Showing posts with label Hijrah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hijrah. Show all posts

Friday, January 11, 2008

Maal Hijrah: Menjana Ummah Gemilang

Khutbah Jumaat Selangor 11 Januari 2008

Saudara yang drahmati Allah SWT,

Marilah sama-sama kita mempertingkatkan ketakwaan kepada Allah SWT dengan mengerjakan segala perintah Nya dan meninggalkan segala laranganNya. Mudah-mudahan kita tergolong di dalam golongan orang yang paling bertakwa.

Seketika kita menyambut kehadiran tahun Hijrah 1429, amat molek dan tepat pada masanya, kita membuat muhasabah diri, meninjau negara Islam dan kedudukan umatnya dicelah-celah masyarakat dunia. Ini sangat penting dalam usaha kita memacu perjalanan masa depan yang lebih teratur, untuk meletakkan diri dalam persaingan global yang sangat sukar, supaya kita boleh sampai ke tahap penjanaan ummah yang gemilang, setelah kita mengetahui kekuatan dan kelemahan diri kita.

Khutbah kita minggu ini menyentuh dua perkara :

1. Menyorot kelemahan dan kesilapan diri muslimin masa kini untuk menjadi iktibar, agar tidak diulangi lagi kesilapan yang sama dalam mencorak masa depan ummah.

2. Membongkar kekuatan muslimin, agar mereka mampu mempergunakan kekuatan yang sedia ada pada mereka, sebagai model dan asas penjanaan ummah gemilang.

Ketika menyorot kelemahan umat Islam, Muhammad Nasir ulamak yang terkenal dari Indonesia, menyingkap empat gejala yang sentiasa menyekat kemajuan umat manusia :

1. Ketandusan idea
2. Sering bermusuhan
3. Tidak menghargai diri
4. Rakus pada dunia dan takut menghadapi risiko.

Umat Islam yang mempunyai kekayaan dengan pelbagai potensi, baik berupa kekayaan ekonomi, mahupun sumber manusia, namun mereka gagal memanfaatkan potensi-potensi itu dengan baik, disebabkan kemuflisan dia cipta atau apa yang disebut kemandulan minda. Sumber-sumber kekayaan itu samada terbiar begitu sahaja atau disia-siakan atau dimanfaatkan oleh orang lain.

Akibat dari gagal berfikir secara bijaksana, mereka sering mengambil jalan mudah, iaitu mengambil penyelesaian dari luar terutamanya dari barat, sedangkan apa yang mereka ambil itu tidak sesuai dengan keadaan tempatnya. Masyarakat Islam menjadi lesu dan tidak bermaya kerana gagal menyelesaikan perkara dalaman mereka dengan budaya setempat dan cara mereka sendiri. Maka, jadilah apa yang dikatakan : "Keunggulan Islam terselindung di sebalik kelesuan dan kebekuan umatnya. Allah SWT mengingatkan kita :

"Dan sesiapa yang berpaling ingkar daripada ingatan dan petunjukKu, maka sesungguhnya baginya kehidupan yang sempit dan Kami akan himpunkan dia pada hari kiamat dalam keadaan buta."

Salah satu daripada kelemahan umat Islam itu sendiri adalah suka bermusuhan. Mereka sangat senang jika ada lawan. Bila ada musuh, mereka akan bersatu. Jika tiada musuh, mereka akan bercakaran sesama sendiri. gejala ini amat jelas berlaku di sebahagian besar negara umat Islam, malah di negara kita juga tidak terkecuali. Musuh-musuh Islam sangat-sangat mengharapkan budaya begitu terus menjadi amalan umat Islam. Perpaduan sangat penting, ia adalah tonggak kekuatan. Tetapi perpaduan itu semestinya sentiasa ada, dalam semua keadaan. Penyakit ini harus diubati segera oleh orang Islam. Tidak ada siapa yang boleh mengubahnya, melainkan kita sendiri. Allah SWT ada menyebutkan :

"... Sesungguhnya Allah SWT tidak mengubah apa yang ada pada sesuatu kaum sehingga mereka mengubah apa yang ada pada diri mereka sendiri..."

Satu lagi penyakit yang dideritai oleh umat Islam ialah penyakit atau sikap tidak menghargai diri sendiri, sedangkan mereka juga punya segala-galanya yang mampu menjadikan mereka umat yang gemilang. namun, mereka mudah sekali terikut dengan budaya orang lain. Mereka mudah mengagumi sesuatu yang bercitarasakan barat, sedangkan apa yang mereka miliki lebih unggul dari itu. Dengan bercitarasakan itu, mereka terasa elit, terpelajar, maju dan kelas yang dapat banggakan, sedangkan mereka sebenarnya adalah penghidap penyakit hilang keyakinan diri yang sangat kronik. Mereka lupa kepada firman Allah SWT:

"Tidakkah engkau melihat (wahai Muhammad) bagaimana Allah mengemukakan satu perumpamaan iaitu : Kalimah yang baik (iaitu kalimah tauhid) Adalah seperti sebatang pohon yang baik, yang pangkalnya (akar tunjangnya) tetap teguh, dan cabang pucuknya menjulang ke langit." (Ibrahim:24)

Perkara terakhir yang dibicarakan oleh Muhammad Nasir, rakus pada dunia, takut menghadapi risiko, sebagai gejala yang menghalang kemajuan ummah. Manusia yang punya sifat ini, samalah seperti haiwan pelahap, watak gelojoh yang mahu mengaut keuntungan tanpa mempedulikan hukum halal haramnya. Orang seperti ini tidak sanggup jika diajak berjuang membela nasib ummah, dengan alasan sibuk dengan bisnes, takut rugi, takut jatuh, takut susah dan berbagai-bagai takut lagi yang tidak berasas sama sekali.

Apa sudah jadi dengan umat Islam?. Jawapannya tidak lain seperti yang pernah diperingatkan oleh Rasulullah SAW mereka ditimpa penyakit (Al-Wahn) - Lemah yang menyebabkan mereka sangat sayangkan dunia dan bencikan kematian.

Sungguhpun umat Islam menderitai dengan parah penyakit-penyakit yang disebutkan tadi, tetapi mereka masih mempunyai dan memiliki kekuatan dan keteguhan asas yang dikurniakan oleh Allah SWT kepada mereka. Masalahnya di sini ialah menyedarkan mereka bahawa mereka sebenarnya mempunyai segala-galanya yang mampu menjadikan mereka ummah gemilang, kiranya mereka sedar dan mampu pula mencerna dan mempergunakannya dengan penuh bijaksana, mereka boleh membina tamadun yang berupaya menjadi pesaing terhebat dalam persada antarabangsa dan dunia globalisasi ini.

Antara asas-asas kekuatan umat Islam :

1. Sumber rujukan utama mereka iaitu Al-Quran dan As-Sunnah. Al-Quran adalah wahyu Ilahi sebagai sumber perundangan Islam yang utama.Dengan turunnya Al-Quran kitab-kitab lain telah di mansuhkan. Manakala As-Sunnah pula di tempat kedua, iaitu sebagai penjelasan penafsiran dan pelaksanaan kepada Al-Quran. Kedua-dua sumber ini mestilah di jadikan dasar untuk membangun kehidupan dan tamadun bangsa dengan sempurna. Semoga dengan itu dapat menjamin keselamatan serta kesejahteraan hidup di dunia dan di akhirat. Firman Allah SWT :

"...Maka sesiapa yang mengikut petunjukKu itu nescaya ia tidak akan sesat dan ia pula tidak akan menderita azab sengsara."

2. Keupayaan tenaga dan sumber manusia yang besar : Jumlah umat Islam menghampiri 1/4 dari penduduk dunia, mampu memberi laluan yang jelas serta dorongan yang kuat bagi membina tamadun dan menjana kegemilangan. Asalkan mereka menggunakan seluruh keupayaan minda yang Allah SWT kurniakan dan mereka pula tidak bermusuhan sesama mereka.

3. Lokasi dan kekayaan ummah : Alhamdulillah, semua negara-negara Islam berada dalam lokasi yang strategik dunia dari segi geografi dan manfaat ekonominya, di samping di penuhi dengan sumber kekayaan, kualiti dan kuantiti. Dengan kedudukan yang sangat istimewa ini, kuasa asing sangat cemburu kepada umat Islam dan sentiasa pula menentang segala usaha pembangunan dan reformasi yang dilakukan oleh dunia Islam. Kesedaran dan keupayaan kita memanfaatkan kelebihan ini melakar jalan yang lebar terbuka untuk kita menjadi umat gemilang dan menerajui kepimpinan dunia, malah umat Islam pernah melakukannya 800 tahun yang lalu. Ingatlah penghargaan Allah SWT kepada kita :

"Sesungguhnya Kami telah catatkan dalam kitab-kitab yang Kami turunkan sesudah ada tulisannya pada loh Mahfuz : Bahawasanya bumi itu akan diwarisi oleh hamba-hambaKu yang soleh." (An-Nisaa':105)

4. Ikatan persaudaraan sesama masyarakat Islam : Seluruh umat Islam adalah bersaudara, dengan ikatan syarak. Mereka umpama binaan yang saling menguatkan antara satu sama lain. Jalinan ini, semestinya dipergunakan demi membentuk gabungan antara jati diri ummah dan sikap keterbukaan sesama mereka dalam satu wadah, satu perjuangan dan satu hasrat untuk menjana kegemilangan pada masa akan datang.

"Sesungguhnya orang yang beriman itu adalah bersaudara, maka damaikanlah antara dua saudara kamu (yang bertelingkah) itu; dan bertakwalah kepada Allah supaya kamu beroleh rahmat." (Al-Hujuraat:10)

®Jais

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Islamic Calendar*

Banu Salleh
The Muslim Era began with the great event of the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions from Makkah to Madinah. The adoption of this event as the beginning of the Muslim Era took place in the Caliphate of ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab, the second Caliph.

The Muslim calendar is lunar, and its months are determined by the various positions of the moon. In every year there are twelve months, and each month is either thirty or twenty-nine days depending on the position of the moon. These months are:
1. Muharram
2. Safar
3. Rabi’ul-Awal
4. Rabi’ul-akhir
5. Jamadial-awal
6. Jamadill-akhir
7. Rejab
8. Sya’aban
9. Ramadhan
10. Shawal
11. Zulqa’edah
12. Zulhijjah

Every week has one special day to remember and observe. This is Friday, and its significance stems from the Noon Congregational Prayers which must be observed by every Muslim who can attend. There are other significant occasions which should be remembered with a special observance.

1- Ramadhan, the month of Fasting, in which the Qur’an was revealed.

2- The Night of Honor and Excellence of Qadar which may be celebrated on the eve of twenty-third or the twenty-fifth or the twenty-seventh of Ramadhan.

3- `Eid al-Fitr (Feast of Breaking the Fast of Ramadhan) which falls on the first day of Shawwal.

4- `Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) which falls on the tenth day of Zulhaijjah.


* Excerpted with modifications from Hammudah Abulati's Islam in Focus.

® srikandeh

Asma of the Two Belts: A Mainstay of Hijrah

Asma  The Two Belts

Dalia Salaheldin


In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and Thanks is due to Allāh, the Lord of the al-‘ālameen. There is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu alayhi wasallam, is His Messenger.


She of the Two Belts: A Mainstay of Hijrah

Being born a Muslim Arab woman who has lived all her life trying to be a dedicated Muslim, I never stopped to think about my being a Muslim woman. That is simply because, when a Muslim thinks from where he or she stands, and that is from inside the world of Islam (and I mean of Islam, not of Muslims) he or she does not stop and say, "I am a Muslim man," or, "I am a Muslim woman."

A Muslim simply stops and says, "I am a Muslim," thus, a Muslim says, "I have a mission in this life for which I have a certain vision; thus, I have to implement my vision in order to accomplish my mission."

This is not to deny that there are differences between men and women in Islam, but these differences are never related to status, preference, role, duties, or rewards. The difference might only exist in "how" each goes on with his or her role in this life. This similarity of roles, duties, and rewards is obviously clear in the Quranic verse which simply says what means:

“For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.” (Al-Ahzab 33:35)

Here, the verse shows that expectations are the same and rewards are the same.

Question: In relation to the coming of the new Islamic year, a celebration for Muslims, many speak about the heroic process of Hijrah. Yet, as usual, you find that all heroes in Islam are men. In your site, you say women are equal to men, but this doesn't show in practical doings. Muslims speak all time about how the first caliph was a good friend during the journey of Hijrah and how all Muhajirun were heroic, but were all Muhajirun men?

The point that I am trying to say from this long introduction is that since Muslim men and women both have the same duties and rewards, both have tried to accomplish their mission since day one.

According to Islam, man's mission in this life is to serve God. When I use the word "man" I do not mean the masculine kind, but I mean the race of mankind. I would have much preferred to use the Arabic word insan, which indicates both sexes—male and female. Anyway, as I have mentioned that since both men and women have the same mission, both have worked to serve God since day one Islam.

History tells us that the first Muslim was a woman, Khadijah, Mother of Believers. Moreover, the first martyr was a woman, Sumayyah, mother of `Ammar b. Yasir.

Also, the greatest teacher of Prophetic Hadith was a woman, Aishah, Mother of Believers. History tells so much and so many stories about great women who lived to serve God and died in commitment to their mission. May Allah be pleased with them all.

Life is a long, contorted path that cannot be survived by women on their own, nor can it be survived by men on their own. The beauty of worship in Islam is that as you can practice it individually, you can also share it with your beloved ones. Hand in hand, men and women are to share their duties in order to achieve their mutual goal—God's pleasure.

This was of course what took place during the journey of Hijrah, as it has taken place and should always take place in any other worship. Men of the Muhajirun migrated from Makkah to Madinah and women of the Muhajirun did the same.

Both left their beloved Makkah, along with their belongings, memories, beloved ones, and families, and immigrated to the land where they could survive with their faith of Oneness. It was tough on the men and might have been even tougher on the women. Simply letting go of everything you have ever loved and been attached to just to perpetuate an idea that has convinced both your heart and mind could not have been easy.

From your question, I understand you need me to narrate a story of one of the women. I chose to narrate the story of a woman whose deed was a mainstay in the success of the migration of the Prophet of Islam. In fact, each Muslim owes her gratefulness and appreciation until this very day. This woman is Asma of the two belts.

She was Asma, daughter of Abu Bakar the first caliph and Companion of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). She was known for her noble descent and bravery. She chose Islam when she was nearly fourteen and she was the 18th person to accept Islam.

Her role during Hijrah was not only that of one of the Muhajirun who left their past behind, seeking a land where freedom of worship was guaranteed, but she was one who helped guarantee the success of the Prophet's Hijrah along with that of his companion Abu Bakar.

During the very first days of the Prophet's Hijrah, he (the Prophet) and Abu Bakar had to hide for a couple of days in a small cave known as the Cave of Thur in a rocky mountain of the same name. Only the chosen knew where the two great men were hiding. Among those chosen was Asma (may Allah be pleased with her).

Each night, oblivious of the dreariness of the rocky dark desert, Asma would take food and drink to her father and his blessed companion. A young woman of her age should not have taken the risk of being in such a rocky, mountainous, deserted place at night, especially with the political threats that were leveled at them due to the status of her father.

Yet Asma went. How else would the two great men receive nutrition if not because of Asma? They had to hide until the men of Quraish gave up looking for them. Asma knew this and knew the importance of her mission to help keep those two men alive. It was the mission of keeping faith alive.

She received her well-known title of "She of the Two Belts" for a gesture she made during her mission. Wanting to carry both food and drink, she had no alternative but to tear her belt into two parts; a part for the food and a part for the water. Prophet Muhammad named her "Asma of the Two Belts." He then promised her that God would give her two belts in Paradise.

In his search for the two runaway men, Abu Jahal (a major enemy of the Prophet) went to Asma, asking her about her father. Asma gave him no information and her punishment was a slap on her face that broke her earrings. A woman of her dignity and self-respect would not have tolerated such an incident except for the sake of a respected cause and a more dignified goal.

Narrating the life of Asma would take pages of detailed heroic incidents. She lived to be one hundred with the same dignified sincerity for the cause and with the same strength of character and strength of belief. The small incident that I narrated is but one example of how many great women served Islam.

Whether Muslim or non-Muslim, woman is a great creation of God, just as man is a great blend of emotions, thoughts, logic, and feelings that are to be interpreted into deeds and history. If either men or women choose to serve God, the greatness is in the One served and never in the kind that serves.

And Allāh Almighty Knows best.

[Via Islam Online]

Significance of Hijrah


The Significance of Hijrah

Salem Al-Hasi



In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;
All the praise and thanks is due to Allāh, the Lord of al-‘ālamīn. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam, is His Messenger



The significance of Hijrah (the migration of Prophet Muhammad (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) from Makkah to Madinah) is not limited to the Islamic history or to the Muslims. The Hijrah not only reshaped — socially and politically — the Arab Peninsula, but also had its impact on worldwide civilizations.

Throughout the history of Islam, the migration was a transitional line between the two major eras, in relations to the Prophet Muhammad (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) propagating the message of Islam; the era of Makkah and the era of Madinah. In its essence, this signified a transition from one phase to another, as follows:

· Transition from the position of weakness, where the non-believers of Makkah — particularly the people of Quraish — humiliated, tortured and killed Muslims, to a new position of strength. This happens when Muslims were able to defend themselves and to defeat their adversaries.

· Transition from spreading Islam through individual da’wah (inviting others to Islam) to the spreading of Islam through institutionalized da’wah, initiated by the state.

· Transition from a position where Muslims represented with a small group of people, surrounded by enemies and threatened by death, to the position of a regional power with a strong central leadership. This was one that was surrounded by a large number of followers and allies.

· Transition of da’wah from regionalism, in which the focus was only on Quraish and the tribes surrounding Makkah, to the phase of universalism. This is where the Muslim State began reaching out to Persia, Egypt, and the Byzantine Empire. · Transition from being a simple Islamic group of believers, to being the Islamic Ummah (nation). This is which was an organized Islamic state, with a central leadership and other organizations.

· Transition, which is most significantly for early Muslims, to the phase in which Islam was not only the act of worship, but a way of life. This was encompassing politics, economy, social interactions and every other aspect of life. This was the first time when Islam was looked upon as a comprehensive religion.

This contrast between the two periods is clearly noticeable in the Quranic discourse. Muslim scholars describe the part of Quran that was revealed in Makkah as the Makkan Quran, and that which was revealed in Madinah as the Madani Qur'an.

Although both parts are intermingled in the Quran and constitute one divine script, the discourse of both parts is clearly distinguishable. Whereas the part revealed in Makkah concentrated on tawhid (the Oneness of Allah or monotheism), the part revealed in Madinah covered rules regarding Islamic life in general.

There is no doubt whatsoever that the migration of Prophet Muhammad (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) to Madinah was the crucial event, which established the Islamic civilization. This was a civilization that thrived for many centuries.


And Allāh Almighty Knows best.

[ Via Islam Online]

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Ma'al Hijrah 1429

Assalamu'alaikum w.h.t

Fellow Muslim brothers and sisters,

Wishing you Maal Hijrah 1429.
Semoga terus dikurniakan Allah SWT Taufik, Hidayah, Rahmat, Hikmah dan Hasanah, Barakah yang berterusan sehingga ke akhir hayat. Kita berdoa semoga sentiasa dalam perlindungan & pemeliharaan dan berada di jalan yang diredhai Allah SWT.
Amin, Ya Rabbal A’lamin.
®Al-Hussaini