The Most Precious Gift a Child Could Have

Nahr al-Medina, City Centre– A child is an amaanah from Allah. Even though a child is made out of a mother and father’s own flesh and blood, it is a tough truth that the parents do not own the child. They are merely the causal agents of the child’s existence in this temporal world. However, the child is highly obligated to respect his parents especially his mother.

When Prophet Muhammad PBUH was asked by a sahabah, he had reiterated for three times that one should prioritise his mother from his father. For a mother’s sacrifice is incomparable to anyone in this world. Some with bad experience may detest their mothers for forsaking them but their mothers are still their mother. Remember, she risked her life to bring you into this world.

I am writing this because I have been witnessing how the women around me experience the beauty and bear the pains of pregnancy. Honestly, I am truly awed by the sophistication of the human relations and human creation that Allah has made. I wonder, what is the hikmah of this paradox. Paradox is what keeps the world going. Only Allah Knows best.

Parents worry about their children. They would always expect the best out of them. They wish for brilliance, beauty, imaan and safety for them. Still, all of these are subjected to Allah’s jurisdiction. No parent will get all of their wishes fulfilled. At least, not at all times. Whatever wrong happens to their child is not totally their fault. At 10 years old, a child may be at his best behaviour. By 20 years old he can possibly be the worst of mankind. Who are we to blame the parents? We do not know what the journey of their lives have been like. Whatever a person becomes, it is a choice of his own. Not his parents.

The most vital responsibility of a parent is to provide his child the tools of developing his imaan. Imaan is the most basic foundation of being human and Allah’s servant. It is the most precious gift that a parent could give. In general, people say that they must teach their children religious knowledge. Hence, children are taught how to pray, recite the sacred scribe, fast from dusk till dawn, to not utter derogatory words or consume non kosher foods.

Nevertheless, how many of us have attempted in elaborating the secrets of these practices to our children? When actually the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful Lord has endowed upon His weak servants great benefit behind all the instructions and the forbidden. In the end, people grow to practice religion not more as a cultural inheritance. Just like the mundane of brushing one’s teeth after waking up in the morning without realising the significance of it. Thus, it is important to gradually let a child understand his existence in this world in relation to his Creator and other creations.

A parent can never keep an eye on his child at all times. The child will grow and there will be a time when it is time to let him go like setting a bird free. Only imaan will save him (in this realm and the Hereafter) and a parent’s du’a will keep him in line along the way. As for the rest, it is Allah’s Will.

Above all of the best wishes I have for every children in this world, my greatest hope is that Allah Destines the best for their life in the Hereafter. May they be saved from all of their acts and conditions in this superficial realm that may compromise their souls in the Hereafter, ameen ya rabbal ‘aalameen.

Piety and Its Subtle Deformations

AlHambra, City Centre – In conjunction with our beloved Prophet’s birthday a few days ago, the whole country was on a public holiday. Those who consider this day as a meaningful occasion would have different ways of “celebrating” the event, be it in public or just within the spheres of their hearts. As for me, I opt to reflect on the one of the many realities of our Muslims today, who are evident followers and ummah of Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

Assessing A Muslim’s Piety

During his last sermon in Hujjatul Wida’, the Prophet gave a clear message that no one is superior over another being by their physique or any external representation because Allah Judges man by the heart. Muslims today commit their hearts to the belief of having Allah as their sole God and the existence of His Angels, Scriptures, Messengers, Judgement Day and Divine Destiny. The muslims’ state of taqwa (piety) distinguishes them from one another. So how can we really identify a Muslim’s level of taqwa?

My answer is – none. I disagree with the idea that us being mere servants of Allah to judge a person’s internal affairs with His God. It is worse when a syaikh utilitises the stories from hadeeths to structure a framework of judging another Muslim. In a religious ceramah (found on YouTube), a famous eloquent Ustaaz stated that a couple who has a child that cries frequently or full of tantrums could probably have been sinners before they had matrimonial ties. Later, a few ladies (who were apparently watching the video with me) started gossiping about some of our acquintances facing similar problems with their child. I tried hard to deliberate the illogical purpose of such ceramah. Many Islamic lecturers nowadays convey subtle misleading messages. Some of the messages may even instigate fitnah and su’uzzhann amongst the Muslims.

In any Muslim society (at least in the Malay community), the norm is that the more pious (‘aalim) are those who wear “Islamic clothing” such as the turban, jubah, songkok, tudung labuh, abaya, socks, purdah, hand socks and other aurah covering attires. Knowledgewise, they are well-versed with the Quran and Sunnah as well as other kitaabs by religious scholars in the fields of Tawheed, Shariah and etc. In terms of ‘amal, they perform ‘ibadah more than Allah has made compulsory for man. Mosques and halaqahs are their “cup of tea”. These are associations constructed by the limited human mind which are not necessarily true. The formation of piety actually transcends the seeking of knowledge and the practice of those knowledge.

Components of Piety

A simple definition of Taqwa is to fear Allah. Those who seek to achieve piety have a strong sense of fear of displeasing Allah. There are many types of fearing Allah. The act of piety includes ‘amr bil ma’roof wa nahi ‘anil munkar or to do good and to forbid evil. Piety is composed of three components; knowledge, action and conscience. Muslims would equip themselves with the knowledge of acquiring Allah’s pleasure from the physical aspect but sometimes overlook the spiritual side of their being. They have the knowledge on the means to attain piety and practice it but conscience escapes them. Diligent prayers would be incomplete without humility residing deep in their hearts and so is vice versa. It is this kind of minutiae that could subtly deform the Muslims’ struggle for perfecting their religion.

It is common to see Muslims who take religion lightly and lead their lives in astray. It is logical because they chose to be that way. However, it is an excruciating sight when a person of religion openly criticizes another so-called bad Muslim. Disgracing another person itself is a sinful act. When we see our Muslim kindred does injustice to himself, it is our responsibility to guide him with the utmost diplomatic way as Allah has Ordained us. Dakwah is not carried out by being judgmental nor condemnation. We should identify what had made him do what he does and find ways of pulling him out of the quicksand of ignorance.

Humility as The Foundation of Piety

A Muslim must have humility as the foundation of cultivating taqwa. One should have the notion of his position in relation to Allah and also His Servants. He must have the conscience of his position, not only in relation to Allah but also other human beings (Hablumminallah wa hablumminannaas). Whatever good or bad he has done on this earth, it is Allah’s prerogative to Judge him. He is not necessarily entitled a special place in the eyes of God if he prays or recites the Quran more frequent than any other being. Nor is he deemed as spiritually more superior than those who live in sin. Even if he feels that he is better than others, he does not have the right of downgrading others.

It is disheartening to find that Muslims who portray themselves as true muslims are the ones who give Islam a bad name. Apart from being infected with the diseases of the heart, they anoint themselves as better Muslims without a speck of mercy towards another Muslim. Little do they realise that Allah has the power to turn the table someday. It is never impossible for a bad Muslim to turn into a syaikh by the will of Allah. Wallahu a’lam bissawaab.

Human Energy

Bee Hive, City Centre – Our inconstancy is what makes us human. We can never be nor behave the same way at all times. There are days that we can be chirpy and there are moments when we uncontrollably react to the provocations of emotion. Some days we can just work full-throttled like an Energizer powered bunny and yet there are days we can be totally helpless without any apparent reason. Women are more unstable than the opposite sex because of their physical composition.

The roles that women assume today are much more challenging as compared to the times of our grand ancestors. They are simultanous homemakers, mothers, wives, breadwinners, workers and leaders. In the old days, women were able to focus their energy on housechores and family. Nowadays, their responsibilities would demand most of their time, from the moment their child starts to cry out in the darkness of dusk till the night comes again. It  simply wears them out. I’ve had working mothers expressing their weariness and some of them even find that life is gradually taking a toll on them.

I wondered if there are any magical potions that can keep us energetic and high spirited in fulfilling our tasks all the time. Of course there are loads of bottled health drinks and multivitamins lined up in pharmacies. However, physical vigour and emotional / mental strengths are both different aspects of energy.

When I asked around what do they do to boost their energy, mostly shared their tips on effective supplements, traditional herb and exercises.

Energy A Matter of Mind

I liked Uncle Seekers’ interesting answer pertaining to the human energy. He said that our energy is just a matter of the mind;

“Say for example, you just came back from work late in the evening and I told you to wash the car, you’d be begging for your life right? Then again, if you were to come back from a hard day’s work and I gave you RM3000 and told you to go shopping, you would definitely turn bright eyed then straight away hop back into your car to the Gardens or KLCC!“

His answer made me and my cousins laugh. Still it made sense to us. Perhaps we are energetic when it comes to doing something we really like. Unless if we are bored with it, we could stay energetic and high spirited.

Hypothetically energy and boredom can not co-exist.

Then again, being human we can never escape from being bored and drained out. I kept thinking “Since the human energy is ephemeral, how can one really sustain vivacity?”

The True Source of Energy

One day it crossed my mind that there is one person who I have never seen being low or lingering about without anything to do. It was my father in-law. I don’t know he has ever been depressed or sad but I have never seen him being so. He is always on the move doing his mundane tasks and time is something that he highly values. I asked him what kept him being full spirited and he replied with one key word “Zhikr”.

His lips are never idle from uttering His sacred Words, Names and His Prophet. Zhikr pacifies the heart.

“Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.

[Surah ar-Ra’ad: 28]

The human soul is weak and it yearns for its Creator. By zhikr, one fortifies his soul, galvanizing energy of the Almighty within himself.

Zhikrullah is the true answer to the source of human energy.

Isra’ Wal Mi’raj, Commandments and Us

alHamra’, Duta Drive – Tonight is the night of al-Isra’ Wal Mi’raj. In rememberence of our Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) nocturnal journey to the heavens on the 27th of Rejab, I’ve managed to  listen to a short lecture on the historical occasion.

I guess the terminology needs no more elaboration especially with my limited Islamic literary eloquence. However, I would like to just jot down some thoughts on the magical rendezvous that was experienced solely by the Prophet (PBUH).

The Prophet’s ascendancy to the skies and heavens and his tete-a-tete meeting with Allah was something that had never occurred to the rest of Allah’s prophets. Those who do not believe that it really took place claim that al-Isra’ wal Mi’raj was a myth.

However, as Muslims we should have faith in it, contemplate the layers of meaning to the event and comprehend the commandments that were granted by Allah to the Prophet (PBUH) during the occurrence. I.e : the five times a day Solat, Hijrah, Sadaqah, Jihad, Amr ma’roof wa nahi munkar and others.

The event itself was a turning point to the Prophet’s role as a prophet whereas the commandments were the basic blueprint to the civilisation of the Muslims. Not long after the incident, few months later, hijrah or the migration of the Muslims from Mecca to Madinah commenced. It was at their new homes that the new Muslims were able to fulfill those commandments which catalyzed massive Islamic civilisation.

These commandments are actually the strongpoints of the Muslims especially solaah. I believe that solah exudes the well-being of the self internally and socially. It is the main key to happiness. The “alchemist of happiness” or Imaam al-Ghazali had illustrated 6 main guidance to the spiritual perfection of solah;

1) At-Tafahhum -One must basically understand the recitations in the solah then he is able to appreciate the line of communication that he is having with his Creator.
2) Al- Khusyu3 – When one comprehends what he is doing and uttering to Allah, he should also put his mind and heart into the performing of solah. Believe in His Omnipresence.
3) At-Ta’zeem – When one is communicating in his prayers, he should sense the Greatness of the Almighty, that there is no God but Him and that it is only He who Possesses the Ultimate power upon all beings.
4) Al-Heybah – To have fear of His Greatness and our minisculity
5) Ar-Rajaa’ – One should have hope and yearn for His Pleasure and Blessing. For example, hope that He shall Forgive our sins and accept our prayers.
6) Al-Hayaa’ – To be ashamed of ourselves on how much we have disobeyed Him and yet He has kept Blessing us with life.

If you are at lost on where to start to know Him by heart, try beginning with the “mother of all surahs” which is the al-Fatihah. Insya’allah the rest of the commandments shall head your way, if you will it. May Allah Guide us all.

The Politics of God

I believe that the best way of doing things in life is by reflecting what Allah has Ordained upon mankind and with the adoption of our beloved Prophet Muhammad’s (P.B.U.H) traditions and sunnah.

The redundance of information and doctrines that are disseminated through cyberspace may lead us to confusion. Each time when I am led astray by the Western dominated realm of ideas, I would deviate from the flow to return to my Ultimate compass : Quran and Sunnah. It keeps me in line and focused with an objective rather than clamouring for the unknown.

When one mentions of the word Politics, it conjures a negative connotation to each of our minds. People say that “Politic is dirty” but Al-Ghazzali asserts that “Politics is the highest form of art”. Paradoxical as it may seem but why and what are the two contradictories?

Definition of Politics and Wants
Politics is about who gets what, when and how? This definition would definitely involve at least two actors attempting to achieve their ‘WANTS’*. Their wants may be of the same thing or different. The most important basis is that their wants would be something that they value most at that particular time. This is where Economy comes in with the Barter trade system.

In another aspect, the understanding of human wants could be reflected by referring to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. How about the history of wants as related in the Quran? I recall when Adam was yearning for companionship. Hence, the creation of Hawa. The conflict of interest between Abel and Cain which turned ugly is also another example of “wants” or nafs as a significant feature of human beings.

Politics is about A being able to make B do what A wants. To make another person do what we want could be achieved through various measures; A) Coercion, B) Influence directly-persuasion, C) Influence indirectly-manipulation of the human existence and their needs.

All these while, our daily conversations would only involve the politics of amongst us. I wondered whether there is such thing known as “God’s Politics”. Does our Creator Himself practice politics to His creations? Indeed, we really are political animals by nature.

God’s Politics
Allah has created us to serve (sembah) Him in this life. He wants us to serve Him and be close to Him. How? Let’s say for example by basically fulfilling those 5 commandments of Islam. Amr ma’ruf nahi munkar. In order to make us obey and do what He Wants, He Promises us of punishments and rewards in the Hereafter. Logically, if He is the Most Powerful Entity, why should He provide us with both of these conditioning stimulus to encourage and discourage our behaviors?

This is one illustration of God’s politics with His creations. His politics is a blessing that enables us to make sense of reality by the nature of causality (cause-effect) that he has devised. I wonder, what are the other reasons for His Politics with his Creations?

*For the purpose of this writing, Needs is included as wants because when a person is in need of something it becomes a wanted interest.

Emancipating Prisoners of The Past

I was caught by surprise when an old friend had SMSed me requesting for a brief appointment. This friend (F) has not been within my radar for more than 10 years. In his short note, F justified that he needed to clarify a few things with me.

Initially, we broke the ice by catching up with our latest leases of life since the last time we ever talked to each other. Then F moved on with an introduction of a self-help book that he read which consequently moved him to plan for our tête-a-tête resolution meeting. This inspirational book was actually Joe Vitale’s The Key: The Missing Secret for Attracting Anything You Want “.

The Career, The Book, The Past

Apparently F had just quit his job and ventured into setting up his own business which requires fervent dilligence and lots of faith in order for him to excel. The relation of his new endeavour, the book and that meeting was simple. He realised that the objective of this move of career was to change his lifestyle and elevate his state of living. Over the years, he face some tribulations in achieving this objective which sort of held him back from savouring the taste of success.

Resentment and Guilts of One’s Past is A Waste

It was through reading had he manage to rectify the mistakes he committed from within. Vitale contended in his book that one of the causes where one fails to move on and set off to the road of success is because of something from within. It could be because of one’s track from the past that has moulded his/her perception of others in an incident or tragedy. It could either be a sense of guilt or resentment. The bottomline is the feeling of one’s uneasiness or unsettled feeling one has towards another creature of God.

I was wondering that probably one’s uneasiness takes away some portion of one’s energy and concentratio may impede the free and focused thoughts in achieving the things wanted in life.

Power of Forgiveness

Thank God that this reminds me the power of forgiving and to seek forgiveness even before this incident. It gives an awakening and vindicates the significance of forgiveness at the back of our minds. I personally believe that by keeping this feeling of resentment or guilt would hinder a person from fully concentrating on accomplishing an aim. Both of these feelings would tire the heart, mind, and soul having our energy wasted.

Some Illustrations

For example, at a race track one thinks of reaching the line at the highest speed to beat his competitors. Throughout the race, he’s probably distracted for worrying if anyone will manage to take over him. It is within this split of seconds that the energy is wasted and the body may slow down due to the division of concentration. However, if the racer sets aside any thoughts except for reaching the red line then a fully focused winner is in the making.

Another example is when a person aims to achieve something out of jealousy or resentment towards another being because of a blast from the past. Actually, such mentality derails that person from the main objective of life as ordained by Allah. Probably if one succeeds on the platform of negativity, it may fulfill his self-satisfaction. However, where does one put God in this picture?

I wonder, would it distort the beauty of pahala and our relationship with Him if we attain this personal victory in such a degenerating manner?

May Allah Guide our souls, Ameen.