Article by Dr. Khaled Tawfik
After the republication of the blasphemous cartoons ridiculing Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and after Geert Wilders, the Dutch Member of Parliament, of the far right party, produced a movie ridiculing and attacking Islam and the Holy Qur'an, the people who supported such campaigns under the pretext of the freedom of expression hoping that such vicious campaigns might distort the image of Islam, received the biggest shock of their life.
In Denmark, the people who embraced Islam since the first publication of the sacrilegious cartoons numbered around 5,000, while now each day a Danish national embraces Islam.
The newspapers have published the story of a man from the Philippines who entered the fold of Islam. Asked about the reason that made him embrace Islam, the man said that the reason was that he saw the other people persistently on attacking Islam although Islam respects all the other religions and that Muslims respect all Divine Faiths and believe in all Allah's Prophets and Holy Books.
There is a growing interest in Islam in Europe and translations of the Qur'an in all European languages are the bestsellers nowadays.
Recent studies indicate that European non-Muslim women when marrying Muslim men usually embrace Islam because they discover the greatness of this Faith through their husbands' uprightness, faithfulness, truthfulness and noble morals.
What really shocked people in the West is that prisoners in Europe and the United States are embracing Islam in large numbers. A recent report in France indicates that every week, a prisoner, after embracing Islam, comes to ask for halal meat.
When asked about the reasons that made them embrace Islam, prisoners' answers revolved around many things: finding true peace in that religion, it provides man with a kind of psychological balance that makes him bear the misfortunes of life, it advocates the idea of equality, all people being equal regardless of their color, race, language, wealth, education... etc.
What is more astonishing is that one of the Israeli newspapers expressed its concern as 80% of the French people who have recently embraced Islam are Jews. Jewish organizations feel that such a trend threatens their very existence.
Not only that, all efforts exerted by these organisations to prevent people from embracing Islam are going in vain. It was also discovered that some of those French people embraced Islam in secret till they find the right moment to declare that.
The idea that I would like to stress is that Muslims all over the world have to realise that such anti-Islam campaigns usually yield results in favour of Islam because Allah is always there to defend and protect Islam and His Prophet (peace be upon him).
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thoughts
As I sat on a sofa during a class-break, I wondered about me being here experiencing the so-called 'Wahabbism' first hand.
I wondered why people back home or outside Saudi are worried about it. Is it true, that it is the source of extremism, cause for terrorism, backwardness in modernity and cause for disunity among the Muslim Ummah, as what have been pointed out by Liberal Islam and some conservative groups?
The fact is that there is nothing of that sort and only Allah knows what their motives are behind such thwarted facts.
What is mainly taught here is about the importance of Monotheism and to be aware about anything that may jeopardise it, to stay away from innovation in religion and to embrace innovation that is allowed according to Islam i.e. Modernity, progress and advancement in science and technolgy etc.. and to live with the guidance of the Qur'an the Sunnah and the values and way of life shown by the Prophet's companions and scholars who lived shortly after.
Islam is simple and should not be made harder than it is or interpreted excessively and should be left as it is understood by the 'salafussoleh' as they have the best understanding of it. This is also the way that our Prophet (peace be upon him) recommended and the understanding of many other scholars even the four main Muslim scholars.
This way, Muslims will then have more time and energy to focus on other important issues in life on earth and to practice Islam moderately as recommended; to be able to strike a good balance between life for here and the hereafter.
If this way of understanding is practiced, the Ummah will be stronger and possibly, insya Allah, will lead a successful life.
Now the question is, why then, aren't many of those who are practicing this form of understanding, which can be termed as 'salafism'(following the ways of Prophet's companions and scholars who lived shortly after), especially here in Saudi, do not portray excellence or a progressive way of life?
There are many factors to this and they all point to the same reason of not applying what they are representing as a whole i.e. Salafis who portray values that don't reflect the sunnah or in other words, not practicing what they have learnt, in all aspects of life..They may excel at some good attributes but sorely lack in others.
For instance, a lack of success or progress in science and technology, poor work ethics, being backward in most industries and business is not due to Salafism and what it teaches, but due to humans and their imperfections..
A country with citizens having a negative mindset, poor work ethics and habits will never improve even with a correct understanding of Islam without applying it. If the people themselves won't change and the government generally neglects their part in trying harder to act on it and improve, then they will never change.
We can't blame Salafism and what it teaches if people go around accusing others of apostasy, show bad manners, live backwardly, hold an extreme view towards anything that is against or towards it and decided to terrorize others!
These are all negative values that are disliked and condemned in Islam.
Here, condemnation against terrorism and poor, unhealthy values, to always live up to the sunnah and to practice moderation at all times, is always propagated in schools, newspapers etc.
Now where is the consistency in the reports and views that 'Liberal Islam' groups or some conservatives claimed which are totally opposite?
They even made use of the misgivings of some 'black sheeps' in Salafism and propagated as if that is truly what it stands for.
It is a fact that even Saudis themselves are puzzled as to how the term 'Wahabbism' have been plastered on them!? The term is somewhat negative and history shows that it was formerly a term used for a group of 'Khawaarij' muslims (a devient sect which holds extreme views and have a dark history) which have no links whatsoever to thier stand and creed.
It is also important to note that many who accuse Salafism as negative are plainly ignorant about it. We may have found out a little about it through people or sources that hold similar views as us, but if we only find out from a one-sided point of view, how much of it is actually true? What do we know of the history behind all of this? What was the situation then, that started it in Saudi? What does it stand for? How and when did the term Wahabbism came up? Does all the negative points that are said to happen in Saudi or propagated by Salafis true?
If all these are taken into context and extent research is done on views from both sides, only then, a fair judgement can be made and whether you agree with any sides or not after that, then that will be your own choice and not a blind one, following others' perceptions.
So, I'm inviting all to keep an open mind and research if whatever that i've stated here have some truth in it. It's not about sparking off a debate or to say 'hey, i'm right!' but for all, to seek a clear view and truth for ourselves towards gaining a better understanding of Islam, to be sure in our choices and hopefully, to eventually practice Islam the way Allah would like us to..insya Allah.
May we all be guided to the right path, Ameen, insya Allah.
And Allah Almighty knows best.
I wondered why people back home or outside Saudi are worried about it. Is it true, that it is the source of extremism, cause for terrorism, backwardness in modernity and cause for disunity among the Muslim Ummah, as what have been pointed out by Liberal Islam and some conservative groups?
The fact is that there is nothing of that sort and only Allah knows what their motives are behind such thwarted facts.
What is mainly taught here is about the importance of Monotheism and to be aware about anything that may jeopardise it, to stay away from innovation in religion and to embrace innovation that is allowed according to Islam i.e. Modernity, progress and advancement in science and technolgy etc.. and to live with the guidance of the Qur'an the Sunnah and the values and way of life shown by the Prophet's companions and scholars who lived shortly after.
Islam is simple and should not be made harder than it is or interpreted excessively and should be left as it is understood by the 'salafussoleh' as they have the best understanding of it. This is also the way that our Prophet (peace be upon him) recommended and the understanding of many other scholars even the four main Muslim scholars.
This way, Muslims will then have more time and energy to focus on other important issues in life on earth and to practice Islam moderately as recommended; to be able to strike a good balance between life for here and the hereafter.
If this way of understanding is practiced, the Ummah will be stronger and possibly, insya Allah, will lead a successful life.
Now the question is, why then, aren't many of those who are practicing this form of understanding, which can be termed as 'salafism'(following the ways of Prophet's companions and scholars who lived shortly after), especially here in Saudi, do not portray excellence or a progressive way of life?
There are many factors to this and they all point to the same reason of not applying what they are representing as a whole i.e. Salafis who portray values that don't reflect the sunnah or in other words, not practicing what they have learnt, in all aspects of life..They may excel at some good attributes but sorely lack in others.
For instance, a lack of success or progress in science and technology, poor work ethics, being backward in most industries and business is not due to Salafism and what it teaches, but due to humans and their imperfections..
A country with citizens having a negative mindset, poor work ethics and habits will never improve even with a correct understanding of Islam without applying it. If the people themselves won't change and the government generally neglects their part in trying harder to act on it and improve, then they will never change.
We can't blame Salafism and what it teaches if people go around accusing others of apostasy, show bad manners, live backwardly, hold an extreme view towards anything that is against or towards it and decided to terrorize others!
These are all negative values that are disliked and condemned in Islam.
Here, condemnation against terrorism and poor, unhealthy values, to always live up to the sunnah and to practice moderation at all times, is always propagated in schools, newspapers etc.
Now where is the consistency in the reports and views that 'Liberal Islam' groups or some conservatives claimed which are totally opposite?
They even made use of the misgivings of some 'black sheeps' in Salafism and propagated as if that is truly what it stands for.
It is a fact that even Saudis themselves are puzzled as to how the term 'Wahabbism' have been plastered on them!? The term is somewhat negative and history shows that it was formerly a term used for a group of 'Khawaarij' muslims (a devient sect which holds extreme views and have a dark history) which have no links whatsoever to thier stand and creed.
It is also important to note that many who accuse Salafism as negative are plainly ignorant about it. We may have found out a little about it through people or sources that hold similar views as us, but if we only find out from a one-sided point of view, how much of it is actually true? What do we know of the history behind all of this? What was the situation then, that started it in Saudi? What does it stand for? How and when did the term Wahabbism came up? Does all the negative points that are said to happen in Saudi or propagated by Salafis true?
If all these are taken into context and extent research is done on views from both sides, only then, a fair judgement can be made and whether you agree with any sides or not after that, then that will be your own choice and not a blind one, following others' perceptions.
So, I'm inviting all to keep an open mind and research if whatever that i've stated here have some truth in it. It's not about sparking off a debate or to say 'hey, i'm right!' but for all, to seek a clear view and truth for ourselves towards gaining a better understanding of Islam, to be sure in our choices and hopefully, to eventually practice Islam the way Allah would like us to..insya Allah.
May we all be guided to the right path, Ameen, insya Allah.
And Allah Almighty knows best.
Misinformation about Islam in the West
Article by Dr. Khalid Tawfik
The repeated anti-Islam campaigns in the West makes one pause and reflect on the reasons for such campaigns. After a careful reading on many sources about Islam, I discovered a lot of misinformation about Islam, some of this information is really shocking and totally unbelievable. In this article, I shall discuss some of this misinformation trying to draw Muslims' attention to correct such distorted facts about Islam or about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
¤ Muhammedanism: Until recently, a lot of people in the West believed that Muslims, God forbid, worship Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and this is why they used to refer to Islam as Muhammedanism.
¤ Turkish Religion; Also people in the West used to refer to Islam as Turkish Religion (you will find examples in William Shakespeare's Othello and in the introduction to the first English translation of the Qur'an produced by Alexander Ross in 1649). Some of the people who belonged to the Ottoman Empire ill-treated the Europeans who associated the religion of those people with violence and ill-treatment and this is why they referred to Islam as the Turkish Religion.
¤ During my visits to the USA and European countries, I came to discover that many people living there believed that the Holy Qur'an was written by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), especially that they read and gain such information or misinformation from some of the books written by some biased orientalists.
¤ Many of the people in the West believe that all Muslims should marry four women, that is, it is a religious obligation that they should do that!
¤ Most of the people in the West misunderstand the real meaning of Jihad: they think that Jihad means that all Muslims should wage war against whoever does not embrace Islam.
¤ The most shocking piece of information that I read is that Abu Lahab, the Prophet's polytheist uncle, who remained a disbeliever till his death and was a staunch enemy of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) is the one who lead the Prophet (peace be upon him) to monotheism and the Prophet (peace be upon him) was ungrateful to his uncle who guided him!!
¤ A lot of people in the West believed that Islam was spread by the sword, i.e. through fighting and war. They ignore the fact that most of the Muslims live in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia (countries located far away from the Arabian Peninsula where most of the wars between Muslims and disbelievers took place).
After this brief survey of some of this prevalent misinformation, I feel it is our duty as Muslims to work vigorously to correct this distorted information.
The repeated anti-Islam campaigns in the West makes one pause and reflect on the reasons for such campaigns. After a careful reading on many sources about Islam, I discovered a lot of misinformation about Islam, some of this information is really shocking and totally unbelievable. In this article, I shall discuss some of this misinformation trying to draw Muslims' attention to correct such distorted facts about Islam or about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
¤ Muhammedanism: Until recently, a lot of people in the West believed that Muslims, God forbid, worship Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and this is why they used to refer to Islam as Muhammedanism.
¤ Turkish Religion; Also people in the West used to refer to Islam as Turkish Religion (you will find examples in William Shakespeare's Othello and in the introduction to the first English translation of the Qur'an produced by Alexander Ross in 1649). Some of the people who belonged to the Ottoman Empire ill-treated the Europeans who associated the religion of those people with violence and ill-treatment and this is why they referred to Islam as the Turkish Religion.
¤ During my visits to the USA and European countries, I came to discover that many people living there believed that the Holy Qur'an was written by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), especially that they read and gain such information or misinformation from some of the books written by some biased orientalists.
¤ Many of the people in the West believe that all Muslims should marry four women, that is, it is a religious obligation that they should do that!
¤ Most of the people in the West misunderstand the real meaning of Jihad: they think that Jihad means that all Muslims should wage war against whoever does not embrace Islam.
¤ The most shocking piece of information that I read is that Abu Lahab, the Prophet's polytheist uncle, who remained a disbeliever till his death and was a staunch enemy of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) is the one who lead the Prophet (peace be upon him) to monotheism and the Prophet (peace be upon him) was ungrateful to his uncle who guided him!!
¤ A lot of people in the West believed that Islam was spread by the sword, i.e. through fighting and war. They ignore the fact that most of the Muslims live in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia (countries located far away from the Arabian Peninsula where most of the wars between Muslims and disbelievers took place).
After this brief survey of some of this prevalent misinformation, I feel it is our duty as Muslims to work vigorously to correct this distorted information.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
I Love Both Jesus and Muhammad
Article from Saifulislam.com.. Link Here!
Assalamualaikum.
I recently received an email from my friend asking opinion about a comparative list between Jesus and Muhammad. The email concluded that there is no comparison between Jesus and Muhammad. Muhammad falls so far short, that he cannot be held on any level remotely close to Jesus. Muhammad is clearly inferior to Christ.
The whole thing could not be responded in a simple manner because the list can endlessly continue. But let the sender ask himself, what is the purpose of highlighting the list?
When we discuss about Jesus - peace be upon him - and Muhammad - peace be upon him -, the intention is the first and foremost.
Me myself, I learn about Muhammad and his religion for me to clarify my own purpose of life, why God created me, why I am here, where am I heading to after this worldly transit? I found my answer best through the teaching of Muhammad. I learn about religion to answer my own Questions, and not to question others!
As a historian, I believe that Muhammad was the only prophet that was born under the light of history. Every single thing about him, I can identify the source and even the source can be evaluated scientifically for the authentication. But the case was not with all other Prophets including Jesus Christ.
Can the existence of Jesus Christ be proven historically and scientifically? Maybe yes, but it would not be an easy task. As far as the history concern, this was the major issue why the scholars of the Enlightenment rejected Christianity because empirical studies could not find solution in proving the existence of Jesus himself. In 325CE the Bishops gathered in Constantinople to decide if Jesus was a son of God or a man. It was that crucial if history involves.
But as a Muslim, the Quran was the source for me to know and believe in Jesus. Al-Quran helped me to believe in him. It was even a part of my faith. I cannot be a Muslim without believing in Jesus Christ. Jesus was better explained in the Quran, at least for my own level of understanding.
So, if the sender believe that his idea about Christianity gave him satisfaction in finding the absolute truth, then let him be with his Christianity. Islam stands with its own strength and Christianity should be confident with what it has. There is no need to prove who is better than who, if the intention is to find what is good for us in this temporary life.
All the claims made by the list can be answered by reading more about Muhammad. Keep aside the pre-conceived idea he had about him, and be open to read properly. I would not suggesting him to read any book written by Muslims, but why not spend sometime reading books about Muhammad written by someone like Karen Armstrong in her book “Muhammad: A Biography of The Prophet“.
I found peace and had full of tranquility by believing and loving both Jesus and Muhammad and I cannot do anything to help someone who find peace in hating any of these great men.
God knows the best.
ABU SAIF
Assalamualaikum.
I recently received an email from my friend asking opinion about a comparative list between Jesus and Muhammad. The email concluded that there is no comparison between Jesus and Muhammad. Muhammad falls so far short, that he cannot be held on any level remotely close to Jesus. Muhammad is clearly inferior to Christ.
The whole thing could not be responded in a simple manner because the list can endlessly continue. But let the sender ask himself, what is the purpose of highlighting the list?
When we discuss about Jesus - peace be upon him - and Muhammad - peace be upon him -, the intention is the first and foremost.
Me myself, I learn about Muhammad and his religion for me to clarify my own purpose of life, why God created me, why I am here, where am I heading to after this worldly transit? I found my answer best through the teaching of Muhammad. I learn about religion to answer my own Questions, and not to question others!
As a historian, I believe that Muhammad was the only prophet that was born under the light of history. Every single thing about him, I can identify the source and even the source can be evaluated scientifically for the authentication. But the case was not with all other Prophets including Jesus Christ.
Can the existence of Jesus Christ be proven historically and scientifically? Maybe yes, but it would not be an easy task. As far as the history concern, this was the major issue why the scholars of the Enlightenment rejected Christianity because empirical studies could not find solution in proving the existence of Jesus himself. In 325CE the Bishops gathered in Constantinople to decide if Jesus was a son of God or a man. It was that crucial if history involves.
But as a Muslim, the Quran was the source for me to know and believe in Jesus. Al-Quran helped me to believe in him. It was even a part of my faith. I cannot be a Muslim without believing in Jesus Christ. Jesus was better explained in the Quran, at least for my own level of understanding.
So, if the sender believe that his idea about Christianity gave him satisfaction in finding the absolute truth, then let him be with his Christianity. Islam stands with its own strength and Christianity should be confident with what it has. There is no need to prove who is better than who, if the intention is to find what is good for us in this temporary life.
All the claims made by the list can be answered by reading more about Muhammad. Keep aside the pre-conceived idea he had about him, and be open to read properly. I would not suggesting him to read any book written by Muslims, but why not spend sometime reading books about Muhammad written by someone like Karen Armstrong in her book “Muhammad: A Biography of The Prophet“.
I found peace and had full of tranquility by believing and loving both Jesus and Muhammad and I cannot do anything to help someone who find peace in hating any of these great men.
God knows the best.
ABU SAIF
How to get close to Allah?
Article taken from 'Saudi Gazette', Islam section..
By Laila Sultan
- Start off each day with the waking up supplications, thanking Allah for waking up in good shape.
- Put Allah first in your life.
- Broaden your horizens - learn 5 new verses from the Holy Qur'an every day, try to pray Fajr in the morning in the mosque to brighten your day, take up a booklet having supplications and read them.
- Pray Salaat ad-Dhuha after sunrise.
- If someone says something mean to you, just shrug it off and dismiss it in a friendly, laid-back manner, and pray that Allah shall forgive him.
- When you get angry, remember Allah, and think how short and worthless life is to waste in being angry.
- Remember that you can never have too many friends, but you can have few quality friends that help you fulfill the purpose of your creation (i.e. live for Allah).
- When you're happy, try to share your happiness with others. Thank Allah for that, and pray for its continuation.
- When something bad or embarrassing happens to you, just think it could always be worse, remember the reward of patience, and thank Allah that it's not worse than it is.
- Do something extra of goodness once in a while, like feeding a poor person, or caressing an orphan's head.
- Never stop believing that you can win Allah's love and thus work for it. Then you can win the love of Allah's slaves.
- Spend some time thinking of Allah's amazing creation.
- Always love those who love Allah unconditionally. This way, you will ensure that you live for Him, love for Him, and hate for Him (those who are enemies of Him).
- Find the righteous ways to express yourself, and if you think that what you are about to say shall cause no benefit, maintain silence (this is tough!!)
- Every now and then, give yourself a break. Give time to your family and friends, but always remember Allah and watch that he is watching you.
- Pray for blessing to come to those who are lost, and pray to Allah to guide them to the true path.
- Hug your parents, kiss their hands and always obey them except when they order to disobey Allah.
- Smile to everyone, for your smile makes a big difference to him or her and you are rewarded.
- Forgive, forget and smile.
- Tears are not for women only... tears are for all human beings with feelings remaining in them. Don't restrain your tears when remembering Allah.
- When people criticize your actions and effort, revise your actions and see if they please Allah or not. If they do; then ignore and remember how the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Sahabah (Allah be pleased with them) were criticized, made fun of and even physically harmed, so have patience.
- Read the Holy Qur'an daily and try to have a schedule for completing it as much as you could. As you open the Holy Qur'an daily, read with attention not just passing through the words.
- Don't let popularity go to your head, for it never lasts and you may lose from it more than you gain.
- Never look down on anybody, for, to Allah, they may be better than you.
- Convey this to all with the intention of having a healthy society living for Allah, as Allah said: "Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the way of your Lord (i.e., Islam) with wisdom (with Divine Revelation and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path, and He is Best Aware of those who are guided."(An-Nahl:125)
By Laila Sultan
- Start off each day with the waking up supplications, thanking Allah for waking up in good shape.
- Put Allah first in your life.
- Broaden your horizens - learn 5 new verses from the Holy Qur'an every day, try to pray Fajr in the morning in the mosque to brighten your day, take up a booklet having supplications and read them.
- Pray Salaat ad-Dhuha after sunrise.
- If someone says something mean to you, just shrug it off and dismiss it in a friendly, laid-back manner, and pray that Allah shall forgive him.
- When you get angry, remember Allah, and think how short and worthless life is to waste in being angry.
- Remember that you can never have too many friends, but you can have few quality friends that help you fulfill the purpose of your creation (i.e. live for Allah).
- When you're happy, try to share your happiness with others. Thank Allah for that, and pray for its continuation.
- When something bad or embarrassing happens to you, just think it could always be worse, remember the reward of patience, and thank Allah that it's not worse than it is.
- Do something extra of goodness once in a while, like feeding a poor person, or caressing an orphan's head.
- Never stop believing that you can win Allah's love and thus work for it. Then you can win the love of Allah's slaves.
- Spend some time thinking of Allah's amazing creation.
- Always love those who love Allah unconditionally. This way, you will ensure that you live for Him, love for Him, and hate for Him (those who are enemies of Him).
- Find the righteous ways to express yourself, and if you think that what you are about to say shall cause no benefit, maintain silence (this is tough!!)
- Every now and then, give yourself a break. Give time to your family and friends, but always remember Allah and watch that he is watching you.
- Pray for blessing to come to those who are lost, and pray to Allah to guide them to the true path.
- Hug your parents, kiss their hands and always obey them except when they order to disobey Allah.
- Smile to everyone, for your smile makes a big difference to him or her and you are rewarded.
- Forgive, forget and smile.
- Tears are not for women only... tears are for all human beings with feelings remaining in them. Don't restrain your tears when remembering Allah.
- When people criticize your actions and effort, revise your actions and see if they please Allah or not. If they do; then ignore and remember how the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Sahabah (Allah be pleased with them) were criticized, made fun of and even physically harmed, so have patience.
- Read the Holy Qur'an daily and try to have a schedule for completing it as much as you could. As you open the Holy Qur'an daily, read with attention not just passing through the words.
- Don't let popularity go to your head, for it never lasts and you may lose from it more than you gain.
- Never look down on anybody, for, to Allah, they may be better than you.
- Convey this to all with the intention of having a healthy society living for Allah, as Allah said: "Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the way of your Lord (i.e., Islam) with wisdom (with Divine Revelation and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path, and He is Best Aware of those who are guided."(An-Nahl:125)
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
RM8.1 Million wasted on Kokka
Excerpt from cyberita.asia1.com.sg.. article below.. Link here!
Just to add - Are there people in Singapore who were influenced by the 'kokka' phenomenon? From what I know, the answer is yes. Regretfully, I was one of those influenced. Back then I was quite ignorant about my own religion and alhamdulillah, not long after, while I was researching and relearning about Islam, I realized that the 'kokka' tasbih(zikr beads) is misleading in a sense that people actually believe that it has traces of 'berkat' or some sort of good charm as it is said to have come from the wood of Prophet Noah's ark. That was one of the main reasons why people would pay a hefty sum for a 100 beads 'tasbih'(zikr beads) of good quality. If it has the ability to bring you closer to Allah or make your supplications granted why not, right? Furthermore, the belief in its use is made greater due to a number of influential religious leaders who were leading the way of its use and even promoting it!
First and foremost, we have to ask ourselves this.. even if the 'tasbih'(zikr beads) are made from wood of Prophet Noah's ark, why would it have some sort of charm? It is plainly just a piece of wood. Its 'ancestors' possibly had a hand in the Ark but what's the link? It is just linked by name and that's the end of it. There's not even a source from the hadith, saying about the benefits of "the wood of the ark"!
Think about Prophet Noah's ark. What made Prophet Noah choose that sort of wood? What made the ark float and withstand the great flood? What saved Prophet Noah and his followers?
Is it the ark? Or the wood that it is made out of? Or Prophet Noah's intelligence?
The answer is NONE OF THE ABOVE.. All of it is due to Allah Almighty. Nothing is possible without Allah's help.
Even if we talk about Prophet Moses's cane, is it the magical cane or Allah that helped Prophet Moses dividing the sea, creating an escape path thus saving them from Pharoah? The cane is just used as a means and Allah is behind all of it.
Whenever we need help from Allah, we don't have to use any form of medium to make our prayers more heard or granted.. we just supplicate directly to Allah s.w.t.. As explained in an article by Dr MAZA entitled,"Allah Tidak Jauh, Doa Sentiasa Mustajab" Link here!
...Allah itu sentiasa hampir dengan kita, mendengar dan memperkenankan doa kita. Sesiapapun boleh sampai kepada-Nya. Tiada pengawal atau orang tengah yang menghalang seorang hamba untuk merintih dan merayu kepada Tuhannya. Siapapun hamba itu..
...Dia menyuruh kita berdoa dan membanyakkan doa. Ini kerana doa adalah lambang kehambaan diri kepada zat yang Maha Agung. Allah berfirman (maksudnya): Dan apabila hamba-hamba-Ku bertanya kepadamu mengenai Aku maka (beritahu kepada mereka): Sesungguhnya Aku (Allah) sentiasa hampir (kepada mereka); Aku perkenankan permohonan orang yang berdoa apabila dia berdoa kepada-Ku. Maka hendaklah mereka menyahut seruan-Ku (dengan mematuhi perintah-Ku), dan hendaklah mereka beriman kepada-Ku supaya mereka mendapat petunjuk (surah al-Baqarah: 186)
...Namun doa tidak sia-sia. Pahala tetap diberikan, kebaikan yang lain pula akan diganti di dunia dan di akhirat. Sabda Nabi: Tiada seorang muslim yang berdoa dengan suatu doa yang tiada dalamnya dosa, atau memutuskan silaturahim melainkan Allah akan memberikan kepadanya salah satu dari tiga perkara: sama ada disegerakan kemakbulan atau disimpan untuk diberikan pada hari akhirat, ataupun dijauhkan keburukan yang sepandan dengannya. (Riwayat Ahmad, al-Bazzar dan Abu Ya'la dengan sanad yang sahih). Maka, ada doa kita kepada Allah diterima olehnya di dunia. Ada yang tidak diberi disebabkan hikmat yang Allah lebih mengetahuinya, lalu disimpan doa itu di sisi-Nya untuk diberikan pada hari akhirat dengan yang lebih baik dan lebih utama untuk kita. Atau doa itu ditukar dengan kebaikan-kebaikan yang lain seperti diselamatkan kita dari pelbagai bahaya yang sebahagian besarnya tidak pernah diduga...to read more, Link here!
Thankfully, alhamdulillah, with Allah's help, I managed to realize my mistake and stopped using the 'kokka zikr beads' about two years before this article came out, as soon as I realized its misleading facts. However, it was quite hard back then to convince others to stop from believing about its 'usefulness'. I hope that now, they will realize and practice a more accurate form of ibadah, Ameen, insya Allah. And since now, we know that Prophet Noah's Ark is probably made from "Pine Cypress" wood, I hope that zikr beads made from "Pine Cypress" wood doesn't surface in the near future.. Hmm..
And Allah(s.w.t) knows best.
RM8.1 JUTA LEBUR DEK KOKKA
KUALA LUMPUR: Sepuluh tahun, RM8.1 juta ($3.5 juta).
Secara purata, begitulah banyaknya wang rakyat Malaysia yang 'lebur' gara-gara memiliki kayu kokka, lapor akhbar Metro Ahad semalam.
Menurut akhbar itu, kayu kokka sepatutnya diubah namanya kepada 'kayu kokak' (tidak berguna) kerana kajian terperinci mendapati kayu kokka sebenarnya tidak wujud dan sengaja diperkenalkan semata-mata untuk tujuan perniagaan.
Seorang peniaga kayu kokka, Encik Abdul Jasman Ahmad, 38 tahun, berkata kayu kokka mula dibawa masuk ke Malaysia menerusi seorang warga Turki pada 1998.
'Ketika itu nilainya sangat mahal. Seutas tasbih kayu kokka yang mempunyai 33 biji boleh dijual dengan harga sehingga RM1,800, manakala tasbih 100 biji boleh dijual sehingga RM2,500,' kata beliau.
Encik Abdul Jasman berkata pada 2003, sambutan terhadap kayu kokka sangat luar biasa sehingga rakannya berhasil menjual sehingga RM1 juta.
Kepalsuan kayu kokka dibongkar seorang Ahli Etnologi, Dr Abdul Manan Embong, yang melakukan kajian selama setahun bersama pakarpakar antarabangsa.
Mereka ialah Pakar Geomologi dan Mineral Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Dr Hisham Hashim; Pakar Botani dari Mesir, Profesor Dr Mohammad Shakran Shuhatah; Profesor Ali Akbar Zurillah dari Bahagian Kajian Penyelidikan Geologi Turki dan penceramah bebas serta penulis, Ahmad Shukri Ghazali Siraj.
Kajian di negara yang dikatakan mempunyai pokok kokka seperti Mesir, Jordan, Turki dan Iran itu mendapati tidak pernah wujud nama kokka.
Menurut Abdul Manan, kayu kokka sebenarnya diperolehi daripada spesies pokok palma Attalea funifera yang tumbuh di Brazil.
'Tiada bukti kayu kokka ada khasiat tertentu,' kata beliau.
Ia juga tiada kaitan dengan bahtera kerana yang digunakan Nabi Nuh bagi membina bahtera ialah daripada pokok Pine Cypress yang tumbuh di pergunungan Ararat, Turki.
Just to add - Are there people in Singapore who were influenced by the 'kokka' phenomenon? From what I know, the answer is yes. Regretfully, I was one of those influenced. Back then I was quite ignorant about my own religion and alhamdulillah, not long after, while I was researching and relearning about Islam, I realized that the 'kokka' tasbih(zikr beads) is misleading in a sense that people actually believe that it has traces of 'berkat' or some sort of good charm as it is said to have come from the wood of Prophet Noah's ark. That was one of the main reasons why people would pay a hefty sum for a 100 beads 'tasbih'(zikr beads) of good quality. If it has the ability to bring you closer to Allah or make your supplications granted why not, right? Furthermore, the belief in its use is made greater due to a number of influential religious leaders who were leading the way of its use and even promoting it!
First and foremost, we have to ask ourselves this.. even if the 'tasbih'(zikr beads) are made from wood of Prophet Noah's ark, why would it have some sort of charm? It is plainly just a piece of wood. Its 'ancestors' possibly had a hand in the Ark but what's the link? It is just linked by name and that's the end of it. There's not even a source from the hadith, saying about the benefits of "the wood of the ark"!
Think about Prophet Noah's ark. What made Prophet Noah choose that sort of wood? What made the ark float and withstand the great flood? What saved Prophet Noah and his followers?
Is it the ark? Or the wood that it is made out of? Or Prophet Noah's intelligence?
The answer is NONE OF THE ABOVE.. All of it is due to Allah Almighty. Nothing is possible without Allah's help.
Even if we talk about Prophet Moses's cane, is it the magical cane or Allah that helped Prophet Moses dividing the sea, creating an escape path thus saving them from Pharoah? The cane is just used as a means and Allah is behind all of it.
Whenever we need help from Allah, we don't have to use any form of medium to make our prayers more heard or granted.. we just supplicate directly to Allah s.w.t.. As explained in an article by Dr MAZA entitled,"Allah Tidak Jauh, Doa Sentiasa Mustajab" Link here!
...Allah itu sentiasa hampir dengan kita, mendengar dan memperkenankan doa kita. Sesiapapun boleh sampai kepada-Nya. Tiada pengawal atau orang tengah yang menghalang seorang hamba untuk merintih dan merayu kepada Tuhannya. Siapapun hamba itu..
...Dia menyuruh kita berdoa dan membanyakkan doa. Ini kerana doa adalah lambang kehambaan diri kepada zat yang Maha Agung. Allah berfirman (maksudnya): Dan apabila hamba-hamba-Ku bertanya kepadamu mengenai Aku maka (beritahu kepada mereka): Sesungguhnya Aku (Allah) sentiasa hampir (kepada mereka); Aku perkenankan permohonan orang yang berdoa apabila dia berdoa kepada-Ku. Maka hendaklah mereka menyahut seruan-Ku (dengan mematuhi perintah-Ku), dan hendaklah mereka beriman kepada-Ku supaya mereka mendapat petunjuk (surah al-Baqarah: 186)
...Namun doa tidak sia-sia. Pahala tetap diberikan, kebaikan yang lain pula akan diganti di dunia dan di akhirat. Sabda Nabi: Tiada seorang muslim yang berdoa dengan suatu doa yang tiada dalamnya dosa, atau memutuskan silaturahim melainkan Allah akan memberikan kepadanya salah satu dari tiga perkara: sama ada disegerakan kemakbulan atau disimpan untuk diberikan pada hari akhirat, ataupun dijauhkan keburukan yang sepandan dengannya. (Riwayat Ahmad, al-Bazzar dan Abu Ya'la dengan sanad yang sahih). Maka, ada doa kita kepada Allah diterima olehnya di dunia. Ada yang tidak diberi disebabkan hikmat yang Allah lebih mengetahuinya, lalu disimpan doa itu di sisi-Nya untuk diberikan pada hari akhirat dengan yang lebih baik dan lebih utama untuk kita. Atau doa itu ditukar dengan kebaikan-kebaikan yang lain seperti diselamatkan kita dari pelbagai bahaya yang sebahagian besarnya tidak pernah diduga...to read more, Link here!
Thankfully, alhamdulillah, with Allah's help, I managed to realize my mistake and stopped using the 'kokka zikr beads' about two years before this article came out, as soon as I realized its misleading facts. However, it was quite hard back then to convince others to stop from believing about its 'usefulness'. I hope that now, they will realize and practice a more accurate form of ibadah, Ameen, insya Allah. And since now, we know that Prophet Noah's Ark is probably made from "Pine Cypress" wood, I hope that zikr beads made from "Pine Cypress" wood doesn't surface in the near future.. Hmm..
And Allah(s.w.t) knows best.
RM8.1 JUTA LEBUR DEK KOKKA
KUALA LUMPUR: Sepuluh tahun, RM8.1 juta ($3.5 juta).
Secara purata, begitulah banyaknya wang rakyat Malaysia yang 'lebur' gara-gara memiliki kayu kokka, lapor akhbar Metro Ahad semalam.
Menurut akhbar itu, kayu kokka sepatutnya diubah namanya kepada 'kayu kokak' (tidak berguna) kerana kajian terperinci mendapati kayu kokka sebenarnya tidak wujud dan sengaja diperkenalkan semata-mata untuk tujuan perniagaan.
Seorang peniaga kayu kokka, Encik Abdul Jasman Ahmad, 38 tahun, berkata kayu kokka mula dibawa masuk ke Malaysia menerusi seorang warga Turki pada 1998.
'Ketika itu nilainya sangat mahal. Seutas tasbih kayu kokka yang mempunyai 33 biji boleh dijual dengan harga sehingga RM1,800, manakala tasbih 100 biji boleh dijual sehingga RM2,500,' kata beliau.
Encik Abdul Jasman berkata pada 2003, sambutan terhadap kayu kokka sangat luar biasa sehingga rakannya berhasil menjual sehingga RM1 juta.
Kepalsuan kayu kokka dibongkar seorang Ahli Etnologi, Dr Abdul Manan Embong, yang melakukan kajian selama setahun bersama pakarpakar antarabangsa.
Mereka ialah Pakar Geomologi dan Mineral Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Dr Hisham Hashim; Pakar Botani dari Mesir, Profesor Dr Mohammad Shakran Shuhatah; Profesor Ali Akbar Zurillah dari Bahagian Kajian Penyelidikan Geologi Turki dan penceramah bebas serta penulis, Ahmad Shukri Ghazali Siraj.
Kajian di negara yang dikatakan mempunyai pokok kokka seperti Mesir, Jordan, Turki dan Iran itu mendapati tidak pernah wujud nama kokka.
Menurut Abdul Manan, kayu kokka sebenarnya diperolehi daripada spesies pokok palma Attalea funifera yang tumbuh di Brazil.
'Tiada bukti kayu kokka ada khasiat tertentu,' kata beliau.
Ia juga tiada kaitan dengan bahtera kerana yang digunakan Nabi Nuh bagi membina bahtera ialah daripada pokok Pine Cypress yang tumbuh di pergunungan Ararat, Turki.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Thoughts.
The weather's getting hotter by the day. Even at night, you could feel the difference in temperature compared to a few weeks back. Thankfully for something called the air-conditioner. Available at almost every building. Summer's approaching, which means the holidays are nearing too. Which will mean a ticket back to 'Sin-gha'-fu-rah'. One of the questions in my mind would be how has everything changed. What of the family, friends, the cat, the neighbourhood, the public in general, the rockclimbing scene, the chill-out areas.. Three months of holiday will pass by in a flash, so I had better plan to make the most out of it.
On a different note, had been given the opportunity to teach English as a second language here. There's no money in it but the experience would be priceless. I have always wanted to teach. Had to jump at the opportunity when it was proposed to me. My English is not so 'powderful', however, teaching basics would do just fine for now. It has been 2 days of classes now with students ranging between the age of 18 to early 20s and I've enjoyed it so far. More importantly, I hope that my students would be able to gain from my teaching methods and improve as time goes by. Hope that the motivation and the positivity of it stays. Maybe it is due to the small, 15-seater classroom setting and the energy from the students. And it is also easier to teach when the students are motivated to learn. Alhamdulillah for this opportunity.
On a different note, had been given the opportunity to teach English as a second language here. There's no money in it but the experience would be priceless. I have always wanted to teach. Had to jump at the opportunity when it was proposed to me. My English is not so 'powderful', however, teaching basics would do just fine for now. It has been 2 days of classes now with students ranging between the age of 18 to early 20s and I've enjoyed it so far. More importantly, I hope that my students would be able to gain from my teaching methods and improve as time goes by. Hope that the motivation and the positivity of it stays. Maybe it is due to the small, 15-seater classroom setting and the energy from the students. And it is also easier to teach when the students are motivated to learn. Alhamdulillah for this opportunity.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Mencari Kemenangan Dengan Acuan Allah
One of my favourite articles from saifulislam.com.. Semoga bermanfaat, insya-Allah.
“Allah selamatkan penduduk Mekah yang jahiliah itu. Mereka bukan sahaja mengotorkan Masjidil Haram dengan lebih 300 patung, malah bertawaf secara bertelanjang. Tetapi Allah selamatkan mereka dari serangan Abrahah”, saya cuba mengimbas situasi Mekah di ambang kelahiran Rasulullah SAW.
“Jika penduduk Mekah yang jahiliah itu, Allah selamatkan mereka dari kebinasaan, mengapa Allah tidak selamatkan kita? Mengapa kita terus kalah dan kalah? Bukankah kita yang menyembah Allah? Bukankah kita yang berjuang dengan nama Allah? Kenapa Allah tidak tolong kita?”, soalan yang mengganggu fikiran saya ini semakin kritikal.
Malah jika direnung kepada keadaan semasa, yang jahat dan jahiliah itu terus menang dan menang, namun Islam dan kebenaran terus lemah tertindas, bagai tidak terbantu.
Di manakah silapnya?
Fikiran meraba, tangan meraba… lembaran kalam Allah diselak satu persatu dan kita sampai kepada janji Allah ini:
“Dan Allah tidak sekali-kali akan menyeksa mereka, sedang Engkau (Wahai Muhammad) ada di antara mereka; dan Allah tidak akan menyeksa mereka sedang mereka beristighfar (meminta ampun)” (Al-Anfaal : 33)
Itu janji Dia.
Bahawa tiada kaum yang terbiar menderita, jika di kalangan mereka itu ada Muhammad SAW.
Biar pun penduduk Mekah itu jahiliah, tetapi dek kerana dari mereka itulah lahirnya Muhammad SAW, maka keberadaan Muhammad itu menjadi sebab untuk Allah selamatkan mereka, sebagaimana Allah menyelamatkan umat Badar, Uhud malah yang kritikal seperti Khandaq.
Hari ini baginda SAW secara fizikalnya tidak ada dan tidak akan ada… kerana jasadnya sudah pulang ke asal. Tetapi bagaimana dengan cara kita beragama? Samakah Islam kita dengan Islam Rasulullah SAW? Serupakah cara kita mencari kejayaan dan kemenangan, jika dibandingkan dengan cara Rasulullah SAW? Atau dalam bahasa yang lebih mudah, ada atau tidak Rasulullah SAW itu dalam kehidupan seharian kita? Hidup minum dan makan, serta hidup di medan perjuangan?
Mungkin Rasulullah SAW tiada… biar pun di sisi mereka yang bernama Muhammad dan berjuang kerana cinta kepada Muhammad… lantaran tidak mengikut acuan yang digunakan oleh Baginda SAW.:
“Acuan Allah… Apakah ada yang lebih baik dari acuan Allah, sedang kita ini kepada-Nya, adalah HAMBA “ (Al-Baqarah : 138)
JALAN KELUAR
Di belakang mereka maut, di depan juga maut.
Musa dan Bani Israel yang beriman itu dikepung maut. Di belakang mereka adalah Firaun dan bala tenteranya, manakala di hadapan mereka adalah laut yang luas terbentang. Jika dihitung pada upaya helah akal manusia, tiada lagi jalan keluar.
“Bawa-bawalah mengucap!”
Tetapi putus asa dari rahmat Allah itu bukan sifat golongan yang layak dibantu. Kerana segala kesempitan dunia itu, tidak terbanding oleh kuasa Allah untuk menghulur keselamatan.
“Barangsiapa yang bertaqwa kepada Allah nescaya akan dijadikan untuknya jalan keluar (dari belenggu masalah) dan dikurniakan rezeki dari sumber yang tidak disangka-sangka” (Al-Thalaq: 2-3)
Laut itu terbelah, membentangkan jalan keselamatan dan pertolongan yang tidak disangka-sangka buat Musa dan Bani Israel. Mereka yang kerdil itu terselamat dan meneruskan perjalanan, Firaun yang gagah, lama berkuasa lagi mencengkam rakyatnya itu tenggelam, binasa… kerana mereka terlalu kerdil di sisi Allah yang Maha Gagah lagi Perkasa.
Syaratnya adalah TAQWA.
SYARAT TAQWA
Taqwa itu bukan slogan. Ia bukan modal khatib melenakan jemaah Jumaat.
Taqwa adalah kayu ukur Allah terhadap kualiti insan. Sebaik-baik kamu adalah yang paling tinggi nilai taqwanya.
“Apa itu taqwa?”, tanya Umar al-Khattab kepada Ubai bin Ka’ab Radhiyallahu ‘anhuma.
“Pernah kamu susuri jalan yang penuh duri?”, balas Ubai dengan suatu pertanyaan yang menduga.
“Pernah saja”, jawab Umar.
“Apa yang kamu lakukan?”, pintas Ubai.
“Aku angkat sedikit pakaianku, dan melangkah dengan hati-hati”, jawab Umar lagi.
“Itulah TAQWA!”, simpul Ubai bin Ka’ab terhadap soalan Umar al-Khattab tentang TAQWA.
TAQWA itu adalah kualiti manusia yang merentas jalan berliku. Ada manfaat ada mudarat, ada yang boleh ada yang jangan… seorang ahli taqwa itu akan mengambil kira semuanya. Melangkah dengan penuh kesedaran, bijak mengawal pergerakan, dan peduli kepada setiap yang menjadi cabaran di sepanjang perjalanan itu. Itulah taqwa.
Orang bertaqwa bukan orang hidup ikut suka.
Pejuang bertaqwa bukan pejuang yang berjuang ikut suka.
Mereka mengambil kira segala peraturan Allah, perkara yang memenangkan, dan perkara yang membinasakan.
PERATURAN ALLAH
Soalnya peraturan Allah itu bagaimana?
“Patuh pada al-Quran dan al-Sunnah”, jawab kita semua.
Sahih… tepat… tetapi mungkin belum jelas, mungkin belum lengkap dan belum praktikal.
Ketetapan Allah itu ada di dalam al-Quran dan al-Sunnah, tetapi bukan di situ sahaja adanya ketetapan Allah dalam kehidupan ini. Ada petunjuk datang dari nas, ada petunjuk datang dari peraturan alam.
Peraturan nas itu adalah Syariatullah.
Peraturan alam itu adalah Sunnatullah.
BAGINDA SAW, SYARIATULLAH DAN SUNNATULLAH
Ketika Baginda SAW mengajar kita melakukan urusan harian, Baginda SAW sering memberikan demonstrasi perlakuan agama pada mematuhi Syariatullah dan Sunnatullah.
i. Urusan Harian
Lihat sahaja urusan sembelihan. Kita diajar supaya memperelokkan sembelihan, dan Sunnahnya adalah pada Basmalah dan pisau yang tajam. Apakah faedah menggunakan pisau yang tajam?
“Ayam tak sakit!”, jawapan standard kebanyakan kita.
“Syariat diturunkan untuk faedah manusia, bukan ayam”, itu ulasan saya.
Penggunaan pisau yang tajam akan mempercepatkan kerja. Kurang tenaga yang diperlukan namun lebih hasilnya. Lebih efisyen, lebih efektif… atau dalam bahasa hari ini, Baginda SAW mengajar kita soal produktiviti.
Maka keelokan pada sembelihan bukan hanya pada Basmalah, tetapi juga pada pisau yang tajam.
ii. Urusan Perjuangan
“Aku Rasulullah, aku kekasih Allah, Allah memerintahkan aku berhijrah dan berjuang, pasti Allah membantu….!?”
Pernahkan Baginda SAW berfikiran begitu? Pernahkah Baginda SAW beranggapan bahawa perjuangannya atas nama Allah, Islam dan kebenaran, pasti perjuangan itu akan menang, lantas baginda lengah dalam strategi dan persiapan?
Tidak sekali-kali.
Untuk Hijrah, Baginda SAW memanfaatkan segala kebijaksanaan, memaksimakan segala strategi hingga boleh menjadi prinsip kepada apa yang kemudiannya dinamakan sebagai SAINS KETENTERAAN.
Begitu banyak lambakan perancangan dan strategi Baginda SAW hingga sahabat bertanya, mana satukah wahyu dan mana satukah pandangan profesional Baginda? Syariatullah pada wahyu menjadi suatu kepatuhan dan ketaatan, manakala Sunnatullah menuntut perbincangan, analisa dan bekerja secara kolektif.
Tiada tinggi rendah antara tuntutan Syariatullah dan Sunnatullah… kerana kedua-duanya merupakan aturan Allah untuk kesejahteraan kehidupan manusia. Ayat hukum terbitan nas, dan ayat sains terbitan alam, kedua-duanya dilaksanakan sepenuh hati.
CONSTANTINOPLE DAN UKURAN RABBANI
Sikap demikian terhadap persoalan Syariatullah dan Sunnatullah, bukan hanya tercatat pada era Nubuwwah, malah ia terus menjadi kayu ukur kepada kesempurnaan kerja Ummah pada agenda seterusnya.
“Constantinople itu pasti akan dibebaskan. Sebaik-baik pemimpin adalah pemimpin (penawanan)nya dan sebaik-baik tentera adalah tentera (yang menawan)nya” [Hakim, 4.422; Bukhari, Tarikh al-Saghir, 139; I. Hanbal, 4.335]
44H, Muawiyah bin Abi Sufian Radhiyallahu ‘anhu menghantar delegasi pertama umat Islam ke arah menundukkan Constantinople. Ramai sahabat yang menyertainya, termasuk Abu Ayyub al-Ansari dan Ibn Abbas sendiri. Mereka pergi dengan keyakinan yang tinggi terhadap janji Nabi SAW, bahawa Constantinople yang gah, sombong dan bongkak itu akan tunduk kepada Islam, bukan terjajah tetapi untuk dibebaskan dari perhambaan sesama mereka sendiri.
Bagaimanakah kekuatan Constantinople? Bagaimana cuaca di sana? Bagaimana sosio politik penduduknya?
Sahabat Nabi SAW tidak mengetahuinya. Namun kerana yakin dengan janji Baginda SAW bahawa kemenangan adalah untuk Islam… mereka teruskan jua.
Misi tidak berhasil. Bukan gagal, tetapi belum berjaya. Abu Ayyub al-Ansari radhiyyallahu ‘anhu terbunuh syahid. Biar pun mereka itu generasi sahabat yang dididik sendiri oleh Rasulullah SAW, namun Allah belum mengizinkan kemenangan kerana ada pelajaran besar yang perlu ditekuni oleh Ummah.
Usaha diteruskan lagi di zaman Sulaiman bin Abdul Malik, di zaman Harun al-Rashid dan terus dicuba dan dicuba…hingga ke era Sultan Yildirim Beyazit (1389-1403) dan Murat Ke-2 (1421-1451)di era Othmaniyyah… janji Nabi SAW belum tertunai.
Hinggalah muncul era pemerintah Kesultanan Othmaniyyah, Sultan ke-7 bergelar Sultan Muhammad bin Murad II menaiki takhta. Beliau insan biasa yang luar biasa.
Luar biasa pada keghairahannya terhadap misi Constantinople.
Luar biasa pada ketinggian akhlaq dan ilmunya.
Luar biasa pada penguasaan kemahiran memerintah dan peperangan.
Luar biasa pada Syariatullah dan Sunnatullah yang dijunjungnya atas nama TAQWA.
Sultan Muhamamad al-Fatih mengkaji aspek ketenteraan, aspek politik dan sosial Constantinople. Beliau mengetahui serba serbi tentang kekuatan dan kelemahan kota yang bakal ditundukkan itu lantas bertindak selaras dengannya. Malah bukan sahaja beliau yang hebat, tentera-tenteranya juga sama tinggi.
Semasa beliau bersama ribuan tenteranya bergerak menuju Constantinople, mereka telah melintasi ladang anggur. Sultan Muhammad telah berpura-pura jatuh gering.
“Hanya anggur sahaja yang mampu menyembuhkan sakit ini”, katanya.
Tetapi tidak ada seorang pun daripada tenteranya yang mempunyai buah anggur. Ladang anggur yang bukan milik mereka itu tidak disentuh dan tidak pernah menjadi salah satu daripada pilihan penyelesaian kepada masalah yang ada.
“Beta sudah sembuh!”, kata Sultan Muhamamd al-Fatih.
Ternyata tenteranya adalah sebaik-baik tentera. Sultan Muhammad ’sembuh’ dengan ketinggian Syariatullah pada taqwa tenteranya, di samping Sunnatullah yang telah diperlengkapkan.
Setelah tawaran perdamaian di saat akhir ditolak, serangan dilancarkan bertubi-tubi… lebih sebulan pertempuran berlangsung dan akhirnya tibalah saat yang dijanjikan Allah dan Rasulnya, Constinople rebah di tangan insan biasa yang luar biasa… Sultan Muhammad bin Murad II… Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih.
Insan biasa yang luar biasa, menempa kejayaan hasil menggabungjalinkan Syariatullah dan Sunnatullah.
Sabda Nabi SAW tentang kemenangan Islam di kota Constantinople bukan berlaku di tangan generasi sahabat. Ia berhasil di tangan sebaik-baik ketua dan sebaik-baik tentera, lebih 800 tahun selepas janji itu dilafazkan Baginda SAW.
Itulah formula kemenangan Islam.
Islam tidak menang hanya kerana nama perjuangan itu adalah perjuangan Islam. Kemenangan adalah untuk kesempurnaan usaha melengkapi syarat kemenangan.
Ayuh pejuang Islam… jika mahu menangkan Islam, jangan berikan alasan tembok Constantinople itu terlalu kukuh untuk runtuh. Jangan beri alasan perjalanannya yang jauh. Jangan beri alasan bahawa helahnya licik bagi belut di liku selut. Kemenangan itu dekat, jika pejuangnya melengkapi syarat TAQWA. Iaitu pada mematuhi Syariatullah dan Sunnatullah.
Integiriti itu penting.
Komitmen kepada hukum syarak semasa turun berkempen itu penting.
Halal haram itu sentiasa penting.
Efisyensi rekod dan pengurusan itu penting.
Penggunaan segala skil komunikasi itu penting.
Teknologi itu penting.
Syariat dan Sains kedua-duanya itu penting.
Itulah formula memenangkan Islam.
MOTIVASI AKHIR
“Kota Constantinople itu akan berada di tangan umat ini”, pesan Baginda SAW kepada sahabat yang keletihan di medan Khandaq.
Constantinople?
Janji itu keterlaluan.
Masakan tidak. Penduduk Madinah hanya segelintir. Mereka itu pula antara hidup dan mati, tatkala dikepung segenap Barisan Nasionalis Arab yang bergabung membentuk tentera Ahzab. Tiba-tiba baginda SAW memberikan janji bahawa kita yang kecil, antara hidup dan mati ini, akan menundukkan Constantinople, kota terbesar di dunia itu.
Apakah ini suatu kemustahilan?
Beginilah cara Nabi SAW memotivasikan sahabat.
Percaya selepas melihat sesuatu tiada nilai iman. Ia hanya suatu ikrar pada sesuatu yang telah ada hasilnya. Percaya seperti ini percaya murahan yang tidak berhajatkan kepada usaha dan pengorbanan.
Namun Baginda SAW mengajar para sahabat supaya percaya sebelum melihat sesuatu, dan bekerja keras untuk melihat apa yang mereka percaya.
Itulah hebatnya motivasi minda mukmin profesional.
Mereka percaya sebelum melihat dan bekerja keras untuk melihat apa yang mereka percaya.
Kita belum pernah melihat Syurga, namun kita mempercayainya. Maka bekerja keraslah untuk melihat apa yang kita percaya.
Kita juga belum pernah melihat kemenangan Islam, bahkan diselubungi kekalahan demi kekalahan. Namun kita percaya bahawa hari esok adalah untuk Islam. Maka bekerja keraslah untuk melihat apa yang kita percaya.
Bahawa kemenangan adalah milik Islam.
Andai cukup syarat-syaratnya.
ABU SAIF @ www.saifulislam.com
56000 Kuala Lumpur
“Allah selamatkan penduduk Mekah yang jahiliah itu. Mereka bukan sahaja mengotorkan Masjidil Haram dengan lebih 300 patung, malah bertawaf secara bertelanjang. Tetapi Allah selamatkan mereka dari serangan Abrahah”, saya cuba mengimbas situasi Mekah di ambang kelahiran Rasulullah SAW.
“Jika penduduk Mekah yang jahiliah itu, Allah selamatkan mereka dari kebinasaan, mengapa Allah tidak selamatkan kita? Mengapa kita terus kalah dan kalah? Bukankah kita yang menyembah Allah? Bukankah kita yang berjuang dengan nama Allah? Kenapa Allah tidak tolong kita?”, soalan yang mengganggu fikiran saya ini semakin kritikal.
Malah jika direnung kepada keadaan semasa, yang jahat dan jahiliah itu terus menang dan menang, namun Islam dan kebenaran terus lemah tertindas, bagai tidak terbantu.
Di manakah silapnya?
Fikiran meraba, tangan meraba… lembaran kalam Allah diselak satu persatu dan kita sampai kepada janji Allah ini:
“Dan Allah tidak sekali-kali akan menyeksa mereka, sedang Engkau (Wahai Muhammad) ada di antara mereka; dan Allah tidak akan menyeksa mereka sedang mereka beristighfar (meminta ampun)” (Al-Anfaal : 33)
Itu janji Dia.
Bahawa tiada kaum yang terbiar menderita, jika di kalangan mereka itu ada Muhammad SAW.
Biar pun penduduk Mekah itu jahiliah, tetapi dek kerana dari mereka itulah lahirnya Muhammad SAW, maka keberadaan Muhammad itu menjadi sebab untuk Allah selamatkan mereka, sebagaimana Allah menyelamatkan umat Badar, Uhud malah yang kritikal seperti Khandaq.
Hari ini baginda SAW secara fizikalnya tidak ada dan tidak akan ada… kerana jasadnya sudah pulang ke asal. Tetapi bagaimana dengan cara kita beragama? Samakah Islam kita dengan Islam Rasulullah SAW? Serupakah cara kita mencari kejayaan dan kemenangan, jika dibandingkan dengan cara Rasulullah SAW? Atau dalam bahasa yang lebih mudah, ada atau tidak Rasulullah SAW itu dalam kehidupan seharian kita? Hidup minum dan makan, serta hidup di medan perjuangan?
Mungkin Rasulullah SAW tiada… biar pun di sisi mereka yang bernama Muhammad dan berjuang kerana cinta kepada Muhammad… lantaran tidak mengikut acuan yang digunakan oleh Baginda SAW.:
“Acuan Allah… Apakah ada yang lebih baik dari acuan Allah, sedang kita ini kepada-Nya, adalah HAMBA “ (Al-Baqarah : 138)
JALAN KELUAR
Di belakang mereka maut, di depan juga maut.
Musa dan Bani Israel yang beriman itu dikepung maut. Di belakang mereka adalah Firaun dan bala tenteranya, manakala di hadapan mereka adalah laut yang luas terbentang. Jika dihitung pada upaya helah akal manusia, tiada lagi jalan keluar.
“Bawa-bawalah mengucap!”
Tetapi putus asa dari rahmat Allah itu bukan sifat golongan yang layak dibantu. Kerana segala kesempitan dunia itu, tidak terbanding oleh kuasa Allah untuk menghulur keselamatan.
“Barangsiapa yang bertaqwa kepada Allah nescaya akan dijadikan untuknya jalan keluar (dari belenggu masalah) dan dikurniakan rezeki dari sumber yang tidak disangka-sangka” (Al-Thalaq: 2-3)
Laut itu terbelah, membentangkan jalan keselamatan dan pertolongan yang tidak disangka-sangka buat Musa dan Bani Israel. Mereka yang kerdil itu terselamat dan meneruskan perjalanan, Firaun yang gagah, lama berkuasa lagi mencengkam rakyatnya itu tenggelam, binasa… kerana mereka terlalu kerdil di sisi Allah yang Maha Gagah lagi Perkasa.
Syaratnya adalah TAQWA.
SYARAT TAQWA
Taqwa itu bukan slogan. Ia bukan modal khatib melenakan jemaah Jumaat.
Taqwa adalah kayu ukur Allah terhadap kualiti insan. Sebaik-baik kamu adalah yang paling tinggi nilai taqwanya.
“Apa itu taqwa?”, tanya Umar al-Khattab kepada Ubai bin Ka’ab Radhiyallahu ‘anhuma.
“Pernah kamu susuri jalan yang penuh duri?”, balas Ubai dengan suatu pertanyaan yang menduga.
“Pernah saja”, jawab Umar.
“Apa yang kamu lakukan?”, pintas Ubai.
“Aku angkat sedikit pakaianku, dan melangkah dengan hati-hati”, jawab Umar lagi.
“Itulah TAQWA!”, simpul Ubai bin Ka’ab terhadap soalan Umar al-Khattab tentang TAQWA.
TAQWA itu adalah kualiti manusia yang merentas jalan berliku. Ada manfaat ada mudarat, ada yang boleh ada yang jangan… seorang ahli taqwa itu akan mengambil kira semuanya. Melangkah dengan penuh kesedaran, bijak mengawal pergerakan, dan peduli kepada setiap yang menjadi cabaran di sepanjang perjalanan itu. Itulah taqwa.
Orang bertaqwa bukan orang hidup ikut suka.
Pejuang bertaqwa bukan pejuang yang berjuang ikut suka.
Mereka mengambil kira segala peraturan Allah, perkara yang memenangkan, dan perkara yang membinasakan.
PERATURAN ALLAH
Soalnya peraturan Allah itu bagaimana?
“Patuh pada al-Quran dan al-Sunnah”, jawab kita semua.
Sahih… tepat… tetapi mungkin belum jelas, mungkin belum lengkap dan belum praktikal.
Ketetapan Allah itu ada di dalam al-Quran dan al-Sunnah, tetapi bukan di situ sahaja adanya ketetapan Allah dalam kehidupan ini. Ada petunjuk datang dari nas, ada petunjuk datang dari peraturan alam.
Peraturan nas itu adalah Syariatullah.
Peraturan alam itu adalah Sunnatullah.
BAGINDA SAW, SYARIATULLAH DAN SUNNATULLAH
Ketika Baginda SAW mengajar kita melakukan urusan harian, Baginda SAW sering memberikan demonstrasi perlakuan agama pada mematuhi Syariatullah dan Sunnatullah.
i. Urusan Harian
Lihat sahaja urusan sembelihan. Kita diajar supaya memperelokkan sembelihan, dan Sunnahnya adalah pada Basmalah dan pisau yang tajam. Apakah faedah menggunakan pisau yang tajam?
“Ayam tak sakit!”, jawapan standard kebanyakan kita.
“Syariat diturunkan untuk faedah manusia, bukan ayam”, itu ulasan saya.
Penggunaan pisau yang tajam akan mempercepatkan kerja. Kurang tenaga yang diperlukan namun lebih hasilnya. Lebih efisyen, lebih efektif… atau dalam bahasa hari ini, Baginda SAW mengajar kita soal produktiviti.
Maka keelokan pada sembelihan bukan hanya pada Basmalah, tetapi juga pada pisau yang tajam.
ii. Urusan Perjuangan
“Aku Rasulullah, aku kekasih Allah, Allah memerintahkan aku berhijrah dan berjuang, pasti Allah membantu….!?”
Pernahkan Baginda SAW berfikiran begitu? Pernahkah Baginda SAW beranggapan bahawa perjuangannya atas nama Allah, Islam dan kebenaran, pasti perjuangan itu akan menang, lantas baginda lengah dalam strategi dan persiapan?
Tidak sekali-kali.
Untuk Hijrah, Baginda SAW memanfaatkan segala kebijaksanaan, memaksimakan segala strategi hingga boleh menjadi prinsip kepada apa yang kemudiannya dinamakan sebagai SAINS KETENTERAAN.
Begitu banyak lambakan perancangan dan strategi Baginda SAW hingga sahabat bertanya, mana satukah wahyu dan mana satukah pandangan profesional Baginda? Syariatullah pada wahyu menjadi suatu kepatuhan dan ketaatan, manakala Sunnatullah menuntut perbincangan, analisa dan bekerja secara kolektif.
Tiada tinggi rendah antara tuntutan Syariatullah dan Sunnatullah… kerana kedua-duanya merupakan aturan Allah untuk kesejahteraan kehidupan manusia. Ayat hukum terbitan nas, dan ayat sains terbitan alam, kedua-duanya dilaksanakan sepenuh hati.
CONSTANTINOPLE DAN UKURAN RABBANI
Sikap demikian terhadap persoalan Syariatullah dan Sunnatullah, bukan hanya tercatat pada era Nubuwwah, malah ia terus menjadi kayu ukur kepada kesempurnaan kerja Ummah pada agenda seterusnya.
“Constantinople itu pasti akan dibebaskan. Sebaik-baik pemimpin adalah pemimpin (penawanan)nya dan sebaik-baik tentera adalah tentera (yang menawan)nya” [Hakim, 4.422; Bukhari, Tarikh al-Saghir, 139; I. Hanbal, 4.335]
44H, Muawiyah bin Abi Sufian Radhiyallahu ‘anhu menghantar delegasi pertama umat Islam ke arah menundukkan Constantinople. Ramai sahabat yang menyertainya, termasuk Abu Ayyub al-Ansari dan Ibn Abbas sendiri. Mereka pergi dengan keyakinan yang tinggi terhadap janji Nabi SAW, bahawa Constantinople yang gah, sombong dan bongkak itu akan tunduk kepada Islam, bukan terjajah tetapi untuk dibebaskan dari perhambaan sesama mereka sendiri.
Bagaimanakah kekuatan Constantinople? Bagaimana cuaca di sana? Bagaimana sosio politik penduduknya?
Sahabat Nabi SAW tidak mengetahuinya. Namun kerana yakin dengan janji Baginda SAW bahawa kemenangan adalah untuk Islam… mereka teruskan jua.
Misi tidak berhasil. Bukan gagal, tetapi belum berjaya. Abu Ayyub al-Ansari radhiyyallahu ‘anhu terbunuh syahid. Biar pun mereka itu generasi sahabat yang dididik sendiri oleh Rasulullah SAW, namun Allah belum mengizinkan kemenangan kerana ada pelajaran besar yang perlu ditekuni oleh Ummah.
Usaha diteruskan lagi di zaman Sulaiman bin Abdul Malik, di zaman Harun al-Rashid dan terus dicuba dan dicuba…hingga ke era Sultan Yildirim Beyazit (1389-1403) dan Murat Ke-2 (1421-1451)di era Othmaniyyah… janji Nabi SAW belum tertunai.
Hinggalah muncul era pemerintah Kesultanan Othmaniyyah, Sultan ke-7 bergelar Sultan Muhammad bin Murad II menaiki takhta. Beliau insan biasa yang luar biasa.
Luar biasa pada keghairahannya terhadap misi Constantinople.
Luar biasa pada ketinggian akhlaq dan ilmunya.
Luar biasa pada penguasaan kemahiran memerintah dan peperangan.
Luar biasa pada Syariatullah dan Sunnatullah yang dijunjungnya atas nama TAQWA.
Sultan Muhamamad al-Fatih mengkaji aspek ketenteraan, aspek politik dan sosial Constantinople. Beliau mengetahui serba serbi tentang kekuatan dan kelemahan kota yang bakal ditundukkan itu lantas bertindak selaras dengannya. Malah bukan sahaja beliau yang hebat, tentera-tenteranya juga sama tinggi.
Semasa beliau bersama ribuan tenteranya bergerak menuju Constantinople, mereka telah melintasi ladang anggur. Sultan Muhammad telah berpura-pura jatuh gering.
“Hanya anggur sahaja yang mampu menyembuhkan sakit ini”, katanya.
Tetapi tidak ada seorang pun daripada tenteranya yang mempunyai buah anggur. Ladang anggur yang bukan milik mereka itu tidak disentuh dan tidak pernah menjadi salah satu daripada pilihan penyelesaian kepada masalah yang ada.
“Beta sudah sembuh!”, kata Sultan Muhamamd al-Fatih.
Ternyata tenteranya adalah sebaik-baik tentera. Sultan Muhammad ’sembuh’ dengan ketinggian Syariatullah pada taqwa tenteranya, di samping Sunnatullah yang telah diperlengkapkan.
Setelah tawaran perdamaian di saat akhir ditolak, serangan dilancarkan bertubi-tubi… lebih sebulan pertempuran berlangsung dan akhirnya tibalah saat yang dijanjikan Allah dan Rasulnya, Constinople rebah di tangan insan biasa yang luar biasa… Sultan Muhammad bin Murad II… Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih.
Insan biasa yang luar biasa, menempa kejayaan hasil menggabungjalinkan Syariatullah dan Sunnatullah.
Sabda Nabi SAW tentang kemenangan Islam di kota Constantinople bukan berlaku di tangan generasi sahabat. Ia berhasil di tangan sebaik-baik ketua dan sebaik-baik tentera, lebih 800 tahun selepas janji itu dilafazkan Baginda SAW.
Itulah formula kemenangan Islam.
Islam tidak menang hanya kerana nama perjuangan itu adalah perjuangan Islam. Kemenangan adalah untuk kesempurnaan usaha melengkapi syarat kemenangan.
Ayuh pejuang Islam… jika mahu menangkan Islam, jangan berikan alasan tembok Constantinople itu terlalu kukuh untuk runtuh. Jangan beri alasan perjalanannya yang jauh. Jangan beri alasan bahawa helahnya licik bagi belut di liku selut. Kemenangan itu dekat, jika pejuangnya melengkapi syarat TAQWA. Iaitu pada mematuhi Syariatullah dan Sunnatullah.
Integiriti itu penting.
Komitmen kepada hukum syarak semasa turun berkempen itu penting.
Halal haram itu sentiasa penting.
Efisyensi rekod dan pengurusan itu penting.
Penggunaan segala skil komunikasi itu penting.
Teknologi itu penting.
Syariat dan Sains kedua-duanya itu penting.
Itulah formula memenangkan Islam.
MOTIVASI AKHIR
“Kota Constantinople itu akan berada di tangan umat ini”, pesan Baginda SAW kepada sahabat yang keletihan di medan Khandaq.
Constantinople?
Janji itu keterlaluan.
Masakan tidak. Penduduk Madinah hanya segelintir. Mereka itu pula antara hidup dan mati, tatkala dikepung segenap Barisan Nasionalis Arab yang bergabung membentuk tentera Ahzab. Tiba-tiba baginda SAW memberikan janji bahawa kita yang kecil, antara hidup dan mati ini, akan menundukkan Constantinople, kota terbesar di dunia itu.
Apakah ini suatu kemustahilan?
Beginilah cara Nabi SAW memotivasikan sahabat.
Percaya selepas melihat sesuatu tiada nilai iman. Ia hanya suatu ikrar pada sesuatu yang telah ada hasilnya. Percaya seperti ini percaya murahan yang tidak berhajatkan kepada usaha dan pengorbanan.
Namun Baginda SAW mengajar para sahabat supaya percaya sebelum melihat sesuatu, dan bekerja keras untuk melihat apa yang mereka percaya.
Itulah hebatnya motivasi minda mukmin profesional.
Mereka percaya sebelum melihat dan bekerja keras untuk melihat apa yang mereka percaya.
Kita belum pernah melihat Syurga, namun kita mempercayainya. Maka bekerja keraslah untuk melihat apa yang kita percaya.
Kita juga belum pernah melihat kemenangan Islam, bahkan diselubungi kekalahan demi kekalahan. Namun kita percaya bahawa hari esok adalah untuk Islam. Maka bekerja keraslah untuk melihat apa yang kita percaya.
Bahawa kemenangan adalah milik Islam.
Andai cukup syarat-syaratnya.
ABU SAIF @ www.saifulislam.com
56000 Kuala Lumpur
Friday, March 14, 2008
Ayat-ayat cinta
The last time I read a Malay novel was... Hm, I can't even remember when I last read a Malay novel - i'd probably never even touched one.
Then one day, my mothers' friend who's an avid reader of malay novels recommended me to read this indonesian title called 'Ayat-ayat Cinta'. She said that its a good novel with a storyline that portrays islamic values. A novel portraying Islamic values? Hmm.. It made me slightly curious but not enough to actually go look for the novel and read it. Then a couple of recommendations came from my sister and a gud friend.. The last straw was when I visited Syria and found out that probably the whole Singapore students in Syria had read the book and loved it. Some claimed to have never read a novel but finished reading it in a few days.
Their enthusiasm in promoting the book drove my curiosity deeper and finally a few days back had a chance to read it when an Indonesian acquaintence bluetoothed me the novel in the form of a .txt document which can be read on my handphone.
I actually finished reading the book in a day, approximately 18 hours with breaks in between.. Thats a miracle for someone who have probably never read a malay novel.. Thats how good I felt the novel is.
The story is based in Egypt, mainly with the main character, Fahri a top student from al-Azhar univesity narrating about his life. It reflects on his strong principles as a muslim and the challenges he faced and how he deals with them. And also the concept and wonders of love in Islam.
What amazed me was how the author managed to create a fictional story, instilled with good moral and islamic values and made it enjoyable to read at the same time. It is as the first few lines read, (translated) a novel for self-motivation. For me, i felt that it could even be considered as dakwah in the form of a novel.
Anyway, the non-licensed movie version of it just came out on you tube, but it was a huge disappointment as the storyline is a contrast to the novel and didn't manage to carry the true message of the novel. Many important parts were left out and many undesired 'improvisations' were made to the story. They should have just stucked to the original. Oh well, movies..
So if you haven't, go read it!.. Entitled Ayat-ayat Cinta by Habiburrahman
Saerozi or al-Shirazi.
Then one day, my mothers' friend who's an avid reader of malay novels recommended me to read this indonesian title called 'Ayat-ayat Cinta'. She said that its a good novel with a storyline that portrays islamic values. A novel portraying Islamic values? Hmm.. It made me slightly curious but not enough to actually go look for the novel and read it. Then a couple of recommendations came from my sister and a gud friend.. The last straw was when I visited Syria and found out that probably the whole Singapore students in Syria had read the book and loved it. Some claimed to have never read a novel but finished reading it in a few days.
Their enthusiasm in promoting the book drove my curiosity deeper and finally a few days back had a chance to read it when an Indonesian acquaintence bluetoothed me the novel in the form of a .txt document which can be read on my handphone.
I actually finished reading the book in a day, approximately 18 hours with breaks in between.. Thats a miracle for someone who have probably never read a malay novel.. Thats how good I felt the novel is.
The story is based in Egypt, mainly with the main character, Fahri a top student from al-Azhar univesity narrating about his life. It reflects on his strong principles as a muslim and the challenges he faced and how he deals with them. And also the concept and wonders of love in Islam.
What amazed me was how the author managed to create a fictional story, instilled with good moral and islamic values and made it enjoyable to read at the same time. It is as the first few lines read, (translated) a novel for self-motivation. For me, i felt that it could even be considered as dakwah in the form of a novel.
Anyway, the non-licensed movie version of it just came out on you tube, but it was a huge disappointment as the storyline is a contrast to the novel and didn't manage to carry the true message of the novel. Many important parts were left out and many undesired 'improvisations' were made to the story. They should have just stucked to the original. Oh well, movies..
So if you haven't, go read it!.. Entitled Ayat-ayat Cinta by Habiburrahman
Saerozi or al-Shirazi.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Why should we follow the Sunnah?
In today's modern Islamic world, there exists a variety of different groups all under the name of Islam. No matter how different, it is important that the general rule of the thumb applies, that muslims should adhere to the Quran and the Sunnah. And the best way is to be moderate in any situation/place/time.
Nowadays, we also see groups that are claiming to follow the Sunnah but most of the times do not, some take the Sunnah lightly as though it has no value and others, worse.. writing off the Sunnah all at once.
We should be aware of these anti-sunnah/pro-liberal groups and avoid being influenced by their creed and understanding of Islam.
Here's an article by Harun Yahya on why we should follow the Sunnah..
As Allah has revealed in this verse:
Today I have perfected your religion for you and completed My blessing upon you, and I'm pleased with Islam as a religion for you. (Al-Ma'idah 5:3)
Islam is the final divine religion. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. Al-Ahzab 33:40. The faithful learn the kind of moral values they need to imbibe and observe in order to attain the approval, mercy, and Paradise of Allah; what they must avoid and what they must abide by; what is lawful and what is forbidden; in short, all the details regarding the kind of life that will be pleasing to Allah from the Qur'an. Another mercy and blessing of our Lord for the believers is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
The Prophet is a blessed individual, whom Allah has sent as a role model for all people with his moral values:
You have an excellent model in the Messenger of Allah for all who put their hope in Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much. (Al-Ahzab 33:21)
The Prophet is a role model for everyone embracing the Islamic faith, knowledge, and superior moral values. With his patience, trust in Allah, courage, devotion, closeness to Allah, justice, compassion, love, affection for believers, and foresight, he possessed moral values that are greatly admired by the faithful. All believers strongly desire and strive to possess these qualities to attain the moral model required by the Qur'an. For all there reasons, all his words, decisions, recommendations, advice, and life -the Sunnah- represent a most valuable guide for all those who wish to understand and live by the Qur'an.
Many verses of the Qur'an emphasize the importance of obeying the Prophet and adhering to his path. One of these reads:
Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah. If anyone turns away, We did not send you [Muhammad] to them as their keeper. (An-Nisaa' 4:80)
What devout believers must do is to adhere to the path of the Prophet and to take his Sunnah as their guide, knowing that he has called them to a path that will give them a blissful eternal life. Those who wish to attain the mercy and Paradise of Allah must, metaphorically speaking, build their house on solid foundations right from the outset.
Anyone who acts out of fear of Allah and strives to gain His approval is a loyal follower of the Prophet and seeks to resemble him in faith and moral values. This, however, is only possible through adhering to the Qur'an and never departing from the Sunnah.
And Allah s.w.t knows best.
Nowadays, we also see groups that are claiming to follow the Sunnah but most of the times do not, some take the Sunnah lightly as though it has no value and others, worse.. writing off the Sunnah all at once.
We should be aware of these anti-sunnah/pro-liberal groups and avoid being influenced by their creed and understanding of Islam.
Here's an article by Harun Yahya on why we should follow the Sunnah..
As Allah has revealed in this verse:
Today I have perfected your religion for you and completed My blessing upon you, and I'm pleased with Islam as a religion for you. (Al-Ma'idah 5:3)
Islam is the final divine religion. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. Al-Ahzab 33:40. The faithful learn the kind of moral values they need to imbibe and observe in order to attain the approval, mercy, and Paradise of Allah; what they must avoid and what they must abide by; what is lawful and what is forbidden; in short, all the details regarding the kind of life that will be pleasing to Allah from the Qur'an. Another mercy and blessing of our Lord for the believers is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
The Prophet is a blessed individual, whom Allah has sent as a role model for all people with his moral values:
You have an excellent model in the Messenger of Allah for all who put their hope in Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much. (Al-Ahzab 33:21)
The Prophet is a role model for everyone embracing the Islamic faith, knowledge, and superior moral values. With his patience, trust in Allah, courage, devotion, closeness to Allah, justice, compassion, love, affection for believers, and foresight, he possessed moral values that are greatly admired by the faithful. All believers strongly desire and strive to possess these qualities to attain the moral model required by the Qur'an. For all there reasons, all his words, decisions, recommendations, advice, and life -the Sunnah- represent a most valuable guide for all those who wish to understand and live by the Qur'an.
Many verses of the Qur'an emphasize the importance of obeying the Prophet and adhering to his path. One of these reads:
Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah. If anyone turns away, We did not send you [Muhammad] to them as their keeper. (An-Nisaa' 4:80)
What devout believers must do is to adhere to the path of the Prophet and to take his Sunnah as their guide, knowing that he has called them to a path that will give them a blissful eternal life. Those who wish to attain the mercy and Paradise of Allah must, metaphorically speaking, build their house on solid foundations right from the outset.
Anyone who acts out of fear of Allah and strives to gain His approval is a loyal follower of the Prophet and seeks to resemble him in faith and moral values. This, however, is only possible through adhering to the Qur'an and never departing from the Sunnah.
And Allah s.w.t knows best.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Roadtrip and fake news.
Salam 'alaik.. Kheifiek, shlounak?
Alhamdulillah, just returned last week from a two-week roadtrip to jordon and syria. And alhamdulillah everything went smoothly with no major hiccups.. It was a great experience, the 3/4 day bus ride to jordon, experiencing snow and freezing conditions for the first time, the food, visiting petra and a number of remnants of ancient roman/b.c./islamic history, the dead sea, popular areas in jordan and syria, meeting Shiekh Wahbah al-Zuhaily, making new friends and meeting up with fellow spore students. I wished we were able to stay longer in Syria though.
Along the way, some of the experience have made me reflect about how fortunate, us students in saudi are. We often take things for granted. Hmm.
Maybe will post some pics later.. Rarely visit the internet cafes here, currently updating using my handphone.
updated 22/2 K, Here's some of the pics..
Anyway, Syukran jazeelan to all who have made it possible and memorable.. Alhamdulillah.
Moving on, would like to comment a little about the sensational story that came out in s'pore newspapers about a singapore student in syria being sent back home.
First and foremost, felt sad and disappointed when I learnt that the true story never came out.. Especially when it came from a malay newspaper..
They were presented with two stories, one from those who aided the student throughout the unfortunate incident and experienced the whole incident first hand in syria and another from the student's family side who were in spore the whole time.. They decided to publish the student's family story.. a more sensational, fabricated story that would sell.. Worse, as a result, the students in syria have been blamed for what they did not do or intend.
Thier credibility have been tarnished and future spore students could possibly have difficulties attaining entry to syria, all due to a selfish part of the paper and the family in concealing the truth for their own sakes.
To be fair, do find out the story from both sides before making conclusions..
And Allah knows best.
Alhamdulillah, just returned last week from a two-week roadtrip to jordon and syria. And alhamdulillah everything went smoothly with no major hiccups.. It was a great experience, the 3/4 day bus ride to jordon, experiencing snow and freezing conditions for the first time, the food, visiting petra and a number of remnants of ancient roman/b.c./islamic history, the dead sea, popular areas in jordan and syria, meeting Shiekh Wahbah al-Zuhaily, making new friends and meeting up with fellow spore students. I wished we were able to stay longer in Syria though.
Along the way, some of the experience have made me reflect about how fortunate, us students in saudi are. We often take things for granted. Hmm.
Maybe will post some pics later.. Rarely visit the internet cafes here, currently updating using my handphone.
updated 22/2 K, Here's some of the pics..
Anyway, Syukran jazeelan to all who have made it possible and memorable.. Alhamdulillah.
Moving on, would like to comment a little about the sensational story that came out in s'pore newspapers about a singapore student in syria being sent back home.
First and foremost, felt sad and disappointed when I learnt that the true story never came out.. Especially when it came from a malay newspaper..
They were presented with two stories, one from those who aided the student throughout the unfortunate incident and experienced the whole incident first hand in syria and another from the student's family side who were in spore the whole time.. They decided to publish the student's family story.. a more sensational, fabricated story that would sell.. Worse, as a result, the students in syria have been blamed for what they did not do or intend.
Thier credibility have been tarnished and future spore students could possibly have difficulties attaining entry to syria, all due to a selfish part of the paper and the family in concealing the truth for their own sakes.
To be fair, do find out the story from both sides before making conclusions..
And Allah knows best.
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