langsung dengan Allah tanpa sebarang ‘broker’ dalam hubungan yang suci itu. Tiada sebarang perantaraan antara Allah dan hamba-hamba-Nya.

Islam menolak segala unsur keberhalaan yang menjadikan makhluk sebagai tuhan jelmaan menggantikan tuhan yang hakiki. Islam menganggap perbuatan memohon kemakbulan doa dari makhluk adalah syirik. Tidak kira siapa pun makhluk itu. Sama ada dia nabi ataupun wali.

To read more.. Link here!

Ramadhan Kareem!

Assalaamu'alaikum wr wb..Ramadhan Kareem! how's everyone doing? Been quite a while uh since the last post!? Wasn't planning to spend time and money on internet here.. anyway I've already suggested about being on a "hiatus mode" in the previous post so..

Ramadhan have been great so far.. alhamdulillah for the chance to spend it here..subhanallah.. millions of people came from all over the continent. Hm, maybe will post some pics one day to let you witness it in print..

- 14 Oct..Aite, Here's the pics!

Breaking of fast at Masjidil Haram


Getting ready for taraweeh prayers


Typical ramadhan crowd..after zohr prayers


It will be my first time spending Ramadhan and Eid'ul Fitri away from family and friends in singapore, on a happier note, maybe it won't be that way for the next 2 or 3 years,(",) so ok lah tuu..

For this year, will celebrate Eid'ul Fitri with my coursemates and maybe some will join us from Madinah. If all goes to plan, there will be rendang, kuih raya, hari raya songs and P.Ramlee movies..and most importantly, friends to celebrate it with, so ok juga lah tu kan?

Hmm, thats it for now.. will update again insya-Allah.. here's a raya song dedicated to family and friends in Singapore..maaf zahir batin everyone.. sad song though.. tapi jangan lah sedih2 ye.. Semangat banyak2! Eid'ul Fitri Hari Kemenangan!!~ Allahu Akhbar!! Allah is Almighty!

The Dismal Reality of Ahlus Sunnah in Iran

Article by Chairman of the Ahlus Sunnah Association in Iran, Dr. Abdul Rahman Albaloushy. Link here!

quotes from the site:

"Is there a single capital city in the world without a Sunni mosque, with the exception to Tehran -the capital of the Shi'ah-, which has forty Christian churches and a cemetery for the Baha'is. In all, even the minorities have their temples and places of worship and their freedom of worship, yet Ahlus Sunnah are not allowed to build any mosque or cemetery."

"There is no Sunni director in any of the government authorities, ministries, embassies, or local and provincial governments, hospitals or principalities; not even in the lowest government posts anywhere in Iran."

"Whilst we are living in the twentieth century, we find a third of the population of a nation deprived of their most basic rights. Is there any other country on the face of the earth which prevents its people from choosing names like Umar, A'ishah, Hafsah, Abu Bakr, Zubair, or most of the names of the companions amongst the ten foretold of Paradise?"

"The double-faced regime was able, through raising the banner of Islamic unity, to fool many Muslims outside Iran as they ask them to attend their conferences, and transform their way of thinking within a short period of time."

Newsflash!

MasyaAllah.. I was thrilled to find an audio recording of the forum @ imeem. Thanks to bro "uniqme" who wrote a comment in my previous entry. Alhamdulillah.. for the opportunity to be able to listen to it again. Explored on his link and discovered many useful links. So here it is for those who didn't manage to make it. Semoga bermanfaat, insya-Allah..

Pengerusi : Ustaz Muhd Hafiizh Rapiee
Panelists: Dr. Juanda Haji Jaya (Timbalan Mufti Sarawak)
Ustaz Abdul Jalil Abdul Razak (Pengantara Mahkamah Syariah)
S. S. Dr Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin (Mufti Perlis)

MWTI Forum review...

Alhamdulillah.. had the opportunity to attend the forum on "Gejala Seks Luar Nikah - hukum dan penyelesaiannya dari sudut Islam" on Saturday night, then the seminar on "Imej Islam" on Sunday held at Madrasah Wak Tanjong al-Islamiah (MWTI).

I'm gonna focus on the former. Though the forum is more relaxed and casual event compared to the seminar, it is a serious issue focusing on how to deal with the rising trend of Malay Muslims youths being involved in sex before marriage and extends to the discussion of another rising trend of adultery after marriage.

Dr Juanda Jaya and Dr Asri provided preventive measures and solutions, frequently quoting verses from the Quran and also prophetic traditions(hadith) and elaborating on them while Ustaz Abdul Jalil mainly gave a clear view of the current unhealthy trends that is befalling the Malay Muslim society in Singapore and its causes from a psychological aspect.

It began with the speakers explaining that this phenomena is not new. It has happened ever since before Islam came at an even worse state. Islam has managed to change many wayward behaviours of men and controlled the situation until generations later..

Why is this so?

MAIN CAUSE: (when) The basic akidah(belief) of a Muslim is not strong. If every single Muslim take into consideration his/her relationship with Allah SWT and focuses on doing what pleases Him and hating to do anything that He forbids, there won't be a problem at all.

It is important to address the main issues first. As both Dr Juanda and Dr Asri agreed was to focus on instilling the love for Allah SWT and His messenger (saw) and the fear of nearing what Allah has forbid..

Dr Juanda said to impart the knowledge of Islam as simple as possible.. he quoted part a hadith, whereby Rasulullah saw taught the basics of Islam to young Abdullah ibn Abbas ra "Wahai remaja(kanak2).. kamu jagalah Allah niscaya Allah akan menjaga kamu.."

Dr Asri stressed upon the need to focus on what's more important before tackling other issues. Why must we keep reminding the youths that "zina" is bad, that we shouldn't approach zina but at the same time they still don't practice the five daily prayers, don't fast during ramadhan or understand the concept of ibadah or are confused/clueless about the purpose of life?

Once these main issues are tackled, insya Allah the person will slowly change after he/she has understood the implications of his/her actions during the daily course of life in the Islamic context.

As what Ustaz Abdul Jalil said also, most of the cases involving the break-down of marriages are due to not having the values of Islam being the core of the marriage relationship.

The 2nd solution: At a modern age and time where almost everything is possible at a click of a "mouse" it is so easy to find the sources that can lead to "zina". This is the reality of globalisation and it can't be prevented. Islam acknowledges the needs of humans.

It's natural that humans have sexual needs or a girl likes a guy or vice versa. As Dr Juanda said,"Sesuatu perkara yang melanda remaja..Ustaz, saya tak boleh tengok perempuan, kalo tengok perempuan rasa lain macam je. Apa hukumnya? Jawapan saya kepada budak ni, Kalau lelaki tengok wanita rasa lain macam, awak lelaki sejati.. Tapi Kalo dia macam tak rasa apa-apa..Yang ni kena periksa kat hospital"

Islam recognises feelings and sexual needs but disciplines this by allowing it to happen only after marriage!

But the reality is, while it is so easy to reach the sources that lead to "zina", the current traditional practices make it harder for Muslims to be married. Both Dr Juanda and Dr Asri stressed on the importance of easing the process of marriage. There is little need to prevent or delay the process once a guy is known to be ready, being a good practicing Muslim and having good values.

Dr Juanda quoted a hadith, "Apabila datang kepada kamu seseorang yang kamu redhai agamanya, maka kawinkahlah dia..kalau tidak maka akan berlaku kerosakan di atas muka bumi"

A good point that was brought up by Dr Juanda was that everyone wants to find somebody who's a good practicing Muslim with good values. "Kalo kita tengok di akhbar, para artist pon, apabila ditanya, lelaki/perempuan macam mana yang menjadi pasangan idaman?.. mereka akan menjawab, saya harap dapat bertemu seseorang yang beriman..."

So instead of wanting to find somebody with good iman.. we ourselves have to strive to have such qualities ourselves, eventually insya-Allah, we will find someone with that same trait. We have to strive to be that type of person, instead of doing nothing and hoping for someone with good iman to help us be better.

As quoted by Dr Juanda,(translated) "... perempuan-perempuan yang baik untuk lelaki-lelaki yang baik, dan lelaki-lelaki yang baik untuk perempuan-perempuan yang baik..." [surah an-Nur(24:26)]

In the marriage aspect, couples are reminded to take care of each others' needs. For example, One may have a stronger sexual desire than the other. And if this need is not met, then it there is a higher chance that the "partner in distress" will look for this extra need elsewhere. Dr Asri joked,"Kekadang ada orang nie.. bukan setakat harimau.. hari-hari mauu!?"

The speakers said that while they don't promote poligamy, Islam gives an avenue for example, for guys with these extra needs. Which is better? To control the guy which may lead him to secretly search for an alternative to satisfy his needs in an unlawful manner or to encourage him to seek an alternative which is allowed in Islam by allowing him to marry another?

Of course these measures are only for special cases and are not encouraged. Nobody likes to be a wife of four or two. That is why Islam stresses for couples to keep each other happy and to take care of each others' wants and needs at all times.

Hadiths were mentioned on how romantic the Prophet(saw) was with his wives and how he's the best example of a caring and loving husband to his wives or parent to his children. How the Prophet(saw) reminded wives to dress up for their husbands and also for husbands to look good for their wives at all times! even in the household!

The 3rd solution: Keeping a healthy environment at home. This was brought up by Dr Juanda then elaborated by ustaz Abdul Jalil. This is important as one of the main causes of youths rebelling is the lack of love and care by their parents and the lack of trust and respect is given to them. There is very little "quality family time". Every time they're at home, parents would nag, some even hurl condemning remarks, some parents even quarrel frequently in front of their children. When youths can't find peace and happiness at home, they will go outside and most turn to their friends instead in search of these traits.

Dr Juanda proposed a remedy,"Binalah keluarga yang soleh..keluarga itulah yang bertapaknya agama Islam yang terutama..keluarga itulah benteng terakhir, bagi menjaga keluarga, bagi menjaga keturunan, bagi menjaga ugama kita.. Bermula daripada suami yang soleh..disokong oleh isteri yang solehah..kemudian dibentuk oleh anak-anak yang soleh, barulah kita dapat lihat segala gejala maksiat yang wujud di luar rumah akan dapat kita jaga.."

4th solution: To keep oneself busy with time well spent on meaningful activities.

Dr Juanda quoted a hadith,"Dua nikmat yang manusia mudah tertipu yaitu, kesihatan dan masa lapang.."

And he continued,"Masa lapang adalah fitnah yang amat besar kepada manusia..bagaimana kita memanfaatkan masa lapang?"

then quoted a saying,"Orang yang sibuk, tidak akan disibukkan.."..and advised "kalau kita ada masa kosong..isikan masa kosong itu dengan perkara yang bermanfaat kalau tidak, maka akan datang perkara yang bermaksiat.. dan inilah yang banyak berlaku kepada generasi muda kita.." which is so true..

As the Arabic saying goes;

"Air yang tidak mengalir akan merosakkan air itu, pemuda yang banyak masa kosong akan dibunuh oleh masa kosong itu.."

5th solution: Don't ever try to test our faith (iman)! Ouu.. saja je (mendekati apa bentuk zina pon) nak test iman aku kuat ke tak.. don't ever do that. Even when a person is a good Muslim, it does not guarantee how he/she behaves when overcome by lust and sexual desires.

As Dr Asri said,"ustaz tak ustaz, lebai tak lebai, Mufti tak Mufti...dalam hal nafsu nie kalau tak jaga, semua sama!"

We must strive to stay away from what may lead to zina. For example, freely mixing with those who are not of our muhrim. It doesn't mean that we cant even interact but do it only when there is a need to.. Even with our close relatives like cousins or uncles and aunties.. always take care of our eyes from roaming and stay alert of what possibly may lead to flirting. Keep our activities and behaviours in check.

Dr Asri also gave a reality check on this summing up,"Kalo anak-anak kita tu, solatnya terjaga, menjauhi perkara yang berkaitan dengan dosa-dosa besar, jaga perhubungan dengan yang bukan muhrim..kita bagi "A" kat dia. Kalo dosa-dosa kecil insya-Allah akan terjaga.. Kekadang tuh.. ada yang comel-comel berlalu kat depan.. ustaz-ustaz pon tertengok juga!?" Again, he reiterated the importance of focusing on tackling big issues that we have before we tackle the smaller ones.

There was one important point that he brought up. No matter what, it is important by the age of 40 we should control our unnecessary worldly desires and revert more to healthier, Islamic activities. He proposed that we supplicate(doa) and renew our taubah at the age of 40 or even at any age for that matter as what is taught in the Quran..

(terjemahannya)... Setelah ia besar sampai ke peringkat dewasa yang sempurna kekuatannya dan sampai ke peringkat umur empat puluh tahun, berdoalah ia dengan berkata: "Wahai Tuhanku, ilhamkanlah daku supaya tetap bersyukur akan nikmat-Mu yang engkau kurniakan kepadaku dan kepada ibu-bapaku, dan supaya aku tetap mengerjakan amal soleh yang Engkau redhai; dan jadikanlah sifat-sifat kebaikan meresap ke dalam jiwa zuriat keturunanku. Sesungguhnya aku bertaubat kepadamu, dan sesungguhnya aku dari orang-orang Islam (yang tunduk patuh kepadamu)" [surah al-Ahqaaf 46:15]

Hmm, for now, this is some of what I've gathered from the forum to be shared. I hope that more of such forums involving speakers with such personality, credentials and credability will continue for many years to come, insya-Allah. Do leave comments or thoughts if any..

Katakanlah kepada laki-laki yang beriman: Hendaklah mereka menahan pandangannya dan memelihara kemaluannya (an-Nuur: 30)

Janganlah salah seorang dari kalian berdua-duan dengan seorang wanita, kerana syaitan akan menjadi ketiganya (Hadis Riwayat Ahmad & Tirmidzi dengan sanad yang sahih)

Hai isteri-isteri Nabi, kamu sekalian tidaklah seperti wanita yang lain, jika kamu bertakwa. Maka janganlah kamu tunduk dalam berbicara (berkata-kata yang menggoda) sehingga berkeinginan orang yang ada penyakit di dalam hatinya tetapi ucapkanlah perkataan-perkataan yang baik. (al-Ahzaab: 32)

Allah SWT knows best.

Sunnah dan Syi'ah

Syeikh al-Qaradhawi bercakap tentang Syiah dan sebahagian kepercayaan mereka yang menghalang berlakunya taqrib(pendekatan). subtitle in Malay.

Bab Akidah Islam

Ceramah Akidah (kepercayaan)

Teras Aqidah Di Dalam Islam (1)



Part 2



Part 3



Part 4 - Jangan melampau apabila kagum dengan seseorang guru agama



Part 5 - Kepentingan mencintai dan mengikuti Rasulullah s.a.w.

Semakin berisi semakin merunduk

Salaam, untuk renungan bersama.. for full article Link Here!

Dr Al-Qaradhawi Menangis, Tak Mau Disebut Sebagai Imam

excerpt from article;

Ibarat padi, semakin berisi semakin merunduk. Seperti itulah sikap seorang ulama. Kepandaian dan bobot ilmunya, semakin membawa sikap yang penuh tunduk dan tawadhu.

Dan itulah salah satu rangkaian peristiwa mengharukan yang terjadi dalam Konferensi Imam Al-Qaradhawi bersama Para Murid dan Sahabat, sejak hari Sabtu (14/7) di Dhoha, Qatar. DR. Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi, menolak dirinya disebut sebagai imam."

....

Qaradhawi mengatakan dirinya tidak ingin pujian dan penghargaan yang diberikan pada dirinya, dari para murid dan sahabatnya itu, menjadikan dirinya terhalang dari pahala amalnya yang dilakukan untuk mencari ridha Allah swt. Beliau sendiri mengatakan, dirinya takut mengadakan pertemuan ini karena pujian dan sanjungan memang bisa menghapus pahala amal di hari akhirat.

Beliau lalu mengutip sabda Rasulullah saw, “Tak seorang pejuang yang berjuang di jalan Allah, lalu ia memperoleh ghanimah, kecuali akan dipercepat dua pertiga pahalanya di akhirat, sisanya satu pertiga. Tapi bila dia tidak mendapatkan ghanimah, pahalanya sempurna. ” (HR Bukhari).

Dengan suara terbata-bata karena tangisannya, Qaradhawi kemudian mengatakan, “Saya takut bila pujian-pujian itu menghilangkan dua pertiga pahala dan hanya tersisa sepertiganya…. ”

....

Menurut Qaradhawi, penamaan kata “Imam” kepada dirinya tidaklah tepat. Beliau mengatakan, “Saya demi Allah bukanlah pemimpin dan bukan seorang imam. Saya hanya prajurit dari prajurit Islam, seorang murid dan akan tetap sebagai murid penuntut ilmu sampai detik terakhir usia saya. ”

Beliau lalu meminta kepada siapa saja untuk bisa memberinya ilmu atau informasi yang bermanfaat, sebagaimana perkataan Hud pada Sulaiman as, “ Aku datang kepadamu dari negeri Saba dengan berita yang yakin. ” (An Naml: 22)