How to Attain Happiness: #1 Ponder and Give Thanks

This means, pondering about Allah's favors; you will find that it covers you from above and from below:

وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعْمَةَ اللّهِ لاَ تُحْصُوهَا إِنَّ اللّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

"And if you would count the graces of Allâh, never could you be able to count them. Truly! Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (An-Nahl 16:18)

Good health, security in the country, food and clothing, breeze and water; you have the entire world and you do not take cognizance, you have life and you are unaware!

وَأَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَهُ ظَاهِرَةً وَبَاطِنَةً
"...and has completed and perfected His Graces upon you, (both) apparent (i.e Islâmic Monotheism, and the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks, etc.) and hidden [i.e. One's Faith in Allâh (of Islâmic Monotheism) knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise, etc.]?" (Luqman 31:20)

You have two eyes, the tongue, the two lips, two hands and two feet;

فَبِأَيِّ آلَاء رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ

Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
(Ar-Rahman 55:13)

Is it an easy thing that you walk on your two feet and feet have been amputated? You lean on your two shanks and shanks have been cut-off? Is it insignificant that you sleep soundly while pain has disrupted the sleep of many; and that you fill your stomach with delicious food and sip cold water and there is one whose food brought him trouble and the drink brought him illness and ailment?

Consider your hearing, you have been protected from deafness; and think about your sight, you have been guarded against blindness. Think about your skin, you have been delivered from leprosy, and about your intellect, you have been bestowed the favor of its soundness and have not been afflicted with madness and absent-mindedness.

Would you desire one of your eyes to be as the mountain of Uhud in gold? Would you like to sell your hearing for the weight of Thahlaan in silver? Would you purchase the brilliant castles with your tongue so that you become dumb? Would you give your two hands in exchange for beautiful pearls and gemstones so that you are one-armed? You enjoy abundant favors and great bounties but you know not!

You live in worry and sorrow, sad and depressed while you have hot bread, cold water, smooth sleep, exceptional good health. You are thinking about the lost and not giving thanks for that which is available. You are disturbed about wealth-related lost while you have the key to success with you - tremendous quintals of good, gifts, favors and many things! Ponder and give thanks:

وَفِي أَنفُسِكُمْ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ
"And also in your ownselves. Will you not then see?" (Adh-Dhariyat 51:21)

Ponder about yourself, your household, your home, work, wellness, close associates and the world around you;

يَعْرِفُونَ نِعْمَتَ اللّهِ ثُمَّ يُنكِرُونَهَا وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ

"They recognise the Grace of Allâh, yet they deny it (by worshipping others besides Allâh) and most of them are disbelievers (deny the Prophethood of Muhammad SAW)."
(An-Nahl 16:83)

[Extracted with slight adaptations from "30 Ways to Attain Happiness" by Muhammad bin Abdillaah Ash-Shaayi', translated by Abu Naasir Ibrahim Abdur-Rauf, published by Dakwah Corner Bookstore.]

"Renewed" Title

Al-Hamdu lillah, upon the advice of our brother Ahmad (http://fikrahibnshamsuddeen.blogspot.com/2010/04/what-there-in-name.html), I've decided to remove the nisbah (attribution) of "as-Salafee" from the title of my blog as well.

Wa lillaahi al-Waliyy at-Tawfeeq.

What's there in a name?

Well, this is gonna be a random posting, so I'll just be saying off my mind.

So.. as the title goes, what's there in a name? "NOTHING!", some people would say. "A name is just a name by which you identify a person with."

"Oh really?" I asked. Well, Vishal from my BMT recourse shared, "Well, there was an article to prove this point. A father named his elder son "Winner" and his younger son "Loser". Turns out Winner doesn't fare very well in life while "Loser" is a high-flyer." (or so the story goes to that effect as I don't remember exactly)

Oh ok. So a name is just a name? Really?

So why did our Prophet Muhammad sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam place importance in choosing good names for our children? Hmm..

Well, let's look at our fellow Muslims.. Malay Muslims especially.. (oh, by the way, this isn't a racist comment or remark.. I'm a Malay-Muslim too.. thus, the focus.. this is an open and self-criticism.. take it or leave it..)

Malay boys are named "Muhammad so-and-so".. Muhammad Farhan, Muhammad Idris, Muhammad Asyraf, etc. Muhammad is a praiseworthy name.. in fact, Muhammad itself means the Praiseworthy one.

But.. many of our sons named Muhammad, subhanallah, their manners are way below praiseworthy.. along with Muhammad who smokes, Muhammad who flirts, and oops.. Muhammad who drinks and Muhammad who snatches a girl's virginity.. (Subhanallah, can't believe I'm writing this..)

[So I'm thinking, parents.. you really should consider before naming your son Muhammad.. can he live up to that name rather than tarnish it?]

Thus we find that along with the not-praiseworthy Muhammads, Hamid who swears and curses, Lutfi who is rough and definitely not soft-mannered.. Abdul Hakim who isn't really wise, what more qualified to be a judge.. Zaki isn't really bright, he's failing his subjects.. Huda isn't really guided, she smokes and wears tank tops and tight jeans.. Hafizah doesn't really "cover up", what more memorize the Quran.. And Aishah not even a little like the Prophet's wife..

Just to add 2 more.. Umar isn't like Umar ibn al-Khattab radiyAllahu 'anhu or Umar bin Abdul Aziz rahimahullah and Ali is definitely not like Ali bin Abi Talib radiyAllahu 'anhu.

(Oh boy.. i'm gonna get lots of comments, especially on Facebook..)

And so I realize I'm failing my case.. How do i prove that a name is more than just a name by which we identify a person with?

The only argument I have is I'm Farhan and I'm joyful and always in smiles.. =)

Then there's the story of Said al-Musayyib in which because his grandfather refused to change his name (which means sadness), thus the family has always been in sadness and grief.

Not forgetting the several instances whereby the Prophet sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam change some of the Companions' names for better ones upon their reversion to Islam.. Well, their former names carry bad meaning.. What i can remember, the Companion 'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Auf used to have a name that has a bad meaning..

And so in the Hadith, the Prophet sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam tells us to name our children Abdullah or Abdur-Rahman, Harith or (i forgot the other name mentioned).. names with good meanings.. and to avoid names like Harb (war), the one who commits sin, etc.. (Ok, perhaps someone can help me in quoting this hadith.)

I believe that at the end of the day, it's not just about naming our children with good names (or those long names but end up calling them "Mad", "Mid", "Din"..)

It's about raising our children to live up to their names, reflect well of their names.. And more importantly, for each and every one of us Muslims to do so ourselves.


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Actually, my main intention of writing this was to "debate" whether to keep or remove the name/title "as-Salafee" from my blogs on Multiply and Blogspot. [But my post really went off right? Although touching a "bigger" issue worth reflecting on.]

Readers who follow me on Blogspot would realize that I've just changed my Signature as "Ibn Shamsud-Deen as-Sanqafooree".

[Well, it used to be "Ibn Shamsud-Deen as-Salafee" as with the name of my blog; there was once it was "Aboo 'Ammaar Ibn Shamsud-Deen as-Salafee" or "Aboo 'Ammaar Ibn Shamsud-Deen as-Sanqafooree", and yes, it was long...]

The reason for this consideration was that I was reminded by Ustaz Abu Hawariy last night that Shaykh Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani himself didn't put the title "as-Salafee" behind his name on his books, although he allows and encourages it (with certain conditions).

The same goes to other scholars like Shaykh Bin Baz, Shaykh Uthaymeen, Shaykh Abdul Muhsin al-Abbad, and others. Occasionally, we'd find the book of Shaykh Ali Hasan al-Halabi with the title "Al-Athaaree" at the back of his name.

So for quite some time, I've been considering that it's not important to have the title "as-Salafee", thus, removing it from my signature.

Especially the fact that a few brothers from UK (one is from SPubs) have visited my blog and commented on certain posts that the author I quoted from is not known to be Salafee or upon the Salafee manhaj, although I disagree.

But considering the fact that readers have long known my blog as bearing that name "Ibn Shamsud-Deen as-Salafee", I shall keep it as that for now.. only my signature changes..

What has been related Concerning Belief in Omens (At-Tatayyur)

The Statement of Allah the Most High,

"Verily, their evil omens are with Allah, but most of them know not." (7:131)

And His Statement,

"They (Messengers) said: 'Your evil omens be with you!'" (36: 19)

Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu 'anhu) narrated that Allah's Messenger (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said,

"(There is) no 'Adwaa (contagion of disease without Allah's permission), nor Tiyarah (bad omen), nor Haamah (omen from an owl), nor Safar (bad luck in the month of Safar)."

They (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) both recorded it, and Muslim added [that the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said],

"...and no Naw' (constellation) and no Ghool (ghosts, spooks, etc.)."

They (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) both recorded from Anas (radiyAllahu 'anhu) that Allah's Messenger (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said,

"(There is) no 'Adwa (contagion), and no Tiyarah (bad omen), buat Al-Fa'l pleases me." They said, "What is Al-Fa'l?" He said, "The good word."

Abu Dawud recorded with an authentic (Saheeh) chain that 'Uqbah bin 'Aamir said, "At-Tiyarah was mentioned before Allah's Messenger (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and he said,

"The best of it is Al-Fa'l, and it does not prevent the Muslim (from his objective). So if one of you sees what he dislikes, then let him say: "Allaahumma laa ya'tee bil-hasanaati illaa anta, wa laa yadfa'u as-Sayyi.aati illaa anta, wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa bika." [O Allah, none brings the good things but You, and none repels the evils but You, and there is no power and no might except with You.]"

He (Abu Dawud) also recorded a Marfoo' Hadith from Ibn Mas'ud (radiyAllahu 'anhu) which states [that the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said],

"At-Tiyarah is Shirk, At-Tiyarah is Shirk, and there is none among us except... but Allah removes it with trust in Him (At-Tawakkul)."

Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi recorded it. At-Tirmidhi graded it authentic (Saheeh) and he considered the last part of it as the statement of Ibn Mas'ud (radiyAllahu 'anhu).

Ahmad recorded a Hadith of Ibn 'Amr which states [that the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said],

"Whoever at-Tiyarah prevented him from his need, then verily he commited Shirk."

They said, "What is the expiation of that?" He said, "That you say:

((Allaahumma laa khayra illaa khayruka, wa laa tayra illaa tayruka, wa laa ilaaha ghayruka.))

O Allah, there is no good except for Your good, and no Tayr except for Your Tayr, and there is no god (worthy or worship) other than You."

He (Ahmad) also recorded a Hadith of Fadl bin Al-'Abbaas (radiyAllahu 'anhu) which states [that the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said],

"At-Tiyarah is only that which causes you to carry something out or that turns you back (from your mission)."


Important issues of the Chapter:

1) Drawing attention to Allah's Statement,

"Verily their evil omens are with Allah." (7:131)

Along with His Statement,

"Your evil omens be with you!" (36:19)

2) Negation of Al-'Adwaa (contagion of disease).

3) Negation of At-Tiyarah (bad omen).

4) Negation of Al-Haamah (omen in the owl).

5) Negation of As-Safar (misfortune associated with the month of Safar).

6) That Al-Fa'l (a good word of pessimism) is not from this (At-Tatayyur).

7) Explanation of Al-Fa'l.

8) That whatever occurs in the hearts of this (ill omen) while it is hated does not harm. Rather, Allah will remove it with At-Tawakkul (reliance upon Him).

9) Mention of (what) the person should say who experiences this.

10) The declaration that At-Tiyarah is Shirk.

11) Explanation of the blameworthy Tiyarah.


[Extracted and adapted from the book Ghayatul-Murid (The Destination of the Seeker of the Truth) by Shaikh Salih bin 'Abdul-'Aziz bin Muhammad bin Ibraheem Aali Shaikh, translated by Aqeel Walker, published by Darussalam. The book is an interpretation of Kitaab at-Tawheed of Shaikh Muhammad bin 'Abdul-Wahhab. Explanation by Shaikh Salih is not included (i.e. the text above is the original text of Kitaab at-Tawheed).]

What has been Related Concerning Fortune-tellers (Soothsayers) and the like

Muslim recorded in his Saheeh from some of the wives of the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) that he said,

"Whoever goes to a fortune-teller ('Arraafan) and asks him about something and believes him, his prayer will not be accepted from him for forty days."

Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu 'anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said,

"Whoever goes to a soothsayer or a fortune-teller (kaahinan) and believes him in what he says, then he has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam)." (Abu Dawud)

Another narration was recorded by The Four (Sunan compilers), and Al-Haakim, who said, "It is authentic (Saheeh) according to their (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) conditions", from Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu 'anhu) that the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said,

"Whoever goes to fortune-teller or soothsayer ('Arraafan) and believes him in what he says, then he has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam)."

Abu Ya'laa recorded a similar narration with a good (Jayyid) chain that is Mawqoof [a statement of Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu 'anhu) only].

'Imraan bin Husayn narrated a Hadith that he attributed to the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) [Marfoo'] which states,

"He is not of us who seeks omens, or has omens interpreted for him, or who practices fortune-telling, or has his fortune told to him, or practices magic or has magic performed for him. And whoever goes to a fortune-teller( Kaahinan) and believes him in what he says, then verily he has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad (sallAllahu 'alayhi sallami>)."

Recorded by Al-Bazzaar with a good (Jayyid) chain of narration.

At-Tabaranee recorded the same Hadith in Al-Awsat, with a good (Hasan) chain of narration from Ibn 'Abbaas without his statement, "And whoever goes..." to the end of the Hadith.

Al-Baghawee said, "Al-'Arraaf is the one who claims to have knowledge of the matter by fore signs that he uses to guide to the stolen object, the place of the lost item and similar things. It is said that he is the Kaahin. And the Kaahin is the one who informs about matters of the unseen that will occur in the future. It has also been said that he is the one who informs about what is in the inner thought (i.e. mind reader)."

Abu Al-'Abbaas Ibn Taymiyyah said, "Al-'Arraaf is a name for the Kaahin, the Munajjim (psychic astrologer), the Rammaal (diviner who uses figures or lines in the sand) and people similar to them from those who speak of knowledge of the affairs by these means."

Ibn 'Abbaas said about people who write Abaa Jaad (Abjad, numerology) and gaze at the stars (i.e. using the Zodiac), "Whoever does that will not fine any share (of good) for himself with Allah."


Important issues of the Chapter

1) That belief in the fortune-teller and faith in the Qur'an cannot coexist.

2) The declaration that it (belief in a Kaahin) is Kufr (disbelief).

3) Mention of whomever has his fortune told to him.

4) Mention of whomever has an omen interpreted for him.

5) Mention of whomever has magic performed for him.

6) Mention of whomever learns Abaa Jaad (Abjad, numerology).

7) Mention of the difference between the Kaahin and the 'Arraaf.


[Extracted and adapted from the book Ghayatul-Murid (The Destination of the Seeker of the Truth) by Shaikh Salih bin 'Abdul-'Aziz bin Muhammad bin Ibraheem Aali Shaikh, translated by Aqeel Walker, published by Darussalam. The book is an interpretation of Kitaab at-Tawheed of Shaikh Muhammad bin 'Abdul-Wahhab. Explanation by Shaikh Salih is not included (i.e. the text above is the original text of Kitaab at-Tawheed).]

Dunia dikejar... Akhirat ditinggalkan?

"Sesungguhnya Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala berfirman, 'Wahai anak Adam, gunakan waktumu untuk beribadah kepada-Ku, niscaya akan Aku penuhi hatimu dengan kekayaan dan akan Aku cukupi kebutuhanmu. Namun, jika engkau tidak melakukan itu, maka akan Aku penuhi tanganmu dengan kesibukan dan Aku tidak akan menutupi kebutuhanmu."
[HR Ahmad, at-Tirmidzi, Ibnu Majah, Ibnu Hibban, dan yng lainnnya. Liht Ash-Shahiihah (1359)]

Dalam satu riwayat disebutkan:

"Akan Aku penuhi hatimu dengan kesibukan."
[HR Ibnu Majah, Shahiih Sunan Ibnu Majah (3315)]

"Dan barangsiapa yang membawa kejahatan, maka disungkurkanlah ke dalam Neraka. Tiadalah kamu dibalasi, melainkan (setimpal) dengan apa yang dahulu kamu kerjakan." (QS. An-Naml: 90)

"...Dan Allah berkata (kepada mereka): 'Rasailah (pembalasan dari) apa yang telah kamu kerjakan'." (QS. Al-Ankabuut: 55)

"Maka pada hari itu seseorang tidak akan dirugikan sedikit pun dan kamu tidak dibalasi, kecuali dengan apa yang telah kamu kerjakan." (QS. Yaasiin: 54)

Dari Ibnu Mas'ud radhiyallahu 'anhu, bahwa Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam bersabda:
"Kedua kaki anak Adam tidak akan (dibiarkan) melangkah pada hari Kiamat dari hadapan Rabbnya, hingga ia ditanya tentang lima perkara; Tentang umurnya, untuk apa ia dihabiskan? Tentang masa mudanya, untuk apa ia pergunakan? Tentang hartanya, dari mana ia dapatkan, dan untuk apa ia belanjakan? Dan, apa yang telah ia kerjakan terhadap apa yang ia ketahui?"
[HR at-Tirmidzi dan lainnya. Lihat kitab Ash-Shahiihah (946)]

Dari Abu Barzah radhiyallahu 'anhu, ia berkata, bahwa Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam bersabda:
"Kedua kaki seorang hamba tidak akan (dibiarkan) melangkah pada hari Kiamat hingga ia ditanya tentang umurnya, untuk apa ia habiskan? Tentang ilmunya, apa yang telah ia kerjakan dengannya? Tentang hartanya, dari mana ia peroleh dan untuk apa ia belanjakan? Dan tentang badannya, untuk apa ia pergunakan?"
[HR at-Tirmidzi]

[Tukilan (terpisah) dari kitab "Prioritas dalam Ilmu, Amal dan Dakwah" oleh Syaikh Husain bin 'Audah al-'Awaisyah, terbitan Pustaka Imam Asy-Syafi'i]

"Ramalan Nasib Kamu untuk Hari ini..."

[Menyingkapi permasalahan dukun dan tukang ramal, dan larangan mendatangi mereka. Nasihat bagi orang-orang yang beriman di Facebook agar tidak "mendatangi" Anita the Online Psychic, aplikasi Horoscope dan Astrology, dan yang sewaktu dengannya.]

Mendatangi Dukun dan Peramal

Ramalan bintang yang isinya berupa ramalan terhadap berbagai peristiwa yang terjadi di muka bumi berdasarkan perjalanan bintang, yang pelakunya menganggap bahawa mereka mengetahui apa yang telah terjadi dan yang belum terjadi, adalah haram berdasarkan al-Qur-an, as-Sunnah dan kesepakatan seluruh ulama.

Islam mengharamkan imbalan (bayaran) yang diperolehi dari hasil perdukunan. Seperti imbalan yang didapat oleh munajjim (ahli nujum), pelempar batu, penulis garis di pasir dan pembaca (mantera dalam) cangkir.

Islam juga mengharamkan segala bentuk hubungan dengan mereka, kecuali dalam rangka melarangnya atau menegakkan amar ma'ruf dan nahi munkar, sebagaimana yang dilakukan oleh Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam terhadap Ibnu Shayyad, seorang dukun Yahudi.

Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam mengancam orang yang mendatangi peramal dan menanyakan kepadanya tentang sesuatu, dengan tidak diterima shalatnya selama 40 hari. Beliau bersabda:

"Barangsiapa yang mendatangi peramal lalu menanyakan kepadanya tentang sesuatu, maka shalatnya tidak akan diterima selama 40 hari." [HR Muslim (XIV/227)]

Ancaman ini ditujukan kepada orangyang mendatanginya dan sekedar bertanya. Sedangkan orang yang membenarkannya, maka ia kafir terhadap apa yang diturunkan kepada Muhammad shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam. Beliau bersabda:

"Barangsiapa yang mendatangi peramal atau dukun, lalu membenarkan apa yang ia katakan, sungguh, ia telah kafir kepada apa yang diturunkan kepada Muhammad shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam." [HR At-Tirmidzi (135), Abu Dawud (3904), Ibnul Jarud (107), Ahmad (II/408-476), dan lainnya dari hadits Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu 'anhu. Saya (penulis) katakan bahwa hadits ini memang shahih.]

Saudaraku Muslim - semoga Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala menunjukimu kepada apa yang Dia cintai dan ridhai - jika sekedar bertanya kepada dukun akan dihukum seperti itu, lalu apa kiranya hukuman bagi dukun yang ditanya?

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Sungguh sangat indah perkataan 'Abdullah bin Muhammad al-Andalusi al-Maliki dalam Malhamah an-Nuuhiyah-nya:

Jangan kalian ikuti ilmu bintang
Karena ia hanyalah bualan para dukun

Ilmu bintang dan syari'at Muhammad
Takkan pernah bertemu di hati hamba

Apakah ia dapat menunjukkan kebahagiaan dan kesengsaraan?
Tidak, demi Yang menciptakan manusia

Siapa meyakini bahwa bintang berpengaruh
Sungguh ia pengingkar syari'at dan pengikut kesesatan

Bintang diciptakan untuk tiga perkara
Maka, dengarlah perkataan orang yang berwaspada

Sebagian bintang sebagai hiasan langit
Seperti permata tergangung di leher wanita

Ada bintang yang menjadi penunjuk jalan
Dan ada pula yang menjadi pelempar syaitan

Manusia tak tahu kejadian hari depan
Karena setiap hari Allah dalam kesibukan

Hujan Dia turunkan dengan karunia-Nya
Bukan bintang tertentu yang menurunkannya

Orang yang berkata bahwa hujan turun
Karena ham-ah, sharfah atau bintang mizan

Maka ia telah melakukan kedustaan
Yang tidak berasal dari ar-Rahmaan

[Tukilan dan adaptasi dari kitab "Penyebab Rusaknya Amal Menurut al-Qur-an dan as-Sunnah yang Shahih" oleh Syaikh Salim bin 'Ied al-Hilali, terbitan Pustaka Imam Asy-Syafi'i]

Wallahu a'lam

"Reference Row, Reference Row, Ready!"

[Lessons from BMT for the Muslims]

Having to recourse my BMT sure made me reminisce some interesting moments in BMT. One interesting moment (or perhaps moments) which I find memorable is PT, whereby the Fitness Instructor (FI) or the conducting sergeant would command,

FI: "Form 15 rows in front of me, MOVE!"
Trainees: MOVE!

FI: (Pointing to one row) "Reference Row, Reference Row Ready!"
Trainees (from Reference Row): READY! (while raising their right hands high)

FI: Class Ready!
Trainees: READY!

FI: Class Move Out! (I prefer my FI who'd say, "SPREAD!")
Trainees: SPREAD!


Lesson #1: Importance of 1 Commander/Leader and 1 Reference Row

Now, those who went throught NS, particularly BMT would understand this importance. Discipline, coordination, orderly, and keeping in line with one another, regardless of how far one has spread out. Obeying the commander/leader, with reference to the Reference Row.

So how is this important and relevant for us Muslims?

The Prophet sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam is definitely our leader, our imam, no doubt.

But who is our "Reference Row"?

Allah says in the Qur-aan:

"And the first to embrace Isl�m of the Muh�jir�n (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ans�r (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muh�jir�n) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). All�h is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success." (At-Tawbah 9:100)

Yes, the Sahaabah (Companions of the Prophet) ridwaanullaahi 'alayhim are our "Reference Row".

Allah also says in the Qur-aan:

"You [true believers in Isl�mic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma'r�f (i.e. Isl�mic Monotheism and all that Isl�m has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Isl�m has forbidden), and you believe in All�h." (Aali Imran 3:110)

This verse is usually understood to be referring to us Muslims. However, it is specifically referring to the Sahaabah ridwaanullaahi 'alayhim because this verse was revealed to them, during their lifetime.

The hadeeth of Iftiraaq mentions of the splitting of the Muslims into 73 sects, 72 will be in Hellfire and only 1 will be in Jannah (Paradise), and it is "Al-Jamaa'ah". [Reported by Aboo Dawood, Ad-Daarimee, Ahmad and others.] In one narration, the Prophet says, "that is, what my Companions and I are upon."

The hadeeth of al-Irbaad bin Sareeyah (hadeeth no. 28 in An-Nawaawee's 40 Hadeeths), in which the Prophet sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Adhere to my Sunnah and the sunnah of the rightly-guided Caliphs (Khulafaa'), and bite onto it (hold firmly onto it) with your jaws." [Reported by Aboo Dawood and At-Tirmidhee]

Hence, no matter how far out we've "moved" or "spread" from the times of the Sahaabah (in terms of years), as long as we make them our "Reference Row", we can be sure that we are in line with the teachings of the Prophet.


Lesson #2: Clean Reputation

Now, this lesson has nothing to do with the first one. However, I find it meaningful, and I thank Allah for the enlightenment.

Guys who've been through NS, remember those times of Area Cleaning? Remember how those windows get dirty easily, and it is especially irritating when bird faeces get on them? Don't you just feel like shooting down the birds?

But how do you know which bird left the faeces on your windows? Could it be the pigeons? It could have also been the crows. It could even be those cute little green birds or mynahs that we adore, that come occasionally.

So, would it be right to eliminate the pigeons for their "wrongdoing" when it could have been other birds?

You see, our name or reputation is like a clean window. Every now and then, some birds will come to dirty it. It does not matter which bird dirties it, what matters is to keep the window clean.

And.. if we truly maintain our good name and reputation, someone else might be cleaning the window for us out of appreciation, respect or gratitude for us.

Similarly for us Muslims. Islam is like a clean window. Every now and then, terrorists and their evil acts tarnish it. Disregard those conspiracy theories that it could have been the work of the Jews or others. As long as it is done in the name of Islam, it is our duty and responsibility as Muslims to keep the window clean.

And at times, we get non-Muslims to clean it for us. Like Karen Armstrong, who defended the purity of Islam from the dirty acts of the terrorists. She also defended Wahhabism/Salafiyyah from the misconceptions and accusations that it breeds terrorism (refer to The Wahhabi Myth).

The same goes to SM Goh Chok Tong, whom after his first visit to Saudi Arabia, said that it is wrong to jump onto the conclusion that Saudi Arabia breeds terrorism.

Wallaahu a'lam.

Candanya Para Ulama (Syaikh al-Albani, Syaikh Ibn Baz & Syaikh Ibn ‘Utsaimin rahimahumullah)

Mungkin kerana masalah teknikal, post berikut tidak diterbitkan di blog ini setelah "cross-posting":

Candanya Para Ulama (Syaikh al-Albani, Syaikh Ibn Baz & Syaikh Ibn ‘Utsaimin rahimahumulla

Antara 1 dan 10 Muharram

1 Muharram baru berlalu
Betapa ramai Muslim berpusu-pusu
Menuju ke masjid beramai-ramai
Ada majlis besar yg ingin diraikan
Beramai-ramai menadah tangan mendoakan
Doa akhir/awal tahun diaminkan

Kalau ditanya, "mengapa berbuat demikian?"
Maka dijawab mereka,
"Telah datang tahun baru, ayuhlah kira raikan!"
Ku bertanya kembali, "mengapa perlu kita raikan?"
Lalu dijawab mereka,
"Kalau New Year bersemangat bergembira kita menyambutnya,
Inikan lagi bulan Muharram yang mulia."

Aku buntu..
Begitulah tanggapan
Benarkah demikian?

Aku tertanya, bukankah lebih utama
Di bulan haram yang mulia
Memperingati Hari Asyura dengan berpuasa?
Apakah ramai yang akan mengamalkannya?

Lihatlah nanti, kita kan mengerti
Renungilah tahun-tahun yang lalu, kita kan ketahui
Sambutan kedatangan Muharram
Telah berlaku salah priority

Puasa sunnah yg dianjurkan
Tidak kuasa dilaksanakan
Namun, yang tiada contoh ikutan
Yang dipusu-pusukan

Bukanlah apa, aku hanya khuatirkan
Jika sambutan Awal Muharram sebagaimana tanggapan
Yang telah di atas aku sebutkan
Bukankah ianya seolah penyerupaan
Berpusu-pusunya kuffar, khususnya Nasrani
Menyambut Tahun Baru Masihi?

Imam Ibnu Kathir telah menyebutkan
"Lau kaana khairan
lasabaquuna ilaihi"
(Jika benar ianya suatu kebaikan
Nescaya mereka kan terlebih mendahului)
Mereka yang menjadi ikutan
Setelah Nabi junjungan
Mereka yang wajar dicontohi
Merekalah qurun yang diberkati
Merekalah para Sahabat yang diredhai
Ilahi Rabbi

Jangan pula setelah ini
Ada pembaca yang salah tanggapi
Maksud tujuan puisiku ini
Dengan keikhlasan aku meniatkan
Aku hanya mengingini
Sambutan kedatangan Muharram
Tidak disalah erti
Tidak disalah priority

(c) Ibn Shamsud-Deen
19/12/2009

Shaykh Muhammad Al Arifi - Refuting Those Who Claim Islam Is A Strict Religion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obgkblALzN4

Culture Confusion - Abdur Raheem Green

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuECO3unh3o

Sheikh al-Albani - Advice to the Youth who Love to Refute

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogoSEAsS9ho

2 beneficial videos by Abdur Raheem Green and Shaykh Muhammad al-Arifi

Culture Confusion - Abdur Raheem Green:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuECO3unh3o

Refuting Those Who Claim Islam Is A Strict Religion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obgkblALzN4

Revive!

It's been some time since I "abandoned" my Multiply.. Have been using a lot of Facebook.. Will try to update more frequently..

Mencintai Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam

Ditukil dari Syaikh Ibrahim ar-Ruhaily sebagai berkata:

"Seseorang itu mencintai Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam dengan mengikuti Sunnah Baginda (yang shahih), menegakkannya dan membelanya." (aw kama qal)

Dalam kitab Syarhus Sunnah, Imam al-Barbahari menyebutkan dalam poin pertama:

"Ketahuilah bahawasanya sesungguhnya al-Islam itu adalah as-Sunnah, dan as-Sunnah itu adalah al-Islam, tidak tegak salah satu daripadanya melainkan dengan yang lainnya."

Kenyataan yang cukup mendalam. Sungguh benar kerana agama Islam adalah apa yang diwahyukan oleh Allah dan disampaikan oleh Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam, dan segala sesuatu yg datang dari Rasulullah shalllallhu 'alaihi wa sallam itulah yang disebutkan as-Sunnah.

Dan sesuatu yang disebutkan as-Sunnah hendaklah yang telah dipastikan keshahihannya kerana bagaimana mungkin kita menerima sesuatu hadith yang diragui keshahihannya untuk dijadikan pegangan dalam agama?

Dan telah pun kita ketahui, sebagaimana dijelas para ulama, bahawa syarat sah ibadah adalah pertama,ikhlas, kedua, ittiba'.

Tidak sah sesuatu ibadah jika tidak ikhlas. Tidak sah juga jika tidak ittiba'us Sunnah, yakni tiada contoh dari as-Sunnah.

Dan harus jika kita mencontohi para Sahabat kerana mereka adalah murid-murid Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam, mereka lah yang paling mengerti akan ajaran Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam.

Itulah yang membuat Imam Ibnu Kathir mendatangkan konsep Lau kaana khairan la sabaquuna ilaihi. Yakni, jika sesuatu itu baik, nescaya mereka (para Sahabat) akan terlebih dahulu mengamalkannya.

Maka, sebelum kita mengaku mencintai Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam, tanyalah diri kita:

1. Apakah kita berusaha untuk mengamalkan Sunnah Rasulullah, baik dalam urusan ibadah mahupun selain ibadah?
2. Apakah yang kita anggap Sunnah itu benar-benar telah dipastikan keshahihannya? Adakah contoh dari para Shahabat ridhwanullahi 'alaihim?
3. Dan yang lebih utama, adakah Aqidah kita selari dengan Aqidah para Shahabat ridhwanullahi 'alaihim?

Kesimpulannya, orang yang benar-benar mencintai Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam adalah orang yang Ittiba as-Sunnah (yang shahihah). Dia berpegang kepada al-Qur'an dan as-Sunnah berdasarkan pemahaman kaum Salafusshalih. Itulah Ahlus Sunnah yang sejati.

Wallahu a'lam

Keistimewaan-keistimewaan Sirah dan Dakwah Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab

[Berikut siri ketiga dalam beberapa siri tulisan dalam rangka mengenali Syaikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab. Ditukil dari kitab "Hanya Islam Bukan Wahhabi" (judul asli: Islamiyyah La Wahhabiyyah) oleh Prof. Dr. Nashir bin Abdul Karim al-Aql, dari bab "Imam Pembaharu dan Dakwahnya"]


Sirah dan dakwah Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab memiliki banyak keistimewaan. Di antaranya:

Perilaku yang jernih
Sesungguhnya dari sirah Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, yaitu pribadi, ilmu, sikap agama,akhlak, pergaulannya terhadap orang-orang yang mendukung maupun menentangnya, dan hal ihwal beliau yang lainnya bisa dibaca dengan jelas keutamaan, sikap istiqamah, dan jiwa kepemimpinannya. Pada segi yang lain juga bisa dibaca dengan jelas hal-hal yang dapat membatalkan tuduhan para musuh yang selalu menyerang kepribadian, dakwah, dan manhaj beliau. Begitu pula dengan manhaj para pengikut beliau.

Tetapi, beliau sudah memberikan penjelasan konkret tentang dakwah dan manhajnya dalam risalah, kitab, serta perilaku-perilakunya. Demikian pula yang dilakukan oleh para pengikut beliau sehingga hal itu sudah cukup menjadi pedoman bagi yang menginginkan kebenaran dan adil tehadap perilaku.

Sumber yang Bersih
Sumber ilmu, adab, dan akhlak yang diterima oleh Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab adalah sumber-sumber yang syar'i, fitrah, kuat, dan yang murni. Hal itu merupakan cerminan dari Al-Qur'an, sunnah Nabi, dan jejak peninggalan para Salafusshalih yang lepas dari falsafah dan tasawwuf; fitrah sehat yang tidak diselewengkan oleh manhaj bid'ah, kesenangan nafsu, dan kerancuan-kerancuan; dalam lingkungan keluarga yang muila yang memiliki kepahaman fikih, ilmu, kedudukan, dan nasab.

Manhaj yang sehat
Manhaj yang digunakan oleh Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab dalam berdakwah menghadapi para pengikutnya dan orang-orang yang menentangnya adalah manhaj syar'i yang salafi, murni, bersih dari kotoran-kotoran, asli, kokoh, terang, komprehensif, realistis, dan patut untuk mendirikan sebuah masyarakat islami yang penuh vitalitas dan progresif.

Dalam menjabarkan ketetapan agama kepada para pengikutnya sang Imam juga menggunakan manhaj syar'i yang salafi dan murni. Beliau selalu berpedoman pada Al-Qur'an, hadits, dan kalimat agama yang asli, tanpa dicampur aduk dengan bahasa-bahasa falsafah, istilah sufi, ucapan yang membingungkan, dan isyarat sastra.

Berorientasi kepada Manhaj Salafusshalih
Dakwah Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab dalam segala sesuatu menggunakan manhaj Salafusshalih. Itulah yang membuat manhaj beliau memiliki ciri khas tersendiri, yakni murni, komprehensif, realistis, mantap, dan meyakinkan.

Hasilnya, beliau sanggup menegakkan syi'ar dan dasar-dasar agama sangat sempurna yang meliputi masalah tauhid, shalat, jihad, amar ma'ruf nahi mungkar, penegakan hukum, keadilan, keamanan, tampilnya keutamaan-keutamaan dan tersembunyinya kerendahan-kerendahan. Agama dan ilmu menjadi sangat marak di setiap negara yang terjangkau oleh seruan dakwah beliau yang sudah mapan di Kerajaan Arab Saudi.

Asas yang dijadikan dasar seruan dakwah Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab ialah asas dan ketetapan Islam. Oleh karena itulah, dakwah beliau mendatangkan buah yang matang dan selalu berada pada jalan Allah yang lurus serta pada manhaj nubuwat.

Penuh Semangat dan Berwawasan Luas
Hal lain yang membuat manhaj Syaikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab menjadi istimewa ialah semangat dan keyakinan beliau yang sangat tinggi dalam menegakkan kalimat Allah, membela agama, menyebarluaskan sunnah Nabi, dan mengobati penyakit-penyakit yang diderita oleh umat berupa berbagai macam bid'ah, hal-hal baru yang diada-adakan, kemungkaran, kebodohan, perpecahan, kezhaliman, dan keterbelakangan.

Semangat tinggi dan wawasan luas dalamhal teori (ilmu) dan praktek (amal) yang dimiliki oleh beliau nampak jelas dari banyak hal. Antara lain:

1. Fokus perhatian beliau terhadap masalah-masalah yang utama, seperti masalah tauhid dan kewajiban-kewajiban agama. Walaupun demikian, beliau tidak lantas mengabaikan masalah-masalah yang lainnya.
2. Kesiapan beliau sejak dini untuk menghadapi berbagai rintangan yang akan menghambat dakwah beliau. Hal itu menunjukkan betapa beliau memiliki wawasan yang luas dan antisipasi yang peka untuk menghadapi segala sesuatu yang akan terjadi.
3. Perhatian beliau sejak dini untuk mencari kekuasaan yang kuat dan layak buat memikul beban-beban dakwah serta memeliharanya adalah langkah yang sangat tepat ketika beliau memilih Amir Muhammad bin Sa'ud setelah ia diusir oleh Ibnu Mu'ammar.

Kemampuan dan Kesuksesan
Juga berkata jasa Syaikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, Allah berkenan menolong agama dan memuliakan sunnah Nabi. Beliau baru meninggal dunia setelah sempat menyaksikan uah hasil dakwahnya yang dirintis dengan susah-payah, yakni dengan berkibarnya bendera sunnah dan berdirinya negeri tauhid pada zaman pemerintahan Imam Abdul Aziz bin Muhammad dan putranya, Sa'ud. Bendera tersebut terus berkibar melambangkan kejayaan, kemenangan, kewibawaan, kekuatan, dan kedamaian. Hal itu sebgai bukti atas dominasi agama dan tenggelamnya berbagai macam bid'ah. Akhirnya, secara berturut-turut berdirilah kekhalifahan di wilayah-wilayah Semenanjung Arabia lainnya. Ini jelas merupakan karunia Allah yang patut disyukuri.

Sesungguhnya beliau adalah seorang pembaharu. Pengaruh dakwahnya meluas sampai ke seluruh negara kaum muslimin, bahkan sampai ke segenap penjuru dunia. Alhamdulillah, dakwah beliau tersebut tetap hidup.

Dakwah beliau juga terus diserukan oleh para pengikutnya, orang-orang Ahli Sunnah wal Jama'ah di negeri mereka masing-masing.

Dasar-dasar Dakwah Syaikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab

[Berikut siri kedua dalam beberapa siri tulisan dalam rangka mengenali Syaikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab. Ditukil dari kitab "Hanya Islam Bukan Wahhabi" (judul asli: Islamiyyah La Wahhabiyyah) oleh Prof. Dr. Nashir bin Abdul Karim al-Aql, dari bab "Imam Pembaharu dan Dakwahnya"]


Seruan dakwah Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab adalah berdasarkan pada manhaj islami yang benar dan kaidah-kaidah serta prinsip-prinsip agama. Yang paling menonjol ialah upaya untuk memurnikan ibadah hanya kepada Allah semata dan kesetiaan untuk selalu menaati Allah serta menaati Rasulullah Shallallahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam. Beliau sangat antusias melakukan hal-hal sebagai berikut:

1. Menanamkan tauhid secara mendalam dan membasmi syirik serta berbagai macam bid'ah.
2. Menegakkan kewajiban-kewajiban agama dan syi'ar-syi'arnya, seperti shalat, jihad, dan amar ma'ruf nahi mungkar.
3. Mewujudkan keadilan di bidang hukum dan lainnya.
4. Mendirikan masyarakat Islam yang berdasarkan tauhid, sunnah, persatuan, kemuliaan, perdamaian, dan keadilan.

Semuaitu berhasil terwujud di negara-negara yang terjangkau oleh seruan dakwah beliau, atau yang telah terpengaruh. Gambaran tersebut nampak jelas di wilayah-wilayah yang berada di bawah kekuasaan pemerintahan Arab Saudi sebagai pengibar bendera gerakan reformasi pada tiga periode. Setiap negara yang terjangkau oleh gerakan ini akan kental dengan warna tauhid, iman, sunnah Nabi, perdamaian, dan kesejahteraan. Hal itu demi mewujudkan apa yang telah dijanjikan oleh Allah dalam firman-Nya,

"Sesunggunya Allah pasti menolong orang yang menolong (agama)-Nya. Sesungguhnya Allah benar-benar Maha Kuat lagi Maha Perkasa, (yaitu) orang-orang yang jika Kami teguhkan kedudukan mereka di muka bumi, niscaya mereka mendirikan shalat, menunaikan zakat, menyuruh berbuat yang ma'ruf, dan mencegah dari perbuatan yang mungkar; dan kepada Allahlah kembali segala urusan." (Al-Hajj: 40-41)

"Kami hendak memberi karunia kepada orang-orang yang tertindas di bumi (Mesir) itu dan hendak menjadikan mereka pemimpin dan menjadikan mereka orang-orang yang mewarisi (bumi)." (Al-Qashash: 5)

Pertumbuhan Dakwah Syaikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab dan Perilaku-perilakunya

[Berikut siri pertama dalam beberapa siri tulisan dalam rangka mengenali Syaikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab. Ditukil dari kitab "Hanya Islam Bukan Wahhabi" (judul asli: Islamiyyah La Wahhabiyyah) oleh Prof. Dr. Nashir bin Abdul Karim al-Aql, dari bab "Imam Pembaharu dan Dakwahnya"]

Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Rahimahullah lahir pada tahun 1115 Hijriah dan wafat pada tahun 1206 Hijriah. Beliau mengumandangkan seruan dakwahnya di jantung Najd dengan misi untuk membasmi noda-noda bid'ah, khurafat, perpecahan, dan kebodohan. Beliau memliki semangat yang sangat kuat untuk mengadakan pembaharuan, seerti yang akan diterangkan nanti.

Beliau lahir dan tumbuh di sebuah lingkungan keluarga yang kental dengan warna ilmu, kebaikan, dan sikap istiqamah. Ayah, kakek, dan sebagian besar anggota keluarganya adalah para ulama dan tokoh terkemuka yang aktif di bidang dakwah, penegakan hukum, dan pendidikan. Itulah yang membantu beliau memiliki bakat luar biasa. Beliau selalu setia menempuh manhaj syar'i yang kuat dan kokoh dalam lingkup ilmu yang aman.

Barangkali ada baiknya kalau saya kemukakan di sini bakat-bakat kepemimpinan menonjol yang ada pada diri sang pembaharu besar ini.

Semenjak kecil ia sudah memperlihatkan tanda-tanda kejeniusan, kecerdasan, dan bakat-bakat kepandaian yang luar biasa. Ia memiliki daya hapal, kekuatan pemahaman, dan kedalaman berpikir yang sangat prima. Dalam usianya yang masih terlalu muda ia sudah sanggup menangkap dan mendalami ilmu dan fikih. Sangat tekun dalam beribadah, memiliki iman yang kuat, dan mempunyai sifat-sifat yang terpuji, seperti jujur, penyayang, dermawan, santun, sabar, berwawasan luas, berhasrat kuat, dan sifat-sifat kepemimpinan yang jarang dimiliki oleh kebanyakan orang.

Kenyataan ini sangat bertolak belakang dengan isu atau fitnah yang sengaja disebarluaskan oleh musuh-musuhnya yag menuduh beliau sebagai orang yang bodoh, jahat, kasar, fasik, dan sifat-sifat tidak terpuji lainnya. Mereka mengajarkan hal itu kepada para pengikutnya yang bodoh dan tidak mau melihat kebenaran sehingga mau mempercayai begitu saja.

Apakah rasional orang yang bodoh sanggup melakukan pekerjaan-pekerjaan besar seperti itu? Apakah mungkin orang yang fasik sanggup melakukan gerakan reformasi demi kejayaan Islam yang gaungnya masih tetap terdengardi seantero dunia sampai sekarang? Allah akan menolong, menguatkan, dan meninggikan agama ini.

Missed entries on 20 Aug

For readers of my blogspot who missed a few entries:

Avoid Umrah if you have swine flu - Grand Mufti

Quran protects against terrorism, says Al-Asheikh