The story of Satan (Shaitaan), his tactics, and methods to ward off his influences and whispers

The dawn of evil started with the arrogance and rebellious nature of Iblees

Shaitan’s (also referred to as Satan) enmity with man started when Allah (SWT) created the first man, Adam (alaihis salaam). Satan was from amongst the “jinn” who have been created with the ability to obscure themselves from human sight, and who constitute a world of their own. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

"And (remember) when We said to the angels: ‘Prostrate yourselves unto Adam.’ So they prostrated themselves except ‘Iblis’ (Satan). He was one of the jinn; he disobeyed the command of his Lord" (Quran, Al-Kahf: 50).
“….And they prostrated except Iblis (Satan), he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allah)” (Quran, Al-Baqarah: 34).
Satan’s arrogance – reinforced by his false logic, and jealousy – prevented him from obeying Allah’s command. As Allah tells us in the Quran, Satan said, "I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay" (Quran, Al-Aaraf: 12).

Iblees asks for reprieve until Day of Judgement

When Satan refused to obey Allah’s commands, Allah asked him for the reasons of disobedience of the Lord or the worlds. Allah says in the Quran:

• (Allah) said: "O Iblees (Satan)! What is your reason for not being among the prostrators?"
• (Iblees (Satan)) said: "I am not the one to prostrate myself to a human being, whom You created from sounding clay of altered black smooth mud" (Quran, al-Hijr:32 – 33).

The subsequent dialog stated in the Quran is as follows:

• (Allah) said: "Then, get out from here, for verily, you are Rajeem (an outcast or a cursed one)." (Tafseer At-Tabaree).
• "And verily, the curse shall be upon you till the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)" (Quran, al-Hijr: 34 – 35). 

Then Iblees asked for a respite until the Day of Resurrection, and Allah granted him that. Allah says:

• (Iblees (Satan)) said: "O my Lord! Give me then respite till the Day they (the dead) will be resurrected."
• Allah said: "Then, verily, you are of those reprieved,
• "Till the Day of the time appointed" (Quran, al-Hijr: 36 – 38).

When Iblees was certain that he was doomed, he resolved to mislead whomever he could from the slaves of Allah, so that they would be with him in Hell. Allah says:

• (Iblees (Satan)) said: "O my Lord! Because you misled me, I shall indeed adorn the path of error for them (mankind) on the earth, and I shall mislead them all.
• "Except Your chosen, (guided) slaves among them" (Quran, al-Hijr: 39 – 40).

Iblees’ / Satan’s ultimate goal

After Allah gave him the reprieve until the Day of Judgment, he made misleading man as his primary goal. Allah told us about that in the Quran, “(Iblees) said: ‘Because You have sent me astray, surely, I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You)’” (Quran, Al-Aaraf: 16,17).
He has such confidence in ensnaring his victims that he openly declares his strategy of approaching them from all sides and making them succumb to his temptations. The first victims of Satan were Adam (alaihis salam) and Hawwa. Allah says, “Then the Shaitan (Satan) made them slip there from (the Paradise), and got them out from that in which they were. We said: "Get you down, all, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time" (Quran, Al-Baqarah: 36).
“and an enjoyment for a time" is what Satan makes the most of. He has decided to make the world appear beautiful and attractive and works on ways to lure man, limit his perspective to the gains, pleasures and enjoyment of this world alone, and make him forget the path that Allah (SWT) has chalked out for all human beings during their stay here.
Satan’s ultimate goal is to make people go astray and eventually to turn them into disbelievers, or polytheists at a minimum. The manner in which Satan pursues that goal varies in accordance with the interests and inclinations of his victims. For example, he uses piety to attack the pious; scholarly disciplines to attack scholars; false reasoning and logic for those who take pride in being knowledgeable, and ignorance to attack the ignorant. Allah (SWT) Has warned us in the Holy Quran:
“O Children of Adam! Let not Shaitan (Satan) deceive you, as he got your parents (Adam and Hawwa’ (Eve)) out of Paradise,” (Quran, Al-Aaraf: 27).
". . . and follow not the footsteps of ‘Shaitan’ (Satan). Surely he is to you an open enemy" (Quran, Al-Anaam: 142).
So, Allah has made it clear to mankind that Satan is their enemy and Satan’s goal is to divert mankind from the goal that Allah established for them, which is to follow and worship Allah by obeying His commands. Satan’s goal is to make mankind disobey Allah and divert them to the hell fire in the hereafter, which will also be Satan’s abode. Allah says in the Quran:
“Surely, Shaitan (Satan) is an enemy to you, so take (treat) him as an enemy. He only invites his Hizb (followers) that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire” (Faatir 35:6).

Shaitan is the source of all evil

Everything that happens among the sons of Adam of kufr (disbelief of the Truth), murder, enmity, hatred, the spread of immorality and fornication, the public wanton display of women’s beauty, drinking alcohol, worshipping idols and other major sins, is all the work of Satan to corrupt mankind and to drive people from following the way of Allah and drag them to the Fire of Hell with him. So, let’s remember that when we find ourselves around evil or being lured by it, Satan is engaged in his work and our task is to fend off his plans. Allah says in the Quran: “And if an evil whisper from Shaitan (Satan) tries to turn you away (O Muhammad) (from doing good), then seek refuge in Allah. Verily, He is the All Hearer, the All Knower” (Quran, Fussilat: 36).

Ways in which Satan approaches us

Satan approaches man through stealthy means. Allah (SWT) cautions us in the Quran with this verse:
“Verily, he and Qabiluhu (his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them” (Quran, Aal-e-Imran: 27).
The following are some of the ways in which Satan approaches man to invite him toward evil.
Provokes rebelliousness – After establishing the supremacy of one’s ego in one’s heart, Satan encourages the person to become rebellious and to reject the laws and rules established by Allah the All Mighty. He leads men to their suspicion, questioning and argumentation in sheer obduracy. In a world where human weakness from temptations and weakness of faith abound, Satan influences man into ignoring and belittling the words of Allah stated in the Quran. He thus overly engages man into running after the worldly goals at the expense of violating divine commandments. Let’s not forget that when we engage in this form of rebellion where our hearts start to ignore or reject the truth, we risk doing exactly what Satan did, as we see from the verse where Allah said, “… except Iblees (Satan), he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allah)” (Quran, al-Baqarah: 34). Let’s ensure, therefore, that our actions and thoughts do not lead us to rebel against Allah’s message that He revealed to His Messenger.
Weakens one’s faith and Eeman in Al-Qadr (Allah’s Divine Will) – Believing in Allah’s will is an integral part of a Muslim’s faith. Another common way for the Satan is, therefore, to make us compare our situations with those around us and leads us to feeling discontented with Allah’s will. Satan thus diverts our attention from accepting the will of Allah to focusing on those who may have more of this life’s luxuries and thus arousing feelings of envy and jealousy. He also presents this life as the sole prize that cannot be missed and thus induces in us discontentment with our present situations in life.
As Muslims, let’s ensure that we do not let Satan play with our imagination, conjuring up rosy pictures of the unattainable, making us visualize what could have been or should have been our destiny thus weakening our faith in Al Qadr. As Muslims, we should never forget Allah’s “will” in the ultimate determination of our destinies. We should also remember the Day of Judgment when all accounts will be settled and appropriate dues will be paid. “And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full” (Quran, Aal-e-Imran: 185). Also, as Allah says in the Quran, “And you cannot will unless (it be) that Allah wills the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)” (Quran, al-Takweer: 29).
Instills feelings of pride and Ar-Riya (showing off) – When one does good deeds, Satan is quick to instill feelings of pride followed by the desire to show off one’s virtues or achievements (also referred to as Ar-Riya). He diverts his victim’s mind from vying for the deed’s rewards from Allah to expecting praise to flow from people instead. As Muslims, let’s not forget that the payoff that we desire for our deeds reflects the nature of the intention of doing those deeds. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) says: "The most fearful thing I fear for you is Minor Shirk". He (Peace be upon him) was asked about it, and he said: "It is (Ar-Riya’) showing off". Then, he (Peace be upon him) explained it saying, "A man stands in prayer, performs it more beautifully and properly than ever, because he notices someone looking at him" (Imam Ahmed).
Induces conceit in a person who has accomplishments to his credit – Satan also induces false confidence in a person making him feel that he has reached perfection or that he is far better than others. This leads to vanity, self-admiration and distancing one from reality. As a result, the person starts viewing others patronizingly. We should, therefore, constantly remember Allah and look for opportunities of doing good deeds. Most of us know the story of the prostitute from the nation of Children of Israel who saved a dog from dying thirsty and as a result of that deed was entered in paradise. Similarly, we also know the story of the lady who trapped her cat and made her die of hunger and as a result was sent to hell fire. This is why the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “…one of you may do the deeds of the people of Paradise until there is nothing between him and it but a cubit, then the decree overtakes him and he does a deed of the people of Hell and enters it. And one of you may do the deeds of the people of Hell until there is nothing between him and it but a cubit, then the decree overtakes him and he does a deed of the people of Paradise, and enters it” (al-Bukhaari (3208) and Muslim (2643) from Ibn Mas’ood).
Uses laziness and procrastination to keep one away from good deeds – We should realize that when Satan fails to make us rebel against the key truths of Islam, he uses other tactics to distance us from our basic obligations by using the tools of laziness and procrastination, and belittling in our minds the importance of those obligations. For example, even though many Muslims recognize the obligation to pray regularly, they fail to follow through in getting regular in such worships. In one of the hadiths narrated by Abu Hurayrah, he mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The Shaitan ties three knots at the back of the head of any one of you when he goes to sleep, striking each knot and saying: “You have a long night ahead, so sleep.” If he wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is undone. If he does wudoo’, two knots are undone. If he prays, all the knots are undone, and he starts the day energetic and in a good mood. Otherwise, he starts his day in a bad mood and feeling lazy” (al-Bukhaari (3269) and Muslim (776)).
Sets one Muslim against another – Satan works on a common human weakness related to making one quickly assume something negative about the other. He thus infuses suspicion and doubt in the hearts of Muslims making them think badly about one another, and provoking them against one another. For example, Satan considers sowing the seeds of discord between a husband and wife as one of his greatest achievements. The Prophet (S.A.W.S) said: "Iblis places his throne upon water; he then sends detachments (for creating dissension between people); the nearer to him in rank are those who are most notorious in creating dissension. One of them comes and says: “I did so and so.” And he says: “You have done nothing.” Then one amongst them comes and says: “I did not spare so and so until I sowed the seed of discord between a husband and a wife.” Satan goes near him and says: “You have done well.” He then embraces him” (Sahih Muslim and narrated by Jabir Ibn ‘Abdullah).
Pushes obligatory deeds to the background – Within Islam, obligatory duties take precedence as they establish the Muslim’s identity and foundation of belief. When Satan’s efforts to influence the staunch believer hit a dead end, he attempts to make the ‘recommended’ lawful deeds appear more inviting than ‘obligatory’ duties thus pulling the believers away from the obligatory duties of Islam. For example, helping and supporting parents and family members is more important than helping friends. Similarly, praying the five obligatory prayers in congregation is more important than praying Taraweeh prayers. We should, therefore, be careful in not sacrificing the obligatory deeds at the expense of the less important deeds.

Finally, at the end, whom do we blame and what will Satan say?

So, at the end – on the Day of Judgment – when we are all made to account for what we had done in this life, we won’t be able to blame Satan for the bad deeds that we did because of how he had incited us. Rather, this is what Satan will say on the Day of Judgment (as Allah tells us in the Quran):
“And Shaitan (Satan) will say when the matter has been decided: ‘Verily, Allah promised you a promise of truth. And I too promised you, but I betrayed you. I had no authority over you except that I called you, and you responded to me. So blame me not, but blame yourselves. I cannot help you, nor can you help me. I deny your former act in associating me (Satan) as a partner with Allah (by obeying me in the life of the world). Verily, there is a painful torment for the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers)’” (Quran, Ibraaheem: 22).
There’s much to ponder about in this verse. Here are the key points:

1. Satan knows the real truth of Allah’s message. We know this because he will say, “Verily, Allah promised you a promise of truth…” He will continue to say later, “I deny your former act in associating me (Satan) as a partner with Allah (by obeying me in the life of the world).”
2. Satan will mock us by pushing the burden back on us. He would say, “…I called you, and you responded to me…”
3. Satan would not even accept the blame and instead will put the blame on us. He would say, “…So blame me not, but blame yourselves…”

The remedy – ways to protect ourselves

In spite of all the tactics that Satan uses to mislead mankind, he is not able to hurt those of Allah’s slaves who are aware of Satan’s tactics, and use their defenses provided them by Allah to ward off those tactics. Allah says in the Quran:
"(Iblis (Satan)) said: ‘By Your Might, then I will surely mislead them all. Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (i.e. faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism).’” (Quran, Saad: 82-83).
Allah said to Satan:
"Certainly, you shall have no authority over My slaves, except those who follow you of the Ghawun (Mushrikun and those who go astray, criminals, polytheists, and evil-doers)” (Quran, Al-Hijr: 42).
The following are some of the defenses that we can use to keep Satan from exerting his influence over us.
Ignore Satanic whispers (waswaas) – One of the effective ways to ignore Satanic whispers is to first be aware of them and then once recognized, to ignore them. So, we should be quick to recognize that when we feel being driven by our temptations to do bad or succumb to a feeling of laziness or procrastination to do good, we should ignore that waswaas. It is worth quoting here what Ibn Hajar al-Haythami (may Allah have mercy on him) said about dealing with waswasah in his book al-Fataawa al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kubra (1/149). This is what he said: “He was asked about the problem of waswasah (insinuating whispers from the Shaitan), and whether there is a remedy for it. He replied that there is an effective remedy for it, which is to ignore them completely, no matter how frequently they may come to mind. When these whispers are ignored, they do not become established; rather they go away after a short time, as many people have experienced. But for those who pay attention to them and act upon them, they increase until they make him like one who is insane or even worse, as we see among many of those who have suffered from them and paid attention to them and to the devil whose task it is to insinuate these whispers, whom the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) warned us against…, as was explained in Sharh Mishkaat al-Anwaar.
In al-Saheehayn there is a report which supports what has been mentioned above, which is that whoever suffers from waswaas should seek refuge with Allah and turn away from the waswaas. So think about this effective remedy which was taught by the one who does not speak of his own whims and desires to his ummah, and understand that whoever is deprived of this is deprived of all goodness, because waswasah comes from Satan, according to scholarly consensus, and Satan has no other desire than to make the believers go astray, make them confused, make their life a misery, and cause them distress to the extent that they leave Islam without realizing it.
Faith and Trust in Allah – Allah says in the Holy Quran: "Verily! He (Satan) has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their Lord (Allah)" (Quran, An-Nahl: 99). The message, therefore, is clear and that is to direct our attention not to what works in helping Satan in his goals but to do what our Creator wants for us. Allah says in the Holy Quran: "And whoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (of every difficulty). And he will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine" (Quran, At-Talaq: 2-3).
Fearing Allah and not His Creation – Another weapon used by Satan is that of inducing fear in the hearts of weak human beings. He tries to frighten the believers with apprehension of various consequences and difficulties in following the Straight Path. Allah tells us in the Quran: “Shaitan (Satan) threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahsha (evil deeds, sins, illegal sexual activities, etc.) whereas Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and Bounty, and Allah is All-Sufficient for His creature’s needs, All-Knower” (Quran, al-Baqarah: 268).
Allah warns us that one of Satan’s tactics is to make us fear His creation. He says in the Quran: "It is only Shaitan (Satan) that suggests to you the fear of his Auliya’ (supporters and friends (polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad); so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers" (Quran, Aal-e-Imran: 175).
Recite Dhikr – We should use Allah’s remembrance (Dhikr-Allah) to ward off waswaas. Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said that “…when the Shaitan hears dhikr (remembrance of Allah) he slinks away, and Laa ilaaha ill-Allah is the best of dhikr, and the most effective remedy for warding off waswasah is to remember Allah a great deal.”
Obtaining Islamic knowledge (from the Right Sources) –Taking heed of Satan’s ways and becoming aware of his plans and goal can help us to be alert to his influence or persuasion and keep our defenses up. For this, it is essential to acquire Islamic knowledge from the right sources. It is very difficult for Satan to approach those dedicated to learning. Let us reflect upon what Imam Shafai said: "All humans are dead except those who have knowledge; and all those who have knowledge are asleep except those who do good deeds; and those who do good deeds are deceived except those who are sincere; and those who are sincere are always in a state of worry."
Taking refuge and shelter in Allah – Allah says in the Holy Quran: "And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaitan (Satan), then seek refuge with Allah. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower" (Quran, Al-Aaraf: 200). One of the other ways to seek refuge from Satan is to recite the last two chapters of the Holy Quran, namely Surat Al-Falaq (The Daybreak) and Surat An-Nas (Mankind), by supplicating for Allah’s Protection, and seeking the Most Merciful’s forgiveness for one’s sins constantly.
Being thankful to Allah for the gift of Eeman and seeking His Protection for it – Let us remember that the confidence Satan expressed in his success to mislead people, stems from his assurance that most people are ungrateful to their Creator, Lord and Master Allah the All Mighty. Allah says in the Quran that Satan claimed: “. . . and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You).” (Quran, Al-Aaraf: 17). It is, therefore, man’s ingratitude to Allah that Satan banks upon in getting man off track. So one of the antidotes to Satanic whispers is to be in a state of constant consciousness of Allah (SWT), and thankfulness for all His Blessings upon us.
To conclude, as and when we fall to our temptations to commit the wrong, let’s remind ourselves that even Satan knows the truth, yet he is determined to make us earn Allah’s anger. However, at the end – on the Day of Judgment – he will simply say, “…So blame me not, but blame yourselves…”
.
– End

Luck

Everyone of us experienced luck. For something that happened unplanned and unexpected we usually called it luck. It could be good or bad. If it is good and to our liking we called it lucky and if otherwise we called it unlucky. Lucky is everyone wishes.

You are driving then suddenly the vehicle in front of you pull an emergency brake and you instantly press the brake of your vehicle and it stops just an inch before the front vehicle. You shall say "phuuuh!!, how lucky I am".

Did we ever noticed that in life this lucky situations happened to us many times? Alas what we remember most are always the unlucky one. Actually we are many times luckier than not.

Only if we looked down we shall see lucks are all over ourselves but if we look up we shall see only otherwise filled our life.

Kasturi Restaurant - A reflection of Malaysian urbanite lifestyles

Kasturi Restaurant located somewhere in Bandar Sri Damansara. A place where ordinary peoples of various walk of life from surrounding area go for their breakfast and lunch. It is just another ordinary restaurant. But in one corner there sit several Bandar Sri Damansara folks every morning, chatting about many things from their own personal problems right up to local Malaysian and world politics. Sometimes it could heat up and tense, sometimes it is just a casual talk and even sometimes just a drop by to say 'hello'.

Over there almost every morning you could see various opinions flowing freely, no sign of worry of Internal Security Act, Official Secret Act, Police Act or whatever acts. They just released them out and stated their stand over certain issues firmly. No standing order, no speaker and no chairman.

But at times the corner would be so quiet. Nobody around. Perhaps they were fast asleep or have gone out to work or to do some other stuffs outside. But if you realized most the decisions that affecting the community especially the Muslims community were made there.

Golongan Yang Sedikit

Oleh Ahmad Ripaai b Mat Noh

Diceritakan pada saat Islam sudah menjadi agama majoriti di dataran Arab, seorang pemuda berdoa dengan penuh kekhusyu'an.Tanpa sengaja sahabat Rasul, Umar R.A. mendengar doa pemuda tersebut yang berbunyi "Ya Allah, Jadikanlah aku termasuk golongan orang yang sedikit"...

Umar terkejut dengan bunyi doa tersebut dan bertanya "Kenapa kau berdoa untuk dimasukan kedalam golongan yang sedikit ? bukankah golongan yang majoriti atau banyak itu biasanya mempunyai kedudukan yang lebih berarti ?"

Pemuda tersebut lalu menjawab dengan potongan Surat Saba ayat 13 :

"...Wa qaliilum min 'ibaadiyasy syakuur"
(...Dan sedikit diantara hamba-hambaKu yang bersyukur)

Golongan yang sedikit adalah golongan orang Islam yang bersyukur kepada Allah swt. Ramai hari ini orang-orang Islam yang tidak atau kurang bersyukur kepada Allah swt diatas segala pemberian Nya selama kita hidup ini. Ramai juga yang berkata bahwa mereka sebenarnya  bersyukur tetapi hanya sekadar kata-kata dan tidak pernah dizahirkan dalam ertikata sebenar yang dituntut oleh Allah swt.

Apakah yang dituntut oleh Allah swt dalam menzahirkan rasa bersyukur kepada Nya ini?

The Moment of Rain

Ahmad Ripaai b Mat Noh

Rain exist in every corner of the world. In some parts of the world, it rains heavily but in another is rare. Rain sometime accompanied with lightning and storm and sometime it is just purely rain. Rain could cause flood and could destroy home but rain is a time that we sometime pray for. Rain exist in this world even before mankind and it is a part of the process of the the natural cycles.

Rain created by the Might as a gift to the living creatures of the world. How it happens is no longer a mystery. By now mankind has had the knowledge of how it happens and can even predict when it is going to happen. Rain keeps the life going although we sometime hate it. We like it or not it shall keep on coming till end of time.

But do we realized that there is a very short moment when its rains, which is so beautiful, so calm, and so peaceful?

The moment is immediately just after the rain stopped. The life at the moment seems still and it is so touched. Always find the moment and use the moment to thanks Allah swt who has given us this living.


Hast thou not seen how Allah wafteth the clouds, then gathereth them, then maketh them layers, and thou seest the rain come forth from between them; He sendeth down from the heaven mountains wherein is hail, and smiteth therewith whom He will, and averteth it from whom He will. The flashing of His lightning all but snatcheth away the sight. (Al Noor: 43) 


Who has made earth for you like a bed (spread out); and has opened roads (ways and paths etc.) for you therein; and has sent down water (rain) from the sky. And We have brought forth with it various kinds of vegetation. (Ta Ha : 53)

 

Rasa Cukup

Ini lah antara suatu rasa yang amat payah untuk dicapai oleh manusia. Hanya mereka yang punya tahap keimanan yang tinggi sahaja mungkin dapat mencapainya.

Rasa cukup atau mencukupi adalah suatu rasa dimana sesaorang berasa memadai dengan apa yang ia ada atau miliki. Ianya berkiat rapat dengan harta atau wang ringgit yang dipunyai. Kebiasaannya kita manusia senantiasa merasa tidak mencukupi dan senatiasa hendak lagi. Apatah lagi dengan didikan dan ilmu ekonomi yang diajar kepada kita tentang mencari harta tanpa henti atau keuntungan tanpa had. Rasa tidak puas walau harta sudah melimpah ruah itulah menjadi prinsip hidup kebanyakan manusia.

Sedangkan Islam mengajar kita akan bertentangan. Islam mengajar kita agar senantiasa merasa cukup dan berserah kepada Allah swt. Firman Allah swt, Surah Al Talaaq Ayat 2 dan 3 marhumnya:

Barangsiapa yang bertakwa kepada Allah, nescaya Allah akan lepaskan ia dari masalah hidup. Dan diberikannya rezeki dari sumber yang tidak diduga. Dan barangsiapa yang bertawakkal kepada Allah, nescaya Allah akan mencukupkan keperluannya. Sesungguhnya Allah melaksanakan urusan (yang dikehendaki ) Nya. Sesungguhnya Allah telah mengadakan ketentuan bagi tiap-tiap sesuatu.

Berserah atau bertawakkal kepada Allah swt setelah berusaha, mencari dan membuat sesuatu maka Allah swt akan meniupkan rasa cukup dalam dirinya dengan merasa memadai dengan apa yang diperolehi.

Apabila kita merasa cukup atau memadai maka akan rasa bahgia lah kita. Tidak lagi kita akan berasa susah hati, gelisah dan gundah gulanah terutama dengan hasil yang sedikit. Walau sedikit tetap kita bersyukur dan tetap mengembalikan sebahagian kepada yang memerlukan.

Wallahu a'lam.

Menjaga Aib Saudara Kita

Aib adalah merujuk kepada rasa malu oleh sesaorang atau orang yang dekat dengan sesaorang akan sesuatu keadaan yang tidak elok mengenai sesaorang itu tertedah atau diketahui umum. Rasa malu ini boleh membawa kepada kesan saikologi yang sangat negatif kepada sesaorang yang diaibkan itu, sehingga memungkin sesaorang itu mencabut nyawanya sendiri atau mengalami gangguan mental yang amat dahsyat.

Ajaran Islam melarang keras aib sesaorang itu didedahkan atau diceritakan. Islam mengajar kita agar kita orang-orang beriman tidak sekali-kali berkata-kata walau apa dan macam mana sekalipun tentang sesuatu keadaan yang tidak elok mengenai sesaorang.

Allah swt berfirman dalam Surah Al Hujarat Ayat 12 bermaksud:

[49.12] Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Jauhilah kebanyakan dari sangkaan (supaya kamu tidak menyangka sangkaan yang dilarang) kerana sesungguhnya sebahagian dari sangkaan itu adalah dosa; dan janganlah kamu mengintip atau mencari-cari kesalahan dan keaiban orang; dan janganlah setengah kamu mengumpat setengahnya yang lain. Adakah seseorang dari kamu suka memakan daging saudaranya yang telah mati? (Jika demikian keadaan mengumpat) maka sudah tentu kamu jijik kepadanya. (Oleh itu, patuhilah larangan-larangan yang tersebut) dan bertaqwalah kamu kepada Allah; sesungguhnya Allah Penerima taubat, lagi Maha mengasihani.

Sabda Rasulullah Sallallahu ’alaihi wasallam yang bermaksud:

“Wahai golongan yang beriman dengan lisannya, tetapi tidak beriman dengan hatinya. Janganlah kamu mengumpat kaum Muslimin dan janganlah mengintip keaiban mereka, maka barang siapa yang mengintip keaiban saudaranya, nescaya Allah akan mengintip keaibannya dan siapa yang diintip Allah akan keaibannya maka Allah akan membuka keaibannya walaupun dirahsiakan di lubang kenderaannya.”
(Hadis riwayat at-Tirmidzi)

Kita sepatutnya menutup aib sesama Muslim dan berhenti daripada menyebut-nyebut serta menyiarkannya, sebagaimana firman Allah:

“Sesungguhnya orang-orang yang suka menghebah (menyiarkan) tuduhan-tuduhan yang buruk dalam kalangan orang-orang yang beriman, mereka akan beroleh azab seksa yang tidak terperi sakitnya di dunia dan di akhirat.” (Surah an-Nûr:19)

Sabda Rasulullah Sallallhu ’alaihi wasallam lagi yang bermaksud:

“Barang siapa menutup aib seseorang Islam, maka Allah akan tutupkan aibnya di dunia dan di akhirat.
(Hadis riwayat at-Tirmidzi)

"Tiada seorang yang menutupi aurat( keaiban) orang di dunia, melainkan Allah akan menutupi keaibannya di hari kiamat." (Hadis riwayat Muslim)

Tidaklah seseorang itu banyak bercakap akan aib orang lain, menyebutkan kesalahan dan mendedahkan aib mereka melainkan orang itu orang munafiq yang terhina.

Jadi adalah wajib bagi setiap Muslim, menutup aib saudaranya dan malah hendaklah menasihatkan secara sulit, lemah lembut dan penuh hikmah kerana bimbang saudaranya itu akan ditimpa celaka dengan sebab perbuatannya itu.

Dari 'Aisyah radhiallahu'anha, katanya: "Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda: "Janganlah engkau semua memaki-maki orang-orang yang sudah mati, sebab sesungguhnya mereka itu telah sampai kepada amalan-amalan mereka yang sudah dikerjakan dahulu -sewaktu di dunia, baik kebajikan atau kejahatan." (Hadis riwayat Bukhari)

Allah amat murka kepada mereka yang menyebarkan keaiban di dalam masyarakat. Sehingga disebabkan mereka maka masyarakat menganggap kejahatan itu merupakan suatu yang biasa dan masyarakat merasa tidak aman daripada buah mulut orang lain. Kerana itulah Allah SWT mengharamkan mengumpat sebagaimana yang difirmankan di dalam ayat berikut:

Keaiban kadangkala dianggap suatu yang baik untuk dikongsi di atas banyak sebab, antaranya untuk melepaskan tekanan perasaan, untuk menimbulkan rasa insaf, sebagai pelajaran bagi orang lain, untuk menjadikan diri dipandang mulia, memberi alasan dan sebagainya. Atas apa alasan pun, membocorkan keaiban merupakan suatu yang dilarang oleh Allah dan Rasul. Rasulullah SAW bersabda:

"Seorang Muslim itu saudara bagi Muslim yang lain. Dia tidak menganiayanya dan tidak pula membiarkan dia teraniaya. Siapa yang menolong keperluan saudaranya maka Allah akan menolong keperluannya pula. Siapa yang menghilangkan kesusahan seorang Muslim, Allah akan menghilangkan kesusahannya di hari kiamat. Dan siapa yang menutup keaiban seorang Muslim, maka Allah SWT akan menutup keaibannya di hari akhirat." (HR Bukhari)

Bahkan, keaiban yang dilarang untuk diceritakan itu bukan cuma keaiban orang lain. Keaiban diri sendiri juga harus dan perlu ditutup oleh setiap orang. Rasulullah SAW bersabda:

"Semua umat ku selamat kecuali orang yang terang-terangan melakukan dosa. Dan termasuk terang-terangan itu adalah seorang yang melakukan dosa di waktu malam gelap mendadak pagi-pagi diceritakan kepada orang lain. Padahal semalam Allah telah menutupi dosanya itu tetapi setelah paginya dia membuka apa yang Allah tutup itu." (HR Bukhari dan Muslim)

Seandainya keaiban tadi adalah keaiban orang lain pula, maka itu sudah masuk ke dalam kategori mengumpat dan seperti yang Allah fimankan tadi, perbuatan itu diumpamakan seperti memakan daging saudara kita yang telah mati. Jelas perbuatan ini merupakan punca perpecahan dan perbalahan sesama muslim. Bahkan, seperti juga membuka aib sendiri, membuka keaiban orang lain juga memotivasi orang yang mendengar untuk berkongsi keaiban orang lain yang dia ketahui juga. Maka tersebar luaslah keburukan dan keaiban di dalam masyarakat sehingga terbuka luaslah pintu-pintu kehancuran, fitnah dan perpecahan di dalam masyarakat.

Setiap orang mempunyai keaiban dan tidak ada seorang pun yang terlepas dari melakukan kesalahan. Rasulullah SAW bersabda,

"Setiap daripada kamu adalah orang yang berbuat salah, dan sebaik-baik orang yang berbuat salah adalah orang yang bertaubat."( HR Ahmad).

Maka, selagi mana perbuatannya itu tidak dilakukan secara terang terangan maka perlakuan itu haruslah dirahsiakan dan dia tidak dihukum disebabkan dosanya itu.

Dari Umar bin Khattab ra, katanya

"Manusia pada zaman Rasulullah SAW berhukum dgn dasar wahyu, dan sekarang wahyu telah tidak turun lagi, sekarang kamu kami hukum dengan menurut apa yang nyata bagi kami tentang kerja mu. Barang siapa yang nyata bagi kami baik, kami amankan dan kami benarkan. Kami tiada mengetahui sesuatu yang dirahsiakan, hanya tuhan yang menghitung yang dirahsiakannya itu. Siapa yang nyata bagi kami jahat, tidak kami amankan dan tidak kami benarkan, walaupun dia mengatakan bahawa yang dirahsiakan hatinya baik. (HR Bukhari)

Bahkan barangsiapa yang melakukan kesalahan yang sepatutnya dijatuhi hukuman hudud sekalipun ke atasnya, lalu Allah menutupi keaibannya itu, maka dia seharusnya menyembunyikan keaibannya itu lalu bersungguh-sungguh bertaubat kepada Allah SWT. Rasulullah SAW bersabda:

"Barangsiapa yang melakukan kesalahan hudud lalu disegerakan hukumannya di atas dunia, maka adalah Allah terlalu adil untuk mengenakan padanya hukuman kali kedua di akhirat. Barang siapa yang melakukan kesalahan hudud lalu kesalahannya ditutup oleh Allah SWT, sehingga dia terlepas darinya, maka Allah adalah teramat pemurah untuk menghukum orang yang telah dilepaskan dari hukuman oleh-Nya." (HR Ahmad, dia berkata hasan gharib. Al-Hakim, dia berkata sahih menurut persyaratan Bukhari dan Muslim).

Begitulah bagaimana Islam sangat-sangat menuntut kita agar menjaga aib sesaorang dan juga aib kita sendiri. Sebaiknya adalah kita hendaklah kurang bercakap kecuali atas hal-hal yang penting dan perlu.

Begitu juga membaca bahan-bahan yang senantiasa membuka aib orang lain yang sangat banyak dipasaran hari ini.

Wallahu a'lam.






Ahmad Ripaai b Mat Noh

Kehadiran Bukan Muslim Ke Masjid

Isu yang agak hangat diperkatakan oleh Jemaah Islam dikawasan Bandar Sri Damansara tentang kehadiran YB ADUN Bukit Lanjan, YB Elibeth Wong ke Masjid sebagai lawatan kerja beliau dan seterusnya menyampaikan sumbangan kepada anak yatim dan fakir miskin dan berbuka puasa bersama.

Ada yang berpendapat haram orang kafir menghadiri masjid apatah lagi diraikan dan bersama menjamu selera semasa berbuka. Sementara ada yang berpendapat boleh dan tidak menjadi satu kesalahan. Lalu pelbagai suara yang didengari dan ada yang sangat tidak enak untuk didengari terutamanya dari mereka yang mengharamkan kehadiran bukan Islam ke Masjid.

Untuk pengetahuan umum Ulamak-ulamak Besar yakni Imam Besar Empat (Shafie, Ahmad, Malik dan Hanafi rh) dan ulamak-ulamak yang sezaman dengan mereka telah lama berbincang akan hal ini dan keputusan mengenainya telah pun dibuat dan telah dipatuhi sekian lama.

Pandangan Imam Shafie rh mengenai hal ini adalah seperti berikut dan saya mengambil pandangan Imam Syafie rh adalah kerana kita di Malaysia mengikuti dan perpegang kepada Mazhab Shafie ini. Ilmu agama yang kita terima dari guru kita adalah juga berpegang kepada pendapat dan pandangan Mazhab ini. Imam Shafie perpendapat:


Harus orang-orang yang bukan muslim memasuki masjid dengan keizinan orang-orang muslim melainkan masjid al-Haram dan semua masjid yang berada di tanah al-Haram. Ini adalah pandangan para ulama dalam mazhab al-Syafie (Sila lihat Raudhah al-Tolibin 1/296). Ia juga merupakan salah satu riwayat daripada Imam Ahmad, dan sebahagian ulama mazhab Hambali menyatakan inilah pandangan mazhab Hambali.

Said ibn Musayyin berkata:

Maksudnya:
“Abu Sufyan pernah memasuki masjid al-Madinah ketika ia masih seorang musyrik, demikian juga ‘Umair bin Wahb pernah memasuki masjid untuk membunuh Nabi S.A.W. yang berada di dalamnya, kemudian Allah menghidayahkan dia dengan Islam. (Sila lihat al-Mughniy oleh Ibn Qudamah).

Dengan pendapat Imam Syafie rh ini maka persoalan mengenai boleh atau tidak boleh seorang yang bukan Muslim hadir di Masjid telah terjawab dengan jelas lagi terang.

Cuma pengajaran yang boleh dipetik dari polimik penentangan akan kehadiran seorang bukan Muslim ke Masjid oleh ahli jemaah tertentu dapat dirumuskan seperti berikut:

1. Bahwa sebahagian orang-orang Melayu Islam walaupun berpelajaran tinggi masih berfahaman yang sangat terbatas dalam memahami Islam sebagai agama kepada semua umat manusia.
2. Sebahagian kita masih tidak dapat memahami konsep dakwah atau menyampaikan mesej Islam kepada semua manusia.
3. Sebahagian dari orang Islam masih kuat berburuk sangka kepada orang bukan Islam walaupun mereka telah hidup sekian lama dikalangan kita.
   

Begitulah kiranya kalau kita lihat perkembangan Islam di Malaysia amat perlahan malah lebih tinggi kadar mereka yang keluar meninggalkan Islam. Semenjak Merdeka hingga hari ini sepatutnya 90 peratus sudah rakyatnya beragama Islam.

Memang hidayah datang dari Allah swt. Tetapi untuk membolehkan hidayah itu hadir maka jalan-jalan untuk kehadiran hidayah mesti terlebih dahulu diterokai. Dakwah mesti disampaikan terus kepada terutama bukan Islam apatah lagi yang bukan Islam itu Pemimpin masyarakat.  Mereka mesti diperlihatkan kebaikan Islam dan orangnya terutama dalam hal amanah, berpegang pada janji, bersabar, berbaiksangka, menghormati tetamu, adil, saling hormat menghormati dan segala sifat-sifat yang baik yang diajarkan oleh Al Quran melalui Rasullallah saw kepada kita.

Sekali kali kita tidak boleh lihat setiap orang bukan Islam sebagai musuh secara umum begitu. Musuh adalah mereka yang kafir dan Muslim sendiri yang munafiq yang menjadikan orang yang beriman sebagai musuh mereka. Selagi mana mereka tidak memusuhi Islam selagi itulah kita tidak berhak memusuhi mereka apatah lagi bagi mereka yang telah sedia ada perjanjian atau kontrak sosial dengan orang-orang Islam.

Mereka mahu bersama didalam majlis kita tidak menjadi masaalah dan harus digalakkan sekiranya kehadiran mereka tidak sedikit pun mencemar kesucian Islam itu sendiri apatah lagi jika mereka dapat menyaksikan sendiri keindahan Islam itu dengan mata dan akal mereka sendiri.

Islam datang kepada umat manusia bukan kepada bangsa Melayu, Arab, Cina, Inggeris atau apa bangsa sekalipun. Mengambil Islam sebagai hak orang Melayu adalah suatu pandangan yang salah dan sangat sempit. Kekafiran orang-orang bukan Islam adalah kerana kejahilan mereka dan ajaran Islam tidak sampai kepada mereka atau sampai dalam bentuk yang negatif.

Ini lah jihad besar setiap umat Islam di Malaysia hari ini untuk berjuang membuka setiap ruang-ruang yang ada kepada menyampaikan Islam kepada bukan Islam. Tembok halangan hasil dari pemikiran yang sempit harus dirobohkan dan dengan bulatkan tekad dan niat hanya kerana Allah swt terus mara menyampaikan mesej-mesej Islam dari setiap sudut, ruang dan peluang yang ada.

 

Kisah Seorang Ibu

oleh Mira Kania Dewi Kamis, 27/08/2009 14:17 WIB

Seorang wanita muda sedang mengandung anak kedua. Kehamilannya belum mencapai usia tujuh bulan. Suatu hari, wanita yang tengah hamil ini mencuci tiga stel pakaian ABRI milik suaminya dengan tangannya sendiri sambil duduk berjongkok. Keesokan harinya, rasa sakit yang sangat di bagian perutnya dialami sang ibu dan rasa sakit itu terus berlangsung selama tiga malam hingga akhirnya lahirlah seorang bayi perempuan dalam keadaan belum cukup bulan (pre-mature).

“Pak-Bu harus siap ya, bayinya kecil sekali (1,5 kg) sewaktu-waktu bisa meninggal dunia” itulah kurang lebih ucapan dokter di rumah sakit kepada kedua orang tua bayi itu, di sebuah kota kecil Cimahi, Jawa Barat.

Sebulan lamanya bayi prematur itu harus tidur dalam incubator (kotak kaca) dan tidur terpisah dari ibunya. Namun kondisi demikian tidaklah mengurangi kasih sayang sang ibu bahkan sifat keibuannya semakin meraja. Dengan setia, sebulan lamanya sang ibu menemani bayinya dengan hati yang penuh do’a dan asa……..harapan dan keyakinan yang sangat kuat akan kebesaran Illahi Rabbi dalam mempertahankan perjuangan hidup seorang anak manusia.

Bayi yang bertubuh sangat mungil ini mengalami penurunan berat badan menjadi 1,3 kg. Kesulitan menyusu menjadi kendala dalam pertumbuhan bayi prematur. Setiap kali disusui, bayi itu tersedak sehingga wajahnya menjadi kebiruan. Sungguh…..kepanikan yang luar biasa dialami wanita itu.

Suatu ketika wabah diare menyerang sepuluh bayi di rumah sakit tempat bayi prematur itu dilahirkan. Dari sepuluh bayi, hanya dua orang bayi yang bertahan dalam keadaan sehat wal’afiat satu di antaranya adalah bayi mungil dari ibu muda nan cantik tadi. Rupanya kebiasaan sang ibu selalu hidup rapi dan bersih menjadi kuncinya. Dia selalu mencuci dan merebus sendiri baju-baju bayi prematurnya. Dia wanita yang kuat dan tegar, tak ada kata lelah dan bermanja-manja sehabis melahirkan.

“Maka sesungguhnya bersama kesulitan ada kemudahan. Sesungguhnya bersama kesulitan ada kemudahan.” (QS Al-Insyiraah : 5-6)

Mencoba dan mencoba lagi, berusaha dan terus berikhtiar….itulah yang dilakukan wanita itu. Sampai suatu ketika ia melakukan pemberian ASI (Air Susu Ibu) dengan menggunakan pipet tetes. Setetes demi setetes ASI dalam pipet mengalir dan menyambung kehidupan bayi mungil itu. Sungguh tak terbayangkan betapa luasnya samudera kesabaran, pengorbanan dan keikhlasan yang terpancar dari dalam diri wanita nan mulia itu. Bayi prematur itu perlahan-lahan tumbuh dan dapat menyamai berat bayi-bayi yang lahir normal dalam waktu tiga bulan. Subhanalloh…..

Bayi mungil itu kini telah menginjak usia 38 tahun dan telah menjadi seorang ibu dengan tiga orang anak. Bayi itu adalah aku…..

Perjuangan aku membesarkan anak-anakku tak ada nilainya dibanding perjuangan ibu membesarkan aku. Perjuangan dan pengorbanannya sungguh luar biasa dalam kondisi kedokteran yang pada saat itu masih sangat sederhana dan belum sehebat ataupun secanggih kedokteran masa kini. Ibuku seorang wanita yang hebat, kuat dan tegar. Banyak sekali ilmu dan teladan yang selalu beliau contohkan kepadaku, kepada kami anak-anaknya, dan kepada cucu-cucunya.

Abu Hurairah Radhiallu ‘anh berkata : Seorang lelaki datang menemui Rasulullah Saw dan bertanya,” Ya Rasulullah, siapakah yang paling berhak mendapat pelayananku dengan sebaik-baiknya?” Nabi Saw menjawab, “Ibumu”. Dia bertanya lagi : “Kemudian siapa lagi?” Rasulullah menjawab, “ Ibumu.” Dia bertanya lagi,” Kemudian siapa?” Nabi Saw menjawab;” Ibumu.” Dia bertanya lagi,” Kemudian siapa lagi?” Nabi Saw menjawab,” Ayahmu.” (HR Bukhari)

Ibu, aku banyak berhutang kepadamu. Aku tak tahu harus memulai dari mana. Ya Rabb bantulah aku dan bimbinglah aku agar aku tergolong ke dalam hamba-hamba-MU yang sholeha yang mampu memuliakan dan membahagiakan ibu dan ayahku dan jadikanlah surga sebagai kampung akherat kami, aamiin Allohumma aamiin.

Dalam usianya yang semakin senja, semoga ALLOH SWT selalu memberikan kenikmatan iman, Islam dan sehat kepadamu ibu dan juga ayahku. Kebahagiaan dunia dan akherat yang selalu menyertaimu, limpahan Rahman dan Rahim-NYA yang selalu bersamamu serta keberkahan dalam hidup yang selalu tercurah untukmu, ibu dan ayahku. Cinta dan do’a kami (anak-anakmu) selalu menyertaimu.

“Rabbigh-firlii wa liwaa lidayya war-ham-humaa kamaa rabbayaanii shaghiiraa”.
Artinya : Ya Tuhanku, ampunilah dosaku dan dosa kedua orang tuaku, sayangilah mereka sebagaimana mereka telah menyayangiku dan memeliharaku di waktu kecilku.

Wallohua’lam bishshowaab.