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.

:) 

Darah Kehidupan

Pergilah bermusafir mencari kemuliaan, kerana dalam pengembaraan itu ada lima kelebihan iaitu menghilangkan kesedihan, membina penghidupan baru, memperoleh ilmu, menguatkan jiwa dan dapat bergaul dengan ramai manusia dari pelbagai perangai dan ragam.~ Imam Syafie

I envy those who have the chance to study so far away from their own home. I bet they learn so much. 

Dalam sehari-hari hidup sebagai pelajar, I can't help but notice, kita sebagai pelajar always associate actions with consequences. Yet, this kind of association only applies to good deeds, macam solat di masjid dan puasa. Somehow it doesn't apply to jahiliyah macam tengok Korea, main game, tidur, melepak dan sebagainya.

Association yang dimaksudkan macam a type of perception yang associate deeds dengan unsound consequences. Contohnya kalau pergi solat masjid akan di'associate' dengan tak cukup masa dan penat. 'Puasa' akan di'associate' dengan penat otak dan fizikal. Baca Quran akan di'associate' dengan 'study pun dapat pahala', dan many more deeds yang di'associate' dengan kononnya menunaikan haq badan. Only if they knew how hard Rasulullah was trying to be, as He said 'afala akuna 'abdan syakura'. The examples I have given are not at times when they are forced to do it, they was just asked, and they associated it with those kinds of answers.

Kita selalu lupa, kekuatan itu datang dari Allah. Kekuatan itu datang dari sayangnya Allah pada kita. Kemudahan dan nikmat, itu semua dari Allah. Begitu juga untuk ikhwah, macam mana boleh kita nak pacu dakwah dengan laju kalau mutabaah ibadah kita longgar? Sepatutnya bila dah sampai mustawa tamhidi, sepatutnya kalau ikut mutabaah elok-elok bacaan Quran takkan jadi gagap-gagap. Macam mana kita nak excel dalam both academics dan dakwah, kalau kunci kepada dua perkara ini iaitu hubungan dengan Allah kita tak jaga? Hubungan dengan Allah hanya akan terjaga kalau kita jaga ibadah kita. Dari situ akan datang ketetapan hati untuk aqidah kita, dan juga dikukuhkan langkah dalam dakwah. Dan juga dilapangkan dada dan urusan. Walaupun sehari-hari kita sibuk tengok jam bila nak masuk waktu sebab nak pergi masjid, amazingly Allah akan lapangkan dan permudahkan segala urusan. More than any of us can imagine.

Dalam senang dan susah, kita sentiasa berdisiplin untuk menjaga haq Allah. Apa lagi yang perlu kita risaukan mengenai kecukupan kita. Bila mutabaah yang diamanahkan setel, insya Allah, ada keberkatan dan rahmat dalam setiap perkara yang kita buat sebagai pelajar. 

Biar rasa penat. Trust me, when penat dari beribadah secara istiqamah comes, you'll feel an amazing constant tranquil surge flowing in your heart. Where it makes you look at everything positively, and you'll feel the inevitable calmness blessed by Allah. 

Let's stop this unfair association, and let's be kind. One good thing of ibadah, is it makes you feel earthy than ever before. Bila kita sujud, kepala kita di lantai punggung kita lagi tinggi dari kepala, dan kita memuji Allah dengan pujian Maha Tinggi. What more can we deny about our true nature?

Moga kita terus menjaga haq kita kepada Allah. We are indeed in need of Allah. 

I Will Love You Forever

Dah sampai masa, adik-adik aku dah makin besar. It's time for me to let go, and not being worried. Biar dulu banyak kali tegur, marah, bengang sebab tak do their best in life, tapi sekarang dua orang dah besar. Naim dah masuk UIA PJ, Iman akan masuk Kolej Professional MARA Julai ini, di Kuantan, in which if YOU read this, please check on her if you have time. I've already passed her name to PIC kawasan, but just in case, would you mind to check on her once a while di sana?

Being an abang sulung is not an easy task. Heavy burden and expectations from parents, and at the same time, in my case, enjoying my life. If there are problems in the family, it's you who takes charge. You'll be a mediator if anything critical happens between your parents and your fellow siblings, and you be the pressure-person if your fellow siblings sometimes lost their ways. And also you'll be a constant reminder for your parents, and because you are their first-born, you know your parents the most. And you know sometimes, it's better to sacrifice yourself for the sake of keeping the family intact. You are the one who holds both secrets from your parents and your siblings. Your siblings entrusted their secrets to you, although sometimes you figure them out. Your parents also discussed most of their problems with you. It's on your shoulders your parents cried, and it's you who'll take the blame if something happens to your siblings. It's natural.

You'll be the one your parents see if both of them had problems with each other.

Being a boy has another setback. You love your family so much, but you don't have the means to show your love, except by action. You don't know how to express 'I love you', yet you kissed your parents' cheek every time nak keluar rumah. You don't know how to bermanja, except when you fell sick, you take the chance to baring atas peha emak. To be tended and taken care of. When you are healthy, you are expected to be independent again and set examples for your siblings. Atau masa naik motor dengan ayah, dapat peluk puas-puas kat belakang. You protect your family, and when someone messes with your family, either you have the courage to let your siblings settle it as a growing person, or you take charge and someone will be sorry.

Being a first born and a boy will turn you as an expert of unspoken love. It's just lately that I have the courage to tell 'I love you' face to face to my parents, even though in my heart, those faces are the faces that I remember almost every second of my life. My solat will never be perfect without prayers included for my parents and siblings. I utter their names more than I could remember in my prayers after solat and ma'thurat every day. My successes were all fueled by the inspiration to make my parents proud. I myself don't really want all that. What I want is to make my parents and siblings proud.

Most of the times, I let my siblings solved their own problems. So they could grow up as a strong person.

I'm a person of silence. I don't know how to show my love. I'm learning slowly how to show my love, with the presence of my two little brothers Ayaz and Saif.


Ianya rindu yang memacu kehidupan. Rindu pada keluarga, rindu yang teramat sangat pada Nabi Muhammad. Dalam solat dan doa, dalam tahiyat dan selawat, kerinduan yang membuatkan hati ini terus segar dan kukuh menolak jahiliyah-jahiliyah hari ini. Jahiliyah di luar diri, juga jahiliyah dalam diri. Jahiliyah yang merosak hati. Rindulah yang menzahirkan cinta, moga Cintaku pada Rabb lebih diutamakan.

Allahumma amitna bi mauti syuhada'.

To Naim and Iman, choose your own path, and choose wisely. Hidup ini untuk Allah, and hanya untuk Allah.  Make sure everything revolves around that. Sandarkan setiap pilihan pada Allah, insya Allah tak ada penyesalan. Don't be afraid to fail, for experience is a great teacher. Jangan tinggal tarbiyah, sebab tarbiyah itu darah dan jantung kehidupan. Other than that, I as your brother, will support your decision if it's according to the will of Allah, and if it isn't, I will always be there to set you straight. I'm a guardian, assigned by Allah to guard you, and I will keep you safe until the day Allah takes my life. Love you.


The above picture tells about the character I adore the most, Uchiha Itachi. Read about him, and you'll find a very valuable principle that governs his life.

To my beloved

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Anekdot first day...

Salam adik-adik semua. Salam mak aku, mak aku peluk kuat-kuat. Mak aku menangis. Panjang mak aku pesan, last-last keluar perkataan 'I Love You'. Itu pun dah cukup sebenarnya. Hati bahagia, walaupun tak tunjuk di muka. Nak menangis jugak, tapi senyum je. Nanti lagi sedih mak aku. Mak aku menangis macam aku nak pergi oversea je, walhal Penang je pun. Masa tu mata dah bergenang, tapi lap cepat. Nanti mak aku lagi sedih. Walaupun depan orang, I'm proud being treated like that. Lol, anak manja. Not a whimpy one, but anak manja yang able to protect his family, and to protect his ummah. Kemudian salam ayah aku. Salam and peluk cara gentlemen. He taught me how to be a man. Kemudian salam and peluk adik-adik kecik dua orang, Ayaz dan Saif. Tapi derang macam tak kisah, sebab tengah bergurau sesama sendiri. Aku pun biarlah. Kereta pun pergi, akak polis sebelah siap tegur lagi, 'tak menangis ke?'. 'Taklah, dah besar, control sikit'.

Kemudian, dalam 30 minit lepas tu, mak aku call. Dengar suara Ayaz kuat menangis dalam fon, dia cakap "Abg Asif, terima masih kerana telah membesarkan Ayaz dan menjaga Ayaz dengan baik selama ni..Ayaz janji akan belajar elok-elok dan ngaji tiap malam-malam..huuuu(sambung nangis)". Aku pun menangis dalam bilik, berderai-derai air mata jatuh. Aku pun letak telefon,tak tahu nak cakap apa. Call mak aku balik lepas tu, tanya Ayaz cakap tu skrip ke? Mak aku cakap tak, memang Ayaz cakap sendiri. Ayaz ni darjah satu kalau kome nak tahu. Dalam kereta masa tu pun terkejut, Ayaz cakap macam tu. Rupanya masa aku salam derang dalam kereta tu, derang tak tahu aku nak masuk U dah. Kelakar betul. Bila dah otw balik baru mak aku cakap lepas ni Abg Asif takda, siapalah yang nak teman pergi tandas, buat susu, ngajar ngaji semua. Terus dua-dua menangis. Baru derang sedar. Keh keh. Sentimental betul. Dah takda sapa dah aku nak marah sebab conteng buku aku. Haha.

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

1. I wrote this, with my love towards my family, and towards my very nice uncles and aunties. Asif di sini sihat-sihat aja. Baik-baik aja. Sudah mula kelas, juga sudah mula usrah. Usrah Asif dengan Dr *#^%$#, professor Physics di USM. Sampai-sampai di Penang ikhwah dah bawak pi jalan-jalan. Hujung minggu ini InsyaAllah pergi panjat gunung dengan Aqsa Syarif. Asif KoKu masuk Kesatria Negara.

Subject daftar enam, in which ada dua are pretty easy. English dan Agama Islam. Subjek lain biasa je. Dua physics, satu calculus, lagi satu subjek faculty - ElectroTechnology. Library dia best. Roommate pun boleh tahan. Seorang roommate dah mintak Asif ngajar dia mengaji walaupun kat Pusat Islam ada je halaqah al Quran ustaz tu buat. Tapi, ustaz-ustaz tu pun baca tajwid kantoi juga, tapi Asif diam jelah. Budak baru katakan. Pusat Islam dia aktif, almost every day ada kuliah. Lagi dua orang roommate selalu tengah DF. Sorang dah suruh Asif kejut dia Subuh masjid betul-betul sampai bangun. Setakat ini alhamdulillah tak ada kelas malam, boleh mengaji dan study senang sikit.

Kafe dia pun murah, setakat ini Asif kira perbelanjaan Asif RM211 sebulan, untuk makan sahaja. Buku belum beli lagi, tapi rasa macam tak payah kot. Although I love books so much, I think dengan keadaan duit sekarang, rilek-rilek dulu lah. Lecturer pun dah prepare note online. Wahai Mama n Baba, walaupun Asif dah dewasa, tapi macam perlu bantuan untuk beli laptop lah. Macam perlu sangat di sini. Hihi. Dah jumpa ramai ikhwah senior sini, derang offer Asif buku jugak. Separuh harga. Kat sini ada tiga rumah ikhwah dekat dengan UiTM.

Naim pun dah masuk UIA PJ. Dia exempted APT, EPT level 6.

2. I wrote this, with a bunch of regrets towards my best friend. Aku minta maaf, sebab tak dapat pergi oversea dengan kau. Aku cadang nak pergi nanti. Maybe Master. It is my utmost regret when I made the decision. Insya Allah, I pray, you'll be a great physicist one day, and as for me, to be a great engineer.

And thank you for everything. And Asyraf Roslan! happy belated birthday! Aku ingat masa form 4 aku lupa birthday kau. Haha. Moga berkat umur kau..dan mudah pelajaran kau. Aku sebenarnya ada post untuk kau, tapi maklumlah orang tak ada laptop plus wifi sentiasa bingung di sini. Ini pun roommate aku seludup gajet apa entah macam ada parabola nak intensify wifi bilik ni. Lepas ni, aku, kau dan Omar susahlah nak jumpa lagi. Sorang di Penang, sorang di Klate, sorang di Manchester. Acano nak gi tonton dota tournament lagi??

3. I wrote this, with a mountain of hope in the future. As you said, I put my choice on Allah. And I really really really really really hope that I can make it in time, to win. In 3 years, I'll be there. I'll meet him, and I'll be ready. Mark my word.

4. To all, do pray for me.

Ini aku sertakan lagu masa kami orientasi, ada abang senior dua orang nyanyi. Sumpah terbaik!! Aku menangis dengar, menangis betul. Aku tengok keliling aku ada yang nangis jugak. Later I know, they were the ones who are just like me, some older, 22 yrs old. Pegang harapan family. Bila datang sini, baru tahu, lagi ramai unfortunate. I should be grateful.

Bersih 3.0 - Of understanding and promoter of good values

*I am not going to post my whole experience during BERSIH 3.0. As before. Just bits and bits of learning experience here and there and some points of view.


We often think that fight for ideals and virtues is simple and easy. It is not indeed. Along the way, there will be some tests. Some will be taken away by the restless agitation and blinded by the opium of anti-establishment, while some will be gripped by fear, some will be misguided by doubts - not the doubts of truth and skepticism, but rather doubt of action. Some will choose side of the oppressor, knowingly and unknowingly. Unknowingly by being neutral in times of injustice.

We've got a long way in Malaysia, for the citizens to grasp the maturity of support and disagreement. We always think, perhaps because the authorities have sit on the chair of power for a very long time, that government is equal to the winning component/party. And we are very good in generalizing. It doesn't mean when we agree to some policies of the authorities, we agree to the injustice they have induced. And it also doesn't mean when we fight the corruption and injustice in the government, we also in support to the invitation of the existing foreign powers meddling our affairs.

We must stop generalizing and being lazy. We must wake up, and be sensible. My reason for joining BERSIH is clear. I demand clean electoral reform at large. Those who are serious in knowing this issue, will surely know about the 'phantom voters'. There are so much corruption and injustice, and we just keep sucking up BN's deeds blindfolded. This issue is not an assumption, or a wild conspiracy theory made up by the opposition, it is real, and it is happening. Either Pro BN or anti BN, and those who aren't in both. If we are serious, we will find the truth.

When I was in a demonstration, be it BERSIH, or other demos for Syria/Palestine/Egypt, I will always pause from time to time, just to reassure myself why I was there. It is easy to lose yourself in the midst of irrational hatred and exciting confrontation. But, I was there, because I chose to be a promoter of good values, of godly values. And I am sure, there is a lot out there, like me. Who aren't interested in who's holding the power, but in the way the power holder benefits the power that is given to them, from us. The way the power is handled, defines the holder. I'm interested in John Dalberg Acton's saying about power.  He said "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely".

Complacent may be the suitable word, for us Malaysians. When we demand change, the other will always compare our condition with poorer countries. When we feel complacent, we are afraid to move on. To have a better life, with better condition. It is easy for us to speak, when we never experience money shortage - to the extend that our parents sold the jewelry, or even harta pusaka peninggalan nenek moyang just to support their family. We never experience poverty, when children just keep fasting to ease the burden of their parents. We never experience sufferings, when our rights are denied and declined just because we differ in financial status. We never feel any of them, so that's why we keep siding the ones with power. Because our gold pot is with them. Still, these people don't demand wealth, although they have the right to do so. They still pay the tax. They demand the system to be cleaned, it's fortunate that Malaysians still have faith for the system.

To take a closer look, the demands are to achieve clean election, along with the freedom of media. There will always be something wrong when you look at the demands with paranoid and fearful paradigm. Irrational assumptions will keep popping up. Try to look at it from a different angle.

These assemblies call for the reforms. Be it BN or PR on the top, in the next ten years, we will always call for reforms if the situation needs us. We should start taking side with values and principles. Our country's future is more than PR or BN. Malaysia is in need of its citizens, who calls for justice and equality, peace and transparency. Be it PR, be it BN, be it perhaps another large component in the future, let us make sure the ones in power stand with these values.

For people like me, it is not about the struggle to push PR to Putrajaya. Although I grew up knowing so many mischievous deeds performed by UMNOs, I learned that evil and corruption are with those who do not fear God. The one who wields power with God-fearing principles will do well, regardless of the parties and components. It is my utmost regret that I cannot share you the article I once read in a site about economics, I spend hours looking for it - where the article was written under the presumption that, corruption does take over in a place where people does not believe in God. It said that faith in God, is necessary to prevent corruption and misuse of power. Although the article in the end aimed to bash communism. My point is our country is in need of both religious and faithful people. 

I don't imagine a future where only one party or component rules the parliament, but rather a mixture of politicians of virtues and principles, who uphold values and honor. Let there be various parties and components. Differences are good. Conflicts are necessary to keep the dynamics flows and improvement flourishes. Let there be check and balance. And for this to come true, men of values and ideas are needed. Not men of dogmas and propaganda.

Malaysia is a blessed country. Alhamdulillah. Old-time warriors and 'ulama, leaders and its citizens made Malaysia as it is today. Let us be grateful - by striving for the best and sustain the values on which our ancestors have stood for. Tok Janggut, Mat Kilau and Rentap fought for their rights and justice, their people, and their identities. It is our responsibility then to sustain and maintain. We are calling the leaders to reform. We do not ask you to step down. We are asking you to take responsibilities for what you and your acquaintances have done - the list I am afraid is too long.

It is then my decision, to support good values and be an ardent promoter. I am a khalifah of Allah, and it is my responsibility. Peace.

Note 1 : I think young people have more resistance to the tear gas. I propose to young people, next time, if there is any demonstration, do stock up big bottles of water and salts - I got three big bottles and a pack of salt when I went to BERSIH 3 - so that we can help old folks and pakmakciks in the demonstration to keep up. Some knowledge of basic medics would be sufficient to help.

Note 2 : We must not think police as bad and evil. They have orders, and they must follow the orders. I know a senior ikhwah in TUDM, he supports Bersih, yet he is assigned in some kind of military unit to keep things in control if the police fails to do so.

Note 3 : During Bersih, I went with my naqib and two lawyers from IKRAM - who are specifically designated to protect the protesters legally. Although I read comprehensively about isu semasa, there are so many things I do not know. The lawyers shared so many things, issues like OccupyDataran and PTPTN, and new rule replacing ISA - another layer of information. Lepas ni ingat nak lepak dengan lawyer lah. Senang tahu cerita.

"A warning to the people
The good and the evil
This is war
To the soldier, the civillian
The martyr, the victim
This is war

It's the moment of truth and the moment to lie
The moment to live and the moment to die
The moment to fight, the moment to fight, to fight, to fight, to fight" - This is War, 30 Seconds to Mars

It is indeed, a war of values and principles.

Majlis Khatam Al Quran Naim

Assalamu 'alaikum.

Sabtu lepas, pergi ke Darul Quran. Naim, adik saya yang kedua, berumur 19 tahun, Alhamdulillah telah berjaya mengkhatamkan Quran di Darul Quran.

Moga perjalanan dia selepas ini tak terlalu berliku sangat sampai tersesat, dipermudahkan, dan smooth. Moga perjalanan dia tak macam abang dia, moga perjalanan dia terus tiba ke destinasi. Moga perjalanan dia diberkati, dipermudah, dan segalanya dirahmati Allah.

He's very unlike me. If I love to switch channel to documentaries about space, science, history and military, he has a different taste. He likes to watch documentaries about animals, animals, and animals. If I like to read, he doesn't. He likes to socialize with people. If my siblings slack out with their chores, I keep it silent and do it myself, or just let things as it is. But he likes it more to berleter to them, and tells them to do it faster and quicker. And sometimes, I am the one who gets his leteran. Among all of us, he is the most hardworking - in terms of house chores. In my history of taekwondo, I was with him almost all of the time. We are both black belt holders, but we rarely spar with each other, if I could remember, never. I always remember my memory with him in a tournament, where we fought each other, and after putting all his efforts he couldn't find a way to beat me, his last resort was to sondol me out of the ring. He ran towards me so fast, he sondol and hugged me, and pushed me out. Haha.. Until now, whenever we talk about that, I'll always bring that up.

My mum, Naim, Saif, Iman and Amru.

He's a good brother, although we disagree on many many things. He's a respectful brother. You know, whenever kami salam, he always kiss my hand. Can you imagine that, a brother only two years younger, now 19 years old, kiss his older brother's hand? Even in front of his friends. So, I respect him so much. Although I never ever prefer my hand to be treated like that, not at all, hey, I'm only his brother not some kind of ustaz, teachers, or even parents. But he still does it. And I always pray for him for that. May Allah walk along his life with him. And so he does not make the same mistake he once did.

I always remind him, to read. Be knowledgeable. He sometimes seems to be enjoying life too much.

That's it. Lepas ini dia akan sambung UIA in Engineering. I wonder, if anyone from my siblings wants to be a doctor. Setakat ini macam tak ada. My younger brother in form 3, he wants to be like Nostradamus. =.= Apa hal macam tu pun tak tahu lah.

May Allah bless him all the way. Along his life, until the end. Tahniah Naim! Jaga amanah Quran elok-elok.

Darul Quran.

A calm and very beautiful place. Come visit there one day, surely you'll be astounded.

Few buildings in a big place. Yang lain semua alam semulajadi.

Very peaceful, tepi tasik ni lah petang-petang akan nampak student wanita penuh untuk hafal Quran. Layan sentimental mungkin.

We students used to pimpin tangan these guys every day. Mereka OKU, buta, dan mereka menghafal Quran guna Braille. Kata salah seorang dari mereka, Quran itu cahaya di hati.

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.