Paktam - Thinking Aloud

Prolapsed disc

2011-10-17T18:00:00.000+08:00

Understanding the back

Thespine is made up of many bones called vertebrae. These are roughly circular andbetween each vertebra is a 'disc'. The discs are made of strong 'rubber-like'tissue which allows the spine to be fairly flexible. A disc has a strongerfibrous outer part, and a softer jelly-like middle part called the nucleuspulposus.

Thespinal cord, which contains the nerves that come from the brain, is protectedby the spine. Nerves from the spinal cord come out from between the vertebraeto take and receive messages to various parts of the body.

Strongligaments attach to the vertebrae. These give extra support and strength to thespine. Various muscles also surround, and are attached to, various parts of thespine. (The muscles and ligaments are not shown in the diagram below forclarity.)

What is a prolapsed disc?

Whenyou have a prolapsed disc (commonly called a 'slipped disc'), a disc does notactually 'slip'. What happens is that part of the inner softer part of the disc(the nucleus pulposus) bulges out (herniates) through a weakness in the outerpart of the disc. A prolapsed disc is sometimes called a herniated disc. Thebulging disc may press on nearby structures such as a nerve coming from thespinal cord. Some inflammation also develops around the prolapsed part of thedisc.

Anydisc in the spine can prolapse. However, most prolapsed discs occur in thelumbar part of the spine (lower back). The size of the prolapse can vary. As arule, the larger the prolapse, the more severe the symptoms are likely to be.

Who gets a prolapsed disc?

Boutsof back pain are very common. However, less than 1 in 20 cases of acute (suddenonset) back pain are due to a prolapsed disc. (Most cases on back pain areclassed as 'simple low back pain'. This is thought to be caused by a minorproblem to a muscle, ligament, or other structure in the back. For example, astrained muscle. See separate leaflet called 'Low back Pain in Adults' for ageneral overview of the different types of back pain.)

Thecommonest age to develop a prolapsed disc is between 30 and 50 years. Twice asmany men as women are affected.

What causes a prolapsed disc?

It isnot clear why some people develop a prolapsed disc and not others, even whenthey do the same job or lift the same sort of objects. It seems that somepeople may have a weakness in the outer part of the affected disc. Variousthings may trigger the inner softer part of the disc to prolapse out throughthe weakened outer part of the disc. For example, sneezing, awkward bending, orheavy lifting in an awkward position may cause some extra pressure on the disc.In people with a weakness in a disc this may be sufficient to cause a prolapse.Factors that may increase the risk of developing a prolapsed disc include: ajob involving lots of lifting, a job involving lots of sitting (especiallydriving), weight bearing sports (weight lifting, etc), smoking, obesity, andincreasing age (a disc is more likely to develop a weakness with increasingage).

What are the symptoms of a prolapsed disc?

Backpain

The pain is often severe, and usually comes on suddenly. The pain is usuallyeased by lying down flat, and is often made worse if you move your back, cough,or sneeze.

Nerve root pain (usually 'sciatica')

Nerve root pain is pain that occurs because a nerve coming from the spinal cordis pressed on ('trapped') by a prolapsed disc, or is irritated by theinflammation caused by the prolapsed disc. Although the problem is in the back,you feel pain along the course of the nerve in addition to back pain.Therefore, you may feel pain down a leg to the calf or foot. Nerve root paincan range from mild to severe, but it is often worse than the back pain. With aprolapsed disc, the sciatic nerve is the most commonly affected nerve. (Theterm 'sciatica' means nerve root pain of the sciatic nerve.) The sciatic nerveis a large nerve that is made up from several smaller nerves that come out fromthe spinal cord in the lower back. It travels deep inside the buttock and downthe back of the leg. There is a sciatic nerve for each leg.

Other nerve root symptoms

The irritation or pressure on the nerve next to the spine may also cause pinsand needles, numbness or weakness in part of a buttock, leg or foot. The exactsite and type of symptoms depends in which nerve is affected.

Cauda equina syndrome - rare, but anemergency

Cauda equina syndrome is a particularly serious type of nerve root problem thatcan be caused by a prolapsed disc. This is a rare disorder where the nerves atthe very bottom of the spinal cord are pressed on. This syndrome can cause lowback pain plus: problems with bowel and bladder function (usually unable topass urine), numbness in the 'saddle' area (around the anus), and weakness inone or both legs. This syndrome needs urgent treatment to preserve the nerves tothe bladder and bowel from becoming permanently damaged. See a doctorimmediately if you develop these symptoms.

Some people do not have symptoms

Research studies where routine back scans have been done on a large number ofpeople have shown that some people have a prolapsed disc without any symptoms.It is thought that symptoms mainly occur if the prolapse causes pressure orirritation of a nerve. This does not happen in all cases. Some prolapses may besmall, or occur away from the nerves and cause minor, or no symptoms.

How does a prolapsed disc progress?

In mostcases, the symptoms tend to improve over a few weeks. Research studies ofrepeated MRI scans have shown that the bulging prolapsed portion of the disctends to get smaller (regress) over time in most cases. The symptoms then tendto ease, and go in many cases. In only about 1 in 10 cases is the pain stillbad enough after six weeks to consider surgery (see below).

Do I need any tests?

Yourdoctor will normally be able to diagnose a prolapsed disc from the symptoms andby examining you. (It is the common cause of sudden back pain with nerve rootsymptoms.) In most cases, no tests are needed as the symptoms often settlewithin a few weeks.

Testssuch as x-rays or scans my be advised if symptoms persist. In particular, anMRI scan can show the site and size of a prolapsed disc. This information isneeded if treatment with surgery is being considered.

What are thetreatments for a prolapsed disc?

Exercise and keep going

Continue with normal activities as far as possible. This may not be possible atfirst if the pain is very bad. However, move around as soon as possible, andget back into normal activities as soon as you are able. As a rule, don't doanything that causes a lot of pain. However, you will have to accept somediscomfort when you are trying to keep active. Setting a new goal each day maybe a good idea. For example, walking around the house on one day, a walk to theshops the next, etc.

In thepast, advice had been to rest until the pain eases. It is now known that thiswas wrong. You are likely to recover more quickly and are less likely todevelop chronic (persistent) back pain if you keep active when you have backpain rather than rest a lot. Also, sleep in the most naturally comfortable positionon whatever is the most comfortable surface. (Advice given in the past used tobe to sleep on a firm mattress. However, there is no evidence to say that afirm mattress is better than any other type of mattress for people with backpain.)

Medication

If you need painkillers, it is best to take them regularly. This is better thantaking them 'now and again' just when the pain is very bad. If you take themregularly the pain is more likely to be eased for much of the time and enableyou to exercise and keep active.

Paracetamol is often sufficient if you take it regularly at full strength. For an adult, this is 1000 mg (usually two 500 mg tablets), four times a day.
Anti-inflammatory painkillers. Some people find that these work better than paracetamol. They include ibuprofen which you can buy at pharmacies or get on prescription. Other types such as diclofenac or naproxen need a prescription. Some people with asthma, high blood pressure, kidney failure, or heart failure may not be able to take anti-inflammatories.
A stronger painkiller such as codeine is an option if anti-inflammatories do not suit or do not work well. Codeine is often taken in addition to paracetamol. Constipation is a common side-effect from codeine. This may make back pain worse if you need to strain to go to the toilet. To prevent constipation, have lots to drink and eat foods with plenty of fibre.
A muscle relaxant such as diazepam is sometimes prescribed for a few days if the back muscles become very tense and make the pain worse.

Physical treatments

Some people visit a physiotherapist, chiropractor, or osteopath formanipulation and/or other physical treatments. It is debatable whether physicaltreatments would help all people with a prolapsed disc. However, physicaltreatments provide some short-term comfort and hasten recovery in some cases.

Surgery

Surgery may be an option in some cases. As a rule, surgery may be considered ifthe symptoms have not settled after about six weeks or so. This is the minorityof cases as in about 9 in 10 cases, the symptoms have eased off and are not badenough to warrant surgery within about six weeks.

The aimof surgery is to cut out the prolapsed part of the disc. This often easessymptoms. However, it does not work in every case. Also, as with alloperations, there is a risk from surgery. A specialist will advise on the prosand cons of surgery, and the different techniques that are available.

Can further bouts of back pain and/or prolapseddisc be prevented?

Evidence suggests that the best way to preventbouts of back pain and prolapsed disc is simply to keep active, and to exerciseregularly. This means general fitness exercise such as walking, running,swimming etc. There is no firm evidence to say that any particular 'backstrengthening' exercises are more useful than simply keeping fit and active. Itis also sensible to be 'back aware'. For example, do not lift objects when you arein an awkward twisting posture.

Further information and advice

Backcare (The National Back Pain Association)
16 Elmtree Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 8ST
Tel: 0870 950 0275 Web: www.backcare.org.uk

The Back Book
A reliable source of information. It is written by a team consisting of a GP,orthopaedic surgeon, physiotherapist, osteopath, and psychologist and providescomprehensive advice. Roland, M.O et al. (2002) The back book. London: TheStationary Office.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Prolapsed-Disc-(Slipped-Disc).htm

2011-10-06T10:45:00.000+08:00

NEW YORK,Oct 6: Apple co-founder and innovator Steve Jobs died after a battle withcancer. Here are some of his most memorable quotes on work and life.

Gizmodo

On Apple:

"We have always been shameless about stealing great ideas."
—PBS Documentary, Triumph of the Nerds, 1996

"It'sreally hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don'tknow what they want until you show it to them."
—BusinessWeek, 1998

"If I were running Apple, I would milk the Macintosh for all it's worth —and get busy on the next great thing. The PC wars are over. Done. Microsoft wona long time ago."
—Fortune, 1996

"The products suck! There's no sex in them anymore!"
—BusinessWeek, 1997

"Nobody has tried to swallow us since I've been here. I think they areafraid how we would taste."
—Shareholder meeting, 1998

"Pretty much, Apple and Dell are the only ones in this industry makingmoney. They make it by being Wal-Mart. We make it by innovation."

Apple's market share is bigger than BMW's or Mercedes's or Porsche's in theautomotive market. What's wrong with being BMW or Mercedes?
—Macworld, 2004

"And boy, have we patented it!"
—Macworld, 2007 (iPhone introduction)

On Bill Gates:

"I wish him the best, I really do. I just think he and Microsoft are a bitnarrow. He'd be a broader guy if he had dropped acid once or gone off to anashram when he was younger."
—The New York Times, 1997

On PCs:

Playboy: Are you saying that the people who made PC don't have that kind ofpride in the product?
"If they did, they wouldn't have made the PC
—Playboy, 1987

On Life:

"I would trade all of my technology for an afternoon with Socrates."
—Newsweek, 2001

"My sex life is pretty good these days, Walt. How's yours?
-AllThingsD D8, 2010

"That's the kind of Porsche that dentists drive"
—As said to Kati Hafner of BusinessWeek when they walked through the Nextparking lot, 'The Second Coming of Steve Jobs'

On design:

"The only problem with Microsoft is they just have no taste. They haveabsolutely no taste. And I don't mean that in a small way, I mean that in a bigway, in the sense that they don't think of original ideas, and they don't bringmuch culture into their products."
—PBS Documentary, Triumph of the Nerds, 1996

"In most people's vocabularies, design means veneer. It's interiordecorating. It's the fabric of the curtains of the sofa. But to me, nothingcould be further from the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul ofa human-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layersof the product or service."

When you're a carpenter making a beautiful chest of drawers, you're not goingto use a piece of plywood on the back, even though it faces the wall and nobodywill ever see it. You'll know it's there, so you're going to use a beautifulpiece of wood on the back. For you to sleep well at night, the aesthetic, thequality, has to be carried all the way through.
—Playboy, 1987

Advice:

"You make some of the best products in the world — but you also make a lotof crap. Get rid of the crappy stuff." to Nike
—As said to Mark Parker, 'The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs'

"Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or doyou want a chance to change the world?"
—As said to John Sculley, 'Odyssey: Pepsi to Apple'

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't betrapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking.Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. Andmost important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. Theysomehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else issecondary.
—Stanford Commencement Speech, 2005

Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me ... Going to bed atnight saying we've done something wonderful... that's what matters to me.
—The Wall Street Journal, 1993

"I want to put a ding in the universe."

Home as the Place of Delight

2011-09-30T12:21:00.000+08:00

Islam perceives the house as a place of matchlessdelight. It is a ground for taking pleasure in the most and best gifts(al-tayyibat) that Allah has made permissible to man. The term"maskan", which also means the house, is derived from an Arabic verb"sakana" which means to calm down, to repose, to rest, to becomequiet and tranquil, to feel at ease with. Hence, the words "sukun"and "sakinah" mean calmness, tranquility, peacefulness, serenity,peace of mind, etc.

The house is called "maskan" or "maskin" because it offersits inhabitants a chance to take a break from the demands and pressure of theoutside world and concentrate on physical, mental and even spiritualrecuperation. The house in Islam is a retreat, sanctuary, and one's source ofrest and leisure. Thus, those who live in such houses do not need toimpatiently look forward to breaking away frequently from the strains of workand everyday life and go for splendid holidays.

The people residing in a house are the only authors of a house ambiance and, assuch, of their own emotions and overall conditions. For these reasons is therea maxim in many cultures across the world to the effect that "my house ismy paradise". Everyone also is fond of saying that "there's no placelike home", that is to say, one's home is the best place to be.

In the presence of one's closest family members in it, and due to the ways itsspaces are designed, planned and utilized, the house in Islam is a perfectavenue for its users to disengage from the fetters of the outside life. One'shouse provides the environment to focus on the family institution and itsdevelopment. To its users, the house in Islam is a "fortified"private "paradise" on earth. It has been granted by Allah, theCreator and Master of all things, as one of the best and most valuable earthlygifts so that within its realm the foremost joys and pleasures of this lifecould be appreciated and enjoyed. As such, no one could ever claim a right todeny, manipulate, or misuse this divinely given entitlement to man. On this,Allah proclaims in the Qur'an: "It is Allah Who made your habitations(houses) homes of rest and quiet for you" (al-Nahl, 80).

"Say: Who has prohibited the beautiful (gifts) of Allah which He hasbrought forth for His servants and the good provisions? Say: These are for thebelievers in the life of this world, purely (theirs) on the resurrection day;thus do We make the communications clear for a people who know." (al-A'raf32).

Because the pleasures, which the house phenomenon entails, undoubtedlysymbolize the total pleasures of this world, the Qur'an sees it appropriate torefer occasionally to the concept of the house, or pleasant dwellings (masakintayyibah) in gardens beneath which rivers flow, when referring to the eternalbliss of the Hereafter in Paradise (Jannah). It is a well-known fact that theinfinite pleasures of Paradise are beyond the cognitive abilities of man inthis world. What is mentioned in the Qur'an about Paradise is just with the aimof bringing the state of the same as close to the limited human mind aspossible.

The actual similarities in the pleasures of this world and the Hereafter are interms of names only. Nothing else is the same. Thus, due to the significance ofthe house in the life of man while in this world, the Qur'an refers from timeto time to the same concept when describing and bringing close to man's mindthe infinite pleasures of Paradise. That means the idea of the house is boundto play a central role in man's blissful life in Paradise as much as it does inthis world, with the difference that the heavenly houses will be perfect, willhave perfect occupants, and will function perfectly in perfect conditions andsurroundings. The pleasures and joys of perfect heavenly houses, it stands toreason, will serve as a microcosm of the complete pleasures and joys ofParadise, just as it is the case with the notion of the house in this earthlylife. Allah says about this, for example: "O you who believe, shall I leadyou to a merchandise which may deliver you from a painful chastisement? Youshall believe in Allah and His Messenger, and struggle hard in Allah's way withyour property and your lives; that is better for you, did you but know! He willforgive you your faults and cause you to enter into gardens, beneath whichrivers flow, and goodly dwellings in gardens of perpetuity; that is the mightyachievement." (al-Saff, 10-12).

"Allah has promised to the believing men and thebelieving women gardens, beneath which rivers flow, to abide in them, andgoodly dwellings in gardens of perpetual abode; and best of all is Allah'sgoodly pleasure; that is the grand achievement." (al-Tawbah, 72)

This point becomes further elucidated by referring to a prayer of Pharaoh'sbelieving wife, where she implored Allah to build her a house in Paradise innearness to Him, as a representation of the heavenly bliss to her. Shebeseeched: "My Lord, build for me a house with You in the garden anddeliver me from Pharaoh and his doing, and deliver me from the unjustpeople." (al-Tahrim, 11)

In some of his traditions (hadith), Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also referred tothe importance of the roles the phenomenon of the house will play in Paradise.In one of them, he implored Allah to grant one of his companions, following thelatter's death, a better house in Paradise than what he had in this fleetingworld. The Prophet's occasional words that "Allah will build, or make, ahouse for someone in Paradise", as a reward for certain deeds that aperson might do, are the Prophet's unambiguous reference to the ultimatesalvation and happiness that a person concerned will procure in theHereafter.

Finally, as the houses in Paradise will accommodate, facilitate and symbolizemuch of its bliss meant for its residents, in Hellfire, likewise, there will behouses which will serve the similar purpose, but in relation to accommodating,facilitating and symbolizing the torment of the residents of Hellfire. TheProphet (pbuh) said about this, for instance, that everyone has two houses, orplaces of abode, (manzil) waiting for him in the Hereafter: one in Paradise andone in Hellfire. When a person dies and if he enters Hellfire, the residents ofParadise will inherit his house there (while his house in Hellfire he willoccupy himself).

===

Notes:

1. Abu al-Fadl IbnManzur, Lisan al-'Arab, (Beirut: Dar Sadir, 1990), vol. 13 p.211.
2. Ibn Majah, Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Jana'iz, Hadith No. 1489.
3. Ibid., Kitab al-Zuhd, Hadith No. 4332.

*****

Dr. Spahic Omer, a Bosnian currently residing inMalaysia, is an Associate Professor at the Kulliyyah of Architecture andEnvironmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia. He studied inBosnia, Egypt and Malaysia. His research interests cover Islamic history,culture and civilization, as well as the history and philosophy of the Islamicbuilt environment. He can be reached at spahicoyahoo.com; his blog is at www.medinanet.org.

Makkah Al Haram expansion plan

2011-08-18T20:18:00.010+08:00

Makkah-Al-Mukkarrmah after 12 Years

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will lay the foundation stone to the Makkah Haram expansion works in a few days. The project is called the King Abdullah Expansion of the Makkah Haram.

The king will also open a number of other development projects that aim to improve the safety and comfort of pilgrims at the two holy mosques and holy sites.

The projects currently underway at the Haram include the expansion of the northern courtyard of the Grand Mosque, the Masaa (the running course between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah,) the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project, the King Abdul Aziz Road, the Mashair Railway connecting Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, the Haramain Railway to link the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, the Central Zone Development project and new circular roads in addition to flood drainage projects in the holy sites and the Al-Jamarat complex, Al-Riyadh daily reported on Thursday.

Madinah Haram Mosque After Four Years

The expansion works at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah include the expansion of the courtyards around the mosque in all directions so that its capacity climbs to 350,000 people.

Jamarat Project in Mina Makkah Al Mukkarrma
after Completion

The huge projects implemented at the orders of the king include the development of the Al-Jamarat Bridge with the aim of increasing its capacity to 5 million pilgrims and the Mashair Railway that is scheduled to become fully operational before the beginning of the upcoming Haj in November. The metro service will operate 17 trains with 12 coaches in each train. A train will carry 3,000 pilgrims.

A big housing project started near the Holy Haram

The development of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment project comprises six residential towers and a five-star hotel. The frontal towers of the towers are 28 stories high while the rear towers are 35 stories. Its side towers are 45 stories high while the hotel tower is 60 stories. The entire complex with 11,000 rooms and suites will accommodate 35,000 pilgrims.

The water management project in the holy sites includes construction of several feeder canals to gather floodwater from nearby mountains and a number of check dams and subterranean ducts.

The canals will start from the foot of the Eastern Ras Al-Shoayb mountain and will extend to the border of Mina at the King Fahd Tunnel.

The project also includes three concrete check dams on the basin of the flood course to the north of Mina and at the western side of the Al-Shoayb mountain and at the north of the King Khaled Road near the Square 28 and the Magar Kabsh area.

Another tunnel will be built to channel the floodwater collected on the other side of the Magar Kabsh dam to the western side of the Al-Shoayb mountain. Tunnels will also be built to carry the water to Al-Moaysim side

More Future Pictures of Makkah and Madinah 2010, Beautiful Makkah Pictures & Makkah Images.

By ARAB NEWS

Published: Aug 12, 2011

Blessing of Ramadhan Al Mubarak

2011-08-08T12:30:00.001+08:00

Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam. The word "Sawm " (meaning to stop or abstain) is used in Arabic for fasting. A fast then means that one refrains from eating, drinking and other physical things (all those things that are otherwise allowed) from dawn to sunset. This month comes every year to spread the blessings and mercy of Allah. We are thankful to Allah for providing physical forms of divine worship such as prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage to improve our moral and spiritual condition.

Welcoming the Month of Ramadhan: The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said: "The month of Ramadhan comes to you. This is a blessed month" (Kitab-ul-Saum). The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has declared this month as the "month of Allah" because one abandons all otherwise "lawful" things in the way of Allah. He has also declared this month as the "Chief of the months." Worship during this month gains more blessings so one should fast with sincere intentions and worship should be performed to win Allah's pleasure.

Ramadhan - Anniversary of the Holy Quran: Ramadhan is that blessed month in which the Holy Quran was first revealed to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). In this regard this month celebrates the birthday of the Holy Quran. To render our dues we should recite the Holy Quran as much as possible. During this month, at night, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) use to recite the Holy Quran in its entirety with the Angel Gabriel (Jibraeel).
Opening the doors to heaven: Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) has narrated that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "When the month of Ramadhan starts, the doors of heaven are opened, the doors of the hell are closed, and Satan is put into chains" (Sahih Muslim Kitab-ulSaum). In this saying the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has promised a high place in heaven for one who observess the fast because a believer is enjoined to perform such deeds that please Allah and stay away from bad things.
Ramadhan's Special relationship with Tahajjud Prayers: Hazrat Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "A person who gets up at night for Prayer and fulfills all requirements of his faith with an intention of receiving blessing during the Month of Ramadhan, is forgiven all his past sins."

Charity during Ramadhan: Ibn Abbas relates that the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, was the most generous of men and he was at his most bountiful during Ramadhan when Gabriel visited him every night and recited the Quran to him. During this period the bounty of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, waxed faster than the rain-bearing breeze (Bokhari and Muslim).

Prayers: Allah forgives all previous sins of a person who sincerely worships Allah during the month of Ramadhan. During this month Allah's mercy and blessings are at their peak. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said that during Ramadhan: "Allah says: 'Is there anyone who calls on me so that I can accept his prayers? Is there anyone who asks for anything so that I can fulfill his desires? Is there anyone who asks for forgiveness so that I can forgive" (Sahih Bukhafi - Kitab-ul-Tauheed).

Last Ten days of Ramadhan: Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that, during the month of Ramadhan, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to develop a new vigor, staying awake alI night and also waking members of his family for worship" (Sahih Bukhail, Kitab-ul-Saum). During the month of Ramadhan worship reaches its peak in the form of I'tikaaf (retirement for Allah's worship). The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to retire to the Mosque in the last ten days of the Ramadhan. He would go to a corner in the Masjid-e-Nabwee (Prophet's Mosque) to worship Allah in seclusion.
Ramadhan and Lailatul Qadr (Night of Decree): Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "O Allah's Prophet, if I know which night is the Lailatul Qadr then what should I pray? He replied: 'you should pray: 'O Allah, you are very forgiving and love those who forgive others. So bestow your blessings on me and forgive me"' (Jamiah Tirmidhi, Kitab-Al-Dawat). Lailatul Qadr is such a night that the Holy Quran has declared it to be better than a thousand months. May Allah enable us to be the recipients of Lailatul Qadr that we truly benefit from the coming month of Ramadhan. May Allah accept our prayers. Ameen.

Ramadhan menjelma lagi

2011-07-29T17:55:00.004+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR - Sighting of the new moon to determine the start of the fasting month for Muslims in Malaysia will be conducted in the evening, this Sunday or 29th Syaaban 1432 Hijrah of the Islamic calendar.

A statement from the office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal said that among the sites for the sighting of the new moon are Pontian Kecil in Johor, Falak Al-Khawarizmi Complex in Tanjung Bidara (Melaka), Teluk Kemang (Negeri Sembilan), Bukit Melawati, Pulau Angsa, Bukit Jugra and Balai Cerap Selangor in Sabak Bernam (Selangor), Pasir Panjang beach (Perak), Pusat Falak Sheikh Tahir in Pantai Aceh (Penang), Kampung Pulau Sayak in Kuala Muda, Pemandangan Indah in Pulau Langkawi and Alor Setar Tower (Kedah), and Kuala Sungai Baru in Simpang Empat (Perlis).

The other sites in the peninsula are Bukit Besar in Kuala Terengganu, Bukit Kemuning in Kemaman, Pulau Perhentian, Balai Cerap KUSZA in Setiu (Terengganu), Bukit Peraksi in Pasir Puteh, Bukit Kampong Tembeling in Kuala Krai and SEDC tower block in Kota Baharu (Kelantan), Bukit Tanjong Batu in Nenasi, Gunung Brinchang in Cameron Highlands and Bukit Pelindong in Kuantan (Pahang), Kuala Lumpur Tower and Putrajaya International Convention Centre.

In East Malaysia, the sighting will be from Tanjong Lubang in Miri, Teluk Bandung in Kuching, Tanjung Batu in Bintulu (Sarawak), and Balai Cerap Al-Biruni in Putatan (Sabah) and Menara Universiti Malaysia Sabah (Labuan).

The Conference of Rulers agreed that the start of the fasting month would be determined by Rukyah (sighting of the new moon) and Hisab (astronomical calculations, and the announcement of the date to be made by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal over radio and television on Sunday night, according to the statement.

-Bernama-

Warkah untuk polis

2011-07-28T12:12:00.006+08:00

Assalamualaikum warahmatuAllahi wabarakatuh,

Terlebih dahulu, pohon kemaafan jika warkah ini terbuka. Saya harap ia dapat dibaca oleh semua. Jika ada kebaikan, ambillah darinya. Jika tidak, campaklah ia ke tepi dan lupakan sahaja.

Ia hanya satu coretan dari seorang rakyat bawahan. Tanda cinta dan kasih kepada saudara yang saya lihat tercegat di segala penjuru negara atas tanggungjawab menjaga keamanan kita semua. Mata memandang, hati merintih dan berdoa agar tugasan saudara benar-benar diberikan pahala di sisi Tuhan dan diiktiraf di sisi rakyat.

Saudaraku anggota polis,

Kerja polis adalah satu kerja yang mulia kerana menjaga keamanan dalam negara. Penat lelah anggota polis dalam memastikan negara kita aman dan adil adalah pahala yang amat besar di sisi Allah jika pengamalnya jujur dan ikhlas.

Sepatutnya, tiada seorang pun rakyat yang cintakan keadilan dan keamanan akan membenci polis. Sebaliknya, perasaan fitrah; sayang dan menghargai akan tertanam dan mekar sebaik sahaja mendengar nama polis, melihat anggota atau apa sahaja perlambangan polis. Itulah perkara sewajarnya berlaku.

Cegah kemungkaran

Saudaraku anggota polis,

Tugas seorang anggota polis - sebelum tugasan kenegaraan- sebenarnya adalah tugasan yang diperintahkan oleh Allah dan RasulNya iaitu 'Menyuruh Kebaikan, Mencegah Kemungkaran'.

Itu moto asal pasukan polis. Sekalipun, tumpuan terbanyaknya kepada bahagian kedua iaitu 'Mencegah Kemungkaran'. Hakikatnya, polis berperanan menyelamatkan masyarakat dari kemurkaan Allah dengan dipastikan setiap penzalim akan dihalang, dicegah dan dihukum.

Jika itu tidak berlaku, masyarakat akan porak peranda dan menerima hukuman dari Allah. Allah berfirman: (maksudnya): “Telah dilaknat mereka yang kufur daripada Bani Israil melalui lidah Daud dan Isa bin Maryam. Yang demikian itu disebabkan mereka menderhaka dan selalu menceroboh. Mereka sentiasa tidak berlarang (sesama sendiri) perbuatan mungkar yang mereka kerjakan. Demi sesungguhnya amatlah buruknya apa yang mereka telah lakukan. (Surah al-Maidah, ayat 78-79).

Nabi s.a.w pula bersabda: “Sesungguhnya manusia apabila melihat orang zalim, namun tidak menghalang tangannya, hampir Allah akan meliputi mereka dengan hukumanNya” (Riwayat Abu Daud, al-Tirmizi dan al-Nasai dengan sanad yang sahih).

Kami sebagai rakyat mengucapkan jutaan terima kasih kepada pihak polis yang telah menyelamatkan masyarakat dari kemurkaan Allah, kezaliman dan kerosakan.

Bahaya kuasa

Saudaraku anggota polis,

Namun, dalam masa yang sama, bidang tugas dan kuasa saudara yang menghalang kezaliman itu jika disalahgunakan boleh memberikan kesan yang sebaliknya.

Ia boleh bertukar dari melindungi yang tidak bersalah kepada menginayainya, menghalang yang zalim kepada memberi peluang kepadanya, memberi hak kepada yang berhak kepada merampas hak dari tuannya.
Jika itu berlaku, rosaklah masyarakat, hilanglah neraca keadilan, bermegah si zalim, kesakitanlah yang ditindas. Lantas, kebencian akan merebak, kepercayaan akan hilang dan saudaraku polis yang sepatutnya disayangi menjadi pihak dimusuhi, dibenci dan diragui.

Saudaraku anggota polis,

Ingin saya sebut di sini suatu tazkirah yang harapnya boleh memberikan manfaat kepada semua, khususnya mereka yang berkuasa seperti saudara.

Saudaraku, kezaliman itu adalah suatu racun. Ia bukan sahaja menyakitkan yang dizalimi, tetapi suatu hari akan membawa sengsara, bahkan mengorbankan si zalim itu sendiri.

Pada hari kita memukul orang yang tidak bersalah, melukai atau menfitnahnya, kita mungkin rasa selamat di balik peruntukan kuasa yang ada. Mungkin juga rasa selamat di balik pakaian lengkap kita yang mungkin gagal mangsa mengenali pelakunya.

Namun Tuhan tidak lupa. Akan ada harinya yang menanti kita di hadapan. Tangan yang memukul orang lain dan kaki yang menendang mangsa itu tidak akan terpadam catatannya sehingga kemaafan diberikan.

Ketika saudara pulang ke rumah berjumpa keluarga, si mangsa mendongak ke langit mengadu kepada Tuhan Yang Maha Berkuasa.

Doa orang dizalimi

Dengarlah baik-baik apa yang yang disabdakan Nabi SAW: "Takutlah kamu doa orang yang dizalimi, sesungguh antaranya dengan Allah tiada sebarang hijab (penghalang)" (Riwayat al-Bukhari dan Muslim).

Dalam riwayat Ahmad, baginda bersabda: "Takutlah kamu doa orang yang dizalimi, sekalipun dia seorang yang jahat. Kejahatannya itu bagi dirinya" (hadis ini dinilai hasan oleh al-Albani).

Dalam riwayat Ahmad yang lain: "Takutlah kamu doa orang yang dizalimi, sekalipun dia seorang yang kafir kerana ia tidak ada hijab (penghalang untuk Allah menerimanya). (hadis ini dinilai hasan oleh al-Albani).

Saudaraku anggota polis,

Tiada siapa antara kita yang dapat menyelamatkan dirinya dari hukuman Tuhan. Seseorang mungkin telah melupai orang yang dizaliminya, atau si mangsa juga mungkin terlupa, atau pergi menemui Ilahi terlebih dahulu.

Namun doanya tetap hidup. Akan ada waktu, ia tetap datang bertandang dalam kehidupan si zalim; meragut kebahagiaannya, ketenteraman hidupnya dan mencampakkan derita dalam pelbagai warna dan rupa.

Mungkin si zalim ketika itu terpinga dan bertanya 'apakah salah saya?'. Dia terlupa bahawa Tuhan tidak lupa atas kezalimannya, di dunia dan akhirat sana.

Saudaraku anggota polis,

Dunia ini sementara. Setiap kita akan ada hari akhirnya. Akan berakhirlah sebuah kehidupan dan bermulalah mahkamah keadilan Tuhan.

Tunggu balasan

Tiada kuasa yang dapat membela, tiada pembesar yang dapat berkata. Semua tunduk menunggu balasan. Firman Allah (maksudnya): “Dan janganlah kamu menyangka bahawa Allah lalai akan apa yang dilakukan oleh orang-orang yang zalim; sesungguhnya Dia hanya melambatkan balasan mereka hingga ke suatu hari yang ketika itu terbeliak kaku pemandangan mereka, (kerana gerun gementar), mereka terburu-buru (menyahut panggilan) sambil mendongakkan kepala mereka dengan mata yang tidak berkelip, dan hati mereka yang kosong (kerana bingung dan cemas)”. (Surah Ibrahim 42-43).

Saudaraku anggota polis,

Sekali lagi pada hari itu si zalim akan bertemu dengan semua mereka yang telah dimangsakan, di hadapan mahkamah yang Maha Adil.

Tiada bukti yang dapat disembunyikan, diputarbelit dan ditipu kepada masyarakat manusia yang berkumpul ketika itu. Tiada media yang boleh diperguna dan tiada kuasa kerajaan yang boleh melindunginya.

Adil seadil-adilnya. Bak kata Nabi s.a.w: "Segala hak akan dibayar kepada empunya pada Hari Kiamat, sehinggakan akan dibalas untuk biri-biri yang bertanduk atas perbuatannya ke atas biri-biri yang tidak bertanduk" (Riwayat Muslim).

Sabda baginda juga: "Sesiapa yang ada padanya kezaliman terhadap saudaranya (muslim yang lain); seperti terhadap maruah dan selainnya, mintalah halal pada hari ini sebelum tiba waktu yang tiada dinar dan dirham (tiada harta iaitu pada Hari Kiamat).

Arahan atasan

Sekiranya baginya kebaikan (amalan soleh) maka akan diambil darinya dengan kadar kezalimannya. Jika tiada baginya kebaikan, maka akan diambil dosa orang yang dizalimi lalu ditanggung ke atasnya" (Riwayat al-Bukhari).

Saudaraku anggota polis,

Saya tahu, kadang-kala ada keadaan yang sukar sebagai anggota polis yang terpaksa melaksanakan arahan 'atasan'. Maka, mungkin ada yang berkata 'kami hanya menjalankan tugas'.

Sudilah saudara mendengar nasihat tokoh Islam yang agung al-Imam Hasan al-Basri r.a. kepada Gabenor Iraq dan Khurasan iaitu 'Umar bin Hubairah. Ketika itu zaman pemerintahan Khalifah Yazid bin Abdul Malik.

Kata 'Umar bin Hubairah: “Sesungguhnya khalifah Yazid bin Abdul Malik kadang-kala menyuruhku melaksanakan perkara yang aku rasa tidak puas hati dari segi keadilan. Apakah jika aku melaksanakannya menjadi sutu kesalahan di sisi agama?

Kata Hasan al-Basri: “Wahai Umar bin Hubairah! Takutlah Allah mengenai Yazid, jangan engkau takutkan Yazid mengenai Allah. Ketahuilah sesungguhnya Allah azza wajalla dapat menghalang Yazid daripada bertindak ke atasmu, tetapi Yazid tidak dapat menghalang Allah daripada bertindak ke atasmu.
Wahai 'Umar bin Hubairah! Sesungguhnya akan turun kepadamu malaikat yang bengis dan keras, dia tidak akan menderhakai apa yang Allah perintahkannya. Dia akan mengambil engkau dari tempat dudukmu ini, dan memindahkan engkau dari istanamu yang luas, ke kubur yang sempit.

Tanggungjawab kepada Allah

Di sana tiada Yazid, hanya yang ada amalanmu yang menyanggahi Tuhan Yazid. Wahai 'Umar bin Hubairah! Sekiranya engkau bersama Allah dan ketaatan kepadaNya, ia boleh menghalangmu dari kejahatan Yazid di dunia dan akhirat.

Jika engkau bersama Yazid dengan menderhakai Allah, sesungguhnya Allah akan menyerahkanmu kepada Yazid. Ketahuilah wahai 'Umar bin bin Hubairah! Tidak ada ketaatan kepada makhluk dalam menderhakai Pencipta”. Maka menangislah Gabenor 'Umar bin Hubairah”. (rujukan: Mir at al-Jinan wa 'Ibrah al-Yaqzan)

Saudaraku anggota polis,

Kita boleh bertugas kepada sesiapa pun, tetapi jangan lupa tanggungjawab kita di hadapan Allah. Tiada cacatnya menjadi anggota polis. Saudara bukan musuh rakyat. Sebaliknya, saudara diperlukan rakyat.

Apa yang cacat dan menimbulkan kebencian awam adalah tindakan kita sendiri jika menyalahi prinsip-prinsip keadilan dan keamanan. Jika itu tidak berlaku, sayang dan cinta rakyat tertumpah kepada saudara.
Ingatlah kata-kata Abu Bakar al-Siddiq: “Benar adalah amanah, bohong adalah khianat”. Jika saudara benar, rakyat sayang, Allah juga sayang. Kedamaian jiwa pun menjelang. Jika saudara bohong rakyat benci, Allah juga benci. Rezeki tidak halal, hidup tidak bahagia.

Saudaraku anggota polis,

Inilah pandangan seorang rakyat marhaen awam seperti saya. Tiada kebencian antara rakyat dan saudara jika keadilan itu tertegak.

Rakyat awam bukan sahaja mahukan keadilan yang ditafsirkan oleh pihak saudara, tetapi keadilan yang dapat difahami oleh semua. Bukan sahaja adil dari segi bicaranya, tetapi hendaklah kelihatannya juga adil.

Semoga Allah merahmati saudara dan tugas saudara. Diberikan rezeki yang halal. Bebas dari kezaliman dan rasuah. Kami akan bersama menyanjungi saudara! Selamat bertugas!

Hantu di NSTP

2011-07-26T11:11:00.000+08:00

Things must be getting pretty bad at Balai Berita. Ghosts and ghostbusters have been seen at the newspaper offices. Yes, really, said an NST insider.

Production of the first edition of this week’s New Sunday Times was disrupted for half an hour on Saturday night as a group of bomohs carried out exorcism rites throughout Balai Berita, including the 14-storey car park.

An NST insider said the team of bomohs went through each of the three wings of Balai Berita, floor by floor.

NST editorial staff on the second floor of the new wing were cleared out at 9.20pm — rush-hour for the sub-editing desk, with just an hour before the first edition pages are closed. Everyone was asked to leave their work, go downstairs and wait outside while the bomohs carried out their rites.

Read more at: http://uppercaise.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/ghosts-balai-berita-nst-bomoh
Ghosts or ghostly apparitions have reportedly been sighted in the building, most often at the multi-story car park from level 12 upwards, late at night. Sightings were reported at midnight, and one sighting at 2am.

(Editorial staff of NSTP Group newspapers work until 2am, to produce the final editions of NST, Berita Harian and Harian Metro for the Klang Valley. Most of those working late are sub-editors, the people in charge of editing news reports and producing news pages, graphic artists, and production staff.)

The “ghosts” were apparently seen perched on the ledges of the open wall car park floors.

One news reporter who is said to have sighted a ghost has been on sick leave (but this could not be confirmed).

Now that the bomohs have done their job and cleaned up Balai Berita, thousands of readers will now be hoping that they, too, will not be haunted by the kind of news coverage that has characterised NSTP Group newspapers of late.

Read more at: http://uppercaise.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/ghosts-balai-berita-nst-bomoh

Paper NSTP tak laku

2011-06-19T00:12:00.003+08:00

Relax la sikit org kat NSTP. Circulation semakin merudum..

• NST sells only 73,000 on the street
• Berita Minggu loses 90,000 copies over three years

These charts are based on figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulation report for July-December 2010 newspaper sales. An image of an advance report to publishers was emailed anonymously to this blog. I have not seen the full report myself, but the image looks genuine enough — and the report will be out soon anyway. (ABC compiles and audits newspaper circulation figures.)

Sales of all four traditional titles are in decline:

• Berita Minggu dropped 30% drop since 2007;
• New Straits Times lost 26%
• Berita Harian and New Sunday Times both fell by 22%

Read more at: http://uppercaise.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/nst-sales-drop-2010-circulation-report/

Utusan sesat

2011-06-17T18:17:00.018+08:00

Persatuan Ulama Malaysia (PUM) mencadangkan pelukis kartun bertajuk 'Kekeliruan Kes Rogol' yang disiarkan di Utusan Malaysia hari ini diheret ke mahkamah kerana menghina Islam.

“Kita syorkan supaya pelukis dan penerbit kartun ini didakwa atas penghinaan ke atas Islam," kata Yang Dipertua PUM, Datuk Sheikh Abdul Halim Abd Kadir dalam satu kenyataan lewat petang tadi.

Dr MAZA berpendapat "Saya tidak pasti, apakah kartunis Utusan itu hendak menghina Islam atau hendak menghina pihak tertentu. Jika dia bertujuan menghina Islam, dilakukan pula dalam keadaan yang sedar akal fikirannya, maka dia terkeluar daripada Islam.

Namun, jika dia bertujuan mengkritik salah faham sesetengah pihak mengenai perbezaan hukum zina dan rogol, maka itu tidak merosakkan imannya, bahkan satu sumbangan membetulkan fahaman yang salah.
Adapun jika dia bertujuan membohongi fakta yang dimaksudkan oleh seseorang, sehingga menimbulkan salah sangka, maka dia berdosa besar".

Kek pisang

2011-06-13T21:11:00.001+08:00

imej dari myresepi.com

Usia ayah menjangkau 70 tahun, namun tubuhnya masih kuat. Dia mampu menunggang basikal ke kedai yang jauhnya lebih kurang 2 kilometer bagi membeli keperluan harian. Sejak kematian ibu 6 tahun lalu, ayah bersendirian di kampung. Lantaran itu, kami adik-beradik - 5 orang semuanya-bergilir-gilir menjenguknya.

Kami semua sudah berkeluarga, tinggal pula jauh dari kampung halaman di Teluk Intan. Sebagai anak lelaki sulung, saya mengambil tanggungjawab yang lebih. Selain itu, kami adik-beradik sering menelefon ayah bertanya khabar dan sebagainya. Setiap kali saya menjenguknya, setiap kali itulah isteri saya mempelawa dia tinggal bersama kami di Kuala Lumpur.

"Tak apalah, lain kali aja...!" jawab ayah. Puas 2 anak saya merayu-rayu, ayah tetap bertegas. Itu jugalah jawapan ayah kalau Kak Long mempelawanya, Kak Ngah mendesak ataupun adik-beradik saya yang lain merayunya. Bagaimanapun sesekali ayah mengalah. Namun sehari 2 berada di rumah anak-anaknya, dia minta dihantar balik. Ada-ada saja alasannya.

Suatu hari Januari lalu, ayah mengikut saya ke Kuala Lumpur. Kebetulan sekolah masih bercuti, seronoklah anak-anak saya bermain dan bergurau senda dengan atuk mereka. Masuk hari ketiga, dia merayu nak balik kampung. Seperti biasalah, ada-ada saja alasan tak logik yang diberikannya. "Saya sibuk ayah,tak boleh nak ambil cuti. Tunggulah sikit lagi, ataupun hujung minggu ni saya hantar ayah," balas saya. Anak-anak saya turut memujuk atuk mereka.

"Tak apalah kalau kamu sibuk sangat, belikan ayah tiket di Puduraya, biar ayah naik bas," katanya membuat saya bertambah kecewa. Memang ayah pernah berkali-kali naik bas pulang ke kampung sendirian.

"Tak usahlah..." kata saya memujuk dan merayu selepas makan malam itu. Ayah diam terus masuk ke bilik bersama cucu-cucunya. Bagaimanapun esok paginya ketika saya bersiap untuk ke pejabat, ayah sekali lagi berpesan minta saya belikan tiket bas di Puduraya. "Ayah ni, tak faham ke, saya ni sibuk, sibuuuukkkk!!!" balas saya terus keluar menghidupkan enjin kereta.

Saya tinggalkan ayah terkontang-kanting di muka pintu. Sedih saya tengok mukanya. Di dalam kereta, isteri saya memujuk. "Buat apa kasar sangat dengan ayah? Cakaplah elok-elok! Kesian dia...!" Saya terus membisu.

Sebelum isteri saya turun kereta sebaik tiba di pejabatnya, dia berpesan agar saya penuhi permintaan ayah. "Jangan lupa bang, belikanlah tiket ayah," katanya ringkas. Di pejabat saya termenung panjang. Lalu saya meminta cuti kecemasan, terus ke Puduraya membeli tiket Transnasional ke Teluk Intan. Pukul 11.00 pagi saya sampai ke rumah, terus beritahu ayah supaya bersiap."Bas bergerak pukul 2.00," kata saya ringkas. Saya mengaku bersikap agak kasar ketika itu kerana didorong rasa marah dengan sikap degil ayah.

Ayah tanpa banyak kerenah bersiap.Dia masukkan baju dan kain ke dalam beg sandang. Lebih kurang pukul 12.30 saya bergerak ke Puduraya. Dalam perjalanan lebih kurang 1 jam itu, sepatah pun saya tidak bersuara. Selalunya saya dan ayah akan bersembang panjang setiap kali naik kereta bersama. Ada-ada saja yang kami bualkan.

Hari tu ayah tahu saya marahkannya. Dia pun enggan menyapa saya. Tiba di Puduraya, saya terus menghantar ayah ke tingkat bawah stesen bas itu. Selalunya saya akan membimbing lengan ayah tapi hari itu saya biarkan ayah turun sendiri,cuma saya perhatikan agar langkahnya tidak terganggu.

Setelah saya pastikan nombor tempat duduk ayah, saya bersalam dan terus turun dari bas. Ayah langsung tidak memandang saya sebaliknya dia memandang ke luar tingkap. Ayah merenung jauh. Tepat pukul 2.00 bas bergerak. Saya pandang ayah tapi dia masih melemparkan pandangan ke luar tingkap mengelak daripada memandang saya. Setelah bas bergerak jauh, saya menaiki tangga menuju ke kereta. Semasa melalui gerai-gerai di hentian paling sesak itu, saya terpandang susunan kek pisang di atas meja. Langkah saya terhenti.

Berdesup fikiran teringatkan ayah kerana dia cukup suka makan kek itu. Pernah 2-3 kali kalau dia menaiki bas pulang ke kampung, dia akan meminta saya belikan makanan kegemarannya. Tapi hari itu ayah tidak minta apa-apa.

Saya terus memandu pulang. Tiba di rumah, fikiran rasa tidak menentu.Ingatkan kerja di pejabat, ayah yang dalam perjalanan dan isteri yang berada di tempat kerjanya. Malam itu sekali lagi saya meneruskan keegoan saya apabila isteri meminta saya menelefon ayah di kampung seperti yang saya lakukan setiap kali ayah pulang dengan bas. Malam berikutnya, isteri bertanya lagi sudahkah saya hubungi ayah. "Takkan tak sampai-sampai lagi,"jawab saya meninggikan suara. Dinihari itu, saya menerima panggilan telefon dari Hospital Teluk Intan.

"Pak Long dah tak ada..." kata sepupu saya di hujung talian. "Dia meninggal 5 minit tadi selepas mengadu sesak nafas Maghrib semalam." Terlalu sebak dia hendak meneruskan kata-kata, selain meminta saya pulang segera. Saya terjelepok di lantai. Gagang masih di tangan. Isteri datang menerpa. "Kenapa bang?" Saya hanya menggeleng-geleng, agak lama baru mampu memberitahu "Ayah dah tak ada!" Tiba di kampung sayalah yang paling hiba sekali. Tidak berhenti-henti menangis berbanding kakak dan adik-adik saya. Barulah saya sedar betapa berharganya seorang ayah dalam hidup ini. Kek pisang, kata-kata saya pada ayah, sikapnya semasa saya di Puduraya, kata-kata isteri membeli tiket silih berganti menyerbu fikiran.

Hanya Tuhan yang tahu betapa luluhnya hati saya apabila teringatkan itu semua. Saya amat terasa kehilangan ayah yang pernah menjadi tempat saya meluahkan rasa, seorang rakan yang sering bersimpati dan ayah yang cukup mengerti perasaan seorang anak. Kenapalah saya tidak dapat membaca gerak rasa seorang tua yang merindui belaian kasih sayang daripada seorang anak yang akan ditinggalkan buat selama-lamanya.

Kini telah 5 tahun berlalu. Setiap kali pulang ke kampung, hati saya bagi dirobek-robek apabila memandang nisan di atas pusara ayah. Saya tidak dapat menahan air mata apabila terkenangkan semula peristiwa pada hari-hari terakhir saya bersamanya. Saya merasa amat bersalah dan tidak akan memaafkan diri ini. Benarlah kata orang, kalau hendak berbakti biarlah semasa ayah dan ibu masih ada. Apabila sudah tiada, menangis air mata darah sekalipun tidak bererti lagi. Kepada pembaca yang masih ada ayah, jagalah perasaan seorang tua. Kasihi mereka sebagaimana mereka menjaga kita sewaktu kecil dulu.

Lailatul Qadar

2010-09-05T02:45:00.000+08:00

Dinamakan lailatul qadar kerana pada malam itu malaikat diperintahkan oleh Allah swt untuk menuliskan ketetapan tentang kebaikan, rezeki dan keberkahan di tahun ini, sebagaimana firman Allah swt:

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ ﴿٣﴾

فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ ﴿٤﴾

أَمْرًا مِّنْ عِندِنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ ﴿٥﴾

Artinya : "Sesungguhnya kami menurunkannya pada suatu malam yang diberkahi dan Sesungguhnya Kami-lah yang memberi peringatan. Pada malam itu dijelaskan segala urusan yang penuh hikmah, (yaitu) urusan yang besar dari sisi kami. Sesungguhnya kami adalah yang mengutus rasul-rasul." (QS. Ad Dukhan : 3 – 5)

Al Qurthubi mengatakan bahwa pada malam itu pula para malaikat turun dari setiap langit dan dari sidratul muntaha ke bumi dan mengaminkan doa-doa yang diucapkan manusia hingga terbit fajar. Para malaikat dan Jibril AS turun dengan membawa rahmat atas perintah Allah swt juga membawa setiap urusan yang telah ditentukan dan ditetapkan Allah di tahun itu hingga yang akan datang. Lailatul qadar adalah malam kesejahteraan dan kebaikan seluruhnya tanpa ada keburukan hingga terbit fajar, sebagaimana firman-Nya:

تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ ﴿٤﴾

سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ ﴿٥﴾

Artinya : ”Pada malam itu turun malaikat-malaikat dan malaikat Jibril dengan izin Tuhannya untuk mengatur segala urusan. Malam itu (penuh) kesejahteraan sampai terbit fajar.” (QS. Al Qodr : 4 – 5)

Diantara hadits-hadits yang menceritakan tentang tanda-tanda lailatul qadar adalah:

1. Sabda Rasulullah saw,”Lailatul qadar adalah malam yang cerah, tidak panas dan tidak dingin, matahari pada hari itu bersinar kemerahan lemah.” Diriwayatkan oleh Ibnu Khuzaimah yang disahihkan oleh Al Bani.

2. Sabda Rasulullah saw,”Sesungguhnya aku diperlihatkan lailatul qadar lalu aku dilupakan, ia ada di sepuluh malam terakhir. Malam itu cerah, tidak panas dan tidak dingin bagaikan bulan menyingkap bintang-bintang. Tidaklah keluar setannya hingga terbit fajarnya.” (HR. Ibnu Hibban)

3. Rasulullah saw bersabda,”Sesungguhnya para malaikat pada malam itu lebih banyak turun ke bumi daripada jumlah pepasiran.” (HR. Ibnu Khuzaimah yang sanadnya dihasankan oleh Al Bani)

4. Rasulullah saw berabda,”Tandanya adalah matahari terbit pada pagi harinya cerah tanpa sinar.” (HR. Muslim)

Terkait dengan berbagai tanda-tanda Lailatul qadar yang disebutkan beberapa hadits, Syeikh Yusuf al Qaradhawi mengatakan,”Semua tanda tersebut tidak dapat memberikan keyakinan tentangnya dan tidak dapat memberikan keyakinan yakni bila tanda-tanda itu tidak ada berarti Lailatul qadar tidak terjadi malam itu, karena lailatul qadar terjadi di negeri-negeri yang iklim, musim, dan cuacanya berbeda-beda. Bisa jadi ada di antara negeri-negeri muslim dengan keadaan yang tak pernah putus-putusnya turun hujan, padahal penduduk di daerah lain justru melaksanakan shalat istisqo’. Negeri-negeri itu berbeda dalam hal panas dan dingin, muncul dan tenggelamnya matahari, juga kuat dan lemahnya sinarnya. Karena itu sangat tidak mungkin bila tanda-tanda itu sama di seluruh belahan bumi ini. (Fiqih Puasa hal 177 – 178)

Perbedaan Waktu Antara Negara

Lailatul qadar merupakan rahasia Allah swt. Untuk itu dianjurkan agar setiap muslim mencarinya di sepuluh malam terakhir, sebagaimana sabda Rasulullah saw,”Carilah dia (lailatul qadar) pada sepuluh malam terakhir di malam-malam ganjil.” (HR. Bukhori Muslim).

Dari Abu Said bahwa Nabi saw menemui mereka pada pagi kedua puluh, lalu beliau berkhotbah. Dalam khutbahnya beliau saw bersabda,”Sungguh aku diperlihatkan Lailatul qadar, kemudian aku dilupakan—atau lupa—maka carilah ia di sepuluh malam terakhir, pada malam-malam ganjil.” (Muttafaq Alaihi)

Pencarian lebih ditekankan pada tujuh malam terakhir bulan Ramadhan sebagaimana diriwayatkan oleh Bukhori Muslim dari Ibnu Umar bahwa beberapa orang dari sahabat Rasulullah saw bermimpi tentang Lailatul qadar di tujuh malam terakhir. Menanggapi mimpi itu, Rasulullah saw bersabda, ”Aku melihat mimpi kalian bertemu pada tujuh malam terakhir. Karena itu barangsiapa hendak mencarinya maka hendaklah ia mencari pada tujuh malam terakhir.”

Dari Ibnu Umar bahwa Rasulullah saw bersabda, ”Carilah ia di sepuluh malam terakhir. Jika salah seorang kalian lemah atau tdak mampu maka janganlah ia dikalahkan di tujuh malam terakhir.” (HR. Muslim, Ahmad dan Ath Thayalisi)

Malam-malam ganjil yang dimaksud dalam hadits diatas adalah malam ke- 21, 23, 25, 27 dan 29. Bila masuknya Ramadhan berbeda-beda dari berbagai negara—sebagaimana sering kita saksikan—maka malam-malam ganjil di beberapa negara menjadi melam-malam genap di sebagian negara lainnya sehingga untuk lebih berhati-hati maka carilah Lailatul qadar di setiap malam pada sepuluh malam terakhir. Begitu pula dengan daerah-daerah yang hanya berbeda jamnya saja maka ia pun tidak akan terlewatkan dari lailatul qadar karena lailatul qadar ini bersifat umum mengenai semua negeri dan terjadi sepanjang malam hingga terbit fajar di setiap negeri-negeri itu.

Karena tidak ada yang mengetahui kapan jatuhnya lailatul qadar itu kecuali Allah swt maka cara yang terbaik untuk menggapainya adalah beritikaf di sepuluh malam terakhir sebagaimana pernah dilakukan oleh Rasulullah saw dan para sahabatnya.

Ciri-ciri Orang Yang Mendapatkan Lailatul Qadar

Didalam sebuah hadits yang diriwayatkan oleh Bukhori dai Abu Hurairoh bahwa Rasulullah saw bersabda,”Barangsiapa melakukan qiyam lailatul qadar dengan penuh keimanan dan pengharapan (maka) dosa-dosanya yang telah lalu diampuni.”

Juga doa yang diajarkan Rasulullah saw saat menjumpai lailatul qadar adalah ”Wahai Allah sesungguhnya Engkau adalah Maha Pemberi Maaf, Engkau mencintai pemaafan karena itu berikanlah maaf kepadaku." (HR. Ibnu Majah)

Dari kedua hadits tersebut menunjukkan bahwa dianjurkan bagi setiap yang menginginkan lailatul qadar agar menghidupkan malam itu dengan berbagai ibadah, seperti: solat malam, tilawah Al Qur’an, dzikir, doa dan amal-amal shaleh lainnya. Dan orang yang menghidupkan malam itu dengan amal-amal ibadah akan merasakan ketenangan hati, kelapangan dada dan kelezatan dalam ibadahnya itu karena semua itu dilakukan dengan penuh keimanan dan mengharapkan ridho Allah swt.

Wallahu A’lam

dipetik dari http://untukhariesok.blogspot.com/2009/09/ciri-ciri-lailatul-qodr.html

The Chronicles of Amirul Hadi 2010

2010-07-21T13:00:00.001+08:00

Khamis, 3 Sya'aban 1431. 12.10 p.m. Sepatutnya hari ni cuma checkup rutin tapi doktor nasihatkan supaya terus masuk wad. Kini berada di Wad 102, Hospital Al Islam (KBMC). Tarikh 29 Julai 2010 masih dua minggu kehadapan.

3.10 p.m. Masuk ke OT. Semuanya berlaku begitu pantas. Penantian sembilan bulan berakhir abruptly dan hadirmu sekelip mata. Cuma dua jam di dalam labour room itu.

4.21 p.m. Ya Allah, anugerahkanlah kami dari sisiMu zuriat yang baik sesungguhnya Engkau Maha Mendengar doa. Alhamdulillah, anugerah Ilahi ini kami seisi keluarga terima dengan penuh rasa syukur dan amat gembira. Kakak-kakakmu Sarah dan Hajar dan abang-abangmu Amirul dan Ariff masih dalam perjalanan pulang dari sekolah. Tidak sabar menanti kehadiranmu, adik lelaki yang baru.
5.15 p.m. Azan dan iqamah seperti suruhan Nabi. Ya Allah berikanlah kami rezeki untuk mengikuti sunnah Nabi - segalanya - dari awalnya hingga akhirnya, zahirnya dan batinnya.

Jumaat, 4 Sya'aban 1431. 12.10 p.m. Dah selesai bersunat, satu lagi sunnah kenabian. Dari corong speaker Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru Sheikh Ali Huzaifi mengalunkan ayat-ayat suci Al Quran menantikan waktu solat. Lahirnya abangmu Ariff dulu tika azan berkumandang.

4.10 p.m. Tiba masa untuk pulang. Urusan di Al-Islam Specialist Hospital telah selesai.

4.45 p.m. Baby is coming home. Diiringi bacaan doa oleh Atuk dan didahuluhi dengan salam - seperti biasa - sebelum melangkah masuk ke rumah. Uwan yang semakin pulih menanti dengan gembira. Atuk melaksanakan Tahnik dengan kurma dan air zam-zam yang diberkati. Dari Abu Burdah daripada Abu Musa r.a. maksudnya: "Aku telah mendapat seorang anak, kemudian aku membawanya kepada Nabi SAW. Baginda menamakannya Ibrahim, lalu mentahnikkannya (memecahkan mulutnya) dengan sebiji kurma."

Isnin, 7 Sya'aban 1431. 12.50 p.m. Abah namakan AMIRUL HADI - Pemimpin bagi mereka yang diberi Petunjuk. Atuk telah diberikan petunjuk sehari sebelum hadirmu.
1.20 p.m. Akaun Tabung Haji dibuka sebagai simpanan dan passport ke tanah suci menziarahi Nabi nanti.
6.45 p.m. Bercukur - Ibn Al Qayyim menyatakan amalan ini akan meningkatkan tahap kesihatan anak, membuka selaput kepala dan mempertajamkan daya penglihatan, pendengaran dan deria hidu - InsyaAllah.

Selasa, 8 Sya'aban 1431. 8.55 p.m. Telah abah lengkapkan bacaan surah Al Baqarah khas untukmu, sepertimana untuk kakak-kakakmu dan abang-abangmu dulu. Inilah yang terbaik dan terpilih dari amalan sunnah. Tentunya tiada dendangan 'Anakku Amirul Hadi' untukmu melainkan zikir-zikir Indahnya Iman dari 106 Oasis.

Katakan tidak pada Wahhabi

2010-06-29T17:56:00.000+08:00

(Artikel ini ditulis semasa Dr. MAZA belum menjadi mufti)

Adalah malang apabila golongan yang kononnya kuat berpegang dengan agama tidak bersifat ilmiah. Sedangkan ilmu adalah teras kepada Islam yang tulen dan murni. Antara sikap tidak ilmiah ialah menuduh seseorang dengan sesuatu tuduhan palsu disebabkan tidak mahu atau berupaya menjawab persoalan yang dikemukakan. Sikap ini sama dengan Amerika sekarang yang menganggap sesiapa sahaja yang mengkritiknya sebagai pengganas sekalipun tanpa bukti.

Di Malaysia ini, wujud sikap yang sedemikian. Jika seseorang memberikan pandangan agama yang bukan menjadi perkara yang biasa diketahui oleh golongan agama tradisional tempatan, maka dia akan dilebelkan sebagai 'wahabi' . Sekalipun mungkin dia tidak tahu menahu wahabi itu apa?!. Bahkan yang membuat tuduhan itupun kebiasaannya tidak begitu tahu apa itu wahabi?!.Jika kita bertanya kepada kebanyakan yang suka melebelkan orang lain sebagai ' wahabi'; apa itu wahabi?. Berbagai jawapan diberikan. Ada yang katakan wahabi ialah sesiapa yang tidak qunut subuh. Jika kita beritahu dia, mazhab-mazhab yang lain juga demikian. Apakah al-Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal dan Abu Hanifah juga wahabi?. Dia diam. Ada yang kata: wahabi tidak tahlil. Kita beritahu dia tahlil maksudnya La ilah illa ALLAH, tahmid bermaksud Alhamd li ALLAH, tasbih bermaksud subhana ALLAH. Setahu kita mereka ini menyebutnya. Mana mungkin, jika tidak, mereka kafir. Bahkan imam-imam di Arab Saudi menghafaz al-Quran dengan begitu hebat dan bacaan-bacaan mereka diperdengarkan di sana sini. Adakah mereka kafir?!!. Ada yang kata wahabi adalah mereka yang belajar di Arab Saudi. Saya kata saya tidak belajar di Arab Saudi pun ada juga yang menuduh wahabi. Kemudian, kalau wahabi itu sesat, apakah sekarang Masjid al-Haram dan Masjid al-Nabi sedang didiami dan diimami oleh golongan yang sesat?!!. Ada yang kata wahabi ialah golongan tidak bermazhab. Kita beritahu dia Arab Saudi yang sebagai dituduh wahabi bermazhab Hanbali.

Agak yang lebih pandai menyebut; wahabi adalah pengikut Muhammad bin 'Abd al-Wahhab. Dari situ digelar pengikutnya 'Wahhabi'. Saya katakan saya sendiri dalam pengalaman yang singkat ini ada yang menuduh wahabi, sekalipun saya tidak begitu membaca buku-buku Muhammad bin 'Abd al-Wahhab.

Saya hanya menganggapnya salah seorang tokoh-tokoh umat yang ada jasa dan sumbangannya. Dalam masa yang sama ada kekurangan dan kelemahannya. Dia bukan tokoh mazhab fiqh yang ulung untuk dirujuk fatwa-fatwa fiqhnya. Dia sendiri bermazhab Hanbali. Bukan juga jaguh dalam hadith, sehingga al-Albani pernah mengkritiknya dengan agak keras. Namun, sebagai tokoh, ada sumbangannya yang tersendiri. Dari segi ilmiah, secara peribadi saya tidak dapat banyak manfaat daripadanya. Namun sumbangannya tidak dilupakan.

Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi dalam Fiqh al-Aulawiyyat memujinya, dengan berkata: Bagi al-Imam Muhammad bin 'Abd al-Wahhab di Jazirah Arab perkara akidah adalah menjadi keutamaannya untuk memelihara benteng tauhid dari syirik yang telah mencemari pancaran tauhid dan dikotori kesuciannya. Beliau telah menulis buku-buku dan risalah-risalah dalam perkara tersebut. Beliau bangkit menanggung bebanan secara dakwah dan praktikal dalam memusnahkan gambaran-gambaran syirik. (m.s. 263, ctk. Maktabah Wahbah, Mesir).

Bahkan Dr. Wahhab al-Zuhaili juga memujinya dengan menyebut: "Sesuatu yang tiada syak padanya, menyedari hakikat yang sebenar, bukan untuk meredhakan sesiapa, berpegang kepada ayat al-Quran yang agung (maksudnya) "Jangan kamu kurangkan manusia apa yang menjadi hak-haknya (Surah Hud: 85), bahawa suara kebenaran yang paling berani, pendakwah terbesar untuk islah (pembaikian), membina umat, jihad dan mengembalikan individu muslim kepada berpegang dengan jalan al-salaf al-salih yang terbesar ialah dakwah Muhammad bin 'Abd al-Wahhab pada kurun yang kedua belas hijrah. Tujuannya untuk mentajdidkan kehidupan muslim, setelah secara umum dicemari dengan berbagai khilaf, kekeliruan, bid'ah dan penyelewengan. Maka Muhammad bin 'Abd al-Wahhab ialah pemimpin kebangkitan agama dan pembaikian (islah) yang dinantikan, yang menzahir timbangan akidah yang bersih.." (Rujukan: Dr Wahbah al-Zuhaili, Risalah Mujaddid al-Din fi Qarn al-Thani 'Asyar, m.s 57-58). Bahkan banyak lagi puji-pujian beliau dalam risalah tersebut. Saya tidak pasti apakah tokoh-tokoh agama yang begitu ramai memuji Muhammad bin 'Abd al-Wahhab patut dituduh wahabi atau tidak?!!!.Antara kitab-kitab yang saya ajar ialah kitab fekah mazhab al-Imam al-Syafi'i. Saya baca kitab al-Fiqh al-Manhaji 'ala Mazhab al-Imam al-Syafi'i kerana ia agak mudah untuk generasi muda. Namun apabila saya menyebut apa yang terkandung dalam kitab tersebut yang tidak sama dengan amalan masyarakat, maka dituduh wahabi. Sedangkan kitab itu adalah kitab dalam Mazhab al-Imam al-Syafi'i. Tokoh-tokoh penulisnya, adalah tokoh-tokoh semasa mazhab al-Imam al-Syafi'i , iaitu al-Syeikh Mustafa Khin, al-Syeikh Mustafa al-Bugha dan 'Ali al-Syarbaji.

Namun apabila saya baca antara apa yang disebut dalam kitab tersebut: "Daripada bid'ah apa yang dibuat oleh keluarga si mati ialah dengan mengumpulkan orang ramai kepada makanan dengan munasabah yang dinamakan berlalunya empat puluh hari dan seumpamanya. Sekiranya perbelanjaan makanan tersebut dari harta peninggalan (si mati) dan di kalangan waris ada yang belum baligh, maka itu adalah dari perkara lebih haram. Ini kerana ia memakan harta benda anak yatim dan melenyapkannya bukan untuk kepentingan anak yatim tersebut. Terbabit juga dalam melakukan perbuatan haram ini setiap yang memanggil dan memakannya" (1/263, Damsyik: Dar al-Qalam), saya dituduh wahabi.

Apakah semua penulis itu wahabi?!!. Mereka katakan kepada saya, jangan baca! Itu tidak sama dengan mazhab syafii tempat. Saya tanya: Adakah ada dua mazhab al-Syafi'i??!. Tidak mengapalah, mari kita tengok apa kata kitab-kitab melayu jawi. Kata Syeikh Daud al-Fatani (semoga ALLAH merahmatinya) dalam Bughyah al-Talab: "(dan makruh) lagi bid'ah bagi orang yang kematian membuat makanan menserukan segala manusia atas memakan dia sama ada dahulu daripada menanam dia dan kemudian daripadanya seperti yang diadatkan kebanyakan manusia (dan demikian lagi) makruh lagi bid'ah bagi segala yang diserukan dia memperkenankan seruannya" (2/34). Demikian juga kenyataan dibuat oleh al-Syeikh Muhammad Arsyad al-Banjari dalam Sabil al-Muhtadin. Begitu juga al-Marbawi dalam Bahr al-Mazi menyebut: "Maka bid'ah yang tidak elok" (7/130). Apakah mereka semua juga wahabi?!!.

Apabila kita memberitahu amalan Nisfu Syaaban seperti yang dibuat oleh masyarakat kita bukan dari tunjuk ajar Nabi s.a.w. Mereka kata: "awak wahabi". Kita kata ini bukan daripada tulisan Muhammad bin 'Abd al-Wahhab, ini fatwa Dr Yusuf al-Qaradawi apabila ditanya mengenai nisfu Syaaban, beliau menjawab: "Tidak pernah diriwayatkan daripada Nabi s.a.w. dan para sahabat bahawa mereka berhimpun di masjid untuk menghidupkan malam nisfu Syaaban, membaca do`a tertentu dan solat tertentu seperti yang kita lihat pada sebahagian negeri orang Islam.

Bahkan di sebahagian negeri, orang ramai berhimpun pada malam tersebut selepas maghrib di masjid. Mereka membaca surah Yasin dan solat dua raka`at dengan niat panjang umur, dua rakaat yang lain pula dengan niat tidak bergantung kepada manusia, kemudian mereka membaca do`a yang tidak pernah dipetik dari golongan salaf (para sahabah, tabi`in dan tabi' tabi`in). Ianya satu do`a yang panjang, yang menyanggahi nusus (al-Quran dan Sunnah) juga bercanggahan dan bertentang maknanya..perhimpunan (malam nisfu Syaaban) seperti yang kita lihat dan dengar yang berlaku di sebahagian negeri orang Islam adalah bid`ah dan diada-adakan. Sepatutnya kita melakukan ibadat sekadar yang dinyatakan dalam nas. Segala kebaikan itu ialah mengikut salaf, segala keburukan itu ialah bid`ah golongan selepas mereka, dan setiap yang diadakan-adakan itu bid`ah, dan setiap yang bid`ah itu sesat dan setiap yang sesat itu dalam neraka.( Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Fatawa Mu`asarah, 1/382-383, Beirut : Dar Uli al-Nuha). Apakah beliau juga wahhabi?!!

Al-Imam al-Nawawi (meninggal 676 H) adalah tokoh agung dalam mazhab al-Syafi'i. Pada zamannya, beliau membantah mengiringi jenazah dengan mengangkat suara membaca al-Quran. Beliau berkata: "Ketahui sesungguhnya yang betul lagi terpilih yang menjadi amalan al-salaf al-salih r.a ialah diam ketika mengiringi jenazah. Jangan diangkat suara dengan bacaan, zikir dan selainnya. Hikmahnya nyata, iaitu lebih menenangkan hati dan menghimpunkan fikiran mengenai apa yang berkaitan dengan jenazah. Itulah yang dituntut dalam keadaan tersebut. Inilah yang cara yang betul. Jangan kamu terpengaruh dengan banyaknya orang yang menyanggahinya.

Sesungguhnya Abu 'Ali al-Fudail bin 'Iyad r.a. pernah berkata –maknanya-: "Berpegang dengan jalan petunjuk, jangan engkau tewas disebabkan sedikit yang melaluinya. Jauhilah jalan yang sesat. Jangan engkau terpengaruh dengan banyaknya golongan yang rosak". Adapun apa yang dilakukan oleh golongan jahil di Damsyik, iaitu melanjutkan bacaan al-Quran dan bacaan yang lain ke atas jenazah dan bercakap perkara yang tiada kaitan, ini adalah haram dengan ijma' ulama. Sesungguhnya aku telah jelaskan Adab al-Qiraah keburukannya, besar keharamannya, dan fasiknya sesiapa yang mampu membantahnya tetapi tidak membantahnya". (Al-Nawawi, Al-Azkar, m.s. 225-226, Damsyik: Maktabah al-Ghazali).

Saya percaya jika al-Imam al-Nawawi di zaman kini dan buat kenyataan ini, golongan yang taksub pegangan tempatan akan menuduhnya juga wahabi. Apatah lagi jika dia mereka mambaca kenyataan al-Imam al-Nawawi ini menyetujui tokoh-tokoh mazhab al-Syafi'i yang membantah jamuan atau kenduri sempena kematian. Katanya: "adapun menyediakan makanan oleh keluarga si mati dan menghimpunkan orang ramai kepadanya adalah tidak diriwayatkan daripada Nabi s.a.w sedikit pun. Ia adalah bid'ah yang tidak disukai" (Al-Nawawi, al-Majmu' Syarh al-Mahazzab 5/320 Beirut : Dar al-Fikr).

Banyak lagi contoh-contoh lain jika hendak disebut. Maka fahamlah bahawa tuduhan wahabi kepada seseorang di negara kita ini kebanyakan adalah fitnah. Sebagai jawapan kepada persoalan yang tidak terjawab, maka diputarkan isu ke arah yang lain. Ia adalah lambang akhlak dan perilaku buruk pembuatnya. Memburukkan orang lain tanpa bukti dan ilmu. Kesemua mereka ini akan didakwa di akhirat kerana memutar belitkan fakta tanpa rasa takut kepada ALLAH.

Tidak pernahkah mereka membaca firman ALLAH dalam Surah al-Hujurat ayat 11-12: (maksudnya) Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Janganlah sesuatu puak (dari kaum lelaki) merendah-rendahkan puak lelaki yang lain, (kerana) harus puak yang dicemuhkan itu lebih baik daripada mereka; dan janganlah pula sesuatu puak dari kaum perempuan merendah-rendahkan puak perempuan yang lain, (kerana) harus puak yang dicemuhkan itu lebih baik daripada mereka; dan janganlah setengah kamu menyatakan keaiban setengahnya yang lain; dan janganlah pula kamu panggil-memanggil antara satu dengan yang lain dengan gelaran yang buruk. (Larangan-larangan yang tersebut menyebabkan orang yang melakukannya menjadi fasik, maka) amatlah buruknya sebutan nama fasik (kepada seseorang) sesudah ia beriman. Dan (ingatlah), sesiapa yang tidak bertaubat (daripada perbuatan fasiknya) maka merekalah orang-orang yang zalim. Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Jauhilah kebanyakan dari sangkaan kerana sesungguhnya sebahagian dari sangkaan itu adalah dosa; dan janganlah kamu mengintip atau mencari-cari kesalahan dan keaiban orang; dan janganlah setengah kamu mengumpat setengahnya yang lain. Adakah seseorang dari kamu suka memakan daging saudaranya yang telah mati? (Jika demikian keadaan mengumpat) maka sudah tentu kamu jijik kepadanya. (Oleh itu, patuhilah larangan-larangan yang tersebut) dan bertaqwalah kamu kepada Allah; sesungguhnya Allah Penerima taubat, lagi Maha mengasihani.

Adalah malang jika medan perbahasan ilmiah dijadikan medan fitnah memfitnah. Apatah lagi jika yang terlibat itu golongan agama. Kita sepatutnya hanya berada dalam sempadan fakta dan angka sahaja. Jangan terbabas ke peringkat tuduh menuduh secara tidak berakhlak. Umpamanya, memang benar kita dalam beberapa pandangan hukum, mengambil selain dari mazhab al-Syafi'i. Ini beradarkan kajian atau tarjih yang disandarkan kepada ulama lain. Di Malaysia pun memang banyak hukum yang tidak berpegang dengan mazhab al-Syafi'i, terutamanya dalam fiqh muamalat.

Lihat sahaja hukum-hakam zakat di negara ini. Namun ini bukan bererti kita menghina al-Imam al-Syafi'i. Malang sebahagian yang berniat jahat membuat fitnah kononnya kita menghina Imam kita yang agung itu. Sedangkan saya sendiri pada Julai 2004 telah menulis tentang keagungan al-Imam al-Syafi'i dalam majalah ini dan demikian juga dalam buku-buku saya. Bahkan ada yang membuat cerita kononnya ingin dibakar kitab-kitab mazhab dan inilah wahabi. A'azu bi ALLAH min zalik (pohon perlindungan dengan ALLAH dari itu semua).

Benarlah kata Kata Muhammad bin Salih al-'Ali: "Kebiasaannya, taksub kepada sesuatu pandangan atau mazhab membawa kepada sejenis sikap keras terhadap sesiapa yang menyanggahi pandangan dan mazhabnya. Inilah yang berlaku kepada sebahagian pengikut mazhab fiqh yang lidah mereka petah (mencerca) sesiapa yang berbeza dengan mereka…Orang yang taksub terlindung dari penilaian secara ilmiah dan berhati-hati dalam hukuman. Dia tidak melihat melainkan keburukan dan kesilapan orang yang berbeza dengannya. Ini membawanya kepada sikap keras, mengkritik dan menyakiti.." (rujukan: Muhammad bin Salih bin Yusuf al-'Ali, Insaf Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama`ah m.s. 113-114, Jeddah: Dar al-Andalus al-Khadra`).

Ramai pendakwah yang mengeluh dengan akhlak buruk ini. Saya juga berdukacita dan bersimpati. Apatah lagi jika ahli fitnah memakai gelaran ahli badan ulama. Lebih lagi kita sedihkan. Namun saya katakan kepada diri saya yang amat dhaif dan para pendakwah yang difitnah; bersabarlah. Telah pun difitnah sebelum ini para rasul yang mulia, sehingga Nabi Muhammad s.a.w dituduh ahli sihir dan gila. Al-Imam al-Syafi'i r.h pernah dituduh sebagai pendokong Syiah di zaman sehingga dia dihukum. Al-Imam Al-Bukhari r.h pernah tuduh sebagai bersefahaman dengan Mu'tazilah mengenai al-Quran, sehingga dia terpaksa keluar dari kampung halamannya.

Demikian sejarah dan sirah para ulama kesemuanya tidak sunyi dari mainan golongan yang hasad dan khianat. Demikian tabiat dakwah ini yang sentiasa menuntut keikhlasan dan pengorbanan. Pada hari kita memulakan dakwah ke jalan ALLAH dan rasulNya ini, kita sepatutnya mengetahui denai berliku dan lorong berduri yang akan lalui di hadapan. Jika tidak bertemankan keikhlasan dan kecintaan yang tinggi kepada ALLAH dan Rasul, gugurlah kita satu persatu. Untuk itu dari awal kita mesti sedar hakikat ini. Jika takut dilambung ombak, jangan berumah di tepi pantai.

Ada kata golongan wahabi enggan terikat dengan mazhab. Jadi sesiapa yang ada berpegang dengan mazhab lain dalam beberapa perkara, maka dia wahabi. Kita katakan kita amat menghormati mazhab dan memuliakannya.

Dalam banyak perkara kita terkait dengan mazhab al-Syafii. Tetapi ahli 'tuduh menuduh' ini seperti kata Dr Yusuf al-Qaradawi: "Golongan yang taksub ini tidak membolehkan sesiapa yang mengikut sesuatu mazhab keluar daripadanya, sekalipun dalam beberapa masalah yang jelas kepada pengikut mazhab bahawa dalil mazhabnya lemah. Sehingga mereka menyifatkan sesiapa yang keluar mazhab sebagai tidak berpendirian. Perbuatan ini sebenarnya mewajibkan apa yang tidak diwajibkan oleh Allah SWT. Seakan-akan mereka menganggap imam-imam mazhab mempunyai kuasa membuat syari`at dan perkataan mereka adalah hujah syarak yang dipegang dan tidak boleh dibangkang. Ini sebenarnya menyanggahi tunjuk ajar imam-imam mazhab itu sendiri, kerana sesungguhnya mereka telah melarang orang ramai bertaklid kepada mereka atau selain mereka. Ini juga menyanggahi apa yang dipegang oleh golongan salaf umat ini iaitu para sahabah dan mereka yang selepas sahabahsepanjang kurun-kurun yang awal yang merupakan sebaik-baik kurun dan yang paling dekat kepada petunjuk Nabi. Justeru itu, para ulama besar umat ini dan para muhaqqiqnya (pengkaji) membantah sikap melampau di dalam taklid mazhab yang menyamai apa yang dilakukan oleh ahli kitab yang mengambil paderi dan pendita mereka sebagai tuhan-tuhan selain Allah". (rujukan: Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Al-Sahwah al-Islamiyyah bain al-Ikhtilaf al-Masyru' wa al-Tafarruq al-Mazlum, m.s 202, Kaherah: Dar al-Sahwah). Barangkali mereka juga kena masukkan al-Qaradawi dalam senarai wahabi seperti yang didakwa oleh Amerika terhadap beliau.

Dalam ilmu hadith pula, kita menyebut apa yang disebut oleh ulama-ulama hadith yang mendhaif atau menghukum sebagai palsu sebahagian hadith yang diamalkan oleh masyarakat kita. Umpamanya, kita memetik ulasan-ulasan para ulama terhadap Kitab Ihya 'Ulum al-Din. Bukan bertujuan menghina al-Imam al-Ghazali (semoga ALLAH merahmatinya), tetapi sebagai ingatan untuk kita. Malangnya, mereka yang tidak takutkan ALLAH membuat fitnah kononnya kita menganggap kita lebih alim dari al-Imam al-Ghazali.

Di sini saya petik apa yang tertera dalam buku saya "Menangkis Pencemaran Terhadap Agama & Tokoh-Tokohnya" yang dicetak pada awal tahun 2004: "Sebagai contohnya di sini kita sebutkan kitab Ihya`Ulum al-Din karangan al-Imam al-Ghazali r.h (meninggal 505H) secara khusus. Ini memandangkan ia merupakan yang paling masyhur dan banyak diguna pakai dalam masyarakat.

Dengan kita menyedari bukan hanya kitab al-Ihya ini sahaja yang mengandungi hadith-hadith dhaif dan palsu, ada kitab-kitab lain juga banyak yang mempunyai masalah yang sama. Mengkritik hadith-hadith palsu dan dha`if dalam kitab al-Ihya ini tidaklah bererti kita menafikan sama sekali sumbangan penulisnya dan nilai-nilai baik yang terkandung di dalamnya. Sebagai seorang tokoh, tentunya Al-Ghazali mempunyai sumbangannya yang tersendiri.

Namun ini tidak memboleh kita menyembunyi apa yang benar. Kita mendo`akan keampunan dan kerahmatan Allah untuknya dan juga kita. Namun persoalan kebenaran dan ilmu mesti dijelaskan. Firman Allah:

Maksudnya: Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Hendaklah kamu menjadi orang-orang yang sentiasa menegakkan keadilan, lagi menjadi saksi (yang menerangkan kebenaran) kerana Allah, sekalipun terhadap diri kamu sendiri, atau ibu bapa dan kaum kerabat kamu. ( Surah al-Nisa`: 135)

Al-Ghazali seperti yang dinyatakan oleh al-Hafizd al-Zahabi (wafat 748H) ketika mengulas kesilapan-kesilapannya dalam kitab Ihya `Ulum al-Din: "Aku katakan: Al-Ghazali adalah imam yang besar, namun bukanlah menjadi syarat seorang alim itu untuk dia tidak melakukan kesilapan. (rujukan: Al-Zahabi, Siyar `Alam al-Nubala 19/339, Beirut :Muassasah al-Risalah)

Sesiapa sahaja yang mengkaji ilmu hadith tahu bahawa Al-Imam al-Ghazali bukan seorang pakar dalam bidang hadith, ini diakui oleh semua pihak, melainkan mereka yang jahil tentang ilmu hadith sahaja.

Sehingga Taj al-Din al-Subki (meninggal 771H/ Beliau adalah tokoh mazhab al-Syafi'i yang terkenal) yang begitu mempertahankan al-Imam al-Ghazali dalam Tabaqatnya turut mengakui hal ini dengan menyatakan: "Adapun apa yang dianggap cacat pada kitab al-Ihya disebabkan kelemahan sebahagian hadith-hadithnya, ini kerana al-Ghazali diketahui bukanlah seorang pakar dalam bidang hadith". (rujukan: Taj al-Din al-Subki, Tabaqat al-Syafi`yyah al-Kubra, 3/449, Beirut :Dar al-Kutub al-`Ilmiyyah)

Kita lihat apa yang kata tokoh-tokoh hadith umat mengenai kitab Ihya `Ulum al-Din antaranya:

-Kata al-Hafizd al-Imam Ibn Kathir (meninggal 774H) dalam Al-Bidayah wa Al-Nihayah: "Ketika berada di Damsyik dan Bait al-Maqdis, al-Ghazali mengarang kitabnya Ihya `Ulum al-Din, ianya sebuah kitab yang ganjil. Ianya mengandungi ilmu yang banyak berkaitan syarak, bercampur dengan kehalusan tasawwuf dan amalan hati. Namun padanya banyak hadith yang gharib, munkar dan palsu". ( Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, 12/186, Beirut : Dar al-Kutub al-`Ilmiyyah)

-Kata al-Hafizd al-Imam Ibn Jauzi (wafat 597H): "Kemudian datang Abu Hamid al-Ghazali menulis untuk golongan sufi kitab al-Ihya' berdasar pegangan mereka. Dia memenuhi bukunya dengan hadith-hadith yang batil yang dia tidak tahu kebatilannya" .( rujukan :Ibn Jauzi, Talbis Iblis, m.s. 190, Beirut : Dar al-Kutub al-ilmiyyah)

-Kata al-Hafizd al-Imam al-Zahabi (wafat 748H): "Adapun kitab al-Ihya padanya ada sejumlah hadith-hadith yang batil. Sekiranya tidak ada padanya adab, cara dan zuhud yang diambil dari ahli falsafah dan golongan sufi yang menyeleweng, padanya ada kebaikan yang banyak. Kita memohon daripada Allah ilmu yang bermanfaat. Tahukah anda apa itu ilmu yang bermanfaat?. Ianya apa yang dinyatakan al-Quran dan ditafsirkannya oleh Rasulullah secara perkataan dan perbuatan" .( Al-Zahabi, Siyar `Alam al-Nubala`, 19/339)

-Kata Syeikh al-Islam Ibn Taimiyyah (wafat 728H): "Abu Hamid (Al-Ghazali) tidak mempunyai kepakaran dalam hadith-hadith Nabi dan riwayat-riwayat salaf sepertimana yang dimiliki oleh ahli yang mengetahui perkara itu. Mereka dapat membeza antara yang sahih dan yang tidak sahih. Oleh itu al-Ghazali menyebut dalam kitab-kitabnya hadith dan athar yang palsu dan dusta, yang mana kalau mengetahuinya tentu dia tidak menyebutnya" .( Ibn Taimiyyah, Dar`u Ta`arud al-`Aql wa al-Naql, 7/149, Riyad : Dar al-Kunuz al-Adabiyyah).

Ada yang kata, kalau iya pun, banyak lagi isu yang lebih penting. Kita katakan alhamd lil Lah, atas kurnia ALLAH, banyak isu-isu ilmiah utama di negara ini, kita antara yang awal membincangkannya. Isu Islam Liberal, isu Astora, Syiah dan seumpamanya.

Tulisan-tulisan kita banyak tentang isu-isu itu. Adapun isu-isu yang disebutkan tadi hanya sampingan sebagai menjawab persoalan-persoalan yang dibangkit oleh generasi baru yang luas pembacaannya. Namun telinga anda hanya memetik apa yang anda benci dan memekakkan diri dari apa yang anda suka. Kami pohon keampunan dari Allah untuk kami dan anda juga !!

Justeru, jauhkan diri fitnah-menfitnah kerana itu perlambangan akhlak yang buruk dan peribadi yang amat rendah. Kita kurang kecewa apabila pelakunya itu 'Shahrir Long'. Namun kita akan kecewa jika hal ini dilakukan oleh golongan agama, yang berakhlak dan mempunyai maruah diri.

Mungkin ada orang yang benar-benar ingin menasabkan dirinya kepada wahabi. Namun kita sejuta kali menyebut : 'Katakan tidak untuk wahabi'. Ya untuk syafii, ya untuk Hanbali, Ya untuk Maliki, Ya untuk Hanafi. Dengan syarat tidak ekstrim dan taksub. Tapi no untuk wahabi kerana ia bukan aliran yang cukup untuk dimazhabkan.

Who Was The Greatest Man On Earth

2010-06-24T18:01:00.001+08:00

WHO WAS THE GREATEST MAN ON EARTH

PROPHET MUHAMMAD

The Last Messenger of God and The Seal of The Prophets
(Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him)

There are many claimants to the title of Prophet of God, but Muhammad (peace be upon him) had claimed to be the last Messenger of God (Rasulullah) and hence the Seal of the prophetic order.

A Prophet of God must satisfy many criteria to be worthy of the claim, so we shall apply some of these to him - based only on objective, independent analyses of his life, mission and achievements.

1. A PROPHET OF GOD MUST HAVE DIVINE AUTHORITY FOR HIS CLAIM, AND THIS MUST BE EVIDENT TO THOSE WHO STUDY HIS LIFE OBJECTIVELY - EVEN THOSE WHO ARE NOT HIS FOLLOWERS.

“The essential sincerity of Muhammad’s nature cannot be questioned: and a historical criticism that links no facts, yields nothing to credulity, weights every testimony, has no partisan interest, and seeks only the truth, must acknowledge his claim to belong to that order of prophets...”
- Annie Bessant (Theosophist/The Life & Teachings of Muhammad/Madras 1932.

“He was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without Pope’s pretension and Caesar without the legions of Caesar: without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a palace, without a fixed revenue; if ever any man had the right to say that he ruled by the right divine, it was Mohammad, for he had all the power without its instruments and without its support.”
- Rev. Bosworth Smith/Mohammad and Mohammadanism/London 1874

“(The Quran) is the literal revelation of God, dictated to Muhammad by Gabriel, perfect in every letter. It is ever-present miracle witnessing to itself and to Muhammad, the Prophet of God. Its miraculous quality resides partly in its style, so perfect and lofty that no one could produce a single chapter to compare with its briefest chapter, and partly in its content of teachings, prophecies about the future, and amazingly accurate information such as the illiterate Muhammad could never have gathered of his own accord.”
- Harry Gaylord Dorman/Towards Understanding Islam/New York 1948.

2. THE LAST PROPHET OF GOD - WITH SUCH AN IMPORTANT MISSION - MUST BE PROPHESISED IN PREVIOUS SCRIPTURES. ALTHOUGH THESES PROPECIES ARE OPEN TO VARYING INTERPRETATIONS, COMPELLING EVIDENCE CAN BE OBTAINED IF VARIED SOURCES ARE EXAMINED.

OLD TESTAMENT (OT)

“...he shined forth from Mount. Paran, and he came with Ten Thousand Saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.” [Deuteronomy 33:2 KingJamesVersion]

[Biblical scholars concur that the desert of Paran/Faran was the home of Ishmaelites. Muhammad was a direct descendant of Prophet Ishmael through his second son Kedar; Muhammad triumphantly marched into Mecca with 10,000 of his revered companions and established Islamic rule which was to spread to much of Arabia in his lifetime, and soon across northern India up to Spain.]

“...he is mahmad/mahmud/mahmudim.” [Song of Solomon 5:16]

[Here is a direct mention of Muhammad, the Arabic equivalent of mahmad. Jews interpret Song of Solomon to be about a lover and a maiden. Christians interpret it to be his love for Jesus. But in this crucial verse the object of praise is directly identified... he is mahmad (Muhammad). Readers of the English Bibles do not have a clue of this because the translators have translated the meaning of the name instead of retaining the name. Arabic and Hebrew have common roots. The root words for Muhammad are Ahmad (AHMD) or Hebrew Hamad (HAMD); and Mahmud (MHMD), meaning Praiseworthy (or Admirable/Desirable) and Praised-one (or Admirable-one) respectively. In fact these are also names of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Muhammad means The Praised One and Muhammadin (or Muhammadan, Muhammadun) are the form used in sentences according to the grammatical rules. So the object of praise was in fact a male whose name was Mahmad (or Muhammad in Arabic) which also means The Praised One. Unfortunately most Bible versions translate this to - `he is Altogether Lovely’ - thus no modern-day Christians realises the connection to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). That it refers to Muhammad is further evident since six verses earlier he is called `chief of ten thousand, (Song 5:10 KJV). Incidentally no man in Semitic history (Jew, Arab, Palestinian, etc.) was named Muhammad before this Prophet, yet today Muhammad is the commonest name in the world, more common than John or Lee or any other name! His other oft-quoted name is Mustafa, meaning The Chosen One. Indeed Muhammad Al Mustafa (pbuh) was The Praised and Chosen One who was sent as a mercy to mankind.

“And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray yee: and he saith, I am not learned.” [Isaiah 29:12 KJV]

[This version of Prophet Isaiah predicted exactly the event in the Cave of Hira when Muhammad (pbuh) received the first revelation of the Quran through Angel Gabriel. He is know as the illiterate, unlettered of unlearned prophet. When Angel Gabriel said to him`Read!’ he replied: `But I am not learned’; this exchange was repeated twice before Angel Gabriel proceeded with `Read in the name of your Lord...’ which was the first Quranic verse dictated to Muhammad (pbuh) and marked his appointment as the last Prophet and Messenger of God. Unfortunately Christians and Jews who do not know what happened in the Cave missed the importance of this vision; hence the story in later versions of the bible (after KJV) loses its original meaning in the translator’s attempt to relate the vision which they themselves did not understand.]

“See my servant, whom I uphold; my Chosen One, in whom I delight. I have put my Spirit upon him; he will reveal justice to the nations of the world.: [Isaiah 42:1 Living Bible]

[God’s Chosen One was Muhammad Al Mustafa. The Quran states that Muhammad was to bring justice and guidance to mankind and the whole world; whilst the Bible states that Jesus `was sent only for the lost sheep of the house of Israel’ (Matthew 15:42). This vision of Prophet Isaiah again refers to Muhammad. In fact Isaiah 42:2-4 clearly desribe Muhammad’s character.]

NEW TESTAMENT (NT)

“You shall know them by their fruits.” [Matthew 7:16 & 20]

[Jesus (pbuh) did not deny the coming of prophets after him. The above Bible passage quotes his advice to his disciples on how to differentiate true and false prophets who come after him, i.e. by their teachings, deeds and the results of this. Therefore the Christians should study the deeds and teachings of Muhammad (pbuh) and decide if he was genuine or fake.]

[There are other references to Muhammad by Jesus in the NT, but these are disputed. These refer to who are the Advocate/Comforter/Counsellor/Intercessor that Jesus said will come after him. The Christians say it is the Holy Spirit - the third `person’ of their Trinity of Godhood. The original Greek word was paraklytos or periklytos (paraclete or periclete) meaning Intercessor or Admirable respectively. Muslims believe it refers to Muhammad because he is also called Admirable (Ahmad) and The Intercessor (As-Shafaat) for the believers on the day of Judgement.]

HINDU SCRIPTURES

“A foreign spritual teacher will appear with his companions. His name will be Mohammad...” [Maharisyi Vyasa/Bhavishya Puran/Prati Sarg Parv 111: 3, 3, 5-8.]

“... will be a man circumcised, keeping beard, creating a revolution, announcing the prayer-call. Eating all kind of animals except swine...they will be known as Musalman (Muslims). I (God) shall be the originator of this religion of the meat-eating nation.” [Bhavishya Puran/Shalokas: 10-27]

[That these refer to Muhammad and the Muslims are too obvious to require explanation.]

[The Kuntap Sukt of Atharva Veda prophesised, among other things, the Prophet’s name as Praiseworthy; his ten best companions; his hundred companions who migrated to Abbyssinia; the 313 companions who faught the Battle of Badr that saved Islam; and the 10,000 companions who conquered Mecca with him. But one must know Muhammad’s lifestory to understand the prophecies.]

“... the truthful, wise powerful and generous Mamah (Muhammad) has favoured me with his words...possessing all good attributes, the mercy for the worlds has become famous with ten thousand (companions).” [Atharva Veda].

BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES

“I am not the first Buddha who came upon the earth, nor shall I be the last. In due time another Buddha will arise in the world, a holy one, a supremely enlighten one, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of angels and mortals. He will reveal to you the same eternal truths which I have taught you. He will preach in his religion, glorious in its origin, glorious at its climax, and, glorious at the goal. He will proclaim. His disciples will number many thousands, while mine number many hundred. He will be known as Maitreya...” [The Gospel of Buddha by Carus].

[There are many claimants to this `Maitreya’: among them Shankaracharya, Jesus and Muhammad - each proposed by their followers or admirers. Shankaracharya is hardly known outside the Hindu world. Jesus did not have that many disciples, certainly not many thousands. Muhammad was an incomparable leader of man and had many thousands of companions/disciples. Among the meanings given to Maitreya are loving, kindness, benevolence, friendliness, compassionate, merciful, forgiveness, goodness, providence, etc. - precisely the same meaning for Rahmat (Arabic) which, for simplicity, is translated as mercy in the Prophet’s title of `Rahmat-ul-lil-Alamin’: mercy for all the Worlds. So Gautama Buddha was indeed talking about Muhammad.]

3. A PROPHET’S MISSION IS TO CONVEY GOD’S RELIGION, BUT THE LAST PROPHET’S MISSION MUST BE UNIVERSAL SINCE THERE WILL BE NO OTHER PROPHETS TO CONTINUE THE MISSION.

[The most famous men created arms, laws and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their very eyes. This man moved not only armies, legislation, empires, peoples and dynasties, but million of men in one-third of the then inhabited world; and more than that, he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and souls...his forbearance in victory, his ambition, which was entirely devoted to one idea and in no manner striving for an empire; his endless prayers, his mystic conversation with God, his death and his triumph after death, all this attest not to an impostor but to a firm conviction which gave him the power to restore a dogma.”

“This dogma was twofold, the unity of God and the immateriality of God; the former telling what God is, the latter telling what God is not; the one overthrowing false gods with the sword, the other starting an idea with the words.
- Lamartine/Histoire de la Turquie?Paris 1854

“Four years after the death of Justinian, A.D.569, was born at Mecca in Arabia, the man who, of all men, exercised the greatest influence upon the human race...”
- John William Draper/A History of the Intellectual Development of Europe/London 1875

“The Christians and their missionaries have presented a horrible picture of Islam. Not only that, they also carried out an organized and planned propaganda against the personality of Prophet Muhammad and the religion he preached. I have very carefully studied Islam and the life of its prophet. I have done so both as a student of history and as a critic, and have come to a conclusion that Mohammad was indeed a great man and a deliverer and benefactor of mankind...”

I have studied him - the wonderful man - and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of humanity.”

“I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving problems in a way that would bring the much-needed peace and happiness.”
- George Bernard Shaw/A Collection of Writings of Some Of the Eminent Scholars/1935

[Today Islam is already sweeping across Europe. While the churches are being abandoned all over Europe, for example less than 3% of Christians still go to church in England and many churches have been bought over and turned into mosques and temples, the rate of conversion to Islam has made it the fastest growing religion in England and Germany. It is already the second largest religion in France. Christians may argue that Christianity is more universal, with fifty percent more followers than Islam presently, and therefore Jesus has more right to the claim. However in the New Testament, Jesus himself proclaimed that he was sent only for the Jews (Matthew 15:24) and that there would be prophets after him, and that by their fruits (their deeds and the results of their deeds) we shall know whether these prophets are genuine or false.]

4. THE LAST PROPHET OF GOD MUST BE A PERFECT MODEL OF HIS TEACHINGS FOR HUMANITY TO FOLLOW, AND THIS EXEMPLARY CHARACTER MUST BE CONFIRMED BY INDEPENDENT OBSERVERS.

“It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great Prophet Of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet...”
- Annie Bessant (Theosophist/The Life & Teachings of Muhammad/Madras 1932.

“Our authorities all agree in ascribing to the youth of Muhammad a modesty of deportment and purity of manners rare among the people... refined mind and delicate taste, reserved and meditative...he received the title, by common consent, of al-Ameen, the trustworthy.”
- Sir William Muir/Life of Muhammad

“Muhammad was the soul of kindness, and his influence was felt and never forgotten by those around him.”
- Diwan Chand Sharma (Hindu scholar)/1935

“In the person of the Prophet of Islam the world has seen this rarest phenomenon (the union of the theorist, organiser, and leader in one man) on earth, walking in flesh and blood.”
- Prof. K S Ramakrishna Rao (Hindu Philosopher)/Muhammad - The Prophet of Islam.

“His readiness to undergo prosecutions for his beliefs, the high moral character of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as leader, and the greatness of his ultimate achievement - all argue his fundamental integrity. To suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems than it solved. Moreover, none of the great figures of history is so poorly appreciated in the West as Muhammad.”
- W. Montgomery/Mohammad at Mecca/Oxford 1953.

5. THE LAST PROPHET OF GOD MUST SUCCEED IN HIS MISSION AND THIS SUCCESS MUST NOT BE TRANSIENT DURING HIS LIFETIME OR ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME AFTER. GOD COULD NOT MAKE A MISTAKE. THE DIVINE MISSION MUST END IN SUCCESS.

“World’s Major Religions 1934-84: increase in number of adherents;

Judaism - 4%
Confucianism & Taoism - 13%
Christianity - 47%
Buddhism - 63%
Hinduism - 117%
Shintoism - 152%
Islam - 235%”

- Keith W. Stump/A Crucial Half Century of Religion/The Plain Truth.

[With a lead of about 600 years, there are now about 1.5 billion Christians to 1.0 billion Muslims. But by the year 2000, Muslims will outnumber Chatolics (who constitutes two-thirds of Christians). This has been acknowledged even by the Pope. At the rate of growth five times that of Christianity (as admitted by The Plain Truth, a Christian publication), Islam will be the largest religion well before the year 2500. It would have taken about 2000 Islamic calendar years for Muhammad’s (pbuh) prophecy (that Islam will become the largest world religion before the last day comes) to be fulfilled.]

“If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astounding results are the criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad?”
- Lamartine/Histoire de la Turquie?Paris 1854

“Mohammad was the most successful of all religious personalities.”
- Encyclopedia Britannica.

“Perhaps the greatest leader of all times was Muhammad.”
- Jules Masserman (professor, Chicago University USA)/Time Magazine/July 15, 1974

EPILOGUE

“Endless are the words which have been spoken to described his noble life and personality. I believe no one can fail to be moved or inspired by the magnificence of his radiance character; even Muhammad’s (pbuh) greatest enemies had to admit that no fault could be found in his behaviour or integrity. In addition, those Western scholars and historical figures who over the centuries were brave enough to gaze with an honest heart at the miracle of Muhammad’s (pbuh) life and achievements have testified to this.

Strange indeed, therefore, that so many people on the face of the earth today have little or no knowledge of the life and mission of this last great Prophet of God (pbuh) and his historical impact on the world we live in.”

Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens)

It is so ironical that although glowing tributes are paid to him for his integrity and achievements, his claim of being the Prophet of God has been rejected either explicitly or implicitly. Even those who wrote that his prophethood cannot be denied refused to embrace his teachings, his holy book, and his religion. Prejudice, bigotry and dogmatism are the bane of man that have caused him to slaughter thousands of prophets and wise preachers in the course of history.

Although non-Muslim are now more open to accepting objective commentaries and testimonies on Muhammad (pbuh) and Islam the damage done by the prejudicial and slanderous image of Muhammad (pbuh) and Islam promulgated by the Christian West, especially during the centuries of the crusades, is only now being gradually repaired and the greatness of this Prophet of God is being understood, as shown by the numerous testimonies quoted above. Unfortunately, the arrogance of man is still evident as this great yet humble and benevolent Prophet of God still continues to be ridiculed by nonbelievers and apostates today. The religion that he preached - Islam means Peace (and Submission to the Will of God) - also suffers the same fate from those who fail to realise the beauty of sublimity of its teachings - and that truly it is the only recourse for man to be saved from the multitudinous predicaments that he has got himself into.

God had sent Muhammad (pbuh) as a grace to the Worlds (by bringing the Quran, Islam and being the perfect model of the teachings); and Islam is the only religion (way of life) God approves of:

“We have sent you (o Muhammad) only as a mercy for all the worlds.” [Quran 21:107]

“And most certainly, you (o Muhammad) are most sublime and exalted character.” [Quran 68:4]

“Verily in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example to follow for him who believes in Allah and the Last Day, and always remembers Allah.” [Quran 33:21]

“Truly, the way of life (religion) in the Sight (approved by) of Allah is Islam.” [Quran 3:19]

“It is He who has sent his Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth. The he (Muhammad) may proclaim it over all religions. Even though the associators (those who associate false gods with Him) may detest.” [Quran 61:9]

Is it mere coincidence that Muhammad (pbuh) was everything the Quran said he would be, nearly 1400 years ago? He founded the first ever nation-state with a written constitution. He was the first to invite other great rulers of his time to submit to God. He is acknowledged by independent scholars as a great prophet, the most successful religious personality, the greatest leader, the most influential person and therefore the greatest man in history. The religion he founded is set to be the largest religion; and the Holy Book he brought remains the only book known to remain in its pristine original form after nearly fourteen centuries, and its authenticity, infallability, inerrancy, indefectability and absolute reliability remain unchallenged to this day.

The non-believer is beseeched to search his heart, question his own objectivity and sincerity, and examine the validity of his faith in the face of credible amount of evidence in support of Muhammad’s (pbuh) claim to be the last Prophet and Messenger of God.

The greatness of this Prophet will not be appreciated unless one knows the extent of his impact and influence upon humanity from his time, to the present, and into the future. This article is but a small attempt to inform the non-Muslim worlds that they should not ignore him; the greatest man with the greatest mission ever, whose stature and achievements remain unsurpassed in human history.

For further understanding of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) life, mission and achievements, the reader should refer to the numerous books written about him. A list of recommended books can be given by contacting RICOI.

[Compiled by Dr Amir Farid Isahak for RICOI] Sincere acknowledgements to the authors whose works have been freely quoted in this article.

RICOI

RICOI is a non-profit organisation dedicated towards research and propagation of Islamic information through publications, audio video, electronic media and the Internet.

RESEARCH & INFORMATION CENTRE ON ISLAM

Please address all enquiries to:

The Secretary, RICOI

17, Taman Zaaba,

Taman Tun Dr Ismail,

60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel/Fax: 03 719 6658

(e-mail) ricoi@po.jaring.my

Those interested in the references used in this article and Non-Muslims interested in dialogues/discussions can contact Dr Amir Farid at 03 704 8833 Pager 1300.

This article was first published in commemoration of the anniversary of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) on 12 Rabi’ul’awal 1417 (28 July 1996) and now republished again on 12 Rabi’ul’awal 1424 (13 May 2003). May Allah and his Messenger be pleased with our effort.

CHELSEA - DOUBLE CHAMPION

2010-05-17T18:19:00.001+08:00

FA CUP FINAL REACTION: TWICE AS NICE

Carlo Ancelotti identified Petr Cech's penalty save as the key moment in Saturday's FA Cup Final, which gave him the Double at his first attempt.

Speaking after the game at Wembley, the Italian was delighted to have achieved such success in his first season in English football. He already has his sights set on next season but will be celebrating with his squad before getting back to work.

'We have to celebrate this victory together I think because everyone put something [in] for winning this Double,' he said.

'I did not have a lot of problems this year with my job, always I could count on the support of my club, my owner, my players. This is not so difficult to manage.

'This is a fantastic victory for me, I am very happy in my first time here in England. I am lucky I had a very good career with fantastic clubs and this year I was happy to work in a fantastic club with a fantastic atmosphere. Everybody did a fantastic job and I thank everyone that worked with me this year.'

Things looked like they could go very wrong when Juliano Belletti tripped Aruna Dindane in the Chelsea area, following a first-half onslaught that had seen us hit the woodwork five times.

'[It was] strange to hit five posts in one half, very strange, and to concede a penalty. That was the key moment because if Portsmouth went 1-0 up it was more difficult for us, but Cech saved the penalty and we scored with Drogba, which made it more easy,' Ancelotti explained.

'It never happened in my career to hit five posts in one half. But we had to stay focused at the end of the first half and in the second to maintain control, try to attack and try to score.

'It was more difficult in the second half because we didn't start well and conceded a lot of fouls, the match was not in control at the start of the second half.

That was Portsmouth's best spell of the game, when Kevin-Prince Boateng fired over and then saw Cech save his spot kick. For Portsmouth manager Avram Grant it was a bitter pill to swallow.

The Israeli, who two years ago suffered heartache as our manager in the Champions League Final, was on the losing side again this afternoon, but like in Moscow had every reason to be proud of his side, who have achieved so much in the face of adversity this season.

'I think we deserved more, we had a penalty at the right time, chances at the right time, and a great chance in the first half,' he said. 'They [Chelsea] are a good team but I think everybody in Portsmouth can be proud with this, without many players.

'It was a very difficult season, a season I will not forget. I won a lot of games in my life, came to a lot of finals but this was unbelievable.'

It was Chelsea's day though, and Ancelotti is now able to reflect on a job well done over a few glasses of fresh orange.

'I always thought that I had fantastic players and a fantastic team, it has very good experience, I said this at the start of the season,' the 50-year-old said. 'I had on my hands a very good squad. Everyone gave their best. A lot of players played with continuity. When we had a difficult moment, we stayed compact and moved on quickly.

'[Now] I will follow my players and my friends. Juice, sure, fresh orange, and it is right to have a celebration. The team did a fantastic season, also a lot of players will go to the World Cup, others on holiday.

'For me it is right to have a holiday but I want to think about next season, to prepare well, how we prepared this season.'

Finally, there was also positive news on Michael Ballack, whose injury is not serious, and Ancelotti is sure he will be fit for South Africa.

Of course the World Cup will dominate the summer, but for now the big news is Chelsea, and a magnificent achievement. You can show your appreciation at Sunday's victory parade.

Rayo Rayo

2009-09-27T22:04:00.000+08:00

Rayo di mano-mano.

Selamat Membelog!

2009-09-26T23:33:00.001+08:00

Assalamualaikum semua..

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