Selamat Tahun Baru 1 Muharram

HikmahWp mengucapkan Selamat Tahun Baru 1 Muharram kepada seluruh warga HIKMAH SARAWAK. Kita berdoa agar Tahun Hijrah 1431 ini memberikan kita semua lebih kekuatan dan tenaga untuk merancang dan mengerakkan pertubuhan yang kita sayangi di semua peringkat dan daerah di Malaysia. Amin.

Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir dan Batin

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبرla ilaha illa Allah لا إله إلا اللهAllahu akbar, Allahu akbar الله أكبر الله أكبرwa li-illahi al-hamd ولله الحمد

Alhamdulillah, kita bersyukur ke hadrat Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala kerana sekali lagi kita telah diberikan Allah peluang untuk menyambut Hari Raya Adilfitri bersama ahli keluarga, sahabat dan orang yang tersayang setelah berjaya mengerjakan ibadah puasa pada bulan Ramadhan yang mulia.

Sungguhpun hari raya adalah hari kemenangan dan kegembiraan bagi ummat Islam yang telah mengerjakan ibadah puasa, namun agama kita menganjurkan supaya kita tidak lupa kepada latihan berdisiplin yang telah kita lalui pada bulan Ramadhan seperti menahan diri dari makan, minum, dan syahwat yang berlebihan. Setelah berakhirnya bulan Ramadhan kita juga harus sentiasa bertanya kepada diri kita sama ada kita masih mengerjakan solat secara rutin, bederma penuh keikhlasan dan berbuat baik kepada sanak saudara dan kenalan. Ini adalah antara ukuran yang digunakan untuk menentukan sama ada amalan dan ibadah puasa yang kita telah lalui telah memberi kesan ke atas kita.

Dalam masa kita sedang berseronok menyambut hari raya bersama ahli keluarga dan orang yang tersayang kita tidak patut lupa kepada mereka yang kurang bernasib baik, fakir miskin, anak2 yatim dan umat islam yang sedang menderita kerana peperangan di Afghanistan, Chechnya, Asia Tengah, Iraq dan Negara Palestin.

Bagi pihak ahli-ahli HIKMAH WP saya ingin mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mengucapkan Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir dan Batin kepada semua warga HIKMAH di Sarawak dan Semenanjung Malaysia dan di mana sahaja mereka berada.

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbarwa li-illahi al-hamd
Sekian wabillahi taufik wal hidayah wasalaamualaikum wr.wb.

Dr Awang Hasmadi Awang Mois,
Pengerusi HIKMAH WP
(21 September 2009 dari BSB)

Spekulasi Tentang Pegangan Agama Idola Pop Dunia

What Jermaine Jackson REALLY Said About Michael at His Press Conference
Friday June 26, 2009

Categories: Celebrities

Earlier today Jermaine Jackson gave a press conference addressing the few known details surrounding his brother Michael's death. At the end of his emotional speech he says, "May Allah be with you Michael, always."

Interestingly enough, many media outlets, including The New York Times and ABC News Australia are misquoting this expression of faith.

The New York Times claims the quote was, "We all loved being with you Michael, always" whereas ABC News Australia says it was, "'May our love be with you always, brother."

Michael Jackson reportedly converted to Islam in late 2008 after he took the shahada, or oath of Islamic faith, in Los Angeles at a friend's home. He had been raised a Jehovah's Witness--which he spoke about in depth in an essay he wrote for Beliefnet in 2000. Jermaine became a Muslim in 1989. Check out the video of the press conference. What do you hear him say?

Source: Beliefnet

Menyambut 40 Tahun tertubuhnya BINA-HIKMAH di Putra Jaya, Kuching, Sarawak.

29 Jamadilakhir 1430H/23 Jun 2009 M

Bismillahirahmanirrahmin,

Assalamualaikum WrWb.

Saya percaya hampir seluruh anggota HIKMAH di Sarawak dan Wilayah Persekutuan telah menunggu-nunggu kemunculan 23 Jun 2009 kerana tarikh tersebut adalah tarikh yang cukup istimewa kepada kita semua kerana ia adalah tarikh yang telah dipersetujui oleh pucuk kepimpinan HIKMAH dan pihak kerajaan negeri Sarawak untuk merai hari ulang tahun BINA-HIKMAH, sebuah pertubuhan dakwah Islam yang sudah tidak asing lagi kepada penduduk negeri Sarawak sama ada mereka masih di peringkat usia muda Tadika maupun yang masih berkhidmat dengan kerajaan berkereta lawa ataupun yang sudah pension dan berkerusi roda. Bagi ahli-ahli BINA-HIKMAH sama ada yang sudah tua maupun yang masih segar dan muda, ini adalah hari kebesaran dan kebanggaan kita kerana akhirnya pertubuhan kesayangan kita - walaupun telah banyak kali dipukul ombak dan badai samudera – sampai juga ke satu lagi pelabuhan impiannya sarat dengan pelbagai rancangan dan penuh dengan seribu harapan. Dalam hati Muslim dan Muslimah yang bergerak aktif dalam pertubuhan yang bernama BINA-HIKMAH saya percaya kita cukup bersyukur kepada Allah SWT, kita cukup gembira, bahagia dan pada masa yang sama insaf bahawa pertubuhan kita sudah hampir tercapai matlamat asalnya untuk menyebarkan syiar Islam di negeri Sarawak di samping memaju dan meningkatkan kualiti martabat bangsa dan agama.

Bercakap secara ikhlas mungkin ramai pemimpin dan penduduk negeri Sarawak yang kurang yakin tentang keupayaan dan daya tahan sebuah pertubuhan Islam yang telah diilham dan diasaskan oleh salah seorang pemimpin veteran kita iaitu YABhg Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Ya’kub. Tetapi YABhg Tun Datuk Patinggi bukan sebarang dan calang-calang orangnya. Bagi ramai pengkaji dan pemerhati beliau adalah seorang anak Sarawak yang telah dianugerahi Allah dengan ciri-ciri peribadi yang cukup istimewa dari segi kebolehan, pendidikan, pemikiran, sifat keilmuan dan pengetahuan tentang masyarakat dan kemanusiaan untuk mencorakkan masa-depan bangsa dan orientasi pertubuhan agama yang ingin diwujudkannya. Justru pada suatu ketika dulu pelbagai perkara telah diperkata dan tohmah telah dilempar ke atas pertubuhan kesayangan para belia dan remaja Islam yang bernama BINA pada peringkat awal sejarah pertumbuhan dan perkembangannya. Ramai yang tertanya-tertanya apa sebenarnya tujuan BINA – nak main muzikkah, nak belajar bersilatkah, belajar bernasyidkah atau nak bagi ruang kepada teruna dan dara bertukar pandangan dan bergaul mesra.

Sebenarnya memang ramai belia dan remaja bangsa yang menyertai BINA kerana bermacam jenis suka – suka bermain di samping belajar dan membaca muzik, suka exercise atau beriadah – suka silat berbunga atau belajar seni mempertahankan diri dengan pergerakan istimewa ala-Jepang melalui aikido dan tidak kurang juga yang suka dengan BINA kerana kagum dengan khutbah, tazkirah dan kuliah yang diberikan oleh pemimpinnya yang cukup handal dan sungguh mempersonakan iaitu YABhg Tun Datuk Patinggi Hj Abdul Rahman sama ada di Dewan Masyarakat di Jalan Hj Taha, di tempat kediaman rasminya di sekitar Taman Muzium ataupun di Rumah Sarawak, di Jalan Maxwell, Kuala Lumpur. Oleh kerana adanya keyakinan di kalangan ramai anak bangsa terhadap BINA maka BINA yang mulanya wujud di Kuching telah berkembang dan mula bertapak di Jalan Pantai Baru Kuala Lumpur dengan disertai oleh pelajar-pelajar Islam Sarawak yang menuntut di Universiti Malaya dan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Kini impian dan harapan Tun Datuk Patinggi Hj. Abdul Rahman Ya’kub untuk melihat golongan terpelajar BINA untuk turut menabur bakti dan menyumbang tenaga kepada masyarakat dan agama mereka di Sarawak sudah pun terlaksana. Tugas seterusnya ialah untuk memantapkan pengurusan, perancangan dan kegiatan pertubuhan kita supaya pertubuhan yang bernama BINA-HIKMAH yang kita cintai bukan sahaja dapat membantu memperbaiki kualiti hidup penduduk dan masyarakat Islam di negeri Sarawak malah suatu hari kelak boleh bergerak cepat untuk membantu masyarakat dan komuniti Islam di negara lain yang ditimpa bencana, kesusahan dan pelbagai penderitaan. Amin.

Dr Awang Hasmadi Awang Mois,

Pengerusi HikmahWP & Ahli MT HIKMAH Sarawak.

Bangi. Selangor.

Sejarah Awal BINA-HIKMAH dan Cawangan2nya

Bagi mereka yang belum tahu atau sudah lupa sejarah pertubuhan yang bernama HIKMAH ada baiknya kita mengingat kembali beberapa perkara pokok tentang pertubuhan kita.

Nama asal pertubuhan ini adalah Angkatan Nahdatul Islam Bersatu. Di kalangan penduduk Islam negeri Sarawak ia lebih terkenal dengan akronym atau nama ringkasnya BINA. Ditubuhkan pada 3hb Mei 1968 pertubuhan ini telah didaftarkan secara rasminya pada tanggal 3 April 1969.

Pada peringkat awal sejarahnya BINA mula aktif di Kuching melalui BINA Cawangan Kuching. Seterunya BINA telah berkembang sehingga memiliki 30 Cawangan di seluruh negeri Sarawak dan Semenanjung termasuk: (i) Cawangan Kuching;(ii) Cawangan Simanggang (Sri Aman); (iii) Cawangan Kelaka; (iv) Cawangan Sibu; (v) Cawangan Miri; (vi) Cawangan Simunjan; (vii) Cawangan Sarikei; (viii) Cawangan Lawas; (ix) Cawangan Limbang; (x) Cawangan Bintangor; (xi) Cawangan Bintulu; (xii) Cawangan Lundu; (xiii) Mukah; (xiv) Maktab Perguruan Rejang dan BINA Cawangan Universiti Malaya.

Antara pencapaian utama BINA pada peringkat awal sejarahnya ialah pengislaman Tuan Yang Terutama Yang DiPertua Negeri Sarawak , Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Mohd Salahuddin dan keluarganya. Daripada 30 cawangan yang telah ditubuhkan ada beberapa buah Cawangan atau bahagian yang masih aktif atau separa-aktif. Kita harap menjelang Ulang Tahun 40 BINA-HIKMAH yang akan datang ada kesedaran baru di kalangan anak2 Islam Sarawak untuk menyertai semula pertubuhan Islam negeri yang telah banyak berjasa kepada anggota masyarakat Islam di negeri kita dengan cara mendaftar dan turut serta dalam kegiatan2 yang akan diadakan oleh HIKMAH PUSAT maupun Bahagian dan Cawangannya.

Oleh

Dr A. H. Awang Mois

Miri, Sarawak 9 Mei 2009

Apa Yang Telah Tersiar Mengenai Selsema Khinzir (Swine Flu)

Swine Flu: Your Questions Answered

Almost 90 years ago, the Spanish influenza killed tens of millions of people worldwide (estimates range from 20 to 100 million). Well, a lot has changed in medicine since 1918, but one thing remains the same—when a new strain of virus, as this current swine flu is, spreads from human to human, as this one has, it can quickly escalate from isolated outbreak to epidemic or worse, a pandemic.

In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alert level for this flu to Phase 5, "a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent." But as Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO added, “On the positive side, the world is better prepared for an influenza pandemic than at any time in history.”

In the U.S., there have been 109 reported cases with one confirmed fatality. "The more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S.," warned a statement issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Most people will not have immunity to this new virus and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks."

The experts are still gathering information about this strain of flu. But here are the basics about the swine flu, what it is, how it is spread, along with preventative measures we can all take to reduce the risk of catching this--or any other--virus. We will keep you up to date as the news develops.

What is swine flu?

It's a respiratory disease caused by type A (H1N1) influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People don't normally get swine flu, but, as evidenced in this latest epidemic, human infections can and do happen.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?

Yes, and it can spread from human to human. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not yet know how easily the virus spreads between people.

Are swine flu and seasonal flu the same the same or different?

The symptoms of swine flu cases in the United States to date have been similar to routine seasonal flu; they include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, muscle pain and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting as well. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions The incubation period is still unknown, but is likely similar to seasonal flu (1-7 days). Patients with swine flu are considered infectious for seven (7) days following the onset of symptoms.

How does swine flu spread?

It's believed that the swine flu virus is spreading in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. That is, mainly by an infected person coughing or sneezing. Individuals may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.


What should I do to keep from getting any kind of flu?

First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

Yes. The CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (brand name Relenza®). Both are prescription drugs for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine flu viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?

People with the swine flu virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to seven (7) days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

The virus can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?We know that some viruses and bacteria can live two (2) hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent hand-washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. • Try to avoid close contact with sick people. • If you get sick with the flu, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. We recommend that when you wash your hands with soap and warm water that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where swine flu cases have been identified and become ill with flu-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, contact your doctor. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen • Sudden dizziness • Confusion • Severe or persistent vomiting In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: • Fast breathing or trouble breathing • Bluish skin color • Not drinking enough fluids • Not waking up or not interacting • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough • Fever with a rash

How serious is swine flu infection?

Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious and some new deaths have been reported.
Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?

No. The swine flu viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

I need to travel; what should I do?

At this time, the CDC recommends that U.S. travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico, the epicenter of the swine flu. If you are planning travel to countries or states impacted by the swine flu, the following recommendations will help you to reduce your risk of infection and stay healthy:

• Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations, including seasonal influenza vaccine if available.
• Identify the health-care resources in the area(s) you will be visiting.
• During your visit to an area affected by swine flu monitor the local situation.
• Pay attention to announcements from the local government.
• Follow local public health guidelines, including any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.
• Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of influenza, i.e., wash your hands often with soap and water. This removes germs from your skin and helps prevent diseases from spreading. • Use waterless alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a wastebasket.
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel.
• Follow all local health recommendations. For example, you may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others.

• Seek medical care if you feel sick.

• If you become sick with a fever plus a cough and sore throat or have trouble breathing, seek medical care right away. Tell the doctor if you have had contact with a sick person or farm animals while traveling.

• Antiviral Medications: You may want to ask your doctor for prescription antiviral medications to take on your trip as a precaution since the seasonal influenza vaccine is not expected to protect against infection with swine flu viruses. The CDC recommends two prescription influenza antiviral drugs to treat and/or prevent swine flu. The drugs are oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (brand name Relenza®). Both are prescription drugs that fight against swine flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. These drugs can prevent infection if taken as a preventative. If you get sick, they can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious health problems from developing. For treatment, the drugs work best if started within two (2) days of getting sick. Talk to your doctor about correct indications for treatment or prevention. Always seek medical care if you are severely ill.

• You should avoid further travel until you are free of symptoms, unless traveling locally for medical care.

• After you return from your trip: Pay close attention to your health for ten days. If you become sick with a fever plus a cough, sore throat or have trouble breathing during this 10-day period, see a doctor. When you make the appointment, tell the doctor your symptoms, where you traveled, and if you have had close contact with a sick person or farm animals. This way, he or she can be aware that you have traveled to an area reporting swine Influenza.
• Do not travel when you are sick, unless it is to get medical care. By limiting contact with others as much as possible, you can help prevent the spread of an infectious illness.
Adapted from materials by the CDC.

Source and courtesy Thirdage.com

TAKZIAH buat Ketua Menteri Sarawak

Klik di sini

~ UCAPAN TAKZIAH ~

Seluruh warga HIKMAH WP mengucapkan takziah kepada Pehin Seri Hj Abdul Taib Mahmud atas kembali ke rahmatullahnya isteri beliau, Puan Seri Laila Taib petang tadi.

Semuga rohnya dicucuri rahmat.

~ AL-FATIHAH ~

Menjelang Sambutan 40 Tahun BINA-HIKMAH oleh YAB KM

Antara tanggal 27 April 2009 dan 26 Mei 2009 ahli-ahli kommuniti HIKMAH SARAWAK di seluruh Malaysia mempunyai kira-kira empat minggu lagi untuk turut serta dalam Majlis Pelancaran Sambutan 40 Tahun BINA-HIKMAH oleh YAB KM Sarawak di Petra Jaya, Kuching, Sarawak. Pihak pentadbiran HIKMAH telah mengatur beberapa acara yang akan diadakan untuk majlis tersebut dan tiap-tiap bahagian/cawangan HIKMAH di seluruh Malaysia telah dijemput untuk turut serta dalam acara-acara yang diadakan kelak.

Sungguhpun HIKMAH SARAWAK telah menghadapi pelbagai dugaan dan cabaran dalam perjalanannya laporan-laporan yang telah disiarkan oleh Bahagian2 Hikmah Sarawak di seluruh negeri Sarawak menunjukkan bahawa HIKMAH SARAWAK masih aktif dan cukup giat dalam beberapa usaha dakwah dan pendidikan di peringkat TADIKA. Di peringkat HIKMAH PUSAT pihak pentadbiran sedang mengatur rancangan untuk menghidupkan pusat latihan dakwah HIKMAH SARAWAK di sebuah kawasan yang berdekatan dengan Bandaraya Kuching.

Selain itu pihak pentadbiran juga sedang mengatur satu projek yang dinamakan sebagai Dakwah Kembara HIKMAH sedikit masa. Projek "Dakwah Kembara" ini adalah satu program yang bercorak multi-dimensional dan melibatkan pelbagai pihak. Projek seperti ini pernah dibincangkan oleh AJK PUSAT HIKMAHWP dalam satu perjumpaan yang tidak formal pada awal tahun 2009. Kita berharap beberapa orang AJK HIKMAHWP yang telah menyatakan minat pada perjumpaan informal pada bulan Februari 2009 akan bersedia untuk mengikuti projek yang akan diadakan di Sarawak sedikit masa lagi.

Kita berharap sebelum pihak HIKMAH PUSAT mengadakan program tersebut Bahagian/Cawangan Hikmah di seluruh negara akan dimaklumkan tentang beberapa cadangan tarikh yang sesuai untuk diadakan program tersebut supaya ramai ahli HIKMAH SARAWAK di seluruh Malaysia dapat turut serta. Dalam mesyuarat MT yang telah diadakan pada 3-4 April 2009 baru-baru ini pihak YDP Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Abdul Aziz telah menyeru supaya semua AJK MT turut serta. Kita berharap semua AJK MT dan ahli-ahli lain menyambut baik seruan YDP Tan Sri Datuk Amar kita.

oleh

Dr A.H. Awang Mois

BSB

Untuk Mereka Yang ingin Tahu Tentang Islam di Hawaii

Islam in Hawai'i
by Aziz Poonwalla
Tuesday April 21, 2009

I am attending the ISMRM conference in Honolulu this week, which is why I've been understandably distracted these past few days :) I was rather curious about the muslim presence here in paradise, and it turns out that Hawai'i has a very vibrant muslim community. In hindsight this should have been obvious, given that Hawai'i is culturally and georaphically as connected to Southeast Asia as it is to the mainland United States. Due to its crossroads status, there is a tremendous diversity here, even more so than muslim communities in large cities on the mainland, because of the infusion of culture from east as west. In fact, this diversity has actually been a source of conflict, a microcosm of the cultural and religious dfferences of the global Ummah itself...Sila Ke Islamerica

Source: Beliefnet.com

Blogging Bukan Tugas Utamaku...

Assalamualaikum WRWB,

Dengan menyebut nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah lagi Maha Penyayang,

Sdr/i sesama dalam Hikmah Sarawak dan yang bukan anggota Hikmah di mana sahaja saudara/i berada,

Ada beberapa orang pengunjung dan kawan sesama HIKMAH yang sentiasa berharapan tinggi tentang apa yang seorang pengendali blog bernama HikmahWP ini boleh lakukan untuk menambah jumlah hits maupun pengunjung ke blog ini.

Blog ini sebenarnya bukan bermatlamatkan mendapat HITS kerana tujuan seperti ini mungkin akan memesongkan kita dari matlamat pertama dan utama pertubuhan kita sebagai sebuah badan dakwah yang tidak berhasrat untuk mencari populariti. Blog ini telah diadakan khusus untuk menyiarkan berita penting berhubung dengan KEGIATAN HIKMAH SARAWAK yang dulunya benama BINA.

Dalam kes Blog HikmahWP tujuan kita mengadakan blog ini adalah untuk menyiarkan berita tentang kegiatan yang dilakukan oleh Hikmah Cawangan atau Bahagian kita di Wilayah Persekutuan. Ini bermakna ada kegiatan adalah laporan atau tulisan yang boleh kita siarkan untuk mengisikan ruangan di blog yang ada. Secara logiknya juga tidak ada kegiatan tidak ada laporan atau tulisan yang boleh kita siarkan.

Untuk mengelakkan blog ini daripada terbiar dan menjadi terlalu kosong maka saya selaku pengendali blog ini telah mengisikan blog ini dengan beberapa artikel yang diambil dari blog lain yang ada kaitannya dengan Islam dan menyentuh nasib masyarakat yang mengaku dan bernama Islam, tidak kira di mana mereka berada. Ini termasuklah memuatnaikkan salinan khutbah yang pernah disiarkan sama ada dari Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat Indonesia maupun salinan khutbah dari Negara Brunei Darussalam, tempat saya bekerja, kerana isu-isu atau topik-topik yang dibicarakan oleh Ustaz-Ustaz, Khatib-Khatib maupun pendakwah-pendakwah Islam ini tidak kira dari mana datangnya semuanya hampir sama sahaja. Adakalanya blog ini juga diisi dengan artikel2 dari blog atau lama web lain yang cukup relevan dan berguna kepada pendawah atau dakwah di negara yang majoriti penduduknya bukan Islam kerana artikel2 ini menceritakan bagaimana seseorang yang bukan Islam di sebuah negara bukan Islam seperti Amerika Syarikat akhirnya memeluk agama Islam hanya kerana dia tertarik dengan cara orang yang beragama Islam menguruskan jenazah mengikut hukum Islam.

Teman dan kawan yang pernah mengendalikan blog ini telah menyerahkan tugas mengendalikan blog ini kepada saya kerana beliau juga seorang manusia biasa yang banyak tugas harian lain untuk disempurnakan. Seperti saya dia adalah seorang manusia dan insan biasa yang telah dianugerahkan ALlah 24 jam (24 HOURS) sahaja sehari untuk mengendalikan pelbagai tugas dan tanggungjawab yang utama untuk majikan dan juga keluarga. Jadi untuk kawan2 di luar sana dan juga mereka yang berada di dalam persatuan yang sama apa sahaja yang ternampak dan termuat di blog ini anggaplah itu sahaja yang terdaya oleh kita dengan mengambilkira jumlah masa yang ada, jumlah kegiatan yang boleh dilaporkan dan tugas utama yang harus dilaksanakan. Sebagai pengendali blog sebuah badan dakwah seperti HIKMAH Sarawak, kita tertakluk kepada tujuan dan matlamat asal pertubuhan kita iaitu berdakwah dan menyampaikan berita yang ada hubungan dengan keadaan, masalah dan harapan masyarakat Islam.

Bagi pengunjung yang telah membuat complaint bahawa blog ini terlalu akademik sila beritahu atau tunjukkan kepada kita secara ikhlas apa muatan di blog ini yang saudara/i ingin adakan. Adakah saudara/i inginkan muatan yang bercorak hiburan atau gossip2 yang ingin dikongsikan dengan kawan? Seperti yang telah dimaklumkan blog ini adalah blog milik sebuah pertubuhan dakwah dan apa yang tersiar di blog ini harus akur kepada tujuan dan matlamat perjuangan pertubuhan kita sebagai sebuah pertubuhan dakwah.

Kepada rakan2 di dalam HikmahWP sekali lagi saya nyatakan blog ini bukannya blog peribadi Pengerusi HikmahWP. Blog ini blog kita semua, blog kita bersama. Sama-samalah kita tolong mengisikannya dengan sumbangan tulisan atau laporan. Usahlah ditanya apa sumbangan teman seperti saya sahaja, tanya juga sumbangan diri anda kepada blog yang sedia ada. Ingatilah prinsip perjuangan pertubuhan kita: Inna solati wanusukii wa mahyaaya wa mamaatiililaahirabbil 'aalamiin.

Saya sudahi dengan sebuah firman Allah SWT dalam Surah 103 Al-'Asr

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

By (the Token of) Time (through the Ages),

Verily Man is in Loss,

Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual of Truth,

and of Patience and Constancy.

Terjemahannya

Demi masa,

Sesungguhnya manusia itu benar-benar berada dalam kerugian,

Kecuali orang-orang yang beriman dan mengerjakan amal salih dan nasihat menasihati supaya menepati kesabaran.

Wabillahiitaufikwalhidayah Wasalamualaikum WRWB,

Dr Awang Hasmadi Awang Mois,

BSB.

Manusia dan Tugas Yang Sering Dilupainya

Bismillaahir rohmaanir rohim

Pada pagi Jumaat 17 April 2009 bersamaan 21 Rabiul Akhir 1430 Hijrah yang mulia dan indah ini ada baiknya kita sebagai manusia dan insan yang telah dijadikan oleh Allah Yang Maha Berkuasa bertanya diri kita beberapa soalan yang mudah sahaja untuk mempastikan kehidupan kita di muka bumi ini cukup bermakna dan tidak sebaliknya menjadi seperti kiambang yang hanyut ke sini dan ke sana sia-sia sahaja.

Kita mungkin boleh bermula dengan soalan "Siapa Saya?" atau dalam Bahasa Melayu Sarawak (BMS) Sapa Aku Tok? atau Apa Aku Tok ? Soalan yang kedua ialah "Kenapa Saya" atau BMS "Kenaknya AKU-kah?". Seterusnya kita boleh bertanya lagi "Jadi bagaimana ini?" "Apa Nak Buat Ni?", atau BMS Jadi Macam Ney Tok? atau "Apa Nak Polah Tok?" Lepas itu kita boleh bertanya diri lagi "Jadi Bila Agaknya?" atau BMS "Bila Nak Mulakah?" dan seterusnya "Di Mana Nak Mulakah?" atau BMS "Di Seney Nak Mulakah?"

Dalam pengajaran Kaedah Penyelidikan Sains Sosial (Social Science Research Methodology) kaedah pertanyaan seperti ini sering dirumuskan sebagai formula 5W1H - five (or four Ws and 1 H - seperti Who, What, Why, When Where and How. Bagi seorang pelajar sains sosial sama ada dia berada di peringkat BA, MA atau PhD formula ini cukup berguna kerana formula ini memudahkan kerja memahami sesuatu fenomena sama ada fenomena itu berupa sesuatu masalah sosial seperti pelacuran, penganguran atau fenomena lain seperti devians sosial, devians agama maupun konflik agama maupun konflik kaum.

Dalam konteks agama Islam formula ini juga harus kita pakai untuk memahami kenapa kita berada di bumi yang begitu luas (tetapi kecil) ini dan apa tujuan kita berada di muka bumi ini. Kaedah seperti ini perlu dipakai supaya perjalanan hidup kita lebih senang difahami dan tanggungjawab kita sebagai mahluk yang telah dijadikan Allah lebih senang dimengerti. Saya mengajak para pengunjung blog ini turut sama memikir dan merenungi persoalan-persoalan yang saya timbulkan di sini kerana persoalan-persoalan ini adalah isu lama tetapi sering dilupai oleh kita mahluk bernama manusia seperti saya dan juga anda atau awda.

Firman Allah subhanu wataala dalam surah al-Baqarah ayat 30 yang bermaksud:

"Ingatlah ketika Tuhanmu berfirman kepada para malaikat: Sesungguhnya Aku hendak menjadikan seorang khalifah di muka ini".

Dan semua kita tahu siapa yang telah dijadikan Allah untuk menjadikan khalifah di muka bumi ini; tidak lain - Nabi Allah Adam - datok kepada segala datok manusia seperti saya dan juga pengunjung seperti anda dan awda.

Apakah tugas sebenar manusia seperti saya dan saudara sebagai seorang pemimpin di muka bumi yang sebegitu luas dan kecil ini? Hanya sekadar bertanya di ruangan ShoutMix Chat ini soalan2 senda dan lucu akan tugas pengendali blog apa dia nak buat dengan blog yang tidak sepertinya ini? Blog ini bagi Allah SWT hanya perkara yang halus dan kecil saja. Tapi yang lebih besar ialah persoalan dan peringatan yang telah ditinggalkan untuk kita semua dari junjungan Nabi Muhammad SAW seperti yang diriwayatkan oleh al-Imam Bukhari dan Muslim dari Ibnu Umar radiallahuma yang bermaksud:

"Ketahuilah! Setiap kamu adalah pemimpin, dan setiap pemimin bertangungjawab ke atas sesuatu yang berada di bawah peliharaannya. Seorang amir adalah pemimpin kepada manusia dan bertanggungjawab ke atas mereka. Seorang lelaki adalah pemimpin kepada ahli keluarganya dan bertanggungjawab ke atas mereka. Seorang wanita pula adalah pemimpin kepada orang-orang yang berada di rumah suaminya dan anak-anak suaminya dan beranggungjawab ke atas mereka. Manakala hamba adalah pengurus kepada harta tuannya dan bertanggungjawab ke atasnya. Ketahuilah, setiap kamu adalah pemimpin dan bertanggungjawab ke atas orang yang berada di bawah pimpinannya".

WaAllahuaklambisawab

Wabillahitaufikwalhidayah Wasalaamualaikum WRWB

Sumbangan dan tulisan

Pengurusi Hikmah WP,
Awang Hasmadi Awang Mois, PhD (Cambridge)
UBD,
BSBegawan

HikmahWP Menyambut Maulidur Rasul Dengan Usrah

Seperti yang telah dirancangkan pada bulan Februari 2009 HikmahWp telah mula mengisi Kalendar Aktiviti Tahun Hijri 1430 (2009) dengan satu Majlis Usrah. Majlis Usrah I HikmahWP telah diketuai oleh Sdr Ibn Mahmud, dari Wilayah Persekutuan Putra Jaya. Sungguhpun kawasan petang/malam Sabtu 7hb Mac cukup sesak dengan kegiatan pasar malam Bandar Baru Bangi yang terkenal "orang-orang kuat" HikmahWp TYPM, SU, SU Perhubungan dan Al-Ustaz Ibn Mahmud sendiri telah berulang kali menghantar SMS kepada rakan-rakan dari Bangi dan BSB untuk hadir.

Syukur alhamdulillah dengan izinNya ALlah maka majlis telah dapat diadakan seperti yang dirancang dengan dihadiri oleh enam ahli dewasa selaku AJK dan seorang ahli muda. Selepas sembahyang Maghrib berjemaah, Ustaz Ibn Mahmud telah memulakan majlis Usrah dengan mengingat dan merenung kembali Kitab Suci AL-Quran dengan menumpukan perhatian kepada isi kandungan Surah Al-Baqara dengan fokus kepada ayat 31.

PENGUMUMAN

Assalamualaikum,

Kepada semua para pengunjung dan khususnya kepada mereka yang telah mendaftar untuk menjadi ahli Hikmah WP pada majlis Jamuan Hari Aidul Fitri tahun 2008 yang telah lalu. Hikmah WP sedang merancang untuk mengadakan satu majllis perjumpaan tahunan di Bandar Baru Bangi, mungkin pada awal Mac 2009 ini untuk tujuan berkenal-kenalan dan mengerat hubungan siratulrahim antara para ahli dan AJK Hikmah WP. Tujuan sebenar kita ingin mengadakan majlis ini ialah untuk sama-sama membincang beberapa aktiviti yang boleh kita jalankan di Semenanjung dan khususnya di negeri asal kita Sarawak untuk menghidup dan menggerakkan persatuan kita sebagai sebuah Cawangan dan Bahagian HIKMAH SARAWAK. Kerjasama kalian semua amatlah kami hargai. Sekian dan terima kasih untuk sokongan kalian. Untuk sebarang pertanyaan dan cadangan sila hantar e-mel di alamat berikut:

hikmahwp@gmail.com

Terima kasih,

Pengerusi HikmahWP

Khutbah Jumaat dari BSB: Amalan Membaca

Amalan Membaca
Kategori : Jumaat (16-May-2008)
10hb Jamadilawal 1429H

AMALAN MEMBACA

Muslimin yang dirahmati Allah,

Marilah kita sama-sama meningkatkan keimanan dan ketaqwaan kita kepada Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala dengan melakukan segala suruhan-Nya dan meninggalkan segala larangan-Nya dengan penuh keyakinan dan keikhlasan. Mudah-mudahan kita menjadi insan yang bertaqwa dan beriman serta selamat di dunia dan di akhirat.

Firman Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala dalam Surah Az-Zumar ayat 9 tafsirnya :

"Katakanlah lagi kepadanya : Adakah sama orang-orang yang mengetahui dengan orang-orang yang tidak mengetahui? Sesungguhnya orang-orang yang dapat mengambil pelajaran dan peringatan hanyalah orang-orang yang berakal sempurna".

Ilmu merupakan anugerah Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala yang amat besar faedahnya kepada umat manusia. Ia merupakan cahaya yang menerangi kegelapan. Tanpa ilmu, hidup manusia setentunya dalam kejahilan dan kemunduran. Tidak ada masyarakat yang berjaya dan maju tanpa adanya ilmu pengetahuan. Kerana itu di dalam al-Qur'an telah menyebutkan perkataan yang berkaitan dengan ilmu pengetahuan tidak kurang dari 755 kali, bahkan khusus perkataan ilmu sahaja tidak kurang 105 kali disebutkan. Memandangkan ilmu itu amat penting dalam kehidupan manusia, maka kerana itulah agama Islam mewajibkan umatnya supaya menuntut ilmu sebagaimana sabda Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam maksudnya :

"Dari Annas bin Malik ia berkata : Sabda Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam : Menuntut ilmu adalah satu kefarduan (wajib) ke atas setiap Muslim". (Riwayat Al-Imam Ibnu Majah)

Menuntut ilmu juga merupakan suatu ibadah yang dijanjikan ganjaran yang sangat tinggi di sisi Allah Subhanahu Wata�ala. Sabda Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam maksudnya :

"Dari Abi Hurairah Radiallahuanhu ia berkata : Sabda Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam : Barangsiapa yang menempuh satu jalan untuk mencari ilmu pengetahuan maka Allah akan mempermudahkan baginya suatu jalan untuk menuju ke syurga". (Riwayat Al-Imam At-Termidzi)

Telah tercatat dalam sejarah bahawa ilmu itu faktor utama yang menjana kemajuan dan temadun kepada sesebuah kerajaan, contohnya sebagaimana yang telah berlaku pada zaman kerajaan Bani Abasiyah yang berpusat di Baghdad khususnya semasa pemerintahan Khalifah Harun Al-Rasyid dan Khalifah Al-Ma'mun. Pada ketika itu Kota Baghdad telah menjadi sebagai pusat ilmu pengetahuan. Ilmu-ilmu agama seperti tafsir, hadis dan fikah telah berkembang dengan pesatnya. Di samping itu ilmu-ilmu bukan agama seperti sains, falsafah, perubatan dan matematik juga turut dikembangkan yang antaranya diperolehi dengan cara menterjemah buku-buku dari bahasa Yunani dan India ke dalam bahasa Arab.

Muslimin yang dirahmati Allah,

Kita semua tahu betapa ilmu itu sangat berharga tetapi untuk memperolehinya tidaklah begitu susah kerana ilmu ada di mana-mana, terserah kepada kita, mahu atau tidak untuk menuntutnya. Tetapi perlulah kita ingat bahawa orang yang memiliki ilmu dan menjadikannya sebagai harta adalah sangat beruntung kerana ilmu itu adalah cahaya dan harta yang tidak akan hilang dan habis, lain halnya dengan harta dan wang ringgit akan berkurang dan habis jika digunakan. Demikianlah kedudukan ilmu dalam kehidupan manusia.

Sebenarnya jika ada kemahuan di situ ada jalan. Jika kita mahu ilmu, banyak cara boleh dilakukan untuk mencapainya, misalnya dengan amalan membaca, perkara ini diperkukuhkan lagi dengan turunnya wahyu pertama yang diterima oleh Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam semasa di Gua Hira' sebagaimana dalam Surah Al 'Alaq ayat 1-5 tafsirnya :

"Wahai Muhammad bacalah dengan nama Tuhanmu yang menciptakan sekalian makhluk, Dia menciptakan manusia dari sebuku darah beku, bacalah dan Tuhanmu yang Maha Pemurah, yang mengajar manusia melalui pena dan tulisan, dia mengajarkan manusia apa yang tidak diketahuinya".

Berdasarkan ayat tersebut menunjukkan betapa membaca merupakan faktor yang penting dalam menimba ilmu pengetahuan kerana dengan membaca, pengetahuan akan bertambah dan minda akan berkembang. Kemudahan ke arah itu ternyata begitu luas, lebih-lebih lagi pada zaman ini banyak bahan-bahan bacaan boleh diperolehi dengan mudah dan cepat, terserah kepada kita untuk memilih bahan-bahan yang hendak dibaca. Pembaca yang bijak setentunya akan memilih bahan-bahan bacaan yang bermanfaat dan berfaedah seperti bahan-bahan berbentuk ilmiah, yang mengandungi info dan maklumat, pengajaran, sejarah, etika dan sebagainya.

Ahli Jumaat yang dirahmati Allah,

Membaca merupakan salah satu aktiviti yang sangat baik bagi mengisi masa lapang. Mengisi masa yang kosong dengan membaca bukanlah suatu perkara yang sia-sia tetapi suatu langkah yang bijak yang menguntungkan diri sendiri, misalnya bagi pelajar-pelajar semasa cuti sekolah, janganlah keseluruhannya untuk berehat panjang tetapi isikanlah dengan membaca kerana faedahnya amat besar jika mahu mencapai kejayaan. Bagi kemudahan orang ramai, kerajaan telah pun menyediakan perpustakaan-perpustakaan sama ada di Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, di sekolah-sekolah, di jabatan-jabatan kerajaan dan juga di masjid-masjid.

Oleh itu, ibu bapa perlulah memberikan kesedaran dan galakkan kepada anak-anak mereka supaya minat membaca dari sejak kecil lagi seperti membaca al-Qur'an, membaca kisah-kisah para nabi dan sahabat, kisah-kisah yang mengandungi pengajaran dan tauladan yang elok untuk dicontohi, bahan-bahan yang mengandungi sumber maklumat dan sebagainya. Sebenarnya bahan bacaan boleh mempengaruhi pemikiran dan jiwa anak-anak, maka adalah menjadi tugas para ibu bapa untuk memastikan anak-anak mendapat bahan yang baik dan bermutu, yang mengandungi nasihat dan cerita-cerita yang baik. Selain daripada itu, ibu bapa juga seharusnya menjadi 'role model' dengan menunjukkan sikap minat membaca kepada anak-anak mereka kerana dengan cara yang demikian akan menimbulkan rasa minat membaca yang mendalam pada jiwa anak-anak.

Muslimin yang dirahmati Allah,

Marilah sama-sama kita kembali kepada seruan Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala dengan memperteguhkan iman dan memperkukuhkan jati diri sebagai Muslim sejati. Satu-satunya cara untuk membina dan membentuk identiti ialah dengan memperbanyakkan ilmu. Orang yang kaya dengan ilmu akan mampu menangkis unsur-unsur yang negatif.

Oleh itu, marilah kita meneruskan dan mempertingkatkan budaya membaca dari semasa ke semasa. Perlu diingat, satu-satunya jalan untuk mendapatkan ilmu yang berguna dan membina ialah dengan banyak membaca dari sumber yang benar dan sahih. Mudah-mudahan dengan kekuatan ilmu pengetahuan, dapat mencipta kecemerlangan dan memartabatkan umat Islam ke mercu kejayaan. Amin Ya Rabbalalamin.

Firman Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala dalam Surah Al Mujaadilah ayat 11 tafsirnya :

"Allah meninggikan darjat orang-orang yang beriman di antara kamu dan orang-orang yang diberi ilmu pengetahuan agama dari kalangan kamu beberapa darjat. Dan ingatlah Allah Maha Mendalam Pengetahuan-Nya tentang apa yang kamu lakukan".

Sumber: KHEU Negara Brunei Darussalam

Zikrul Maut

Jum'at, 06 Februari 2009 , 07:29:00
Zikrul Maut
Oleh : Uti Konsen.U.M.


“Perbanyaklah kalian mengingat mati, sebab seorang hamba yang banyak mengingat mati, maka Allah akan menghidupkan hatinya, dan Allah akan meringankan baginya, sakitnya kematian “ (HR. Dailami).

“ZIKRUL MAUT merupakan salah satu upaya menghidupkan hati. Tanpa zikrul maut, hati mempunyai kecenderungan menjadi keras, membatu, lalu mati karena dipenuhi oleh kerak-kerak kemaksiatan. Zikrul maut , ia adalah “ilmu“ yang mampu menerangi hati, serta mengingatkan bahwa aktivitas keduniaan kita sebenarnya fana. Hal yang kita kerjakan di dunia ini, tidak lain adalah aktivitas dari ‘menabur benih‘ untuk kelak menuainya di akhirat.” (Buku Zikrul Maut oleh Aa Gym).

Satu saat Rasulullah SAW sampai di satu majelis. Ada seseorang yang memuji sahabatnya si Fulan. Rasul SAW bertanya, “Bagaimanakah dia itu mengingat mati?“ Mereka menjawab, “Kami hampir tidak pernah mendengarnya mengingat-ingat mati“. Lalu Nabi SAW bersabda “Sahabat kalian tidak layak untuk dipuji“.
Ibnu Umar RA berkata, “Saya pernah menemui Rasulullah SAW, yang tengah dikelilingi sekelompok orang. Seseorang bertanya, “Ya Rasulullah, siapakah orang yang paling mulia dan paling bijak “ Beliau SAW menjawab, “Orang yang paling banyak mengingat dan paling tekun melakukan persiapan untuk akhirat. Mereka itulah orang yang bijak yang memperoleh kemuliaan dunia dan keagungan akhirat”.

Dilain waktu, Aisyah RA bertanya, “Ya Rasulullah, adakah seseorang yang bisa berkumpul dengan para syuhada?“ Nabi Mulia SAW itu menjawab, “Ada, yaitu orang yang mengingat mati dua puluh kali dalam sehari semalam“ (Al Hadis). Berbagai sikap orang-orang saleh zaman dahulu untuk mengingat mati (Zikrul Maut). Maymun bin Mahran misalnya, menggali kuburan dalam rumahnya. Setiap malam ia masuk kuburan ini dan membaca Quran di situ. Setelah keluar ia berkata kepada dirinya , “Hai Maymun, engkau telah kembali ke dunia, maka perbuatlah amal saleh.”

Ustman bin Affan RA sering berdiri seorang diri diatas kuburan sambil menangis. Lalu ada yang bertanya, “Kenapa, ketika ingat surga dan neraka engkau tidak menangis, tetapi ketika ingat kuburan engkau menangis“. Ustman menjawab, “Aku pernah mendengar Rasulullah SAW bersabda, “Kuburan merupakan salah satu tempat tinggal Akhirat yang pertama. Jika selamat darinya, maka setelahnya akan lebih mudah darinya. Tetapi jika tidak selamat darinya, maka setelahnya akan lebih parah dan pedih darinya.”

Syaikh bin ‘Anan, beliau berziarah ke makam-makam setiap hari Jumat, baik yang dia kenal atau tidak. Ketika melihat suatu makam, dia selalu menangis karena teringat berbagai dosa dan kesalahan yang telah dilakukannya. Khalifah Umar bin Abdul Aziz RA. biasanya mengumpulkan para fukaha setiap malam untuk mengingatkan kematian dan dahsyatnya hari akhirat.

Abu Darda RA, sering menghadiri pemakaman dan menziarahi kubur. Beliau memberi nasehat kepada para muridnya. “ Obat keterikatanmu dengan dunia adalah kematian“. Nasehatnya yang lain, “ Jika engkau mengunjungi rumah sakit, bayangkanlah dirimu berada di tempat tidur tersebut dan ingatlah bahwa suatu saat nanti kau akan berbaring dan tidak pernah bangun kembali. Ketika kau menghadiri pemakaman, bayangkanlah dirimu berada di dalam peti mati. Ingatlah, niscaya datang suatu waktu ketika pemakaman itu digali untukmu. Ketika kau berziarah ke kubur, bayangkanlah itu adalah nisanmu. Ketahuilah makammu akan menjadi tempat peristirahatan terakhir jasadmu.” (Buku Jejak Langkah Mengenal Allah oleh Asfa Davy Bya)

Dengan menjenguk orang sakit dan yang meninggal dunia, juga bisa Zikrul Maut. Rasulullah SAW bersabda, “Jenguklah orang sakit dan iringilah jenazah, maka sesungguhnya hal itu akan mengingatkanmu pada akhirat“. Dalam hadis lain Rasulullah SAW menerangkan, “ Bahwa barang siapa yang menyaksikan jenazah hingga ia menshalatkannya, maka baginya adalah satu qirath, dan barang siapa yang menyaksikannya hingga menguburkannya maka baginya adalah dua qirath“. Seorang sahabat bertanya, “ pakah yang dimaksud dengan dua qirath?“ Beliau menjawab, “ eperti dua bukit yang besar “ (HR.Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Turmuzi dan Ibnu Majah).

Diantara hikmah Zikrul Maut , Insya Allah akan mendorong kita untuk banyak beramal saleh baik saleh ritual maupun saleh sosial. Pertama, istiqamah membaca Quran. Sebab Rasulullah SAW bersabda, “Bacalah Al Quran karena ia akan membawakan syafa’at bagi para pembacanya pada Hari Kiamat “ (HR.Muslim). Orang yang hidupnya gemar membaca Al Quran, lidahnya akan tertuntun mengucapkan kalimat “Laa ilaaha illallah“ ketika sakratul maut. Kedua, memotivasi untuk terus berbakti kepada kedua orang tua kendati mereka sudah wafat. Sebab Rasulullah SAW bersabda, “Sungguh amal orang yang hidup selalu diperlihatkan kepada keluarga dan teman-temannya yang sudah berada di alam kubur. Bila amal yang dilakukan baik, keluarga yang berada di alam kubur langsung memuji kepada Allah dan merasa bahagia. Bila amal yang dilakukan buruk, keluarga yang berada di alam kubur langsung berkata, ‘Ya Allah, janganlah Engkau mencabut nyawa saudara dan kerabatku yang masih berada di dunia, hingga lebih dahulu Engkau memberikan ampunan kepada mereka“.

Patut kita renungkan. Dari hari ke hari, hitungan umur kita memang bertambah. Namun, sebetulnya, jatah hidup kita di dunia ini semakin berkurang. Kita hanya punya sisa umur. Mudah-mudahan, dengan zikrul maut (mengingat mati), kita bisa menyikapi detik demi detik dari sisa umur kita dengan benar, yaitu mengisinya dengan aktivitas ibadah dan perbuatan utama yang didasari oleh niat yang benar. Sebab kata Rasulullah SAW, “Seorang mukmin, saat menjelang kematiannya, akan didatangi oleh malaikat sambil menyampaikan dan memperlihatkan kepadanya apa yang bakal dialaminya, setelah kematian. Ketika itu, tidak ada yang lebih disenanginya kecuali bertemu dengan Tuhan (mati). Berbeda halnya dengan orang kafir yang juga diperlihatkan kepada apa yang bakal dihadapinya, dan ketika itu tidak ada sesuatu yang lebih dibencinya daripada bertemu dengan Tuhan.“ (HR.Imam Ahmad).

Wallahualam. **

Sumber: Pontianak Post Online

Israel Fights Islam to The Last American

Mohamed Khodr | Freelance Writer

Prejudice and demonization has been the "white man's burden" and justification for colonialism and enslavement of "colored" man throughout history. It began with the Greeks and Romans, followed by the hostility toward Jews, then Islam, until the miraculous irony of the post-Holocaust era where the newly found partnership of the "Judeo-Christian" world became the defenders of freedom against the "evil empire" of Communism and the establishment of the Western Zionist colony of Israel. That was followed by the newly created "evil du jour - Islam" in 1990 after Communism's fall in order to serve and maintain the military-industrial-media complex of America's elite.

It is no coincidence that Bernard Lewis, America's Islamophobic spokesperson, wrote his article "Roots of Muslim Rage" in 1990 immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union (Sept., Atlantic Monthly). Samuel Huntington, Jewish American, followed in 1993 with his infamous "The Clash of Civilizations" (Foreign Affairs), although Huntington obviously took the title from Basil Matthews' 1926 book "Young Islam on Trek: A Study in the Clash of Civilizations." Matthews, a missionary, saw a massive opportunity for Christian conversion among Muslims after the Ottoman Empire's collapse. He wrote: "They [Muslims] have discovered that the possessors of such power - the rulers over nine tenths of the habitable earth and six out of every seven Muslims on the surface - are the races of Western Christendom."

European Christian literature is replete with derogatory and insulting characterizations of Islam and it's Prophet (pbuh). Their argument runs like this: Christianity, founded by God himself, could not tolerate or accept faiths espoused by mere mortals. Thus, superimposed on the "white man's burden" of civilizing the world, Christianity brought a religious zeal to save the world and exterminate the obstinate "infidels." Neither the faiths preceding it, such as Judaism, nor a faith following it denying Christ's divinity is acceptable to the white Western mind. It was Christianity, not Islam, which invented the trigger phrases of: Infidel - Holy War - Fundamentalism. And it was Israel that first introduced terrorism in the form of car bombing and airplane hijacking into the Middle East.


A combination of Holocaust guilt and sympathy, and the birth of the "strong" Western rich Jewish lobbyist, founded Israel for European immigrants via the genocide and "ethnic cleansing" of the "other, the colored, the infidel," the invisible second victims of the Holocaust. Ironically, Israel was founded due to Christianity's "us vs. them" holocaust, and now thanks to Israel, the "them du jour" are Muslims. From its founding, Israel's leaders such as David Ben Gurion, Yitzhak Rabin, and Shimon Peres identified "Islam" as the true enemy of Israel, and now by extension to Israel's colony - the United States.

With the entry of the naive, isolated, gullible U.S. government into Mideast politics after World War II, Israel cleverly formulated a strategy to win "America's money, weapons, vetoes, and blind support" through the only educational and opinion molding medium the West understands: the media, with its film power of Images and Words.

America's politics became hostage to Israel, Jewish political activism and campaign donations, and a media and Hollywood powerhouse all designed to wield the "carrot and stick." While the rest of America was self-centered on "me", Israel's influence around Washington D.C. became a belt encircling the power centers of government much akin to the physiologic blood brain barrier of the brain that filters harmful compounds and allows entry of only pro-Israeli messages. Hence, the creation of America's split personality and erratic foreign policy that is often embarrassing, humiliating, stupid, irrational, and dangerous, to America's long term interest in the world; America's national interest logically lies with 56 Muslim nations, a fifth of the world's market population with 60% of the world's oil reserves, YET America's cowardly, greedy, short-sighted pandering to one nation - Israel - may ultimately lead to America's definitive war and American deaths within the Muslim world.

Given America's impotence toward Israel, as clearly articulated by Bush's silence and Powell's "Blame Arafat for Israel's 53-year murder and occupation of Palestine, for Sharon's military madness, and for forcing us to look cowardly," what have Arab leaders done to solve the Palestinian Diaspora and regain world respect for Arabs? In a word: NOTHING. In fact, American impotence is only superseded by Arab impotence, dishonesty, inter-Arab conflict, undemocratic and inhumane self-survival policies, wasted time, lives, money, and resources, all while living a hypocritical image of true Islam.

For 53 years the Arab and Muslim world did not, and could not, develop one single strategy to counteract Israel's hegemony of America and Europe. How shameful it is to hear U.S. officials say that Arab leaders say one thing in private while denouncing Israel in public. Islam has been shredded in the Western media as a faith of violence, terrorism, and intolerance. Yet not one leader has stood up to the American-Israeli hegemony with faith, courage, and the trust of his people.


America is a capitalistic society that responds to money and power regardless of politics. Israel has the financial and political power to wield its influence via the Congress and the Media. Both are money dependent. Recently, it was reported that thousands of Saudi Arabian princes, alone, have between $500 billion and one trillion dollars in American banks and government bonds. That's just one family. Imagine if the Arab and Muslim world would adopt a two-pronged strategy: one politico-financial, the other cultural.

Imagine if Muslim money and resources were wielded as political power via American banks and financial institutions, stocks in major companies including advertising firms, stocks in media corporations even beginning with local markets, stocks in Hollywood production companies, supporting and strengthening Arab and Muslim political action committees with a presence in every state to lobby for Arab/Muslim causes, establishing Islamic institutes and centers in universities, scholarships for Arab/Muslim students in Communication/Media/Film studies, hiring or developing professional public relations firms on behalf of Islam and the Muslim victims in Palestine, India, Kashmir, Chechnya, Afghanistan, China, Burma, Philippines and so on. The Business of America is Business, yet Arabs act as if that's none of their Business until they are forced to meet and whine about the "injustice" to Arabs and Muslims and how great Islam was instead of how great Islam is and will always be.

Secondly, the need to develop a strategy to reach the American people at the grassroots media and cultural level. Americans are not Islam's enemy. They are a kind, generous, open-minded people who seek to live in peace and are thirsty to for others to reach out to them and inform them of their world and culture. Currently, even American Muslims are silent, intimidated, fearful and ignorant regarding political activism. Education and training for them is needed urgently. Today, Muslim schools and mosques serve Muslims, but not Islam.

For their part, the 56 Muslim nations need to develop a unified organization for the sole purpose of informing Americans and Europeans on the truth of Islam via media, film, and cultural events in museums, colleges, and film. There is not one single entity in the U.S. that performs this function with any professionalism and effectiveness. A coordinated effort, even state-by-state, that brings Muslims together with pride, joy, and trust among themselves will alter the landscape of the West. Americans and Europeans are converting to Islam despite Muslims, not because of them.

A short-term strategy of pressuring the U.S. that its interests are in jeopardy in the Muslim world will bring the peace process back on track. America has been looking to invest its interests and energy policies beyond the Middle East such as in the Caspian Sea, so the timeframe to influence American policy is short. If Americans can learn to love the Germans, the Italians, and the Japanese, and accept Russians and Chinese as strategic friends, surely Muslim lands can do the same given that the only wedge between Muslims and the Christian West is Israel.



The first strategy is to make clear that no attack on Iraq is acceptable, and that the Arab League will resolve the issue of the weapons inspectors. Second, suspend the Arab League Peace Plan and recall Arab and Muslim ambassadors from the U.S. and England until Sharon withdraws immediately from all Palestinian Authority areas. Third, insist on a U.N.-sponsored International Conference on the Palestinian-Israeli issue and on defining "terrorism." America needs the 56 Muslim nations more than Muslims need them.

Will the Arabs ever manifest such courage and spine? It's hard to believe. If they don't, however, then surely their political survival and U.S. interests will suffer in the long term for one simple reason: neither the U.S., nor the Arab/Muslim world, nor the United Nations have the courage to stand up to Israel and say enough is enough.


Source and Courtesy: Jihadunspun

An Anthropology of Death: To Be a Tree

To Be a Tree
by
LINDA “ilham” BARTO on 17 January, 2009 00:15:00

MY sister died this week. She had a lovely, Christian funeral, but it was stained with things I hate –embalming, a casket, a cement vault, and a cold cemetery. Until I became a Muslim, I was not sure why I absolutely despised the standard burial rituals. It’s because those things add up to an unnatural way for the body to continue. The human body, as with all living bodies of creation, was designed to return to the earth in a beautiful continuation of energy. An Islamic burial respects the natural process of decay and emphasizes the “dust to dust” aspect that is often heard in funeral speech but seldom taken as a directive.

I can’t stand to think of my sister’s body, robbed of its blood and filled with formaldehyde, locked in a metal box, deep in the cold vault, without the comfort of the earth’s embrace. In a natural burial, the body of the deceased is washed and shrouded. An autopsy is performed only if necessary, and embalming is not done unless, for some reason, the body cannot be buried right away or cannot be preserved with dry ice or cold storage. Although not everyone will agree with me, I think that it is a final act of charity for a deceased person to have willed that his or her organs be donated for the sake of others. Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings upon him) said that these three things continue to benefit a person after death: charity that continues to help others, knowledge from which people continue benefit, and a righteous child who continues to pray. Certainly donating an organ to improve or continue the life of another is a form of enduring charity.

In a natural burial, the body is returned to the earth either without a casket or in a biodegradable coffin. Such a coffin may be made of wood, paper, and/or woven fiber and contains nothing toxic or synthetic. All materials are environmentally friendly. You can see a “Natural Coffin Gallery” on www.naturalburialcompany.com.

Most cemeteries require vaults with all the artificial accompaniments, but there is a growing movement for natural burials, also called “green burials” because they contribute to the sustaining of earth’s green beauty. Dr. Billy Campbell, founder of Memorial Ecosystems, explained, “What we’re doing is basically land conservation. By setting aside woods for natural burials, we preserve it from development. At the same time, I think we put death in its rightful place, as part of the cycle of life. Our burials honor the idea of dust to dust.”

There are several natural burial sites now available in the USA and Canada. The first in the world was Ramsey Creek Preserve near the mountains in South Carolina. It began in 1998 with thirty-three acres that included natural woods and shoals, streams, and a variety of wild plants and animals. In 2006, the wildlife preserve acquired protection of an additional thirty-eight acres.

In such ecosystems, bodies are returned to the earth in a dignified and respectful manner. No elaborate monuments or other grave markers are allowed, but a simple, natural stone may be engraved and placed in a graceful style to blend with the landscape. Native plants cloak the gravesite as life continues as it was intended.

I plan to grow up to be a tree! If you would like to find a green cemetery near you, research on www.forestofmemories.org under the “Find a Green Cemetery” option. I hope that, insh’Allah, someday there will be an entire Muslim forest in North America.

Originally Published as "To Be a Tree"

Source: Daily Muslims

Posted by Dr. A.H.Awang Mois

Israeli Hatred For Palestine Arabs Knows No Limits: With American Military Aid Israeli Troops Even Shoot and Kill Animals in Gaza Zoo

Israeli Troops Shoot and Kill Animals in Gaza Zoo

By Ashraf Helmi and Megan Hirons

The Gaza Zoo reeks of death. But zookeeper Emad Jameel Qasim doesn't appear to react to the stench as he walks around the animals' enclosures.

A month ago, it was attracting families - he says the zoo drew up to 1,000 visitors each day. He points at the foot-long hole in the camel in one of the enclosures.

"This camel was pregnant, a missile went into her back," he tells us. "Look, look at her face. She was in pain when she died."

Around every corner, inside almost every cage are dead animals, who have been lying in their cages since the Israeli incursion.

Qasim doesn't understand why they chose to destroy his zoo. And it's difficult to disagree with him. Most of them have been shot at point blank range.

"The first thing the Israelis did was shoot at the lions - the animals ran out of their cage and into the office building. Actually they hid there."

The two lions are back in their enclosure. The female is pregnant, and lies heavily on the ground, occasionally swishing her tail. Qasim stands unusually close to them, but they don't seem bothered by his presence.

As he takes us around, he is obviously appalled at the state of the animals. The few animals that have survived appear weak and disturbed.

"The foxes ate each other because we couldn't get to them in time. We had many here." There are carcasses everywhere and the last surviving fox is quivering in the corner.

The zoo opened in late 2005, with money from local and international NGOs. There were 40 types of animals, a children's library, a playground and cultural centre housed at the facility.

Inside the main building, soldiers defaced the walls, ripped out one of the toilets and removed all of the hard drives from the office computers. We asked him why they targeted the zoo. He laughs. "I don't know. You have to go and ask the Israelis. This is a place where people come to relax and enjoy themselves. It's not a place of politics."

Israel has accused Hamas of firing rockets from civilian areas. Qasim reacts angrily when we raise the subject.

"Let me answer that with a question. We are under attack. There was not a single person in this zoo. Just the animals. We all fled before they came. What purpose does it serve to walk around shooting animals and destroying the place?"

Inside one cage lie three dead monkeys and another two in the cage beside them. Two more escaped and have yet to return. He points to a clay pot. "They tried to hide", he says of a mother and baby half-tucked inside.

Qasim says that his main two priorities at the moment are rebuilding the zoo and taking the Israeli army to court. For the first, he says he will need close to $200,000 to return the zoo to its former state - and he wants the Israelis to cover the costs. "They have to pay me for all this damage."

We ask him why it's so important for Gaza to have a zoo. "During the past four years it was the most popular place for kids. They came from all over the Gaza Strip. There was nowhere else for people to go."

- Ashraf Helmi and Megan Hirons are both photographers.

(Originally published in Gulf News)

Source: The Palestine Chronicle

Religious Obligation for Muslims: Defeating The Enemies Of Islam With Knowledge

Defeating The Enemies Of Islam With Knowledge

29-01-2009

Ignorant hearts ever ask, why Allah tries the Islamic ummah with wars, treacheries, starvations, persecutions and slaughterings at the hands of the kuffar? Why are these tribulations never-ending?

We always question, but we already know the answers and the conditions in order to get through those heavy trials. The previous Muslims had already fulfilled the conditions and they were successful, but we, who are more modern are neglectful and still seeking for answers.

Whereas Allah has already promised in His commandment which means:

“O ye who believe! If ye will aid (the cause of) Allah, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly.” (Qur’an 47:7)

When will the help from Allah come? In the past, because of the excessive afflictions suffered by the Sahabahs alongside Rasulullah SAW, they pressured Rasulullah with a question: "O Rasulullah, are you not pleading for help for us? Are you not praying for us?" The blessed Prophet SAW who at that time was lying down, got up with his face reddened due to anger and said: "Know that verily the earlier people preceding you, some of them were buried alive, some had their bodies sawed from the top of the heads until they were cut into halves and there were those whose bodies were combed with sharp iron combs until they cut through their flesh and caused it to be separated from their bones, all those did not shake off their faith."

“By Allah, Allah will surely make this religion triumph until it spreads from Sana’a reaching to Hadhramaut and mankind at that time does not fear anything except Allah surpassing the sheep's fear for the wolf. But you are too haste (in asking for victory)” (Hadith riwayah Imam Al-Bukhari)

The anguish of the Islamic fighters all over the world following the bloodsheds and intrusions on Palestine should not lessen their fighting spirits to remain istiqomah in defending the religion of Allah from the evil scheming of the enemies, and much less to despair from Allah’s mercy due to being infected by the disease of being too attached to the ‘dunya’ and the fear of death.

The call to boycott American goods surely produced a very hot polemic that ignited opinions between “the supportive” and “the unhelpful” towards the call. Those who just lay back and deafen their ears, or those who merely sweet talk in protest without any further and true actions could be clearly seen through this tragedy.

It was actually a form of trial for the iman so that Allah would purify the ummah and select from amongst the ranks the chosen ones to be the fighters in His path and those who are excluded from the ranks, sit in fear, worry about losing the thrones, wealth and lives. Whereas, the akhira is far better and more everlasting, evidently this world has drugged the souls of mankind a lot.

Nevertheless, apart from the men who are ignorant, negligent and choose to sell the akhira for a cheap price, there certainly exists a group who are saved by Allah from the fitnah of the world. They are always raised for an important role for the sake of defending Allah’s religion.

They do not have to be in the open battle field, facing the guns, bombs and rockets, in fact they can follow the footsteps of the Mujahideen through their expertise in knowledge and technology for the sake of Islam’s future.

They understand the advice from the Qur’an commanding the Islamic ummah to be vigilant all the time, as wars will always exist whether in the open or silent way, not because the ummah is inciting the fire but it is the enemies who are always inflaming the ill feelings which could never be extinguished.

Allah says which means:

“Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith if they can. And if any of you Turn back from their faith and die in unbelief, their works will bear no fruit in this life and in the Hereafter; they will be companions of the Fire and will abide therein.” (Qur’an 2:217)

With the more sophisticated power of the kafir’s weaponry, the strategies and plan of the Islamic ummah must be arranged wisely and not in a hurry, in line with the hadith of Rasulullah SAW which reminded his ummah not to be hurried and impatient in their struggles. A long term plan that involves Muslim scientists and intellectuals along with the umara (leaders) and the entire ummah must be laid down.

The role of the umara, as Islamic leaders, should involve providing visions that are far ahead and plans that are accurate so that the ummah are able to stand at par with the Jews and Christians who have been more advanced so far.

Has there been any nuclear expert comparable to the American and Jewish scientists? What new technologies and discoveries have been explored by the Muslim generations? Are the national, political and economical stability becoming the main agenda for the leaders of different political outlooks?

How far have been the efforts to produce Muslim tycoons on an international level and to train educators, scientists and intellectuals in order to receive the transmission of knowledge from every window of the world as provisions to prepare for the future generations who are competent in every field of knowledge and on a par with other advanced nations.

It is so sad, historical facts listed 180 Jews who had won the Nobel prizes in a period of 105 years and only three Muslims had so far won it, in the ratio of 14 million Jews to 1.5 billion Muslims all over the world.

Then, how about the role of the ulama in encountering the waves of the Jewish and Christian revival? The ulamas must be more flexible and ready to open dialogues with people of other religions and faiths in order to present them true information about Islam.

The efforts to convey authentic Islam through a modern da’wah strategy must be made as priority. The slogan of ‘return to Islam’ should become a brand that could be sold in the world markets. Not only for the Islamic ummah but also for the others who still do not know about the beauty of Islam.

Don’t be so engrossed in prohibiting things and issuing fatwas that cause tensions within the religious community and ummah, as though being hostile and wanting to dominate using the power of the majority.

Didn’t Rasulullah SAW send his ulama ambassadors abroad to establish diplomatic relations and do da’wah to them? The humanitarian spirits must be emphasized more than the racial spirits and being blindly fanatic to religious belief. Islam does not in any way allow its ummah to enforce aqeedah on the other communities.

It should have been the role of the Muslim intellectuals to approach the orientalists who are studying Islam by way of muzakarah, having dialogues and discussions about Islamic facts with a spirit of peace, not hatred.

In the 20th century, the attitude of the orientalists varied, if before they were working for the benefits of imperialism and used the result of their studies as weapons to invade and destroy the Islamic ummah. Today, a lot of them behave openly, sincerely and independently in agreement with the diminishing imperialist power. If the ulamas do not prepare high quality books, as well as academic works for the purpose of answering the negative arguments about Islam, it’s impossible for these orientalists to find the truth and hidayah in Islam.

Examples of those who are famous are; Rene Guenon (Abdul Wahid Yahya), Martin Lings, Titus Burchhardt and Leopold Weiss (Mohammad Asad), Murad Hoffman and many others who are yet to say the shahadah.

The strength of the ulama's knowledge must be taken advantage of for the da’wah transmission by means of direct involvements in the da’wah arena, molding a da’wah struggle that has an authoritative bearing, conveying al-Quran and hadith in a beautiful way, not intimidating, much less oppressive.

Sometimes the mentioning of the words haram is more audible, making the ummah phobic and leave their religion, whereas the haram is less compared to the halal in our religion. In the end, ignorance is widespread in the generations that rejected religion, they consider Islam as an inherited religion for administering the matter of death, birth and celebration of its big days only but not capable of answering worldly problems.

Due to the negligence of the ulama and dai’e, a dangerous phenomena was born in the midst of the ummah, the birth of two Islamic generations. First, those who entirely let go of the religious ties and second, the traditional and intolerant camp who makes others feel religious issues as a burden to the extent of forgetting the true struggle.

If the kafir had already reached the moon and done research on the outer space war technology, the narrow-minded Muslims are still quarelling and at odds with each other about whose madzhab is the best in matter of ablutions.

The fanaticism to madzhab becomes the root cause of the disunity amongst the ummah, it is responsible for the backwardness of the Islamic ummah who are unable to compete through technology, economy and the strength of the kafir’s weaponry.

Whereas Rasulullah SAW had never asked his ummah to hold onto one madzhab only, did not the madzhab appear only after the death of Rasulullah SAW and nothing is higher in value than the validity of al-Quran and the hadith of Rasulullah SAW? Did not Imam al-Syafie forbid his followers to become blind followers and order them to prioritize the Book of Allah and Sunnah of Rasul more than his judgements.

The next role of the ulama and dai’e is to stand shoulder to shoulder with the umara to resolve the problems of the ummah. The attitude of the ulama towards the umara must be in accordance with the commandment of al-Quran and the hadith of Rasulullah SAW which means:

“I bequeath to you dutiful devotion [taqwa] to Allah, and paying heed and obedience [to your leader], even if he happens to be an Abyssinian slave” (Hadith riwayah Abu Daud and Tirmizi)

Amongst the weakness of the Islamic ummah is the removal of the feeling of love and mercy between the ulama and umara. How would the future of the ummah be if the umara let go of the religious ties in leading a state? And at the same time the ulama are distancing themselves from leading a nation and let errors happen until the religion, society and countries are harmed.

Wouldn’t doom occur if the duty of "amar makruf nahi mungkar" not done? The roles of the ulama alongside the umara is to give judgements, as well as issue fatwas in the spirit of ijtihad for the sake of the ummah’s success.

The ulama and umara should sit together to plan strategies to prepare a future generation that would fight for the religious missions. The absence of it would stifle the life of the ummah. Invasions into the ummah happen everywhere due to backwardness, poverty, ignorance and narrow-mindedness in thinking. However, it should be remembered that the main factor for the cause of Islam’s destruction is the ignorance of the ummah towards their religion.

Religion becomes the strongest defense in winning a struggle because it is an important foundation and the greatest motivator in fighting oppressions. Without religion, nobody is willing to die in defending Islam.

At times they are never scared of death, in fact they are even hoping to die shaheed in the path of Allah. They see the price of world as cheap and therefore they choose paradise which is eternal, to be with their God.

The return to Islam has become a slogan which is commonly shouted out load, how far it would succeed depends on the roles of the ulama and umara as well as the attitude of the ummah which we hoped is willing to change. Is the revival of Islam able to be realized by the generation who look upon the West, with a capitalist soul and an appetite for liberalism?

Rasulullah SAW had already prophesized this subject more than 1400 years ago and no words were uttered by the blessed Prophet except pure truth:

“You would tread the same path as was trodden by those before you inch by inch and step by step so much so that if they had entered into the hole of the lizard, you would follow them in this also. We said: Allah's Messenger, do you mean Jews and Christians (by your words) "those before you"? He said: Who else (than those two religious groups)?” (Hadith riwayah Muslim)

Submitted by a Mujahid

Source: TheUnjustMedia.com

While Arab Leaders Remain Silent Turkey's PM Erdoğan wins praise at home, in Gaza

PM Erdoğan wins praise at home, in Gaza


Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received a hero's welcome yesterday upon his return to İstanbul from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos after his public spat with Israeli President Shimon Peres over Israel's Gaza offensive.

Erdoğan angrily left a debate at the WEF in Switzerland on Thursday after telling Peres, "You killed people." Erdoğan and Peres raised their voices and traded accusations.

Approximately 5,000 people gathered at the İstanbul Atatürk Airport around 2 a.m. on Friday to greet Erdoğan when he returned from the gathering of business and political leaders, waving Turkish and Palestinian flags and chanting “Turkey is proud of you.” Other banners said “Delegate of the oppressed” and “Let the world see a true prime minister.”

Turkish TV stations broadcast the prime minister’s arrival and the crowd waiting for him. CNN Türk said extra buses were added to routes so more people could turn out to welcome him.

“Our people would have expected the same reaction from any Turkish prime minister,” Erdoğan said at a press conference at the airport on Friday morning after speaking to the crowd.

The Turkish public continued its passionate support of Erdoğan following Friday prayers in İstanbul. Prime Minister Erdoğan was hailed with slogans of praise by thousands of people who were in and around the Büyük Piyalepaşa Mosque. The crowd waited for the prime minister to complete his prayers at noon and when Erdoğan came out of the mosque, they shouted “Turkey is proud of you.”

Erdoğan also won praise from Gazans. In the Gazan refugee camp of Jebaliya, Turkish flags now decorate the ruins of a local mosque that was destroyed during Israel’s war against Gaza’s Hamas government.

A preacher told worshippers at an outdoor service on Friday that Erdoğan had “raised the head of the Islamic nation.” Jalal Bin Yousef al-Sharifi called on other Muslim leaders to do the same.

Later on Friday, a smaller crowd of about 1,500 people applauded Erdoğan as he inaugurated a subway station in İstanbul. They also chanted “Turkey is proud of you.”

Peres had launched a fiery defense of his country’s offensive in Gaza over the past month, and with a raised voice and pointed finger questioned what Erdoğan would do if rockets were fired at İstanbul every night.

“When it comes to killing, you know very well how to kill,” Erdoğan, visibly angry, responded as he sat next to Peres in the debate, which also included United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa.

At a press conference in Davos following Erdoğan’s walkout and again in İstanbul, Erdoğan said Turkey’s reproaches were not against the Israeli people or Jews but against the Israeli administration.

Palestinians wave Turkish flags during a rally in Jabalya in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday. Turkish flags decorate the ruins of a local mosque that was destroyed during Israel’s war against Gaza’s Hamas government.


“There has been a feeling among Arabs and those in the Middle East that someone needs to speak out in this way against Israel. Erdoğan did this,” Fuat Keyman, an international relations professor at Koç University, said in comments on NTV.

Turkey harshly criticized Israel over its Gaza offensive in which Israeli forces killed more than 1,300 Palestinians. Israel lost 11 soldiers and three civilians.

Erdoğan’s stance shocked Israel and has been interpreted by some as an attempt to increase his support ahead of local elections in March with an electorate deeply sympathetic to the Palestinians.

Meanwhile, some in the opposition in Turkey hailed Erdoğan for his stance while others were critical of him. Felicity Party (SP) leader Numan Kurtulmuş said Erdoğan had improved Turkey’s standing with his stance in Davos. He added that if Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) adopts this stance in its diplomatic approach as well, the SP will support the government “to the end.”

On the other hand, former ambassador and Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Onur Öymen accused Erdoğan of being a Hamas spokesman. On a live NTV appearance yesterday Öymen added that Erdoğan harmed Turkey’s image because he defended an organization that has chosen violence as a method. Öymen further said Turkey had lost its chance to be a regional mediator for peace.

Deniz Bölükbaşı, a former ambassador and a deputy of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said, “Heroism isn’t achieved through leaving that stage but by taking Peres off of the stage.”


31 January 2009, Saturday


Source: TODAY’S ZAMAN İSTANBUL

Obama Should Prove America isn't the Enemy of the Muslim World in Deeds Not in Empty Words

Obama tells Muslim world 'America is not your enemy'

US President seeks to restore respect of Muslim nations, calls on Iran to 'unclench' fist for diplomacy.

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama Monday told the Muslim world that "Americans are not your enemy" and renewed his pledge to travel to make an address in the capital of a major Muslim nation.

Obama noted that he had lived in Indonesia for several years while growing up, and said his travels through Muslim nations had convinced him that regardless of faith, people had certain common hopes and dreams.

"My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy -- we sometimes make mistakes -- we have not been perfect," Obama said in an interview with the Al-Arabiya satellite television network.

"But if you look at the track record ... America was not born as a colonial power, and that the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, there's no reason why we can't restore that."

During the 2008 election campaign, Obama vowed to improve US ties with the Muslim world and said he would travel to a major Islamic forum abroad to send that message.

"We're going to follow through on our commitment for me to address the Muslim world from a Muslim capital," Obama said in the interview with the Dubai-based channel.

"We are going to follow through on many of my commitments to do a more effective job of reaching out, listening as well as speaking to the Muslim world," he said.

Obama did not give a time, or a venue for his visit to a major Muslim capital.

He was also asked about the highly personal tone of recent Al-Qaeda messages released since he was elected president in November.

He agreed with his interviewer that the tone of recent videos seemed "nervous."

"What that tells me is that their ideas are bankrupt," he said.

Obama calls on Iran to 'unclench' fist

Obama on Monday said that the United States would offer Iran an extended hand of diplomacy if Tehran's leaders "unclenched their fist."

Obama said he would in the next few months lay out a general framework of policy towards Tehran in an interview with Al-Arabiya.

"As I said in my inauguration speech, if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us."

"It is very important for us to make sure that we are using all the tools of US power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran," Obama said.

Earlier, Susan Rice, the new US ambassador to the United Nations made her debut and pledged vigorous" and "direct" nuclear diplomacy with Iran but warned of increased pressure if Tehran refuses to halt uranium enrichment.

"We will look at what is necessary and appropriate with respect to maintaining pressure toward that goal of ending Iran's nuclear program," she added.

"Dialogue and diplomacy must go hand in hand with a very firm message from the United States and the international community that Iran needs to meet its obligations as defined by the Security Council and its continued refusal to do so will only cause pressure to increase."

Time for Israelis and Palestinians to return to talks

Obama told Israelis and Palestinians Monday it was time to return to the negotiating table, as he dispatched his new special envoy George Mitchell on a debut tour of the region.

The US president, a week after his historic inauguration, cautioned however that he did not want expectations raised too high of swift progress in the volatile region, following the Israeli war on Gaza.

"I do believe that the moment is ripe for both sides to realize that the path that they are on is one that is not going to result in prosperity and security for their people," Obama told Al-Arabiya television network.

"Instead, it's time to return to the negotiating table."

The new US president had earlier met Mitchell at the White House along with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, before sending him off on a mission to Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, London and Paris.

Obama, who has promised to directly address Middle East questions at the start of his presidency, rather than waiting for years like his predecessor George W. Bush, warned however against expectations of quick results.

"I want to make sure that expectations are not raised so that we think that this is going to be resolved in a few months," the president told the Dubai-based satellite television channel.

"But if we start the steady progress on these issues, I'm absolutely confident that the United States, working in tandem with the European Union, with Russia, with all the Arab States in the region -- I'm absolutely certain that we can make significant progress."

He said in the interview that he would formulate a "specific response" to recent events in the Middle East once Mitchell has reported back to him.

Mitchell begins his Middle East tour in Cairo Tuesday with a brief from Obama to "engage vigorously" to achieve real progress in Arab-Israeli peace efforts.

"The charge that Senator Mitchell has is to engage vigorously and consistently in order for us to achieve genuine progress," Obama said after the talks at the White House attended also by Clinton.

Source: Middle East Online

Beware of France: Hamas slams France for sending frigate to Gaza

Hamas PM: we expected France to send hospital ships to treat Palestinian children burned by banned Israeli weapons.


GAZA CITY - The head of the Hamas government in Gaza Ismail Haniya on Tuesday lashed out over the deployment of a French frigate to take part in a mission that Paris claims is against arms smuggling into the Palestinian territory.

"We expected France, whose motto is 'liberty, equality, fraternity' to send hospital ships to treat the children burned by banned weapons or to set up a humanitarian bridge... rather than deploy a navy ship to reinforce the blockade," Haniya said in a statement.

The Germinal frigate has been deployed to international waters off Gaza.

Haniya also dismissed criticism by European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel who on Monday said Hamas bore "overwhelming responsibility" for the Israel's 22-day war in Gaza.

"We are astonished by the European position which blames the victims and the oppressed people for the tragedy that befell the Gaza Strip," he said.

Observers note that the "weapon's smuggling" issue has further exposed the system of hypocrisy and double standards that the Middle East conflict has been subjected to.

While Israel, a brutal occupying power that is a threat to all of its neighbours, has access to advanced and sophisticated military aid (which is often used against civilians) from the US and elsewhere, Hamas, a democratically elected government and a resistance group determined to free Palestinian territories (Gaza, West Bank and east Jerusalem) from illegal Israel occupation, is denied the means to even defend itself or fight back.

“Israel’s total defence budget in the previous year was 7.2 billion USD, plus of course, another 2.2 billion USD in US ‘aid’ and this has risen since...Of course, Israel imports their arms directly, using seaports, airports and land borders,” notes Pat Bernstein, who writes about the situation in Palestine and its parallels to Apartheid South Africa.

“If Gaza was actually a state, without a total and illegal blockade, they too could import arms. Their qassam rockets would not need to be ‘smuggled’,” Bernstein adds.

“On average, every Israeli spends more on arms, than a Palestinian in Gaza has to live on.”


Source: Middle East Online

Yusuf Islam records charity song for Gaza: UNWRA

Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:42pm GMT E

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - British singer Yusuf Islam released a charity song on Monday for which all proceeds will be donated to a United Nations agency helping refugees in Gaza.

Islam -- who changed his name from Cat Stevens when he became a Muslim -- will donate the money made from "The Day the World Gets Round" to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and Save the Children to help families in the Gaza Strip, UNRWA said in a statement.

The song, which was originally recorded by the late Beatle George Harrison, features Islam on vocals and Klaus Voorman, known to many as the fifth Beatle, on bass.

Islam said he hoped the music will "help remind people of the immense legacy of love, peace and happiness we can share when we get round to looking at mankind's futile wars and prejudices, and start to change our foolish ways."

Israel's three-week Israeli in Gaza killed 1,300 Palestinians, including 700 civilians.

The war, which began on December 27, tentatively ended on January 18 when Israel and Hamas began separate ceasefires. Israel says it launched the offensive because of rocket fire by Hamas into Israel, which has killed at least 21 Israelis since 2001.

UNRWA said it has provided over 50,000 civilians refuge in over 50 improvised shelters, mostly in its school buildings, and has been a focal point for aid supplies.

It is also playing a leading role in recovery response as well as providing on-going education, health relief and social services. This includes providing schooling for over 196,000 children and food aid to over 750,000 refugees.

(Editing by Dominic Evans)

Source: Reuters