Essential basics.

Basics. Fundamentals. Pillars. Foundations. Roots.

It's the source that expands, flourishes, nourishes, and shines.

Physicists believe this universe is made up of universal fundamentals. Fundamentals that hold true everywhere, in the Milky way or the distant super clusters of galaxies.

Chemists believe that the change is inevitable.Change happens everywhere, that changes inspire life.

Islam has its pillars. Strong simple truth, that builds a world view that is Godly, and at the same time, humanely blessed.

The world today lost their way, because we lose our way to the mastery of the basics. We lost our sense of humanity, religion, science, and courtesy, because we don't master the basics.

Simply put, basics is essential.

Academics

My life, always at the expense of mastering the basics. Even I often fail at it. Worth the risk somehow. When it comes to final examination, while everybody will stay and focus on spotting the final exams, I will withdraw to a silence spot, undisturbed, for days working out the basic formula and equations. 

Deriving, understanding, applying. I always do that. Even the urge to the short-cut of spotting finals is often seducing, but I manage to refrain myself. Most of the times, the working out of basics in my academics life would leave me sleepless for nights, sweating my forehead, the disorder of my study desk increases, the caffeine in my body system keeps increasing and often left me fatigued. I will read books that are out of my suggested syllabuses, just in order to understand the functions and derivations of principles in my subjects.

However lame it may sound, this regard to the importance of basics, always lend me a very special position in tackling exam questions. Even the question is twisted severely, I rarely lose my cool during final. My memories of taking finals are always relaxed, deep breath each questions, smile and able to do check my answers. 

And up until now, it maybe slow, but it has served me well, Alhamdulillah.

Weight loss and fitness

Often, people want short-cuts to achieve great things. In this world, there may be smart ways, but surely aren't short. Greatness is always paved with hardships and challenges. Great quality and result always comes with great efforts.

It took me months to really understand the basics of weight loss. That's only the theory. Right now, after almost one year since I've started going to gym, I still think that there is so much to learn. The form, the weight, range of reps and sets, arsenal of exercises and its variation, and most importantly, nutrition.

Like weight lifting. Often people are into the trends of lifting way heavy beyond their capabilities, when the real purpose is to provide stimulus for muscle growth, therefore become stronger. They compromise form for weight, therefore instead of going healthy they are basically destroying themselves. 

Insya Allah, when the aim is set, basics and fundamentals are mastered, you'll only need discipline to execute your way to success. And for me, the aim for the second phase in January 2015. 

Life

Will be entering a new phase of life. Remastering basics of life, self-control, and many more.

To be truthful, just before the Swimathon, I'd imagine myself being not anywhere near from now. Decisions have been made after meticulous process. And insya Allah, I pray so that Allah bless and ease us.

Yesterday, I talked with Imam from Gaza, Imam Jihad. I escorted him. During the supper with AJK masjid, he talked about Qassam operations. Being the engineering student, both of us Imam Jihad and I, the discussion sometimes went deep in engineering terms, that pakcik-pakcik couldn't understand and his translator is having problems understanding too. So I decided to help explaining. And he was excited knowing I am from engineering faculty.

He went out later, hugged me, held my hand and my friend's hand closely, talked about the very dire need of Al-Qassam for engineers, especially electronics, electrical and mechanical. We talked long and lastly before we departed, I asked him and said "I want to be one of the martyrs. So, please pray for me, that Allah grant me martyr's death. That I die for Allah.."

He answered, why ask to die for Allah when we could ask Allah to live for Allah? Everyone dies, but not everybody truly lives. (He sounded like Razor somehow). He explained by what he meant. That if you live for Allah, surely by Allah's mercy you will die for Allah. No doubt. So, don't aim to die for Allah. Aim to live for Allah, you'll get both. 

He gave me the advice and I felt like, Subhanallah..like something is filling the void in my heart. I felt very calm, thankful and tears almost escape my eyes. I never thought about what he said at all before this. Seeing me emotional, he hugged me, and kissed my forehead deeply. And his age is the same as me. May Allah bless him.

He never told us how he related with al Qassam, but he sure knows a lot. When we asked about it, he said, not all questions can be answered. But seeing how close he was with Mas'ul for HAMAS in Malaysia, hmm.. I think he is deeply involved. 'Ala kulli hal, it was a very good advice.

I also met a lot of people, to ask for tips on cruising the next phase of life. Asking for what is fundamentals, that people often miss and overlook, neglecting, yet it plays the influential factors in life. I got many. I hope to apply them soon ^.^

So....

What's the basic of life then?

ALLAH. 

Love Him, and all is well.

Moga Allah permudahkan segala urusan kita. 

I swam, I conquered. [Kapas Marang Swimathon '14]

Let me begin by saying that I was once an overweight, failed, rejected and confused guy. And the peak was at last Raya. The momentum I gained today started from that point onward.

Despite the effort I took to become better before, somehow it's like it keeps yo-yoing around. Just like my weight. My maximum weight was 118.5 kilograms to be exact on the digital scale. Everything was up and down. However, I find new strength and hope. God disconnects to connect. Alhamdulillah. :)







Identity
I know, in order to really improve my life, I have to form a new identity. Apart from inside change in terms of perspective and principle, I also wished to reform my physique. Identity is important. Your behavior is governed by your identity. Just like men won't wear women's cloth, so does fit and strong guys don't eat carelessly at KFC and drink 100Plus.

So, I make the change. I learned what was necessary in healthy body, and I put my aim in becoming at most like Hugh Jackman. Perhaps in another two or three years. Even though when I express my wish, my mother said she doesn't like man with big traps. For me his traps is OKAY.

Training and Nutrition
To swim efficiently, you need strong muscle, good stamina and correct technique. So, I asked for my friend's help who was a regular gym-goer. I learned from him what exercises were needed to stimulate muscle growth in some parts - in the end - I obtained an arsenal of BASIC knowledge on how to make almost every part strong. From biceps, triceps, deltoids, lats, hamstring, core, quad, calves, traps and glutes. It was amazing, by the end of some even-you-don't-realize period, you know a whole lot of thing that people don't know.

So, I went to the gym, I learned the proper technique, and I went swimming, I learned the correct technique. Although it was obvious for me to keep polishing my technique, I was amazed by how much I've progressed. :3

Butterfly!

The training wasn't easy. Vomits and tears were occasional companies. Sometimes, you got angry and frustrated, and that when you performed your first 50 meters butterfly with perfect form. Sometimes, you remembered your past failures, you felt so remorseful and suddenly you were able to deadlift 100 kilograms. That's channeling energy.

Basically, I went jogging almost every morning after Subuh, and 3 weeks before the competition I stopped. I focused on maintaining my muscle and compensated my cardio and endurance in water. I lifted four to five times a week, focusing full body transformation and stressing more on deltoids, triceps, core and legs - the ones that would be used the most during the competition.

My meals then were consisted basically of chicken breast, lot of eggs, pasta, brown rice (I learned to cook them too!), countless veggies (half of them were unsuccessful experiments), and spices and whey protein supply. I learned what types of foods that were needed to support my healthy initiatives, what to avoid and many more. Surprisingly, the budget was low and the nutrition was enough.

During my training, my lifestyle also changed. In order to maximize hypertrophy and recovery, I slept early. I made sure I got enough rest. Stress-free life. I varied my training. I did research, extensive research about division in lifting - powerlifting, bodybuilding, Crossfit and PX90.

Live well
However, I didn't let this health initiative consumed my life. I hanged out with my friends, and I planned my cheat days so that it could be accommodated with my usrah - in which usually we would eat a lot!

I also took note of Arnold's advice - build your body and give back to community. I taught my overweight friends and housemates how to live healthily. My room mate loss 5 kg in two weeks :) I tried to educate my family about good foods and bad foods.

We stayed away from oily foods, excessive carbs, and we bought a lot of fruits and experimented with various veggies (most of the time haha!)


Kapas Marang Swimathon
At last, the awaited moment came. One week before competition, I virtually didn't do anything. Just maintained my healthy foods and toured KL with my siblings.

Kapas Marang Swimathon was a race - long distance from Kapas Island to Mainland Pantai Kelulut. Around 6.5 kilometers shortest distance. This year, the participants were around 530++ from all around the world including USA, Belgium, France, South Africa and many more. About 60 kayaks, 4 jet skis, and two big maritime boat were placed for safety.

My plan was just me going bringing a tent so I could sleep near the beach. But, fortunately, my parents wanted to come along (I was so happy!). They rented a home stay, and we had a lot of fun the day before. My siblings went to the beach where I would be swimming and they played around. Me? I just watched the choppy and big waves come and go. I enjoyed the moment. The happiness. The near-accomplishment feeling.

Three days prior, I have started my carb loading phase to increase my glycogen store. So, yeah, I ate a lot. Alhamdulillah.

That day, I woke at 4.30 in the morning. Did my qiam, kissed my sleeping mom and siblings and went to the jetty at 5.30 am with my dad. I felt proud - seeing so many Muslims did stop at the surau to pray just before the ferry took off at 6.00 am. Muslim swimmer!

On board of the ferry, I met two new friends. We talked about how we trained and what foods we ate and many more. At 7.30 am, the body marking started. A 228 digits were marked at my lengan. I ate my power bar. Just so that I would not exhaust myself too much during the swim. Funny, some pakciks went to mark their numbers on their bellies. It was cute though.

We had around 30 minutes to warm up. I jogged a little, do some push ups and stretching, just to get my blood pumping.

There was something I wanna search during the swim. I don't know. What I knew was I just needed to complete the swim. I prayed to Allah before the gun was shot - so that I found what I was searching for.

During a warm up session. You see all those boats. That's security. 

We had a little bit briefing. And we were informed that that day current was a bit strong and we need to see the direction the boat was anchored to figure out the strong current. Mr Chan, who was the director said the shortest distance was 6.5 kilometers but the total distance we might swim due to the strong current probably about to 8- 10 kilometers - unless our stroke was strong and steady, we would be surely pushed aside a little bit time to time.

Some of us wanted to race and finish the swimathon as soon as possible. But there people like me, who were just there to enjoy the view and cruise peacefully through the beautiful vast ocean.

Bamm! The gun was shot. I quickly started my freestyle. Not too slow, but not too fast. Relaxing and keeping pace with the main crowd. It was so enjoying and relieving. I felt so free. Some of us started to do strokes for fun - butterfly and breast stroke. I was too. It was so fun, I waited for the big wave to come then splash I stormed out from the water with my butterfly stroke. It felt so majestic! I saw a few pakciks in front of me also were doing the same thing.

In the middle, I started feeling disoriented. About 1 hour 45 minutes after the release. I had my watch. So I watched my time closely to track my course. A kayak called me out, saying that I was so far from the main course. The current pushed many of the swimmers aside. The current was strong. I needed to learn to use my front hand during the freestyle to 'feel' whether the wave would be up or down so that I could catch my breath properly. If not, when my face emerged, it would be covered in water then I would lose my chance to breath properly. Breathing needed to be kept steady. I didn't want any accumulation of lactic acid to interrupt the swim.


There was a time when I lifted my head to relax - I saw nothing in front of me, behind, left and right. No kayaks, no main land, no pulau, nothing. Perhaps the waves were too high I couldn't see anything. I felt afraid. But then, I felt thrilled. Still, in the midst of the swim, I couldn't help but to feel we humans are incomparably small. So small, tiny, and helpless. That's the way I felt during the swim. To Allah, the Lord of the seven seas I praised. Subhanallah. In the middle of that swim, I felt the loneliness. Only Allah and me. It felt romantic though.

I slowed my pace a while. My watch showed 2 hours 30 minutes had elapsed. The fatigue just started to kick in. I stopped at a kayak for one minute to drink water. In that condition, water was essential. I swam and accidentally gulped a lot of sea water. So, I was dehydrated. Then, Alhamdulillah, I saw the balloon arc finishing gate at far sight.

"At last" I sighed. The sun started to glare already. I did not apply any lotion or sunblock cream. At that time, there were three swimmers with me. And we seemed to struggle to set the direction of our swim because the current kept pushing us away. We needed to do sighting every few and then to really optimize our remaining energy. I felt so exhausted. My deltoids and triceps started to burn.

The last phase seemed the longest. The water kept pushing me back. Felt tired of sighting, I just counted until 200 strokes every time to sight.

At last! I arrived. I saw my brothers Ayaz dan Saif were jumping excitedly seeing me out of the water. Other swimmers also beside me, three of them. All of us somehow a bit disoriented. We could not stand properly and walked like a drunk person. We were greeted by a government official. He gave me the shirt and congratulated me with the finisher medal.

Somewhere I belong
I searched for my mum and dad quickly after that. I found my mum and I hugged her very very closely. Tears escaped my eyes. Thank you mama. I hugged my dad. He gave me a manly pat behind my back and said, "Mama cakap menyesal lepaskan Asif dalam laut tadi. Ingatkan asif tak sampai-sampai mama takut asif lemas" and he laughed. My mum laughed also. Well, that was happiness. And my brothers all came to me to peluk-peluk. Haha geli. Tak pernah nak peluk sebelum ini pun, tetiba.

Still disoriented!

I found what I searched. Alhamdulillah. It's a secret. But, trust me, the swim was worthy. Definitely.

I shut down during the trip back home, and my deltoids and traps were sore as bad as they could be. I could not even lift my hands to drive. Imagine!

And the sijil!

One day, I will compete in a triathlon event. Aim set. Let us execute.

Cinta di mana?

Sebelum cuti bermula, kami meluangkan masa bersama seorang ustaz yang sangat dihormati di Penang. Seorang lulusan Yaman, dia banyak membuka minda kami mengenai dunia. Aku mengaguminya dengan rapat kerana beliau telah menjelaskan Usul Isyrin kepadaku dengan begitu jelas sekali, bagaimana pada hari ini aku menggunakan prinsip-prinsip tersebut dalam melihat dunia. Beliau juga seorang yang sangat mendalam ilmunya di dalam sirah. Bagaimana beliau menggariskan panduan sirah dan mengaitkannya dengan kehidupan sangat aku kagumi.

Perancangan asalnya ialah untuk kami bersama beliau sehari suntuk untuk belajar dengan beliau (rancangan murabbi kami). Setibanya di rumah beliau, beliau mengajak kami keluar jalan-jalan. Pergi makan sana sini (I was forced to declare that day my cheat day). Sepanjang jaulah kami ke sekeliling Penang, ada beberapa perkongsian yang beliau ceritakan pada kami, untuk pengajaran bersama. Aku merasakan ini sangat perlu untuk aku nukilkan di sini, untuk manfaat bersama dan juga untuk nota pada diriku masa hadapan.

Lafaz yang umum tidaklah dimaksudkan untuk generalization. Frasa umum dikhususkan maksudnya pada yang terlibat.

1. Ukhuwwah
Betapa ukhuwwah itu asas kegemilangan. Seperti sudah menjadi tradisi hari ini untuk yang mengikuti dakwah ini melalui bahan-bahan dengan intense dan padat, sampai lelah dibuatnya. Sekejap program sana, sekejap program sini. Mutabaah yang ketat, rigid, dan bi'ah yang sangat serius. Tiada santainya, tiada relaksnya, tiada rehatnya. Yang ingin berehat, santai dan berhenti sebentar seperti tidak mengambil urusan dakwah dengan serius..

"Mana nta kenal akh ni?", "Oh ana kenal dia dari program".. Ustaz mengungkap seperti sesetengah ukhuwwah yang lahir pada hari ini datangnya dari program-program.

Sedang pakcik makcik dulu-dulu membinanya dengan penuh kehangatan, gelak ketawa, kemesraan, kepercayaan, yang lahir semulajadi tanpa dipaksa dan bukannya plastik. Sebab itu dengan izin Allah kebanyakan mereka masih bersama di dalam gerabak dakwah.

Apa yang ustaz nak sampaikan pada kami ialah supaya kami bersama-sama mad'u kami, untuk ukhuwwah yang sebenarnya. Bukan ukhuwwah program. Ukhuwwah yang kekal, walau selepas mereka memilih untuk tak ikut tarbiyah, kita teruskan. Biar cinta yang lahir itu tidak didasarkan pada apa-apa, kecuali Allah. Walau agamanya sudah kurang, kita hulurkan tangan. Walau tarbiyah tidak terjaga, kita tetap hulurkan tangan. Moga-moga dengan izin Allah dia kembali bersama gerabak dakwah. Kerana jika cinta kerana Allah, walau apa yang terjadi, kita tetap akan ada untuknya.

Kadang-kadang aku tak boleh comprehend siapa yang kata tak boleh nak kawan sebab dia dah berubah, agama tak jaga, hubungan dengan Allah tak jaga, tinggalkan yang memperlahankan dakwah dan sebagainya. Kita berkawan atas dasar kerana Allah atau dia? Maksud aku, kita selalu kata, rupa dan populariti akan pudar, harta akan kurang, tapi agama kekal. Kalau agama dia berubah, kita tinggalkan dia. Aku tak boleh comprehend. Aku tak faham. Agama juga manipulated variable, Allah yang constant. Andai dia hanyut, tugas kita genggam dan pegang. Apa-apa yang terjadi, kita setia. Kita tetap di sisi, berdoa, bertahan. Kalau dia putus asa pada Tuhan, tugas kita sambungkan kembali. Entah. Aku tak subscribe pada idea macam itu.

Ustaz bercerita kisah-kisah bagaiman ikhwah akhawat yang hari ini padu dan laju di dalam dakwah walau telah berkeluarga, kerana masing-masing ada kenangan hangatnya ukhuwwah. Dan yang laju, rigid, keras, dan 'mee segera', kebanyakannya hilang sama ada ditelan zaman atau dilanda konflik. Tiada lagi yang mengikat.

Moga ukhuwwah terus mengikat..




2. Keluarga
Ustaz juga bercerita betapa hari ini banyak masalah rumahtangga terjadi dalam kalangan ikhwah akhawat muda. Bukan dalam jemaah ini sahaja, tapi masalah ini masalah nasional. Macam mana keluarga dakwah, atau al Bait al Muslim yang difahami sangat ideal. Isteri yang mengutamakan program berbanding suami, suami isteri yang hilang nilai romantiknya, yang sanggup pergi program walaupun anak adam. Ayat Al Quran mengutamakan Allah berbanding keluarga, ibu bapa, dan anak-anak telah disalahfahami konteksnya, kerna ayat itu merujuk kepada konteks aqidah.

Sehingga ada yang ingin berhenti usrah kerana terasa hati pada pasangan yang lebih mengutamakan jemaah berbanding pasangan. Terlalu ideal, rigid, dan serius. Mujahadah telah disalahfahami dengan rigidity dan keseriusan. Pasangan menganggap nikah ini hanya untuk dakwah, tiada usaha untuk memurnikan keluarga itu sendiri, hanya platform. Lupa. Mereka lupa. Marhalah kedua selepas individu muslim adalah keluarga muslim.

Kenapa bersusah membina individu muslim kemudian membiarkan keluarga muslim begitu? Keluarga adalah lapangan dakwah. Usaha harus dilakukan. Bukan sekadar bernikah, beranak, tapi membiarkan anak-anak kerana sibuk dengan kerja dakwah. Ustaz mengingatkan andai berlaku seperti itu, tak mustahil anak-anak akan menjadi musuh dakwah pada masa hadapan.

Nasihat ustaz, be romantic. Bawa pasangan pergi dating, jalan-jalan, bagi hadiah. Keep it alive. (Ustaz dah 8 tahun kahwin pun kalau jalan pegang tangan dengan isteri lagi, di rumah ustaz ada couple mug, makan pun suap menyuap lagi..)

Insya Allah, tak plan untuk menjadi anak, abang, suami, dan ayah yang membelakangkan keluarga kerana dakwah. The option is not mutually exclusive. It's not either family or dakwah. It is both and that's life. It's about how you manage.


3. Akhlaq
Di akhir sekali, akhlaq. Akhlaq yang baik, indah, mudah didekati, mesra adalah buah dari tarbiah dan ibadah. Hasil ketaatan pada Allah akan terzahir pada akhlaq yang baik. Perkara-perkara yang dianggap kecil seperti melayan haiwan, melayan warga asing sehingga perkara yang besar - semuanya indah andai disandarkan akhlaq yang baik.

Pengikat jiwa itu adalah akhlaq yang indah. Seorang kawan yang mengambil berat, abang yang penyayang, pelajar yang menghormati, ayah yang menyayangi, suami yang romantik, pekerja yang amanah, da'i yang mencintai dan menyeru kepada kecintaan kepada Allah, ummat nabi yang mencontohi nabi, dan akhir sekali sebaik akhlaq adalah akhlaq yang merendah diri dihadapan Rabbnya. Mengagungkan perintah Tuhannya dan berkasih sayang dengan makhluqnya - dua prinsip pengabdian dan khalifah [Qawaid Dakwah, Qaidah 1 - Hammam Said]

Kalau sudah kasih sayang itu buahnya, mengapa tidak ternampak? Adakah ianya tidak berbuah?

Wallahu a'lam, sekadar catatan dan perkongsian. Moga-moga ada manfaat.


p/s - Sedih sebenarnya course mate ramai pindah kampus ke Pasir Gudang. Gambar di bawah adalah gambar bersama classmates merangkap bekas anak usrah - malam terakhir kami bersama. 90% memori aku di Penang adalah dengan depa ni. Gambar lain unavailable.

p/s 2 - lagi tiga hari saya akan bertanding di International Kapas-Marang Swimathon 2014. Open water competition. Track 6.5 kilometers crossing the sea from Pulau Kapas to Marang. Doakan saya selamat sampai :) Nanti saya post di sini pengalaman sepanjang renang across the sea. Tak sabar nak tengok Nemo berenang-renang di bawah kaki. Harap tak ada ikan jos.

Sebuah Jendela Untuk Remaja

Hari ini aku lihat banyak isu-isu yang mengusutkan minda. Mengelirukan. Mengotorkan hati, dan membunuh iman. Ada yang mengapi-apikan emosi dan sentimen. Sehingga ia membawa ramai dalam kalangan kita memilih untuk, 'Aku tak peduli'. Ya, ada bezanya ia dengan peduli tetapi mengambil langkah berkecuali. Aku melihat ianya satu keperluan mendesak untuk remaja khususnya pada hari ini, untuk mempunyai satu cara pandang yang berprinsip dan fleksibel.

Ada juga yang sudah lemas dalam ketaksuban dan kefanatikan sehingga justification menjadi kerja sambilan. Allah, aku juga takut aku termasuk dalam golongan sedemikian. 

Ianya bukan lah merupakan satu kerisauan bagi mereka yang mempunyai tata cara fikir yang jelas. Yang berani mendengar dahulu, mengasingkan dan mengkategorikan, menilai dan membuat keputusan, dan terus berlapang dada. 

Wujudkah satu cara pandang mempunyai solusi yang tetap?

Oh tidak. Ianya bukan begitu. Namun cara pandang ada garis-garis panduan yang ditetapkan. Boleh juga diandaikan ianya bagaikan sebuah formula. Berlainan keadaan dan pemboleh ubah membawa kepada berlainannya solusi dan penyelesaian.

Jika para da'i turun pandang, kita boleh melihat betapa masyarakat memerlukan sesuatu bagi mengisi hati -mereka. Dalam perjalanan, mereka menemui kepelbagaian yang amat seni dan kadangkala menjadi buruk. Bagaikan fractals, corak yang andainya dilihat secara biasa-biasa menjadi tidak menarik, namun jika diperhatikan secara halus dan teliti, seni yang amat indah dan tersusun kelihatan. Corak yang dianggap tiada pattern dan dianggap mustahil untuk mathematical representation sebelum ini, akhirnya disedari keindahan di sebaliknya. Order in chaos.

Fractals in nature. 

Masyarakat pada hari ini keliru dan kusut. Malah mereka yang sedang melalui proses tarbiah juga keliru. Ianya tidak dinafikan, iya, proses tarbiah itu panjang dan susah, dan cara pandang atau paradigma bukanlah boleh berubah dalam sekelip mata.

Ianya memerlukan satu masa yang sangat panjang dan keadaan yang sangat sukar untuk seseorang membentuk satu paradigma yang menjadikan redha Allah sebagai baik buruknya. Seperti geology, Red dalam filem The Shawshank Redemption mengatakan ianya the study of pressure and time. 

Tapi, untuk mencapai satu paradigma berasaskan nilai dan prinsip yang tertulis tidaklah sesukar membentuk dan memahat apa yang dikatakan Ustaz Pahrol tauhidic world view.

Satu Cadangan

Menjadi seorang pelajar kejuruteraan elektrik mengajar aku satu antara banyak perkara. Dalam bidang ini, calculus dan circuit merupakan sahabat baik kami. (^.^). Apabila kami dikemukakan permasalahan, kami cuba mencari penyelesaian. Setelah kiraan yang panjang lebar, dan circuit yang ditransformkan beberapa kali, jawapan kami salah. Mahu tidak mahu kami akan pergi kepada jalan kami satu persatu untuk mencari apa yang menjadi masalah. Namun, sebelum kami nak jumpa apa yang salah, kami perlu tahu apa yang betul.

Dalam istilah yang lebih tepat sikit, itulah muhasabah. Untuk mencapai muhasabah yang efektif dan efisien, baik dan buruk haruslah kita kenalpasti. Aha..dalam mengenali baik dan buruk itulah hadirnya keperluan paradigma yang berprinsip dengan prinsip yang benar. Paradigma yang tepat akan membawa kita memahami keseimbangan.

Aku mengandaikan pembaca aku mempunyai asas-asas agama. Jauh daripada ketaksuban dan kefanatikan, aku ingin mencadangkan sebuah paradigma yang amatlah tepat dan evergreen dalam memahami persoalan asas dunia hari ini. 

Semestinya ia tidaklah begitu simplistik untuk mengatakan paradigma ini menyelesaikan segala-galanya dengan mudah. Pemalas memang tidak akan ke mana. Namun, aku merasakan ia cukup untuk menjadi panduan. Cukup untuk memandu kau mencari jalan sendiri dan menemui apa yang kau rasakan lebih dekat dengan hati kau.

Usul 20

Usul 20 ini dihasilkan oleh Imam as Syahid Hasan Al Banna. Bukan lah niatku untuk menghuraikan satu persatu usul ini kerana aku sendiri pun menghadiri daurah dari pagi hingga ke petang semata-mata untuk memahami hanya dua-tiga usul. Ini kan pula dua puluh. (*.-)

Ianya usul, ianya fundamental. Sebagaimana wujudnya First and Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, begitu juga dengan derivation usul 20, ataupun Usul al 'Isyrin dalam kalangan ahli Ikhwan. Sungguh, ianya merupakan mutiara yang amat bernilai. Usul sendiri membawa maksud prinsip asas, fundamental, sepakat ke atasnya. 

Contohnya, sebelum ini apabila tiba perkara furu', walaupun ia khilaf, aku menjauhinya atas dasar akhlaq. Aku kurang gemar membincangkan mengenai khilaf, kerana ianya FURU'(cabang). Namun setelah memahami secebis daripada pemahaman yang sangat luas daripada prinsip 20 ini, aku memahami "Kerana ia furu' lah wujudnya khilaf. Andai ianya usul, tiada khilaf". Selesai.  

Dalam mengkaji usul 20 ini, kekaguman ku pada as Syahid Hasan Al Banna sama taraf dengan kekaguman aku pada Imam As Syathibi dan kitab Muwafaqatnya, Imam as Syafi'i dan usul fiqhnya, Nikola Tesla dan alternating circuitnya, juga Stephen Hawking dan black holenya.

Ianya merangkumi Islam dalam erti kata kesyumulannya, nubuwwah dan sunnah nabi, etika kepimpinan dan politik, istilah-istilah dan hakikat maknanya, juga keselarian hakiki Islam dan sains dalam ertikata sunnatullah tabi'i. 

Silalah baca. Ianya boleh dijumpai di dalam Himpunan Risalah Imam Hasan al Banna, dalam Risalah Ta'lim.

Makna Kehidupan

Setiap perkara itu wujud maknanya. Kerna itu apabila ditanya Rasulullah mengenai apa itu Islam, Rasulullah menjawab dengan Rukun Islam. 

Andai kita memahami hadith ini dengan pendekatan konkrit dan teknikal, kita mungkin terfikir "Apa ini? Islam bukan itu sahaja. Islam itu sangat luas....".

Namun kita lupa, datangnya Islam itu untuk memberi makna kepada kehidupan kita. Andai tiada Islam, tiada lah dapat kita memahami makna dan tujuan hidup kita. Dan dalam Islam, tujuan ibadah disyari'atkan hanyalah satu - ta'abbud, ubudiyah. Kita menjadi hamba kepada Allah dan menghambakan diri. Dalam satu paradigma yang tepat, ubudiyah kepada Allah lah kemuncak tujuan hidup. Di bawah kemuncak ubudiyah itu bukan kosong-kosong dan reput, ianya penuh dengan nilai akhlaq, keadilan, kesejahteraan, adab, kecintaan, dan keseimbangan. 

Islam itu deen, dan Islam itu juga dibina atas lima rukun, Syahadah, Solat, Puasa, Zakat dan Haji. Jadi di mana intersection point nya di antara cara hidup dan rukun? Ayuh, aku mengajak kalian mencari makna sedalam-dalamnya di sebalik setiap kewajipan ini. Maknakan kehidupan kalian. Give your life meaning!

Rasulullah memahami!

Kerana itulah andai kita melihat riwayat-riwayat mengenai bagaimana sahabat-sahabat datang berjumpa Rasulullah s.a.w bertanyakan apakah amalan yang terbaik, Rasulullah memberi jawapan yang berbeza. Ini kerana setiap orang berlainan situasinya, berlainan latar belakangnya. Ada yang Qul Amantu billah thummastaqim(katakan aku beriman kepada Allah, dan istiqamahlah), ada La taghdab(jangan marah!), ada dikatakan solat di awal waktu sebaik-baik amalan. 

Kita sebagai murabbi cenderung untuk mengikut tradisi, bagaimana naqib-naqib hebat lain yang 'menjadi' anak usrahnya. Kita lupa mereka bertindak atas dasar memahami mad'u mereka, dan kita bertindak atas dasar mengikuti mereka. Kita lupa, tugas kita menyampaikan, dan yang pertama ialah memahami mad'u kita. 

Di sinilah pentingnya kita memahami konteks dan tujuan perkara yang kita lakukan. Dan pengaplikasian cara pandang atau paradigma yang tepat. Cari makna di sebalik setiap perkara yang kita lakukan. 

Jendela di antara banyak jendela

Dalam memahami permasalahan dan isu, kita juga harus memahami ianya semulajadi untuk wujudnya jendela lain. Ada orang lain melihat melalui jendela yang lain warna kacanya, lain bentuknya, berbeza jaraknya, berbeza tingginya. Dan kita semua melihat perkara yang sama, cuma melalui jendela yang berbeza. Ianya hakikat. 

Kita mengambil sikap mengakui kewujudan jendela-jendela tersebut dan memandang perbezaan itu dalam kaca mata yang berbeza. Bukan dalam erti kata konfrontasi, tetapi dalam maksud melengkapi, kepelbagaian dan natural.

Aku gemar menyebutkan kata-kata Rasulullah mengenai sahabatnya Salman al Farisi, "Salman minni, wa ana minhu". Salman daripadaku, dan aku daripadanya. Indah.. :)

Tapi kita jangan lupa, ada beza berbeza pendapat dan berbeza bathil dan haq. Jauh bezanya.

Wallahu a'lam. 

Sekadar berkongsi sedikit pendapat. Terutamanya mengenai isu-isu politik dan jemaah. Isu-isu lain kita sudah jelas kedudukannya, tapi isu ini aku merasakan ramai yang sedang mencari. Termasuk aku. Bimbing lah kami ya Allah.

Chinese Bamboo

"Apparently, once the seed has been sown, you see nothing for about five years apart from a tiny shoot. All the growth takes place underground, where a complex root system reaching upwards and outwards is being established. Then, at the end of the fifth year, the bamboo suddenly shoots up to a height of 25 metres. What a tedious object!"  -Aleph, Paulo Coelho

Be patient friend! :)

Flashmob Surprise!

My project this month was to direct a flashmob in UiTM. Aqsa Syarif was offered a slot during the expo, and we managed to pool resources from other groups like ABIM dan Pembina to help us. Alhamdulillah, it was done smoothly.

The second one was to co-direct a flashmob at Padang Kota Lama, a state event organized by Aqsa Syarif Penang and IKRAM Penang. Jeritan Gaza, Laungan Syria - was an event organized to raise funds for Palestine and Syria. Alhamdulillah, we managed to raise RM97,000 on that day. With the support of bikers convoy from various 'daerah'. From Timur Laut, SPT(Seberang Perai Tengah), SPU, Balik Pulau and many more. The convoy was joined by ikhwah and bikers from Penang. Sedikit terkilan tak dapat join sebab kena manage flashmob.

Our storyline for the second flashmob was a bit different. We planned to involve audience. The original story went like this. The first scene showed a peaceful sight in Palestine. Kids playing football, women sitting together, mom and son walking around. Then the Zionists entered. Punching and hitting Palestinians(we did the punch and hit for real - with less force). After few moments of struggle, they froze. Then, a speaker among the Palestinians would melt and started the reflection session. The speaker would try his best to convince the audience to come forward and detain the Zionists. From this moment, the storyline would split into two. If 1) the audience managed to come forward and hold all the Zionists, we decided it would be a 'win' storyline. And it would end with a nasyid - and an invitation to keep supporting the cause. We wanted the audience to feel that they were also part of the issue. If 2) no one came forward or the Zionists outnumbered the audience who came forward, it would be a 'lose' storyline. Zionists then would melt and kill all the Palestinians. By this time, a leader from the Zionists will come forward and provoke the audience. The provocation was meant to make the audience realized that this flashmob was not meant for show only, but also an iniative or a kick-start to do something about the issue. Then the leader will freeze again and the speaker will take his mic, did a muhasabah session, stressing on 'Silence is Betrayal', and doing nothing was actually an immoral act. Then we ended it with a du'a. That's the basic storyline.

But, things went so differently. Although the flashmob went so smoothly, but the storyline deviated so far. I congratulate all the actors and volunteering audience for the 'sporting' reaction.

The actual story went like this. Me in this flashmob acted as a Zionist. The storyline went as usual until the speaker's first session. I wore a snow mask. When I saw the audience when we froze, I was like 'Oh No'. I saw ikhwah from convoy were there. Ikhwah was not meant to be part of the crowd. We did dispatch a crowd control, just in case the audience got fueled up and screwed up the storyline. And when the speaker started his session, to convince audience to step up, the first one to step up was an ikhwah, my roommate! His action somehow motivated others to join in. Pakciks, and even sisters volunteered to hold and stop the Zionists. One sister even used her umbrella to push a Zionist away. Still, our leader was not detained. So, the story was set to 'lose'. The crowd control managed to tell the audience they were outnumbered, and they must step out from the scene. The Palestinians were all killed. So far, things went as planned. When our leader started the provoking session, I saw two persons came to stop him. I said with my mask on to my friend next to me, "Ini tak ada dalam skrip ini. Jom, tahan derang jangan bagi depa kaco Zul". The two persons held Zul(the leader) so tight, my friend and I had to throw them away. I kicked his knee to lock him down, while my friend held another person tightly. It was harsh and hard. But it was expected. Because the scene started so real. With real throwing and hittings, so it was okay. After we held two of them, I felt a bit relieved. Macam tak ada lah lari skrip sangat. Zul then proceeded with his script. Suddenly, one of them said, "Ikhwah semua, masuk lah!! Takkan tengok je!". At that time I looked around, I said, "Oh no, ini konfem dah lari skrip dah ini". I screamed slowly to one of them "Woi, ini bukan skrip dia lah!". By this time, all the Zionists behind us were already fighting so they would not be detained. Of course they were resisting, this thing was not in the script and not meant to happen. My friend and I were the last, we fought as hard as we could to keep the story in line. I pushed here and there, struggled here and there. So did my friend. But, the audience were too many. Dah lah di padang, baru lepas hujan. My face ended up kissing the mud. The speaker really succeeded in touching the audience, I saw even pakcik, akak dan entah siapa entah pun datang tahan kami. They were holding us down for real.

The good thing was, the crowd took it for real. They thought it was the storyline. Even the audience who were pinning us down also took it for real. I thought, at least the audience did something. So the speaker continued his muhasabah session. He decided to opt for the 'lose' story line. Zul were also doing well dalam memangkah muhasabah speaker (Alif). Zionists dah lenguh di pin down. Even I too. Lama kot. Jadi masa Alif mula berdoa, that's the key word for us Zionists to get up and retreat. Bila Alif baru mula berdoa, Zul terus pangkah, "Jangan DOA!" and he said lots of things about adab Muslimin dalam berdoa, hidup seharian kita dan very good things mengenai hubungan mustajabnya doa dengan kehidupan seharian. Ini semua tiada dalam skrip. In a few moments later then Zul started screaming "Berundur!".

The doa was really touching. I saw crowds everywhere with tears.

So, it ended nicely, although I dare say that the flashmob happened not in the way we expected. It was better! Alhamdulillah.

After the flashmob ended, while resting, I was approached by a guy. He came to the event, and asked many things about boycott and what could he do as a student. You know where did he work? He worked at McD and amazingly he had the initiative to help and contribute. I explained him the rational behind boycott, relations between McD and Zionists and many more. My last advice before we parted, resign.

My classmate laughed actually behind the mask. "What? An umbrella? Come on."

Excellent flashmob team. Dari IKRAM Siswa UiTMPP dan USM, plus Alif dari UPM.

So here's my classmate. Dia sekarang dalam proses berhenti merokok. Seorang daripada my friend dah berhenti completely, sekarang tinggal dia dan lagi seorang. Dua-dua sekarang tengah hadkan sebatang sehari. Doakan mereka dipermudahkan. InsyaAllah, nak ajak join usrah lepas ni. :)

Subhanallah. Astaghfirullah.


That's all.

Salam.

Heroes!

Pada tahun kelima kenabian, nabi berjalan dan melihat ramai pembesar Quraisy sedang berkumpul di hadapan Ka'bah. Nabi berdiri dan terus membaca surah an Najm.

Kesemua pembesar Quraisy yang selalunya akan meninggalkan nabi, terdiam dan tercengang. Mereka tidak sempat berbuat apa-apa. Hati mereka digamit keindahan Al Quran, tembok kedegilan mereka cair. Mereka terus diam dan mendengarkan bacaan al Quran yang sungguh indah. Sehingga ke ayat sajdah pada ayat ke 62 :

''Oleh yang demikian, hendaklah kamu sujud kepada Allah (yang telah menurunkan Al-Quran) dan beribadatlah kamu kepada-Nya (dengan sepenuh tauhid)''  (An-Najm : 62)

Nabi terus bersujud. Pembesar-pembesar Quraisy turut serta bersujud. Mereka tanpa disuruh sujud - tunduk dan lemah di hadapan kebenaran ayat al Quran. Mereka yang sebelum ini sangat kuat menentang tanpa disangka sujud kerana hati mereka terpaut dengan al Quran. Walaupun sesudah habis mereka sujud, mereka segera bangun dan menentang.

"How does my heart react when I read, listen, or tadabbur the Quran?"


Bulan ini pada zaman nabi, tahun keenam kenabian adalah bulan yang amat bermakna.
Islam dikuatkan oleh dua orang pahlawan yang hebat.
Saidina Hamzah bin Abdul Mutallib dan Umar bin Al Khattab.
"What are my contributions to Islam?"

Hari ini mula memasuki muka surat ke-200 Raheeq Makhtum. Sungguh, terlalu banyak mutiara untuk dikutip dalam sirah nabi. Terlalu banyak. Macam-macam perasaan dialami semasa membaca sirah. Sedih, gembira, bangga, rindu dan bersemangat!

Rasa dunia ini kecil, rasa akhirat itu tujuan. Moga istiqamah kawan! :)

Tinggal kita, umat Islam, memilih untuk menjadi hamba Allah yang bersyukur atau tidak.
Allahumma Solli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi ajma'in.


1. JOM! Jumaat ini ke talk Syeikh Zahir Mahmood. Mengenai pedang Allah, the one who remained undefeated in battles. Until he died. Di UIA Gombak.



2. JOM! Hadir ke Conference of Heroes 13 November ni. Di UIA Gombak. Yang dari Uni lain pun jom lah. Tapi harga tiket up sikit.

Nilai Cinta

Sebelum habis Ramadan, saya ada membeli beberapa buku. Mood semasa Ramadan merupakan mood cinta. Jadi, semasa ke kedai buku, saya membeli buku perihal cinta. Buku mengenai kekasih saya, Syamail Muhammadiyah(Keanggunan Nabi Muhammad) - Imam Tirmizi dan juga buku Hilal Asyraf, Sebelum Aku Bernikah. Hasrat nak membeli Is God A Mathematician? saya tangguhkan. Momentum Ramadan ada, jadi kena garap hikmah-hikmah selagi semangat itu ada. Biar hikmah jadi kefahaman, dan kefahaman memandu istiqamah di bulan lain.

Sekembalinya saya di sini(Penang), saya meminjam buku Kecerdasan Asmaul Husna, Sulaiman Al Kumayi. Sepanjang di sini, sudah enam buah buku saya pinjam dan habis baca. Semuanya buku mengenai sains dan saintis. Understanding Einstein, Black Holes and Baby Universes - Stephen Hawking, The Great Beyond; Higher Dimensions and Parallel Universes, dan lain-lain. Jadi, memang sepanjang di sini sebelum raya moodnya mood sains, bila masuk Ramadan jadi mood hamba yang mencari cinta. Alhamdulillah, Ramadan kali ini saya bahagia. Tiada apa yang saya sesalkan. Moga-moga Allah terima segalanya.

Raya kali ini agak mendebarkan. Saya tak sentuh walau sebiji pun kuih raya (Heheee : Gelak Shin Chan nakal). Di pagi raya, kami berkumpul di Kubang Kerian. Sesudah ibu, ayah dan makcik pakcik saya bersalaman dengan datuk dan nenek saya, saya membacakan doa. Panjang doanya. Bercucuran air mata makcik pakcik ibu ayah saya. Saya berdoa kepada Allah, merasai harapan ibu saya selama ini. Alhamdulillah. Ini kali pertama semua adik-beradik dapat berkumpul setelah lebih sepuluh tahun tak dapat berkumpul bersama. Saban tahun saya melihat ibu saya sedih, kerana sedikit perselisihan dengan nenek kami, hanya keluarga kami sahaja yang beraya di sana. Kadang-kadang sangat dapat bertembung dua beradik di rumah nenek kami. Saya belajar nilai yang sangat penting dalam keluarga daripada kejadian ini.

Lebih mengejutkan, biasanya saya hanya menitis air mata ketika bersalaman dengan ibu ayah saya. Sikit je. Tapi tahun ini, saya menangis di bahu mereka. Saya tak cakap apa-apa. Saya pandang wajah mereka, saya salam tangan, saya letak muka saya di bahu mereka. Menangis macam budak-budak. Habis basah baju ibu ayah saya. Lagi-lagi masa tengah meraung di bahu ibu saya, ibu saya berbisik "Anak mama, Mama sayang. Lagi dua je Allah tak makbulkan lagi doa Mama untuk abang. Jadi Hafiz Quran, Allah dah makbulkan. Lagi dua, Mama doa abang dapat pimpin masyarakat, dan Mama doa abang mati syahid. Itu doa Mama". Lagi kuat saya menangis. Maklumlah, anak sulung. Bukan selalu dapat rasa ibu belai kepala. Dah habis menangis, sempat lagi saya tanya, "Ma, tak doa untuk Asif kahwin ke?". Keh. Entah macam mana soalan itu keluar pun saya tak tahu. Tiba-tiba. Moga saya dapat jadi anak yang baik. Mereka tak pernah putus asa untuk saya, dari saya kecil hingga besar. Banyak dosa saya pada mereka. Saya tahu dalam hati saya, saya cinta mereka. Sangat-sangat cinta. Tak pernah berlalu sehari tanpa nama mereka disebut dalam doa saya.

Saya sering tertanya-tanya, terutama pada bulan Ramadan lepas. Apakah nilai cinta saya di sisi Allah? Macam mana untuk saya ketahui adakah cinta saya bernilai atau tidak di sisi Allah? Saya tidak tahu jawapannya. Tapi saya merasakan, cinta itu perasaan yang menenangkan dan membahagiakan. Saya merasakan bila kita hidup dalam senang, kita bersyukur. Bila hidup diuji, kita solat dua rakaat memohon sifat redha dan bersangka baik pada Allah.

Alhamdulillah, bila saya terima berita yang saya kurang berkenan, saya terus mengambil wudhu' dan menunaikan solat dua rakaat. Andai sebelum ini walaupun saya bersabar, tapi hati saya akan sakit. Tapi Alhamdulillah, kali ini rasa sedih itu saya pulangkan kembali pada Allah. Andai itu yang terbaik, mohon dikurniakan redha. Saya sentiasa berdoa pada Allah agar segala keputusan hidup ini dipandu Allah, bukan dipandu oleh kecetekan akal diri sendiri. Walaupun kadang-kadang kemahuan itu terlalu kuat, kemahuan itu saya pulangkan kembali kepada Allah. Andai ianya baik, pulangkan ia kembali pada saya. Andai tidak, hilangkan ia dari hati saya.

Hidup ini punya tujuan. Jangan mudah terleka dengan distraction lain. Sentiasa belajar dari kesilapan.

Ya, hidup saya ada impian. Saya punya tiga impian dalam hidup. Andai Allah ingin gugurkan mana-mana impian saya, saya redha. Impian boleh digugurkan, namun tujuan itu pasti. Tujuan hidup kita ialah Allah. Paksikan itu dalam hati.

Sentiasa check dari masa ke semasa, bagaimanakah cinta kita? Adakah bila kita sujud, hati kita merasakan kehinaan dan kehambaan? Adakah kita ingat pada Nabi semasa kita senyum, bergurau, makan, dan solat? Kerna itu semua sunnah nabi. Di akhir zaman ini, di mana nabi telah tiada, link kita untuk menyemai rasa cinta pada Nabi hanyalah dengan mengamalkan sunnah nabi, selawat dan membaca sirahnya.

Sentiasa rujuk hubungan kita dengan Al Quran. Adakah kita menjaga dan mengamalkan isi Al Quran? Adakah kita faham ciri-ciri dalam Surah al Mu'minun? Sudahkah kita maklum ciri-ciri orang bertaqwa yang terletak di banyak tempat di dalam Quran? Sudahkah kita faham berapa kali Allah berpesan, yang Allah akan meneguhkan tapak kaki mereka yang berada di jalan Allah? Malah Allah siap menghantar malaikat untuk bersama dengan kita.

Saya ingin syorkan satu buku yang sangat bagus. Bekalan Sepanjang Jalan Dakwah, Mustafa Masyhur. Sangat peribadi dan hidup. Beliau mengajak kita untuk mencari bekalan dalam solat, di dalam Quran, zakat, haji, tafakur pada nikmat, dan takfakur pada ciptaan Allah. Best!

Juga buku Syamail Muhammadiyah. Ada di MPH. Tak padan langsung dengan harga. Harga murah, isinya masya Allah tak ternilai. Cinta pada nabi berbunga.

Sejak saya habis buku itu, saya sering berdoa sebegini di akhir doa saya, " Ya Allah, aku sangat merindukan kekasihMu, Rasulullah. Kirim salam sayang rinduku padanya. Allahumma Sholli 'ala Muhammad. Aku ingin dahiku dicium olehnya di syurga nanti".

Hargai cinta kita, pupuk dan semai. Kerana kita akan bersama dengan siapa yang kita cintai di akhirat nanti.

Berikan nama-nama Allah - At Tawwab, Ar Rahim, Ar Rauf dan banyak lagi nama-nama indah lain nilainya. Yakinilah Allah itu at Tawwab, Maha penerima taubat. Yakinilah Allah itu ar Rahim, Maha penyayang. Berikan nama Allah haknya, berikan nama Allah sifatnya, berikan nama Allah nilai cintanya. Moga dengan itu, cinta terus berputik. Tak kenal, maka tak cinta. [Kecerdasan Asmaul Husna]. 

Insya Allah.

Home

Last Ramadan, I behaved very abnormally. I was having some kind of confusion and loss control. It was like all of my unresolved life's conflicts surged all at once. I didn't return home. I traveled from mosque to mosque, iktikaf and sometimes, I slept at a bus stop at Greenwood, just to find answers and clear my head. My parents were very worried. During that time, my father sent me a single text message. He said whatever I was going through at that time, face it like a man and always remember, my parents will always be there for me, come home. Upon reading the text, my fear swept away. I felt safe and secured, I felt at home in my heart. I did not know what was I afraid of, and still do not know now. I don't know what had happened, but it was a very miserable moment.

And here, I have the same 'home' feeling. Apart from my weekly call to my parents and little cute chubby brothers and my daily text message to my little sister, I feel like home when reading the Quran. Reading the Quran makes me feel safe and secured. It gives me a very deep tranquility. It is like every ayat is intended for you. And it feels hard to turn to another page because of how beautiful your heart interacts with the page, but it also feels very excited and curious for what is waiting for you at the next page.

This Ramadan is a very blessed Ramadan. I got to have iftars with ikhwah at baitul ikhwah here in Penang. I got to learn from my naqib, who went to Gaza last year's Ramadan. The way he described Gaza and al Aqsa, oh, I really wish I could die there syahid, and be buried with syuhada'. Allahuma amitni bi mauti syuhada'. ALhamdulillah, this week I will be tasked as a bodyguard and personal assistant for an Imam from Gaza who came here. His name is Imam Mu'min. My duty will start tomorrow. I want to learn as much as possible from him.

May Allah help us all in improving ourselves.

ALhamdulillah for the life I'm having now :)

Sempurna

Dulu, masa form 5, naqib saya pernah tanya, kalau dengar lagu ini ingat siapa?  In my mind, I don't have any clear answer at that time. Haritu masa ada Pameran KoKU di sini, lagu Sempurna by Andra ni dipasang. I took a sit and enjoyed it. I smiled. Alhamdulillah, the answer was very clear. I still remember before Hafidz my beloved respected senior flew to German, I sought his advice. He said, 'Jaga Iman, jaga Quran. Bergaul dengan orang-orang yang datang ke masjid/surau'. Orang-orang yang datang ke masjid di tengah-tengah kelatnya jahiliyah yang melanda, ialah mereka yang mencari kedamaian dan bi'ah solehah. Mereka yang mencari solitude untuk resolve konflik seharian.

Selamat menyambut Ramadan kawan-kawan sekalian. Cari Cinta Allah, cari sampai jumpa. Kekalkan momentum, jangan putus asa dengan dosa masa lalu. Ada sebab Allah suruh jadi 'tawwab' bukan 'taaib'. 'Tawwab' ialah mereka yang mengulang-ulang taubat mereka[Sinergi, Hilal Asyraf]. Cari taubat nasuha, cari cinta Allah, cari rindu Nabi, cari redha ibu ayah, cari cinta adik-beradik. Moga jumpa di Ramadhan kali ini. Amin ya rabbal 'alamin. Allahu yusahhil 'alaikum.

Kau begitu sempurna
Di mataku kau begitu indah
Kau membuat diriku
Akan selalu memujamu
*courtesy of LirikLaguIndonesia.Net
Di setiap langkahku
Ku kan selalu memikirkan dirimu
Tak bisa ku bayangkan
Hidupku tanpa cintamu


Janganlah kau tinggalkan diriku
Takkan mampu menghadapi semua
Hanya bersamamu ku akan bisa


Kau adalah darahku
Kau adalah jantungku
Kau adalah hidupku
Lengkapi diriku
Oh sayangku kau begitu
Sempurna, sempurna


Kau genggam tanganku
Saat diriku lemah dan terjatuh
Kau bisikkan kata
Dan hapus semua sesalku.

:) 

Of Tolerance and Pluralism

Problem statement
Last year, I went to a program organized by United Religions Initiative. I am sure most who followed my blog read it.  It was a really good and effective program - their scheme along the program was to sit in group, to share, and to interact, sometimes multimedia presentation. Sharing opinions was really encouraged. Even some Muslimah colleagues of mine, who could barely speak in English before they attended, ended up being brave and courageous enough to speak to others in English. In the program, there were representatives from different countries[Australia, India, Thailand, Philippine, UK and others], cultures and religions[Islam, Christian, Buddha, Bahai, Hindu, Jungle Spirit]. I learned a lot from that program, and I made very good friends. There were some issues, and of course, as a normal person, some issues were meant to be resolved later owing to lack of capacities and means.

There, I was taught that 'tolerance' was a very bad word. The word implies your action is unwilling and forced. 'To put up with'. For example, you hate eating veges. But, you tolerate it, because it is good for your health. In a simple word, tolerance carries a negative luggage, or connotation. So, it is not good, to bring the concept of tolerance into a religious framework. It is like your tolerance is not based by good intention, because you TOLERATE. So we asked, what's the solution? The presenter said, we dissolve the barrier. Anything that stands between us and them, we dissolve. Any differences or any conflicts - are to be dismissed and carry on. The keyword is to ACCEPT others by heart. Even if our religious obligations were in the way. We are told, not to be too extremist. This was when I started to disagree. For other religion, it might be easy. But for Islam, this issue had been carefully fortified. As Syirk, to associate partner to Allah is the biggest sin in Islam. Na'uzubillahi min Zalik. Neither the framework nor technical means had been explained at that time.

My friends and I later continued to gather information. The program was around three to four days if I am not mistaken. We learned, that if anything comes between us and our objective, objective comes first. Their objectives for example are, to promote peace and understanding, to prevent religious-motivated violence, to advocate justice and equality etc. It was a big relief that we had been able to put it in an actual framework, crystal clarity. For example, I was told by a Muslim friend from overseas attending the program, to him, it's okay to touch hands with women, as long as your intention is to introduce them to Islam. And there he was, hugging and poking female colleagues. Another example, when our religious duties were the reason for religious-motivated violence, or not accepting others, our duties should be dismissed. Even if it means to sacrifice our aqidah. Another example, when we were brought to a Gurdwara (Sikh's temple), we saw our friends from other beliefs joined their prayer ritual. In the name of respect and acceptance, they joined together the ritual, as if they agreed to worship other gods than theirs'. Why in the name of respect and acceptance? Because these were the values portrayed in the program. Their concept of acceptance was not to accept differences and work around it, but rather dissolve any differences and pass through once was a closed perimeter; a religion and its principles in this case. In that kind of acceptance, acknowledgement does not exist.

The explanation to this situation is - in order to achieve goals, some things are to be sacrificed. In this context, things that are needed to be sacrificed sometimes are the very foundations of the religion itself. What makes us human? Consciousness, love, conscience, awareness, logic, feelings? The answer may differ, but if we are to shed the essence that makes us human in order to achieve our goals, can we be called human? As the answer to define human sometimes may fall into the category of subjectivity, my religion which is Islam is not like that. What makes Islam is definite, specified and absolute. It had been mentioned by our beloved Prophet Muhammad peace be upon Him, that Islam is built on the 'fives' - Syahadah, Prayers, Zakat, Hajj, and Ramadhan fasting [From Umar Al Khattab, narrated by Muslim and Bukhari]. By definition, these pillars are what made me a Muslim. If I were to violate any one of those pillars, am I able to call myself a Muslim? I tried to understand their situation. It was understandable, their religions weren't like Islam. Islam is a religion - built upon a very solid foundation. The main sources of Islam which are the Quran and Hadith are authentic, abundant, and are studied comprehensively. The historical validity of these sources are proven firm and authentic. Therefore, Islam in terms of principles, technical and knowledge basis had already been clarified and completed by Prophet Muhammad. It's not their fault if they were not aware of my concern regarding this.

Searching for solutions
After the program ended, I still could not resolve it. I have a situation; I accepted the problem in this context - TOLERANCE. The concept behind this is the reason why any interfaith cooperation is short-lived, impulsive, sometimes dangerous, and often incite religious-motivated violence. That's the case of cooperation, what about people with different beliefs living next door? Around the globe, there are many cases regarding interfaith violence. People with self-centered attitude, imposing forced pressure in the name of religion, making hostile encounter with other beliefs. As far as I am concerned, Alhamdulillah, people around me, and those whom I know, they are friendly and open with people from other beliefs. And these cases of violence rarely happen in my locality. Still, I acknowledged the problem stated by the organizer. I will help and support to heal the world, be it religious, humanity, gender or animal issue.

However, I did not accept the solution they suggested. I disagreed with them. At that time, I believed there must be another way to solve this. I could not find the right solution, or may I say, a proper reasoning to reach the solution I had hoped for. ACCEPTANCE in their definition to me was oblivious, and works one way. And along the way, I searched and read for solutions. Some people will be okay with an end-of-means solution, but for me in this aspect, I am not satisfied with it until I find, know, and understand the accurate framework and reasoning of a solution.

The Quest for Meaning
Alhamdulillah, I found a way. I think it will provide a very good impetus for me to start constructing answers. I am now reading a book, The Quest For Meaning; Developing a Philosophy of Pluralism by Tariq Ramadan. In this book, he made a very good point of view - providing a vantage point for formulating practical solution(s) when dealing with issues of inter-faith and inter-sectarian. He said 'The point is not to integrate systems, values, and cultures with other systems, values and customs, but to determine - in human terms - spaces of intersection where we can meet on equal terms. The intersection of what we have in common, rather than the integration of differences'. This point is undoubtedly beautiful. Although, it requires us, to throw away some archetypes when it comes to rivalry and difference. For us to work together for the betterment of this world, we really need to cooperate at hand with our similarities and deal with differences. We have to digest the attitude 'agree to disagree' and move forward. It is only my opinion, but for us to benefit and function at our optimum level, this concept should be introduced. It's not only should be applied to inter-faith relations, but to Muslim, inter-jama'ah as well.

Say, "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah ." But if they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]."  [Ali Imraan : 64]

The concept has already been introduced in the Quran. In this verse, there is a direct command and, from my humble view, an indirect lesson. The direct command was for us to invite Ahlul Kitab to come and talk about our similarity - having Allah as our God. The indirect lesson was for us, to acknowledge, different people comes with different character. Our job is to find the right similarity or common space. We cannot come to an atheist and say to him, 'We are the same. We worship one God'. Instead, if he is a humanitarian activist, we might rather say, 'Hey, you and I. We love peace and justice. Why don't we work together and work it out from this common point?'. If he refuses, we will not force him to accept. But, we will continue to make allies and move on.

Hilful Fudhul
I love to share with you a story, from our Prophet's seerah. The chapter is called Hilful Fudhul. This event happened before Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) prophethood. Once, in Mecca, a Bedouin from Zabid [Zubaid] came to do business. He sold his merchandise to one of the Quraisy chieftains, al 'As ibn Wa'il. Al 'As purchased the whole caravan but paid nothing to the man. Upon this, the man met several leaders around the vicinity to ask for help, but none of them wanted to help. He later went to the crowd, calling out loud noble-hearted and fair-minded men to come to his rescue. Many of them later gathered at Abdullah bin Jud'an's house to form a pact. In the name of Allah, a pact called Hilful Fudhul - all the representatives present made an oath to restore justice, refrain from injustice and to assist the oppressed within Mecca. The members of the covenant later forced Al 'As to return all of the man's belongings. Prophet Muhammad was one of the members, and even after a long time in its prophethood, he still appreciated and satisfied with the pact. Prophet Muhammad even expressed his appreciation :

لقد شَهِدْتُ فى دار عبدالله بن جُدْعَانَ حَلفًا لو دُعِيتُ بهِ فى الإسلام لَأَجَبْتُ , تحَالفُوا أن يَرُدّوا الفُضُولَ على أهلها وأن لا يُعِزُّ الظالمُ مظلومًا

“I had a hand in making such an arrangement in the house of ‘Abdullah Ibn Jud’an to which if I were invited again to help even after the advent of Islam, I would have undoubtedly participated once more. They promised to restore all the rights of the oppressed to the owner so that wrongdoers can not do injustice to the weak. "” [Sirah ibn Hisyam]

Prophet Muhammad's love for good values should be the perfect example for us. In these days where people work together to oppress others, we should do the same. If only, we could put aside and acknowledge our differences, and work together to achieve our goals, this world will be a better place. Aside from working together, as a Muslim, of course it will provide us a better opportunity to present and share Islam to others. It's time for us not to confront others with hostile and cold attitude. We cannot expect people to accept our message of peace, if we are not men of peace ourselves. Islam is a religion in which its constituents are chained by proper logic and reasoning. So, if we want to relay the message of Islam, we should be civilized because the vantage of reasoning comes with the act of civilization and adab. 

Hope
Lately, activists [ikhwah & akhawat] have been too preoccupied arguing over petty issues - which jama'ah is the best, the most authentic, the most original, these and that have hidden agenda, racist, cooperate with kuffar and many more. These kind of issues have been already solved by 'Ulama with concrete answers and arguments. No need to cause another upheaval. There are many people out there who are in need of our insight, help, guidance, and company. Help them. 


Could You help me..
Before I end, I have in my mind two questions. If you are able to answer it, or help me to find the answer, do PM me in FB or drop a comment. I would be happy if you do so. 


1. Islam and prophet Muhammad were sent as rahmah lil 'alamin. Blessings. So, I want to ask, related to my post, what kind of rahmah does it mean? Is it rahmah as if in justice, equality and equity, good governance, no corruption, no poverty, no wars and confrontation - blessings that will be enjoyed when Islam at its peak? Or rahmah as in people revert into Islam?


2. In this aspect [ideology, philosophy], I view them as a set that can be divided. For example, liberalism. I view liberalism can be divided into smaller parts. And the way I deal it, is I think we can take good parts to be integrated into our life. I don't take generalization and throw away the whole thing. I think, that philosophy/theory/ideology is a product of human mind. Be it guided or unguided. And I think, there is any grain of truth everywhere anywhere that is waiting to be picked up, by us Muslims. All in all, I don't reject the whole idea until I really know what it is. I see something in socialism, in secularism, in liberalism, and in this post, something beautiful in pluralism. And I don't think it as replacing Islam, no, Islam can never be replaced, at all. But I think, we are in need of tools and somehow, these tools are hidden in those ideologies. So, I want to ask your opinion. Am I in the right way of thinking? 

Clarification - I hate Zionism and Zionists.
Lastly, I want to clarify. It might seem that I'm proposing open-mindedness in this post. Still, take note - there is a huge difference in khilaf between two opinions, and khilaf between opinion and BATIL[in Islam]. I mean, sometimes, it is necessary to confront. I bring one example, Israel is attacking Palestine. And McD is proven to contribute a huge portion of money to Israel. If someone is said, it is khilaf, I should accept it and go on. I will say no. I will respect his choice to eat McD, but I will say, what he does is a batil, a sin, a zulm, a support in the act of oppression. An inconsiderate and selfish action. It is as clear as day, and who cannot even see the reasoning behind it, should question your humanity.

As Che Guevara once said "If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine". Let us be the comrade of Godly values and let us promote peace.

Aiman Azlan's twitter

p/s - baru beli album Maher Zain. Lagu paling best, Paradise. Do listen to it, and talk to your wind. I have my angel beside me.
p/s - any statement regarding other faith, culture, and religion in this post does not mean disrespect. I am deeply sorry if any of those offended any. Do tell if there is any.

'Ansihni' - Nasihati aku

Selalu, datang masa-masa fatrah yang buatkan kita rasa macam nak futur. Rasa macam nak mula menyalahkan takdir, kenapa aku buat itu ini dulu, kalau lah aku buat itu dan ini, kalau kalau kalau. Cara terbaik, kalau tidak dapat menyendiri untuk bermuhasabah, carilah seorang yang kita percayai iman dan akhlaqnya, minta lah nasihat padanya.

Aku ingin berkongsi sedikit nasihat yang aku dapat daripada saudara Muhammad, junior aku dalam umur, senior dalam segenap aspek kehidupan. Nasihat ini aku dapat masa mereka sedang berkursus pengawas di Al Amin, dan aku ketua fasi ketika itu. Pada awalnya, aku tak berniat untuk berkongsi apa yang dinasihati, tapi aku merasakan kalau ia dapat memberi manfaat apa salahnya. Muwasofat yang ingin dibentuk pun salah satunya "Naafi'un lighairih". Walaupun nasihat yang aku minta spesifik, namun aku rasakan ia dapat memberi manfaat umum andai dikongsi.

"Muhammad, kalau ada kelapangan, ana nak jumpa nta sekejap, peribadi" pintaku ketika masa mereka menunggu waktu makan. Kami makan di kawasan surau, jadi aku bawa dia ke depan dan aku duduk bersila mengadap dia. Kami duduk bertentang. Ingin sahaja aku buat sebagaimana nabi dan Jibril, lutut bertemu lutut, tapi aku segan dengan dia.

"Muhammad, Ansihni, macam mana untuk ana menjadi hafiz yang baik, menjaga haq-haq al Quran, dan mengekalkan hati yang bersih? Iman ana semacam malap, dan ana memerlukan nasihat." aku bertanya dan meminta. Aku sangka mungkin dia akan menjadi sedikit kekok, bekas guru bahasa Inggeris merangkap seniornya meminta nasihat, tapi tidak. Dia memandang tepat pada mataku dan menunaikan haq aku untuk dinasihati.

Pesannya, aku harus ingat beberapa perkara untuk menjadi hafiz yang benar-benar menjaga. Yang pertama, mata yang aku pandang dunia mata yang sama itu juga lah aku akan gunakan untuk memandang Al Quran. Apabila aku keluar ke dunia yang tidak menjaga pandangan Allah, pada masa itulah aku harus beringat, yang mata aku yang dipinjam Allah ini perlu tekad menundukkan pandangan kerana mata inilah yang akan memandang Al Quran yang mulia itu.Yang kedua, telinga aku juga harus aku lakukan perkara yang sama. Jauhilah lagu-lagu yang liriknya tidak menambah iman, atau menambah kesyukuran untuk aku mensyukuri nikmat pendengaran itu. Jauhilah mendengar umpatan. Kerana dengan telinga itu lah aku akan mendengar bacaan Al Quran. Yang ketiga, mulut. Perhatikan setiap kata-kata yang keluar. Ingat sabda nabi, berkata baik atau diam. Tiga perkara yang disebut ini, tiga anggota inilah yang menjadi tempat jatuhnya baik atau buruk ke dalam hati. Kita jaga tiga ini, kita jaga hati. Hati kita terjaga, baiklah seluruh amalan kita. Bagaimana mungkin bercampurnya dosa dan pahala, maksiat dan ketaatan di tempat jatuhnya pandangan Allah, hati.

Untuk menjaga Al Quran, tiada cara lain. Mengulang dan mengulang dan mengulang. Aku selalu berprogram dengan adik Muhammad. Selalu, apabila kami fasi sudah bangun pukul 4.30 pagi untuk mengejutkan peserta, sering aku melihat dia sudah duduk di tiang surau mengulang Al Quran. Dia berkongsi, dia suka mengulang Quran sebelum Subuh. Kebiasaannya 5 juzu'. Dia berkongsi juga, untuk mereka yang sibuk, bila mana ada masa terluang, bacalah walaupun sedikit. Jangan tinggal. Kita jaga haq al Quran, kita juga akan terjaga. Akhlaq kita akan melambangkan akhlaq al Quran.

Terakhir, sentiasa ingat Allah dan merendah diri. Dalam hidup seharian, matlamatkan Nabi Muhammad sebagai model terbaik dalam hidup manusia.

Kemudian aku bertanya, "Ana pernah buat kesilapan masa silam ana. Yang mana sampai sekarang, ana masih menyesal, ana masih menghukum diri ana, dan ana masih merasakan Allah menghukum ana. Bukan ana tak pernah insaf dan taubat, ana dah buat, dan ana tak pernah berhenti sampai sekarang. Tapi, ana masih tak nampak jalan keluar dari permasalahan ana sekarang. Sedikit lagi nasihat? Boleh?"

"Nta kena terus yakin dengan apa yang nta sedang usahakan sekarang. Untuk orang yang bertaqwa, Allah akan bagi jalan keluar. Nta kena usaha dan yakin. Allah uji nta, nak dekatkan nta lagi dekat dengan Allah..........." dan panjang lagi, yang mana menjadi sedikit peribadi.

Alhamdulillah. Ini sedikit perkongsian, untuk aku dan juga kalian yang menginginkan sedikit 'kickstart' untuk terus memacu dalam jalan mencari redha Allah yang berat dan penuh ujian.

Walaupun mungkin simple, tapi itu yang ajaib. Kata-kata orang beriman, lain kesannya. Semacam tumpatnya ucapan Naib Mursyid Ikhwan, diselang-selang terjemahan, namun memberi kesan yang mendalam. Alangkah baiknya andai aku dikurniakan hati yang jernih untuk mengagumi sirah dan akhlaq nabi, dan juga setiap orang salih supaya aku tak tercicir mutiara walau sedikit.

**************************************************

Inilah dia orang yang aku meminta nasihat daripadanya. Dia sekarang tingkatan lima, di Al Amin Gombak. Beradab dan humble orangnya. Walaupun hebat, very approachable.

Ini gambar adik Muhammad beberapa tahun lepas.

Ini gambar terkini dia semasa Kursus Pengawas di Al Amin Gombak 2012. Baru dua minggu lepas. Semasa slot 'Master Chef', mereka masak macam-macam, yang mana secara peribadi pandangan aku, ketua Fasi dan fasi-fasi lain, ternyata skil memasak kaum lelaki lebih hebat. :)

Kurus kan dia? Aku sekarang pun tengah follow diet plan dia. Tak makan nasi - dia memang tak makan nasi, masa program pun. Makan roti, cereal dan biskut. Memang menjaga betul. No wonder kami boleh menangis bermakmumkan dia semasa Qiam. Senior aku yang jadi fasi pun minta dia baca macam-macam masa Qiam, gaya bacaan Al Afasy lah, Saad lah, Mahir lah. Dia senyum je.